Singapore-A new deadly cocktail of synthetic drugs is sweeping Southeast Asia, and authorities in the region have expressed concern that users may enter problem areas.
A powder mixture containing caffeine, diazepam, ketamine, ecstasy, methamphetamine and tramadol, known as “Happy Water”.
Diazepam and tramadol are prescription drugs, while ketamine, ecstasy and methamphetamine are regulated drugs in Singapore.
The mixture, which comes in a variety of colors and is packed in sachets, is dissolved in a liquid and consumed as a drink.
The cocktail has reportedly been found in entertainment venues in Thailand and Myanmar in recent months.
The Bangkok Post reported in April that Happy Water was sold at several bars in Pattaya, Thailand.
In Myanmar, officials said earlier this month that they were sold at bars, clubs and KTV stores throughout Yangon.
Last month’s report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) expressed concern about the emergence of cocktails.
Due to the surplus of synthetic drugs in the region, organized crime groups have seduced drug abusers by combining various illegal substances and selling them as what appears to be new products.
But Happy Water’s drug branding isn’t entirely new.
In 2010, a similar mixture of the same name was sold in China before it was banned, and authorities cracked it down.
However, according to UNODC, Happy Water has a different composition that includes ecstasy, methamphetamine, amphetamine, and ketamine.
In response to an inquiry from The Straits Times, a spokesman for the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) said he was monitoring the situation in the area, but there is still no trend in Singapore.
“The CNB is aware of reports of the emergence of Happy Water in areas containing controlled substances and is monitoring the situation,” a spokesman said.
“Currently, no trends have been detected in the Happy Water case in Singapore.”
However, a similar drug cocktail was recently confiscated by CNB.
In May, he raided a hotel in Brass Basa and arrested a 31-year-old man on suspicion of drug trafficking. It seized an assortment of medicines worth an estimated $ 177,000.
In the assortment was a 700g tampered pouch containing the drug. The pouch was labeled with various flavors of Korean milk tea.
A CNB spokesman said the agency has successfully intercepted illegal drugs such as heroin and cannabis, which are syndicates that disguise themselves as food in smuggling attempts.
“In some countries, illegal drugs such as cannabis have been added as ingredients in edible foods such as candies and cakes and are sold irresponsibly as harmless,” she said.
“The harmless appearance of these products can tempt unsuspecting young people to consume these drug-blended products and get drunk.”
A spokesman warned that the formulation of illegal drugs could put those who consume them at serious risk of compromising their health and even death.
Earlier this month, Thailand made cannabis non-criminalized. Cannabis is now widely available to the public.
However, CNB spokesmen warn that Singaporeans or permanent residents who consume drugs abroad will again be liable for drug consumption crimes, as if the crime had been committed in the Republic.
“Singapore has a zero-tolerance position on illegal drugs,” she said.
“CNB does not hesitate to take the necessary enforcement measures against those who ignore Singapore’s drug law.”
A person convicted of drug use may be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison and up to $ 20,000 in fines.
