Media release: drug smugglers victimising Asian landlords

Importers of illegal drugs have found another way to smuggle precursors into New Zealand and are preying upon Asian landlords to carry out their illegal trade.

Bruce Berry, Customs Manager Drug Investigations says that in the past landlords were advised to be on the lookout for tenants who might be using their rental properties as methamphetamine labs.  He says Customs has discovered that landlords are now being victimised further by being involved in the importation of drugs without their knowledge.

“A current well-established method of import is through the mail and courier services.  Drugs are being delivered to private properties that have been rented purely as a delivery point for packages containing drugs.   

“These properties, which also include rented individual rooms within family occupied houses, are usually owned and rented by Asian landlords who are innocent parties being preyed upon.

“When Customs interacts with the landlords they are usually shocked at being used like this and have genuine concerns that their personal reputations in New Zealand will be affected.”

Drug precursors are chemical substances, such as pseudoephedrine, which are frequently used in the illegal production of the deadly drug, methamphetamine.

“Customs is currently experiencing a huge increase in the amount and number of intercepts of drugs such as Contac NT. In the last five to six years border seizures of such precursors have increased by 1,200 percent.

“Last year Customs dealt with 766 instances where drugs were imported in this manner — saving an estimated $83 million dollars in potential harm to our community.”

Bruce says that methamphetamine is destroying our families and our communities in all areas of New Zealand and the people who import it must be stopped.

“The war on methamphetamine is a community and neighbourhood issue for all New Zealanders and we encourage people to look out for anything unusual in relation to this type of activity and let us know if they do.

“Generally the offenders involved in the organisation of these importing rings are aged between 19 and 30.  They are generally not working and may utilise Chinese newspapers and the internet in identifying rooms and houses for rent.

“They also commonly use false names or provide vague details, so to protect themselves we encourage landlords to ask for proper photo identification from prospective tenants and to make a note of it.

“All New Zealanders can help Customs in the war against methamphetamine by calling 0800 4 Customs or emailing feedback@customs.govt.nz to report any suspicious activity. All information will be treated in confidence."

What the community need to look out for:

• tenants who take short-term leases on properties or rooms
• tenants who pay rent in cash up front and show little interest in amenities
• tenants who do not move in straight away
• tenants who do not move in much furniture or personal possessions
• tenants who do not spend much time at the address (often not there at night at all)
• tenants who take particular interest in mail deliveries or previous tenants tenants who ask if mail can be accepted before they move in or after they leave  
• tenants who are often only contactable via cell phone  
• packages that are addressed to people unknown to be living at the address  

For more information please contact:
Bonnie Hutchins
Communications Advisor
04 462 0237
029 251 3167
bonnie.hutchins@customs.govt.nz

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