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Synthetic cannabis deaths 'tip of iceberg'

Author
Newstalk ZB staff,
Publish Date
Fri, 6 Oct 2017, 5:27AM
She said the former drug dealer has a number of dire warnings. (Photo \ Getty Images)
She said the former drug dealer has a number of dire warnings. (Photo \ Getty Images)

Synthetic cannabis deaths 'tip of iceberg'

Author
Newstalk ZB staff,
Publish Date
Fri, 6 Oct 2017, 5:27AM

A former synthetic drug importer says more people are likely to die, as illicit substances enter the country at alarming levels.

The importer, who wants to remain anonymous, spoke to the Drug and Alcohol Practitioners Association.

He told them it has never been easier or cheaper to get synthetic drugs into the country.

Drug and Alcohol Practitioners Association executive director Sue Paton said profits from selling synthetic drugs can be as high as 2000 percent.

She said the former drug dealer has a number of dire warnings.

"He believes that the twenty deaths that we've seen to date are the tip of the iceberg because of the ease that it's being bought into the country."

Paton said chemicals like AMB-Fubinaca are being sourced in bulk online to make synthetic cannabis.

"For one US dollar you could make up to $2000, it's a huge huge profit margin."

 

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