They're messing around: European drug dealers are attacking Russia
The European drug mafia is trying to introduce tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) into Russia under the guise of raw materials for cosmetics — a shipment of 75 kg of the banned substance was recently detained by customs officers in the Tula region. Details can be found in the Izvestia article.
What kind of cosmetics
Transport police officers, together with the Central Operational and Tula Customs, detained a cargo imported in seven buckets from Italy under the guise of raw materials for the production of food and cosmetics. This was reported in the press service of the Federal Customs Service of Russia.
"The examination has established that it is a narcotic drug of the cannabis group — tetrahydrocannabinol. A criminal case has been opened under Part 1 of Article 229.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation ("Drug smuggling"). The sanction of the article provides for up to 7 years in prison with a fine of up to 1 million rubles," the service said in a statement.
Disguising themselves as legal goods is one of the most common ways of importing various types of drug components into the country.
"The precursors needed to create synthetic drugs enter Russia and the territory of the Customs Union countries in tanks from Asia under the guise of chemical solutions, for example, for the production of rubber, plastics, and so on," a source in the anti—drug police unit told Izvestia. — As for herbal drugs, they are not transported on such an industrial scale as "chemistry". We have encountered attempts to carry hashish along with a load of building materials, under the guise of insulation. There have also been attempts to smuggle such drugs under the guise of coffee. Hashish oil is transported under the guise of machine and other technical liquids. "Designer" European drugs are often transported as dietary supplements or in fillers for pet trays.
According to another source in the police's anti-drug unit, European criminals are now interested in restoring hashish traffic to Russia.
— In Europe, in many countries, products of this kind are legalized, and excess profits can be obtained only where there are serious restrictions. Like in Russia, for example. Manufacturers have nowhere to put their finished products. That is why we are faced with various attempts to bring cannabinoids here from Europe.
He recalled that Italy is one of the countries through which the drug trafficking of Moroccan hashish has been going on for many years. Izvestia has repeatedly written about the multi-year international police operation Pyrenean Fracture, during which numerous members of the drug cartel behind the supply of drugs from North Africa to Europe, including Russia, were exposed.
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, 12.6 tons of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their analogues, as well as potent substances were seized from illicit trafficking in the first five months of this year.
The beaten path
In April last year, Russian investigators completed work on the case of hashish smuggling and attempted sale as part of an organized criminal group. According to investigators, the organization operated from January to March 2023. They imported a total of more than 70 kg of drugs from the EU to the countries of the Customs Union.
In the same year, customs officers in St. Petersburg seized more than 800 kg of hashish. More than 7,6 thousand tiles with packed substance were found in the truck.
Ukraine remains another exporting country of herbal drugs. Even after the start of the SVO, customs officers found loads of Ukrainian hashish during the inspection. For example, over 186 kg of the substance was seized by Pskov customs officers in a car driven by a Ukrainian citizen. The truck with the cache came to Russia in transit through Latvia.
"Drug production on the territory of Ukraine is currently almost not controlled by the Kiev regime — there is no need to talk about the work of the security forces in this direction," the Izvestia police source states. — This is another potential threat for us.
What is the danger?
Tetrahydrocannabinol is the main psychoactive component of cannabis (marijuana), Daniil Petrov, a narcologist and chief physician of Dr. Isaev's Clinic, explained to Izvestia.
— It is he who is responsible for the change in perception that a person experiences after drinking. THC binds to cannabinoid receptors in the brain, especially in areas responsible for memory, motivation, emotion, coordination, and pleasure.
According to him, from a medical point of view, tetrahydrocannabinol belongs to psychoactive substances that can cause addiction and mental disorders.
— In Russia, THC-based drugs are included in the list of prohibited narcotic drugs. THC affects the central nervous system and can cause psychiatric disorders (anxiety disorders, panic attacks, depersonalization, increased symptoms of depression). With regular use, there is a risk of developing psychosis, especially in adolescents and in people with a hereditary predisposition.
Cognitive deficits can also be the consequences of using this type of drug: deterioration of short-term memory, concentration, and executive functions. As well as the amotivation syndrome: loss of interest in activities, social and professional realization.
— There are also physical effects: tachycardia, hypotension, dizziness, problems with coordination of movements.
Synthetic cannabinoids (so-called spices) are particularly dangerous, which can cause even more severe poisoning, even death.
How to treat
Addiction to THC is treated in the same way as any other psychoactive substance, in stages, says Dr. Petrov. First, psychiatric diagnosis (it is important to understand if there are already mental complications that require treatment). This is followed by detoxification and supportive medication for anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, or withdrawal symptoms. The next stage is psychotherapy: cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational counseling, addiction therapy (individual and group).
— Another important stage is rehabilitation programs in rehabilitation centers, as well as participation in self—help groups, — says Daniil Petrov. — It is important to emphasize that, despite widespread myths, cannabis can be no less destructive than other psychoactive substances, especially when used regularly and at a young age.
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