A woman has appeared in court after lollies, chocolates and baked goods infused with cannabis oil were seized during a search warrant in Hamilton last week.
The 27-year-old appeared in the Hamilton District Court on Tuesday, charged with a number of drug offences relating to the production, supply and distribution of cannabis edibles. She has been remanded to reappear on June 24.
The search warrant, which was conducted on June 5, discovered significant quantities of cannabis-infused butter, gummy and jelly lollies, moulded chocolates, muffins, cookies and brownies at the Hamilton property.
The seizure came at the termination of Operation Casper, a Waikato police investigation into the production and distribution of cannabis edibles sold online, Detective Inspector Graham Pitkethley, the Waikato District manager, confirmed in a statement.
The seized products were being marketed and sold via social media platforms including Facebook and Instagram, the investigation discovered, as well as a website under the alias 'Dolly's Edibles'.
"The method of selling via social media platforms allows people of all ages, including children and young people, to easily purchase and obtain these products," Det Insp Pitkethley said.
"Many of these baked goods and gummy or jelly lollies have the appearance of normal baked products and confectionery. It's important for our communities to recognise the forms these products can take and how they are distributed to help us lessen the risk of children consuming them."
He also warned parents and caregivers to be aware that edibles are available for purchase across a range of social media platforms.
The psychoactive effects of consuming products infused with the Class B controlled drug can vary significantly depending on the individual.
"There is the potential for people, whether they are familiar with cannabis or not, to eat too much, with extreme results. This would be extremely frightening to a person eating these products unknowingly," Pitkethley said.
"We also remind people that cannabis oil is a Class B controlled illicit drug and it is an offence to purchase or attempt to purchase these products."
Anyone affected by drug addiction is urged to seek help through the Alcohol and Drug Helpline on 0800 787 797, or free text 1737 to speak with a trained counsellor.
Anyone with information about the sale or distribution of similar products is encouraged to contact Police via 105 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
