Pubdate: Sat, 23 Oct 2004
Source: Daily Tribune, The (Philippines)
Copyright: 2004 The Tribune Publishing Co., Inc.
Contact:  http://www.tribune.net.ph/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2973
Author: Jun P. Yap
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hallucinogens.htm (Hallucinogens)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

NBI KEEPS CLOSE WATCH ON CANDIES LACED WITH DRUGS INTENDED FOR KIDS

Due to alarming incidents that have been reported in other countries, the 
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) yesterday said it will be on the 
lookout for drug-laced candies that will be distributed to children this 
Halloween.

An NBI source disclosed the tainted candy is not meant for children, but 
for more enterprising young-adult customers of some "creative" drug 
syndicates taking advantage of the occasion.

He said the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has warned the NBI 
of drug dealers selling drug-laced candies to customers.

"It was reported there were the so-called "lollipop-related" arrests in 
areas in the US where the candies were found," an NBI officer said.

DEA advisories indicated the laced candies contained either heroin, THC - 
the main substance of marijuana or PCP - also known as angel dust.

Citing the report, the source said the DEA found as early as January this 
year that heroin had been found inside electronic capacitors in a lollipop 
factory in Philadelphia.

The NBI officer noted this was one way drug dealers tried to get past 
Customs, in the same way drug dealers here try to hide their stuff in items 
like food and furniture.

On the other hand, the source clarified this was not in response to recent 
e-mails asking parents to watch the candy their children get because it may 
be drug-laced.

"Children are not the targets of this racket, to be sure," the source 
explained regarding the e-mails which have been circulating in the US since 
last week.

The NBI official cited the DEA report as saying law enforcement has 
regularly turned up Ecstasy tablets stamped with the likeness of cartoon 
characters.

During the 1970s, the source pointed out, LSD sheets were also printed with 
cartoon characters to appeal to the young-adult market.

Initial reports reaching the NBI headquarters I Manila showed the lollipops 
reported by the DEA were shaped like maple leafs and Santa Claus heads.

Each of the sweets, also known as "Dro Pops," reportedly weighed around 10 
grams and was colored green, red or amber. They supposedly sold for US$10 
to $30 each.

Meanwhile, the NBI official quoted the DEA report as saying that lollipops 
were apparently filled with heroin were seized at LaGuardia Airport in the US.
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