New Zealand to step up anti-drug cooperation with China

Greater police and Customs exchanges between New Zealand and China will be targeted at stopping organized crime and drug smuggling between the two countries, the New Zealand government announced Tuesday.

The new initiative, which follows the signing of a Memorandum of Arrangement (MOA) on precursor controls between China and New Zealand in April 2013, would see a New Zealand Police attach officer to the consulate in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, for a two-year trial period.

The officer would work with Chinese enforcement agencies to help identify criminals who were responsible for illicit drug or precursor chemical imports to New Zealand, Police Minister Anne Tolley and Customs Minister Maurice Williamson said in a joint statement.

Customs and Police staff would also travel to China to take part in targeted operations and to increase the level of engagement with Chinese enforcement agencies.

"Our agencies are already producing good results with the support of their Chinese counterparts, and this initiative will support them to be more effective in keeping these despicable drugs out of New Zealand," Tolley said.

"A permanent police presence in Guangdong and greater cooperation will allow authorities to significantly disrupt the crime syndicates who are behind the drug trade to this country, while also impacting the supply chain," she said.

"It is important that we continue to look at new ways to stay one step ahead of these criminals," said Williamson.