A Press investigation?

I am somewhat bemused with this article in The Press about how some drug dealers pay tax to thr IRD, but the IRD doesn’t pass their info onto the Police.

We are told:

A Press investigation has revealed a “secrecy provision” in tax laws prevents the disclosure of taxpayer information, whether income is legal or not

Well I’ve been aware of this secrecy provision for 25 years or so, as have most NZers I suspect. Claiming this is somehow new information found as part of an investigation is a bit like claiming an investigation has found that doctors are bound by patient confidentialy obligations.