China Customs official to discuss anti-drug smuggling efforts in New Zealand

WELLINGTON, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand welcomed a senior Chinese Customs official Monday as the two countries step up efforts to fight drug smuggling.

New Zealand Customs Minister Maurice Williamson said the two- day visit by Vice Minister of the General Administration of China Customs Lu Peijun was an opportunity to strengthen bilateral customs activities.

"The visit by Mr. Lu Peijun is also particularly well timed. Customs is working with China's Anti-Smuggling Bureau on a number of initiatives to combat drug trafficking," Williamson said in a statement.

Last week in neighboring Australia, Lu signed an agreement with the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service to ensure the smooth flow of legitimate bilateral travel and trade, while stepping up the fight against the cross-border movement of illegal goods, with a focus on ContacNT, a pharmaceutical product that is a precursor chemical for illicit drug manufacture.

Members of the Chinese Anti-Smuggling Bureau visited New Zealand in May to discuss the trafficking of pharmaceuticals containing precursors, and to gain an understanding of Customs' intelligence and targeting operations.

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