THE BATTLE AGAINST DRUGS IN 2006

METHAMPHETAMINE Cost $800-$1000 a gram. In 2006, 116kg was seized, up
from 16.5kg in 2005. Most was imported from China, but distribution
and local manufacture is controlled by gangs. Local theft from
pharmacies has waned as Asian gangs get supply from overseas.

Significant seizures in 2006: Operation Major, in May, netted 95kg
hidden in paint tins imported from China; Operation Fiona, in January,
8.1kg of crystal meth hidden in water filters destined for a
Wellington address; Operation Pulse, in September, 5kg of
methamphetamine hidden in ceramic picture frames being carried by two
passengers travelling on Canadian passports.

PSEUDOEPHEDRINE In 2006, 2.2 million tablets were seized, up from 1.9
million in 2004 This could be used to manufacture 130-140kg of
methamphetamine.

Seizures used to be mostly from domestically sourced tablets, but
there is a trend toward larger amounts hidden in commercial ships.
"The way to kill this problem is to stop it offshore," says Les
Maxwell, analyst at the police national drug intelligence bureau.

Significant seizures in 2006: Operation Major, in May, 150kg of
pseudoephedrine concealed in sacks described as 'mortar'; in June,
3.38kg from China found by a drug detector dog in tubing of floor
mops; in July, 21.55kg hidden in a shipment of computer monitors; in
October, 11kg hidden in the soles of jandals.

CANNABIS During the 2005-2006 year, more than 500kg of cannabis and
140,000 plants were seized in New Zealand. Fifteen per cent of New
Zealanders are believed to be users. "We should never underestimate
cannabis. This is our most widely used illicit drug in New Zealand,"
Mr Maxwell said. Most is grown locally, and new hydroponic and cloning
techniques also increase the active THC content, making the drug stronger.

Police have also found links with methamphetamine labs if they
investigate cannabis, it can lead them to P.
COCAINE Cost: $300-$500 a gram.

In 2006, 30.5kg was seized, up from 7kg in 2005. The vast majority
(29.8kg) of seized cocaine is destined for Australia.

Demand here could be hidden because it is a drug favoured by wealthier
people who tend to be more discreet.

"There's always a risk of seepage (into the New Zealand market)," Mr
Maxwell said.

Significant seizures in 2006: In Operation Limpet, in June, customs
divers found more than 18.6kg of cocaine hidden in an attachment to
the hull of the boat MV Tampa, which had arrived in South America; in
October, 8.7kg was found attached to the sister ship MV Taonga.

MDMA/ecstasyCost: $60-80 a tablet. In 2006, 7500 tablets were seized.

Police have shut down a number of international groups, including
Israeli groups that had a global stronghold in 2002-04. Seizures have
dropped considerably. But that does not indicate that MDMA is going
away, Mr Maxwell says. "It's still there, we know it's still there,
and while there have been those successes in terms of these syndicates
that have been disrupted, it's the Asian group that have proven able
to be the fly in the ointment."

Significant seizures in 2006: In Operation Clark, in October, 2887
ecstasy tablets were found in a package sent from Britain to a Timaru
address.

HEROIN Cost: $1000 a gram. In 2006, 11.04 grams was seized, down from
1.5kg in 2003.

Heroin is also manufactured in New Zealand using morphine sulphate
tablets.

Small-scale and infrequent use of poppy seeds is also
found.

Police believe a small, aging user group and the success of the
methadone programme means there is not a huge demand.LSD Cost: $30-$40
a ticket. In 2006, 2821 tickets were seized, up from 1310 in 2005.
Popular in the 1990s, lsd use dropped in the early 2000s, but Mr
Maxwell says it is beginning to make a comeback.

On little stamps, or tabs, it is easy to conceal and difficult to
detect.

"There seems to be a resurgence at the moment. We're not sure what that
means," Mr Maxwell says. GBL/FANTASY Cost: $5-$10 a millilitre
(diluted). In 2006, 203 litres was seized, up from 31.6 litres in 2005.

GBL, or fantasy, has been classified as a class B controlled drug only
since 2004. It is used as a recreational and in some cases as a 'date
rape' drug.

Mr Maxwell said it seemed to be less available at the moment. "I call
this one of our successes as well."

Significant seizure in 2006: In January, a 200-litre drum was
intercepted that had been sent from Japan to a Northland address. At
subsequent searches, police found crystal methamphetamine and
components of a clandestine drug laboratory.

KHAT Cost: $100-$200 for a 100g bag. In 2006, 42.5kg was seized, up
from 38kg in 2005 and 27kg in 2004.

Popular with African communities, Khat (pronounced kot) is a class C
controlled drug, usually imported from Australia. It has
methamphetamine-like properties when chewed, brewed as tea, or smoked.

Significant seizures in 2006: In December, Hamilton detectives found
10kg in two houses, believed to be imported, and with the street value
of $10,000 to $20,000.