New Zealand charity unknowingly distributes meth-contaminated candy
According to media reports, the pineapple sweets, stamped with the label of Malaysian brand Rinda, “appeared as such when they were donated”, arriving in a retail-sized bag.
SHAH ALAM - A charity foundation working with homeless individuals in Auckland, New Zealand, unintentionally distributed over 400 sweets containing 300 times the usual amount of methamphetamine, making them potentially lethal if consumed.
City Missioner Helen Robinson said on Tuesday that a food bank client alerted the charity to the "funny-tasting" sweets.
It was later confirmed that about eight families, including a teenager and a child, had ingested the drug-laced sweets, with some seeking medical attention.
Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin stated that none of those affected were hospitalised.
New Zealand Drug Foundation spokesperson Ben Birks Ang described the drugs disguised as sweets as potentially lethal and linked them to a botched drug smuggling operation.
He warned that more of these candies might still be in circulation, estimating each sweet's value at about 1,000 New Zealand dollars (approximately $600).
According to The Guardian, the pineapple sweets, stamped with the label of Malaysian brand Rinda, “appeared as such when they were donated”, arriving in a retail-sized bag.
Rinda said in a written statement that the company had learned through New Zealand news reports that its sweets “may have been misused” and would cooperate with authorities.
“We want to make it clear that Rinda Food Industries does not use or condone the use of any illegal drugs in our products,” general manager Steven Teh reportedly said.
Methamphetamine is a strong, highly addictive stimulant that affects the central nervous system.
It is a white, odourless, bitter-tasting crystalline powder that easily dissolves in water or alcohol.
A criminal investigation is currently underway to uncover more details about the possible drug smuggling case.
