Teens in New Zealand Accidentally Donate Marijuana to Charity Shop

Two teenagers accidentally left a knapsack containing marijuana and cash at a donation area outside a charity shop in New Zealand before returning in a panic to recover it.

A volunteer at the store noticed a strong smell coming from the bag before opening it and discovering plastic packets containing 43.2 grams of marijuana along with NZ$3,700 (about $2,200) in cash, according to a statement from the New Zealand Police.

Recreational use and sale of marijuana are illegal in New Zealand, although limited medical use is permitted with a doctor’s prescription.

Police said the incident took place on February 18 in the Southland Region on the country’s South Island. Authorities declined to disclose the exact location of the shop to protect staff.

According to police, the teenage boy and girl had left the knapsack outside the store while waiting for their vehicle to be serviced at a nearby workshop. Officers were called when the distressed pair returned to retrieve the bag.

A search of the teens’ car uncovered an air pistol, which people under 18 cannot possess without a licence and adult supervision, along with a police scanner and additional cash.

While owning a police scanner is legal in New Zealand, sharing or acting on information obtained through it is a criminal offence.

Police did not provide details about possible charges or whether the teenagers had appeared in court.

New Zealand also has strict reporting restrictions for cases involving young people, with most matters concerning suspects under 17 typically handled by the Youth Court.

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