Meth-laced sweets worth $601 each unknowingly distributed by NZ charity
What's the story
Police in New Zealand are rushing to locate sweets containing "potentially lethal levels of methamphetamine" after they were distributed by a charity in Auckland. According to Auckland City Mission, the sweets might have been distributed as part of a food parcel to up to 400 people. At least three people, including a child, sought medical assistance thereafter, but none are now in hospital.
Details
Sweets donated anonymously; distributed in food parcels
The sweets were reportedly donated to the charity anonymously in a sealed branded package and were then distributed in food parcels. The New Zealand Drug Foundation confirmed that a test sample of the candy contained methamphetamine, a powerful and highly addictive stimulant that affects the central nervous system. The tested sweet contained approximately three grams of meth, which is hundreds of times greater than the common dose taken by users, Foundation spokesperson Sarah Helm revealed.
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'Swallowing that much methamphetamine could result in death'
Helm warned, "Swallowing that much methamphetamine is extremely dangerous and could result in death." She also urged people who had received confectionaries from the Auckland charity not to consume them, stating, "We don't know how widespread it is." So far, eight families have been affected, including instances where parents gave one of the candies to their children who immediately spat it out due to its "acrid and revolting" taste.
Other developments
Sweet could have a street value of around $601
The New Zealand Drug Foundation estimates that each individual sweet might be worth around NZ$1000 ($601) on the street. Police believe that while the incident could have been an accident rather than a targeted operation, they have not formed any conclusions because it is "a bit early to say." Meth takes the form of a white, odorless, bitter-tasting crystalline powder that easily dissolves in water or alcohol. It can cause chest pain, racing heart, seizures, delirium, and loss of consciousness.