Weed and cash accidentally donated to NZ charity shop

Two teenagers accidentally left a backpack containing cannabis and cash in a donation area outside a charity shop in New Zealand before returning in a panic to collect it.

New Zealand Police said on Monday that a volunteer at the store noticed a strong odor before opening the backpack and finding plastic bags containing 43.2 grams and NZ$3700 ($A3100) in notes.

Using cannabis recreationally and selling the drug is illegal in New Zealand.

Some medical uses are allowed with a doctor’s prescription.

Police said the incident occurred on February 18 in the Southland region of the South Island.

The police statement said the boy and girl left their backpacks outside the shop while they waited for their vehicles to be serviced at a nearby workshop.

Police teams were called after the excited young people returned to the store.

Police found an air gun, a police scanner and more cash in the teens’ car, which people under 18 cannot possess without a driver’s license and adult supervision.

It is not illegal to own a police scanner in New Zealand, but it is an offense to distribute or act on overheard information.

Police did not provide details about any charges the arrested teens were facing or whether they had appeared in court.

In New Zealand, there are strict rules about what can be reported in cases before the Youth Court, which usually hears cases of alleged offenders under the age of 17.