Customs reports alarming rise in seizures of drug precursors

Seizures of precursor substances suspected of being intended for use in illegal drug-making have risen alarmingly this year, the Customs Service said today.

Precursors like ephedrine and pseudoephedrine are commonly found in cold and cough medicines, but are also used for producing methamphetamine, also known as speed, or P in its purer form.

Customs operation manager for drug investigations Simon Williamson said officers had seized 530,000 tablets, or the powdered equivalent, of the substances in 222 incidents so far this year.

This compared with 32,653 tablets intercepted in the whole of 2001, and 254,987 during the whole of last year.

Mr Williamson described the increase as dramatic and said it was stretching the service's resources.

"We are concerned that this may be just the beginning of a burgeoning flood of precursors across New Zealand's borders," he said.

"It signifies yet another area of concern in relation to the drug scene in this country."

Mr Williams said one likely reason for the increase was the recent clampdown on methamphetamine in New Zealand.

Under the Government's Methamphetamine Action Plan announced in May, the drug was upgraded to class A and the availability of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine products was restricted.

"Customs believes manufacturers of methamphetamine have turned to offshore sources to secure the supply of these necessary precursors," Mr Williamson said.

He warned that people found guilty of possessing and supplying precursor substances intended for the manufacture of controlled drugs faced penalties of up to seven years in prison.

- NZPA