IA #31-05 - Revised 10/2/92, "HERBAL TEAS CONTAINING COCAINE"
TYPE OF ALERT: Guidance
PRODUCT : Peruvian herbal tea called "Health Inca Tea" and
Bolivian herbal tea
PRODUCT CODE : 31PFH08
HARMONIZED
CODE : N/A
PROBLEM : Poisonous or deleterious substance (PSNC), cocaine
PAC FOR
COLLECTION : 09006A
COUNTRY : Peru (PE,720), Bolivia (BO, 205)
MANUFACTURERS/
SHIPPERS : Health Inca Tea manufacturerd by:
Enaco for Inca Coca Tea Peruana S.A., Lima, Peru
Bolivian Tea manufactured by:
Laboratorios Alfa LTDA
Division De Fitoterapia
Plaza Uyuni, 115-131
La Paz, Bolivia
MANUFACTURER/
SHIPPER I.D.#: N/A
IMPORTER'S
I.D. # : N/A
CHARGE : N/A
RECOMMENDING
OFFICE : Division of Import Operations & Policy (HFC-170)
and Baltimore District (HFR-MA270)
REASON FOR
ALERT : Import Alert #31-05 was originally issued in 1986
in response to a published article (JAMA 1/3/86)
which reported that a Peruvian Herbal Tea called
"Health Inca Tea" contained cocaine. The Drug
Enforcement Agency (DEA) confirmed that they had
seized several shipments of this tea in Hawaii,
Chicago, Georgia, and other locations on the East
Coast. Each analysis they had performed revealed
the presence of cocaine. DEA has stated the
product may be imported by ^
of New York, N.Y.<<< and/or by a firm called ^^ and/or by a firm called >>>
^
DEA was alerted to the problem previous to 1986
when the military was finding traces of cocaine in
individuals who consumed the tea.
The Health Inca Tea label indicated the product
was manufactured by "Enaco for Inca Coca Tea
Peruana S.A. Lima, Peru." The product label also
indicated the product was made from decocainized
coca leaves.
In July 1992, Baltimore District discovered and
sampled a commercial shipment of tea from Bolivia.
The product was labeled in part, "Mates Amancay
*C.A.M. Triple Mate Coca-Anis-Manzanilla *
Laboratorios Alfa Ltda. * La Paz Bolivia**" with
no English labeling. There were 100 tea bags in
envelopes per box. CIN-DO confirmed cocaine
derivative in the product.
INSTRUCTIONS : The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) continues its
interest in this problem and has agreed to take
seizure action against any importation of herbal
teas containing cocaine. If these products are
encountered, contact Mr. Paul Hugentobar at DEA
headquarters, telephone number 202-307-4747. Mr.
Snyder will inform the local DEA office of the
shipment and they will seize it. DO NOT SIGN MAY
PROCEED NOTICES which would release shipments.
PRIORITIZATION
GUIDANCE : I
FOI : Purging between ^ ^ is required.
KEYWORDS : Health Inca Tea, Cocaine, Peru, DEA, Bolivia
PREPARED BY : Linda A. Wisniowski, DIOP, 301-443-6553.
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