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More than 200 arrested in US synthetic drugs raids | More than 200 arrested in US synthetic drugs raids |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Anti-drug agents in the United States say 225 people have been arrested in a major international operation against synthetic drugs. | Anti-drug agents in the United States say 225 people have been arrested in a major international operation against synthetic drugs. |
Some 1,100 lb (500kg) of drugs have been seized in the US, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) officials said. | |
Arrests have been made in the US, Australia, Canada, Barbados and Panama. | Arrests have been made in the US, Australia, Canada, Barbados and Panama. |
The drugs are sold largely to "teenagers and young adults" under names such as K2 and Vanilla Sky, said DEA chief of operations James Capra. | The drugs are sold largely to "teenagers and young adults" under names such as K2 and Vanilla Sky, said DEA chief of operations James Capra. |
"The bottom line is that these drugs are being marketed to the most vulnerable part of our society," said Mr Capra. | "The bottom line is that these drugs are being marketed to the most vulnerable part of our society," said Mr Capra. |
'Bath salts' | 'Bath salts' |
Designer drugs are produced in clandestine laboratories and sold in colourful packaging, which the authorities say are aimed at appealing to younger consumers. | Designer drugs are produced in clandestine laboratories and sold in colourful packaging, which the authorities say are aimed at appealing to younger consumers. |
The operation was "a terrific result for law enforcement agencies across the globe," acting Australian ambassador to the US Graham Fletcher told the AFP news agency. | The operation was "a terrific result for law enforcement agencies across the globe," acting Australian ambassador to the US Graham Fletcher told the AFP news agency. |
Project Synergy was launched in the US in December 2012, targeting the "upper echelon of dangerous designer drug trafficking organisations," says a DEA statement. | Project Synergy was launched in the US in December 2012, targeting the "upper echelon of dangerous designer drug trafficking organisations," says a DEA statement. |
The drugs are often marketed as herbal incense or bath salts. | The drugs are often marketed as herbal incense or bath salts. |
They are also sold as herbal blends, with chemicals that mimic the effects of cannabis and can be smoked. | They are also sold as herbal blends, with chemicals that mimic the effects of cannabis and can be smoked. |
"Designer synthetic drugs have caused significant organ damage as well as overdose deaths," says the DEA. | "Designer synthetic drugs have caused significant organ damage as well as overdose deaths," says the DEA. |
The millions of dollars in profits generated by the illegal production and sale of synthetic drugs are sponsoring terror groups in the Middle East, said Mr Capra. | The millions of dollars in profits generated by the illegal production and sale of synthetic drugs are sponsoring terror groups in the Middle East, said Mr Capra. |
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