2 March 2005

Serious "P" Problem Hits Tauranga Peters Threatens To Name Dealer

A serious methamphetamine problem has hit Tauranga and MP Rt Hon Winston Peters has called on the Government to provide more police resources to deal with drug crime.

Mr Peters told Parliament today that the ingredients for the drug were purchased through the Internet and imported through the local port. It was manufactured by local gangs which had “put aside their differences” in the interests of making high profits.

“What we are talking about is a potential ‘P’ epidemic across the Western Bay of Plenty and if the Government does not act now by giving police extra resources to set up a specialist drugs team in the area, the consequences will be disastrous.

“There is no specialist police drugs team from Türangi in the South through to Rotorua and Tauranga and all along the coast. Yet Tauranga is becoming one of the major “P” gateways to New Zealand.”

Mr Peters said it was very unfortunate that police leadership in the district, as a result of government direction, had told staff that their priorities were the roads and property offences in order to keep traffic and crime statistics under control.

“It would make more sense for police to target the drugs scene because the “P” epidemic is having serious social effects throughout New Zealand.”

Mr Peters claimed one Bay of Plenty individual was involved in supplying “P” to teenage girls in return for sex and he threatened to name this person in Parliament if no action was taken against him.

“This dreadful trade has to be stopped. It is ruining lives and creating more crime. The Government must give police the resources to prevent this dreadful scourge engulfing many parts of the country.”

ENDS

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