Woman, 23, dies after eating cannabis sweet in Ilford

A man has been arrested and charged in connection with the incident

Police are warning people not to take illegal substances following the death of a woman in Ilford.

The 23-year-old bought cannabis sweets, also knowns as gummies, via a messaging app on her phone on Tuesday, 29 March.

The items were delivered to her home in South Park Drive where she and a 21-year-old friend each ate one sweet.

They both immediately felt unwell and an ambulance rushed them to hospital. 

The 23-year-old woman died in hospital on Saturday, 2 April. Her friend was discharged following treatment. 

Police are waiting for the results of a special post-mortem and tests on a number of sweets which they recovered. 

Officers are trying to identify other cases where people have become seriously unwell after eating cannabis sweets or similar products.

They believe the case may be linked to another woman who became sick after eating a cannabis sweet in Tower Hamlets last month. She was also taken to hospital and later discharged.

A man was arrested after allegedly being found with a large quantity of cash and edible cannabis products on Friday, 1 April.

He was charged the following day with possession with intent to supply Class B synthetic cannabinoid, being concerned in the supply of a synthetic cannabinoid and possession with intent to supply a psychoactive substance. 

Chief Superintendent Stuart Bell said: “I must warn the public against taking any illegal substances, including those packaged in the form of cannabis sweets.

“Please do not buy or consume these products. They are illegal and, because of the child-friendly packaging, they can pose a risk of accidental consumption. The particular batch of sweets were contained in packaging featuring ‘Trrlli Peachie O’s’ branding. It has not been confirmed at this stage where the sweets were manufactured.

“Drug dealers harm communities and risk the safety of individuals. We will take positive action to target those engaged in this activity as well as those found in possession of these substances.

“Anyone with information about people selling illegal products such as these is asked to speak with local officers, call police on 101 or, to remain anonymous, contact Crimestoppers.”

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