CHINA NOW BIGGEST SOURCE OF ILLEGAL DRUGS

China has emerged as the biggest source of illicit drugs to New
Zealand, boosted by demand for substances used to make
methamphetamine.

Figures released by Customs Minister Nanaia Mahuta show that 33 of the
73 big drug seizures in the past year came from China. The next
biggest source was Malaysia, with six. Other big hauls came from
Britain, Romania, the Netherlands and Australia.

The number of major drug seizures has more than doubled from the
previous financial year, when 33 were intercepted. Only three of those
came from China. Customs opened an office in China last month.

The figures show a drop in the amounts of ecstasy, heroin, cocaine and
lsd seized, but an increase in ephedrine and pseudoephedrine -
precursors for making methamphetamine. About 24 kilograms of crystal
methamphetamine, also known as ice, were seized - almost eight times
as much as the previous year.

Customs' annual figures show that 98 per cent of the precursor
ingredients for methamphetamine seized came from China. Most of those
caught smuggling drugs were short-stay students.

Drug investigations manager Simon Williamson said China was the
world's largest legitimate producer of pseudoephedrine and ephedrine.
"It's just being diverted from legitimate production by trafficking
groups. We don't want to paint everyone from China as a drug
trafficker . . . We get a lot of stuff coming out of Europe, a lot of
ecstasy. China is not the only country that we're seeing by any means."

He said 1200 drug seizures were made annually. Major hits involved big
quantities, indicating organised trafficking. The biggest concern was
the growth in crystal methamphetamine.

Emerging drugs were ketamine (an animal tranquiliser), fantasy and
amphetamine analogues.

It was difficult to say to what extent the increased number of big
seizures reflected a growth in organised trafficking. "We've certainly
increased vigilance at our borders and increased resource capability
from the Government . . . but at the same time we believe we have got
trans-national crime groups working in New Zealand.

"It's because of the high demand out there at the moment. Until that
demand diminishes we're just going to keep seeing this level of activity."