SCOTTISH CRIME AND DRUG
ENFORCEMENT AGENCY

Fifty kilograms of a mephedrone derivative with a street value of £500,000 has been seized as a result of a joint operation between the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency (SCDEA) and the UK Border Agency (UKBA).
 
Parcels containing the mephedrone compound 3-Fluoromethcathinone were intercepted last week by UKBA officers at Glasgow Airport and a sample chemical examination revealed the identity of the substance. 
 
The parcels were destined for addresses in Ayrshire and three properties at Limekiln Road, Glen Cresent and Boglemart Street in Stevenston were searched by officers on Tuesday 20 April under the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979.  
 
A 21-year old man from Stevenson subsequently handed himself into Saltcoats police station.  He has been charged under the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 and a report will be sent to the procurator fiscal.
 
A further search was then conducted at a fourth property at Hurlford Road, Kilmarnock.
 
On 29 March 2010, an immediate ban on importing mephedrone and its related compounds was enforced using the Import of Goods Control Order 1954.  On 16 April 2010, mephedrone and any products containing the chemicals listed below were officially categorised as a class B drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. 
 

4-Methylmethcathinone (mephedrone)
4-Methoxymethcathinone (bk-PMMA/ methedrone)
3-Fluoromethcathinone
2-Methylamino-1-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)propan-1-one  (bk-MDMA/methylone)
2-Methylamino-1-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)butan-1-one (bk-MBDB/butylone)
 
The substance, which is sold under street names such as M-CAT and Meow Meow, is considered to be harmful and in recent months has been linked with a number of deaths and poisonings across Scotland.
 
Detective Chief Superintendent Allan Moffat, Head of Investigations Group at the SCDEA, said:
 “Until recently, the legal status of mephedrone and its chemical derivatives may have implied to users that the substance is safe, which it isn't.  Classifying the drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act sends a clear message that the substance is harmful and it is vital that users understand the risks.

“Our priority is to disrupt and prevent the distribution of this drug.  With greater enforcement powers we will be firm and tackle those individuals who continue to sell or traffic this harmful drug.”