GHB,
GBL, and 1, 4 Butanediol (1,4 BD) are abused to produce euphoria, intoxication,
and hallucinogenic states, and for their alleged role as a muscle growth
hormone. They are also used as "date rape" drugs, acting as central nervous
system depressants. Odorless and colorless, the drugs cause drowsiness,
dizziness, loss of consciousness, and loss of inhibition, as well as memory
impairment--which can make the prosecution of rape cases difficult when
victims are given these drugs. Higher doses of these substances will cause
unconsciousness, seizures, severe respiratory depression, coma, and even
death.
"This
takedown is a dose of harsh reality for drug traffickers who seek to exploit
the vast markets and anonymity of cyberspace," said Attorney General Ashcroft.
"Our campuses, our neighborhoods, and our communities are safer places
for young women today because cyberspace just got more dangerous for drug
traffickers."
DEA
Administrator Asa Hutchinson added, "With millions of people having quick
and easy access to the internet, the buying and selling of deadly drugs
and chemicals from the web should not, and will not, be as simple as point-and-click.
E-traffickers can expect to face the same justice the old-fashioned drug
dealers face."
This
two-year investigation began as a result of increasing seizures of GBL
and 1,4 BD. It represents law enforcement's most significant national operation
targeting organizations trafficking in GHB, GBL, and 1,4 BD. Operation
Webslinger is also the most significant enforcement effort targeting drug
traffickers using the internet to buy and sell dangerous drugs and chemicals.
Operation
Webslinger encompasses four primary investigations in St. Louis, MO; Detroit,
MI and San Diego, CA; Mobile, AL and Sparta, TN; and Buffalo, NY and Quebec
City, Canada. These investigations targeted individuals and organizations
supplying large quantities of GHB, GBL, and/or 1,4 BD ordered over the
internet and delivered by the mail. From these four investigations, agents
developed leads that led to the identification and arrest of individuals
across the country involved in buying and selling these drugs. All totaled,
agents conducted enforcement operations in over 80 U.S. cities with drug
seizures that could have yielded more than 25 million dosage units.
Chief
U.S Postal Inspector Lee Heath added, "The nationwide sweep to apprehend
the customers of Pelchat Labs began yesterday and is continuing. Postal
Inspectors have made controlled deliveries in locations all over the country
and more arrests are expected."
U.S.
Customs Assistant Commissioner for Investigations John Varrone said, "Operation
Webslinger was unprecedented in that it combined the best investigative
techniques of numerous federal agencies and Canadian authorities. I am
especially proud of the U.S. Customs agents in Buffalo who played a major
role in this investigation. Customs agents seized more than 750 packages
containing GBL, helped shut down an internet site selling this substance,
seized three labs, and arrested 35 individuals."
FBI Director
Robert S. Mueller, III stated, "This investigation strikes a blow to those
who deal these drugs, which pose a danger to young people across the nation.
Like any illicit drug, a consequence of use is death, and we will continue
to work together with our law enforcement partners to combat this problem."
Operation
Webslinger was coordinated by the Drug Enforcement Administration's joint
law enforcement program called the Special Operations Division, which is
comprised of agents and analysts from the DEA, FBI, USCS, and IRS, as well
as attorneys from the Department of Justice's Criminal Division. Additionally,
numerous state and local agencies across the United States provided invaluable
service leading to the successful outcome of this operation.
For additional
information, please contact Special Agents Will Glaspy or Thomas Hinojosa
at DEA's Office of Public Affairs at (202) 307-7977.
This designer drug distribution is being
carried out by deception of the evilest type and should be classified as
chemical warfare. Because the victims are not asking for the chemicals
they are given they via deception. It’s main objective was to control the
zoning board and the building depatment so it could build even bigger labs.
With the town of Fair Lawn as a footing it could work itself unimpeded
by the local authorities who were firstly rendered mentally dead and latter
to be rreplaced by agents of the drug lab.
The object of this report is to ask
congress to place the munfacturing of dangerious chenical which are distuabuted
and adminested to people with out their concent as a act of chenmical warfair
to be delt with as a treasionious action in a war time environment.
Please call the number at head and
tell Washington you agree. Thank you Civial Defence chair,
