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.”
Poorly-produced THC vapes, which contain the psychoactive ingredient found in cannabis, could be mixed with high levels of nicotine.
Such a liquid could emit vapours or could be absorbed through the skin, both of which could impact a person’s wellbeing.
While the two gardaí were expected to recover, sources stressed they were not hospitalised for observation or out of an abundance of caution.
Both have since been discharged from hospital.
In an update on Thursday, Garda Headquarters said Edenderry Garda station remained closed pending a specialist cleaning operation.
Gardaí regularly seize vapes containing cannabis products, which are being smuggled illegally internationally, including into Ireland. They are often made in a manner that would not meet safety standards required of legal vapes.
Two weeks ago, in an operation led by the Garda’s Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, cannabis vapes and cannabis edibles, or gummies, valued at about €2 million were seized in one operation.
That operation was centred on key locations, residential and commercial premises, in Castlebar, Longford, Drogheda and Carlow.
A series of searches was carried out after gardaí became aware of retail premises, including vaping shops, selling illegal cannabis products.
The raids resulted in the seizure of “substantial quantities of cannabis-infused jellies, cannabis oil-infused vapes and ‘reefer’ cigarettes containing HHC [hexahydrocannabinol] and THC [tetrahydrocannabinol]”.
Though many of the vapes are packaged and marketed as containing specific drugs, the labelling is often unreliable, meaning the vapes at Edenderry Garda station could have contained a range of unknown substances.
An Garda Síochána said it was providing “welfare support” to the two members affected in Co Offaly and their families.
Policing services in the area are being provided from Tullamore Garda station.
It is understood gardaí do not suspect any sinister motive behind the incident.