First responders were on the scene Saturday of multiple incidents downtown when about 16 juveniles and adults fell ill after apparently ingesting the synthetic marijuana drug "Spice" only a week after more than a
dozen people were sickened by the drug in the same area.
The first call came in at 12 p.m., at 1410 Imperial Ave., where two people were transported to the hospital for Spice-related illness, San Diego Police Department Sgt. Ray Battrick said.
Police received another call at 12:58 p.m., where at least another two people were sent to the hospital.
Two teenagers were also taken to the hospital today around 2:50 p.m. when they became ill at the trolley stop at 12th and Imperial near Petco Park. Battrick said the call was originally for 7 people, but medics only transported two people, while two others refused treatment.
The patients had symptoms varying from falling unconscious and unresponsive to violent vomiting and headaches, according to Battrick.
At least two other calls came in for Spice-related incidents downtown after 4 p.m.
An anonymous tip earlier today led officers to arrest a man this afternoon in connection to the incident at the trolley station who was wanted on a felony warrant, Battrick said.
Two arrests were also made Thursday in connection to the selling of Spice, Battrick said.
Selling synthetic cannabinoid compounds like Spice has been illegal in California since 2012.
On Sunday, more than a dozen people fell ill after overdosing on a bad batch of the synthetic drug, sending at least seven of them to the hospital.
The youngest patient was a 13-year-old and two of the patients who fell ill were in critical condition, according to San Diego Fire Rescue Capt Joe Amador.
Officers responded to multiple medical aid calls in the East Village, Gaslamp District and Little Italy.
The bad batch of the Spice drug sold last week was in a black package with blue dragons on the side, according to San Diego police.
Anyone with information on the drug or its makers was asked to call the SDPD at (619) 531-2000. All tips can be made anonymously.
