Crackdown on herbal drug in city

Date Published: 07-Nov-2008

GARDAÍ in the city searched a number of premises yesterday for the substance known as herbal ecstasy which had been available ‘over the counter’ in head shops.

A senior Garda confirmed that searches had taken place in the Galway area yesterday as part of a nationwide crackdown on the substance. Superintendent Tom Curley of Galway Garda Station confirmed to the Galway City Tribune that herbal ecstasy was being treated as a ‘controlled substance’ by Gardaí.

“I can confirm that a number of searches were conducted yesterday in the Galway area and we are now awaiting the results of those,” said Supt. Curley.

Herbal ecstasy is a drug which can cause psychosis and other health problems but it was regarded as falling into a ‘grey area’ in terms of being defined as an illegal drug under the law.

It is normally sold in outlets known as head shops which specialise in selling herbal substances containing products having drug related effects.

The Galway City Tribune has learned that “a significant number” of…