A researcher has identified small blocks of meth disguised as pineapple lollies. This is potentially linked to Mexican cartels with ties to New Zealand gangs.
The ‘lollies’ were donated to the Auckland City Mission’s Boston Road site earlier this month and distributed in 428 food parcels.
Three people, including a charity worker, were hospitalized after consuming the candy. Another child was taken for precautionary medical checks.
A second charity worker from Ronald McDonald House was taken to hospital after tasting one and is now recovering at home.
Dr. Chris Wilkins, head of the illicit drug monitoring system at Massey University, said the incident was like joining pieces of a puzzle together.
Mexican cartels have been able to gain a foothold in New Zealand due to their lower prices compared to Asian dealers. The composition of the meth might provide clues on its source.
Dr. Wilkins suspected it was a “smuggling mistake” that the ‘lollies’ ended up with the City Mission.
The concentrated form of the drug was converted into liquid form. The item is then processed into a legal product to cross the border. Then, it was rediluted into a form for retail sale.
Police have recovered 31 blocks of meth disguised as branded lollie. Another was due to be collected yesterday, bringing the total to 32.
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