DRUG ALARM SOUNDED

Auckland: Seizures of precursor substances suspected of being intended for
use in illegal drug-making have risen alarmingly this year, the Customs
Service said yesterday.

Precursors like ephedrine and pseudoephedrine are commonly found in cold
and cough medicines, but are also used for producing methamphetamine, also
known as speed, or P in its purer form.

Customs operation manager for drug investigations Simon Williamson said
officers had seized 530,000 tablets, or the powdered equivalent, of the
substances in 222 incidents so far this year.

This compared with 32,653 tablets intercepted in the whole of 2001, and
254,987 during the whole of last year.

Mr Williamson described the increase as dramatic and said it was stretching
the service's resources.

"We are concerned that this may be just the beginning of a burgeoning flood
of precursors across New Zealand's borders," he said.

"It signifies yet another area of concern in relation to the drug scene in
this country."

Mr Williams said one likely reason for the increase was the recent
clampdown on methamphetamine in New Zealand.

Under the Government's Methamphetamine Action Plan announced in May, the
drug was upgraded to class A and the availability of ephedrine and
pseudoephedrine products was restricted.

"Customs believes manufacturers of methamphetamine have turned to offshore
sources to secure the supply of these necessary precursors," Mr Williamson
said.

He warned that people found guilty of possessing and supplying precursor
substances intended for the manufacture of controlled drugs faced penalties
of up to seven years in prison. - NZPA