- Donated candy turns out to be life-threatening
In care packages distributed by the New Zealand organization Auckland City Mission, candies containing a potentially deadly dose of the drug Crystal Meth have been discovered. Three people had to be medically treated after trying the sweets, as reported by the police on Wednesday. A child and a teenager were hospitalized, and an employee of the aid organization was also treated by a doctor.
The drug-laced candies were reportedly donated by an unknown person in a sealed retail package and then distributed in care packages, according to the Auckland City Mission charity. "It's important that the public is informed about these candies and the danger they pose," said lead investigator Glenn Baldwin. The police are currently trying to determine how many pieces are in circulation and where they came from.
Investigators in New Zealand suspect that the drug was wrapped in the yellow pineapple candy paper of the Rinda brand by drug smugglers or dealers for concealment, and the drug candies were accidentally donated to the Auckland City Mission charity.
The organization stated: "To say that we are devastated is an understatement. We are completely reliant on the generosity of the public to help people in need."
Minimal health impacts
Mission director Helen Robinson estimates that up to 400 people may have received food packages with the dangerous candies. So far, eight affected families have come forward.
"Tests immediately confirmed that it was potentially deadly amounts of methamphetamine," said Robinson. According to the New Zealand Drug Foundation, about three grams of methamphetamine were found in one examined candy. "A typical oral dose is between 10 and 25 milligrams, so this tainted candy contained up to 300 doses," said CEO Sarah Helm. "Swallowing that much methamphetamine is extremely dangerous and can be fatal."
Methamphetamine can cause chest pain, rapid heartbeat, convulsions, and loss of consciousness, the Drug Foundation warned.
Due to the strange taste, most affected people have reportedly spat out the candies immediately and therefore have not suffered major health impacts, according to the police.
The drug-laced candies were discovered in care packages distributed by the New Zealand organization, Auckland City Mission. New Zealand authorities are currently investigating the source of these dangerous sweets to prevent further incidents.
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