Record seizures reflect lucrative New Zealand drugs market: Customs

A record 1.5 tonnes of methamphetamine and its precursors were seized at New Zealand borders last year, New Zealand Customs officials said Tuesday.

Just over 413 kilograms of methamphetamine and almost 1.1 tonnes of its precursors, were seized, keeping methamphetamine valued at up to 1.2 billion NZ dollars (862.08 million U.S. dollars) off New Zealand's streets, they said.

The amount of methamphetamine seized compared with 283 kg in 2015, just 82 kg in 2014 and 21 kg in 2013.

Traffickers were coming up with more elaborate and sophisticated ways to hide drugs, Customs northern ports manager Bruce Berry said in a statement.

"We are seeing more finished meth in larger quantities and, in the last couple of years, ephedrine has replaced pseudoephedrine as the precursor of choice," said Berry.

"High frequency, low quantity" drugs sent mainly via international mail were also on the rise, suggesting users were increasingly buying drugs off the dark net and other illegal websites.

Investigations manager Maurice O'Brien said Customs' record drug seizure levels could be attributed to a number of factors.

"We're no different from the rest of the world; drug smuggling is a global issue and there's a glut in the global market. New Zealand's meth and MDMA (ecstasy) prices are much higher compared to many countries, which makes drug smuggling a lucrative business for transnational syndicates," O'Brien said in the statement.

"Customs is constantly improving its intelligence by exchanging information with overseas partners, and using data and technology to target shipments. We don't just seize drugs; we're working closely with police to dismantle local criminal networks, and with international agencies to tackle the overseas supply chain."

Border seizures were at record levels in 2016 compared to previous years.

These included 176 kg of meth located in shipping containers, New Zealand Customs' largest meth seizure, 200 kg of ephedrine found in hollowed out stacks of paper (its largest ephedrine seizure ever), 35 kg cocaine found inside a horse sculpture (its largest cocaine seizure ever), and 20 kg meth found in suitcases (its largest meth seizure at an airport).

Customs Minister Nicky Wagner said Customs received 2.78 million NZ dollars (1.99 million U.S. dollars) in assets seized from drug traffickers.

"This funding will help further boost Customs' ability to target and seize drugs both here and overseas," Wagner said in a statement. Endit