Online black market for booze and drugs

Social media has been used to sell illicit items.

Drugs and alcohol are being advertised for sale on Rotorua Facebook group pages, but police say they're being watched.

Mandatory non-trading days for retailers during Easter weekend didn't stop locals from buying or selling alcohol.

Facebook buy, sell and swap pages had numerous posts from people wanting to make a profit on Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

Wine, spirits and home brew were readily available for those who were members of the closed groups. The group pages are mainly used for people to sell or swap unwanted goods or post what items they were looking for.

"I got a Jack Daniels 1ltr unopened for $80," one person wrote.

"Half box of 18 pack steinyz 15bux ... 700ml jagermeister $45," another wrote.

Drugs have also been openly advertised on the pages.

"Pm me if you got a oz (ounce of marijuana) asap ???" one post stated.

"Afta a phat as skunk can anyone drop off??"

The administrator for one page did not respond to enquiries by the Rotorua Daily Post yesterday and there were no rules on the page stipulating restrictions for what could be posted.

Other pages had strict guidelines for what was allowed to be advertised.

"No drugs, alcohol and porn/service of any R18 kind advertised or sold here as this is not for this group and without fail you will be removed. Guns or any other lethal weapons/items and dangerous animal breed, are not to be sold here or instant removal of post," one of the groups stated.

Rotorua police acting area commander, Inspector Stuart Nightingale said they were aware of the online dealings.

Police were unable to provide details on whether any arrests had been made from Facebook posts advertising illegal substances.

"Local police maintain a keen watch over the buy, swap and sell pages. We also monitor not just local Facebook pages but other online activity," he said.