Nine dead from synthetic cannabis
A 31-year-old woman found dead at a west Auckland address was believed to have been smoking synthetic cannabis, police say.
Her death, in Kelston, was the ninth thought to have been linked to synthetic cannabis use in Auckland in July.
Emergency departments around the region said they had seen a spike in patients who had used the psychoactive substance. Many were suffering hallucinations and seizures leading to cardiac arrest.
Acting Detective Inspector Peter Florence said the public could be assured police were taking synthetic cannabis harm ‘‘very seriously’’.
‘‘We are doing everything we can to get synthetic cannabis off our streets.
‘‘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.’’
Although the most recent person to die may have been smoking synthetic cannabis a short time before her death, there may have been other contributing factors, police said. The matter’s been referred to the Coroner who will ultimately determine the cause of death. Meanwhile, on July 27, police arrested two people in St Lukes who had up to three kilograms of the illegal drug. They were charged with possession for supply, he said.