Poppy “tea” kills Danish tourist in Tasmania

The death of a Danish tourist in Tasmania is being linked to a tea made from opium poppies.

The death of a Danish tourist in Tasmania is being linked to a tea made from opium poppies.

The 26-year-old man was found dead by his traveling companion in their camper van at Oatlands, 85km north of Hobart, on Tuesday morning.

“While the coroner will determine the cause of death, investigations indicate that the man had been drinking a tea made from poppy capsules,” a Tasmania Police statement said.

Police are warning against the dangers of poppy capsules, the mature head of the plant harvested for pharmaceuticals.

Tasmania produces around half the world’s legal opium.

Poppy-related deaths also occurred in the state in 2011 and 2012 and police say the theft of capsules can result in drug, as well as stealing, charges.

“It is a sad reminder that the narcotics contained in poppy capsules are extremely dangerous and ingesting poppy products can be lethal or cause serious illness,” Sergeant Nick Preshaw said.

Police investigations into the death are continuing.

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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