A joint operation in Palmerston North involving New Zealand Customs, the Central District Organised Crime Unit and the Palmerston North CIB has resulted in the arrest of a 38-year-old woman who has been charged with importing the Class C controlled drug BZP (Benzylpiperazine).

The woman is to appear before the Palmerston North District Court on Wednesday, 11 November.

The operation arose from two seizures at Auckland International Ariport the by Customs of 6 kilograms of the drug which is thought to have originated in China.

The 'street value' of the drug, which is an ingredient of some 'party pills', is believed to be in the vicinity of a total of $180,000.

The Officer in Charge of the Central Districts Organised Crime Unit, Detective Sergeant Phil Skoglund said: "This operation is an opportunity to remind users of 'party pills' of the possible health dangers involved and the fact that some of these products are now classified as Class C controlled drugs and their possession and use are criminal offences and now carry significant penalties."

The six month amnesty for the possession and use of BZP ended on the 30th of September 2008.