A businessman from China hooked his diner's customers on narcotic noodles
What only representatives of public catering do not do to attract and retain customers. Sometimes, when discounts and increased portions no longer work, some businessmen go to extremes. Recently, the owner of a snack bar was arrested in China, who added narcotic substances to noodles in order to cause a steady dependence in consumers.
On the last day of August, strange applicants came to the Lunan District police station in Lianyungang. An elderly couple claimed that the owner of a kiosk with hot rice noodles, well-known throughout the district, adds prohibited ingredients to the food.
I must say that the police did not take this statement seriously, since unusual "signals" from overly vigilant old people are received regularly. But something made the officers send an informant to the kiosk to find out if everything was in order there. Soon, a freelance employee brought a sample of noodles from the kiosk, the analysis of which showed very unexpected results.
A chemical study of the traditional dish showed the content of papaverine, opiates and other components prohibited for free circulation in it. This was already an excuse to come to the catering establishment with a search, which the police did.
In the kitchen of the point selling noodles, a pot of hot sauce was found, in which, in addition to oil, spices and chili pepper, there were narcotic substances contained in the poppy. Police officer Zhang Kaoshan commented on the situation to journalists:
The policeman added that the owner of the pavilion by the name of Li did not deny it and immediately admitted his guilt. In his defense, the elderly Chinese man said that he took such a step to improve the affairs of his business, which was hit hard by the coronavirus epidemic.
The entrepreneur decided that there is nothing wrong with the fact that people will get used to his noodles, because he actually has the most delicious in the quarter. Police experts have yet to find out how justified the merchant's hopes were, but an audit of the institution's accounting showed that after the introduction of a new additive in the sauce, revenue increased by about a third.
The case is still being investigated and it is necessary to get a number of examinations before it is sent to court. But experts believe that the chance to get a real term from the author of an unusual marketing move is very high. Most likely, the resourceful businessman will be found guilty of producing and selling toxic and harmful products.
The case in the city of Lianyungang cannot be called unique. In 2014, a man named Qiu was arrested in Shanghai, who flavored dishes of lobsters and crabs with opium poppy. In total, since 2000, 215 such violations have been recorded, and the owners of 35 restaurants have been jailed.
Keywords: China | Asia | Opium | Noodles | Food and drinks | Drugs | Covid-19 | News of the day