MUGGINGS have dropped by 500% in parts of Dublin's north-inner city since the recent closure of head shops. When the stores, which sold a range of legal highs were still in operation, drug addicts were targeting passers-by in early-morning attacks.

Drugs gangs operating out of the flats in St Mary's Mansions and Liberty House in Dublin 1 are now selling these drugs to addicts.

In recent days, gardaí from Store Street station in Dublin 1 became aware that drug dealers had sourced and were selling a range of legal highs from these two flat complexes.

"It's just come to our attention and we are investigating how they got their hands on them. There is a huge market for these legal highs – we have had serious problems with muggings as a result of these head shops and we want to ensure a thriving black market does not now develop," said a source.

Several head shops that were located in the north-inner city were covered by Store Street garda station.

Four weeks ago, legislation was introduced banning a range of legal highs sold at these stores, leading to the closure of two-thirds of Ireland's 102 head shops.

"The rate of mugging in the Store Street garda district as a direct result of people looking for money to buy head shop products had gotten entirely out of control," said the source.

"They increased by 500%. Youngsters from some of the flat complexes got addicted to these products and were targeting people on their way to work at 6am so they could buy more of these legal highs. It was shocking – they were roaming around in groups and mugging people. There were up to four muggings a day in the Store Street district alone. The situation returned to normal shortly after [the head shops] closed and now we have to concentrate on ensuring a black market does not develop."

Last Thursday, the government introduced more legislation in an attempt to put all remaining head shops out of business.

The Psychotropic Substances Bill makes it a criminal offence to sell pipes or any other objects used to take controlled or psychoactive drugs. It also makes it illegal to sell objects used to cultivate drugs by hydroponic means and allows for penalties of up to five years' in prison and fines of €5,000 upon conviction.

The main points of new legislation published make it an offence to sell, supply or advertise hallucinogenic drugs.