Customs' six-month meth haul worth $246M

  • 22/07/2015
Drug products seized by Customs up to the end of June (Alex Bourn/3 News)
Drug products seized by Customs up to the end of June (Alex Bourn/3 News)

By 3 News online staff

Customs has stopped up to $246 million worth of methamphetamine and the ingredients used to make it from reaching New Zealand in six months, according to new figures.

Another $7.5 million destined for New Zealand was seized in Hong Kong.

Statistics to the end of June show 1660 separate drugs seizures. Of that, 63 were methamphetamine seizures and 189 seizures of precursors – all-up weighing nearly 500kg.

Customs manager of border operations Shane Panettiere says it is "not uncommon" to intercept several kilograms of methamphetamine or precursors in each seizure, sometimes on a daily basis.

"A major shift in precursors over the last 18 months is the import of ephedrine instead of pseudoephedrine," he says.

"Criminals keep trying inventive ways to smuggle drugs, but Customs also continually updates its targeting and examination techniques to keep up with the changing environment."

Some methods of smuggling included being stored inside a guitar and a push scooter.

Other drugs seized included synthetic drugs, cannabis, prescription medicines, MDMA (ecstasy) and controlled medicines.

3 News