Ninth death linked to synthetic cannabis in Auckland this month

Police are investigating the death of a woman who is believed to have smoked synthetic cannabis.

Acting Detective Inspector Peter Florence said Police were investigating the death of a 31-year-old woman who was found dead at an address in Kelston last night. Police believe the woman may have been smoking synthetic cannabis a short time before her death, however, there may have been other contributing factors, he said. The death has been referred to the Coroner who will ultimately determine the cause.

It is the ninth death linked to synthetic cannabis in Auckland this month. Mr Florence said the public could be assured police were taking the matter very seriously and were doing everything they could to get synthetic cannabis off the streets.

“Every day, Police officers across the country are conducting search warrants and seizing synthetic cannabis and we are continuing to put suppliers and manufacturers before the courts,” he said.

“Just yesterday, our staff apprehended two people in St Lukes who were in possession of up to 3kg worth of synthetic cannabis. “They were both arrested and charged with possession for supply.”

Mr Florence reiterated that it was really important for the public to come forward and report anyone suspected to be selling synthetic cannabis or other illegal substances.

Synthetic cannabis – or ‘Spice’ – is a plant matter, which is then mixed with artificial chemicals that mimic the cannabinoids found in cannabis that get users high.

Synthetics were originally created as way of bypassing laws that outlawed real cannabis.

Some varieties of the drug contain over 100 times the equivalent of THC or tetrahydrocannabinol – the chemical compound in cannabis responsible for a euphoric high – found in traditional cannabis.