Dagga muffin cops’ vow really takes the cake

THE NINE Durban officers rushed to hospital after eating muffins allegedly laced with dagga given to them by a female colleague have vowed never to eat muffins again.

Reportedly none of the officers, including the shift commander knew that the muffins might contain the drug.

The female officer who brought the home- made muffins and a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken for her birthday celebration could face charges of possession of drugs and assault if the toxicology tests indicate that the muffins contained the illegal substance.

“If we find that the food contained dagga, and that it was done so intentionally, then the individual who supplied the food will be charged,” said police spokesman Colonel Jay Naicker.

It was reported this week that the officers, who were working the night shift on July 4 at the Montclair police station, began hallucinating. Others experienced symp- toms of paranoia after consuming the “space muffins”.

The female officer who supplied the food, including the chicken, was also affected.

Only one officer did not eat the muffins, and was able to alert the station’s management.

Paramedics were called to the scene and the officers were subsequently rushed to hospital.

Officers from surrounding stations had to be called in to staff the station while crime prevention officers on duty in the area took over the van duties.

The incident happened in the same week that the Montclair Community Policing Forum launched a drug awareness campaign at the station.

Naicker said the officers, who returned to work after being discharged from Entabeni and St Augustine’s hospitals, were fine.

“We’re taking the matter very seriously, but we can’t act until the laboratory results are back.”

An officer at the station, who asked not to be named, said that after the “embarrassing but funny” incident, the officers had vowed to never again touch muffins.

“Everyone, especially the dayshift guys have been teasing the guys,” the officer said.

Jules Stobbs, from Dagga Couple, which advocates the decriminalisation of dagga in South Africa, condemned the incident, saying it was dangerous as the officers were unaware that the muffins contained dagga.

“Dagga is relatively harmless, but has to be used responsibly.”