FALMOUTH — The police department warns residents to steer clear of black market Butterballs.

The local Hannaford tossed several prematurely-thawed turkeys into their trash bin. Store employees later found the discarded turkeys missing.

“These turkeys were discarded because they were a hazard to consume,” the Falmouth Police Department wrote on its Facebook page. “If anyone had acquired a bird from some non conventional manner from someone you don’t know, discard and replace it.”

Police say people should beware of the black market turkeys because they’re dangerous to consume. They urge any consumers who came across them to put them in the trash where they belong.