For Immediate Release
Tuesday 14 June 2016

P bust evidence of extent of problem

“Northland police and public are to be congratulated for their excellent work in preventing 448 kilograms of P from reaching the market,” Police Association President Greg O’Connor said today.

“However, this bust will give New Zealanders some indication of how big the market is for criminals to attempt this sort of importation. The extent of the P problem is becoming apparent to middle New Zealand through the issue of ‘P houses’, where evidence is found that the drug has been smoked,” Mr O’Connor said.

“P and organised crime go together, and the P problem is evidence of the extent of organised crime activity in New Zealand. Believing that a P problem can be confined to a certain segment of society is folly, as the issue with rising violence and P houses is showing.”

“Only considerable investment in disruption of organised crime in New Zealand will curtail or help to reduce the prevalence of P and other destructive drugs. This of course needs to be combined with investment in drug treatment facilities and education to also help reduce demand. Failure to invest in either of these areas will mean the situation will continue to deteriorate.”

“Once again, the Northland police are to be congratulated for their good work, but this should be a sobering message for all New Zealanders,” he said.

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