Two held over €1m drugs seizure

Gardaí have seized more than €1 million worth of the drug BZP which was only criminalised earlier this year.

Gardaí have seized more than €1 million worth of the drug BZP which was only criminalised earlier this year.

Detectives found the drugs during the raid on the house in the Lanesborough area of Finglas under the anti-gang initiative, Operation Anvil yesterday afternoon.

During the search, more than 200,000 Benzylpiperazine tablets (BZP), with an estimated street value of €1.17 million, were seized. In addition, €7,500 worth of cannabis herb was also recovered.

BZP had been sold as “legal” ecstasy but was declared controlled and criminalised by Minister for Health Mary Harney on April 1st.

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BZP is a relatively new synthetic psychotropic (mood altering) substance had been openly on sale in “head stores” for a number of years. The drug has various street names including: A2, Benny Bear, Legal E, Legal X, party pills or piperazine.

Ms Harney declared BZP a controlled substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977, which means that its possession or sale is now a criminal offence.

A 20-year-old female and a 17-year-old male were arrested at scene of the raid and are being held under section 2 of the Drug Trafficking Act at Blanchardstown Garda Station.