Open import of chemicals ups ecstasy: BNN<\/p>\n
Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The unrestricted importation of eight types of precursor
\nchemicals -- chemical substances used in the production of
\ncosmetics and beverages -- has greatly facilitated ecstasy
\nproduction in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
\"In the hands of experts, the precursors, which can be found
\nin supplement drinks, can be formulated to become one of
\nsubstances used in the production of ecstasy pills,\" National
\nNarcotics Agency (BNN) chief Comr. Gen. Togar Sianipar told a
\npress conference on Thursday, following the confiscation of
\n55,400 ecstasy pills in Cengkareng, West Jakarta.<\/p>\n
\"International reports say that Indonesia is one of three
\nAsian countries, besides Malaysia and the Philippines, that are
\nprone to precursor abuse.\"<\/p>\n
Togar said that there were 25 types of precursors being
\nimported into Indonesia, but only 17 of them required the
\nimporters to be verified by the Ministry of Trade and Industry,
\nthe Directorate General of Customs and Excise and the Food and
\nDrug Monitoring Agency. The remaining eight precursors could be
\nimported freely.<\/p>\n
The agency called on these three institutions to extend the
\nsame requirements to the eight precursors.<\/p>\n
\"Such precautions would help curb the misuse of precursors in
\nthe production of ecstasy pills,\" he said.<\/p>\n
A joint police team comprising officers from the National
\nPolice and the Bali, Riau, Jakarta, East Java and North Sumatra
\npolice forces revealed that they had seized 55,4000 ecstasy pills
\nand arrested two guards of a shophouse in Cengkareng, West
\nJakarta. The team also seized a portable ecstasy producing
\nmachine with a capacity of 3,000 pills per hour.<\/p>\n
However, the masterminds have still to be found.<\/p>\n
It is the biggest ecstasy seizure by police since the busting
\nin April 2002 of ecstasy lab in Tangerang capable of producing
\n150,000 pills per day, or 6,250 pills per hour.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/open-import-of-chemicals-ups-ecstasy-bnn-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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