Belgian pharma companies suspected of supplying drugs to Mexican baron

Seven Belgian pharmaceutical companies are accused of supplying a Mexican drugs baron with ingredients to make millions of methamphetamine pills, according to Belgian media reports on Wednesday.

The drugs concerned are composed of ephedrine, a harmless substance also used in cough syrup. However, ephedrine is also used in the production of crystal methamphetamine.

According to reports, 66 million ephedrine pills were sold by Belgian suppliers to Ezio Figueroa-Vasquez, a manufacturer of methamphetamine on U.S. authorities' most-wanted list. He risks life imprisonment in the United States.

The Belgian companies suspected of involvement say they were unaware of the final destination of pills. However, the Belgian public prosecutor believes that the companies acted knowingly.

It is reported that email exchanges and telephone conversations contradict the companies' claims. A decision on whether prosecutions will be brought is expected on April 5.

The market value of the drugs made from the pills is estimated at nearly 360 million euros (396 million U.S. dollars). Endit