Two teenagers have been arrested in New Zealand's Southland region after accidentally leaving a backpack containing cannabis and thousands of dollars in cash outside a charity shop. Police reported that a shop volunteer noticed a strong odor emanating from the backpack, which had been placed in the donation area, leading to the discovery of several plastic bags holding 43.2g of marijuana and NZ$3,700 (approximately US$2,200) in banknotes.

According to a New Zealand Police statement, the pair—a 16-year-old male and female—left the bag outside the shop on February 18 while waiting for their vehicle to be serviced. They later returned in an agitated state to search for it. A police spokesperson told the New Zealand Herald that charity staff initially thought the backpack was a donated item, but upon bringing it inside, they detected a distinctive pungent aroma, and its contents quickly became apparent.

Following the arrests, officers searched the teenagers' vehicle, where they found an air pistol—possession of which requires a license and supervision for individuals under 18 in New Zealand—a police scanner, and additional cash. While owning a police scanner is not illegal in the country, distributing or acting on information heard through it constitutes a crime. Recreational cannabis use and sales remain prohibited under New Zealand law, a stance reaffirmed when voters narrowly rejected a legalization measure in a 2020 referendum.

Authorities have not released details regarding specific charges or court appearances, citing strict rules in New Zealand about reporting cases before the Youth Court. The incident highlights ongoing enforcement challenges in the country despite recent debates over drug policy reforms.

Source: www.bbc.com