Drugs stolen from vet could kill - police

Ketamine. Photo / Supplied

Police are worried drugs stolen from a Far North vet could end up harming people as well as animals.

Thieves stole supplies of pentobarbital and ketamine from Top Vets in Kaitaia in late July.

Northland police spokeswoman Sarah Kennett said police were concerned both drugs could be circulating in the community and could potentially kill people.

"Pentobarbital is used for euthanasing large animals and as little as 2ml will kill a person if ingested in any way," she said.

"Ketamine, an anaesthetic drug, causes hallucinations and can lead to severe heart and breathing problems, even death."

If ketamine was combined with other tranquilising drugs the mixture would quickly depress breathing to dangerous levels, Ms Kennett said.

It was addictive and regularly caused memory problems and behavioural changes.

She said Northland police wanted to hear from anyone with information about the theft or where the drugs might be.

There was also a break-in to the drug cabinet at a vet clinic in Mangonui, though no drugs seemed to be taken.

- NZPA