Pubdate: Fri, 09 Dec 2005 Source: Dominion Post, The (New Zealand) Copyright: 2005 The Dominion Post Contact: http://www.dompost.co.nz Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2550 Author: Rebecca Palmer Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) 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." - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin