China toughens regulation of hydroxylimine

Further proof that the global Ketamine scourge is a force to be reckoned with, notoriously regulation-free China has decided to crack down on sales and trasport of hydroxlimine, a popular ketamine precursor.

China has stepped up control of hydroxylimine, a raw material for synthesizing the drug ketamine, to prevent it from being used illegally, said a notice jointly issued by six government departments, including the Ministry of Public Security, on Tuesday.

Starting from Aug. 1, hydroxylimine will be added to the Category I list in the Regulation on Management of Drug-Making Chemicals. It is considered one of the most dangerous precursor chemicals used for making narcotics, the notice said.

According to a 2005 regulation, relevant parties must obtain licenses prior to the production, distribution, purchase, transport and import and export of precursor chemicals.

Hmm. I guess all the black market K has to come from India, the Phillipines, and central Africa now.