Pubdate: Mon, 21 Feb 2005
Source: Waikato Times (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2005 Independent Newspapers Limited
Contact:  http://www.waikatotimes.co.nz/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/486
Source: Waikato Times
Author: Andrew Mcalley
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

POLICE WARN ON ICE DANGER

A deadlier form of methamphetamine has been found in small quantities in 
the Waikato and police are warning parents of the danger of complacency.

An article in the February issue of Police News, published by the Police 
Association, warned of the danger of the drug known as Ice.

The article said gangs and some millionaire backers had taken a firm grip 
of the lucrative drug trade in New Zealand.

Hamilton police crime manager, Inspector Pete Devoy, said there had been a 
number of small seizures of Ice in the Waikato and the manufacturing of P 
had become more sophisticated.

"Earlier on we had a large number of arrests as people cashed in on the 
easy money and established labs.

"This year we've seen a drop in the number of labs detected but this isn't 
an indication there is less demand for P out there or less people involved 
in its importation or manufacturing."

In the past 12 months five clandestine P labs had been raided by police in 
the Te Awamutu-Otorohanga district alone. Other recent raids had seen 
police swoop on properties in Huntly and Taupiri.

Mr Devoy said indicators pointed toward a different market developing for P 
and Ice as the drugs became more accessible.

"Previously P was considered a party scene drug used by the night club 
crowd but now it's being channelled down to tinny houses and urban street 
dealers.

"Where as before users were mostly employed and able to finance their habit 
what we're seeing now is users from lower socio-economic groups becoming 
hooked on P and funding their habit from the proceeds of crime."

Mr Devoy said just as cannabis had worked its way down into schools, 
parents and caregivers should be aware of the danger of methamphetamine 
becoming available to younger age groups.

"Complacency is a real danger. Hamilton is only 130km from Auckland which 
is nothing these days.

"If the stuff is a problem in Auckland it stands to reason it will quickly 
become a problem in the Waikato."

Figures released by Customs back up police claims in a shift in the balance 
in the drug trade.

 From 2003 when 862g of Ice was seized coming into New Zealand there had 
been a 16-fold increase with 13,907g seized up to September.

"Traditional forms of drugs such as cannabis and LSD are estimated to 
generate $168 million dollars a year. The trade in methamphetamine adds an 
additional $162 million on top of that which is an obvious attraction to 
some people," Mr Devoy said.

While the Police Association warned of a potential rise in gang violence 
across the country as different groups sought to control the market, Mr 
Devoy said the situation in the Waikato remained stable.

"Our intelligence indicates the gangs are currently working together in 
production and marketing in the interest of generating a lot of money."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom