FEDERAL LAWS TARGET ECSTASY OPS

The feds are hoping that setting up a clandestine ecstasy lab like the one
discovered in east-end Ottawa will be a little tougher after new
regulations went into effect last week.

The regulations are aimed at curbing the shipment of chemicals such as
safrole and ephedrine that are frequently diverted from legitimate uses to
create illegal synthetic drugs like ecstasy, methamphetamine or GHB. Also
included are chemicals used to refine cocaine or heroin.

Since Thursday, companies or individuals require a permit and licence to
produce, package, provide, sell, import or export any of the 17 listed
precursor chemicals in both their synthetic and natural forms.

In the case of the Canotek Rd. lab dismantled by police, Health Canada
discovered more than 400 kg. of sassafras oil, which contains safrole, a
main component in the production of ecstasy. Large quantities of other
chemicals like sulphuric acid and lye were also seized.

The Canotek Rd. lab was one of the largest ever discovered in Canada.
Police estimate up to $35 million worth of ecstasy could've been produced
from the chemicals there.

"The regulations are a better way to monitor and control the movement of
the precursor chemicals," said Carole Bouchard, director of the Office of
Controlled Substances for Health Canada.

More To Come

Bouchard said it will provide the government with a better record-keeping
system and ensure a higher security standard is met.

Further regulations will come into effect between July 2003 and January
2004 regarding the sale and distribution of the same precursor chemicals.

More importantly, Bouchard said it brings Canada in line with the UN's
Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic
Substa nces.

Although Canada signed the convention in 1990, no regulations took effect
until this year. Canada has often been criticized for not doing enough to
control the movement of such chemicals.

"These new regulations will certainly improve and give us more control over
the import and exportation of precursor chemicals."

Penalties for violating the regulations range from hefty fines to jail
time, Bouchard said.

Although they can be used for illegal purposes, precursor chemicals also
have widespread use in a number of legitimate products such as
pharmaceuticals, perfumes, household cleaners and paint thinners.

Health Canada says the intent of the regulations is to monitor and control
precursor chemicals while avoiding excessive restriction of their
legitimate uses.