SPEED MAKERS TO FACE LIFE IN JAIL

Police will have the power to search premises for clandestine
methamphetamine labs without a warrant under Government plans to
reclassify the party drug as class "A".

The upgrade of methamphetamine (speed) from "B" status will
significantly increase the penalties for manufacture, distribution and
possession.

Those caught importing and manufacturing the drug will face life in
prison, instead of the previous maximum of 14 years.

For possession, the maximum penalty will be doubled to six months in
jail and a $1000 fine.The new classification will also automatically
give police the power to search for and seize the illegal substance
without getting a court order.

An Order in Council to change the classification will come before
Parliament for approval in the next few weeks.

The methamphetamine upgrade follows a decision by an Auckland judge on
Monday to throw out a drugs case because police used an illegal search
warrant to collect evidence.

Trevor Sydney Zenovich walked free from charges of manufacturing speed
because police searched his storage unit after receiving only verbal
approval from a Justice of the Peace.

The formal warrant was not signed until the day after.

Police Association president Greg O'Connor said police had been
pushing for the reclassification for about five years.

Crimes statistics released on Monday revealed police shut down 147
methamphetamine labs last year. Crimes linked to speed were up 28 per
cent and the drug was believed to have contributed to the higher
murder rate, up from 53 in 2001 to 66.

Mr O'Connor said speed users were committing robberies and burglaries
to fund their addiction.

The drug was also connected to violent murders.

The pure form of methamphetamine, known as "P", was a factor in the
case of Auckland man Antonie Dixon, who was charged with attempted
murder after allegedly slicing the hands off two women with a sword in
January. Dixon was also charged with murdering James Te Aute.

Mr O'Connor said if nothing was done to crack down on the rapidly
growing methamphetamine industry it would lead to overt organised
crime problems.

White biker and ethnic gangs already largely controlled the industry
and were growing more wealthy and powerful off its proceeds every day,
he said.

Parliament's health select committee heard evidence about the
reclassification from members of an expert drug advisory panel yesterday.

The panel's spokesman, Dr Bob Boyd, said use of the drug was
escalating.

There was evidence the level of supply was increasing because of a
decline in the street price of the drug, from up to $300 a gram years
ago to as little as $100 now.

Dr Boyd said customs officials would need to be extra vigilant because
of reports large quantities of "P" were being manufactured in Asia for
export.

The panel believed reclassifying methamphetamine would reduce its use
in New Zealand because of the stiffer penalties. It would also make
police enforcement a higher priority.

The panel recommended the status upgrade because methamphetamine is
highly addictive and appeals to vulnerable groups like Maori and young
people.

Health risks include fatigue, nervousness, palpitations, convulsions,
strokes and heart attacks.

Long-term users can become psychotic, suffer from paranoia,
hallucinations and delusions.

And there had been at least five deaths in New Zealand directly
attributable to the drug, said Dr Boyd.

Methamphetamine is made from over-the-counter cough and cold medicines
containing ephedrine and pseudoephedrine. It is usually sold as a
white, odourless, bitter-tasting powder, although impurities or an
incomplete manufacturing process can turn it yellowy-brown.

It is known as speed, wizz, go and meth. The pure form is known as
ice, P, crystal meth, glass or shabu. Speed can either be snorted,
injected, taken orally or smoked.

It creates feelings of euphoria and increased confidence.

Drugs are classed as "A" if they pose a very high risk of harm to
individuals or society.

There are about 30 class-A drugs in the Misuse of Drugs Act, including
heroin, cocaine, LSD, mescaline and psilocybin, found in magic mushrooms.

The penalties

* Maximum 14 years in prison for importing or manufacture.

* Ten years for conspiracy to commit an offence.

* Three months in jail and $500 fine for possession.

What they will be

* Life in prison for importing and manufacture.

* Fourteen years for conspiracy.

* Six months in jail and $1000 fine for possession.