Stolen poppy capsules from Tasmania’s legal crop pose deadly poisoning risks, prompting a public alert.

Poppy capsules were stolen from a legal crop in Tasmania’s Northern Midlands between January 10 and 13, prompting a public health warning due to the risk of life-threatening poisoning if ingested. Authorities suspect a black VW Golf was involved and are seeking dashcam footage and witness reports. The capsules come from a regulated crop used to produce essential medicines like morphine and codeine, but raw poppy material is highly toxic, potentially causing convulsions, asphyxiation, or death. Past incidents in Tasmania and NSW have led to hospitalizations and fatalities, including a 2014 tourist death. While poppy seeds in baked goods are safe due to processing, the stolen capsules pose a serious danger and should be treated as a medical emergency if consumed.