Deadly but legal drugs seized from promoter – NBI

MANILA, Philippines – Tablets and pills seized from an event promoter – linked to a concert in which five people died – tested positive for laboratory and synthetic chemicals that “can kill” but have yet to be declared illegal, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) officials said yesterday.

The bureau conducted forensic tests on the “peace rock” tablets and “green amore” capsules confiscated from Joshua Habalo during a sting at a bar where he works in Pasay City on Saturday, said Dr. Romel Papa, chief of staff of the NBI’s forensic investigation service.

The pink “peace rock” tablets contained a synthetic substance called MDMA-methylene homolog, which simulates the effects of ecstasy, he said.

“It is used solely for research and laboratory purposes, and has never been made for consumption by both humans and animals,” Papa said.

Habalo had been selling these tablets at the House Manila bar for P1,500 each when he was arrested, he added.

Lawyer Joel Tovera of the NBI’s anti-illegal drug division said the synthetic cathinone, more popularly known as “bath salts,” was found in the green capsules seized from Habalo.

Cathinones are mind-altering substances that are marketed as cheap substitutes for stimulants such as methamphetamine and cocaine.

Papa stressed that anyone who ingests cathinone could become “so psychotic and so violent.”

Both MDMA-methylene homolog and cathinone, Papa said, are classified as “psychoactive,” “mind-altering” and “hallucinogenic” drugs.

“Those who take in these drugs could not sleep, hear voices and become paranoid,” Papa said. “They can suffer rapid heart beat, increased blood pressure and muscle spasms.”

Tovera said drug syndicates might be using these substances “to circumvent the law.”

“We still cannot penalize those who produce these drugs since these are still not listed as prohibited drugs,” he said.

He earlier said that Habalo has not been penalized after his arrest in 2014 because the drugs seized contained from him contained cathinone.

While avoiding speculation, Papa and Tovera noted that since Habalo is seen as a suspect in the sale of illegal drugs at the “Closeup Forever Summer” concert in Pasay City on May 21, the possibility of these synthetic drugs having caused the deaths of five people at the concert could be considered.

However, several sources told The STAR one of the fatalities tested positive for the synthetic drugs while another was found with only ecstasy.

Senator wants painkiller spray banned

Meanwhile, Sen. Vicente Sotto III wants a popular muscle pain reliever spray examined to determine if it should be regulated or banned.

While he did not say that those who attended the concert used the spray, marketed as WariActiv, he said he has seen videos of those at rave parties spraying the painkiller on handkerchiefs then inhaling it.

Among the ingredients of the spray is ethyl chloride, commonly known as “laughing gas.”

WariActiv is packaged in a pocket-sized pressurized canister that can be sprayed directly on the affected area on the body.

“Internet news reveal deaths in its misuse in other parts of the world. This could well be one of the drugs or substances used by some of the victims in the concert,” Sotto said.

Sotto said rave parties have become enablers and facilitators of the illegal drug trade, use and abuse.

“Marijuana and mind-altering substances are openly peddled and presumed. It’s a different ballgame. We do not mean to curtail their fun, we just want them to stay alive after the party’s over,” he said. – With Marvin Sy