Hidden in the spine of a book was a cannabis leaf. Photo:
Department of Corrections.
Customs intercept, on average, four items of mail
containing illegal drugs a day, including contraband destined
for southern addresses, released information reveals.
The New Zealand Customs Service intercepted 1280 items of
illegal drugs sent through the International Mail Centre in
the year ended September.
The Auckland-based mail centre accounted for 51.1% of all
drug interceptions made at the country's borders over the
same period.
The most prevalent drugs sent by mail were
pseudoephedrine-based products, with 518 interceptions,
followed by class C controlled medicines (237) and cannabis
(172).
Fifty-eight items containing drugs destined for Otago and
Southland addresses were intercepted, including cannabis
(20), mephedrone (10) and class C controlled medicines (7).
Pseudoephedrine-based products accounted for four
interceptions, including one last month.
The department used a range of interception methods such as
X-ray inspection, intelligence, risk profiling, electronic
testing apparatus, skilled staff and detector dogs, a Customs
spokeswoman said.
"Importing and exporting drugs in the mail is one of the
oldest methods of smuggling drugs into New Zealand.
"Customs officers closely monitor international mail for a
range of prohibited items, including illicit drugs, and keep
up with the latest trends and methodologies."
When a suspect package is identified, it is opened and
inspected by a Customs officer wearing appropriate clothing.
In addition to drugs, custom officers at the International
Mail Centre also search for weapons, contraband and goods
that infringe intellectual property rights.
"If a parcel contains contraband, it is seized and may be
forfeit to the Crown.
"If a parcel is clear, it is sent on to its addressed
destination."
The major illicit drug problem in New Zealand is from
transnational crime syndicates smuggling pseudoephedrine into
New Zealand, from which P (methamphetamine) is manufactured
and sold.
The pseudoephedrine comes into the country as Contac NT, a
cold and flu medicine.
It comes almost exclusively from China, where it is legal and
sold over the counter.
"Like any other market, the illicit drug market is governed
by supply and demand. That demand means we will continue to
see criminal groups attempting to smuggle drugs into New
Zealand," the spokeswoman said.
Criminals were going to great lengths to smuggle drugs, with
Customs recently finding them in picture frames, furniture
and lamps, and even attached to ships.
Contraband
Of the 1280 items of illegal drugs intercepted at the
International Mail Centre in Auckland for the year ending
September:
• 518 were pseudoephedrine-based products.
• 237 were class C controlled medicines.
• 172 were cannabis.
Source: New Zealand Customs Service
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