Police suspect synthetics link in West Auckland man's death as nearly 30 cases before Coroner

Police believe the death of a man in Massey is linked to synthetic drugs. New Zealand Herald Photograph

The death of a man at a West Auckland property last night may be connected to synthetic drugs, police say.

Police were called to a Massey address just before 10.30pm last night and found a 54-year-old man dead.

Police spokeswoman Shelley Nahr confirmed the death.

However she could not give further details as the investigation was still in its early stages.

"Our inquiries are ongoing, but police believe there is a possibility the death was linked to the use of synthetic drugs," she said.

"However this will be for the Coroner to determine.

"Our investigation as to where the synthetic drugs came from is ongoing."

The death takes the total number of synthetics-related fatalities before the Coroner to almost 30.

West Auckland has been the location of a number of those deaths.

On September 1 Calum Jones, 22, died at his family home in Henderson after using synthetics.

Jonathan Gordon pleaded guilty to supplying a psychoactive substance in relation to Jones' death when he appeared in the Waitakere District Court today.

He will be sentenced in April.

Isitolo Roimata Douglas Uritua, also known as Chris, will also reappear in the Waitakere District Court in April facing charges of supplying synthetics.

He was arrested last year after the deaths of his sister Marilyn Makikiriti and cousin Junior Taneao two days later.

Police allege Uritua supplied both Makikiriti - who had given birth to her third son just two weeks earlier - and Taneao.

He is facing two charges of selling or supplying a psychoactive substance.

Mitchell Moss and another man who has interim name suppression have been charged alongside Uritiua.

It is understood police alleged the pair supplied Uritua with the drugs that he gave his sister and cousin.

In July last year a 31-year-old woman was found dead at a Kelston address.

Police also believe she had used synthetic drugs.

What are synthetic drugs?

Smokable products containing varieties of plant matter that have been infused with synthetic cannabinomimetic or other substances.

They were intended to be a legal alternative to cannabis, but are now banned.

Synthetic drugs have been linked to an increased risk of seizures.

Effects include, but are not limited to: decreased motor co-ordination, fast or irregular heartbeat, disassociation, dizziness, paranoia, psychosis.

Use of synthetic drugs in New Zealand has also been linked to renal failure and heart failure.

(Source: alcoholdrughelp.org.nz)

Where to get help

If you, or someone you know, is using synthetic drugs, police urge you to stop immediately and seek help if needed by contacting your local GP or by ringing the Alcohol and Drug Helpline on 0800 787 797 or text 8681 seven days a week to speak to a trained counsellor.

If you or someone else is in immediate danger call 111.