AUCKLAND, New Zealand – July 2017: On 21 July 2017, the Chief Coroner and Police issued a joint warning, following at least seven deaths that occurred in Auckland in New Zealand over the course of July, in which the deceased were suspected of having used synthetic cannabinoids. Police and coronial investigations are still ongoing and the substances as well as the exact cause of deaths have not yet been confirmed.

Earlier in April and July 2017, New Zealand Police also dismantled two illicit drug operations selling and distributing synthetic cannabinoids in the Auckland suburb of Avondale.

For more information, please see:

“Joint statement from the Chief Coroner's office and Police on the significant number of synthetic cannabis related deaths in Auckland” –
http://www.police.govt.nz/news/release/joint-statement-chief-coroners-office-and-police-significant-number-synthetic-cannabis

“Police arrest five after synthetic cannabis operation this morning” (5 July 2017) –
http://www.police.govt.nz/news/release/police-arrest-five-after-synthetic-cannabis-operation-morning

“Update on synthetic cannabis operation in Avondale” (3 April 2017) –
http://www.police.govt.nz/news/release/update-synthetic-cannabis-operation-avondale

“Seven people charged after synthetic cannabis operation in Avondale” (3 April 2017) –
http://www.police.govt.nz/news/release/seven-people-charged-after-synthetic-cannabis-operation-avondale

Global SMART Update Volume 13 “Synthetic cannabinoids: Key facts about the largest and most dynamic group of NPS” –
https://www.unodc.org/documents/scientific/Global_SMART_Update_13_web.pdf