KEY POINTS:
If a 100 kilogram shipment of pseudoephedrine had not been intercepted by Customs, the toll on communities would have been severe, the Ministers for Customs and Police said today.
The shipment of the drug , with a street value of $28 million, was seized by the Customs Service in Auckland in a joint operation with police.
The seizure, in the form of Contac NT, came only weeks after an 80kg seizure.
Pseudoephedrine is the principal component used in the manufacture of the drug methamphetamine (P) and 100kg of Contac NT could make 28kg of P, worth around $28m on the street.
The Contac NT was found concealed in a shipment of furniture from China, seized in Auckland on October 10.
Two men have been charged with import and possession for supply of a class C controlled drug.
The maximum sentence is eight years imprisonment.
Customs Minister Nanaia Mahuta and Police Minister Annette King today congratulated the interception .
"New Zealanders can feel very gratified that we have these two outstanding agencies working cooperatively, in order to intercept these criminal organisations and their illicit drug trade," they said in a joint release.
"This an excellent example of the good work being done within New Zealand, in order to protect our borders and our communities from the predations of these organised criminals.
"Their efforts are to be congratulated."
One chilling aspect of the bust was the fact such a large volume of pseudoephedrine could well have been imported not for transit, but for manufacturing methamphetamine for domestic use, they said.
The toll on local communities could have been severe.
"Protecting communities from drugs needs a two-pronged attack; our border agencies and the police are doing their bit, however individuals, families and communities must also be making their contribution by collectively saying no to drugs."
Customs manager drug investigations Bill Perry said the haul was the third-largest made in New Zealand.
Mr Perry told NZPA it was only a matter of weeks ago Customs intercepted 80kg, the third-largest at the time.
"Now we're into 100 kilos, it's extremely significant."
Mr Perry said the success rate by staff came down to vigilance.
"Our process is connected between intelligence and putting the right bits of information to our people on the front line to make the right decisions."
- NZPA
