Concerns Rise Over the Online Trade of Deadly Nitazenes in Europe
Tue 28th Jan, 2025
A recent investigation has revealed that the online trade of the potent opioid nitazenes in Europe is primarily orchestrated from China. This alarming finding stems from a comprehensive open-source analysis conducted by researchers from the Dutch investigative network Bellingcat and the Estonian newspaper Postimees. Originally developed by a Swiss chemical company in the 1950s, nitazenes were never approved for medical use. Remarkably, these substances are reported to be up to 40 times more potent than fentanyl and up to 500 times stronger than heroin. Even minute quantities can lead to fatal overdoses. Since 2019, hundreds of fatalities associated with nitazene consumption have been documented, particularly in Estonia, Latvia, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and Sweden. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, along with various countries, has expressed serious concern regarding the health risks posed by this substance. The situation has intensified following Afghanistan's ban on opium poppy cultivation in 2022, which significantly disrupted the production of opium and heroin. In the aftermath, the market has seen a rise in synthetic opioids, including nitazenes and fentanyl. These substances are now increasingly found on the illegal drug market and have been discovered in counterfeit prescription medications, such as fake oxycodone and benzodiazepine pills, as well as in street drugs like cocaine, heroin, and ketamine. The investigation uncovered over 1,000 online advertisements promoting six of the most common nitazenes, offering global shipping options. The research team discovered that the online market for nitazenes in Europe is largely controlled by Chinese entities. By analyzing websites, social media accounts, and business registries, the team linked several companies involved in these advertisements to entries in Chinese business registries, including firms that actively promote nitazenes online. These advertisements were found across numerous websites, including well-known Asian marketplaces. It was noted that many suppliers of nitazenes are registered as Chinese companies, and the sellers often utilize opaque business structures that involve frequent address changes and multiple email addresses and phone numbers. Additionally, they prefer communication through messaging platforms like Telegram to maintain anonymity. The investigation highlights the urgent need for enhanced regulation and monitoring of online drug sales to mitigate the risks associated with these dangerous substances. As authorities in various countries grapple with the implications of this burgeoning crisis, public health officials are calling for increased awareness and preventive measures to combat the rising tide of synthetic opioid use and its devastating consequences.
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