Gangs dominate meth market as social media transforms drug sales
New Zealand's illicit drug market is increasingly being shaped by gang control and digital technology, with rising methamphetamine sales by gangs and a surge in purchasing via social media, according to a new nationwide survey released today.
More than 10,000 people participated in the annual New Zealand Drug Trends Survey, which asks about drug use patterns, pricing, access to services, and perceptions of drug policy.
A key finding was that one third (33%) of meth buyers purchased from a gang member or gang associate, much higher than for cannabis (13%), cocaine (6%), MDMA (5%) and LSD (3%).
Rates of purchasing meth from a gang member tended to be higher in the Northland, Gisborne, Hawke's Bay, Tasman, Nelson, Marlborough, West Coast, and Southland regions.
NZ Drugs Research Team lead researcher Professor Chris Wilkins said the data showed gangs were involved at every level of the meth supply chain — from importation to retail sales.
They were more involved in retail meth sales in certain regions, he added.
"This includes regions that are commonly associated with high meth use, such as the Upper and Central North Island and East Coast, but more surprisingly, Southland/West Coast and the Upper South Island.
"This suggests they may play a foundation role in methamphetamine supply, both dominating large markets and providing baseline supply in smaller markets."
In particular, the survey found 70% of meth buyers in Gisborne and Hawke's Bay believed that just one or two gangs control the meth market in their area.
Wilkins said this level of monopolisation suggested a concentrated and entrenched gang presence in these regions.
"These finding imply a level of market concentration and monopolisation that is not seen in other regions and suggests heightened threat and influence of gangs in drug selling in these areas."
Another finding was that the use of social media and messaging apps to purchase drugs was rising, particularly for cannabis and MDMA.
NZ Drugs Research Team member Robin van der Sanden said convenience was largely the reason behind growing digitalisation of drug markets.
"Everyone has a smartphone with encrypted messaging apps and everyone uses social media, so its takes a lot of the legwork out of buying drugs when you can easily expand your local social networks and make new contacts via different secure apps."
She said the survey found Facebook Messenger and Snapchat were the top apps being used for drug trading.
"While Facebook Messenger's popularity is more a reflection of its wide usage as New Zealand's top social media app, Snapchat's popularity more closely reflects its security features, like self-deleting messages and anonymous usernames, that make it distinctly appealing for drug transactions."
The New Zealand Drug Trends Survey was conducted by the NZ Drugs Research Team at Massey University's SHORE & Whāriki Research Centre. 10,781 New Zealanders completed the survey between February 20, 2024 and July 3, 2024.
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