The Home Office will also bring forward legislation
around two substances that can be converted to GHB on
ingestion - gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) and
1,4-butanediol (1,4-BD). This will mean that those
wishing to possess them for legitimate industrial
purposes will require a licence.
The stricter measures come after GHB and related
substances were found to have been used in horrific
crimes, such as those committed by Reynard Sinaga, who
was found guilty of 136 counts of rape in trials
lasting until December 2019, and serial killer Stephen
Port, both of whom used the substance to incapacitate
their victims.
The reclassification will mean tougher penalties for
those found in unlawful possession of the drugs and
ensure victims are better protected from their use by
criminals.
Home Secretary said:
GHB and related substances have been used to commit
some truly sickening crimes including murder, sexual
assault and robbery.
I will do everything in my power to protect people
from harm, which is why I am tightening restrictions
around these dangerous substances.
These changes will make the drugs harder to access
and introduce tougher penalties for possession.
The Home Secretary asked the ACMD to expedite a review
of controls on these drugs in January 2020 after
becoming concerned about their use by criminals.
The government will seek to bring forward the necessary
legislation when parliamentary time allows.
The government keeps drug control under constant review
and we work in consultation with the ACMD to consider
any new evidence of misuse, harm and diversion.
We continue to work with law enforcement agencies in
the UK and overseas to tackle drugs supply and bear
down on the organised crime gangs profiting from
illicit drugs supply into and around the UK.
