Leeds “headshops” raided as law changes on “legal highs”

Shops in Leeds selling so-called “legal highs” have been targeted by West Yorkshire Police. A series of raids were carried out at “headshops” in the city yesterday, along with similar operations in Wakefield and Bradford. It comes after a change in the law this week that has re-classified substances similar to LSD and Tryptamines as Class A drugs. Officers say 155 packets of the newly illegal products have been seized. Detective Constable Jamie Hudson, who co-ordinates the operation, said: "Within days of these substances being made illegal we have attended at shops known to sell these kind of items and ensured that any products potentially containing these banned chemicals have been removed from sale with the public’s protection in mind. "There is a misconception that products being sold as 'legal highs' are therefore safe when in fact they can be extremely dangerous with the chemicals that have just been classified as Class A drugs being linked to a number of deaths elsewhere in the country. "Anyone who trades in psychoactive substances or paraphernalia associated with drug use or supply should be aware that it is their responsibility to keep up to date with any changes in legislation. Ignorance is not a defence and we will take action where it is suspected that criminal offences are being committed."