Florida Sheriff Investigating After 7 Diners at Restaurant Fall Ill from Narcotics Poisoning

Florida authorities are investigating a steakhouse after seven patrons were hospitalized with what may have been poisoning from narcotics.

Santa Rosa County Sheriff said that some type of narcotic was in the food at Nikko Japanese Sushi Bar and Steak House in Pace, Florida, but it was not immediately known if the poisoning was intentional or accidental, according to multiple local news reports.

One person who said they had eaten at the restaurant claimed on social media that an employee had tainted the food with methamphetamines, the Pensacola News Journal reported. A suspect has been interviewed but no arrests have been made, officials said.

The restaurant was closed Monday. Sheriff’s investigators were working with the state Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco and the state Department of Business and Professional Regulation.