Napier raid nets imported drugs

Police and Customs found nearly $100,000 worth of drugs, including imported drug precursor pseudoephedrine in its powder form, at a Napier house last night.

Drug precursors are chemical substances, such as pseudoephedrine, frequently used in the illegal production of methamphetamine or "P".

Police and Customs raided the house late last night, Detective Sergeant Daryl Moore of Napier CIB said.

The joint operation was mounted when Customs intercepted a parcel at the Auckland International Mail Centre.

It was addressed to a Napier house, and had been posted from Thailand.

Methamphetamine found at the house had an estimated street value of more than $90,000, plus around $2000 worth of cannabis leaf, Mr Moore said.

Mark Day, Customs manager drug investigations, said the number of interceptions at the border continued to rise.

"In the last five to six years border seizures of such precursors have increased by 1200 per cent.

"One way we see is importation through the mail and courier services with drugs delivered to private properties.

"This is a trade driven by greed and it feeds off the misery of people in the New Zealand community."

A 54-year-old Hastings man and his 52-year-old Thai national wife were due to appear in Napier District Court this afternoon.

The couple have been charged with importing class C controlled drug pseudoephedrine, possession for supply of class A drug methamphetamine and possession for supply class C drug cannabis.

- NZPA