methaqualone

The substance causing members to get sick from the exhibits was Methaqualone, the active ingredient of Mandrax, emitting toxic vapour causing members to get sick and feel nauseous.

“Commissioner, it is Methaqualone. So, the active ingredient of Mandrax is Methaqualone. But some people will tell you it is the Anthranilic acid that actually gives off the vapour that is so toxic. It is not a pleasant smell, Commissioner. ... The smell is what we are talking about here. So that is what makes you sick. It makes you nauseous. It can give you heart palpitations. ... They did get sick. And that is, it is true, you do get sick.”

Methaqualone is sold bound into tablets in South Africa, crushed and smoked, causing the toxic smell and fumes.

“The Methaqualone is bound into a tablet, and the tablet is then taken and sold. You do not swallow the tablet. You actually crush the tablet and mix it with something else, and then you smoke it. ... The smell, to conceal it, it was in thick vacuum-packed plastic. ... The South African Police's exhibit bags have micro-perforations that allow fumes to escape, causing sickness to members.”

Methaqualone is used medically for PTSD and sleep deprivation therapies but is abused recreationally; it produces relaxation but is not a regulated medicine.

“It is actually used for PTSD and sleep deprivation therapy, and a couple of other therapies. But it is known in America as Quaaludes. ... It relaxes you. ... Medicine is regulated. We know what the reactions are. Drugs is a different story.”

Clan labs manufacture Methaqualone and Mandrax; cocaine bricks are waterproof and wrapped in multiple layers to prevent detection by smell or narcotics detection.

“Clan labs deal with respect of Methaqualone as well. ... The brick is transported by road and sea. If it gets dumped into the water, it must float or be able to be recovered. It is worth a lot of money. Therefore, it is waterproof. I have dismantled many, many, many Cocaine bricks. It is layer upon layer upon layer of cling wrap, latex housing, condoms, and then again more, and then tape, and then again more, to stop the fume coming out of the box, if I can say that.”

Synthetic drugs in South Africa are made by chemical processes rather than derived from natural plants, with chemicals sourced through lawful supply chains but diverted for unlawful purposes. Controlled substances used to manufacture synthetic drugs are also imported illegally or smuggled into South Africa. The most prevalent synthetic drugs are methamphetamine (crystal meth or tik), and methaqualone (Mandrax). Facilities producing synthetic drugs are called clandestine drug laboratories (CDLs), including super labs and kitchen labs. Kitchen labs are often located in businesses or residential areas and use readily available equipment like stoves.

“Synthetic drugs are manufactured through chemical processes rather than derived from natural plants sources. In many instances, since they are not classified as controlled substances in South Africa, the chemicals used to manufacture the drug are sourced through lawful supply chains but are then diverted or misused for unlawful purposes. Controlled substances are also imported illegally or smuggled into South Africa. The most prevalent synthetic drugs in the country are methamphetamine, known as crystal meth or tik, methaqualone, known as mandrax. Synthetic drugs are manufactured at what is referred to as clandestine drug laboratories or CDLs. There are super labs and kitchen labs. Kitchen labs are found in businesses and residential areas and the equipment used to manufacture the drugs are the readily available equipment such as stoves and other kitchen equipment or appliances.”

Methamphetamine manufacture in South Africa uses controlled substance ephedrine imported mainly as a liquid form from the ephedra tree in Afghanistan. The active ingredient for methaqualone (mandrax) is methaqualone itself. Ephedrine is imported illegally or smuggled because it is controlled and cannot be lawfully purchased without legitimate reasons such as medicine manufacturing. Smuggling occurs via misrepresentation on import documents or illegal importation.

“when it comes to methamphetamine, the controlled substance used there is ephedrine. You get plant-based ephedrine from the ephedra tree in Afghanistan and then you get the chemicals. Obviously, that is man-made or laboratory-made and that is the ephedrine as a liquid in a liquid form. And then the active ingredient of methaqualone, of mandrax, is methaqualone. ... So it means that the only way to get it into the country is by means of either misrepresentations on the import documents or smuggling activities into South Africa.”