Director of PDI denies link between seized ephedrine and Mexican drug cartels

SANTIAGO.- The general director of the Bureau of Police Investigations (PDI), Arturo Herrera, has denied today that the ephedrine seized yesterday in Valparaiso and Santiago is linked to Mexican narco-traffickers.

"I have asked Mexico questions by way of Interpol and there is no evidence linking this ephedrine with any cartels, as had been suggested", stated Herrera.

The PDI director added that there is also no evidence to suggest that there is a drug cartel or an organized group behind the narcotics.

The police chief added that authorities are currently trying to determine the final intended destination of the drugs, and said that the company involved will have to justify why they possessed the ephedrine, in the case that they use natural elements to formulate their medications.

Herrera also assured that authorities are looking into the law and that modifications are being made, but indicated that until now they have "been working efficiently".

The PDI director denied that ephedrine trafficking is becoming more common in Chile, arguing that the drug confiscations "will encourage traffickers to look for other routes".