UK Authorities Bust "Largest-Ever" Synthetic Opioid Operation in North London
In a major crackdown on the illicit drug trade, the Metropolitan Police, in collaboration with the UK Border Agency, has successfully dismantled what is now being called the "largest-ever stash" of synthetic opioids in the United Kingdom.
The operation, carried out in Waltham Forest and Enfield, resulted in the arrest and charging of 11 individuals suspected of being part of a criminal gang involved in the distribution of these dangerous substances.
The focal point of the raids was a "sophisticated" factory in Waltham Forest, where approximately 150,000 nitazene tablets, classified as a super-strength Class A drug with higher potency than fentanyl, were discovered on October 24. The Met Police described nitazene as a drug that poses a substantial risk of harm to users and is believed to be connected to numerous deaths.
As well as the nitazene, law enforcement officials seized a "substantial" quantity of other Class A and B drugs, a firearm, a pill-pressing machine, over £60,000 in cash, and £8,000 in cryptocurrency stored on various hard drives.
The suspects are facing charges of conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs, and it is believed that the illicit substances were being sold through the Dark Web, utilising encrypted chat applications and social media platforms.
The government's ban on synthetic opioids in February aimed to curb the rising threat, with penalties now including potential life imprisonment and unlimited fines for those caught dealing the substances.
As synthetic opioids, including fentanyl, continue to be a significant factor in drug overdose deaths globally, law enforcement agencies in the UK are intensifying efforts to prevent a similar crisis. The public is urged to be vigilant, and anyone witnessing symptoms such as small, narrowed pupils, drowsiness, difficulty breathing, or nausea in others is encouraged to seek emergency assistance immediately.
