‘Life-threatening’: Major warning after toxic poppy plants stolen from Ballarat farm
Health authorities have issued a major alert after a large quantity of “poisonous” alkaloid poppy plants were stolen from a farm in Victoria’s north-west.
Police allege thieves stole 1,700 poison poppies from a regulated farm in the Ballarat region between February 14 and 16.
The alleged theft of the plants led Victoria’s health department to urgently warn residents about the dangers of consuming the plant.
Alkaloid poppy plant heads grown on the farm for the pharmaceutical industry contain “dangerously high” amounts of thebaine and oripavine, which health experts say could be life-threatening.
They said the poppies were not the same as opioid poppies and contained only a “tiny” trace of traditional opioids such as morphine and codeine.
“Thebaine is very different from the opioids found in traditional opium poppies,” the statement said.
“Thebaine does not induce pain relief, sedation, or euphoria.”
Although it can offer similar effects to opioids, such as sedation and slower breathing, the alkaloid poppy also contains oripavinin, which can cause “serious toxicity” such as agitation and seizures and can be life-threatening.
“Effects may be unpredictable, especially when combined with thebaine,” the statement said.
“Consuming these products can lead to life-threatening toxicity.”
Health officials warned residents to be wary of dried, powdered or liquid poppy flower products, including dried flower heads without petals, ground poppy plant materials or liquid preparations derived from poppy plants.
Between 2022 and 2023, at least 40 people experienced life-threatening effects, including agitation, muscle twitching, elevated body temperature and seizures, after consuming poppy seed “tea” contaminated with thebaine.
A police spokesperson told NewsWire that investigations into the allegedly stolen poppies are ongoing.
“Victoria Police strongly discourages any handling, transport or experimentation involving plants,” they said.
