7. KANWALJIT SINGH BAKSHI (National) Link to this
to the Minister of Customs
What reports has he received on seizures of methamphetamine precursor at the border?
Hon MAURICE WILLIAMSON (Minister of Customs) Link to this
For the first 4 months of this year, the New Zealand Customs Service reports that it has seized more than half a tonne of methamphetamine or P precursor at the border. This amount of precursor would produce up to 151 kilograms of P with a street value of up to $227 million and would cause around $61 million worth of harm to the community. This means that the Customs Service is on track to better last year’s already big record haul of 1.2 tonnes of precursor intercepted, strangling the supply to those who would peddle this disgraceful product in our community.
Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi Link to this
What further action is the Government taking in its fight against P and the illicit drugs trade?
Hon MAURICE WILLIAMSON Link to this
Budget 2010 provides $5.9 million of capital funding to the Customs Service over the next 2 years to fight the illicit drug trade through enhanced tracking and surveillance equipment. This funding will give the Customs Service technology not previously available to any agency in New Zealand, and will allow it to move into the digital age with new, more advanced tools to detect the activities of drug criminals. Budget 2010 also provides additional operating funding of $1.2 million, rising to $1.7 million per year over the next 4 years, to fight the illicit drug trade.