South Korean authorities detect new synthetic drug in parcel from France

The agency said a chemical structure analysis confirmed that it is a new synthetic drug that has been reported for the first time in the world.

12 Feb 2025 08:28pm
For illustration purposes only. - (Photo generated by AI)
For illustration purposes only. - (Photo generated by AI)

SEOUL- South Korea's customs agency said Wednesday it has detected a new type of synthetic drug for the first time in an international parcel from France, Yonhap News Agency reported.

The compound, identified as 4-Benzyloxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine, shares similarities with mescaline, a psychedelic substance commonly used as a party drug, according to the Korea Customs Service.

The agency said a chemical structure analysis confirmed that it is a new synthetic drug that has been reported for the first time in the world.

Authorities said they had discovered the compound in an unidentified powder during routine inspections.

Mescaline is a natural psychedelic derived from the Mexican peyote cactus and the San Pedro cactus, native to Peru and Ecuador. It induces hallucinogenic effects similar to those of LSD and magic mushrooms. - BERNAMA

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