Major probe launched by Tasmania Police after ‘significant’ number of toxic poppy capsules stolen from crop

Police have launched a probe after a “significant” quantity of toxic poppy capsules were stolen from a regulated crop in Tasmania’s Northern Midlands. In a statement, Tasmania Police said they were investigating the theft of the capsules from the crop, located between Tunbridge and Campbell Town, between last Friday and Monday. Alkaloid material from poppies are used in a variety of pharmaceutical products, including morphine, thebaine and codeine. They are extremely toxic and can cause convulsions, asphyxiation and death. “It is believed that a vehicle or multiple vehicles were parked adjacent to the crop during this period and would have been visible from the Midland Highway,” police said in a statement. Officers are seeking information from anyone who may have observed a Black VW Golf parked on the side of the highway near the crops, or if any motorists passing through 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 highway near poppy crops or motorists passing through this area who were operating a dash camera at the time. Tasmania is the world’s largest producer of licit alkaloid material – supplying almost half the world’s demand – according to the state’s Department of Natural Resources and Environment. It is illegal to grow, manufacture, sell or even possess alkaloid poppies without a licence. Anyone with information is urged 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.