B-Ray
09-20-2002, 01:29 AM
U.S. Busts 'Date Rape' Internet Drug Traffickers
Thu Sep 19, 4:22 PM ET
By Deborah Charles
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. and Canadian authorities arrested 115 people and broke up four distribution rings in the first crackdown on Internet traffickers of "date rape" drugs, officials said on Thursday.
Net 'Date Rape' Drug Ring Broken
(AP Video)
Asa Hutchinson, director of the Drug Enforcement Administration, said DEA agents and law enforcement officials began "Operation Webslinger" on Wednesday and were following up on Thursday. It has resulted in 115 arrests in 84 cities across the United States and in Quebec City, Canada.
"We have dismantled four nationwide drug distribution rings in this first-ever operation that targets Internet traffickers of the date-rape drugs called GHB, GBL and 1,4 Butanediol or BD," Hutchinson said. "These criminals are leaders and mid-level brokers of Internet drug-trafficking rings.
"The long arm of the law today clearly has reached deep into cyberspace to send a clear message: Law enforcement will pierce the cloak of secrecy surrounding e-drug traffickers and bring them to justice," he told a news conference.
The two-year investigation targeted individuals and organizations supplying large quantities of GHB, GBL and/or 1,4 Butanediol ordered over the Internet and delivered by mail. It was advertised on Web sites and on Internet chat lines.
GHB, or Gamma Hydroxybutyrate, is a depressant that has increased in popularity in recent years and has become known as a "date rape" drug. It causes drowsiness, loss of inhibition and memory loss and is often slipped into a victim's drink.
GBL, or Gamma Butyrolactone, is an industrial solvent used in the production of GHB. It is used in making paint strippers and surface cleaners. BD, or 1,4 Butanediol, is an industrial solvent that also turns into GHB in the body. It is marketed and sold as a printer cleaner and nail polish remover.
A dose is usually about one capful of the liquid but higher doses can cause seizures, respiratory distress or death.
In addition to being used as a "date rape" drug found often at rave parties and in clubs, GHB is being touted by dealers as a safe alternative to alcohol because it gives the same feeling as several drinks but cannot be detected in a breath test.
"GHB is particularly heinous -- it's odorless and colorless making it very difficult to detect in a drink," said Jamie Zuieback of the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network.
CANADIAN ARRESTS
The operation focused on 27 key people who ran Internet-based distribution rings of the drug and their major customers. The major arrests took place around St. Louis, Detroit, Mobile, Alabama and Buffalo, New York.
Canadian authorities also arrested three people in the Quebec City, including Daniel Pelchat, who operated several Web sites that advertised GHB kits and distributed them through the U.S. Postal Service. The Canadian ring was exporting the product to about 20 countries.
Officials seized $1 million in assets and 3,300 gallons of GBL and BD in the operation. The drugs seized equate to more than 25 million doses, which sell for $10 per dose on the street.
"Today's announcement is a dose of harsh reality for drug traffickers who seek to exploit the vast markets and anonymity of cyberspace," said Attorney General John Ashcroft ( news - web sites).
DEA officials said the major arrests included a mother and son team who sold the drug from Festus, Missouri. They had marketed the drug as Miracle Cleaning products since 1999 and hired mentally handicapped workers to mix the product.
Kevin and Ronald Brown of Sparta, Tennessee, marketed the drug on their Blue Raine Web site that sold ink jet supplies. They grossed more than $1 million, officials said. At least one person who bought the drug from them had died, they said.
Thu Sep 19, 4:22 PM ET
By Deborah Charles
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. and Canadian authorities arrested 115 people and broke up four distribution rings in the first crackdown on Internet traffickers of "date rape" drugs, officials said on Thursday.
Net 'Date Rape' Drug Ring Broken
(AP Video)
Asa Hutchinson, director of the Drug Enforcement Administration, said DEA agents and law enforcement officials began "Operation Webslinger" on Wednesday and were following up on Thursday. It has resulted in 115 arrests in 84 cities across the United States and in Quebec City, Canada.
"We have dismantled four nationwide drug distribution rings in this first-ever operation that targets Internet traffickers of the date-rape drugs called GHB, GBL and 1,4 Butanediol or BD," Hutchinson said. "These criminals are leaders and mid-level brokers of Internet drug-trafficking rings.
"The long arm of the law today clearly has reached deep into cyberspace to send a clear message: Law enforcement will pierce the cloak of secrecy surrounding e-drug traffickers and bring them to justice," he told a news conference.
The two-year investigation targeted individuals and organizations supplying large quantities of GHB, GBL and/or 1,4 Butanediol ordered over the Internet and delivered by mail. It was advertised on Web sites and on Internet chat lines.
GHB, or Gamma Hydroxybutyrate, is a depressant that has increased in popularity in recent years and has become known as a "date rape" drug. It causes drowsiness, loss of inhibition and memory loss and is often slipped into a victim's drink.
GBL, or Gamma Butyrolactone, is an industrial solvent used in the production of GHB. It is used in making paint strippers and surface cleaners. BD, or 1,4 Butanediol, is an industrial solvent that also turns into GHB in the body. It is marketed and sold as a printer cleaner and nail polish remover.
A dose is usually about one capful of the liquid but higher doses can cause seizures, respiratory distress or death.
In addition to being used as a "date rape" drug found often at rave parties and in clubs, GHB is being touted by dealers as a safe alternative to alcohol because it gives the same feeling as several drinks but cannot be detected in a breath test.
"GHB is particularly heinous -- it's odorless and colorless making it very difficult to detect in a drink," said Jamie Zuieback of the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network.
CANADIAN ARRESTS
The operation focused on 27 key people who ran Internet-based distribution rings of the drug and their major customers. The major arrests took place around St. Louis, Detroit, Mobile, Alabama and Buffalo, New York.
Canadian authorities also arrested three people in the Quebec City, including Daniel Pelchat, who operated several Web sites that advertised GHB kits and distributed them through the U.S. Postal Service. The Canadian ring was exporting the product to about 20 countries.
Officials seized $1 million in assets and 3,300 gallons of GBL and BD in the operation. The drugs seized equate to more than 25 million doses, which sell for $10 per dose on the street.
"Today's announcement is a dose of harsh reality for drug traffickers who seek to exploit the vast markets and anonymity of cyberspace," said Attorney General John Ashcroft ( news - web sites).
DEA officials said the major arrests included a mother and son team who sold the drug from Festus, Missouri. They had marketed the drug as Miracle Cleaning products since 1999 and hired mentally handicapped workers to mix the product.
Kevin and Ronald Brown of Sparta, Tennessee, marketed the drug on their Blue Raine Web site that sold ink jet supplies. They grossed more than $1 million, officials said. At least one person who bought the drug from them had died, they said.