Cannabis and Cash Found in Charity Donation in New Zealand
Invercargill, New Zealand – A donation to a charity shop in the Southland region of New Zealand’s South Island turned up with an unexpected contribution: cannabis and over $3,700 New Zealand dollars in cash. Police are investigating after the discovery on February 18th.
According to a police statement, two teenagers – a boy and a girl – left a rucksack at the charity shop while their car was being serviced nearby. A volunteer noticed a strong smell emanating from the bag and alerted authorities after finding 43.2 grams of cannabis and the substantial sum of money inside.
The teenagers returned to the shop in a panic attempting to retrieve the bag, at which point police were called. A subsequent search of the teens’ vehicle revealed an air pistol, requiring a license and adult supervision for those under 18, and a police scanner.
While possessing a police scanner isn’t illegal in New Zealand, authorities noted that distributing or acting upon information obtained through one is a crime.
The incident highlights New Zealand’s strict cannabis laws. Recreational use, sale, supply, and possession of cannabis remain illegal under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975, though police often exercise discretion with small amounts. A 2020 referendum on legalizing recreational cannabis narrowly failed to pass. Medical use is permitted with a doctor’s prescription.
Police have arrested the teenagers, but have not released details regarding specific charges or court appearances, citing rules protecting the privacy of youth offenders.
The discovery comes after a similar incident recently made headlines, with a bag of cannabis and cash accidentally donated to a New Zealand charity shop, as reported by Alton Telegraph.
