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Lethal super-strength opioids have been detected in fake medicines bought across the UK, it has emerged.
Figures show that in the last year, there have been 130 examples of someone trying to buy medicines illegally and instead receiving substances contaminated with nitazenes.
These man-made opioids, which can be hundreds of times stronger than heroin and kill in tiny doses, are being mixed into fake medicines by unscrupulous drug suppliers.
Nitazenes have already been connected to 278 deaths across the country, according to the National Crime Agency (NCA).
Experts have said the new findings, revealed by the BBC, represent a ‘very worrying’ development.
The contaminated substances were identified in anonymous samples submitted to WEDINOS, the only national drug-checking service in the UK.
Often the fake medicines look like the same kind of packet you might get from your chemist on the high street.
Many were posing as benzodiazepines, such as diazepam, and insomnia treatments including temazepam.
The National Crime Agency believes nitazenes are being produced in Chinese labs and brought into the UK via Royal Mail and other parcel operators
Promising opera singer Alex Harpum, 23, had tried to buy Xanax — which is only available with a prescription in the UK — before he was found dead in his student flat last July
Figures show that in the last year, there have been 130 examples of someone trying to buy medicines illegally and instead receiving substances contaminated with nitazenes (pictured)
Nitazenes were also found in substances purporting to be the allergy medication promethazine.
A Government said spokesperson it was ‘securing our borders from the threat’ through ‘world-leading intelligence, dedicated cross-government taskforce and extensive international networks’.
Professor Rick Lines, from WEDINOS, said: ‘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 plans to make all types of nitazenes Class A drugs.
Under the Misuse of Drugs Act, those caught in their supply and production could face up to life in prison while those in possession could face up to seven years.
Promising opera singer Alex Harpum, 23, had tried to buy Xanax — which is only available with a prescription in the UK — before he was found dead in his student flat last July.
His death was suspected to have been caused by sudden adult death syndrome until his mother pushed for more testing, which found he had taken a substance laced with nitazenes.
His mother Anna Jacques told the BBC she remained in ‘disbelief’ at the lack of testing, adding: ‘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.
Man-made opioids, which can be hundreds of times stronger than heroin and kill in tiny doses, are being mixed into fake medicines such as Xanax (pictured) by unscrupulous drug suppliers
‘Unless we’re testing for them, how is anyone going to be aware and informed [of the dangers]?’
Ms Jacques, who lives in north Wales, believes Alex tried to purchase Xanax because he struggled to sleep while taking medication for his attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
According to the Met Police, signs that someone may have taken a synthetic opioid include small, narrowed pupils, reduced or loss of consciousness, dizziness or drowsiness, difficulty breathing, vomiting, cold or clammy skin and low blood pressure or decreased heart rate.
The NCA believes nitazenes are being produced in Chinese labs and brought into the UK via Royal Mail and other parcel operators.
However, Border Force only examines post for drugs if there is a known risk or if they have received intelligence.
Dogs trained to detect nitazenes and other synthetic opioids are due to enter service ‘shortly’.
Official figures published last week show drug-related deaths in England and Wales have soared to a record high as experts warned the arrival of synthetic opioids is a ‘catastrophic public health crisis’.
NCA director general Graeme Biggar has also warned there has never been a more dangerous time to take drugs.
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