Potent Synthetic Opioids Discovered in Counterfeit Medications Across the UK

The BBC has uncovered that highly potent substances, associated with numerous fatalities, have been identified in counterfeit medication samples acquired throughout the UK. Our investigation revealed over 100 instances where individuals attempting to purchase prescription drugs like diazepam—a common treatment for anxiety, muscle spasms, and seizures—instead received items containing nitazenes. These synthetic opioid compounds have been linked to 278 deaths nationwide within a year, as reported by the National Crime Agency (NCA). Nitazenes possess greater potency than both heroin and fentanyl, the latter being a significant cause of death in the US. Martin Raithelhuber, an expert on illicit synthetic drugs at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, characterized the BBC’s discoveries as a “very worrying development”. Warning: This article contains descriptions of drugs use. A government representative stated that the government is “securing our borders from the threat” by employing “world-leading intelligence, dedicated cross-government taskforce and extensive international networks”. The tainted substances were detected in anonymous samples provided to WEDINOS, which operates as the sole national drug-checking service within the UK. WEDINOS indicated that these counterfeit medications appeared to be “the same kind of packet you might get from your chemist on the high street” yet were “most likely purchased from illicit online pharmacies”. Anne Jacques was unfamiliar with nitazenes until a police officer arrived at her residence in the early morning of 17 July 2023, informing her that her son had been discovered deceased in his student flat. Alex Harpum, aged 23, had been pursuing a career as an opera singer and had gained acceptance into a two-year master’s program. Ms Jacques remarked, “Watching him sing was one of the biggest joys in my life ever.” Initially, sudden adult death syndrome was suspected as the cause of his demise, but eight months subsequently, Alex’s family discovered he had ingested a substance tainted with a nitazene. Telephone records indicated his attempt to acquire tablets typically marketed as Xanax, which require a private prescription for legal purchase in the UK. Ms Jacques, residing in north Wales, presumes Alex sought these tablets due to frequent sleep difficulties experienced while on medication for his attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Nitazene traces were only identified after she questioned police regarding the absence of these substances in prior tests. Ms Jacques expressed her continued “disbelief” concerning the insufficient testing, stating: “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.” She further inquired, “Unless we’re testing for them, how is anyone going to be aware and informed [of the dangers]?” A spokesperson for Scotland Yard indicated that “delays beyond the control of the Met” had occurred concerning the necessity and scheduling of specialized testing in this particular instance. The North London Coroner Service confirmed it maintains communication with the family regarding their apprehensions. The BBC examined sample outcomes released by WEDINOS, a Public Health Wales service that disseminates data concerning the UK’s illicit drug market. This service documents the stated intention of the individual submitting each sample. During the period leading up to September 2024, 130 cases were recorded where individuals attempted to unlawfully acquire prescription-only medicines and instead obtained substances adulterated with nitazenes. A significant number of these substances were presented as benzodiazepines, like diazepam, and sleep aids such as temazepam and zolpidem. Nitazenes were additionally detected in compounds disguised as promethazine, an allergy drug. Professor Rick Lines of WEDINOS commented: “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 intends to designate all forms of nitazenes as Class A drugs. In March, fifteen synthetic opioids underwent reclassification. According to the Misuse of Drugs Act, individuals apprehended for their supply and production may incur sentences of up to life imprisonment, while those found in possession could face up to seven years. Mr Raithelhuber remarked that there is a “lesson to learn… from North America,” where individuals developed dependencies on prescription painkillers prior to the widespread circulation of counterfeit medicines containing fentanyl. He stated, “So here in Europe, we are not yet in that situation, but this could be the early signs of traffickers trying to expand.” He added, “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 explained that since both benzodiazepines and nitazenes function as depressants, “their combined effect increases the risk of overdose significantly”. Synthetic opioid effects. Indicators that an individual might have ingested one of these substances include: Anyone who has consumed synthetic opioids and experiences the symptoms described should seek urgent medical treatment. Source: Metropolitan Police. Harry Sumnall, a professor in substance use at Liverpool John Moores University, identified the most vulnerable populations as “those who have always been at the highest risk of all drug-related harm.” He elaborated that this encompasses individuals with drug use issues and those “using drugs to help manage their life circumstances”. The NCA suspects that nitazenes are manufactured in Chinese laboratories and imported into the UK via Royal Mail and other package delivery services. Dark web marketplaces reviewed by the BBC indicate that some of the identical online vendors in China are promoting nitazenes in large quantities alongside adulterated benzodiazepines. The Border Force inspects mail for drugs exclusively when a known risk or intelligence exists. It reports that canines trained to identify nitazenes and other synthetic opioids are “due to enter service shortly”. Its units confiscated new synthetic opioids on nine occasions during the last financial year, as per information obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request. The quantities seized varied from 1g to 1.32kg, which specialists indicated could represent tens of thousands of individual doses. The government announced its intention to also test for the presence of these novel drugs in wastewater from sewage treatment facilities to foresee the potential for an increase in overdoses. However, it has acknowledged that such testing is presently “experimental”. The procedure required approximately two months at the sole laboratory recognized for successfully confirming samples. Previously, experts informed the BBC that the preceding government had been excessively slow in acknowledging the magnitude of the issue. Charles Yates, NCA deputy director, stated that the agency regarded the threat posed by nitazenes “seriously” and was adopting a “zero-tolerance approach”. The most recent official statistics indicate an average of 49 weekly drug poisoning fatalities in England and Wales involving opiates, including substances like heroin, oxycodone, fentanyl, and other synthetic opioids. Additional data journalism was provided by Paul Bradshaw. Further details on this report: The Shared Data Unit offers data journalism to news organizations throughout the media sector, forming part of a collaboration between the BBC and the News Media Association. Information regarding Local News Partnerships can be found here. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content of external websites. Our policy on external linking is available for review.