Sergeant Chris McLellan said the proactive policing team visited and phoned dozens of Dunedin Kronic retailers yesterday to check whether stores were stocking the recalled synthetic cannabis product Pineapple Express.
The Ministry of Health recalled the popular Kronic variety on Thursday after it was found to contain the unauthorised prescription medicine phenazepam, used for short-term treatment of anxiety and as an anticonvulsant.
"Our visit was to remind resellers of their responsibilities to take Pineapple Express off the shelves."
Sgt McLellan said it was extremely disappointing to discover two central city retailers - one a video shop and the other a "low-cost merchandiser" continuing to sell the product, despite widespread publicity over its recall.
He confirmed the video retailer admitted knowingly selling the product despite being aware of the recall.
"When challenged by police, he said he was going to take it off the shelves."
Both retailers would be referred to the Ministry of Health.
The distribution of unapproved medicine could result in a fine of $20,000 and six months' prison for an individual and a $100,000 fine for a body corporate.
"The concern is that they were selling a product which we can knowingly prove can be dangerous to the person who consumes it."
The Pineapple Express concerned would be returned through the distribution channel, with stores receiving a credit on those products.
The South Island representative of Auckland-based company Lightyears Ahead Ltd, which makes Kronic, said the company was reclaiming all of the Pineapple Express stock.
"It is a pretty heavy task in front of us."
He was not aware police had found two stores continuing to sell the product.
"It is quite unfortunate what we have got here. It is one batch in particular that has been affected by this very small amount of prescription medicine."
The company sourced the synthetic cannabinoid products used in Pineapple Express from Stargate Operations Ltd, which imports the product from China.
Side-effects of phenazepam include loss of co-ordination, dizziness, drowsiness and anterograde amnesia (inability to remember recent events).
