Italy: Drug precursors from China worth 630 million euros seized
Italian customs officials have made a sensational drug find: The officers seized, according to their own statements, over 6 tonnes of precursor substances for the production of synthetic drugs from China with a value of 630 million Euro. Among the drug precursor substances were substances that, according to the Italian customs, were used for the production of pills such as Ecstasy with the highly dosed active ingredient MDMA.
An investigation has been launched against an Italian entrepreneur from Milan, it was further stated. In addition, two Chinese nationals were arrested in the Netherlands as part of joint cross-border investigations supported by the European Justice Authority Eurojust.
The investigators seized "goods from China," which in total contained approximately 6.4 tonnes of precursor substances for the production of synthetic drugs. From this, "more than 63 million MDMA pills were produced," they declared.
The seizure reportedly took place at Malpensa Airport in northern Italian Milan during a check of goods, which had been declared to the customs as "polyester powder coating" at the border. In reality, however, the goods contained "white powder particles and yellow flakes," which did not comply with the regulations.
During laboratory analysis, it was discovered that the powder was PMK, a chemical precursor for Ecstasy, which is normally used by perfume manufacturers - but also for the production of drugs. The substances were supposedly to be transported to the Netherlands via a company with its headquarters in Milan and warehouses in Varese in the northern Italian region of Lombardy.
The Dutch police identified a storage facility where several dozen kilograms of PMK, Ketamine, Methylamine, and Hashish had already been secured.
- The seized precursor substances from China, worth around 630 million Euro, included materials used for producing Ecstasy pills in Italy.
- The Italian entrepreneur under investigation is believed to have a role in the distribution of precursor materials like PMK, used in the synthesis of Ecstasy.
- The seized drug precursors, primarily from China, resulted in the production of over 63 million MDMA pills, a key ingredient in Ecstasy.
- The investigation uncovered evidence of illegal drug precursor materials being disguised as polyester powder coating, with PMK being a significant precursor for the production of Ecstasy.
