Bag containing weed and cash accidentally donated to New Zealand charity shop

Teenagers’ Mistaken Donation Uncovered at New Zealand Charity Shop

On February 18, two teenagers unintentionally abandoned a backpack filled with marijuana and currency at a donation station near a charity shop in New Zealand’s Southland region, according to police. The pair had left the bag outside the establishment while waiting for their vehicle to be repaired at a nearby workshop, the authorities noted in a statement. When they returned in a state of distress, a volunteer had already opened the bag and detected a strong scent, leading to the discovery of 43.2 grams of cannabis and 3,700 New Zealand dollars in banknotes.

New Zealand Police confirmed the incident occurred on February 18 in the Southland region of the South Island. A spokesperson declined to share the shop’s exact location to safeguard the staff involved.

Recreational use of marijuana and its sale are considered illegal in New Zealand, though limited medical applications are permitted with a prescription. During the investigation, officers uncovered additional items in the teens’ car, including an air pistol—a weapon that minors cannot own without a permit and adult oversight—and a police scanner. While possession of a scanner is legal, sharing or acting on information obtained through it constitutes a criminal offense.

Police did not specify whether the teenagers faced charges or appeared in court. The case is now under review by the Youth Court, which handles offenses involving individuals under 17. Legal proceedings in this court often involve strict guidelines on what information can be disclosed from the case file.