NCA Warns of Increasing Danger Posed by Street Drugs
According to the National Crime Agency (NCA), there has been a surge in deaths related to cheap, synthetic opioids like Nitazene, making it more dangerous than ever to consume illegal street drugs. The illegal narcotics trade remains the top crime threat in the UK, as outlined in the NCA’s annual assessment of crime threats.
NCA director-general Graeme Biggar emphasized the increased risk associated with taking drugs, stating that deaths from drug misuse have risen by 60% over the last 10 years and tripled over the last 30 years. This trend has made the UK one of the leading countries in Europe in terms of drug-related deaths.
People ‘Don’t Know What They’re Taking’
Biggar highlighted the presence of synthetic opioids like nitazene in street drugs, leading to a significant increase in deaths. Nitazene, manufactured in labs as far as India and China, has caused 284 confirmed deaths since June 2023 after being smuggled into the UK to boost the potency of other drugs.
Biggar cautioned that the danger lies in not knowing that one is consuming nitazene, which is often disguised in other substances. He warned that even a single dose could be fatal due to its potency.
£20 Billion Cost to Society
Biggar underscored the estimated cost of drug misuse to UK society, amounting to £20 billion annually. He also mentioned the prevalence of cannabis consumption in the UK and the increase in attempts to smuggle it into the country through airline passengers’ luggage.
In addition to drug-related threats, the NCA’s threat assessment highlighted child sexual abuse as a serious crime issue, estimating that hundreds of thousands of offenders pose a risk to children in the UK.
‘Sextortion’ of Children
The NCA emphasized the growing threat of ‘sextortion’ targeting children, where abusers coerce victims into sending compromising images and then blackmail them. It is crucial to have open conversations with young people to empower them against such coercion tactics.
Furthermore, the NCA reiterated concerns about dangerous migrant Channel crossings, with more deaths at sea reinforcing the need for an asylum system that can deter such risky journeys.
The NCA’s efforts to combat organized crime and tackle threats globally rely on collaboration with partners to ensure public safety and understanding of the impact of serious and organized crime on daily lives.
PA Media contributed to this report.
