A social media user has posted an update about mysterious packages that have been left in letterboxes in a major Australian city.
Earlier this week, NSW Health issued a warning about strange “gifts” being placed in letterboxes across Sydney claiming to be from the department.
On Monday, a Reddit user posted how their neighbor received one of the packages and had a reaction after eating the contents.
“The neighbor is fine,” the Reddit user wrote.
“From what they told me, it looked like an allergic reaction.”
‘The family gave her an antihistamine and she started to feel better, but she still reported it to the police, which triggered this event.’
The Reddit user also received one of the packages and wrote about how emergency services responded.
‘We are surrounded by police cars, New South Wales trucks and hazardous materials.’
A Facebook user posted a photo of the contents of one of the mysterious packages that had been left in letterboxes across Sydney.
NSW Health has urged anyone who receives a strange “gift” in their letterbox not to open it and to dispose of the package safely (pictured)
The user wrote that he threw the package away immediately and one of the hazmat team members went through the trash and retrieved it.
They said the hazmat team searched storm drains along their street and was on the scene for about two hours.
The health department issued a warning Monday, urging recipients to be careful with the packages.
“NSW Health is aware that cards and packages have been placed in letterboxes in some Sydney households falsely claiming to be a ‘gift’ and ‘corrective therapy’ from NSW Health,” the department wrote on social media.
‘We have reported this matter to the New South Wales Police.
‘We strongly advise anyone who has received such a package to dispose of it safely without opening it.’
NSW Health added that the department would never leave gifts in people’s letterboxes.
At a news conference on Tuesday, NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said the department would “never communicate with people or patients in this way”.
“We won’t be leaving gifts in people’s letterboxes – that’s not how NSW Health does business,” Park said.
The small packages wrapped in what appears to be gauze also included a small card with legitimate NSW Health phone numbers and email addresses.
One card had a small handwritten message that read: ‘Greetings from our Father.’
One recipient said she wore gloves when removing one of the packages from her mailbox because of concerns about its contents.
“I checked my video cameras,” he said.
CCTV footage from a home that received one of the packages shows a man in a dark navy jacket and a trolley (pictured) appearing to leave it in the resident’s letterbox.
‘There is a man walking around with one of those carts that you use to move large objects, like a cupboard or drawers.’
CCTV footage showed a man in a dark navy jacket pulling a trolley and placing the package in his letterbox.
A neighbor said they opened the “gift” and found a small kumquat.
Another person claimed to have found one of the strange packages in their mailbox on Monday.
The New South Wales Police Force issued a warning about the packages on social media on Tuesday.
New South Wales Police are investigating reports of packages received in letterboxes falsely claiming to have been sent by NSW Health.
‘The public is warned that if they receive an item of this nature, they should avoid handling the package and contact police immediately.
‘The public who comes into contact with these elements must wash their hands thoroughly.’
Daily Mail Australia has contacted the New South Wales Police Force and the New South Wales Department of Health and has been told there are no further updates.
NSW Police urge anyone with information to contact their local police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
