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 nearly 30 of the lollies and one other person has been taken to hospital.
Police are investigating a person allegedly attempting to sell one of the meth-laced lollies on Facebook Marketplace.
Police have revealed they have now recovered 29 lollies laced with methamphetamine that were donated to the Auckland City Mission and distributed in food parcels after seizing 13 more overnight.
Another child was taken to hospital bringing the total number of people who have sought medical attention to four.
Meanwhile, Auckland City Mission is still scrambling to track down 428 families who may have also been given the sweets that are 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 the 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.
Baldwin also said police were continuing to work with other authorities overseas and in New Zealand.
Yesterday, Baldwin said the public could be assured police were treating this matter “extremely seriously”.
The lollies found to contain methamphetamine. Photo / NZ Drug Foundation
He thanked the Auckland City Mission for its co-operation and said the charity had done nothing wrong.
Drug Foundation executive director Sarah Helm said the white lolly was brought into a checking clinic on Tuesday afternoon.
