Street Drugs Becoming More Dangerous, NCA Warns

Agency warns of ’surge' in deaths related to cheap, synthetic opioids such as Nitazene, with the illegal narcotics trade remaining the top crime threat to UK.
Street Drugs Becoming More Dangerous, NCA Warns
An undated file photo of drugs and drug-taking equipment. PA
Rachel Roberts
Updated:
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Taking illegal street drugs is now more dangerous than ever, the head of the National Crime Agency (NCA) has warned, with a surge in the number of deaths linked to high-strength synthetic opioids.

The agency’s director-general Graeme Biggar said the illegal drugs trade remains the biggest single driver of organised crime in the UK—with child sex abuse and the people smuggling of illegal immigrants also posing serious threats.

Rachel Roberts
Rachel Roberts
Author
Rachel Roberts is a London-based journalist with a background in local then national news. She focuses on health and education stories and has a particular interest in vaccines and issues impacting children.