Pubdate: Thu, 19 Sep 2002 Source: Deseret News (UT) Copyright: 2002 Deseret News Publishing Corp. Contact: http://www.desnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/124 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/ashcroft.htm (Ashcroft, John) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?194 (Hutchinson, Asa) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/raids.htm (Drug Raids) US TARGETING NET GHB DRUG SALES WASHINGTON (AP)-- Authorities say they are making inroads against Internet drug trafficking in more than 70 U.S. cities, announcing a series of arrests and raids on dealers who are selling the "date rape" drug GHB. The Drug Enforcement Administration has documented 72 deaths from GHB and its derivatives, which are sold over the Internet to teenagers and young adults by dealers who operate their own Web sites. The drugs are delivered by mail. A federal law enforcement official said about 25 major sellers were considered primary targets of a recent sweep, the culmination of a two-year investigation in which federal, state and local law enforcement agencies coordinated efforts. The federal official said the probe marks the first of its kind involving the Internet and GHB. Attorney General John Ashcroft and DEA Director Asa Hutchinson were to detail the law enforcement operation at a news conference Thursday. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Customs Service and the FBI also participated in the probe. GHB is a mixture of common industrial chemicals that Congress outlawed 2 1/2 years ago. The drug and its derivatives GBL and 1,4 BD act as central nervous system depressants and cause drowsiness, dizziness, nausea and loss of inhibition. Education efforts by law enforcement agencies and the government have been aimed at warning women about predators who could spike their drinks with the drug. People who use it refer to GHB as "G" and "Liquid X." The substance also is abused as a muscle growth hormone. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom