11. KANWALJIT SINGH BAKSHI (National) Link to this
to the Minister of Customs
What reports has he received on seizures Customs has made of methamphetamine being imported into New Zealand?
Hon MAURICE WILLIAMSON (Minister of Customs) Link to this
Excellent, intelligent work by the Customs Service recently led to the seizure of what is believed to be the country’s single biggest drug concealment inside human bodies. Three men arriving in Auckland via Thailand were targeted as potential drug smugglers by customs staff at the border. They were detained, and scans revealed they were carrying large quantities of P internally. The astute work by customs officials resulted in the seizure of 2.5 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, with a street value of approximately $2.5 million.
Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi Link to this
What reports has he received on the seizure of methamphetamine precursor at the border?
Hon MAURICE WILLIAMSON Link to this
Up to the end of September this year the Customs Service seized 821 kilograms of methamphetamine precursor at the border. This amount of precursor would produce up to 232 kilograms of methamphetamine and cause about $93 million worth of harm. Once that precursor was converted to methamphetamine, its street value would have been about $232 million. Last year the Customs Service had an all-time record intercept of 1.2 tonnes of precursor, and we are hoping that this year, based on the 821 kilograms to date, we may beat even our own outstanding record.