A heartbroken mother has spoken out following her daughter's death. 23-year-old Damilola Grace Olakanmi died after she ingested a cannabis gummy.
On Tuesday, March 29, the friends fell ill at the home in South Park Drive, Ilford at around 11:30pm. Ms Olakanmi, a University of Hertfordshire business law undergraduate, was taken to Queen's Hospital, Romford via air ambulance, whilst in a critical condition.
Ms Olakanmi's friend, who was a US student visiting the UK, was later discharged from hospital by doctors. Meanwhile, Ms Olakanmi's mother, 51-year-old Wunmi, kept a vigil by her daughter's bedside whilst she fought for her life, before sadly passing away on Saturday, April 2.
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The day after Ms Olakanmi's death, Richard Taylor, a 75-year-old justice campaigner and family member, consoled Wunmi. He explained to the Evening Standard: "Wumi has lost her only child - she has nothing now. They had to hold her up because she broke down every time a friend came to the house to give support.
“It’s a tragic warning to all young people about how they live their lives. They should resist drugs.
“Damilola was a promising young woman who should be looking forward to her future and having children of her own. She was studying law.”
South Norwood resident Leon Brown, 37 was arrested in connection with the incident on Friday, April 1. He was then charged with possession with intent to supply Class B synthetic cannabinoid, being concerned in the supply of a synthetic cannabinoid, and possession with intent to supply a psychoactive substance.
According to another family member, Dunni, Damilola was 'very kind and loved looking after children', the Evening Standard reported. Dunni said: "The family will never come to terms with this. We need to know what happened.
"We don’t want Damilola’s memory to be just like that. You want her to be remembered as the girl who asked everyone, ‘Are you okay and do you want anything?'"
A number of sweets have been recovered and are currently being tested. According to the Metropolitan Police, the case may be linked to another incident which took place last month, and saw a woman being hospitalised after consuming a cannabis sweet in Tower Hamlets, London.
The woman involved in the earlier case has since been discharged from hospital, but an enquiry is currently underway to determine whether the sweets came from the same batch as those that were consumed by Ms Olakanmi and her friend. Chief Superintendent Stuart Bell, of the Met’s East Area Basic Command Unit has issued a warning to the public, warning them of the dangers of illegal drugs in general, but especially those packaged as 'cannabis sweets'.
Mr Bell said: "Please do not buy or consume these products. They are illegal and, because of the child-friendly packaging, they can pose a risk of accidental consumption.
"The particular batch of sweets were contained in packaging featuring Trrlli Peachie O’s branding. It has not been confirmed at this stage where the sweets were manufactured."
He then added: "Drug dealers harm communities and risk the safety of individuals. We will take positive action to target those engaged in this activity as well as those found in possession of these substances.
"Anyone with information about people selling illegal products such as these is asked to speak with local officers, call police on 101 or, to remain anonymous, contact Crimestoppers."
The Metropolitan Police has said that a special post-mortem examination will be arranged in due course.
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