Novel synthetic opioids 160/2024
FOI Reference: 160/2024
Request:
- 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:
- (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:
- (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.
Clarification Q
Where you state “Does the force test for” do you require statistics for tests conducted by Dyfed Powys Police or statistics for drugs sent to a third party for the tests to be conducted?
Clarification A
I am interested in all seizures made by police – so both those tested within the organisation by the police force and those sent to a third party for testing.
Clarification Q
Please can you provide a specific list of all other novel synthetic drugs wanting to be searched for, to assist in answering Q3.
Clarification A
Here are the nitazenes I am hoping to gather information on:
- Butonitazene
- Etodesnitazene(etazene)
- Flunitazene
- Isotonitazene
- Metodesnitazene(metazene)
- Metonitazene
- N-Desethylisotonitazene
- N-Piperidinyl-etonitazene (etonitazepipne)
- N-Pyrrolidino-etonitazene (etonitazepyne)
- Protonitazene
For other novel synthetic opioids, I would like to know about:
- Fentanil
- acetylfentanyl
- butyrfentanyl
- carfentanil
- alfentanil
- sufentanil
- remifentanil
- Brorphine
Response 1:
I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, as outlined below.
No, outsourced.
Response 2:
I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, as outlined below.
0
Response 3:
I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, as outlined below.
2019: 0
2020: 0
2021: 0
2022: 1 (Fentanyl, 3 tablets/capsules, estimated weight info not held, seized from private dwelling)
2023: 0
2024 (to date): 0
Please note: No further information held in relation to specific nitazenes and synthetic opioids listed in the request.
It should be noted that as a result of the systems adopted by Dyfed-Powys Police in relation to the recording of such information that the information released may or may not be accurate.
Furthermore, it should also be noted that Police forces in the United Kingdom are routinely required to provide crime statistics to government bodies and the recording criteria is set nationally. However, the systems used for recording these figures are not generic, nor are the procedures used locally in capturing the crime data. It should be noted that for these reasons this force's response to your questions should not be used for comparison purposes with any other response you may receive.
(This is a response under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and disclosed on 10/07/2024)