Club on wheels: where do drugs for party-goers come from in Russia
"Club" drugs produced in clandestine laboratories in Europe are increasingly being transported to Russia, as can be seen from the intercepted shipments of illegal substances of a number of MDMAS in recent months. So, in March, a resident of Korenovsk, Krasnodar Territory, was detained while transporting one and a half kilograms of amphetamine. Details can be found in the Izvestia article.
"Wheels" under the wheel
Detectives from the Drug control Department in the Krasnodar Territory detained a 39-year-old local woman who was carrying four plastic bottles with pink pills in a cache in the gas tank of her car.
"It has been established that the malefactor planned to sell the prohibited substance on the territory of the Krasnodar Territory by hiding bookmarks. In relation to the suspect (...) A criminal case has been opened on the grounds of a crime under Part 3 of Article 30, Part 5 of Article 228.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation," the regional police department said in a statement.
At the end of March, it became known that the police had liquidated two large stores on the darknet. Three group leaders and four active drug gang members were detained. The criminals distributed illegal substances remotely in the capital region, Sochi, Kaluga, as well as in Armenia and Georgia. As a result of searches at various addresses, the police seized more than 12.5 kg of various drugs from circulation. The largest proportion (over 8 kg) are herbal drugs (hashish, hashish oil and marijuana), more than 600 g of cocaine, and approximately the same amount of mephedrone and methylephedrone. The operatives were surprised by the significant proportion of amphetamine-type drugs (almost 2.5 kg).
Always in stock
In January, a bartender who worked exclusively with amphetamine drugs was detained in the Marino district of the capital. 18 doses were seized from her, which she did not have time to decompose in hiding places near one of the night clubs in the capital.
A substantial shipment of drugs, which contained a significant proportion of amphetamine, was intercepted by police in Ulyanovsk at the end of last year. Of the two kilograms of prohibited substances, the proportion of MDMA was more than 300 g.
"These are the so—called youth drugs that are used before going to entertainment venues," a source in the anti—drug police unit told Izvestia. — "Hair dryer", "screw", "gunpowder" and so on are all dangerous toxic substances. Often young people take them situationally, for company, "on the weak side." As a rule, in private gatherings and on the so-called entrances, in companies where promiscuous sexual relations are practiced. However, there are also adult users of amphetamine drugs, adherents of certain musical trends.
Global growth trend
Amphetamine drugs became widespread in Europe in the 80s, and in the 90s and noughties they became the scourge of Russian youth. The drug ecstasy has become infamous. A few years ago, these amphetamine-based stimulants gave way to mephedrone, but now drug dealers are trying to return the forgotten "wheels" to the black market.
According to the report of the United Nations International Narcotics Control Board for 2024, India and China remain the largest exporting countries of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine (the main raw materials for the production of amphetamine drugs). The report names the United States, Brazil, South Korea, Egypt, France, Switzerland, Pakistan, Nigeria, Denmark, Japan, Canada, South Africa, Indonesia, Ghana, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia as the main official importers of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine.
International experts also point to an increase in seizures of amphetamine drug precursors.
"In the period 2012-2022, seizures of ephedrines (i.e. ephedrine and pseudoephedrine in all forms) decreased worldwide. However, in 2023, seizures increased sharply, exceeding the 15—ton mark, which is more than in the previous two years combined," the document says. Moreover, 95% of seizures occur in six countries: Pakistan (5 tons), Romania (4.3 tons), the Netherlands (2 tons), China (1.3 tons), India (almost a ton) and Australia (0.6 tons).
The report also mentions an increase in the legal production of amphetamine precursor components for pharmaceutical purposes.
"At the same time, through the PEN Online system (an electronic system for exchanging information on the supply of chemicals that are not under international control, but are used in the production of drugs. Planned shipments of pharmaceutical preparations containing ephedrine and pseudoephedrine in quantities exceeding the estimated annual legitimate needs of the destination countries were monitored. Since such drugs are not under international control, notifications of their planned export are not systematically transmitted through the system. Accordingly, the patterns of legitimate trade in such drugs are not fully clear," the report says.
According to Izvestia's source in the transport police, a significant proportion of the finished "product" is imported into the country by couriers through Eastern European countries by car, as well as through seaports in the European part of Russia.
Up to life in prison
Russia, as part of the international community, has imposed severe criminal penalties for the smuggling of drugs and their precursors.
"Responsibility for the smuggling of narcotic drugs, their precursors or analogues, and plants containing narcotic drugs is established by Article 229.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation," says Denis Rudenko, Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Economic Affairs and Digitalization of the Delovaya Rossiya MRO, Head of the Customs Law Practice. — Depending on the volume of illegally imported substances, as well as whether this crime was committed by one person or as part of a group of persons, the legislator classifies this composition as serious and especially serious crimes. Accordingly, this ranges from three years to life imprisonment. The courts deal with these cases very scrupulously and, as a rule, issue convictions with real imprisonment against persons found guilty of smuggling narcotic or psychotropic substances.
229.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, it is necessary to distinguish between those who intend to import drugs across the state border of the Russian Federation and those who do not have such an intention, the lawyer said.
— For example, a person receives an envelope from a little—known person, inside which there are supposedly documents, to transfer them to Russia, - says Rudenko. — Even in such cases, the courts are harsh. Sweets stuffed with cannabis also do not pass through customs at checkpoints. In this case, the courts also proceed from whether the person had a real opportunity to comply with precautionary measures and avoid the importation of illegal substances.
Young people and old ravers
—Ecstasy (MDMA) is a psychostimulant that is chemically similar to amphetamine," Ruslan Isaev, a psychiatrist, narcologist, president of the Independent Narcological Guild, and head of the clinic, told Izvestia. — It promotes the release of serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine, causing euphoria. It poses a serious health risk.
According to his observations, ecstasy (MDMA) is less common today against the background of the spread of more aggressive synthetic drugs such as mephedrone, alpha-PVP and soleil.
— These are mostly one—time trials in clubs, but there is practically no serious flow of patients with MDMA addiction right now, - says the doctor.
What happens to a person
Isaev noted that with an overdose or prolonged use of ecstasy, severe mental disorders, including psychosis, can develop.
— A person in this state loses orientation in space and time, ceases to perceive reality adequately, may hallucinate, become uncontrollable, unable to perform any social functions, - says the doctor. — Such conditions require immediate medical intervention, and such patients are always subject to hospitalization in specialized clinics.
The treatment of psychosis caused by MDMA use is generally similar to the treatment of other stimulant psychoses, the expert says.
— First of all, detoxification is carried out — the body needs time to remove the substance. A person often sleeps during this period, similar to the condition after a seizure, even without the use of sedatives. The main task is to allow the body to recover.
Detox plus psychologist
The danger of ecstasy lies not only in acute psychotic states, but also in the formation of addiction.
—There are no antidotes or specific drugs that prevent the use of MDMA,— says psychiatrist-narcologist Isaev. — Therefore, the main focus is on psychotherapy and inpatient rehabilitation programs. It is psychological work with the patient that is the key to successfully getting rid of addiction.
Thus, although cases of ecstasy addiction have become less common, this drug remains dangerous. Its use can lead to serious mental disorders, and treatment requires a comprehensive approach, including medical and psychotherapeutic care.
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