A charity in Auckland, New Zealand, inadvertently doled out methamphetamine-laced candies via food parcels. Auckland City Mission, which received the donated candies from a member of the public, began contacting up to 400 individuals after discovering the contamination. Authorities have launched a criminal investigation, as each candy contained up to 300 times a potentially lethal dose, according to the New Zealand Drug Foundation.
The drug foundation spokesperson, Ben Birks Ang, indicated that such disguising methods are common in cross-border smuggling. The high street value of each candy, at about $600, suggests an accidental donation rather than intentional harm. Helen Robinson, the City Missioner, confirmed that eight families—including a child—reported consuming what appeared to be pineapple candies but experienced no severe effects due to their "revolting" taste, which caused people to quickly spit them out.
The candies were donated in retail-sized bags and bore the name of the legitimate Malaysian brand Rinda. The discovery emerged after a food bank client reported an odd taste, prompting a staff investigation and subsequent notification to authorities. Robinson expressed deep distress over the incident, emphasizing a strict policy of only accepting commercial, sealed food donations. The food bank, which typically operates five days a week, has temporarily closed in the wake of the crisis. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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