Crime

Multiple departments in southern New England seize hundreds of edibles with packaging that looks like candy

Published

2 years ago

October 14, 2022

Ken Paiva

Photos courtesy of Pawtucket and Glocester Police

Multiple police departments in southern New England this week seized hundreds of edibles with packaging that looks like regular candy.

On Wednesday, the Pawtucket Police Department’s Narcotics Unit along with the Pawtucket Police Major Crimes Unit executed a court-ordered search warrant at 70/72 Reservoir Ave. Apt #11 in the city of Pawtucket. The search warrant was issued after an investigation by the Pawtucket Police Major Crimes Unit into a possible Felony Domestic Assault involving a gun. During the search of the residence, Detectives seized a large amount of marijuana and packaging material. Also seized were numerous individual sized packages of marijuana edibles in which the packaging closely resembled common household snacks.

As a result of the investigation, Justin Palavra was arrested and charged with Domestic Violence – Felony Assault and/or Battery, Domestic Violence – Disorderly Conduct, Manufacturing/Possession/Delivery of Marijuana 1-5 KG, Possession W/Intent Schedule I & II, and Maintain Common Nuisance / Controlled Substances.

Earlier this week, Glocester, RI Officer Uriati & K9 Tate conducted a traffic stop, which led to an arrest and a seizure of over 200 individually packaged edibles.

According to police, a mother in St Louis, Missouri last week found cannabis-derived gummy worms in her 5-year-old’s Halloween candy after a trunk-or-treat event.

The Pawtucket Police Department issued a warning to the public.

“We urge everyone, parents in particular, to pay close attention to the packaging on your food, snacks, and candy, especially as we get closer to Halloween. You will notice while the packaging appears incredibly similar to the normal products, there are slight differences. Some of the differences include the marijuana edible packages saying “medibles,’ having a marijuana leaf symbol, listing THC, and/or having a cannabis alert symbol. Some common cannabis/marijuana alert symbols are included.”