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Legal party drug mephedrone - Source: ONE News -
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Police and customs officials are worried a party drug linked to the deaths of two teenagers in Britain is now circulating in New Zealand.
It is feared the banned drug mephedrone, also known as M-cat, meow and plant food, is growing in popularity as a substitute for ecstasy.
It is legally available in Britain, with a street value of around $30 per gram, but in New Zealand it is an illegal class C drug.
According to detective inspector Stuart Mills, customs and police are seeing more mephedrone in New Zealand, particularly in Auckland and in the southern part of the South Island.
"I'm aware over the last three months customs have made approximately 20 intercepts at the border," says Mills.
Police say no one has yet been charged.
Although no cases have turned up at hospital emergency departments as yet, potential side effects of the drug range from vomitting, nausea and nose bleeds, right through to hallucinations, fits, paranoia, anxiety and depression.
The long-term side effects are still not known.
The maximum penalty for its possession here is a $1,000 fine or three months jail with up to eight years for importing or supplying.
