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Synthetic Marijuana Smuggled Into Franklin Co. Jail Causes Hospitalization Of Some Inmates

Franklin County Sheriff's Office Facebook

A Franklin County jail inmate is still in intensive care in Tallahassee, after smoking synthetic marijuana allegedly smuggled in by another North Florida inmate.

After experiencing symptoms like vomiting, hallucinations and convulsions, six inmates within the Franklin County jail had to be hospitalized Monday. Five are now back in their cells. Only one is still in the ICU.

Franklin County Sheriff A.J. Smith says they believe the smoked substance was K2, and the culprit is 56-year-old Vanda McElveen. Over the weekend, she was first arrested for smuggling contraband into a state prison as a visitor. Then, Smith says she was brought to the Franklin County Jail.

“While she was here, she had more contraband concealed inside her body,” said Smith via Facebook Live video. “Even though she was strip searched, it was not discovered, and as a result of it, the K2 got out to inmates in the jail, they smoked it, and had an adverse reaction to it.”

The inmate who was flown to Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare had the worst reaction—needing CPR before going to hospital.

For more news updates, follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter: @SaschaCordner.

Sascha Cordner has more than ten years of public radio experience. It includes working at NPR member station WUFT-FM in Gainesville for several years. She's worked in both radio and TV, serving in various capacities as a reporter, producer and anchor. She's also a graduate of the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in telecommunications. She is the recipient of 15 awards from the Associated Press, Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), and Edward R. Murrow. Her award-winning stories include her coverage on the infamous “Dozier School for Boys” and a feature titled "Male Breast Cancer: Lost in the Sea of Pink." Currently, Sascha serves as the host and producer of local and state news content for the afternoon news program "All Things Considered" at WFSU. Sascha primarily covers criminal justice and social services issues. When she's not reporting, Sascha likes catching up on her favorite TV shows, singing and reading. Follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter:@SaschaCordner.