Overview
- Police say two teenagers accidentally left a backpack in a charity donation area in Southland on Feb. 18, then returned in a panic to retrieve it.
- A volunteer opened the bag after detecting a strong smell and found 43.2 grams of cannabis and NZ$3,700 in cash.
- Officers arrested the pair and, after searching their car, seized additional cash, an air pistol and a police scanner.
- Authorities have not disclosed what charges the teenagers face or any court appearances due to Youth Court reporting restrictions.
- The charity shop’s precise location is being withheld to protect staff, with recreational cannabis illegal in New Zealand and only limited medical use permitted.