Stolen meat and lawnmowers used to buy synthetic cannabis - police

As strange as it sounds, meat is being used to buy synthetic cannabis, police say.

Waitemata Senior Sergeant Richard Thompson said stolen property, including lawnmowers and meat, were found in searches in the Ranui area recently.

He described synthetic cannabis as nothing more than "a backyard concoction" of toxic poisons.

"The reality is that a lot of stuff that is being sold out there at the moment is no more than a backyard concoction that is being packaged up and sold on the premise that it's synthetic cannabis.

"Honestly, it's a form of Russian roulette. This stuff can kill you and at the very least cause irreparable damage to your body."

He said as strange as it sounds, meat was a common commodity used to buy the drug.

They also discovered a large pile of the drug pre-packaged up, ready for sale.

"There's growing concern about the number of people in our community who are consuming what can only be described as a toxic poison."

Thompson said police were determined to get the "poison" off the street.

"If you happen to be caught up using this drug, do yourself and your loved ones a favour and get help."

People could contact their nearest police station, phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or message police privately on Facebook.

He also suggested users to call the Alcohol Drug Helpline NZ on 0800 787 797.