DEA arrests most Research Chemical vendors under the name 'Operation Web tryp'

[Thegreatone]

We all knew it would happen and it was only a matter of time.
shitty...

(following press release obtained from the DEA website)



DEA ANNOUNCES ARRESTS OF WEBSITE
OPERATORS SELLING ILLEGAL DESIGNER DRUGS

WASHINGTON, DC – DEA Administrator Karen P. Tandy today announced the culmination of “Operation Web Tryp” that resulted in ten arrests and targeted five websites. Operation Web Tryp investigated Internet websites distributing highly dangerous designer drug analogues under the guise of “research chemicals” primarily shipped to the U.S. from China and India. These websites are known to have thousands of customers worldwide. One website operator is known to conduct estimated sales of $20,000 per week, while another is known to have been in business for more than five years. These websites sold substances that led to the fatal overdose of at least two individuals and 14 non-fatal overdoses.

“The Internet has become the street corner for many drug users and traffickers. Drug pushers who use the Internet will find themselves out of business and behind bars,” Administrator Tandy said. ‘These dealers now enter into the privacy of our own homes to entice and sell destruction to our children veiled under the illusion of being safe and legal. The formulation of analogues is like a drug dealer’s magic trick meant to fool law enforcement. They didn’t fool us and we must educate our children so they are not fooled either. Today’s action will help prevent future deaths and overdoses, and will serve as notice for those dealing in designer drugs and the illegal use of the Internet.”

ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS

This operation resulted in the following website operators arrests on July 21, 2004:

WWW.RACRESEARCH.COM andWWW.DUNCANLABPRODUCTS.COM
April Curtis and Doug Thompson, website operators of WWW.RACRESEARCH.COM, were arrested yesterday, July 21, in Arizona and Georgia, respectively. The arrests are based on charges of conspiracy to distribute controlled substance analogues out of the Southern District of New York. WWW.RACRESEARCH.COM has so far been linked to non-fatal overdoses of two college students. This investigation by DEA New York and the New York Police Department also uncovered the illegal distribution of designer drugs on WWW.DUNCANLABPRODUCTS.COM . This site was operated by Raymond Duncan and supplied by April Curtis. Duncan was arrested yesterday, July 21, in California based on charges of conspiracy to distribute controlled substance analogues. Both websites were voluntarily terminated.


WWW.PonDMAN.NU
David Linder, website operator of WWW.PonDMAN.NU was arrested yesterday. This investigation was conducted by DEA and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service in Norfolk, VA. The above site, which purportedly sold landscape supplies, also sold designer drugs. Linder supplied these drugs to U.S.-based Navy personnel who later held rave-style parties to facilitate further distribution. To date, an overdose death of an 18-year-old male and three non-fatal overdoses causing serious bodily injuries have been linked to WWW.PonDMAN.NU. Linder is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substance analogues out of the Eastern District of Virginia. This website will be voluntarily terminated.


WWW.AMERICANCHEMICALSUPPLY.COM
DEA Baton Rouge, LA initiated this investigation that resulted in yesterday’s arrest of Michael Burton, operator of WWW.AMERICANCHEMICALSUPPLY.COM. Charges against Burton and an unidentified coconspirator include illegal distribution with enhanced penalties for causing death, aiding and abetting, and forfeiture out of the Middle District of Louisiana. A restraining order will be issued to prevent use of this website.


WWW.OMEGAFINECHEMICALS.COM
DEA San Diego yesterday arrested Thomas Kasper, Joseph Kasper, Beth Badrak, and Elaine Villalobos, all California residents, on conspiracy charges to distribute controlled substance analogues, distribution of controlled substance analogues to individuals under the age of 21, and money laundering out of the Southern District of California. These four operated WWW.OMEGAFINECHEMICALS.COM. In addition to the arrests, DEA used warrants to search the Omega Business address, and the residence of Beth Badrak and Tom Kasper in Santa Barbara, CA. A seizure warrant will be served on the Omega website. Two bank accounts were also seized.

BACKGROUND ON DESIGNER DRUGS FROM OPERATION WEB TRYP

The products sold by the above mentioned websites are synthetic substances chemically identified as tryptamines, piperazines, and phenylethylamines. Some of these substances are specifically restricted under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) while others, when intended for human consumption, are controlled under the Controlled Substance Analogue Enforcement Act (CSAEA). Prior to the CSAEA, chemists would cause slight changes in the molecular structure of a controlled substance to circumvent the CSA. The CSAEA was enacted to arm law enforcement with the tools needed to stay one step ahead of the drug dealers’ innovations. On the street and in Internet chat rooms these substances go by innocuous names such as “Foxy Methoxy” and “DIPT.” Many young people are led to believe that these substances are a form of “legal” Ecstasy or LSD because they produce similar hallucinogenic effects. Adolescents and young adults are primary abusers of these chemicals. Many have the false impression that they are not as harmful or addictive as mainstream drugs such as heroin or cocaine. This is a highly dangerous emerging drug trend. Because the recommended dosages can vary by as little as a milligram, any slight miscalculation can cause fatal results.

OVERDOSE VICTIMS

In April 2002, an 18-year-old male in Hancock, New York died after consuming a chemical obtained from WWW.PonDMAN.NU. A 19-year-old male friend of the decedent later confirmed using similar chemicals obtained from WWW.PonDMAN.NU that resulted in him suffering from seizures, floating spots in his vision, memory lapses, uncontrollable teeth grinding and large lumps that would appear and disappear periodically on his face and neck.

In December 2003, police responded to a call of a college student found unconscious, unresponsive and turning blue on the kitchen floor of a residence in Fairhaven, Massachusetts. He had been lying on the floor for 45 minutes before a call for help was made. This student was suffering from the ingestion of a substance he obtained from WWW.RACRESEARCH.COM. This overdose victim now suffers from chronic, violent seizures.

In March 2004, a 22-year-old male resident of St. Francisville, Louisiana died after ingesting a substance he believed to be similar to Ecstasy. When found by his mother he asked to be driven to the hospital where he died three days later. His body temperature had reached an astounding 108 degrees. It was later found that the substance used was sent from WWW.AMERICANCHEMICALSUPPLY.COM, one of the targeted websites in this investigation.

These website operators attempted to give an appearance of legitimacy to their websites by presumably selling these chemicals to bona fide researchers; however, a review of customer lists revealed purchasers with e-mail addresses such as acidtripo420@; ecstasylight@; madtriper17@; moontripperdipt@; partys_with_glow_sticks@; professor@; psychedelic_stoner@; and ravergirlny@.

SPECIAL THANKS AND RECOGNITION

These enforcement actions demonstrate the DEA’s steadfast commitment to identifying and preventing any illegal drug distribution through the use of the Internet. The success of this operation could not have taken place without the cooperation and coordination of the following:

DEA and US Attorney’s Office, Albuquerque, NM
DEA and US Attorney’s Office, Baton Rouge, LA
DEA, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Ward County Narcotics Task Force, North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigations, and US Attorney’s Office, North Dakota
Food and Drug Administration and US Postal Inspection Service, Minnesota
DEA, New York Police Department and US Attorney’s Office, New York, NY
DEA, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and US Attorney’s Office, Norfolk, VA
DEA, Food and Drug Administration, US Postal Inspection Service, Internal Revenue Service, and US Attorney’s Office, San Diego, CA
Federal Bureau of Investigation, Santa Maria, CA
US Forestry Service and Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, Santa Barbara, CA
DEA, Las Vegas, NV
DEA, Riverside, CA
DEA, Phoenix, AZ
DEA, Macon, GA

[Psilocybe S.]

Awwwww man, fucking shit. Its getting less and less likely i'm going to ever get my hands on these now..

[Pinkavvy]

Does anybody know which chemicals they were after? I know last time the industry was raided was for 5-meo-dipt and AMT .... I assume they went after 5meo-amt this time .... but does anybody know if there were after 2c-e or 2c-i?

[Alfa]

They are using the analog law, so it means all psychoactive chemicals that are structural related. They might try to apply it to substances that are related in effect. I would start using overseas companies and take your precautions so that your product request looks offical. Do NOT go from a drug related site to such a supplier and order. This might indicate intent of misuse. This also goes for the links in the sources forum.

[Thegreatone]

what sites are based overseas?

[Blowmonkey]

Here, shall I post an example..?


http://www.dailycamera.com/bdc/count...959793,00.html


Facts about DPT


June 13, 2004


Full name: Dipropyltryptamine


Uses: DPT has been used in psychotherapy for alcoholics and cancer patients, according to information provided by Americanchemicalsupply.com.


A New York religious group, the Temple of the True Inner Light, uses DPT as its sacrament, considered the actual manifestation of God, according to the Council on Spiritual Practices.


Tarek Sammakia, a chemistry professor at the University of Colorado, said DPT is similar to DMT (N,N-dimethyltryptamine), which could be used to manufacture types of migraine medicine. He said it also could be used to create anti-depressant or anti-psychotic medicines, but "there is no legitimate reason a layperson would buy this compound" other than to get high.


How'd we get it? The Daily Camera bought 100 milligrams of DPT online for $20. It was delivered the next day.


The Web site's disclaimer asked customers to use the product only for chemical/analytical use, in-vitro testing or tests on laboratory animals. However, drug-user Web sites referred and linked to the company's site.


What does it do? Online trip logs say the drug kicked in after about 10 minutes and lasted several hours. Doses started at 10 milligrams.


The Vaults of Erowid Web site, which gives information on drugs and documents users' experiences, "strongly" warns people about DPT, saying it "is not for everybody, and certainly not for those just looking for a recreational good time."


From trip logs:


"Compare to DMT or 5-MeO-DMT (5-Methoxy-N,N-Dimethyltryptamine): Those short 10-minute trips are like psychedelic sledgehammers, whereas DPT is more like being put through a slow humming paper shredder, or like being a salt crystal dissolving in water."


Other users reported hallucinations and heightened senses. One user said an invisible creature he called a "shadow person" massaged his scalp.


One user said his body went into forceful convulsions: "I was pretty scared by this, and couldn't escape the feeling that I may have put myself in danger of serious physical harm. My breathing became rapid and shallow, my head was whipping back and forth from side to side, and I held on for dear life, hoping that it would pass quickly."

[davidBuster23]

I never used any of the websites that were shut down, nor any other drug websites for that matter. However, this whole thing pisses me off more than anything has in a long time. Those sites weren't hurting anyone, and now a large group of otherwise law-abiding people are going to be driven to a much greater pain-in-the-ass way to enjoy their hobby. I'm not going to just stand by -- I'm going to do something about it. I'm sure everyone else agrees that drugs should be available to responsible adults, and that's what we're gonna make happen!Goddamn DEA!


ok, enough ranting. this has just been bothering me for days

[Pinkavvy]

Ok, let me get this shit straight. The DEA is now saying that similar effects is an analog, not just similar chemical structure? And also the "Warning" message everybody must agree to before ordering that says they are not selling it for human consumption, blah blah blah doesn't mean anything?


Under the same logic, when my friend goes into the E.R. for "back pain" to get vicodins and the doctors prescribe it to him for the intent of medicine; then according the the same DEA logic, isn't that doctor a heroin dealer? It has similar effects as heroin, and despite the doctors intent for it's use, the patient is abusing it and using it recreationally. Better go bust all the MD heroin dealers ... oh and what about my sons ADHD medicine (he takes ridilin) when my neigbors steals a pill or two from his ridilin bottle, does that not make the doctor a speed dealer?


Down with the DEA's "selective" justice and supreme, unchecked, power.


Restructure the fukkin DEA!

Reputation Comments on this post:

OMG! Dug this post up from loooong ago...SO TRUE!!! MY SENTIMENTS EXACTLY!!!

[Alfa]

Manymedicines are in fact controlledcontrolled substances. That's why permits are needed to write a presrciption.

[Pinkavvy]

so the medaphore wasn't strong, the point stands. shall they arrest the grocery store owners that sell us Robotussin?


These companies are being picked on. Every single one of them sold these chemicals with a disclaimer that you had to agree to saying that it is not for human consumption.


It's a shame pondman couldn't afford to buy a couple senators like Robotussin does.


If these cases hold up in court, and they are all convicted, it will be the last straw, it'll be time to take my family to a less corporate owned and redneck ran country.

[Alfa]

Pinkavy: I understand why busts like this make you want to flee to freedom, but many government nowadays are to some extent under control of the U.S. In the case of the Netherlands it doesn't mean that the same restrictiveness as in the US is aplied. Far from that. But under the influence of the US thedrugpolitics toughen up here. Here are some examples of what I mean.


Netherworld/lands: zero tolerance to coffeeshops, US style antidrug propaganda(never had that before), attemp to get smokers registered, etc.


Spain: the conservative government that was recently voted down, was good friends with george war bush. They have made everything illegal you can think of. 200 different drugs and drug categories, including psilocybe mushrooms. Even things you will never have heard of, that could beused as drugs in the future. This was done in the light of the unification of european laws. Druglaws as this will be taken into review when forming eurolaws.


Italy: The cannabislaws where getting pretty relaxed there. A lot of hard work of good people made this possible. After a meeting about it with bushwacka, the dictator berlusconi introduced new cannabislaws, which puts them at the same category as heroin. He also promised druglaws covering everything that has a psychoactive effect.


This is a bit off topic. So I'll move this post, part of yours and replies to a new topic, called "Flee to freedom"

Reputation Comments on this post:

GREAT POST!!! Dug this up from old treasure chest...my sentiments exactly..."fleeing from the U.S. to freedom"...

[Jetset]

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"If these cases hold up in court, and they are all convicted, it will be the last straw, it'll be time to take my family to a less corporate owned and redneck ran country."


REDNECKS are not the ones doing this. We are the laid back carefree good ol' boys. Its the uptight city folk who need to be hung!

[OneDiaDem]

I dont mean to be a buzzkill here, butone of the issues that led to this occuring is irresponsible people. One of the reasons I am glad that forums like this ARE out there, along with Erowid. Knowledge does save lives, and keeps people from doing things that are dangerous, like overdosing because of ignorance. There will always be people who have bad reactions to drugs, but I feel the more you know about what you are putting into your body, the less likelihood of something bad happening. Be responsible, learn about your drugs. Better learned and safe, than say....dead.

[wizard warior]

i dont want to soundsimplistic but if more precise digital scales were avilable at lower pricesform the government that would make things much safer.

[Bluelight25]

9% of anyone and everyone Goes Too Far. Legal or Illegal, Aspirin or Orange Juice, Ecstacy orcheeseburgers - statistically, 9% alwaystake it too far [argument from Libertinism]. In this instance,screwing the pooch for the rest of us. 108 degrees? How MUCH? The recommended dose or the whole bottle? Mixed with what?


Doing what?


Bad interactions can and do happen.But I'd like to know the whole story behind it and not just what the DEA announces to the Press-- and, not surprisingly, contrary to the findings of the European Commission.

[thcannibislover]

Yeah ya know the DEA is using these tragic deaths as a damn excuse to make these chemicals Illigal when really they just want to keep their damn jobs, leadership positions, and power. If two or three deaths is reason enough to make something Illigal then that alcahol they drink every night would put the on death roll.

[Gijs_b]

You stupid fucks in the US voted for the asshole again....

[JimtheCactus]

Old topic but whatever. The funny thing about the government is they
drugs they say are ok kill so many more than these drugs ever have.
Just as bunch of bs its hard to believe the government is so full of
just ignorant assholes, and greedy coprate pawns.

[Antidote]

I can't begin to express how happyI am that I live in Canada, in relation to drug lawsanyway... and oh boy, that BC pot

[Aleister93]

[edited by Alfa Read the rules!] i am quite reluctant to use any supplier that doesn't take credit cards, since i can just call my bank and cancel for unsatisfactory transactions. Edited by: Alfa

[Aleister93]

Gijs_b, kerry belongs to the same fraternity, from the same university that bush does. if you imagine that he hasn't kissed precisely the same asses to get where he is, if you imagine he is more friendly to human freedom, you are, imo, living in a fool's paradisde. Further, I doubt that you are qualified to have an opinion about US politics.

[wednesday]

as a rule of thumb people that are old enough to vote and that don't and complain get a punch to the throat

in the US anyway...its just rediculous

canceling credit card transactions usually requires a reason for canceling...try explaning to them what you are doing and convincing them its legal

i don't know just a thought
Paul

[msimm]

How "item never received" sound?



Politics blow.

[gallium]

I've definitely been out of the loop...I loved RAC they were low key and reliable...not hurting anyone. I just tried to visit and found out the news...that's really bad. I was wondering why they stopped sending me email specials. What's really bad is the Analog Act. It gives them impunity. If enough people crack b/c of aspirin they'd just schedule it too. It's sad when the freest country on earth has come to people going to Canada to buy prescriptions or Mexico for experimental treatments for life-threatening medical problems or Amsterdamn just to live. I wonder how many people die b/c of alcohol related health problems and injuries. I think we've just met the Gestapo of the new millennia...my next vacation just might be up in BC.