There has been a global increase in the supply of methamphetamine in recent months, New Zealand Customs says.
Nearly $250 million worth of the class A drug and its precursors have been seized by the agency in the last six months - the highest levels on record.
Customs said 1660 drug seizures have been made this year, worth $246 million. Photo: RNZ/ Mohamed Hassan
Customs said 1660 drug seizures have been made this year, worth $246 million, with methamphetamine and its precursors making up most of that - at over half a tonne.
The agency said that amount of crystal methamphetamine could be worth up to $141 million in street value, and the precursors could have produced up to $105 million more.
Customs said another $7.5 million destined for here was also seized in Hong Kong.
The agency said there was no single source country where the drugs were being smuggled from, but nearly all cases were connected to international drug syndicates.
Hundreds of other drugs, including cannabis, ecstasy and medications had also been intercepted in mail and air cargo.
Customs said there was a strong suggestion most were bought through online black market sites, such as Silk Road, through Asia.
Customs Manager Cargo Operations Bruce Berry with some of the drugs seized over the last six months. Photo: RNZ / Mohamed Hassan
Seizures reached record levels last summer, according to Customs Manager Border Operations Shane Panettiere.
"It's not uncommon for Customs to intercept several kilograms of methamphetamine or precursors in each seizure, sometimes on a daily basis," said Mr Panettiere.
"A major shift in precursors over the last 18 months is the import of ephedrine instead of pseudoephedrine."
Of the 1660 seizures, the remaining 1408 seizures included class 'C' analogues - mimic or synthetic drugs (312 seizures), cannabis and its products (256 seizures), prescription medicines (228 seizures) MDMA or ecstasy (157 seizures) and controlled medicines (152 seizures).
Mr Panettiere said international drug syndicates have been attempting to boost the supply of methamphetamine, despite the demand in New Zealand remaining stable.
"The statistics that we're seeing would point to a fairly static if not shrinking user population," he said.
"What is potentially driving the amount that we're seeing at the border is potentially an attempt to increase demand through supply."
Mr Panettiere said there was a desire to expand the market in the country, because New Zealanders pay a high price for methamphetamine.
Photo: RNZ / Mohamed Hassan
Photo: RNZ/ Mohamed Hassan