Feds seize 113 pounds of 'party drugs' at Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron

Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press
Updated ·1 min read
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Hidden among a commercial shipment of goods, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers spied vacuum-sealed packages that seemed out of place and, they thought, might even have been part of an effort to smuggle in illegal drugs.

Testing, the federal agency said Friday, revealed the packages were filled with MDMA.

The officers seized about 113 pounds of the so-called "party drug," known on the street as ecstasy, e, x, molly and mandy, on July 25 at the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron and detained the commercial vehicle the suspicious packages were on, pending further investigation by Homeland Security.

A synthetic chemical, the drug enhances tactile experiences, reduces inhibitions and boosts sexual sensations.

Acting Port Director Scott Opalka praised the officers, adding that the seizure showcased the “vigilance and dedication our officers display on a daily basis” and their actions prevented the drugs “from entering our local community.”

Officers seized 113 pounds of MDMA, also known as ecstacy, at the Blue Water Bridge on July 25, 2023, and prevented it from entering America.
Officers seized 113 pounds of MDMA, also known as ecstacy, at the Blue Water Bridge on July 25, 2023, and prevented it from entering America.

The agency did not say whether there were arrests.

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, ecstasy — sometimes written as ETC — is primarily manufactured in clandestine laboratories in Canada and smuggled across U.S. borders, where it finds its way into the hands of adolescents and young adults.

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In scientific terms, the drug is called 3, 4-methyl​enedioxy​methamphetamine and acts as a potent empathogen–entactogen with stimulant and minor psychedelic properties. It tends to alter sensations, and, in some, increases energy, empathy, and pleasure.

The drug comes in tablet and crystal form, and may be mixed with other drugs, including methamphetamine, ketamine, cocaine, and caffeine. A big danger of the drug, the DEA added, is that it can lead to harmful overdoses and death.

Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or fwitsil@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: US Customs seize shipment of MDMA from Canada at Blue Water Bridge