In Duisburg, Germany, a 52-year-old man collapsed on Saturday after smoking a cigarette.
Paramedics resuscitated him and transported him to the hospital, where his condition is now stable, police reported on Tuesday.
According to Der Spiegel, a witness claimed the man had purchased a cigarette laced with an unknown substance shortly before his collapse.
On Tuesday, two more individuals, aged 43 and 45, similarly collapsed after smoking cigarettes with an unknown ingredient.
One of the victims required inpatient treatment but was not in life-threatening condition.
Following these incidents, police evaluated evidence and interviewed witnesses, leading to the provisional arrest of a 29-year-old suspect.
The suspect is believed to have violated the New Psychoactive Substances Act (NpSG).
No further evidence was found during a search of his apartment.
Potential Risks
Investigators suspect the substance in the cigarettes causes serious cardiovascular complications that can be fatal.
The investigation into the seized evidence is ongoing.
This incident follows a similar case in February, where two 15-year-olds were hospitalized in Duisburg after smoking a disposable e-cigarette containing HHC, a semi-synthetic cannabinoid. One of the students had bought the e-cigarette at a local drinking hall.
