CRIMINALS USE CHEMISTS TO MANUFACTURE SPEED

A NSW chemist is being investigated for selling 15,000 packets of
pseudoephedrine tablets, worth up to $90 million on the blackmarket, in just
16 days.

The Herald has learnt that 30 pharmacists have been or are being investigated
over the sale of extraordinarily large amounts of Sudafed, Logicen and other
cold and flu tablets which contain pseudoephedrine, the key ingredient in
the manufacture of amphetamines.

So far this year, NSW police have discovered 15 amphetamine labs, 14 of
which were using tablets to make methyl amphetamine, better known as speed.

Police have confirmed that syndicates, including motorcycle gangs such as
the Bandidos and the Rebels, have been buying large quantities of tablets
from unscrupulous chemists. Other pharmacies have been ram-raided, and
police have found evidence of criminals doing a "Sudafed sweep" - driving
from Brisbane to Sydney and buying at every stop on the way.

Of the 30 chemists, about 10 have been found by the Pharmacy Board to be
selling between 33 and 55 packets of 90 tablets a week.

The Pharmacy Board registrar, Mr Ian Dean, said: "In most cases, the
pseudoephedrine tablets in packs of 60 and 90 have been stored where the
public had access, and generally supplied in multiple quantities without
supervision."

In some instances this amounted to unprofessional behaviour, and those
involved had been warned, he said.

Another 20 pharmacists were still being investigated.

"Regrettably, these appear to involve the supply of significantly greater
quantities of pseudoephedrine tablets ..."

Late last year the board sent a letter to all chemists reminding them of
their responsibilities in selling drugs such as Sudafed.

"The board has difficulty in identifying medical or personal reasons for the
purchase of more than one pack of 30 tablets, or for the purchase of even
single packs of 60 and 90 tablets," the letter said.

It advised that packs of 60 and 90 tablets were to be stored in the
dispensary and to be handed out by the pharmacist personally. Any attempt to
buy more than one pack of 30 tablets was to be referred to the chemist.

Mr Dean said information from the NSW Crime Commission indicated that "even
an inefficient illicit manufacturer will obtain from a single pack of 90
pseudoephedrine tablets a yield of approximately 2.9 grams of methyl
amphetamine which, when diluted with lactose to 5 per cent, will have a
street value of almost $6,000".

A small number of shops had been selling between 3,000 and 5,000 packets a
month, police sources said.

The Herald has also learnt that a single chemist "sold" 15,000 packs of 90
tablets in just 16 days. The retail value was $350,000, but, based on Crime
Commission calculations, the tablets - turned into speed - would have had a
potential street value of $90 million.

"They came in the front door and straight out the back door," one source
said.

Mr Dean said any chemist found guilty of professional misconduct by the
Pharmacy Board would face penalties, that could include being struck off the
register. Of the 1,750 pharmacies in NSW, only a small number had been found
wanting, he said.

"The great majority of pharmacists take very seriously their
responsibilities as custodians of drugs in the community by ensuring that a
very useful medicine like pseudoephedrine is available for those persons
with a genuine medical need for it."