DUSHANBE, March 11, 2011, Asia-Plus — Officers from the Customs Service’s office for Sughd province prevented an attempt of smuggling 7,228 kilograms of sulfuric acid into Tajikistan on March 10, the source at the Customs Service under the Government of Tajikistan told Asia-Plus Friday afternoon.
According to him, sulfuric acid is listed as a precursor used in the illicit manufacture of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances. “If the seized amount of sulfuric acid fell into hands of criminal rings, it would be enough for manufacturing some 4 tons of narcotic drugs,” the source said, adding that investigation over that sulfuric acid smuggling has been launched.
We will recall that last year, Sughd customs officers seized more than 400 kilograms of acetic anhydride that was smuggled into the province out of neighboring Kyrgyzstan. Acetic anhydride can also be used as precursor for manufacturing narcotic drugs.
Sulfuric acid is a strong mineral acid. Its historical name is vitriol and it is soluble in water at all concentrations. Sulfuric acid has many applications, and is a central substance in the chemical industry. Principal uses include lead-acid batteries for cars and other vehicles, ore processing, fertilizer manufacturing, oil refining, wastewater processing, and chemical synthesis.
International commerce of sulfuric acid is controlled under the United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, 1988, which lists sulfuric acid under Table II of the convention as a chemical frequently used in the illicit manufacture of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances.
