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Drugs

The Raw Materials for a Billion Ecstasy Pills Have Been Seized in the Netherlands

The mountains of chemicals were stored inside a truck trailer parked near the Belgian border.

(Photo: DEA, via)

The Netherlands is the world's capital for ecstasy production. Not much of a surprise, then, that police there have announced they've seized a haul of raw material that would have been enough to make a billion ecstasy pills.

The materials found included 100,000 bottles of hydrogen gas, 15,000kg of caustic soda and 3,000 litres of other chemicals, and were stored inside a truck trailer parked near Rilland, a village close to the Belgian border.

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In recent years, the Netherlands has had the highest rates of MDMA in their ecstasy pills, more potent than any others found across the globe. "Super pills" are also making their way throughout Europe, with some containing a ridiculous 270-340 mg of MDMA, up considerably from the average of 50-80 mg in pressed pills in the 1990s and 2000s.

Police haven't given many details – an estimate for the obviously ridiculous street value of a billion pills, for example, or if anyone has been arrested, or how this will affect the supply of ecstasy in the coming months. They have, however, said they are investigating who was behind the drugs haul.

More on ecstasy:

WATCH: High Society – Ecstasy

How Your Menstrual Cycle Can Affect Your Reaction to MDMA

What a Legal Drugs Market In the UK Would Look Like