An experienced New Zealand Customs officer says only one in every 10 illicit drug imports is being seized at the border, and frontline staff feel overworked and undervalued.
The whistleblower, who didn't want to be identified, has worked at Customs for more than a decade. He tells Newshub he is passionate about his job, but he feels the concerns he and others have raised with management haven't been taken seriously.
Customs general manager of border operations, Paul Campbell, says there's always room for improvement, but he doesn't believe officers are only seizing one in every 10 drug consignments.
"Some obviously get through. We can always do better. But there is no ratio that I am aware of," Mr Campbell says. "One in 10 would suggest that there is some evidence to support it. I would be very keen to see the evidence."
Customs has confirmed New Zealand is facing record levels of drug imports -- especially methamphetamine. Last year 890kg of chemicals used to make P were stopped at the border, compared to 641kg seized in 2014.
Newshub.
