ICE THE CHILLING FACE OF DRUG FUTURE

Police and customs agents fighting skyrocketing increases in imported
methamphetamine and ecstasy are bracing for the more potent and
addictive drug "Ice".

A report for the government, obtained under the Official Information
Act, reveals international drug traffickers are now targeting New
Zealand, where drug prices are among the highest in the western world
and offer the most lucrative returns.

Despite massive increases in drug seizures, customs says the busts are
bad news, as they reflect the fact more drugs are being peddled here.

The report, prepared by the National Drug Intelligence Bureau (NDIB)
for government ministers, warns escalating drug importation poses a
serious threat to New Zealand with more significant and far-reaching
consequences than the Mr Asia crime syndicate 20 years ago.

It shows ecstasy seizures have increased by 2500% over the past two
years and warns: "The NDIB does not know of another western country
that has experienced the same phenomenal growth in MDMA interdictions
in a two-year timeframe."

Police and customs are seeking law changes to improve the fight
against the manufacture of methamphetamine, including P, by targeting
the key ingredient, ephedrine or pseudoephedrine

Already this year customs has intercepted 330 shipments of ephedrine,
totalling 623,000 tablets. Authorities want a law change to make
ephedrine a Class C controlled drug (the same as cannabis).

P, linked to several brutal murder cases, is known as "pure"
methamphetamine but is about 75% purity.

But enforcement agents are now concerned the most potent form of
methamphetamine, Ice, will become the biggest drug threat to the country.

Selling for more than $1000 a gram, its purity is 90-98%, and gives
users a high for 8-16 hours. Ice comes in crystal form and requires a
further chemical process to that used to make P.

While the number of police raids of clandestine P laboratories rises,
authorities have yet to encounter Ice-making facilities, meaning it
must be imported. Detective inspector Gary Knowles, of police national
drug intelligence, said international organised crime groups were now
targeting this country.

"Drug traffickers are like Amway, they think `where have we not
touched on the globe'? And they came to Australia and New Zealand," he
said. "They've realised we pay top dollar here, they've created the
demand and now they're flooding the market."

Police drug squads investigating P makers and dealers were also
finding Ice, Knowles said.

"The guys on the front line in the drugs squads report that they're
doing warrants and getting small seizures of Ice all the time now.

"It's a very attractive drug to P users who are hooked and want a
higher rush."

Customs drug investigations manager Simon Williamson said 681 grams of
Ice had been seized this year in seven incidents. "The public should
be worried," he said. "We're getting targeted by criminal syndicates
from offshore, predominantly Asia. I'd like to say the increase in
seizures means we're getting on top of the problem, but the reality is
there's more coming in."

Williamson said Ice and P had strong links to users committing violent
crime. "It's not a coincidence that there's a rise in methamphetamine
use alongside a significant increase in violent crime, and
unfathomable violence in some murders."