Kaiser doctor says A Kaiser Permanente anesthesiologist has admitted to ordering controlled substances over the Internet that when mixed together produces gamma hydroxibutyric acid, or GHB, better known as the "date rape drug."
he felt Web drug
buy was legal
He admits to getting ingredients
that make the "date rape drug"By Debra Barayuga
dbarayuga@starbulletin.comIn a complaint filed in U.S. District Court yesterday, Dr. Peter Edward Fong told federal authorities he used the drugs to help him sleep. He claimed he thought it was legal to order the drugs.
Fong, who works at the Moanalua Medical Center, was arrested yesterday for importing quantities of gamma hydroxibutyric acid lactone, or GBL, and butanediol, or BD -- both industrial solvents closely related to GHB.
He was also charged with being an unlawful user of a controlled substance while in possession of firearms, a federal violation. He allegedly admitted to also using cocaine, marijuana and MDMA, more popularly known as "Ecstasy," which were found in his home.
According to postal inspector Cynthia Blank, GHB, GBL and BD are known "party drugs" that are highly addictive and have contributed to deaths due to overdose. Sexual assaults have also been reported by individuals who were knocked out after having been slipped these drugs in their beverages.
Bodybuilders sometimes use them to stimulate muscle growth. When ingested, the body converts GBL and BD into GHB, Blank noted.
Fong recently came to the attention of authorities after he placed orders for GBL and BD over the Internet from a Web site they had been monitoring.
The Web site, maintained by Daniel Pelchat, allegedly referred to GBL as "nail enamel remover" and BD as "ink stain remover."
Fong gave his address as 4224 Waialae Ave., No. 5-195 -- an establishment that rents out private mailboxes.
Federal authorities intercepted three packages containing the drugs on Sept. 17 that were mailed from Canada to the private mailbox. Fong picked up the packages early yesterday then drove to work where he was arrested.
During a search of his home yesterday, authorities seized about two ounces of cocaine, a half-ounce of marijuana, 79 tablets of what appeared to be Ecstasy, anaerobic steroids and more of a liquid that appeared to be GBL. Fong said the drugs were for personal use and that he had prescribed the steroids for himself, according to the complaint.
Five firearms, one of which was not registered with Honolulu police and ammunition were also recovered.
Fong said he had at one time owned up to 17 handguns, three rifles and a shotgun but has since sold most of them, Blank said.
If convicted, Fong faces maximum penalties of 20 years in prison for bringing in the drugs and 10 years for being an illegal drug user in possession of firearms.