Pubdate: Mon, 11 Apr 2005
Source: Philippine Star (Philippines)
Copyright: PhilSTAR Daily Inc. 2005
Contact:  http://www.philstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/622
Author: Non Alquitran
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?158 (Club Drugs)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Philippines

POLICE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR KETAMINE LABORATORY

Chief drug buster Deputy Director General Ricardo de Leon ordered
yesterday all police units nationwide to be on the lookout for a
clandestine laboratory for Ketamine, which is fast becoming popular in
the country.

De Leon, the head of the police Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations
Task Force (AID-SOTF) issued his directive following the seizure last
Friday of $2.2 million worth of Ketamine during a raid at 46-H Moncado
St., BF Homes in Barangay Holy Spirit in Quezon City.

It was the third Ketamine clandestine laboratory raided by AID-SOTF
since last year.

"Drug syndicates are now mass producing Ketamine, which is an
alternative to Ecstasy. Our hands are tied against the said drug
because of the absence of stiffer penalties against its manufacture,"
De Leon admitted.

He said he is hoping that the police could stop the drug from hitting
the streets before its too late. "My new directive aims to confiscate
Ketamine before it could be sold in the streets," said De Leon as he
called on Congress to speed up the passage of the bill sponsored by
Sen. Rodolfo Biazon that includes Ketamine under the Dangerous Drugs
Board list of controlled drugs.

In coordination with Chief Superintendent Nicasio Radovan, director of
the Central Police District (CPD), AID-SOTF will file violation of
Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) law against nine arrested caretakers
of the raided house before the Quezon City prosecutor's office.

However, the maximum penalty for BFAD violators is only six months to
one year imprisonment, plus a minimum fine.

"The penalty is light but by conducting massive raids on clandestine
laboratories nationwide we can stop its production here in our
country," said De Leon, emphasizing that Ketamine is being exported to
Taiwan and other countries where they are banned.

Ketamine hydrochloride, an anesthesia for treating injured racehorses,
is used as a club or party drug in Hong Kong and Taiwan. Called "K" or
"Special K," the drug is slowly replacing shabu and Ecstasy as the
choice drug among young users in Metro Manila.

When taken in tablet or capsule form, the drug gives a user a feeling
of being separated from his body. The hallucinating effect usually
last for 30 minutes to one hour. It also enhances one's sex drive.

De Leon warned the public against taking Ketamine as it may endanger
their lives. "We are still determining what damage Ketamine can to the
brain," said De Leon. "But one thing sure is that if you have an
overdose of drugs, it may prove fatal." 
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