Deadly super-strong opioids have been found in counterfeit drugs bought in Britain, it has emerged.
Figures show that in the past year there have been 130 examples of someone trying to buy medicines illegally and instead receiving substances contaminated with nitasenes.
These man-made opioids, which can be hundreds of times stronger than heroin and can be fatal in small doses, are mixed into counterfeit medications by unscrupulous drug suppliers.
Nitazenes have already been linked 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, Britain’s only national drugs control agency.
Often the counterfeit medicines look like the same kind of pack you can get from your high street pharmacy.
Many masqueraded as benzodiazepines, such as diazepam, and insomnia treatments, including temazepam.
The National Crime Agency believes nitazenes are being produced in Chinese laboratories and brought to Britain 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 Britain – before he was found dead in his student flat last July.
Figures show that in the past year there have been 130 examples of someone trying to buy medicines illegally and instead receiving substances contaminated with nitasenes (pictured)
Nitazenes were also found in substances claiming to be the allergy drug promethazine.
A government spokesman said it is “securing our borders against the threat” through “world-leading intelligence services, a dedicated intergovernmental task force and extensive international networks.”
Professor Rick Lines of WEDINOS said: ‘People may have discovered that they could not continue with a legitimate prescription and decided to follow what they thought was an alternative legitimate route, but in fact it is not.’
The government plans to make all types of nitazenes Class A drugs.
Under the Misuse of Drugs Act, those caught supplying and manufacturing them 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 Britain – 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 insisted on more testing, which revealed he had ingested a substance laced with nitasenes.
His mother Anna Jacques told the BBC she was in “disbelief” at the lack of testing, adding: “If I hadn’t pushed for better answers in the midst of enormous 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 can be fatal in small doses, are being mixed into fake drugs like Xanax by unscrupulous drug suppliers (pictured)
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“How can anyone be aware and informed about the dangers unless we test them?”
Ms Jacques, who lives in North Wales, believes Alex tried to buy Xanax because he was having trouble sleeping while taking medication for his attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
According to the Met Police, signs that someone may have used a synthetic opioid include small, constricted pupils, decreased consciousness or loss of consciousness, dizziness or drowsiness, difficulty breathing, vomiting, cold or clammy skin and low blood pressure or reduced heart rate.
The NCA believes that nitasenes are being produced in Chinese laboratories and brought to the UK via Royal Mail and other parcel carriers.
However, Border Force will only examine mail for drugs if there is a known risk or if they have received intelligence.
Dogs trained to detect nitasenes and other synthetic opioids will come into use ‘soon’.
Official figures published last week show drug-related deaths in England and Wales rose to record levels as experts warned the arrival of synthetic opioids is a ‘catastrophic public health crisis’.
NCA director general Graeme Biggar has also warned that there has never been a more dangerous time to use drugs.