Bag of cannabis and cash accidentally donated to NZ charity shop

Two teenagers have been arrested after accidentally leaving a backpack containing cannabis and thousands of dollars in cash outside a charity shop in New Zealand, police have told local media.

A shop volunteer noticed a strong smell emanating from the backpack, which had been left in the donation area, and found several plastic bags of marijuana weighing 43.2g and NZ$3,700 ($2,200) in banknotes.

The pair had left the bag outside the shop in the Southland region as they waited for a vehicle to be serviced on 18 February, New Zealand Police said in a statement, before returning to look for it in a state of agitation.

Recreational cannabis use and selling the drug are illegal in New Zealand.

Charity shop staff saw the bag outside the front door and thought it was just another donated item.

"When the shop worker took the bag inside, they noticed that this particular donation had a distinctive pungent aroma," a police spokesperson told the New Zealand Herald.

"Once it was opened, it quickly emerged why."

After arresting the owners, officers also searched their vehicle, where they found an air pistol - possession of which requires a licence and supervision for under 18s - a police scanner, and more cash.

Possession of a police scanner is not illegal in New Zealand, but distributing or acting on information heard on it is a crime.

Police said two 16-year-olds - a male and a female - had been arrested.

Officials have not released any details of charges or court appearances. New Zealand has strict rules about reporting details of cases before its Youth Court.

In a 2020 referendum, voters in New Zealand narrowly rejected a measure to legalise recreational cannabis.