POLICE WARNING ON INTERNET PARTY DRUGS

POTENTIALLY fatal drugs that are legal in New Zealand but banned in
Australia are being ordered over the internet and sent here through the post.

Police today warned that possession of the synthetic
benzylpiperaznie-based (BZP) products attracted a two-year prison term.

The drugs, which can be bought over the counter at speciality shops
in New Zealand, are marketed on websites under names such as Dark
Angel, Grin, Red Hearts, Majik, Kandi, Frenzy, Altitude and Humma.

BZP was originally developed as an anti-parasitic agent.

A check of the internet today revealed at least four New
Zealand-based websites selling the drugs and offering to post them
anywhere in the world.

NSW drug squad commander Detective Superintendent David Laidlaw said
law enforcement agencies in both countries were speaking to the
companies involved to make them aware it was illegal to send the
drugs to people in NSW.

"While these companies have not broken any laws in New Zealand, NSW
residents receiving packages of tablets containing BZP face
prosecution and possible jail time," he said.

The drugs could produce increased heart rate, nausea, headache,
fatigue, insomnia, seizures, confusion and memory loss.

There had been at least one death linked to BZP, Det-Supt Laidlaw said.

"We are concerned that NSW residents ordering these tablets over the
internet are unaware of it being illegal to possess.

"People are also jeopardising their lives by using these tablets and
we strongly warn residents against purchasing or using them," he said.