$2.5m pure LSD seizure credit to Corrections

Police have praised Corrections staff from Auckland Regional Women’s and Spring Hill Corrections Facilities for their part in the interception of up to $2.5 million dollars worth of the class A drug lysergic acid.

“In November we were asked to attend the Prison to speak with a man who was at the site to pick up a form to apply to visit a prisoner,” says Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Lynch.

“The man had been searched by Corrections staff and was allegedly found with a number of drugs and utensils and thousands of New Zealand dollars and foreign currency in his possession. He was questioned, allegedly admitted the items belonged to him and was subsequently arrested. He faces two charges of possessing a Class A drugs for Supply and two charges of possessing Class C drugs for supply.

“To prepare for the man’s appearance in court, we had the drugs tested by Environmental Science and Research (ESR). They informed us that amongst the drugs alleged to have been in the man's possession was 2.476 grams of almost pure lysergic acid powder. This form of LSD has not been detected previously in New Zealand. Apart from the effects of the actual drug, ESR also advise that this powder is very hazardous as it can be readily absorbed through the skin.

“The presumptive quantity for dealing LSD is 2.5 milligrams – meaning the amount the man possessed could be used to make 50,000 LSD tabs with a street value of between $1 – $2.5 million. This is a very significant find, and shows the great work done by Corrections staff in intercepting the drugs.

“Had they made their way into the hands of the unsuspecting it could have been dangerous given the powders’ ability to be absorbed by skin, and LSD ‘tabs’, or acid, have a well documented history of being responsible for causing severe and frightening hallucinations, or even contributing to mental illnesses such as schizophrenia.

Prison Manager Agnes Robertson was also proud of the staff and drug dogs who were responsible for searching the man.

“This is a fantastic result – not just for staff that were involved, but for our community in general. Drugs and crime have a very strong link, and acid is a scary drug in terms of the effect it can have on those who choose to take it. I am very pleased that my staff have been involved in its removal from circulation and that they are assisting Police in prosecuting the man.

“The message is quite clear. Don’t bring contraband onto our sites. We carry out very thorough searches. You will be searched and you will be caught.”

ENDS

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