Pubdate: Tue, 14 May 2002
Source: New Zealand Herald (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2002 New Zealand Herald
Contact:  http://www.nzherald.co.nz/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/300
Author: New Zealand Press Association
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy)

AUCKLAND DRUG SEIZURE SETS OFF INTERNATIONAL INQUIRY

A record haul of ecstasy tablets in Auckland on Sunday has set off an 
international inquiry involving several law enforcement agencies.

The undercover customs and police sting produced the largest haul of 
ecstasy tablets in New Zealand criminal history when 36,000 tablets of the 
party drug, said to be worth more than $2 million, were found hidden in a 
false floor of a wooden crate of camping equipment.

The drugs came from South Africa and were found after customs officers 
targeted imports from that country after a tip from police late last year.

Customs officers found the haul when they removed the camping gear and 
examined the box. When the drugs were found about a fortnight ago, customs 
officers let the box through but kept it under surveillance.

Two men were arrested on the North Shore on Sunday and appeared in Auckland 
District Court yesterday on joint drug charges.

Edward Wilcocks, 47, electrician, and English-born toolmaker Alexander 
Gavin Smith, 35, both from Durban, were charged with conspiring to supply 
ecstasy, possession of a class B drug and importing ecstasy into New 
Zealand. They were remanded without plea until Friday.

Customs manager of drug investigations Phil Chitty said today it was hoped 
others would be charged in New Zealand in relation to the seizure but it 
was too early to say.

He said the inquiry was still in its early stages and several agencies were 
involved. He said although the tablets came from South Africa, it may never 
be known where they were made.

"Police and customs work very closely on this and with the National Drug 
Intelligence Bureau, we work very closely with other countries."

Mr Chitty said although the haul was the biggest in New Zealand, it would 
not be long before drug dealers and importers tried to go one better with a 
larger haul.

"Last year we were talking about 25,000. This time it was 36,000, next year 
we'll be talking about 45,000, the year after it will be 58,000 and it will 
go on and on I guess."

However, he also said some of the most significant interceptions of the 
drug could be some of the smallest.

"If we take someone out of the play early in the piece, it prevents them 
becoming a big organisation."

New Zealand's traditional source of ecstasy has been the United Kingdom and 
Amsterdam but Mr Chitty said in the last couple of years, the drug had been 
coming into New Zealand from all corners of the world.

"We have had it from North America, from Asia and from Australia. Where the 
tablets actually originate is cause for speculation."

However, he said the tablets seized in Auckland were quality, well-made 
tablets and had the professional look of a pharmaceutical medicine. Other 
seizures had a rough appearance and obviously came from a "backyard" factory.

He said there were some laboratories that had been found making liquid and 
powder ecstasy in New Zealand.

The 36,000 tablets of the class B drug were packed in 36 packets and found 
in 15 hidden compartments in the bottom of the wooden box.

Each tablet carried an igloo logo and they were definitely destined for the 
New Zealand market, Mr Chitty said.

Last year customs officers found 25,000 smuggled tablets, now the second 
biggest haul.

Last week 8000 tablets were found taped to the body of a man who had 
arrived on a flight from Taipei.

At least three people have died using ecstasy and many more have been 
hospitalised in New Zealand. The drug produces a euphoric state but it can 
also cause brain damage, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, anxiety 
and depression.
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