Trending Now - Cannabis and Cash Mistakenly Donated to New Zealand Charity

WHO:

Two teenagers (a boy and a girl) involved in the incident

New Zealand Police

WHAT:

A knapsack containing 43.2 grams (1.5 ounces) of marijuana and 3,700 New Zealand dollars ($2,200) was mistakenly left at a charity shop

The teenagers returned in a panic to retrieve the knapsack

Police found an air pistol, a police scanner, and more cash in the teenagers' car

The teenagers were arrested

WHERE:

A charity shop in the Southland region of the South Island, New Zealand

WHEN:

The incident occurred on February 18th, 2026

Police reported the incident on March 9th, 2026

WHY:

The teenagers left the knapsack outside the shop while waiting for their vehicle to be serviced at a nearby workshop

HOW:

A volunteer at the store noticed a pungent aroma before opening the knapsack

Police were called after the teenagers returned to the store in an agitated state

(UPDATED March 9, 2026 13:19 UTC)

In a peculiar incident that took place on February 18, 2026, two teenagers in New Zealand accidentally left a knapsack containing 43.2 grams of marijuana and 3,700 New Zealand dollars at a charity shop while waiting for their vehicle to be serviced. When they returned in a panic to retrieve the bag, a volunteer noticed a strong smell and alerted the police, who subsequently discovered an air pistol, a police scanner, and additional cash in the teenagers' car. The pair was arrested by authorities in the Southland region, and the incident was reported today, March 9, 2026.