SNOWBALL' DRUG SEIZED IN BANBRIDGE

Police have seized a batch of the dangerous new recreational Ecstasy
drug "snowball" in Banbridge.

The seizure follows a warning from drug awareness group Breakthru
Project urging people not to use the drug because of its potentially
fatal dosage.

It is three times more powerful than normal Ecstasy tablets but takes
hours longer to "kick in", prompting fears that users would mistakenly
think it was having no effect and take more.

Because it is a cocktail of drugs, including LSD, an overdose could be
fatal, the group warned.

There was little local knowledge of the drug in Banbridge, but now
police have seized their first batch of snowballs in Dromore Road,
Banbridge, on Saturday night.

A 41-year-old man has been charged with two counts of possession of a
Class A drug, two counts of possession with intent to supply, and one
count of supplying a Class A drug.

He is due to appear at Banbridge Magistrate's Court on Thursday,
December 18.

Police found a quantity of the snowball drug when they stopped a car,
and in a follow-up search of a house.

Ecstasy worth ?500 was seized, including a quantity of the snowball
drug.