Some anabolic steroids, growth promoters and synthetic cannabis are now illegal in Northern Ireland.
A number of new drugs have been classified by the UK’s Home Office under Schedule 2 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
One of the drugs now listed is Benzylpiperazine (BZP), which Detective Inspector Andy Dunlop of the PSNI's Organised Crime Branch said is replacing ecstasy in popularity.
The changes, recommended by the Advisory Council on Drug Misuse, have been welcomed by the North's Chair of the Organised Crime Task Force Paul Goggins and the PSNI.
Mr Goggins said: ‘These changes affect the whole of the UK and everyone in Northern Ireland should be aware that these drugs are now illegal, and if caught with these substances the Courts could decide to impose a custodial sentence.’
Under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 drugs is classified into three categories - classes A, B or C.
The three-tier system of classification provides a framework within which criminal penalties are set with reference to the harm a drug has, or is capable of having, when misused and the type of illegal activity undertaken in regard to that drug.
