WEB 'DATE RAPE' DRUG SUSPECTS JAILED

WASHINGTON - Authorities broke up four Internet drug-trafficking rings
operating in the United States and Canada, making more than 100 arrests and
seizing enough chemicals for 25 million doses of the "date rape" drug GHB
and similar substances.

The two-day sweep in 84 cities is "a dose of harsh reality for drug
traffickers who seek to exploit the vast markets and anonymity of
cyberspace," Attorney General John Ashcroft said Thursday.

Federal, state and local police began the investigation, called Operation
Webslinger, two years ago. It targeted Internet drug rings in St. Louis;
Detroit; San Diego; Mobile, Ala.; Sparta, Tenn.; Buffalo, N.Y., and Quebec
City.

Relying on Web sites and personal e-mail accounts to reach out to their
customers, the dealers disguised what they were selling by naming their
products "Blue Raine" ink jet printing supplies and "TonerCleen cleaning
solution," investigators told a news conference at Drug Enforcement
Administration headquarters in Arlington, Va.

Education efforts by law enforcement agencies and the government have been
aimed at warning women about sexual predators who could spike their drinks
with the colorless, odorless drugs, which cause drowsiness, dizziness and
loss of inhibition.

GHB and its derivatives, GBL and 1,4 Butanediol or BD, are industrial
solvents that have killed 72 drug users, said DEA Director Asa Hutchinson.

Marketing dangerous drugs on the Web "should not, and will not, be as
simple as point-and-click" Mr. Hutchinson said.