Tuesday October 23, 2007
Bangkok Post
Chon Buri - More than 50 tonnes of sassafras oil, a precursor for illegal drug production, have been seized at Laem Chabang deep-sea port. The shipment was destined for the United States and China. Drugs police said it could have been used to produce ecstasy pills worth about six billion baht.
Chartchai Suthiklom, adviser to the Office of the Narcotics Control Board, said the oil, worth about three million baht, was in 240 containers and totalled 50.4 tonnes. The chemical safrole could be extracted from the oil and was a primary precursor in drug production.
When mixed with other chemicals the safrol in the shipment could make about 7.5 million ecstasy pills, with a street value of about six billion baht, said Mr Chartchai.
It was thought the shipment came from Cambodia, one of the major producers of sassafras oil.
Sassafras is a plant in the same family as cinnamon, a source said. The oil is extracted from the root-bark and fruit.
Safrole is listed as a drug under the UN 1988 Convention on Illicit Traffic of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, to which Thailand is a member. Exporters of safrole must inform the destination country to ensure strict control of its movement.
Traders are also needed to obtain import or export licences from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Failure to do so carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in jail and a fine of one million baht.
Chartchai Suthiklom, adviser to the Office of the Narcotics Control Board, said the oil, worth about three million baht, was in 240 containers and totalled 50.4 tonnes. The chemical safrole could be extracted from the oil and was a primary precursor in drug production.
When mixed with other chemicals the safrol in the shipment could make about 7.5 million ecstasy pills, with a street value of about six billion baht, said Mr Chartchai.
It was thought the shipment came from Cambodia, one of the major producers of sassafras oil.
Sassafras is a plant in the same family as cinnamon, a source said. The oil is extracted from the root-bark and fruit.
Safrole is listed as a drug under the UN 1988 Convention on Illicit Traffic of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, to which Thailand is a member. Exporters of safrole must inform the destination country to ensure strict control of its movement.
Traders are also needed to obtain import or export licences from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Failure to do so carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in jail and a fine of one million baht.
6 comments:
Would Hun Xen go to jail?
What the Thaicong fail to mention is that sassafras oil can also be used in perfumery, drug production such as sleeping medication and parasiticide, soap and candy flavoring!
It is the Thaicong nature to say all the bad things that come out of Cambodia or deal with drug production. Now let say the sassafras oil was to come out from Thailane or other countries and what would Cambodia say? AH HUN XUN wouldn't say shit because he is too stupid to know what it is used for!
It could also be that the Thai don't want any potential competitor. I think some of the Thai Generals might be involved with drug business. That is why they busted PM Thaksin because he was cracking down on drug big time. I mean clan after clan.
3:46 am, you're man! i agree with you. i like your comment on this one.
Electricity is also used in the production of drugs. Maybe they should stop using it.
It was thought the shipment came from Cambodia, one of the major producers of sassafras oil.
This is another shit from the Thai government. Thai tries everything to make cambodia look bad. I do believe these oil are from Thailand itself.
Bullshit...
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