New Zealand charity says candy laced with lethal drugs distributed unknowingly

By Efe Ozkan

ISTANBUL (AA) - A charity based in New Zealand Wednesday claimed it unknowingly distributed candy filled with lethal doses of methamphetamine.

The laced candy had been distributed in food parcels after they were anonymously donated in the past six weeks as pineapple candies, labeled with the Malaysian brand Rinda in sealed packaging, ABC News reported.

The New Zealand Drug Foundation charity found after testing the candy that they contained a potentially lethal three grams of methamphetamine.

"A common dose to swallow is between 10-25 milligrams, so this contaminated lolly contained up to 300 doses," the foundation's Executive Director Sarah Helm said in a statement.

The sweets had a high street value of NZ$1,000 ($608) per candy and the total volume of methamphetamine is still unknown, according to the ongoing police investigation.

"To say we are devastated is an understatement," said the charity.

"We are reliant on the generosity of the public to help support people in need, and we are thankful to everyone who supports us."

The NZ Drug Foundation is now warning people not to consume Rinda brand pineapple lollypops.

Helm said: "We don't know how widespread these contaminated lollies are, so we recommend not eating any Rinda brand pineapple lollies if you have them."

A strong central nervous system stimulant, methamphetamine is mostly used as a recreational drug. It is also used as a second-line treatment for obesity and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.