Man arrested after $220,000 worth of ‘wizard' drug 25i-NBOMe intercepted
A MAN has been charged with serious drug offences after allegedly ordering almost 11,000 synthetic “blotter tabs” — responsible for two deaths in South Australia in 12 months — off the internet.
A MAN has been charged with serious drug offences after allegedly ordering almost 11,000 “blotter tabs” — responsible for two deaths in South Australia in 12 months — off the internet.
The man, 21, was arrested after a package was intercepted at Sydney Airport after he allegedly ordered about 5000 blotter tabs of the fatal drug, 25i-NBOMe, which has been on the market since 2003.
Police searched his Morphett Vale home last Friday, September 26, and allegedly found a further 5700 tabs.
The drugs were allegedly sent from Canada and have a street value of about $220,000.
Detective Chief Inspector Steve Taylor, of the Serious and Organised Crime Squad, said these drugs were “very powerful” and had been responsible for two deaths across the state in the past 12 months.
“People who take these drugs exhibit signs of extreme paranoia, violence and they lose touch with reality,” he said.
He said two men overdosed on the drug, also known as “wizard”, in Tailem Bend about 10 days ago.
“Even a single dose can kill,” he said.
“Unfortunately we’re seeing a lot more psychoactive-type substances that are being released on to the market.
“Initially they were being released to mimic ecstasy because there was a shortage of ecstasy.”
Det-Insp Taylor said 25i-NBOMe was similar to a drug called methylone, which causes “bizarre and irrational” behaviour.
“It’s a particularly dangerous drug — it’s toxic and very very powerful,” he said.
“The interesting thing about this arrest is the man was purchasing drugs off the internet, thinking he was operating under some degree of anonymity.
“We monitor all sorts of transactions on internet purchases through the postal stream.
“So people working in that particular field might think they’re operating under anonymity ... but I can give an assurance — they’re not.
“People take it mistakenly thinking they’re taking MDMA or LSD but it’s not that type of drug, it’s far more potent.
Det-Insp Taylor said 25i-NBOMe was made in unhygienic, unsafe conditions and was almost impossible for police to determine the drug doses.
The man will appear in Christies Beach Magistrates Court on November 4.
In a separate incident, a woman, 20, of Clarence Gardens was arrested after allegedly ordering 400g of methamphetamine, with a street value of about $400,000, yesterday.
Police will allege the drugs were sent from India.
She was bailed and will appear in Adelaide Magistrates Court on December 5.