Southland Teens Arrested After Leaving Drugs and Cash at Op-Shop

A pair of teenagers in Southland were arrested on February 18, 2024, after they inadvertently left a bag containing cannabis and cash outside a local op-shop. Store staff initially found the bag on the ground and brought it inside, where they discovered a strong odor emanating from it. Upon opening the bag, they found multiple packets of cannabis along with a significant amount of cash.

The situation escalated when the two 16-year-olds entered the shop, visibly agitated and searching for their “misplaced” bag. Their demeanor became increasingly aggressive, prompting the store staff to alert the police. Officers arrived swiftly to de-escalate the scenario, leading to the teens being detained under the Search and Surveillance Act.

Inside the bag, authorities discovered a total of 43.2 grams of cannabis, a set of scales, additional ziplock bags, and $3,700 in cash. The teenagers had been getting their vehicle serviced nearby and had left the bag at the op-shop for safekeeping. Following standard procedure, police also searched the vehicle and uncovered an air pistol, a police scanner, and an additional $810 in cash.

The police reported, “The quick and calm actions of the shop’s staff allowed for a rapid response from police and a great outcome in recovering drugs, a weapon, a scanner, and a total of $4,510 from illegal activity. Not a bad day at the shop.”

The incident highlights the importance of community vigilance and prompt reporting in addressing illegal activities. As investigations continue, local authorities are working to understand the full scope of the teenagers’ actions and any potential connections to larger criminal activities in the area.