Officers of the Drug and Organised Crime Squad arrested three males last week in an operation targeting the supply of drugs to the Darwin market by a Middle Eastern crime group based in Sydney. Police will allege that a variety of drugs were being sourced in New South Wales and sold from a hotel room in Darwin.
On Thursday evening Drug Squad Detectives arrested a 20-year-old Darwin resident in possession of 362 tablets which were being marketed as ‘ecstasy’. He was charged with possession and supply of a commercial quantity of dangerous drug and was remanded in custody to appear at Darwin CSJ on Monday December 3rd.
On Friday night Drug Squad raided a holiday apartment in the CBD where they located a trafficable quantity of crystal methyl amphetamine, a trafficable quantity of PMMA and a commercial quantity of steroids. A 27-year-old NSW resident of Lebanese descent and a 43-year-old Darwin resident were arrested at the scene and will appear at Darwin CSJ on Monday 3rd December charged with supplying and possessing dangerous drugs.
Detective Superintendent Peter Schiller of the Drug and Organised Crime Squad said that of particular concern was that some of the drugs were potential killers.
"Detectives have seized a commercial amount of tablets that were being marketed as ‘Ecstasy’ (MDMA),” said Detective Superintendent Schiller.
"Analysis of the tablets has revealed that they are in fact an analogue of methyl amphetamine called PMMA. This drug can have serious side effects and has been involved in a number of deaths.
“This particular batch of tablets are blue in colour and carry a ‘Louis Vuitton’ emblem. I urge anyone who has these tablets to either contact the Police or dispose of them.
“This situation again highlights the fact that these drug dealing grubs are unscrupulous in their pursuit of an easy dollar. You never know what toxic chemical you are putting into your body. The drugs are manufactured in backyard laboratories using whatever toxic chemicals they can get their hands on,” concluded Detective Superintendent Schiller.
Anyone with information on drug traffickers is urged to contact the Police Assistance Line on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Health Warnings re PMMA from ‘The Poison Review’
PMMA:
PMMA is metabolized to PMA, a drug so dangerous its street names include “death” and “Dr. Death”.
Animal data suggest that PMA both increases release and decreases re-uptake of serotonin, and may also inhibit monoamine oxidase. Manifestations of PMA toxicity – similar to those of MDMA – include tachycardia, hypertension, hyperthermia, nystagmus, and hallucinations, as well as severe hyperthermia (up to 109oF), renal failure, and death. PMMA and PMA are more potent and longer-lasting than MDMA.
Because onset of drugs effect is delayed, it is easy for a user to ingest large amounts and develop severe toxicity.
