Customs reports rise in ecstasy seizures

CUSTOMS OFFICERS have reported a large increase in the discovery of ecstasy in items entering the Republic in the postal service and in private courier parcels.

The drug is one of a range of synthetic substances being discovered with much greater frequency since head shops and the psychoactive products they sold were banned under legislation in 2010.

Gardaí and Customs officers also believe ecstasy has begun to make a return because it is much cheaper than cocaine, the consumption of which has decreased since the recession began and disposable incomes were hit.

In 2010 the value of ecstasy seized by Customs stood at €3,390. Last year this increased to 41,000 tablets and 3kg of the drug in seizures throughout the year, with a combined estimated value of €700,000.

Other synthetic drugs that only emerged in the Republic in recent years when head shops were legal appear to be still in demand despite being banned in 2010. Security sources said they were regarded as being higher in purity and so more potent than cocaine or ecstasy.

Since the start of last year there has been a significant increase in these substances being found by Customs in the public and private postal systems. On-the-spot test kits are not available for these drugs, in the way they are for cocaine and heroin, and many of the seized items are still classed as “suspected synthetic drugs”. However, sources say the suspect parcels tested to date have almost always been found to contain banned synthetic substances.

The products, which are purchased online from websites outside the State, include:

Mephedrone:Also known as "snow blow", the stimulant was sold in head shops until the ban on psychoactive products. It mimics the effects of cocaine, ecstasy or amphetamine.

Methamphetamine: Use of the drug can lead to chronic addiction, psychological issues and physical problems including heart damage. It increases alertness and energy levels and leads to euphoria, and enhanced libido and self-confidence.

Methylone: It was sold in head shops under the name "Explosion". It is a stimulant like amphetamine but was sold as "room odorizer".

Naphyrone: Another stimulant drug, it was sold in head shops as "pond cleaner", often under the name NRG-1.

Pyrovalerone: Developed to treat conditions such as lethargy and chronic fatigue and to suppress appetite, the drug has been a popular recreational stimulant for many years. Highly addictive, its side-effects include anxiety and depression as well as anorexia.

With almost 700 seizures of synthetic drugs in the postal system in the first nine months of this year, security sources said there were insufficient resources for criminal investigations to catch all of those responsible.