Europe is No 1 ecstasy producer

EUROPE is the world leader in producing ecstasy and amphetamines but the authorities are trying a new way to tackle this illegal trade.

As well as going after the drugs themselves, customs and police are targeting the “innocent” chemicals, called precursors, vital to their production.

Last year alone they seized enough of these precursors to prevent the production of more than €2.5 billion worth of ecstasy and amphetamines.