Canada, US target 'date-rape' drug traffickers

US and Canadian authorities arrested 115 people and broke up four distribution rings in the first crackdown on Internet traffickers…

US and Canadian authorities arrested 115 people and broke up four distribution rings in the first crackdown on Internet traffickers of "date rape" drugs.

Mr Asa Hutchinson, director of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), said DEA agents and police officials began "Operation Webslinger" on Wednesday and were following up yesterday.

It has led to 115 arrests in 84 cities across the United States and in Quebec City, Canada.

"We have dismantled four nationwide drug distribution rings in this first-ever operation that targets Internet traffickers of the date-rape drugs called GHB, GBL and 1,4 Butanediol or BD," Mr Hutchinson said.

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The two-year investigation targeted individuals and organisations supplying large quantities of GHB, GBL and/or 1,4 Butanediol ordered over the Internet and delivered by mail. The drugs were advertised on websites and on Internet chat lines.