1 March 2013

Mouthwash Leaves Man With Bad Taste

When Customs officers opened a package declared to contain contact lens solution, they found a mouthwash bottle filled with a clear liquid. As a result of an investigation, a Christchurch man was yesterday sentenced for importing the Class B controlled drug GBL.

Mark Wright, 42, was sentenced to six months of community detention and 200 hours community service after he pleaded guilty to importing 250ml of the Class B drug Gamma-Butyrolactone, known as GBL. The offence carries a maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment.

The package sent from Thailand in February 2010 was intercepted at the International Mail Centre in Auckland. It contained a plastic snap lock bag with a bottle labelled ‘Colgate Plax Salt Herbal’ filled with a clear liquid. Tests confirmed the liquid was GBL.

Customs carried out a search warrant at the defendant’s address where they also found small quantities of GBL, the Class C controlled drug mephedrone and two methamphetamine pipes.

Customs Manager Investigations Mark Day says Customs uses a multilayered approach to identify and intercept packages, including a screening process, the use of x-ray equipment and detector dogs.

“Customs has great confidence in the capabilities and experience of its officers when it comes to identifying something that is out of the ordinary.”

“Offenders come up with new and inventive ways to get illicit drugs through the border, but we continually use intelligence to inform our officers of new methods,” he said.

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The New Zealand Customs Service is the government organisation that protects the community from potential risks arising from international trade and travel, while facilitating the legitimate movement of people and goods across the border. Established in 1840, it is New Zealand’s oldest government agency.

As New Zealand's gatekeepers our role includes intercepting contraband (such as illegal drugs); checking travellers and their baggage cargo and mail; protecting businesses against illegal trade; and assessing and collecting Customs duties, excise, and goods and services tax on imports. We use intelligence and risk assessment to target physical checks of containers, vessels or travellers. As a law enforcement agency we conduct investigations and audits, and prosecute offenders.

Customs works closely with other border agencies, in particular the NZ Police, Aviation Security, Environmental Science & Research and Immigration New Zealand.

More information about Customs can be found on our website: www.customs.govt.nz

ENDS

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