By REBECCA GRAY CRIMINAL gangs are targeting Glasgow youngsters by producing lethal “legal highs” – which actually contain illegal drugs, it was claimed today.

The Evening Times can today reveal 20% of the mind-altering substances contain banned drugs, as well as amphetamines and tranquilizers.

Graeme Pearson, former assistant chief constable with Strathclyde Police and founder/director general of the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency (SCDEA), branded selling “legal highs” as “drug dealing by another name”.

He also said people are risking their lives by taking the latest drug to hit the city’s streets.

Mr Pear-son, who is also the Labour MSP for South Scotland, said: “These substances include restricted and illegal chemicals, to give it a boost to create a ‘high’ and keep the customer happy.

“Illegal drugs, such as amphetamines and other restricted prescription drugs are often used to top up the products.

“And drugs used by vets are used too, which are definitely not safe for humans.

“The customer really doesn’t know what they are buying and that adds to their danger.”

There are hundreds of “legal highs” – including Benzo Fury, left, Dutch Dragon, and Paradise Seeds – which can be easily obtained from websites.

A gramme of such chemicals, which can cost around £25, is then made freely available – with no legal consequences.

It is illegal to sell or advertise so-called legal highs as a mood-altering substance under current legislation, but suppliers use descriptions such as “plant foods” and “fertiliser” to get around the law.

Victims can suffer hallucinations, heart palpitations, anxiety and severe sickness after taking the drugs.

Detective Inspector Garry Mitchell, from Strathclyde Police, is leading the force’s fight against the latest wave of potentially deadly “legal highs”, of which he says a fifth contain banned drugs.

He said: “The big message that I want to get out there is the danger that these substances pose to people who take them.

“As well as making you significantly ill, the substances can cause both heart and renal failure.

“Their stimulant properties are dangerous, and there is no quality control involved in their production – so you never really know what you are taking.”

HE continued: “The chemicals in these substances are unclear on the packaging and change routinely, so it is almost impossible to tell what is in them.

“The substances – which are fairly easy to access and purchase – are definitely not safe and they are definitely not regulated.”

Mr Pearson, one of Scotland’s top drugs experts, said the chemicals are also putting added pressure on paramedics, who are trying to save the lives of those who react badly to the new drugs.

“No one can be sure exactly what is in these things,” he said.

“If someone does become ill from taken these substances, it is very difficult for the medical services to treat them.

“The doctors won’t know what has been swallowed, so how do they know how to treat the patient?”

Police have vowed to tackle the growing problem of “legal highs” with their partners, Trading Standards, Serious Organised Crime Agency, SCDEA, and Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency.

Det Insp Mitchell also said there is “no doubt” the gangs involved in making and supplying “research drugs” have links to other serious and organised crime.

He added: “I would ask those who sell these products to consider their actions and the safety of those who are purchasing them.

“Although there is a significant market out there for these substances, we will continue to target those selling and producing them.

“And we will be carrying out more days of action, like the one earlier this month.

“Ultimately, our approach is to keep people safe.”

Mr Pearson, who was head of Britain’s first academic institute monitoring crime, at Glasgow University, added: “Those dispensing these “highs” are only out to make money and don’t care what happens to the customer.

“They are simply not being responsible for the product they are putting out there.”