Dennis RomeroThree gallons of a precursor to the date-rape and rave drug GHB were seized at LAX, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials announced today.
If you know anything about this stuff, a “cap” full will do, and three gallons would be enough to “date rape” just about the entire population of county jail.
Customs authorities said the drug seized was actually Gamma-Butyrolactone, a.k.a. GBL, which is used by enterprising club douches throughout the greater Cahuenga Corridor, apparently, to make GHB. Where did it come from (if you guess right you get a free shot of G):
China!
Sometimes used by athletes, GHB is a Schedule 1 federal outlaw drug, meaning there's really no legit use for it (other than making ravers pass out).
A jug o' fun.; Credit: CBP
GBL, on the other hand, has some great uses. According to Customs:
The sale of GBL is illegal for any purpose other than intended industrial and legitimate applications. GBL is used in the production of paint thinners, pesticides, herbicides, ink, glue removers, and other products.
(Glue removers? This stuff sounds demonic).
Authorities said smugglers tried to disguise the GBL in a three-gallon jug shipped through air freight. It was tagged as “”Propylene Glycol,” according to Customs.
The street value? A whopping $1,414, enough to pay the rent for one Westside immigrant. Maybe.
Anyway, here's your obligatory quote from Todd C. Owen the CBP's field director in L.A:
This is a significant interception by our CBP officers at LAX. CBP is on the frontline at our nation's ports of entry targeting and stopping illegal shipments containing dangerous substances that threaten the health and safety of our nation's youth.
Word. Stuff is so hard to find at L.A. after-hours spots.
[@dennisjromero/djromero@laweekly.com]
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