A Queensland man who died of suspected poisoning took only one draw of a synthetic cannabis joint before falling unconscious.
Two men, aged 33 and 41, have died in Mackay in the past two days after smoking "Full Moon" synthetic cannabis, sold at adult stores and over the internet.
Queensland detectives on Wednesday raided private residences and outlets of the Love Hearts adult stores franchise in Toowoomba, Bundaberg, Rockhampton and Mackay.
"A large quantity of synthetic cannabis was seized during the execution of those search warrants," Detective Acting Superintendent Darrin Shadlow told reporters in Rockhampton on Thursday.
"Further investigations will be conducted to determine the chemical structure of those compounds."
Det Shadlow revealed one of the men had only smoked one draw of the material and never regained consciousness.
"We really want to get the message out there to the public that this stuff that people are selling is highly dangerous. It is a chemical compound that they're smoking; it's not meant for human consumption," he said.
"Unfortunately, people are selling it to make a quick dollar out of it and they are putting people's lives at risk."
Det Shadlow warned any form of the compound would be dangerous, including tea.
He says any compound that mimics the effects of a dangerous drug is treated the same as an actual dangerous drug under existing legislation.
"Having possession of this synthetic cannabis is illegal. It is just as illegal as possessing cannabis," he said.
"If you think you're buying a product from a registered store or business, it is still illegal and it is illegal for these people to be selling it."
The stores that were raided were allegedly selling the compounds in a secretive manner.
"You can't actually buy this stuff directly off the shelf," Det Shadlow said.
"You can't walk into the store and see it on the shelf. That probably explains a bit."
No charges have been laid over the raids.
Share
