Answering questions about the more than 1000 people deported since Australia changed its immigration rules at the end of 2015, Mike Bush told Parliament's justice select committee police believed 44% had reoffended since arriving in New Zealand.
``And some of those members were, or become, parts of other organised crime groups,'' he said.
``We're watching that.''
Asked whether these deportees were believed to be contributing to the amount of metham-
phetamine coming into New Zealand Mr Bush replied: ``If they haven't, they will.''
Under Australia's immigration laws, anyone who has served time for a crime or fails a character test can be deported, despite some living in Australia most of their lives and having no links to New Zealand.
That has prompted criticism a lack of local support networks was driving many back into a life of crime.
