Issued by: SA Communication Service
NEWS MEDIA STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE'S FORENSIC SCIENCE LABORATORY: PRETORIA: 15 AUGUST 1997
A recent routine seizure of a large amount of suspected "rock" -cocain was furnished to the SAPS Forensic Science Laboratory in Silverton, Pretoria for identity confirmation. An in-depth forensic analysis revealed that the suspected controlled substance indeed contained five (5) active ingredients, namely Rifampicin, Isoniazid, Pyrazinamide, Carbaryl, and gamma-BHC (Lindane), non of which is a controlled substance according to the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act, Act 140/92.
What is of concern regarding this find however, is that the first three active ingredients are found in a propriety anti-tuberculosis drug, "Rifater", which is freely available at clinics around the country. What is of even greater concern is the fact that Carbaryl and Lindane as a combination is found in the propriety product "Blue Death", a common household insecticide (Poison).
Both "Rifater" and "Blue Death" are good products and are totally safe when used according to the manufacturers directions. When abused as an illicit drug it can have severe adverse effects on the users, including fatal consequences. "Rock" -cocain is usually smoked by the user.
The "drug" is available on the street in single dosage forms costing up to R50-00 each. Since it does not contain "cocain", it will definitely not have the desired effects on the user. This may lead one to suspect that there are probably a lot of very sick and very angry "clients" out there.
Members of the community should not use drugs and are cautioned that they use this contaminated "rock" -cocain at great risk to themselves. In a nutshell, this contaminated substance contains the same ingredients as rat poison and may cause death if abused.
Statement issued by the spokesperson for the Forensic Science Laboratory, Captain Lettie Stander.
For more information, enquiries may be directed to Capt Andre Koch. He can be contacted at tel (012) 846 5600 x 5602. After hours at tel no (012) 547 1630.