…Researched and contributed by Solomon Thomas.
Drug dealers in the Black Country have been selling Cheetos laced with narcotics to children, according to intelligence received by police in Wolverhampton.
The brand of cheesy crisps, potentially spiked with drugs, is alleged to have been sold to under-18s along with knives.
A man was detained on suspicion of selling bladed articles and snacks laced with drugs.
Pictures released by police show that cash and drugs were seized.
Niche and Thorough Police Work Led to Arrest
After conducting what they described as “niche and thorough” police work, officers detained the man.
They shared news of the arrest on Twitter, writing, “This afternoon we arrested a male on suspicion of selling knives and snacks laced with drugs to minors.
Identified through some niche and thorough police work.”
Drug-Laced Snacks Not a New Phenomenon
This incident is not the first time that everyday snacks have been found to contain drugs.
In December, police in West Yorkshire seized edible cannabis that drug dealers had disguised as Christmas chocolates.
The drug-laced sweets looked like Quality Streets, Celebrations, and Aero Minis but were labelled “Quality Heat,” “Calibrations,” and “Ammo Minis.” Similarly, in March 2022, West Yorkshire police seized £300,000 worth of edible cannabis that gang members disguised as Dairy Milk and Milky Bar chocolates to target children.
Serious Implications
Selling drugs to children is an extremely serious crime with severe consequences.
Lacing snacks with drugs is a particularly dangerous form of this crime because it can easily go unnoticed by parents and teachers, leading to accidental ingestion and overdose.
The police must be commended for their diligent work in apprehending the suspect, and it is hoped that this arrest will serve as a warning to others who engage in this kind of criminal activity.