Laws seek to jail head shop owners

RADICAL laws to close head shops and imprison the sellers of “legal highs” have been announced, with offenders facing sentences of up to five years.

Justice Minister Dermot Ahern published legislation that will make the sale and supply of psychoactive substances which mimic illegal drugs a criminal offence.

He insisted that Gardaí and law authorities would have enough resources to pursue offenders and said he hoped the laws would lead to the closure of head shops after concerns raised by parents and anti-drugs groups.