Questions raised over Sars drugs bust

In what SA Revenue Service (Sars) customs has classified as a “drugs bust”, a container was last month detained in Durban. According to the authority’s web-site, in a routine dog search at a Durban container depot, customs detained large quantities of soda ash, methylene chloride and sodium bicarbonate. The reason for the detention of these substances, according to the authorities, was that they were frequently used in the illicit manufacture of narcotics, drugs and psychotropic substances, and were monitored by SA law and UN conventions. The word from the authorities was: “All relevant documentation is being examined and the docket will be handed over to the appropriate law enforcement agency.” The seizure was made on the grounds that these substances were “frequently used” to make illegal drugs. But, according to FTW research, they are also “frequently used” for other purposes. It could therefore be assumed that a primary case for the defence could be the common uses of these three chemical substances in industry today. And, in each case, they are many. For example, soda ash (the common name for sodium carbonate – Na2CO3), has significant economic importance because of its applications in manufacturing glass, chemicals, paper, detergents and many other products. It has been used since ancient times – by the Egyptians for making glass containers as early as 3 500 BC. Nowadays it is used in glass, soap, drugs, paper, ceramics, textiles, metallurgy, chemicals, petroleum, photography, leather processing, agriculture, water softening, illuminating gas, sugar, foods, dyes, and shellac. Glass is the most significant use – with more than 50% of all sodium carbonate produced around the world used for this purpose. Methylene chloride is predominantly used as a solvent in paint strippers and removers; as a process solvent in the manufacture of drugs, pharmaceuticals, and film coatings; as a metal cleaning and finishing solvent in electronics manufacturing; and as an agent in urethane foam blowing. It is also used as a propellant in aerosols for products such as paints, automotive products and insect sprays; an extraction solvent for spice oleoresins, hops and for the removal of caffeine from coffee; and is also approved for use as a postharvest fumigant for grains and strawberries and as a de-greening agent for citrus fruit. Sodium bicarbonate (a derivative of soda ash and commonly referred to as baking soda) is primarily used in cooking (baking), as a leavening agent. Its applications are in cooking; neutralisation of acids and bases; medical uses; personal hygiene; in sports as a speed booster; as a cleaning agent; as a biopesticide; and as a cattle feed supplement. FTW was unable to get any further information on the case from the depot management. INSERT • Soda ash • Methylene chloride • Sodium bicarbonate ... frequently used to make drugs but also used for other purposes