Harry Potter pills seized
January 23 2003
Harry Potter's image was stamped on Ecstasy pills smuggled to the US to target children as young as 12, police said today.
New York detectives discovered 400,000 of the tablets imprinted with the young wizard's face and pictures of cartoon characters, including the Smurfs and the Flintstones.
"These Harry Potter brands are targeting a young audience," said Anthony Plasido, a special agent with the US Drug Enforcement Agency.
Officers charged 14 alleged members of an international Ecstasy ring with smuggling the pills into the Bronx from Spain.
Police said the pills were bought in Holland and brought to the US by couriers recruited in the Dominican Republic, Spain and America.
Couriers stuffed the drugs in bicycle shorts to avoid being detected when they arrived in the US on commercial flights, investigators said.
They said the pills, which sold for $US15 ($A25.50), were aimed at some children aged only 12 and 13.
PA
[ 24 January 2003: Message edited by: teXman01 ]
