Wellington, New Zealand
AP
—
Two teenagers accidentally left a knapsack containing marijuana and cash in a donation area outside a New Zealand charity store, police said on Monday, before rushing back to retrieve the bag.
New Zealand Police said a volunteer at the shop opened the knapsack after noticing a pungent odor and discovered a plastic bag containing 43.2 grams (1.5 ounces) of marijuana and 3,700 New Zealand dollars ($2,200) in banknotes.
The recreational use of marijuana and the sale of the drug are illegal in New Zealand. Some can be used for medical purposes with a doctor’s prescription.
According to police, the incident happened on February 18th in the Southland region of the South Island. A spokesperson declined to provide details about the store’s location to protect staff.
Police said the boy and girl left their knapsacks outside the store while waiting for their car to be serviced at a nearby workshop. Officers were called after the agitated teens returned to the store.
Police found an air pistol, which cannot be possessed by anyone under 18 without a license and adult supervision, a police scanner and even cash in the teen’s car. It is not illegal to install police scanners in New Zealand, but distributing or acting on the information you hear is a crime.
Police have not released details about the charges against the arrested teens or whether they have appeared in court.
New Zealand has strict rules about what is reported in youth courts, which typically hear cases involving criminal suspects under the age of 17.
