Synthetic opioids related data from January 2023

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.24.036479

I note you seek access to the following information:

New Request
Regarding my FOI request 01/FOI/24/035783 – I would like to narrow my request to the scope suggested (2023 to 2024).

Old request
1. Does the force test for novel synthetic opioids? If yes, please list which.

By novel synthetic opioids, I mean opioids such as nitazenes and fentanyls, but not synthetic opioids such as e.g. tramadol or methadone.

In the years to March, 2019; 2020; 2021; 2022; 2023; and so far in 2024:
2. (a) How many seizures of nitazienes or substances containing nitazenes (if possible, please specify which nitazene, e.g. Etonitazene) did the police force make?
(i) If possible - please specify the 'main' substance seized (e.g. heroin adulterated with Etonitazene)
(ii) If possible - please specify the quantity seized in each incident.
(iii) If possible - please specify where these seizures took place.

In the years to March, 2019; 2020; 2021; 2022; 2023; and so far in 2024:
3. (a) How many seizures of other novel synthetic opioids, or substances containing other novel synthetic opioids (if possible, please specify which type, e.g. Carfentanil) did the force make?
(i) If possible - please specify the 'main' substance seized and what form it was in (e.g. heroin adulterated with Carfentanil, or fake Oxydone pill adulterated with Carfentanil)
(ii) If possible - please specify the quantity seized in each incident.
(iii) If possible - please specify where these seizures took place.

Decision

I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full.

Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

Q1 - Does the force test for novel synthetic opioids? If yes, please list which.

Yes, our Forensic Provider tests for a range of nitazenes and fentanyls.

Q2a - How many seizures of nitazenes or substances containing nitazenes (if possible, please specify which nitazene, e.g. Etonitazene) did the police force make?

45 seizures (52 samples) from January 2023 to date have been forensically examined and found to contain a nitazene or xylazine. We have detected a range of nitazenes: metonitazene, protonitazene, isotonitazene and desethyletonitazene being the most common detected. 3 seizures (3 samples) have been found to contain fentanyl, mixed with heroin.

Q2(i) – if possible – please specify the ‘main’ substance seized (e.g. heroin adulterated with Etonitazene)

The most commonly detected nitazene is metonitazene which has mainly been detected in heroin powders.

Q2(ii) - If possible - please specify the quantity seized in each incident.
Q2(iii) - If possible - please specify where these seizures took place.

To provide you an answer to these questions would engage a FOIA exemption. This would attract a refusal notice. As you have mentioned ‘if possible’ I therefore have not outlined the refusal notice but have informed you that this information would be exempt by virtue of s.30 – governing Investigations.

Q3(a) - How many seizures of other novel synthetic opioids, or substances containing other novel synthetic opioids (if possible, please specify which type, e.g. Carfentanil) did the force make?

There have been no detections of any carfentanil in MPS seizures during a 2023 to 2024.