17 March 2009

Media Release – New Zealand Customs Drug Seizures

Customs' weekend haul - $4.8 million worth of potential 'P' production stopped

The last week has been a very successful one for New Zealand Customs officers at Auckland Airport and at the International Mail Centre, also in Auckland, with approximately 17 kilo's of Contac NT intercepted.

Contac NT is a pseudo ephedrine-based product used in the illicit production of the deadly drug, methamphetamine or 'P'.

At Auckland Airport three passengers, originating from Hong Kong, were caught, each carrying 4 to 5 kilo's of the pre-cursor.

All three were arrested and remanded in custody. Two more arrests were made in connection with the airport interceptions. The three have been remanded in custody and the other two bailed to reappear in court.

The remainder of the weekend's haul was made at the International Mail Centre (adjacent to Auckland Airport) and in express mail where amounts of Contac NT were found concealed in items posted to New Zealand.

17 kilograms of Contac NT can be used to manufacture about 4.8 kilo's of 'P' with a potential street value of $4.8 million

Using the Drug Harm Index mechanism, these interceptions have avoided approximately $1.9 million worth of harm to New Zealand and New Zealanders.

ENDS

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