As the day went on, Ms Gelston began to feel unwell and by the following day was so sick she couldn't drink water. He drove them down to a local medical centre where Ms Gelston was given IV fluids. However, by the time Ms Gelston went to discharge herself the next day, the staff wouldn't let them leave as they hadn't paid. He said medical centre staff would be at reception in an hour to collect the money in cash. Ms Gelston said she believed the scam was linked to a Mexican drug cartel, which appeared to have influence throughout the town.

Source: Otago Daily Times August 24, 2017 21:00 UTC