USA - Record seizure of DMT in NJ

[chillinwill]

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) - January 15, 2009 -- New Jersey state police say they've made the largest seizure of the drug known as "businessman's LSD" in the state's history.

State Police Superintendent Rick Fuentes says the hallucinogenic drug, known by scientists as "dimethyltryptamine", or DMT, is becoming increasingly popular in the regional club scene.

Troopers seized about 1.4 pounds of DMT from a 33-year-old software engineer named Yusuf Samantar during a Saturday morning traffic stop on the New Jersey Turnpike after the Newark resident was seen driving erratically.

Police say the bust represents the first dealer-sized quantity of DMT seized in New Jersey.

DMT is typically sold for about $200 a gram, giving the seizure a street value of about $127,000.

Associated Press
Thursday, January 15, 2009 | 1:33 PM
WPVI-TV Philadelphia
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?se...cal&id=6605482

[psyche]

Noooo! Not this 'increasingly popular' scene again. Not on DMT. Is nothing sacred anymore?

[Coconut]

Oh no. "Businessman's LSD"? This name could not be more inaccurate. Daft sensationalism with no basis in fact.

[Pondlife]

Originally Posted by Coconut

Oh no. "Businessman's LSD"?

My thoughts exactly. I hope this label doesn't stick, because it seems that once a drug gets a nickname the press seem to pick up on it.

I think this one comes from the description of DMT as a "business man's trip" because it only lasts for a short time, so someone could do it in a lunch break.

I've met quite a few businessmen, and can say DMT is not the drug of choice in this community.

[Coconut]

Originally Posted by Pondlife

I've met quite a few businessmen, and can say DMT is not the drug of choice in this community.

I hear the drug most popular in those circles, next to alcohol and nicotine, is most commonly pronounced "ko-kane".

Also, I don't believe DMT is known as dimethyltryptamine by just scientists - anyone with a basic understanding of drugs will often refer to it as this.

[TMM]

Originally Posted by psyche

Noooo! Not this 'increasingly popular' scene again. Not on DMT. Is nothing sacred anymore?

Nothing ever was. Not if it gets you 'high'.

I've never actually heard anyone call it 'Businessman's LSD', although I've seen the term floating around the net a few times. It's in reference to the short duration of the smoked experience, which I imagine originated as an ironic joke - as if you could just take DMT and then be on your way - that, unsurprisingly, the press have missed entirely.

[Jasim]

Says he was driving erratically, what an idiot. Some dumb-ass has to go and ruin it for the rest of us.

[Alfa]

Originally Posted by Jasim

Says he was driving erratically, what an idiot. Some dumb-ass has to go and ruin it for the rest of us.

I dont think it is wise to be that judgemental. Describing someone's driving as erratically may also be an excuse for stopping someone. If this claim is as truthful as the rest of the article, then we should be cautious with our opinions.

This 1.4 pounds of DMT may very well be 1.4 pounds of mimosa plant material. Which would mean the total value of the seizure is no higher than a few hundred bucks.

[Jasim]

Originally Posted by Alfa

I dont think it is wise to be that judgemental. Describing someone's driving as erratically may also be an excuse for stopping someone. If this claim is as truthful as the rest of the article, then we should be cautious with our opinions.

Very true. Thanks for making swim stop and think.

Swim works in a lab that makes, repairs, etc. breathalyzer instruments for the state. The 4 main guys that work in the breath unit are ex-cops. They tell stories all the time about how making traffic stops (or even search and seizures) is often done without proper cause. This story probably all hyped up by the media anyway.
Maybe he was just unlucky, in the wrong place at the wrong time and some cop was just in a foul mood.

Swim thinks being less judgmental is a good personal goal for self-improvement.

[chillinwill]

Cops fear DMT as new club drug

SECAUCUS - A package of a little known hallucinogen was seized by state troopers last week, fueling fears that "DMT" is about to become a popular club drug in the area, officials said.

"The seizure of DMT is a warning shot across our bow," said State Police Colonel Rick Fuentes Thursday of the 11/2 pounds of Dimethyltryptamine seized.

"This dangerous hallucinogenic has been flying under the radar since the psychedelic '60s, but seems poised to break out as a popular club drug in the New Jersey and New York region," he said.

Discovery of the $127,000 worth of DMT was made after Yusuf Samatar, 33, of Newark, was pulled over on the New Jersey Turnpike in Secaucus at 4 a.m. on Jan. 10 and arrested on the charge of driving while intoxicated, officials said.

A search revealed the bag of brown powder that was determined to be DMT, officials said.

Samatar was also charged with drug possession with intent to distribute, officials said. His bail was set at $150,000 cash only, which he posted, officials said.

Monday, January 19, 2009
By MICHAELANGELO CONTE
The Jersey Journal
http://www.nj.com/news/jjournal/seca...210.xml&coll=3