Latest news with #syntheticdrugs
The Sun
4 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
How sinister armed gangs are selling KIDS vapes spiked with deadly zombie spice drug on Snapchat
Thea Jacobs, Feature writer Published: Invalid Date, AT 6am, officers from Greater Manchester Police burst through the door of the red-brick house. Shouts of 'Police!' echo through the quiet street as they enter the property, searching for the man they suspect of selling deadly vapes to kids via phone app Snapchat. 9 9 They find Omar Abu-Sharkh, 20, at home in Moorside, Oldham — thousands of e-cigs, empty refill bottles and five-litre vats of lethal synthetic drug spice littering the house, along with a machete. He is cuffed, read his rights and bundled into a police van. Cops are hopeful they have smashed the operation. But hours later, the dangerous vapes — touted as containing THC, the psychoactive substance found in cannabis — are for sale again online, tempting kids with popular Tango Ice Blast and Haribo flavours, plus refill vials as big as 200ml. The terrifying truth, however, is that these e-cig liquids have been mixed with something even more volatile than THC. — imported in bulk from China — which can hospitalise smokers after just one puff. 'We are watching' Callous dealers often target kids with popular flavours, and experts fear children will die if they buy a vape containing the potentially deadly chemical mix. Police resume their search for the crooks operating the Snapchat channel and, three warrants later, thanks to the dedicated work of two specially trained digital officers, they find the first suspect's accomplices and shut it down for good. Team leader Detective Sergeant John Schofield told The Sun: 'While we can't say they were deliberately targeting teens, the nature of the packaging, brands, flavours, and use of Snapchat all attract a younger customer. 'For example, Tango Ice Blast flavour is what you'd get your kids at the cinema for a slushy. They were actively choosing flavours that are popular with children. Disposable vapes will be banned across UK by next summer to stop Britain's kids from getting hooked 'These online criminals think they're not being noticed as much because they are not out on the street dealing. 'They can just run it from their bedroom, so they don't feel as visible. 'They've got a certain amount of arrogance, but we are watching — and we do find them.' These online criminals think they're not being noticed as much because they are not out on the street dealing Detective Sergeant John Schofield At court in March this year, Abu-Sharkh pleaded guilty to supplying class B drugs THC and synthetic cannabinoids. Qais Rasul, 20, and Mohammed Jalal Aftab, 20, both also from Oldham, admitted the same crimes. During one of the raids, Sufiaan Ali, 20, of Oldham, hurled a missile. He later pleaded guilty to possession of a readily convertible firearm as well as the drugs charge. All four men are due to be sentenced next week at Manchester crown court. Dan Griffiths, 40, from South Shields, has seen first-hand the damage spice vapes can cause after his 14-year-old son Ash smoked one earlier this month — and collapsed. 'Ash had no idea what was in it,' Dan revealed. 'After a couple of puffs, he collapsed, and his friends were standing there laughing at his reaction. 'Thankfully, a passing nurse saw it and called an ambulance. 'I ran across the estate to get to him. I was worried out of my mind. 'Seeing Ash pass out in the back of the ambulance left me terrified. I had no idea what would happen. 'Since then, he's had six seizures, and we're constantly in and out of the hospital. It's changed his life forever.' 9 9 9 Dealers go to great lengths to meddle with the ingredients in legitimate vapes. The Manchester gang were opening e-cig liquids, removing some, then topping them up to full using spice from China. Other vape bottles they made up themselves with a mix of legitimate liquid and the imported contraband. In a bid to keep their profits out of police hands, Aftab and Ali swapped cash into gold bars and hid them in safety deposit boxes, which cops need an extra warrant to access. Fellow crook Abu-Sharkh had gold coins at home to protect his earnings from the criminal enterprise. Spice is a group name for synthetic cannabinoids, which are meant to mimic the effects of THC, but are far more addictive and dangerous. It has been known to cause psychosis, loss of movement, vomiting, diarrhoea and sometimes seizures. Last year, researchers from Bath University found one in six vapes confiscated in schools was laced with spice, which can cause heart attack s, seizures and psychotic episodes. They tested 596 vapes confiscated from schools in England. Professor Chris Pudney, who carried out the research, said: 'You find spice in three places — prisons, homeless communities and schools. 'They all share the characteristics of having vulnerable people in their population.' On the haul found by Greater Manchester Police, Prof Pudney added: 'If you search for THC vapes on Instagram or TikTok, you will see the same kinds of images. The thing I have not seen before is the labelling with the 'flavours'. 'It points to a development in the distribution strategy and, as already noted, towards a younger age group.' The study also found only one in 100 vapes contained THC. 'Collapse at school' Genuine THC vapes will smell like cannabis and have a gel-like consistency, instead of being odourless and water-like. Spiked vapes have caused hundreds of teens across the country to collapse, with many not realising that they are smoking synthetic cannabinoids, zombie drug spice or, in rare cases, the opioid fentanyl. Ben Davies, the headteacher at St Ambrose Barlow RC High School in Salford, has witnessed the havoc that illegally doctored vapes can cause in teenagers attending his school. 'We've seen kids being given what they think is an innocent, over- the-counter vape, and it contains synthetic cannabinoids or something else,' Ben said. ' Illegal vaping itself is a worry, but with the spiked vapes, we've had children collapse at school and had to call the ambulance. We've had hallucinations, dissociation, collapse, palpitations, all those sorts of things. 'There are symptoms that are sometimes similar to a panic attack, but they are much more severe. 'What troubles me is how easily the children can get access to these vapes, often in some really sinister ways. And we have no idea what is in any of the vapes either — there's no way to really know.' Explaining why spice is dangerous for children and teenagers to use, GP Helen Wall said: 'Spice can cause severe anxiety, paranoia and hallucinations. Psychosis can often occur, leading to violence and risk-taking behaviour. 'Spice is neurotoxic and can often lead to seizures. It also can have profound effects on the heart. Heart rate can be elevated, leading to high blood pressure, chest pain and heart attacks, even in young, fit people. 'Sudden cardiac death has been linked to spice. ' Kidneys can fail and your liver can become impaired, often due to chemicals in the spice that are unknown. Those with asthma may have an attack and become severely breathless. 'Despite all of these nasty effects, individuals quickly gain psychological and physical dependence on the drug — more so than with cannabis. The withdrawal symptoms can be profound. 'Teens getting into spice are more likely to drop out of school, fail exams, become socially isolated and get involved in violent and risk-taking behaviours. 'Teenage brains are still developing, particularly the prefrontal cortex responsible for decision-making and impulse control. 'Spice interferes with this process, potentially leading to long-term thought and emotional consequences.' 9 9 9 What are the new vape laws? Ministers have pledged to crackdown on poorly regulated vapes and e-cigarettes following an explosion in the number of teenagers who use them. New rules for manufacturers and shopkeepers are expected to come into force in 2025. They are set to include: Higher tax rates paid on vapes increase the price and make it harder for children to afford them A ban on single-use vapes in favour of devices that can be recharged A ban on colourful and cartoonish packaging that may appeal to youngsters Tighter controls on flavourings and a ban on unnecessarily sweet or child-friendly ones like bubblegum and candy More regulation on how and where they are displayed in shops, potentially putting them out of sight Harsher penalties for shops caught selling them to under-18s The ban on disposable vapes is part of ambitious government plans to tackle the rise in youth vaping. A report published by Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) found 20.5 per cent of children in the UK had tried vaping in 2023, up from 15.8 per cent in 2022 and 13.9 per cent in 2020.
NHK
6 days ago
- General
- NHK
UN sounds alarm over meth trade in East, Southeast Asia
The United Nations is shedding light on the illegal synthetic drugs trade in East and Southeast Asia. An alarming new report shows the total amount of methamphetamines seized last year surged 24 percent. The UN's Office on Drugs and Crime released the figures on Wednesday. The report says authorities intercepted a record 236 tons of methamphetamine. About 90 percent came from Southeast Asia. The report points to "industrial-scale production and trafficking networks" operated by transnational crime groups. It describes the situation as "unprecedented" in Myanmar's Shan State. The country has been mired in political turmoil and conflict since the military took power more than four years ago.
Free Malaysia Today
27-05-2025
- Health
- Free Malaysia Today
Melaka considers ban on vape sales
Police say more states should ban the sale of e-cigarettes and vapes as they are becoming increasingly linked to the abuse of new synthetic drugs. (Bernama pic) MELAKA : Melaka police are proposing that the state government ban the sale of vape products to curb the threat of synthetic drugs being misused through electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes. Melaka police chief Dzulkhairi Mukhtar said this follows several arrests where vape liquids were found to contain illegal substances like ketamine. He added that the police are increasingly concerned about the rise in the use of vapes among school students and adults, Bernama reported. 'We are still in the process of preparing a proposal for a ban on the sale of vape products that will be submitted in the near future,' he said at the Melaka police headquarters. 'We are doing this because of the health and social issues involved with vaping, especially among teenagers. He added that the proposal will also consider the economic impact if vape sales are banned. Terengganu, Perlis and Kedah have moved to ban the sale of vape products and e-cigarettes, joining Johor and Kelantan which have imposed such a ban for years now. Last week, Negeri Sembilan also said it was considering a ban on the sale of vape products and electronic cigarettes in the state. On May 20, the Selangor government ordered all local councils to seize and remove advertisements related to vape products to curb the use of e-cigarettes. Last month, deputy inspector-general of police Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said more states should ban the sale of e-cigarettes and vapes as they were becoming increasingly linked to the abuse of new synthetic drugs. Ayob said students as young as 13 have been caught using vapes containing substances mixed with drugs, and that fentanyl-laced vape liquids have been found with effects 100 times stronger and more dangerous than morphine.
News.com.au
27-05-2025
- News.com.au
Former flight attendant caught smuggling deadly new drug
A former flight attendant caught smuggling over 45kg of a deadly new synthetic drug made of human bones faces up to 25 years in a Sri Lankan prison. Charlotte May Lee, 21, from the United Kingdom, was seized at Bandaranaike Airport in the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo earlier this month after allegedly carrying suitcases full of 'kush,' a new drug originating in West Africa which kills an estimated dozen people a week in Sierra Leone alone. Lee, from south London, claimed the drug stash — which has a reported street value of $3.3 million — was planted in her suitcases without her knowledge, her lawyer, Sampath Perera, told the BBC. She is being held in harsh conditions in a jail north of Colombo where she has to sleep on a concrete floor, though Mr Perera said she's been in contact with her family. The haul made on May 12 is the biggest seizure of the relatively new drug in Sri Lankan history. Customs officers posed proudly with the stash, which could land Lee a 25-year prison sentence if she is found guilty of smuggling. Lee had been working in Thailand when she was forced to leave because her 30-day visa was due to run out, so she decided to take a three-hour flight to Sri Lanka while she waited for the renewal of her Thai visa, her lawyer said. 'I had never seen them [the drugs] before. I didn't expect it all when they pulled me over at the airport. I thought it was going to be filled with all my stuff,' Lee told the Daily Mail from prison. She also implied she knew who had 'planted' the drugs in her suitcases, but wouldn't name them. 'They must have planted it then,' she said. 'I know who did it.' Kush, which is most popular with young men, can cause individuals to fall asleep while walking, collapse unexpectedly and even wander into moving traffic. One of the drug's many ingredients is reportedly human bones, and the insatiable desire for the substance has even led to ghoulish grave robbers raiding cemeteries in Sierra Leone. The country's president declared a state of emergency over abuse of kush last year, while security has reportedly been tightened in graveyards to stop the digging up of skeletons. Branding kush a 'death trap,' Sierra Leone's President, Julius Maada Bio, said the drug posed an 'existential crisis' to his nation. Lee flew out of Bangkok around the same time as another young British woman was facing drug smuggling charges. Bella Culley, from County Durham, northeast England, was arrested in the former Soviet nation of Georgia on May 10 after allegedly flying to the capital, Tbilisi, via the United Arab Emirates with more than 13kg of marijuana and hashish in her luggage. She is accused of 'illegally purchasing and storing a particularly large amount of narcotics, illegally purchasing and storing the narcotic drug marijuana, and illegally importing it into Georgia,' the country's Ministry of Internal Affairs said in a statement earlier this year. Sri Lankan authorities have warned of a huge increase in drugs arriving in the country via Bangkok. 'Another passenger who had left Bangkok airport, almost at the same time, was arrested in another country. We arrested this lady [Lee] based on profiling,' a senior Sri Lanka customs officer told the BBC. 'This has been a rule nuisance,' he added, referring to the drug scourge.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
British woman accused of smuggling deadly drug made of human bones
A British woman has been arrested in Sri Lanka on suspicion of smuggling 46 kilograms of a deadly new synthetic drug into Sri Lanka. Charlotte May Lee, 21, was detained after allegedly carrying suitcases packed full of kush through Colombo's Bandaranaike airport earlier this month. Officials said the discovery was the airport's largest ever seizure of the drug, which is most commonly used in west Africa and reportedly made with human bones. The stash has a reported street value of £1.5 million. Ms Lee, a former flight attendant from south London, has denied the accusations and claimed that the drugs were planted there without her knowledge. She could face up to 25 years in prison if found guilty. Her lawyers said she is being held in a prison in the city of Negombo, north of the capital, where she said she is facing hard conditions and sleeping on a concrete floor. A legal representative told the BBC that his team is visiting her daily in the prison to ensure her wellbeing and offer support. She is reportedly in contact with her family. Ms Lee had been in Bangkok and travelled to Sri Lanka because her visa was due to expire. She claimed that she packed her bag the night before her flight and that someone 'must have planted it [the drugs] then'. She told the MailOnline 'I know who did it', but did not elaborate. She added that she did not check her luggage before boarding the flight to Colombo, the Sri Lankan capital. She said: 'I had never seen them [the drugs] before. I didn't expect it all when they pulled me over at the airport. 'I thought it was going to be filled with all my stuff.' A senior customs officer in Sri Lanka told the BBC that there has been a large increase in drugs being smuggled into Sri Lanka via Bangkok recently, which they said was a 'real nuisance'. The officer added: 'Another passenger who had left Bangkok airport, almost at the same time, was arrested in another country. We arrested this lady [Ms Lee] based on profiling.' Kush, a relatively new synthetic narcotic, is most commonly used in west Africa and is estimated to kill around a dozen people a week in Sierra Leone. The drug, typically consumed by men between the ages of 18 to 25, causes individuals to fall asleep while walking, collapse unexpectedly, hit their heads on hard surfaces and wander into moving traffic. It has been reported that one of the drug's many ingredients is human bones and that security has been tightened in graveyards in Sierra Leone to stop people digging up skeletons. The president declared a state of emergency over abuse of the substance in 2024. Groups of mostly young men sitting on street corners with limbs swollen by kush abuse is a common sight in the former British colony. Julius Maada Bio, Sierra Leone's president, said the drug posed an 'existential crisis' and called it a 'death trap'. It is thought that Ms Lee left Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport days after the departure of another British woman from the same airport who was recently detained on drug charges in Georgia. Bella Culley, 18, from Billingham, County Durham, allegedly smuggled 12kg of marijuana and 2kg of hashish into the Caucasus country. Investigations are underway as to where the narcotics, found in her travel bag, came from. Ms Culley could face up to 20 years in prison or a life sentence if found guilty. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
