2b Posted June 19, 2008 http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/06...?section=justin A stockpile of safrole-rich oil is burned in Cambodia (Australian Federal Police) A joint operation between Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Cambodian authorities has destroyed one of the world's largest illegal stockpiles of the oil used as a precursor to manufacture ecstasy. AFP members travelled to Pursat in western Cambodia to help destroy a stockpile of safrole-rich oil which could have been used to produce 245 million MDMA (ecstasy) tablets with an estimated street value in Australia of $7.6 billion. The team of four technicians and two forensic chemists from the AFP's Specialist Response Amphetamine Type Stimulants (SRATS) team began burning the 33-tonne stockpile of oil this week. The burns of the 1,278 oil barrels took several days and were conducted in the early morning and evening because of the sweltering conditions in Cambodia at this time of year. Cambodian authorities have been working since 2002 to stem the distillation of safrole-rich oil and since that time have succeeded in detecting and dismantling more than 50 clandestine laboratories capable of producing up to 60 litres a day. The AFP's Tim Morris congratulated says the destruction of the oil was a significant blow to the trade of illicit drugs in the region. "I commend the coordinated effort by Cambodian authorities to seize the oil, break the production chain and reduce the dependency on income from illegal drug manufacture," he said. "This oil is not only a precursor in ecstasy production, it also has considerable social and ecological ramifications for Cambodia's people and environment. "This oil is known to be carcinogenic and mutagenic and the people working in these clan labs are often Cambodia's poorest farmers." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fenris Posted June 20, 2008 The burns of the 1,278 oil barrels took several days and were conducted in the early morning and evening because of the sweltering conditions in Cambodia at this time of year."This oil is known to be carcinogenic and mutagenic and the people working in these clan labs are often Cambodia's poorest farmers." And they just lit it up? If they were really concerned about carcinogens and mutagens they wouldn't be torching the haul. Thats very environmentally irresponsible of them. Surely something of this size could have been confiscated and diverted to some legitimate cause. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
2b Posted June 20, 2008 LOL .Seems we get our news from the same place. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jesus On Peyote Posted June 20, 2008 Great, now we got Team Australia running round the world. buh Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Torsten Posted June 20, 2008 what I don't get it is why they burn it. Safrole is widely used in the chemical industry so why not sell the stuff legitimately? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MindExpansion Posted June 20, 2008 Woot go team Australia, ceaning up the world inferior country by inferior country!!! So lame, and yeh good point Torsten, probably so they could put it in the news that they destroyed it, if they had to explain all of its legitimate uses to justify why they sold it, theyd probably just be criticised for doing half the job. Wonder how significant the effect of things like this would be on MDMA production. Also made me wonder where they get the HBr I think is used. Peace, Mind Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jesus On Peyote Posted June 20, 2008 Thats true, especially when the farmers need the money to support their families. And with that police officer that got busted not long ago, i actually wouldent be surprised if the burning story is a cover, they can burn half, and pocket the rest. criminals Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
naja naja Posted June 20, 2008 It's just the catholic way isn't it? Burn the witch, burn her burn her! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
occidentalis Posted June 20, 2008 It's just the catholic way isn't it?Burn the witch, burn her burn her! I reckon you're exactly right naja . This is still the inquisition after all. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MindExpansion Posted June 20, 2008 Good point Jesus! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CaptAmazing Posted June 20, 2008 I feel sorry for those farmers making nasty ass chemicals without the proper protection. But since they already know how to make it and Torsten reckons theres a legitimate market why don't they boost their economy by starting up a factory. They obviously already have the "expertise". Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
apothecary Posted June 20, 2008 They won't start a factory because there's obviously international police scrutiny and Australia is the big western fish in the Pacific pond. The farmers enjoy(ed) the grey market of preducing precursors also used for legitimate purposes (much like most precursors). All that said, there probably are plenty of such factories in the parts of Cambodia and other similar countries in SE Asia where police simply can not go. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
2b Posted June 20, 2008 Extraction of oils from plants doesn't sound to dangerous to me and from my experiences of Cambodia i doubt if there is much technology anywhere outside of Phenom Phen. I would imagine that 'cottage' industries like this or growing poppies for that matter are away that marginal existance can be sustained in very poor conditions. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marsha Posted June 20, 2008 shotgun having it massaged into my belly! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Torsten Posted June 20, 2008 Sassafras oil produced in these countries sells for about $10/L at the distribution source. ie, the harvesters & producers probably get less than half of that. A poor labourer has to cut and distill 25kilos of bark to make less than $5. There is plenty of safrole being used legitimately. Much of it in the pesticide and aroma industries. But china, cambodia, vietnam and a few other major asian source countries signed up to a UN diversion control program a few years ago which gives governments the responsibility to monitor all production and distribution of these oils. I figure this burning is a symbolic event to please the UN big brother - much like the big drug bonfires in other asian countries are used for publicity. The ridiculous thing is that there are safrole containing plant species in virtually all climate zones, so even if the international trade of safrole was ever brought under control, local production in every country could easily take over. btw, in reference to the legal trade of sassy oil, you can still buy sassafras oil even in australia completely legally. No, not where most of you think! But oil sellers can buy and sell this stuff in certain states as long as they comply with all the paperwork [ie EUD for drug percursors]. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
apothecary Posted June 20, 2008 much like the big drug bonfires in other asian countries are used for publicity. Yep the Thailand annual one happening soon also. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/06/18/2279109.htm Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MindExpansion Posted June 20, 2008 (edited) Torsten, is it the public that can still buy the stuff? Peace, Mind imagine getting your mits on that thai bonfire! Edited June 20, 2008 by MindExpansion Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Torsten Posted June 20, 2008 Torsten, is it the public that can still buy the stuff? yes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MindExpansion Posted June 20, 2008 Hmmm can't find any suppliers using google, not important, was just wondering how much they sell it for, would've been interesting to look at the mark up. Peace, Mind Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trans_diff Posted June 23, 2008 Is that the same sassafras oil my friend rubs on his legs before dancing? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Torsten Posted June 23, 2008 Is that the same sassafras oil my friend rubs on his legs before dancing? yes, it would seem so Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
