Deadlier form of 'P' on the way

Police say organised criminals with a firm grip on the methamphetamine trade are about to unleash a new and more potent form of the illicit drug upon New Zealand.

The crystal rock form of the drug, manufactured in Asia, is being supplied to local gangs by Chinese drug lords, according to the Police Association magazine, Police News.

The magazine said an investigation - based on interviews with drug squad detectives, organised crime officers and gang sources - revealed organised crime was operating "on a grand scale" and controlling the New Zealand drug trade.

It claims a motorcycle gang had started importing large quantities of methamphetamine in the form of crystal rock.

The crystals were sold individually or in five-rock bags and were a more potent form of the drug.

Police Association president Greg O'Connor said crystal rock was similar in appearance to crack cocaine and stronger than "ice", another term for the crystal form of the drug.

The magazine said the gang had identified the highly addictive crystal as a way to corner the P-smoking market.

An informant warned police: "Your blokes are going to be picking up the pieces because this stuff is lethal."

The article claimed legitimate businessmen were controlling some gangs and members had effectively become "puppets" for multimillionaires. Gangs were being supplied with motorbikes, nicer pads and sophisticated surveillance technology in return for their distribution networks.

Well-organised gangs were doing overseas deals "in much the same way as The Warehouse does parallel importing of goods", a source told Police News.

Police crackdowns on ingredients to produce methamphetamine had affected local manufacture so gangs had turned to importing ready-made methamphetamine.

Some police officers estimated only 6 or 7 per cent of drug importations were being seized.

The article was critical of police managers' attitudes towards organised crime and the drug trade.

Gangs in some areas had "free reign" because police did not have the resources to monitor them.

Mr O'Connor said not enough money had been spent on dealing with organised crime and drugs.

The Office of the Commissioner was unable to comment yesterday as they had not seen the article, a spokesman said.

However, Detective Sergeant Warren Olsson, head of organised crime, told the magazine that the office was aware gangs were negotiating between themselves and with other crime groups in Asia to co-ordinate their drug activities.

Mr Olsson said stronger asset-seizure legislation recently announced by the Government would be another tool to help police fight organised crime.

Police Minister George Hawkins said police were to be congratulated "for their concentrated efforts to win the fight against methamphetamine and the role of organised criminals in manufacture and distribution".