Ecstasy labs

The number of ecstasy labs dismantled fell by 40 per cent in 2005 to just 52 labs, 20 per cent less than in... 

Over the 2000-2005 period (n = 379), 42 per cent of all ecstasy labs were dismantled in Europe, 41 per cent in the Americas, 8 per cent in Asia, 7 per cent in Oceania and 2 per cent in Africa. Since 2003, more labs have been dismantled in the Americas than in Europe, and ecstasy for domestic consumption in North America is increasingly being produced locally. Most US ecstasy seizures now take place along the Canadian border. The proportion of ecstasy smuggled out of Europe (traditionally from the Netherlands) to the USA, has declined in recent years. In parallel, there are also reports of increasing production of ecstasy in South-East Asia. 

The largest numbers of ecstasy labs dismantled in 2005 were reported from Canada (19) and the USA (18), followed by the Netherlands (8) and Belgium (5). In addition, some ecstasy labs were dismantled in Australia, but were included under the category of ATS laboratories, with no detailed breakdown provided. Ecstasy labs were also seized in Indonesia and India in 2005. 

Over the 2000-2005 period, the largest numbers of ecstasy labs were dismantled in the Netherlands (111), followed by the USA (83), Canada (71) and Belgium (26). Double-digit numbers of seized labs were reported from Australia, Indonesia and China. Five or more laboratories were dismantled in the UK, South Africa, Hong Kong SAR of China and Estonia. Non-European seizures of labs included New Zealand, Mexico, Argentina, Egypt, India and Malaysia. 

High doses cause paranoia and anxiety. Abuse of MDMA and MDA has become a worldwide problem. For a list of substances to expect to find in an Ecstasy lab, see Box 7-1. 

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