PDEA discovers new type of ecstasy

MANILA, Philippines -  The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency has discovered a new variety of party drug ecstasy during a recent sting operation in Quezon City, an official said on Thursday.

PDEA director general Arturo Cacdac Jr. said that the new form of ecstasy (methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is blended with methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu, that comes in capsulated form and varying colors.

"The disclosure of the souped-up ecstasy was the result of the chemical analysis conducted by the PDEA Laboratory Service on the pieces of drug evidence consisting of 38 green capsules that were seized during a buy-bust operation in Quezon City last week," Cacdac said.

He said that the shabu-laced ecstasy, often called “fly-high” and “party,” is said to be gaining headway and in demand among club and party-goers.

Cacdac said that based on intelligence information gathered by the PDEA, the new ecstasy are delivered to the Philippines through bulk shipment on a weekly basis.

He said they have yet to determine the exact source of the drug, but they have information that it is being delivered from a Southeast Asian country.

"These capsules may differ in color corresponding to its content. The ecstasy-shabu combined substance is colored dark green, while those colored light green and brown contain ephedrine, a controlled substance and a critical component in the manufacture of shabu," he said.

PDEA has intensified its intelligence gathering to arrest unscrupulous elements responsible for this new trend in illegal drug trafficking.