The U.S. and Canada say they broke up a ring that smuggled 1 million Ecstasy pills each month into the United States. More than 145 people were arrested yesterday in both countries, the Associated Press reports. The ring allegedly smuggled the drug from the Netherlands in powder form and pressed it into pills in Canada. It reportedly handled 15 percent of Ecstasy sales in the United States. “Out of all the dangers of illegal drugs, Ecstasy is of special concern because it is aimed at our teens and youth masquerading as colorful candy,” Drug Enforcement Administration chief Karen Tandy said.
Ecstasy is popular among teenagers and young adults and at nightclubs for its stimulant and hallucinogenic effects. The pills in this case sold for about $15 each. Alleged distributors worked out of 18 cities, including Atlanta, Baton Rouge, Boston, Des Moines, Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New Orleans, New York City, Oakland, Salt Lake City, and San Francisco.
Link: http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2004-03-31-us-canada-drugs_x.htm