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Bag Containing Weed and Cash Accidentally Donated to a New Zealand Charity Shop

Two 16-year-olds left a bag with 43.2g of cannabis and NZ$3,700 outside a charity shop while waiting for car service, police found more items in their vehicle.

  • On Feb. 18, New Zealand Police said two teenagers, a 16-year-old male and a 16-year-old female, mistakenly left a knapsack containing marijuana and $3,700 at a charity shop donation area in the Southland region.
  • While waiting for their vehicle to be serviced at a nearby workshop, the pair left the bag outside and later returned in a panic, prompting charity shop staff to call police.
  • A volunteer at the shop noticed a pungent aroma before opening the knapsack, where police found 43.2g of cannabis and NZ$3,700 in banknotes.
  • Police arrested the two teenagers, a 16-year-old male and a 16-year-old female, and searched their vehicle, finding an air pistol, a police scanner, and more cash; authorities did not disclose charges, citing Youth Court rules.
  • Amid New Zealand's laws on cannabis, recreational use and sale remain illegal while some medical use is allowed, raising questions about charity shop donation-handling practices and Youth Court reporting rules in New Zealand.
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Two teenagers have been arrested in New Zealand after they accidentally left a backpack containing cannabis and thousands of dollars in cash outside a charity shop. A store volunteer noticed a strong odor coming from the bag left in the donation area and, upon opening it, found several plastic bags containing about 43.2 grams of marijuana and about NZ$3,700 (about US$2,200 or approximately 2,000 euros) in cash. According to police, the two youth…

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The young people desperately tried to get the bag back and nervously showed up at the store, but the employees had already notified the police by then.

·Budapest, Hungary
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Reposted by
The West AustralianThe West Australian
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Weed and cash accidentally donated to NZ charity shop

Police in New Zealand say a knapsack left in a donation area at a charity shop contained marijuana and more than $3000 in cash

·City of Perth, Australia
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NZ Herald broke the news in Auckland, New Zealand on Monday, March 9, 2026.
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