Police in Tayside, armed with new legislation, are ramping up the war against “legal highs”.
They are taking a direct message to shops suspected of selling New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) that they face prosecution if caught selling banned chemicals.
Montrose police hand-delivered a letter to a High Street shop that spelt out their plan of attack now that a handful of chemicals have been prohibited.
It gave a candid warning of the consequences of ignoring the law change.
Letters will also go to shops in Dundee and Perth, and across Scotland, in a clampdown on the dangerous trade.
In Montrose, the letter was handed in to staff at Evapeolution, which sells e-cigarettes, but which police believe is also selling NPS products. Shop staff declined to comment.
The missive from Assistant Chief Constable Ruaraidh Nicolson, to shop owners, staff and landlords warns that they could be charged if illegal products are sold.
Head of policing in Angus, Chief Inspector Gordon Milne, is pleased that five chemicals, found in about half of the “legal highs” seized in Tayside, were now illegal.
The move has “taken the cuffs off the enforcers”, he said, adding: “With new powers, we will go looking for them.
“If we find someone in possession of the banned substances, or selling them, they will feel the full force of the law.
“My officers will be outside any shop selling NPS.
“They will remind any customers of the change in the law before they go into the shop and be there when they come out of the shop to ensure they understood the implications of the ban.
“NPS products are dangerous to people. Science has proved that and so have the tragedies visited upon too many families in Scotland and elsewhere.”
ACC Nicolson’s letter says people have been admitted to hospital after taking NPS.
All shops receiving the letter are suspected by Police Scotland of selling NPS products and are asked to stop immediately or face the consequences.
On April 10, five dangerous chemical were banned (for up to 12 months) while the independent Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs decides if they should be permanently banned.
Ethylphenidate, one of the drugs subject to the Temporary Class Drug Order (TCDO), is being used as an alternative to cocaine and is sold using many street names. The other drugs falling under the TCDO are 3,4-dichloromethylphenidate, methylnaphthidate, isopropylphenidate and propylphenidate.