WELLINGTON, Jan. 31 (Xinhua) -- A number of drug supply chains were disrupted last year, with New Zealand Customs and New Zealand Police making a large number of drug seizures throughout 2017, according to a customs statement released on Wednesday.
Detective Superintendent Greg Williams said that holding drug dealers and organized crime groups to account is a priority for the police.
Last year the National Organized Crime Group, in partnership with the customs, dismantled at least 10 significant transnational crime groups operating in New Zealand and preying on communities, Williams said.
"Our intent is to continue to prevent organized crime flourishing. These illicit drugs are destructive and have no place in our communities. We know they cause negative health implications and financial and social harm to users and their families," he said.
As a result of drug use and drug dealing, communities often notice increased levels of crimes such as burglaries, theft and vehicle crime, Williams said, adding that often drug users try to fund their habit this way, and it's not uncommon for drug dealers to receive stolen property as payment for drugs, which affects the whole community.
From January until November 2017, the police and customs jointly seized over 403.5 kilos of methamphetamine across nearly 1,900 seizures, both at the border and domestically through investigations, the statement said.
There have also been a number of offshore seizures that have prevented drugs from getting into New Zealand and its communities, it said.
