Pubdate: Tue, 10 Oct 2006
Source: Courier-Mail, The (Australia)
Copyright: 2006 Queensland Newspapers
Contact: http://thecouriermail.com.au/extras/forms/letter.htm
Website: http://www.thecouriermail.news.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/98

POLICE WARNING ON INTERNET PARTY DRUGS

POTENTIALLY fatal drugs that are legal in New Zealand  but banned in 
Australia are being ordered over the  internet and sent here through the post.

Police today warned that possession of the synthetic 
benzylpiperaznie-based (BZP) products attracted a  two-year prison term.

The drugs, which can be bought over the counter at  speciality shops 
in New Zealand, are marketed on  websites under names such as Dark 
Angel, Grin, Red  Hearts, Majik, Kandi, Frenzy, Altitude and Humma.

BZP was originally developed as an anti-parasitic agent.

A check of the internet today revealed at least four  New 
Zealand-based websites selling the drugs and  offering to post them 
anywhere in the world.

NSW drug squad commander Detective Superintendent David  Laidlaw said 
law enforcement agencies in both countries  were speaking to the 
companies involved to make them  aware it was illegal to send the 
drugs to people in  NSW.

"While these companies have not broken any laws in New  Zealand, NSW 
residents receiving packages of tablets  containing BZP face 
prosecution and possible jail  time," he said.

The drugs could produce increased heart rate, nausea,  headache, 
fatigue, insomnia, seizures, confusion and  memory loss.

There had been at least one death linked to BZP,  Det-Supt Laidlaw said.

"We are concerned that NSW residents ordering these  tablets over the 
internet are unaware of it being  illegal to possess.

"People are also jeopardising their lives by using  these tablets and 
we strongly warn residents against  purchasing or using them," he said.
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MAP posted-by: Elaine