A woman has died from a suspected drug overdose at Wellington castle-like mansion Woofingtons, RNZ understands.
On Friday, Inspector Wade Jennings said police had attended five incidents where people were believed to have overdosed on a substance thought to be GHB, commonly known as fantasy or liquid ecstasy.
“Sadly, one person has died in relation to this matter,” Jennings said.
RNZ understands the woman died at Woofingtons, a luxury dog retreat with a mysterious background.
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The castle-like mansion, nestled in the Wellington hills, is the subject of a recent TVNZ+ documentary series, What the Hell Happened at Woofingtons?
The property was raided by police in 2019, with allegations of drugs, bombs and an armed burglary, though the only person charged was a staffer sentenced to community detention for possession of black powder in a pyrotechnic device.
It was currently up for mortgagee sale.
Jennings said on Friday three others remained in hospital, and one other person had been treated and discharged from medical care.
“These incidents have occurred across the district, from Miramar, Brooklyn, Johnsonville, and Upper Hutt.
“An investigation is underway and police are treating the matter as a priority given the risk to the public.”
Jennings said police were urging the public to exercise caution, and anyone who may have this type of substance was urged not to consume it.
“If you, or someone you know, are feeling unwell, please go to your nearest healthcare provider urgently.”
Nearly half of GHB fake
The Drug Foundation warned that nearly half of GHB tested was not what a person thought it was. Between January and March, 46 percent was not what the person expected, executive director Sarah Helm told RNZ.
Helm urged anyone intending to consume the drug to get it tested first.
She said the Drug Foundation had seen an uptake in the drug throughout New Zealand “for a wee while now”.
The main concern was that it was very hard to tell which’G’ substance a person had, Helm added.
“They’re very potent, very easy to overdose on,” she said.
Helm also urged anyone intending to consume the drug to be very careful not to consume it with others, particularly alcohol and other depressants.
“It can slow your body down, and then your body can begin to shut down.”
Helplines
Alcohol and Drug Helpline: 0800 787 797Narcotics Anonymous: NZ 0800 628 6321737 – free text/phone to speak with a trained counsellorYouthline: 0800 376 633