The Government will invest an extra $35 million over four years to strengthen New Zealand’s borders and target transnational organised crime, Customs Minister Casey Costello said.

Customs continued to face rising pressure from international drug syndicates, which were increasingly targeting New Zealand due to the country’s high street prices for illicit substances, Costello said.

“Customs is doing a great job stopping illicit drugs entering the country, but New Zealand is increasingly being targeted by organised crime groups,” Costello said.

 “The Government is committed to ensuring law and order, so it is investing in the tools and capacity agencies need to meet growing challenges.”

The new funding includes $21 million in operating expenditure and $5.5 million in capital investment, with an additional $8.2 million to be recovered through third-party levies and fees.

Costello said the money would support up to 60 new roles across Customs, with staff added in intelligence, investigations, prosecutions, and border operations.

8.5 tonnes of meth from entering the country in the last two years.

“In 2014, Customs seized 55 kilograms of methamphetamine in the entire year. Last year Customs stopped, on average, 90 kilograms of meth every week,” Costello said. 

“In the past two years, Customs and its offshore partners stopped nearly 8.5 tonnes of meth from entering the country and harming New Zealanders.”

The additional funding will focus on three main areas: intercepting high-frequency, low-quantity drug smuggling through mail and airports; targeting trusted insiders in the supply chain who facilitate trafficking; and expanding New Zealand’s presence offshore with another liaison officer to work with international enforcement partners.

Costello said that while major drug shipments often captured public attention, a large volume of harm stemmed from smaller smuggling attempts, particularly via mail and air travel. 

She said the new investment would help Customs respond more effectively to this growing trend.

She said Customs would also enhance its use of advanced technology to detect threats earlier and improve information sharing with global agencies.

“This new funding will provide that,” Costello said.