nothing. reporter: and the trafficking of synthetics can be tough to prosecute, because as soon as the federal government deems one chemical compound illegal, foreign labs alter its molecular structure, producing a similar version that s not officially banned. the formulas are being tweaked all the time, and that s a problem. so, there s some degree of playing catch up. sort of like a whack-a-mole, where you whack one and then something else pops up? it s not a bad analogy. reporter: in tara s case, detectives had identified four local people, three high school students and a dealer, who were involved in the drug sales that lead to her death. and after months of digging, they finally found the main supplier, 19-year-old alexander claussen. he was caught with more than 300 doses of 25i. alex, you have a right to remain silent. anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. reporter: the drugs were seized and the entire distribution chain involved in
this whole process is so unscientific. reporter: it s a problem that s become a national concern as well. across the country, the drug enforcement administration has seen an increased number of cases involving synthetic drug sales, overdoses and deaths. we paid a visit to a nondescript building that s under intense security. it s the dea s research and testing lab, where we met with supervisory chemist, jill head. are we still in the midst of a growing epidemic when it comes to synthetics? i would say that we are. reporter: this dea lab has analyzed and identified more than 400 different types of synthetic drugs seized in the u. s.. most of these chemicals have one thing in common. they ve been manufactured for the sole purpose of creating a cheap, recreational high. this one is the base chemical that tara ingested. in this vial is 25i. reporter: is it just a powder? it is a powder.
Tupperware has been a staple in households all over the world for 77 years, but due to its “poor financial position”, this might come to an end very soon.
Scientists have long known that wild seabirds ingest bits of plastic pollution as they feed, but a study Monday shows the tiny particles don t just clog or transit the stomach but can subvert its complex mix of good and bad bacteria too.