About 1,700 poppy plants grown for the pharmaceutical industry have been stolen from a regional property north-west of Melbourne, prompting an alert from Victoria’s health department.
Police said the thieves stole the plants between February 14 and 16 from a farm in the Ballarat area and the investigation was ongoing.
Victoria’s Department of Health issued a warning on Saturday, saying the “toxic” plants could cause “unpredictable, potentially life-threatening effects”.
It said the stolen alkaloid poppy plant “heads” were very different from traditional opioid poppies.
The warning said the plants contained “dangerously high concentrations” of thebaine and oripavine, and only trace amounts of morphine and codeine found in traditional opioids.
The health department says alkaloid poppies are not like traditional opioid poppies. (Supplied: Victorian Department of Health)
Thebaine does not produce pain relief, sedation or euphoria, and instead ingestion could lead to seizures, high body temperature, and life-threatening toxicity.
“Any exposure to thebaine may cause toxicity,” the department said.
While oripavine has some opioid activity, the department said it was not used medically because it could also cause severe toxicity and life-threatening complications at high doses.
“The effects may be unpredictable, particularly when combined with thebaine,” the department said.
It said while the opioid-reversal drug naloxone would reverse the opioid effects of oripavine, it would not reverse the toxic stimulant effects of either oripavine or thebaine.
Caution when consuming poppy flower products
The department said poppy plant products, which could include dried flower heads without petals, ground material or liquid preparations might contain high concentrations of thebaine and oripavine.
It said in 2022-23, at least 40 people experienced life-threatening conditions after consuming thebaine-contaminated poppy seed “tea”.
These symptoms included agitation, muscle twitching, high body temperature and seizures.
The department said anyone experiencing toxic drug effects should contact Triple Zero immediately.
Last month in Tasmania, police said 2,500 square metres worth of poppies were stolen from a farm in the Northern Midlands.
Police urged any witnesses, or anyone with vision or information, to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or anonymously at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.