Deadly nitazene drugs found in fake medicines

Super-strength drugs linked to lots of of deaths have been found in samples of fake medicines purchased throughout the UK, the BBC can reveal.

We found greater than 100 examples of individuals making an attempt to purchase prescription medicines comparable to diazepam – generally used to deal with anxiousness, muscle spasms and seizures – and as an alternative receiving merchandise containing nitazenes.

The artificial opioid drugs have been related to 278 deaths throughout the nation in a 12 months, in accordance with the National Crime Agency (NCA). Nitazenes might be stronger than each heroin and fentanyl, a prolific killer in the US.

Martin Raithelhuber, a bootleg artificial drug professional from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, mentioned the BBC’s findings had been a “very worrying development”.

Warning: This article accommodates descriptions of drugs use

A authorities spokesperson mentioned it was “securing our borders from the threat” by means of “world-leading intelligence, dedicated cross-government taskforce and extensive international networks”.

The contaminated substances had been recognized in nameless samples submitted to WEDINOS, the one nationwide drug-checking service in the UK.

It mentioned the fake medicines regarded like “the same kind of packet you might get from your chemist on the high street” however had been “most likely purchased from illicit online pharmacies”.

Anne Jacques had by no means heard of nitazenes when a police officer knocked at her door in the early hours of 17 July 2023 and mentioned her son had been found useless at his scholar flat.

Alex Harpum, 23, had been making ready for a profession as an opera singer and had been accepted for a two-year masters course.

“Watching him sing was one of the biggest joys in my life ever,” Ms Jacques mentioned.

It was initially suspected the reason for his loss of life was sudden grownup loss of life syndrome, however eight months later Alex’s household discovered he had taken a substance contaminated with a nitazene.

Phone data advised he had tried to purchase tablets often bought as Xanax, that are solely accessible with a personal prescription in the UK.

Ms Jacques believes Alex was doing so as a result of he usually struggled with sleeping whereas taking treatment for his consideration deficit hyperactivity dysfunction.

The traces of nitazenes had been solely detected after she queried with police why earlier exams had not regarded for them.

Ms Jacques mentioned she remained in “disbelief” at the lack of testing, adding: “If I hadn’t pushed for better answers in the middle of massive grief, then to this day I would have no idea how he actually died.

“Unless we’re testing for them, how is anyone going to be aware and informed [of the dangers]?”

A Scotland Yard spokesperson said there had been “delays beyond the control of the Met” regarding the necessity for, and timing of, specialist testing in this case.

The North London Coroner Service said it remained in contact with the family regarding their concerns.

The BBC analysed sample results published by WEDINOS, a Public Health Wales service which shares information about the UK’s illegal drugs market. It records what the person submitting each sample said they had intended to buy.

In the year to September 2024, there were 130 instances of someone trying to buy medicines illegal to posses without a prescription and instead receiving substances contaminated with nitazenes.

Many were purporting to be benzodiazepines, such as diazepam, and insomnia treatments including temazepam and zolpidem.

Nitazenes were also found in substances masquerading as promethazine, an allergy medication.

Professor Rick Lines, from WEDINOS, said: “Perhaps people have found that they weren’t able to continue on a legitimate prescription and decided to go through what they think is an alternative legitimate route, but is in fact not.”

The government plans to make all types of nitazenes Class A drugs. Fifteen synthetic opioids were reclassified in March.

Under the Misuse of Drugs Act, those caught in their supply and production could face up to life in prison while those in possession could face up to seven years.

Mr Raithelhuber said there was a “lesson to be taught… from North America”, where people became addicted to prescription painkillers before the use of fake medicines containing fentanyl became widespread.

“So here in Europe, we are not yet in that situation, but this could be the early signs of traffickers trying to expand,” he said.

“I think it’s a warning call, maybe for all other countries in Europe… that nitazenes are probably here to stay for the time being, and that their potential negative impact on the health of users is huge.”

He mentioned as a result of each benzodiazepines and nitazenes had been depressants, “their combined effect increases the risk of overdose significantly”.

Synthetic opioid results

Signs that somebody could have taken considered one of these drugs:

• Small, narrowed pupils
• Reduced or lack of consciousness
• Dizziness or drowsiness
• Difficulty respiratory
• Nausea or vomiting
• Cold or clammy pores and skin
• Blue or gray lips and fingernails
• Low blood stress or decreased coronary heart fee

Anyone who has consumed artificial opioids and experiences the signs described ought to search pressing medical remedy.

Source: Metropolitan Police

The teams of individuals most in danger had been “those who have always been at the highest risk of all drug-related harm,” mentioned Harry Sumnall, a professor in substance use at Liverpool John Moores University.

He mentioned this included folks with drug use issues and people “using drugs to help manage their life circumstances”.

The NCA believes nitazenes are being produced in Chinese labs and introduced into the UK by means of the Royal Mail and different parcel operators.

Dark internet marketplaces seen by the BBC recommend among the identical on-line sellers in China are promoting nitazenes in bulk in addition to adulterated benzodiazepines.

The Border Force solely examines publish for drugs if there’s a recognized danger or intelligence. It says canines skilled to detect nitazenes and different artificial opioids are “due to enter service shortly”.

Its groups seized new artificial opioids 9 occasions in the previous monetary 12 months, in accordance with a response beneath the Freedom of Information Act.

Those seizures ranged in dimension from 1g to 1.32kg, which consultants mentioned might equate to tens of hundreds of doses.

The authorities mentioned it could additionally take a look at for the presence of the brand new drugs in wastewater from sewage remedy vegetation to anticipate the specter of a spike in overdoses.

It has, nevertheless, admitted such testing is at the moment “experimental”. The course of took round two months at the one laboratory recognized to have efficiently confirmed samples.

Experts beforehand instructed the BBC the final authorities had been too sluggish to recognise the size of the issue.

NCA deputy director Charles Yates mentioned it took the menace from nitazenes “seriously” and was taking a “zero-tolerance approach”.

There are a mean of 49 drug poisoning deaths weekly involving opiates – comparable to heroin, oxycodone, fentanyl and together with artificial opioids – throughout England and Wales, the newest official figures recommend.

Additional information journalism: Paul Bradshaw

• If you’ve gotten been affected by the problems raised in this story assist and assist is on the market through the BBC Action Line.