Liquid dishwash disguises smuggled methamphetamine

Police say they have uncovered a new way methamphetamine is entering New Zealand with the drug being “masked” overseas and then chemically altered to turn into P when it arrives.

Four men, aged 59, 47, 38 and 54, have been charged with a range of offences relating to the supply of methamphetamine and the possession of equipment with intent to manufacture a controlled drug.

The defendants have been remanded in custody until next month, when they will reappear.

The charges followed police and customs searches at homes and commercial addresses in Lynfield, Waitakere, Newmarket, Epsom, Avondale and New Lynn.

It was alleged that a cargo consignment labelled as dishwashing liquid and containing an estimated 160 litres of t-boc methamphetamine was imported from Hong Kong on January 28.

T-boc is a form of methamphetamine that is chemically masked to prevent it being detected.

Through a chemical process it can then be converted back to methamphetamine for the purpose of supply. It is believed to be the first time this form of methamphetamine has been seized in New Zealand.

The liquid and equipment seized in the operation are believed to be able to convert t-boc meth- amphetamine into approximately 120kg of methamphetamine.

Detective Superintendent Dave Lynch said the joint investigation was a good example of co-operation between New Zealand agencies and overseas partners to disrupt the supply chain of methamphetamine.

“The approach to disrupting the supply chain hinges on the strong networks we have built with our partners in the Chinese National Narcotics Control Commission, across Government including the New Zealand Customs Service,” he said.

“We believe this is the first time a A consignment labelled as dishwashing liquid allegedly contained t-boc methamphetamine. consignment of t-boc methamphetamine has been intercepted in New Zealand, and we rely on our strong partnerships both at home and overseas to stay abreast of the changing trends in the illicit trade in drugs.”

Customs investigations manager Maurice O’Brien said the success of this investigation showed that criminal syndicates were going to great lengths and becoming more sophisticated in their methods of concealment.

But they could still be detected by law enforcement authorities, O’Brien said.

The seized methamphetamine could have caused $148 million of drug harm to the community, according to the 2016 Drug Harm Index.