Traffickers of the party drug Meow Meow or its derivatives could face life imprisonment from now on as the substance has officially been banned, nine months after it was detected on the local scene.

The drug, technically known as Mephedrone and sold over the internet as plant food “not for human consumption”, was banned in the UK last April after a series of deaths were linked to it.

A spokesman for the Justice Ministry yesterday said the police and Attorney General’s office were committed to “the continuous fight against the criminal drug trade”.

“The changing scenario necessitates a thorough evaluation of new dangerous substances which appear on the local market from time to time.

Thanks to this meticulous and attentive approach, mephedrone and its derivatives have now found their place on the Third Schedule of Chapter 31,” the spokesman said, pointing to two legal notices (423 and 424) which were published in the last few days.

This means mephedrone will now feature right after MDMA (the chemical which refers to ecstasy) in Maltese law – which does not make a distinction between hard and soft drugs.

Experienced lawyers say that even though the courts have taken it upon themselves to be more lenient with drugs such as cannabis, which are perceived to be softer, people who deal in drugs like ecstasy or cocaine are not treated lightly.

Young offenders caught for the first time experimenting with drugs are usually let off with a slap on the wrist but prison sentences are almost guaranteed when it comes to selling and trafficking of any quantity.

The drug, which is also banned in most Scandinavian countries, comes in the form of white crystals or powder that are either snorted or mixed into drinks, giving users feelings of euphoria, alertness and talkativeness.

Its effects have been compared to those of both ecstasy and cocaine. It gained popularity primarily because it was legal and, therefore, comparatively very cheap. ­