Updated: 2.30 pm
GARDAÍ IN DUBLIN’s north inner city this morning seized half a kilo of the synthetic stimulant PVP, the active ingredient in a dangerous designer drug known as “bath salts.”
As part of an operation codenamed “Hesitate,” 60 members of the force joined with the Garda National Drugs Unit in arresting seven individuals in the city.
They seized €17,000 worth of the drug PVP (alpha-Pyrrolidinopentophenone), a chemical compound which is often used as the active ingredient in MDPV (methylenedioxypyrovalerone).
MPDV has become infamous in recent years as “bath salts”, and has been linked to a number of deaths in the US and beyond, and can induce severe paranoia and aggression in users.
Gardaí also seized small quantities of cannabis, drug paraphernalia and a car, which has been taken to Store Street Garda station for a technical examination.
The eight males arrested this morning included six adults and two teenage boys.
Seven were held after raids this morning between 7.30 and 8am, with the final suspect being arrested later in the morning.
The adults will appear later today at the Criminal Courts of Justice, one of the juveniles will appear at the children’s court, and the other will be subject to the Juvenile Diversion programme, according to a Garda statement.
The six-week covert Operation Hesitate targeted drug-dealing in the north inner city, in particular the St Mary’s Mansions close to Connolly Station.
Read: ‘Designer drugs’ being sold as ‘bath salts’ and ‘spice’ causing concern>
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