Edenderry Garda station still closed after gardaí got ‘very ill’ handling seized vapes
An Irish Garda station remains closed for deep cleaning after two officers fell ill while processing a large seizure of illicit vapes. Authorities suspect the officers were exposed to harmful fumes or substances leaking from poorly constructed cannabis-infused vaping products.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the growing public health and safety risks associated with the unregulated black market for cannabis-infused vaping products.
Edenderry Garda station remains closed for specialist deep cleaning after two gardaí became seriously unwell while processing seized vapes at the Co Offaly station on Wednesday and were taken to hospital.
The gardaí were involved in processing vape products seized from a commercial premises.
Garda sources said the two members of the force who were handling the items became “very ill” after being overpowered as they bagged items from the haul. Cannabis vapes emit fumes and also include lithium batteries.
“It’s possible some of these vapes had leaked or were poorly constructed and you’ve got a leak or fumes off the vapes and that’s what made them ill,” said one source.
“Lithium batteries can also be tricky and if they handled the batteries and there was also leaks, especially in a tight space on a hot day, it could be a combination of all of those factors.”
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