A leading drug researcher believes it’s likely there are more meth-laced lollies in the community, but is confident the delivery to Auckland City Mission was unintentional.
Police are investigating a person allegedly attempting to sell a meth-laced lolly online
Police have recovered more than 30 of the lollies and one other person has been taken to hospital.
A second charity has received methamphetamine-laced lollies and one of its workers was sent to hospital after trying one.
Ronald McDonald House in Auckland said they had inadvertently received the supposed lollies in a food parcel from the Auckland City Mission.
Two families being housed by the charity while their children are sick in hospital were given food parcels including the fake lollies.
Ronald McDonald House Charities chief executive Wayne Howett said neither family tried any lollies. But a staff member had and needed medical attention at Auckland City Hospital.
“We are supporting them throughout this process and are pleased to say that they are recovering,” Howett told the Herald.
“The matter has been reported to the police and we are doing everything we can to assist with the investigation.”
Police are investigating methamphetamine laced lollies which were distributed through food parcels from the Auckland City Mission. Photo / New Zealand Police
The charity had handed one package of the contaminated lollies to police via Auckland Hospital.
A second package had been thrown away by a family.
The revelation comes as police say they have recovered another slew of the meth-laced lollies this afternoon.
Earlier, police said they had begun investigating a person who was allegedly attempting to sell one of the meth-laced lollies on Facebook Marketplace.
Police have revealed they have now recovered 32 lollies laced with meth donated to the City Mission and distributed in food parcels after seizing 13 overnight, and another this afternoon.
Another child was taken to hospital bringing the total number of people who have sought medical attention to four.
The NZ Drug Foundation is warning people not to consume Rinda brand pineapple lollies after a potentially lethal amount of methamphetamine was found in a lolly wrapped in the brand’s packaging. Photo / NZ Drug Foundation
Meanwhile, Auckland City Mission is still scrambling to track down 428 families who may have also been given the sweets that contain about 3g of methamphetamine.
“We can confirm 16 whānau have advised us they received the lollies and have been offered guidance as to appropriate next steps,” the Mission said in a statement on Thursday.
“As noted in the media stand up yesterday, Auckland City Missioner - Manutaki Helen Robinson acknowledged there may be more than one packet in circulation.
“This forms part of the current investigation, and the Mission continues to work closely with police in support of their enquiries.”
Rinda, the company that produces the lollies, released a statement today and said the “safety and well-being of customers” is their highest priority.
“We recognise the seriousness of this situation and understand the concerns it raises.”
The company said it would be working with New Zealand authorities.
Detector Inspector Greg Baldwin said police were in the early stages of investigating reports a man was selling the lollies on Facebook Marketplace.
“We are taking this report very seriously, but inquiries are in the early stages.
“Dealing a Class A drug is a serious offence and we will not tolerate this.”
Baldwin said police had contacted Rinda, the Malaysia-based lolly company in whose branding the meth was wrapped, as part of their investigation.
Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin holds up a photo of the Rinda-branded meth-laced lollies found in food parcels given to needy families. Photo / Alex Burton
He said police still had an open mind about how the meth came to be packaged.
