Major Contac NT Seizure

Detectives from the Auckland Metro Crime Drug Squad working closely with New Zealand Customs officers have made a major drug seizure of 67 kilograms of ContacNT.

This seizure was as a result of several months of investigation involving an organised group of Chinese drug importers who were supplying ContacNT to methamphetamine manufacturers in Auckland.

Working closely with New Zealand Customs Investigators the large seizure was located in a container arriving through the port of Auckland this contained Chinese granite that had secret compartments hollowed in the pallets of granite which concealed the ContacNT.

The ContacNT seized if sold in its raw form would have a street value of approximately three million dollars. However it is capable of being converted into methamphetamine to make to between 13 and 20 kilograms of pure methamphetamine. Harm to the New Zealand community that has been prevented is assessed at between 5.5 and 8.2 million dollars.

Detective Senior Sergeant CAHILL of the Auckland Metro Drug Squad said "This is a very significant seizure and is part of an on-going attack on high level methamphetamine drug dealing and a crucial part of the Police response to the Government’s methamphetamine action plan.

Detective Senior Sergeant CAHILL stated, “It is another clear example of Police and Customs being able to combine their resources and skills to achieve outstanding results and this will have a significant effect on the availability of methamphetamine in Auckland and possibly greater New Zealand.”

As a result of the seizure, 5 men aged between 17 and 22 have been charged with Possession of Pseudoephedrine for Supply and Importing Pseudoephedrine. One person was remanded in custody and the other 4 were released on bail to appear in the Auckland District Court on the 8th of March 2010. Of the 5 arrested all were born in Mainland China, 3 are in New Zealand on student visas, two are permanent New Zealand residents.

Detective Senior Sergeant CAHILL reiterated warnings Police have previously given to Asian students to avoid becoming involved with drug gangs who will use them to facilitate their drug dealing activities.

9th March 2010