Mystery of needle-filled lemons near trails in Port Coquitlam

[Black magic? South Asians say that this is a common black magic ritual to harm an enemy. Or is it something else? – The VOICE]

COQUITLAM RCMP are requesting people to call them rather than email them if they see anyone leaving lemons full of needles in a public place.

Two lemons full of sewing needles have been found alongside trails in Port Coquitlam. Local Mounties are asking everyone to stay alert, call police directly if they find another, and avoid throwing the evidence in the garbage.

The first lemon was found hung from a branch in Gates Park on June 22. A report was made in an email to the City of Port Coquitlam.

This second lemon, wrapped in orange twine, stuck with needles and tied to a branch, was found near a trail along the Coquitlam River in Port Coquitlam.

The second lemon was found on July 14 tied near a trail by the Coquitlam River at Whyte Avenue. That discovery was reported with an email to a closed Community Police Station.

“If you see something that could be a deliberate attempt at harm, you must call police on the phone rather than send an email,” said Cpl. Michael McLaughlin. “Both of these lemons were thrown into the garbage by the people who found them. By the time police received the emails, the evidence was gone and an investigation was virtually impossible.”

One theory is that the person who left the lemons had no intention to hurt anyone. But until police speak to that person it’s hard to be sure.

“If you are leaving these lemons full of needles in public, we ask that you stop, and then talk to us to explain what you were doing,” says McLaughlin. “If anyone sees who is doing this, please don’t send an email. Call the Coquitlam RCMP non-emergency number at 604-945-1550, or call 911 if it’s happening right in front of you.”