New Zealand police have recovered 29 methamphetamine tablets disguised as pineapple sweets, which were mistakenly distributed to the public in charity packs. The brightly wrapped drugs, donated anonymously to Auckland City Mission, were unwittingly handed out to recipients. Tests revealed that each piece contained approximately three grams of meth, a potentially lethal dose.
Authorities are urgently working to retrieve the remaining tablets and have launched a criminal investigation to track down up to 400 people who may have received the fake sweets. So far, four individuals, including two children, have received medical treatment after tasting the candies, though none are seriously ill. Police are also probing claims that one of the tablets was listed for sale on Facebook Marketplace.
The meth tablets were likely packaged in distinctive yellow “Rinda” wrappers by traffickers to avoid detection. Malaysian candy manufacturer Rinda Food Industries condemned the misuse of their branding, emphasizing they do not condone the use of illegal drugs. Auckland City Mission expressed their devastation over the incident.