Dawid Bratko - smart drug king; photo - PAPBratko, who started a franchise of shops selling designer, or smart, drugs (dopalacze) in Poland was detained while opening his shop in Lodz.
He told media that he has the right to run his business and is losing around 400,000 zloty (102,000 euro) a day because of the ban.
Last weekend, over 900 smart shops were closed down in a nation-wide anti-smart drug campaign launched by the Health Ministry.
Bratko was arrested together with several of his customers.
“Bratko was detained because he might have […] sold products which are prohibited by the Health Inspectorate. He may face up to two year imprisonment,” said Lodz police spokeswoman Magdalena Zielinska.
“Bratko is being interrogated and the Prosecutor’s Office will probably lay charges against him,” added Zielinska.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Ewa Kopacz said in Parliament today that the government’s draft bill on smart drugs will prevent loopholes and eliminate substitutes from the market.
“The draft bill relates to all psychoactive and intoxicating substances so smart drug producers will not be able to introduce new substances which have a different name but a similar composition,” said Kopacz.
According to the draft bill, the Health Inspectorate will have the right to monitor shops and seize products, which will later be tested for the presence of illegal substances. Tests may last up to 18 months and their cost will be covered by smart drug producers.
(mg/pg)