In New Zealand, On August 14, 2024, it was revealed that the Auckland City Mission had unknowingly distributed candies containing lethal doses of methamphetamine. These candies were part of food parcels given to those in need. The candies were donated by an unknown individual and were part of the charity’s regular distribution efforts.
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The first signs of trouble emerged when several recipients reported a foul taste after consuming the candies.
Three individuals, a child, a teenager and a charity worker sought medical treatment after tasting the sweets. Thankfully none of them are hospitalized.
Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin from the Auckland police confirmed that the candies were indeed contaminated.
The candies were tested by the New Zealand Drug Foundation, which found that each piece contained up to three grams (0.1 oz) of methamphetamine.
To put this in perspective Sarah Helm, Executive Director of the New Zealand Drug Foundation explained that a typical dose of methamphetamine is between 10-25 mg. Each candy contained the equivalent of 300 doses making them lethal if ingested.
Auckland City Mission issued a public apology expressing regret over the incident. In their statement, they described their feelings as devastated and stressed that there was no indication of any wrongdoing on their part.
The charity addressed that the contaminated candies were donated by an unknown individual and not sourced directly by the organization.
The first warning sign came when a food bank client reported a funny-tasting candy on Tuesday, August 13, 2024.
Concerned staff at Auckland City Mission tasted the remaining candies and were warned by their acrid and revolting taste, which led them to suspect something was wrong.
Following this suspicion the charity immediately sought the expertise of the New Zealand Drug Foundation, a drug-checking and policy organization.
Tests confirmed that the candies were not just ordinary sweets but solid blocks of methamphetamine.
Each piece of candy contained up to 300 doses of methamphetamine. According to the New Zealand Drug Foundation, this is 300 times the lethal dose typically consumed by individuals.
The methamphetamine was wrapped to appear as pineapple-flavored boiled sweets from a Malaysian confectionery brand, Rinda. The packaging was professional leading the charity to believe it was a legitimate donation.
Up to 400 people might have received the contaminated candies in their food parcels. By Wednesday, eight families had reported consuming the candy including at least one child.
Three individuals including a child and a teenager, sought medical attention after ingesting the candy.
The situation could have been far worse due to the high potency of the drug. The New Zealand Drug Foundation warned that ingesting even a small amount of the methamphetamine-laced candy could cause severe symptoms including chest pain, seizures, hyperthermia, delirium and even loss of consciousness.
Auckland City Mission began contacting all families who had received food parcels within the past six weeks, the period during which the contaminated candies were distributed. Their goal was to retrieve any remaining candies before they could be consumed.
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The charity addressed that it only accepts commercially produced food in sealed packaging, a policy that was followed in this instance.
The New Zealand police have launched a criminal investigation to trace the origin of the methamphetamine and determine how it ended up in the charity’s possession.
By Wednesday afternoon the police had successfully recovered 16 pieces of the meth-laced candy. The total number of candies distributed remains unclear with estimates ranging from one packet containing 20 to 30 individually wrapped pieces to multiple packets.
According to Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin, the method of disguising methamphetamine as innocuous goods like candy is a known smuggling tactic.
The police believe that the drugs originated overseas and may have been intended for a different purpose before accidentally being donated to the charity.
Authorities suspect that the candies may be linked to an international drug trafficking operation. Detective Inspector Baldwin suggested that the drugs were likely packaged in the distinctive yellow Rinda wrapping to evade detection.
The packaging bore the branding of Rinda Food Industries, a Malaysian sweet manufacturer. The company has since clarified that their branding was misused and that they do not condone the use of illegal drugs in their products.
With up to 400 pieces of the meth-laced candies still in circulation, authorities have launched an urgent operation to retrieve them.
So far 16 of the sweets have been recovered, but police are calling for anyone who received these candies to hand them over immediately.
The public has been warned not to consume any sweets they may have received from Auckland City Mission in parcels.
Methamphetamine is a dangerous drug. Even a small amount can cause severe health issues such as chest pain, rapid heart rate, seizures, delirium and loss of consciousness.
A criminal investigation has been launched to determine how the contaminated candies entered the country and how they ended up in the hands of the charity.
Authorities are working with international agencies to track down the source of the drugs and bring those responsible to justice.
The charity is known for distributing around 50,000 food baskets annually and it is working closely with the authorities to ensure all contaminated items are recovered and to provide support to those affected.
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