An 11-year-old girl residing in Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia was hospitalized due to severe adverse effects resulting from the consumption of chocolate biscuits prepared by her father, which were suspected to be contaminated with cannabis, according to Channel NewsAsia.
According to official reports, the girl exhibited symptoms including difficulty in breathing, dizziness, and nausea after consuming the aforementioned biscuits. In response, she was promptly taken to Gerik Hospital and subsequently referred to Taiping Hospital for thorough examination and ongoing medical care. These details were disclosed by Perak police chief, Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri, in an official statement released on Tuesday, May 30.
The incident came to the attention of the authorities when a medical assistant from the Lawin Health Clinic in Gerik, located within the Hulu Perak district, filed a report with the police at 10:26 PM on Monday.
Mohd Yusri further conveyed that the girl’s father, who earns a living as a rubber tapper, has been apprehended by the police. The suspect, aged 38, underwent a urine test which yielded positive results for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), an active psychoactive compound found in cannabis plants. THC is recognized as one of the 113 cannabinoids identified within the plant species.
Pending further investigation, the suspect will remain in custody until June 3, as per the provisions of Section 31 (1) (a) of the Child Act 2001 and Section 15 (1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
Mohd Yusri, emphasizing the need for caution, urged the public to exercise vigilance and preventive measures to avoid the recurrence of such incidents. Additionally, he requested that no unfounded speculations be made regarding the case.
The condition of the victim, who was accompanied to the hospital by her father, has now stabilized, although a urine test to confirm the presence of cannabis is yet to be conducted. This decision was made to prioritize her ongoing treatment.
Images source: Unsplash