Trends of clandestine laboratories manufacturing methamphetamine in New Zealand between 2009–2021: Evolution, enforcement, legislative, and COVID‐19 effects

The most common method of domestic methamphetamine manufacture encountered in New Zealand is the hydrogen iodide (HI) reduction of pseudoephedrine/ephedrine. While the overall method used to manufacture methamphetamine has remained consistent, the processes and chemicals utilized have evolved. Under...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of forensic sciences 2023-01, Vol.68 (1), p.66-74
Main Authors: Bogun, Ben, McKinnel, Megan, Russell, Matthew, Watson, Janine, Mayo, Erina, Marr, Brooke, Larsen, Annie, Craig, Jessica
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
clandestine laboratories
COVID-19
Enforcement
Ephedrine
Evolution
HI reduction
Humans
Illegal drug operations
Laboratories
Legislation
Manufacturing
Methamphetamine
methamphetamine manufacture
New Zealand
Pandemics
Pharmacists
Pseudoephedrine
Trends
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Summary:The most common method of domestic methamphetamine manufacture encountered in New Zealand is the hydrogen iodide (HI) reduction of pseudoephedrine/ephedrine. While the overall method used to manufacture methamphetamine has remained consistent, the processes and chemicals utilized have evolved. Understanding the reason for any changes to methamphetamine manufacturing trends can assist jurisdictions with predicting the potential effects of enforcement and legislative initiatives. This paper presents data and trends amassed from suspected clandestine laboratories, associated with the manufacture of methamphetamine, in New Zealand between 2009 and 2021, along with data on methamphetamine, pseudoephedrine, and ephedrine seizures at the border. The data have shown that clandestine manufacturers in New Zealand have evolved the methamphetamine manufacturing process over the years. These changes in trends can largely be attributed to various enforcement and legislative effects and the COVID‐19 pandemic response. Effects that enforcement, legislation, and the COVID‐19 pandemic response may have had on the precursors, chemicals and equipment encountered are discussed.
ISSN:0022-1198
1556-4029
DOI:10.1111/1556-4029.15157