Meth parcels disguised as lollies were unknowingly distributed by a New Zealand food bank in what is thought to be a "smuggling operation gone wrong".
Auckland City Mission included pineapple lollies, packaged to look like Malaysian brand Rinda, in some food parcels but they were contacted on Tuesday with concerns over the "funny taste".
Charity staff tried the sweets and immediately contacted police.
Tests then confirmed that the lollies contained potentially lethal levels of methamphetamine.
So far, police have recovered nearly 30 blocks of the drug disguised as branded lollies and say circulation appears to be within the Auckland region.
A relatively common tactic for smuggling gangs
A spokesperson for the New Zealand Drug Foundation has now told the ABC they believe a smuggling operation has gone wrong.
Hayden Eastmond-Mein told ABC News Breakfast: "They're not tainted lollies. They're just methamphetamine. It's up to 300 doses and it's potentially fatal.
"This is a relatively common tactic for smuggling drugs, is to kind of disguise them as other things.
"We know that there was this batch that, unfortunately, made its way into the City Mission food parcel system. We don't think it was intentional. This is a lot of methamphetamine, worth a lot of money.
"We think it was more likely to be a smuggling operation gone wrong. But we've got no way of knowing how many more of these lollies are out there."
Police are investigating the origin of the methamphetamine and believe it was imported into New Zealand.
Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin of Auckland City CIB said the investigation is still in its early stages.
"Firstly, it is vital that the public are aware of these lollies and ensure they are secured and handed over to police," Inspector Baldwin said
"Our investigation is looking into how far these lollies have been circulated and ensure we can secure these items, to minimise harm."
A racing heart and a 'bit of a comedown'
Three people were subsequently taken to hospital after tasting the lollies, which contain a potentially lethal 3 grams of methamphetamine.
A charity worker was taken to Auckland City Hospital on Tuesday after experiencing symptoms and was later discharged.
Two young people were also taken to hospital after initially tasting the lollies and spitting them out. Both are reported to be well, having returned negative test results.
Another child who tasted a lolly and spat it out was taken for precautionary medical checks.
"One bit of luck in this story is that a block of methamphetamine tastes pretty foul and so all of the stories we've heard so far are where people have spat it out straightaway," Mr Eastmond-Mein said.
"We've heard of at least three hospitalisations so far, but nothing serious that we've heard of.
"If they have a taste [of the lolly] and spit it out, they can feel a racing heart. The taste is pretty foul as well. And they can have a bit of a comedown from the stimulus of the methamphetamine."
The New Zealand Drug Foundation says symptoms might include:
- Chest pain
- A racing heart
- Seizures
- Hyperthermia
- Delirium
- Loss of consciousness
'It could have been deadly'
Sarita Kaukau, a recovering meth addict, was devastated to learn her son, three, and her brother, 13, had tasted the lollies she received in a food parcel on Tuesday afternoon.
She told Radio NZ: "My little brother went to try the lollies, went 'ew, yuk', spat it out, threw it in the bin and washed his mouth out. He didn't tell me about it so I wasn't aware of it.
"My three-year-old also had a lick of it and must have thrown it on the ground. They were fine, they had no issues. If they had consumed it, god knows what would have happened."
Ms Kaukau's friend later texted her to ask about the food parcel after seeing news that lollies were contaminated with meth.
After questioning her brother and son, Ms Kaukau realised they had tasted the lollies and she contacted police, who arrived in half an hour.
She also took both children to see a doctor.
"My little brother said it was disgusting and that it tasted like poison."
"I am actually a recovering addict off methamphetamine for four and a half years so I was really trigged.
"I had to talk to a few people about how it made me feel. Thank God for my supportive network that I am OK.
"It could have been deadly on our side so I'm just really grateful. Our whole household is in shock."
Auckland City Mission confirmed some of those who had received the food parcels were clients of the charity's addiction service and the news that drugs had been distributed had provoked distress.
"To say that we are devastated is an understatement," City Missioner Helen Robinson said.
Police aware of attempt to sell lollies online
Operation Tirade is investigating one report made regarding someone attempting to sell one of the methamphetamine lollies online.
"Initial information is that this individual was attempting to sell it on Facebook Marketplace," Inspector Baldwin said.
"We are taking this report very seriously, but enquiries are in the early stages.
"Dealing a Class A drug is a serious offence, and we will not tolerate this."
Inspector Baldwin said the right thing to do was hand in the items.
"Those who have inadvertently come into possession of these lollies through food parcels have done nothing wrong."
Rinda Food Industries is cooperating with the police investigation.
General manager Steven Teh said the company was aware of the situation.
"It has come to our attention through recent news reports in New Zealand that our products may have been misused in connection with illegal substances, specifically methamphetamine," he said.
"We want to make it clear that Rinda Food does not use or condone the use of any illegal drugs in our products."
