HERCULES — Police in Hercules are trying to determine who gave a plastic bag of methamphetamine to a young girl on Halloween, and are reminding parents to inspect their children’s candy haul for suspicious items.

The 8-year-old girl had been trick-or-treating in the Promenade area of Hercules and came home with a .1 gram plastic bag of crystal methamphetamine, Hercules police said Monday.

The powder was packaged in a small zip-style bag that her parents discovered after the child returned home and they were sorting through her candy.

“This could have been intentional or it could have been accidental and we won’t know until we speak with the person who did this,” said Hercules police Sgt. Ezra Tafesse., adding that there is currently no suspect.

“More than anything, we want to educate the public to inspect their children’s candy before giving it to them,” Tafesse said.

The area where the girl was trick-or-treating comprises roughly a quarter square mile. It is unusual for drugs to be slipped into Halloween candy, but it happens from time to time, especially with marijuana, Tafesse said.

Hercules police are encouraging anyone who finds illegal drugs in their children’s candy to contact them at 510-799-8260 or 510-724-1111.

Contact Karina Ioffee at 925-945-4782. Follow her at Twitter.com/kioffee.