Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics is telling parents to check their children Halloween treats carefully.
Gummy bears, gummy rings and gum drops are some of the candies seized at a Gulfport man's home this week. Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics Director John Dowdy says they confiscated more than one pound of high-grade marijuana and 760 pieces of candy with THC in them. He says THC is the active chemical in marijuana, which causes the high. Dowdy says the drugs are shipped to Mississippi from states where marijuana is legal like California.
"These candies were being delivered in close proximity to Halloween. The concern that we have, the high-grade marijuana and the THC extracts that can be upwards of 35 to 40 percent THC, for a small child that could be fatal," said Dowdy.
MBN Agents also found 100 THC oil vape cartridges for use in e-cigarettes, along with firearms and $11,000 in cash. Forty-year old Homer Russell Smith is charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. Dowdy is urging parents to be careful about the candy they buy for Halloween. He says the bags they found did have THC on them. Brittany Dyess coordinates events for the City of Gulfport and safety is on her mind. She says they have two community-wide Halloween programs that offer a list of activities including games, prizes, movies and candy.
"Our police department's there telling and showing people how to stay safe during this time especially when you trick-or-treat and they'll be handing out bags and goodies," said Dyess.
Other communities like D'Iberville also host Halloween activities. The Gulfport Police Department says if the candy packaging look suspicious don't eat it. People can bring the items to their local police station. MBN Director John Dowdy says they're working closely with U.S. Postal Inspectors to intercept drugs sent through the mail.
