CHARITY shop workers in Weymouth had a shock when they received a Valentine’s Day donation – a stash of drugs.

Staff at the Sue Ryder store on Dorchester Road were given a bag of clothes but when they emptied them out they discovered a sandwich bag with two packages inside filled with suspected cannabis.

Police are investigating the incident and examining the find but have also appealed for witnesses and anyone with information to come forward.

Staff said that during the morning of Valentine’s Day they received a donation and when it was lifted out of the bag there was an ‘odd smell’.

Manager Samantha Osborne said that when she picked up the donation for recycling a sandwich bag fell out and inside were two condoms filled with the drug.

She said: “I kept looking at it and thinking, ‘is that what I think it is?’”

The article was placed in a locker and the police were called.

Mrs Osborne said it was the first time they had found anything like that. She added that she just ‘felt sad’ that drugs could potentially be around the area.

Mrs Osborne said that the store was in need of stock and welcomed all genuine donations.

She said: “The last couple of weeks it’s been dire. We have had hardly any donations and then we get that.”

The shop relies on donations of clothing, bric-a-brac, toys and books to sell.

It helps fund the work the charity does in supporting people living with conditions including cancer, multiple sclerosis, dementia and stroke.

The charity has specialist care centres across the UK for both palliative care and people with complex conditions.

A spokesman for Dorset Police said the material inside the condoms was suspected to be cannabis but are investigating to confirm this.

Inspector Les Fry added: “This incident is under investigation to find out who the previous owner was. Drugs can and do have a detrimental effect on people’s lives.

“We work with our partners to ensure people get the appropriate support they need.”

Anyone with information should call Dorset Police on 101.

How to help

GENUINE donations can be taken to the Sue Ryder charity shop on Dorchester Road. For more information about the work the charity does or to find volunteering vacancies visit www.sueryder.org.