The Rising Threat of Liquid Synthetic Cannabinoids in Mauritius

The emergence of liquid synthetic cannabinoids is posing a severe health risk in Mauritius, where this highly hallucinogenic and toxic substance has captured the attention of law enforcement agencies and social workers alike.

Priced between Rs 3,000 and Rs 4,000 for a mere 30 milliliters, this substance is reportedly being consumed in areas such as Pointe-aux-Sables and several suburbs of Port-Louis.

In a notable operation in 2022, the Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA) confiscated 3.25 liters of liquid synthetic cannabinoids hidden in two alcohol bottles, which were valued at over one million US dollars.

Despite this significant seizure bringing the issue to light, subsequent police reports indicated no further major confiscations.

Still, the dangers posed by liquid synthetic cannabinoids appear far from abated.

While the MRA only began acknowledging this hazardous product in 2022, various social workers and community members assert that it has been circulating in Mauritius since 2020, shortly after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Defi Media’s sources, including those previously employed by the Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit, contend that the substance may have emerged as early as 2018, initially confined to exclusive social circles during high-end parties.

According to an informant familiar with the early trafficking of liquid synthetic cannabinoids, the product was referred to as “dab” when it first made its debut in the Mauritian market between 2018 and 2019.

This “dab,” a concentrated form of cannabis often found in wax or resin, is characterized by its extremely high levels of THC, the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis.

Methods of Consumption

The consumption of “dab” involved heating a small metal or quartz apparatus and placing the cannabis concentrate on it with a special tool.

The heat vaporized the concentrate, which is then inhaled. Given its potency, it requires caution and some level of experience.

Another method involved soaking the “dab” in rolling paper, mixed with traditional cannabis for amplified effects.

Experts have raised red flags regarding the health risks associated with liquid synthetic cannabinoids.

Their arrival in Mauritius has sparked major concerns, especially among authorities and social workers.

Even though law enforcement seizures remained sporadic, evidence suggested that trafficking of this substance is continuing, supported by a persistent underground market.

In late 2020, during a seminar organized by the NGO Prevention Information and the Fight Against AIDS (PILS), a forensic expert from the Forensic Scientific Laboratory (FSL) highlighted the rising presence of synthetic drugs in Mauritius, particularly “dab” and liquid synthetic cannabinoids.

The expert’s remarks shed light on alarming characteristics of these substances, which are far from harmless.

High Potency and Health Risks

Analyses conducted by the FSL have shown that cannabis-derived products like liquid synthetic cannabinoids and “dab” can be up to four times more potent than traditional local cannabis.

While THC levels in local cannabis typically hover around 35%, these new products exhibit concentrations ranging from 75% to 80%.

Such extreme levels explained the near-instantaneous effects experienced post-consumption, a stark contrast to traditional cannabis, which usually requires several minutes before users feel its impact.

The speed at which these products affect users is raising significant alarms.

Inhalation of liquid synthetic cannabinoids or “dab” can trigger effects within mere seconds, leading to intense disorientation, respiratory difficulties, severe anxiety attacks, and a notable increase in heart rate.

Users often find themselves overwhelmed by intense panic, making the experience particularly distressing.

For seasoned users, such effects might feel uniquely psychedelic, but novices may find them deeply unpleasant and potentially dangerous.

The intensity of these reactions can vary widely, heightening physical and mental health risks.

A Harrowing Experience

Cassim, a young man accustomed to traditional cannabis, shared his story to underscore the dangers of liquid synthetic cannabinoids.

He recounted an incident where he used a vaporizer to inhale the product, believing it would mimic his previous experiences.

“My friend advised me to take just two puffs, but since I felt nothing, I took two more,” he recalled.

What followed was beyond his worst fears. Within ten seconds of the additional inhalation, Cassim experienced violent effects.

“It felt like I wasn’t myself anymore. I started shaking and felt I could fall at any moment. I asked my friend to find me a quiet spot,” he said, his anxiety palpable.

The effects were almost instantaneous, leaving him in a state of panic and confusion, unable to remain still and with a powerful urge to vomit.

“The next thirty minutes were the most intense of my life. I couldn’t appreciate it; it was too much for my body.

It wasn’t until about thirty minutes later that the effects began to fade,” he recalled.

An Invisible Trade

The trafficking of liquid synthetic cannabinoids largely remains under the radar of authorities.

This troubling trend is facilitated by the substance itself: it is odorless, allowing for discreet consumption even in public settings.

A former source from the Anti-Drug Smuggling Unit noted that “a person can consume it in front of a police officer using a vaporizer, and the officer wouldn’t notice.”

This characteristic makes detection particularly challenging, complicating monitoring and enforcement efforts.

In 2022, authorities managed to seize 3.25 liters of liquid synthetic cannabinoids, a notable quantity but insufficient to curb the ongoing problem.

Reports indicated that trafficking remained active despite this significant confiscation, with police sources confirming the product’s continued availability in the market.

Currently, vaporizers are the primary means of consumption for liquid synthetic cannabinoids, favored over older methods like “dab,” which have become less popular.

The discreet and effective nature of vaporizer use exacerbates the challenges faced by law enforcement in identifying and controlling the product.

Ineffective Police Interventions

Informants have reported the existence of liquid synthetic cannabinoid trafficking in regions like Pointe-aux-Sables and certain suburbs of Port-Louis, including Plaine-Verte and Batterie-Cassée.

However, police raids in these areas have so far yielded little success, highlighting the substantial difficulties authorities face in intercepting this product despite prior warnings.

A Lucrative Illegal Market

Today, the trade in liquid synthetic cannabinoids is regarded as extraordinarily lucrative due to its high price.

With costs ranging from Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000 for 30 milliliters, a quantity sufficient for a week’s use, traffickers capitalize on the potent and intoxicating effects of the product, charging premium prices to maximize their profits.

The liquid synthetic cannabinoid crisis in Mauritius is presenting a complex challenge, one necessitating urgent attention from both authorities and community leaders working to mitigate the risks associated with this increasingly prevalent substance.

Source: Defi Media