Ephedrine methamphetamine manufacture from

In 2006, more than 1.2 tons of bulk ephedrine were seized in India, 1.3 tons were seized in Myanmar and amounts smaller than 100 kg were seized in Kazakhstan, the Philippines and the Republic of Korea. While there is a growing body of information about routes used for smuggling ephedrines into the Americas, less is known about East Asia, where substances used for the licit manufacture of methamphetamine are probably diverted into illicit channels from domestic distribution channels. 

Phenylpropanolamine (PPA). Until recently, PPA was widely available in a number of nonprescription cold medications and diet control products. Adverse effects are similar to those described for ephedrine. In response to an FDA warning of increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke, especially in women, PPA has been withdrawn from the market by most manufacturers. Before this withdrawal, PPA was another popular starting product for synthesis of S(-f-)-methamphetamine. PPA is also a metabolite of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine. 

While the largest seizures of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine are reported primarily in countries in North America and South-East Asia, where the problem of illicit manufacture of methamphetamine is well documented, the Board is concerned that, during 2004, seizure reports indicating use in illicit manufacture were received from all regions. As is shown in figure I, traffickers are currently using... 

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