Correction: Police earlier said the person was hospitalised after taking an unknown drug, but later clarified the person ingested an unknown substance". The story was amended to reflect the police's later statement.
Photo: 123RF File photo
A fourth person has been hospitalised after taking an unknown substance in Wairarapa.
Police said officers were called to a Masterton home about 8.50pm on Wednesday, where a person was in a critical condition.
It comes after three people were found unresponsive at a property in the small Wairarapa village of Tinui on Saturday.
All three people had taken an illicit substance, which they believed to be cocaine.
It prompted a High Alert to be published by Drug Information and Alerts Aotearoa New Zealand (DIANZ) for the white powder. It said the presumed cocaine was suspected to be misrepresented or adulterated with an unknown opioid.
Police said while the substances in the two incidents were not believed to be the same, they were making enquiries to determine if there were any links between the cases.
In a statement, Wairarapa Relieving Area Commander Inspector Nick Thom said police were investigating what the substances were, but it was important not to assume substances were what people claimed.
"Misrepresentation can occur anywhere along the supply chain," he said.
"If you or someone you know takes a white powder and starts to experience unusual effects, call 111 immediately."
