Seizings of cocaine on increase
PA Palmerston North Cocaine seizings in New Zealand now exceed those for heroin, says the head of the New Zealand police drug enforcement division.
The cocaine derivative, “crack,” now widely used in the United States, was expected to start appearing in New Zealand soon, said the division’s director, Superintendent Dick MacDonald, yesterday. Mr MacDonald was presenting a paper on drugs and drug abuse to the Australia New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science
conference being held in Palmerston North.
New Zealand seizings of cocaine had risen sharply since 1985 to a position now where, on a per capita basis, it was similar to Australian seizings.
“I think that shows quite dramatically what we can expect in New Zealand in future,” he said.
“Cocaine is here and its use will probably escalate in the future.” However, heroin seizings were showing a marked decline, which Mr MacDonald called a considerable success for New
Zealand law enforcement.
A serious heroin problem had been emerging in the 19705, but this had been “dramatically reversed” after the introduction of legislation in 1978 which allowed the interception of private 1 communications.
Improved border surveillance and greater cooperation between police, customs and health de-, partments had also reduced the problem.
Mr MacDonald said marijuana-related investigations remained a “major problem” for police resources.
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Press, 27 January 1987, Page 6
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221Seizings of cocaine on increase Press, 27 January 1987, Page 6
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