Prison officers in hospital after inmates spike curry with drug

PRISON officers have been rushed to hospital after inmates allegedly spiked their food with the drug spice.

- Megan Carr

Up to 25 employees at the high-security HMP Swaleside, in Kent, were affected by a "mass poisoning of staff", with at least three needing hospital treatment.

It is suspected the curry meals, prepared in the prison canteen, contained the synthetic cannabinoid and a new psychoactive substance.

The psychoactive drug can cause mood swings, anxiety, paranoia, tremors, seizures as well as fits.

Paramedics in nine ambulances were called to the prison on the Isle of Sheppey last Thursday. An emergency medical incident unit was set up at the jail, which holds around 1,100 inmates.