A former Auckland tourism business owner, Syed Ibrahim, has been sentenced to 14 years and 10 months in prison for his role in a large-scale pseudoephedrine importation scheme. The case, presided over by Judge Kirsten Lummis at the Auckland District Court, highlighted the significant legal and societal challenges posed by the importation of precursors used in the manufacture of methamphetamine. ### From Tourism to Drug Importation Ibrahim's legitimate tourism business was severely impacted by the restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. By June 2021, he had pivoted the business to become an importer, a move that would lead him down a criminal path. Over the next 18 months, Ibrahim orchestrated a sophisticated scheme involving the importation of large quantities of pseudoephedrine, a key ingredient in the production of methamphetamine. ### The Scheme The operation began with the importation of desiccated coconut shipments, which were initially used as a cover for the illegal activities. However, the judge noted that the first shipment "was somewhat consistent with a pattern that developed of smaller importations being used as a dummy run for larger importations to follow." The process involved isolating pseudoephedrine from the coconut in a storage unit in New Lynn, where Ibrahim had access to scales for repackaging and weighing the drug. Dead drops of the drug were conducted at the Caltex petrol station in Mt Roskill, where bags of pseudoephedrine were placed into the boots of unoccupied vehicles. The scale of the operation was staggering. Over 18 months, Ibrahim imported approximately 1,500kg of pseudoephedrine, with the final shipment being the largest at 431kg. He spent $540,000 on importing the coconuts and later dumped around 15,000kg of coconut at a Waitākere refuse station. ### Legal Proceedings Ibrahim faced eight charges involving the importation, possession, and supply of pseudoephedrine. During the trial, Ibrahim attempted to justify his actions by claiming the substances were sand or coconut, which the judge found implausible. The court also noted that Ibrahim's testimony was inconsistent and entirely self-serving, lacking any corroborative evidence. Judge Lummis highlighted the limitations of the current legal framework, which imposes an eight-year maximum sentence for pseudoephedrine-related offenses. This maximum was insufficient to reflect the scale of Ibrahim's crime, which was 42 times larger than the 2006 case that previously set a precedent for stacking sentences. ### Sentencing The judge initially set an 8-year sentence for the final 431kg importation and added two years for each additional charge, resulting in a 22-year starting point. This was then reduced by 30% due to Ibrahim's guilty plea, prior good character, low risk of reoffending, and family circumstances, including two disabled children. The final sentence was 14 years and 10 months. ### Legal and Social Implications The case underscores the growing problem of large-scale drug importation in New Zealand. Judge Lummis noted that the sheer volume of drugs being imported continues to increase, reflecting a "general and somewhat scary trend." The reclassification of pseudoephedrine from a Class C to a more serious drug was a response to the harm caused by methamphetamine. However, recent legislative changes, such as the 2023 Pseudoephedrine Act, aim to balance public health needs with law enforcement goals. Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour has argued that these changes will help restore access to effective cold and flu medications while curbing illegal drug production. ### Conclusion The sentencing of Syed Ibrahim serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of engaging in large-scale drug importation. The case also highlights the need for legal frameworks that can adequately address the scale and complexity of such crimes. As Judge Lummis noted, the situation is "almost laughable" compared to past cases, emphasizing the increasing challenge faced by the judiciary and law enforcement in combating drug-related offenses.