It causes permanent damage to bladder and kidneys, yet Belgian uses more and more ketamine: « The increase is alarming » (inland)

Nice keta with the girlsthe Dutch singer Merol sings. An analysis of the sewage water in Flanders and Brussels shows that the use of ketamine in our country is absolutely no fiction. The doctoral study of Natan van Wichelen (UA) revealed that we use seven to eleven times more ketamine than in 2012. This is apparent from an analysis of water samples at 26 locations. Antwerp and Rotterdam in particular score particularly high.

Kristian Vanderwaeren, head of the General Administration of Customs and Excise, part of the FPS Finance for nine years, agrees that alarming trend. It was originally developed as an anesthetic in hospitals and veterinary medicine, partygoers in the nightlife are increasingly sniffing more « Ket », special K « and »Vitamin K ”.

It is half cheaper than cocaine and ensures a dreamy, floating intoxication. But it leads to serious health problems such as brain damage or the « ketamine bladder syndrome », with permanent damage to bladder and kidneys. Moreover, it is extremely addictive.

« These days we are increasingly finding chemically pure ketamine, » says Vanderwaeren. « Especially derived from the legal pharmaceutical circuit and subsequently resold illegally. »

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Big Business abroad

The illegal output of ketamine towards the United States, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, mostly through postal and courier shipments, is increasingly increasing. This year alone, 56.8 kilograms were taken at the airports of Zaventem and Liège. For example, there was a passenger who had 16.4 kilograms of pure ketamine in his pocket and wanted to fly to Germany with it.

« You pay 25 euros for a gram of ketamine, » says Vanderwaeren. « It has mainly become a story of export, with prices that are three times higher there. »

The intercepted ketamine was hidden in a music installation, paint pots, protein shakes and all kinds of mail packages. Customs announced on Tuesday that it would check extra in the coming months. « The increase is alarming, so permanent vigilance is needed. »Also view. Ketamine is on the rise in Antwerp

© ATV