Smugglers are using loopholes in Europe’s laws to transport ketamine into the UK, where it is being sold as a hallucinogenic drug. The substance is classified as a legal medicine in some countries but is banned elsewhere, allowing traffickers to move it across borders without raising suspicion.
Recent Discoveries
Customs officials at Brussels Airport recently discovered that 1 tonne of ketamine had been replaced with salt after passing through several countries. This incident highlights the complexity of tracking the drug’s movement.
Scale of Trafficking
Belgian investigators have identified at least 28 similar cases since 2023, resulting in an estimated loss of over 28 tonnes of ketamine worth millions of euros. These cases demonstrate the scale and sophistication of ketamine trafficking operations.
Rising Consumption
Ketamine consumption has increased significantly in recent years, particularly among younger generations. Wastewater analysis suggests an 85% increase in consumption between 2023 and 2024 in England and Wales alone.
Production Surge
The rise in demand for ketamine has led to a surge in production, with estimates suggesting that up to 500,000 doses are produced daily worldwide. However, this increase has also raised concerns about its purity and safety.
Regulatory Response
In response to these concerns, authorities have implemented stricter controls on the sale and distribution of ketamine-based medicines such as Ketanest S or Ketalar S. However, these measures may not be enough to address the issue effectively.
Challenges in Regulation
The lack of harmonization across EU member states regarding controlled substances means that traffickers can exploit loopholes by transporting substances from one country where they are legal into another where they are banned or heavily restricted.
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