Major probe launched by Tasmania Police after ‘significant’ number of toxic poppy capsules stolen from crop
Police have launched an investigation after a “significant” quantity of poisonous poppy pods were stolen from a regulated crop in Tasmania’s North Midlands.
Tasmania Police said in a statement they were investigating the theft of capsules from the crop between Tunbridge and Campbell Town between last Friday and Monday.
Alkaloid material derived from the poppy is used in a variety of pharmaceutical products, including morphine, thebaine and codeine.
They are extremely toxic and can cause convulsions, suffocation, and death.
“It is believed that one or more vehicles were parked next to the crop during this period and were visible from the Midland Highway,” police said in a statement.
Officers are appealing for information from anyone who may have observed a Black VW Golf parked on the side of the motorway near crops, or if any motorists passing the area have dashcam footage.
Police are particularly interested in hearing from anyone who may have observed a Black VW Golf parked on the side of the motorway near poppy crops, or drivers using dashcams passing through the area at the time.
Tasmania is the world’s largest legal producer of alkaloid materials, meeting almost half of world demand, according to the state’s Department of Natural Resources and Environment.
It is illegal to grow, produce, sell or even possess the alkaloid poppy without a license.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Tasmania Police on 131 444 or report anonymously to Crime Stoppers Tasmania at www.crimestopperstas.com.au or by calling 1800 333 000.
