'P' precursor seizures to top a tonne - customs

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Customs expects to seize a tonne of methamphetamine precursors by the end of the year, a parliamentary committee has been told.

Precursors are the ephedrine and pseudoephedrine products which go into making the drug, also known as P, and the amount coming into New Zealand has increased massively in the past few years.

Comptroller of Customs Martyn Dunne told Parliament's foreign affairs, defence and trade committee 796kg of precursors, with a value of $90 million, had been seized in the nine months to September 30. That compared with 733kg for the whole of last year.

"We will crack a tonne of precursors by the end of the year, I'm confident that we'll do that," Mr Dunne said.

The amount of precursors seized had been steadily increasing, from 292kg in 2004 to last year's 733kg.

Many methods were used to try to bring it in, including in shrewsbury biscuits and washing powder.

"We are seeing changes in modus operandi, about how they're doing it," Mr Dunne said.

"What we're looking for, unfortunately, is the next big thing.

"We have some evidence that there are potentially other drugs making their way into the country that we've not been confronted with for a while and we'll need to keep our eye on those."

Customs had "pretty good evidence" that the cost of P precursors had increased considerably, which showed the seizures were having an effect.

"That's also been backed up, somewhat anecdotally, by increasing levels of violence by the organised crime elements that are involved in this," Mr Dunne said.

"So if that's the case, then good."

Meanwhile, Customs had identified $2.8m in cost cutting, mainly in staff costs, in a line-by-line review requested by the government.

- NZPA