The federal government introduced new legislation Monday to try to stem the overdose crisis across the country. 

The bill would make it easier to set up safe consumption sites and also proposes to prohibit the unregistered import of pill presses. And it would give border agents the ability to search international packages/envelopes weighing less than 30 grams if they suspect the item may contain drugs.

The proposed pill press ban reminded me of a March 2007 story I wrote as part of a series on synthetic drugs, which noted how easy it is to get a pill press online.

Here’s that report:

Need a pill press? Call Shanghai

Vancouver Sun 
Sat Mar 17 2007 
Page: A7 
Section: News 
Byline: Kim Bolan 
Source: Vancouver Sun 

A Vancouver Sun reporter had offers of pill press delivery from different Shanghai companies within an hour of sending out e-mails requesting information about purchases.

Winni Kong, sales representative with the Shanghai Tianfeng Pharmaceutical Machinery Co., offered three different pill press prices, depending on the capacity, ranging from $737 to $1,047 US.

She asked no questions about the purpose for the purchase and said the product would be shipped within 30 days “after confirmation of order” and take another 20 days to reach Vancouver by ship.

“Some of them are merchandise on hand, so don’t need so much time,” Kong said.

“We haven’t got agents there, but we have some clients in America. We always are at your service and are looking forward to hearing from you soon.”

Frank Gao, of Shanghai’s Pharmao Industries Co, offered even faster service and a better price — $700 US per pill press.

Gao said to ship by sea would cost $55 US per unit, but “if shipped by DHL [courier], should take three to four days to Vancouver.”

“Many customers like [to] ship this machine by DHL,” he said.

The courier cost quoted is $1,250 US per pill press — almost twice the cost of the machine.

Gao even provided a bank account number to which cash had to be transferred in order to get the process going and he said not to worry about it being a scam.

“We can deliver the machine within 10 days after receipt the payment. We sold many sets of TDP machines to U.S., so please do not worry about our credit,” he said.

Again, Gao asked nothing about the reason for the purchase.

Shanghai is also the most listed online location of pharmaceutical companies offering to sell methylamine hydrochloride and sodium borohydride, though none responded to The Sun’s e-mail inquiries about ordering the chemicals.

Insp. Brian Cantera, who heads RCMP E Division’s drug squad, was not surprised by the ease with which The Sun accessed willing vendors in Asia, saying it is just as easy for organized crime groups to get the presses.

“These guys produce this stuff and of course they bring in pill presses,” Cantera said.

“When you get Asian organized crime and they are bringing in a precursor and they are bringing in a pill press and these are both legal substances.

“Now you are following two perfectly legal items for which there is no accountability for them to have to report or say ‘hey this is a legitimate business.’ ”

kbolan@png.canwest.com

HI KIM …

Vancouver Sun reporter Kim Bolan went online this week and found out just how easy it is to import a pill press from China. Here is an e-mail exchange between Bolan and a representative from Shanghai-based Pharmao Industries Co., one of several overseas companies advertising pill presses for sale on the Internet.

I am inquiring about the importation of single tablet pill presses into Canada?

Are these easy to ship? How much are they per unit?

I am based in Vancouver, Canada.

Kim Bolan

On March 12, 2007, at 8:39 p.m., Frank wrote:

Hi Kim

The price of TDP single punch tablet press is USD700/set FOB Shanghai

The freight cost by sea is USD55 But many customers like ship this machine by DHL, the cost is USD1250

Best regards

Frank Gao

Do you require a minimum order for shipment? I suppose with DHL, a shipment could be here within days? Do you have an agent in Vancouver or another Canadian city?

Thanks for your quick response,

Kim

– – –

On March 12, 2007, at 8:51 p.m., Frank wrote:

Hi Kim

No minimum order for shipment

If ship by DHL, should take 3-4 days to Vancouver

We have not agent in Canada

Best regards

Frank Gao

Thanks Frank.

What is the mechanism for placing an order? Do I need to send a money order? Or is a credit card number okay?

Kim

On March 12, 2007, at 9:03 p.m., Frank wrote:

Hi, Kim

You can transfer the money to below bank account:

Bank name: CHINA MERCHANTS BANK SHANGHAI BRANCH

Account: 6225 8802 1940 8011

Can you recommend a secure bank here that will do the transaction? I would prefer not to use my own bank.

Kim

On March 12, 2007, at 9:16 p.m., Frank wrote:

Dear Kim

We only have this bank account, I think you can do the transaction easily from your side

Best regards

Frank Gao

Maybe I will try HSBC, which is the old Hong Kong Bank of Canada. What guarantee to I have that I will get the product if I send the money?

Kim

Hi Kim

We can deliver the machine within 10 days after receipt the payment. We sold many sets of TDP machines to US, so please do not worry about our credit.

We will equip the motor with 110V/60Hz, please confirm whether it is suitable for you.