Man Arrested After Selling Marijuana Gummies That Sickened LI Kids: PD

MORICHES, NY — A Mastic man was arrested Tuesday after providing a middle school student with cannabis gummies, which were then distributed to more than a dozen other middle school students in March, sickening them, police said.

Suffolk County police narcotics section detectives and Seventh Precinct Crime Section officers, investigating after 13 William Floyd Middle School students ingested cannabis gummies on March 3, obtained information about the man who provided the gummies to a student — who then distributed them to other kids, authorities said.

Investigators executed a search warrant on Tuesday at a Van Buren Street residence in Mastic and seized cocaine, cash and evidence of narcotics sales, police said.

Breiner Mayen-Balcarcel, 20, and Carlos Mendez-Aviles, 21, who both lived at the residence, were arrested, police said. Wilmer Castillo-Garcia, 22, of Bedford Avenue in Mastic, was arrested outside his residence, police said.

Castillo-Garcia was charged with two counts of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance; two counts of unlawful sale of cannabis or concentrated cannabis; seventh degree criminal possession of a controlled substance; and one count of endangering the welfare of a child, for supplying the middle school student with marijuana gummies, police said.

Mayen-Balcarcel was charged with two counts of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, police said. Mendez-Aviles was charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, police said.

Castillo-Garcia and Mayen-Balcarcel will be held overnight at the Seventh Precinct and are scheduled for arraignment at First District Court in Central Islip on May 28, police said. Mendez-Aviles will be arraigned at a later date, police said.

In March, the students were transported to area hospitals after 11 got sick after eating marijuana gummies at the William Floyd Middle School, officials said.

After the incident, the school district sought to educate about the dangers.

In a statement to Patch, the William Floyd school district spoke about next steps: “While we cannot discuss student discipline publicly due to privacy laws, we take this matter seriously and there will be appropriate consequences. We will continue to build upon our anti-drug programs and also continue to host grade-level assemblies highlighting the dangers of all drug use, including edible marijuana.”

Suffolk County Police Seventh Precinct officers responded to William Floyd Middle School, located at 630 Moriches Middle Island Road in Moriches, at about 10:10 a.m. on March 3 for multiple aided cases, police said.

Eleven students, ages 13 and 14, got sick after taking marijuana gummies, police said; 10 were transported to local hospitals for evaluation, according to Suffolk County Fire Rescue Services.

“This morning, a student at William Floyd Middle School handed out edible THC gummies to students, who have since fallen ill,” a statement from the William Floyd Union Free School District said. “The Suffolk County Police Department and local EMTs responded en masse to provide care and assistance, along with our school nurse, to students.”

Of the students initially transported to local hospitals for assistance, one was released into the custody of a parent, the district said.

“We are grateful to our first responders for their quick response, thankful that the students will be treated and hopeful that they will recover quickly,” the district said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has guidance on its website on how edibles can impact children.

“Edibles, or food and drink products infused with cannabis, have some different risks than smoked cannabis,” the CDC said. “The amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), or the concentration or strength, is difficult to measure and often unknown or inaccurate as labeled on edible products.”

Edibles, or food and drink products infused with cannabis, have some different risks than smoked cannabis, including a greater risk of poisoning, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

Unlike smoked cannabis, edibles can, according to the CDC:

Take from 30 minutes to 2 hours to feel intoxicating effects, so some people may eat too much, which can lead to poisoning and/or serious injury.Cause intoxicating effects that last longer than expected, depending on the amount ingested, whether they are eaten on an empty stomach, or with medications, the CDC said.Be unpredictable. The amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), or the concentration or strength, is difficult to measure and often unknown or inaccurate as labeled on edible products. Many people who use edibles can be caught off-guard by their strength and long-lasting effects, the CDC said.

Some cannabis edibles have packaging designed to mimic the appearance of well-known branded snacks and candy that appeal to children, the CDC said.

“Children who consume THC-containing products can become very sick,” the CDC said. “They may have problems walking or sitting up or may have a hard time breathing. Since adult cannabis use has been legalized in some states, unintentional cannabis poisonings in children have increased, sometimes requiring visits to the emergency room or hospitalization.”

The CDC added: “If you use cannabis products, keep them in a locked childproof container and out of the reach and sight of children and pets.”