'Sex Drugs' Seized In Newtownabbey

A large quantity of 'Viagra' style tablets and jellies have been recovered in a major operation targeting the rising problem of unlicensed drugs.

A substantial quantity of the medicines have been recovered by Health & Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) Medicines Regulatory Group officials during a search of a residential dwelling in Glengormley.

It has emerged that a 47-year-old man was interviewed by officers about illegally importing and subsequently supplying unlicensed erectile dysfunction medicines via the Internet, as well as other medicine-related offences.

He will now be the subject of a report to the Public Prosecution Service.

Medicines Regulatory Group Senior Enforcement Officer, Peter Moore said: "It is vital that we get the message across that unlicensed medicines can be dangerous.

"These types of products being sold, usually online, have undergone no quality control and there can be no guarantee about their safety.

"You simply do not know what you are taking or the conditions these products were made in.

"More importantly, you do not know the effect drugs like this may have on your health," he said.

"I would urge the public to be vigilant and ensure that they do not put their health at risk or fund this crime by purchasing medication from an illicit source.

"The public is advised that they should steer clear of unregistered websites or unlicensed Internet sellers of these types of medicines."

Mr Moore concluded: "Anyone illegally importing and supplying unlicensed medicinal products such as these has no regard for the potential harm they could pose."

Also in Newtownabbey, three people have been arrested after class A and B drugs - including cannabis valued at over £100,000 - were found by police.

An initial police stop and search of a car in Newtownabbey at around 7pm on Thursday revealed an amount of cannabis, and two men in their 20s were taken in for questioning.

Follow up searches were then carried out in the Monkstown and Newtownabbey areas in the early hours of Friday.

Another 30-year-old man was arrested in one property, and a substantial amount of class A and B drugs were uncovered.

Police estimate the value of the cannabis alone to be in excess of £100,000.

The three men are currently being held in custody. Detectives said the searches in the area are ongoing.

(BMcC/GK)