GARDAI have uncovered a significant illicit drugs manufacturing facility in a house in Galway city. Equipment and a consignment of raw amphetamine worth at least £6,000 were found.
The drugs unit at Mill Street station raided the house in the Tirellan area after a period of surveillance. A man and a woman who were in the house have been questioned and a file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
A Garda spokesman said yesterday that there had been a large increase in the use of amphetamines, known as "speed", in Galway. It had recently taken over from ecstasy as the most widely abused drug in the city.
Among the items seized were chemical manufacturing equipment, surgical gloves, face masks and specialist clothing.
"Young people are under the impression that speed is much safer to take than ecstasy but that is far from the case. It is a Class A drug, like cocaine, and can be much more dangerous than ecstasy," the spokesman added.