The number of parcels entering New Zealand containing dangerous powders and substances used for copycat drugs is on the rise.
Chief Customs officer Geoffrey Rollinson inspects one of the many packages seized. Photo: RNZ
Customs recently ran a sting operation focused on stopping the import of psychoactive substances, which are often sent in powder form.
Some 199 suspicious parcels, mostly from China, have been seized since February this year, resulting in over 100 investigations and four arrests.
Drug suppliers use the substances to create pills that mimic illegal drugs such as Ecstasy. A kilogram of psychoactive powder can yield 10,000 pills with a street value of up to $400,000.
Customs officer Jonathan Morten led the operation. He said that a couple of years ago the substances weren't an issue, but now officers are intercepting an average of 15 packages every week.
The Psychoactive Substances Bill is before Parliament and expected to come into force in August this year. It will introduce heavy fines and potential jail terms for people or companies who import the substances without a licence.
The bill would allow Customs to hold any substance addressed to someone without a licence to import it.
