The National Drug Intelligence Bureau battling against billion dollar 'P' trade
A Police report indicates what many in Police and Customs already suspect: that the war on the importation of methamphetamine is merely touching the tip of an ever-increasing iceberg.
According to the report Precursors and Chemicals used for Methamphetamine Manufacture in New Zealand, which was produced by the National Drug Intelligence Bureau, it is estimated that between 16-20% of all imported drugs are seized at the border.
ContacNT
The main drug flowing across our shores is a Chinese cold medicine called ContacNT, which contains concentrated levels of pseudoephedrine - the main precursor used to make methamphetamine. It is legal in many parts of Asia.
The New Zealand Customs Service estimated that 10 million Contac NT tablets were imported into the country last year.
Within the last five years, Customs interceptions of Contact NT have increased by 1200%.
In 2006 alone, the New Zealand Customs Service seized 490 kilograms of the drug.
Addressing the issue
National Drug Intelligence Bureau coordinator Inspector Stuart Mills said the Bureau was working hard to remain a step ahead of the billion dollar “P” trade, however, he admitted there was still a lot more that needed to be done.
“Suppliers are getting smarter and clan labs are becoming more sophisticated and efficient.
“So it is our job, along with the community, to get on top of this growing problem.
“The flow-on consequences of this drug are wreaking havoc on our communities,” he said.
Pill-shopping
The report says that pill-shopping in pharmacies is still a popular method of obtaining the precursor pseudoephedrine, which is used in the local clan lab production of methamphetamine.
Mr Mills confirmed the National Drug Intelligence Bureau was looking at measures, which would help keep “pill shoppers” in check.
One possible concept was the implementation of a programme called Project Stop.
The aim of the project is to alert pharmacies to potential ‘pill-shoppers’ by registering a person’s details on to a national database each time they purchased a pseudoephedrine-based product.
The project is running in Australia and research shows it has met with some success. One of the teething problems with Project Stop in New Zealand is that it is voluntary for pharmacies to join the scheme.
The New Zealand Customs Service has also stepped up its border interception strategies and will continue to work closely with the New Zealand Police and other agencies in the fight against the lucrative meth trade. A Customs spokesman confirmed his department was constantly looking for ways to make these strategies more effective.
Other methods used to avoid detection
The report named the use of transit couriers, buying materials online, theft, burglary or robbery and gaining legal or illegal acquisition of post-dated (expired) product intended for disposal as other methods used by criminals to obtain precursor materials.
“Smugglers will try any possible method to get illicit drugs into the country,” a spokesperson from Customs said.
Recent importations have been discovered in paint tubes, packaged food, children’s bicycles, granite bench tops, figurines and furniture.
Overseas importers often posted drugs or precursors to known vacant addresses so they could be collected by a third party once delivered.
