Corkman who successfully appealed cactus drug conviction to face re-trial

Appeal court had heard there was 'vast uncertainty' over whether the dried extract from certain types of cacti plants which contain mescaline could be regarded as a controlled substance under current legislation

During his trial, the accused's lawyers claimed the powdered plant derivative found at his flat could be extracted from a cactus plant available in flower shops in Ireland. File picture

A man who successfully appealed a drugs conviction over dried cactus extract he was found with which contained mescaline is to face a retrial.

Alexander Rojas Rey, 44, of River Towers, Lee Road, Cork, had pleaded not guilty to being in possession of mescaline for sale or supply, contrary to section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977, and to possessing the same drug, contrary to section 3 of the same act, at his home on January 23, 2018.