Open import of chemicals ups ecstasy: BNN

Open import of chemicals ups ecstasy: BNN

Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The unrestricted importation of eight types of precursor chemicals -- chemical substances used in the production of cosmetics and beverages -- has greatly facilitated ecstasy production in Indonesia.

"In the hands of experts, the precursors, which can be found in supplement drinks, can be formulated to become one of substances used in the production of ecstasy pills," National Narcotics Agency (BNN) chief Comr. Gen. Togar Sianipar told a press conference on Thursday, following the confiscation of 55,400 ecstasy pills in Cengkareng, West Jakarta.

"International reports say that Indonesia is one of three Asian countries, besides Malaysia and the Philippines, that are prone to precursor abuse."

Togar said that there were 25 types of precursors being imported into Indonesia, but only 17 of them required the importers to be verified by the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Directorate General of Customs and Excise and the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency. The remaining eight precursors could be imported freely.

The agency called on these three institutions to extend the same requirements to the eight precursors.

"Such precautions would help curb the misuse of precursors in the production of ecstasy pills," he said.

A joint police team comprising officers from the National Police and the Bali, Riau, Jakarta, East Java and North Sumatra police forces revealed that they had seized 55,4000 ecstasy pills and arrested two guards of a shophouse in Cengkareng, West Jakarta. The team also seized a portable ecstasy producing machine with a capacity of 3,000 pills per hour.

However, the masterminds have still to be found.

It is the biggest ecstasy seizure by police since the busting in April 2002 of ecstasy lab in Tangerang capable of producing 150,000 pills per day, or 6,250 pills per hour.