Raids net deadly Mitsubishi drug
By Gemma Jones
November 1, 2004
LETHAL tablets of the same drug believed responsible for the deaths of two people over the past month were seized by police in raids at Kings Cross and the city early yesterday.
Police officers recovered up to 100 illegal pills, including 3½ "Red Mitsubishi" tablets.
Officers were alarmed by the discovery of the ecstasy-based drug, which killed 19-year-old Danielle Chalon just four weeks ago.
Ms Chalon collapsed at Kings Cross and died later in hospital after taking half an "Orange CK" tablet, which is also sold as Red Mitsubishi but is considered more dangerous.
Just eight days ago, 38-year-old South Australian man Steven Fotineas died in a North Adelaide motel room from a suspected overdose of Red Mitsubishi.
Just a small amount of the drug can cause a deadly increase in blood pressure and body temperature.
Twelve MTV ecstasy tablets - which police say are as dangerous as Red Mitsubishi - cocaine, amphetamines and filled syringes were seized during yesterday's raid.
Most clubbers dumped the drugs on nightclub floors as police and a drug sniffer dog entered venues in Oxford St and George St to search patrons.
Inspector John Behrendt, the target action group leader from City Central Police said he was surprised to see the drug was still circulating.
"Especially since that girl died, you would wonder why people are still dealing in that when it is so dangerous," he said.
"With all the publicity you would think people would pay attention."
Ms Chalon was out with friends on October 1 when she took half an Orange CK tablet on her way to Kings Cross, where she collapsed.
She died three days later at Nepean Hospital when her life support machine was switched off after doctors discovered bleeding on her brain.
Several other people have been hospitalised after taking the drug, which police warn is often sold as ecstasy but contains paramethoxy-amphetamine or PMA, which is a far more dangerous substance.
After yesterday's operation, 16 people were charged with drug possession offences, with one woman allegedly found with the 12 MTV ecstasy tablets.
Another 14 people were issued with cautions for cannabis possession.
In the highly-visible operation, officers carrying seized syringes and bags of powder emerged from Arq nightclub just after 1am.
They moved down Oxford St, searching patrons in clubs including Kinselas at 1.30am and the Colombian Hotel just before 2am.
The 17 police involved in the operation recorded 94g of drugs, which were discarded on nightclub floors as police entered.
Insp Behrendt said several of the alleged offenders were arrested.
) message? Maybe we should be distributing info on how to recognise early signs & symptoms of heart attack, so people know what to do if they experience them.
