/ 21 December 2004

Drug users complain of fake Ecstasy

Indonesia’s efforts to stamp out counterfeiting have taken an unusual turn with police closing down two factories manufacturing fake Ecstasy pills after complaints from users of the party drug.

Detectives swung into action on the resort island of Bali after hearing how people consuming the bogus tablets failed to experience the desired effect, the state Antara news agency said.

”A number of Ecstasy consumers have complained that the goods they had purchased turned out not to produce the usual results, and from claims like this, the police then found the fake Ecstasy producers,” Bali police spokesperson Made Wijana said.

He said police ”are very thankful for such information”, which led to the closure of two drug factories in the island’s Kuta tourist strip and the arrest of their owners. He did not say whether the complaining users were arrested.

The production, sale and consumption of Ecstasy is banned in Indonesia, which hands out tough sentences for drugs offences. — Sapa-AFP