Pot edibles resembling name brand snacks seized on Island

With Halloween approaching, police on Vancouver Island are urging the public to be cautious after officers seized more than 120,000 cannabis-laced edibles, including chocolate and candies with packaging that mimics recognizable treats.

RCMP shared photos showing illegal cannabis snacks with names like “Reefers” for cannabis-infused peanut butter cups in yellow and orange packaging similar to Reese’s Pieces, as well as “KushKat” chocolates in red packaging like a KitKat bar.

A statement from the Mounties said the smuggled candies appear to be professionally manufactured products, but investigators discovered they were produced in “highly unsanitary and heavily contaminated” modular trailers.

They say federal investigators seized the edibles while searching two pharmacies, in Port Alberni and Lantzville, and five homes linked to an organized crime group allegedly involved in the distribution of illegal drugs and smuggled tobacco on Vancouver Island.

They say six suspects have been arrested this month as part of the operation, and police are recommending drug-related charges.

Some edibles had packaging with claims of medicinal properties and “dangerously high drug strength values,” the statement said.

“Given the highly contaminated and unsanitary conditions at the illicit drug manufacturing facility where these edible cannabis products were produced, it is possible that consumption of these products could result in serious health risks,” said Chief Supt. Stephen Lee with the RCMP federal policing program in the Pacific region.

“We urge the public to exercise extreme caution… especially with Halloween just around the corner.”