Asian students turn to hard drugs

International students from Asia are turning away from kidnapping and extortion to selling hard drugs, says the head of Auckland's Asian Crime Unit.

Detective Sergeant George Koria said drug peddling was becoming the crime of choice among the international student community as kidnapping became less "profitable".

But victims were becoming more willing to report crime, Mr Koria said at Education New Zealand's 15th international education conference in Auckland yesterday.

The students were moving into low-level distribution of methamphetamine and crystal methamphetamine, and also the importation of precursor drugs such as cough and cold medication for their manufacture.

Because these precursor drugs were easy to buy over-the-counter in their own countries, some thought there was nothing wrong with bringing them into New Zealand, he said.

"Criminals are also preying on their naivety."

Mr Koria said by the time the students' activities caught the attention of police it was often too late.

He urged caregivers and guardians to watch out for signs that their charges may be in trouble.

Common indicators include going missing for long periods, skipping regular payments, losing their vehicles and no longer associating with close friends.

The number of reported extortions remained steady, he said. In 2004 201 were reported and last year 203.

"For every serious offence reported to the police, we could add at least another two, minimum."

Most involved tertiary students, although there were problems at secondary school level. Those charged with these offences were mostly Chinese and Malaysian nationals, he said.

National MP Pansy Wong, who was at the conference, said the drug trend was worrying. It was important that education providers told their international students what they could and could not bring into the country.

"I'm of the more pragmatic point of view. When they start to bring in large quantities, I'm not too sure that is entirely innocent."