‘Life-threatening’: Major warning after toxic poppy plants stolen from Ballarat farmAlexandra FeiamNewsWireSun, 22 February 2026 7:14PM
Health authorities have issued a major alert after a large amount of “toxic” alkaloid poppy plants were stolen from a farm in Victoria’s northwest.
Police allege thieves stole 1700 of the toxic poppies from a regulated farm in the Ballarat area between February 14 and 16.
The alleged theft of the plants prompted Victoria’s health department to issue an urgent warning to residents about the dangers of consuming the plant.
The alkaloid poppy plant heads were growing on the farm for the pharmaceutical industry, and contain “dangerously high” amounts of thebaine and oripavine, which health experts said could be life-threatening.
WA’s biggest courts and crime stories to your inbox
Sign-up to our weekly newsletter for free
Sign up
They said the poppies were not the same as opioid poppies, and only contain a “tiny” trace of traditional opioids like morphine and codeine.
“Thebaine is very different from the opioids in traditional opium-poppies,” a statement read.
“Thebaine does not produce pain relief, sedation or euphoria.”
While it can offer effects similar to opioids, such as sedation and slower breathing, the alkaloid poppies also contain oripavine, which can cause “severe toxicity”, such as agitation and seizures, and may be life-threatening.
“The effects may be unpredictable, particularly when combined with thebaine,” the statement read.
“Consuming these products may lead to life-threatening toxicity.”
The health authorities warned residents to be cautious of any dried, powdered, or liquid poppy flower products, including dried flower heads without petals, ground poppy-plant materials or liquid preparations derived from poppy plants.
Between 2022 and 2023, at least 40 people experienced life-threatening effects after consuming thebaine-contaminated poppy seed “tea”, including agitation, muscle twitching, high body temperature and seizures.
A police spokesperson told NewsWire that investigations into the allegedly stolen poppies were ongoing.
“Victoria Police strongly discourages any handling, transport, or experimentation with the plants,” they said.
Originally published as ‘Life-threatening’: Major warning after toxic poppy plants stolen from Ballarat farm
Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.
Sign up for our emails
Read more on The West Australian
