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Last update: 27 June 2024
Overview
Synthetic cannabinoids are sold as ‘legal’ replacements for cannabis, but may sometimes also be sought in their own right as strong intoxicants. They are used by marginalised groups, such as people experiencing homelessness, prisoners and other vulnerable populations, because they cause profound intoxication, are easy to conceal and are cheaper than other drugs.
They are also used by people subject to drug testing, such as prisoners or those in drug treatment, because some routine tests cannot detect synthetic cannabinoids that are new to the drug market. In addition, in some parts of Europe, there has been an increase in reports of synthetic cannabinoids being vaped using electronic cigarettes; in some cases, individuals are unaware they are using synthetic cannabinoids because the products are mis-sold as containing THC or cannabidiol (CBD).
Synthetic cannabinoids may be available in several forms in Europe (EMCDDA, 2021a). Commonly, synthetic cannabinoids are sprayed onto herbal material or tobacco and smoked. Since 2020, low-THC cannabis (hemp) adulterated with synthetic cannabinoids has also been identified. In addition, the substances may be sold as e-liquids for vaping. Infusing paper (such as letters and photos) and clothing (such as underwear) is a common way to smuggle them into prisons. The items are then smoked, vaped or boiled to extract the substances. Synthetic cannabinoids may also be sold in the form of powders or occasionally tablets.
Synthetic cannabinoids can pose a high risk of poisoning, both because of their high potency and because the amount of cannabinoid can vary greatly in the product, leading to ‘hot pockets’ where the substance is highly concentrated (Moosmann et al., 2015). Drinking these substances when extracted from clothing poses similar risks, as users may have no control or knowledge of the dose they are taking.
Production
Most synthetic cannabinoids on the EU drug market are produced as bulk powders in China. However, the processing of these bulk powders into consumer products does take place in Europe. Recent signals suggest that the synthesis of synthetic cannabinoids may also be starting to occur to some degree in Europe. This could be partly driven by the generic controls on synthetic cannabinoids introduced in China in July 2021, which banned the production and supply of most substances currently on the market.
Between 2017 and 2021, the five dismantled synthetic cannabinoid production facilities reported to the European Reporting Instrument on Sites related to Synthetic Production (ERISSP) were processing and packaging sites. Reports were provided by Germany, Spain, the Netherlands and Romania. Additional reports were obtained from national authorities and open-source information monitoring. These included reports of synthetic cannabinoid processing and packaging sites in the Netherlands, Hungary and Cyprus.
In the Netherlands, one production site was dismantled in 2018 on the premises of a commercial company. The synthetic cannabinoids were mixed and packed in bags with the ‘Man-light’ brand name. In 2020, another site was dismantled at a different location, where synthetic cannabinoids were mixed with herbal carrier material, packaged and distributed by post, mainly to Germany (National Police of the Netherlands, 2022).
In Hungary, the production of papers impregnated with synthetic cannabinoids and herbal smoking mixtures was discovered in 2021, at a site where seizures of acetone were recorded. Authorities believe that a significant proportion of infused papers seized in Hungary are produced within the country, using imported powders (EMCDDA, unpublished).
In Cyprus, a synthetic cannabinoid processing facility was seized in 2022. Acetone was found alongside a few kilograms of cannabinoid powders (JWH-210, ADB-BUTINACA, FUB-144 and MDMB-4en-PINACA) and illicit drugs (EMCDDA, unpublished).
Importantly, in 2023, two sites were dismantled where there were signs that the synthesis of synthetic cannabinoids may have occurred, rather than just processing and packaging. These sites were located in Greece and Spain.
In Greece, a storage warehouse and a makeshift laboratory were seized following an investigation by the Greek Police in cooperation with the Lithuanian Police, Europol and the DEA (the US Drug Enforcement Administration), in relation to a seizure in Lithuania of eight parcels originating in Greece. The Greek production site was fulfilling orders for Europe (Germany, France, Lithuania, Poland and Portugal), the United States and Australia via an encrypted communication platform. The orders were sent via postal and courier services and payments were made using cryptocurrency. In total, 41.5 kilograms of powder and 3.5 litres of synthetic cannabinoids were seized, alongside 6 kilograms of synthetic cathinones, 700 grams of cannabis herb and resin, 200 grams of CBD/cannabigerol and 17 benzodiazepine tablets. Five individuals were arrested, including four Greek nationals and one Albanian citizen (EMCDDA, unpublished) (see Photos Seized warehouse and laboratory producing synthetic cannabinoids in Greece, 2023).
In Spain, following an international investigation triggered by US seizures originating from the country, a production facility was dismantled in Barcelona (1). This produced synthetic cannabinoids (ADB-BUTINACA, ADB-FUBIACA, ADB-B-5BR-INACA, A-FUBIACA and JWH-210), cathinones (alpha-PHiP) and opioids (unspecified) for export to North America, Oceania and EU countries via parcel services. The site was equipped with a tableting machine and a sophisticated production and logistics dispatch system resembling a supermarket display. It appears that some degree of manufacturing was occurring in the laboratory, given that precursors were seized, alongside laboratory equipment and solvents. Processing and packaging of end products did take place at the site, with over 7.5 million doses of new psychoactive substances seized. Three members of the same family were arrested, who used a Barcelona-based company with Hungarian connections for shipping (Spanish Police, 2023).
Situation
The EMCDDA currently monitors 247 synthetic cannabinoids, making them the largest group of new psychoactive substances in Europe (25 % of all substances). This includes five that were notified in 2023.
Between 2016 and 2020, the number of new synthetic cannabinoids appearing on the market was stable at around 10 per year, down from an average of 27 per year during the peak of the ‘legal highs’ phenomenon between 2011 and 2015. However, in 2021 and 2022 there was an increase in the number notified, with 15 and 22 substances reported, respectively. Similar increases have also been reported in the United States (Krotulski et al., 2021). These new cannabinoids have possibly been developed to circumvent the generic controls introduced in China in 2021.
Seizures of synthetic cannabinoids reported to the EU Early Warning System: quantities of powders and herbal material seized, European Union, 2005-2022
Seizures of synthetic cannabinoids reported to the EU Early Warning System: trends in number of seizures, European Union, 2005-2022
Number of synthetic cannabinoids seized in the form of herbal material, European Union, 2022
Quantity of synthetic cannabinoids seized in the form of herbal material, European Union, 2022
Number of synthetic cannabinoids seized in the form of powder, European Union, 2022
Quantity of synthetic cannabinoids seized in the form of powder, European Union, 2022
The quantity of powder containing synthetic cannabinoids seized in the European Union increased significantly in 2022 to the highest level since 2013 (504 vs 596 kilograms). However, 457 kilograms (91 %) of the total amount of powder in 2022 was from four large seizures by Dutch customs of a single cannabinoid, JWH-210. The source of this cannabinoid is unknown, although it has been controlled in China since 2015.
Seizures of synthetic cannabinoids reported to the EU Early Warning System by country: numbers of seizures, European Union, 2022
Seizures of synthetic cannabinoids reported to the EU Early Warning System by country: quantity of powder seized, European Union, 2022
Seizures of synthetic cannabinoids reported to the EU Early Warning System by country: quantity of herbal material seized, European Union, 2022
Since 2020, there has been an increase in reports of herbal material where THC or other natural cannabinoids, suggestive of low-THC hemp, were found alongside synthetic cannabinoids. At least 13 European countries have reported such cases, with most reports coming from Germany and Sweden. Such adulterated products may be more widely available but go undetected. During 2020, over 36 kilograms of adulterated herbal material suggestive of hemp was reported; this increased to 200 kilograms in 2021 before falling to 71.5 kilograms in 2022.
The reason for the adulteration is not entirely clear, but increased cultivation of low-THC industrial hemp in Switzerland has led to oversupply and a sharp drop in its price (Von Schläpfer et al., 2020). Low-THC herbal cannabis products have also become more commonly available in some EU countries. The adulterated cannabis appears similar in appearance to natural cannabis, and can be mis-sold as cannabis to unsuspecting consumers. Synthetic cannabinoids are highly potent substances, and adulterated products carry poisoning risks.
An additional concern is that cannabis edibles (foods, often in the form of ‘sweets’ that are typically infused with cannabis extract) have become more apparent on the illicit European market since 2021. In addition to the risks that these products pose because of their THC content and the possibility that they may be mistaken for legitimate commercial products, especially by children, there are concerns that some of these products may contain synthetic cannabinoids. Since 2019, at least five countries have reported the identification of edibles containing synthetic cannabinoids that were in the form of sweets (gummies). In Ireland, these edibles are often found in commercial packaging similar to existing branding of sweets (see Photos Edibles containing synthetic cannabinoids seized in Ireland). According to Irish authorities, these sweets have taken on a more professional and commercial appearance, which may suggest a wider distribution strategy. The packaging is often labelled as being ‘cannabis infused’ or containing THC, although many of these sweets do not contain THC. Laboratory analysis by Forensic Science Ireland has found that more than 50 % of the sweets tested in 2022 did not contain THC, but contained synthetic cannabinoids instead. In some cases, use of these products by young people has led to poisonings requiring hospitalisation (Forensic Science Ireland, 2023).
(1) The operation ‘Canalla-Electrón’ could be carried out thanks to the information posted on the NPS IONICS alert exchange platform of the International Narcotics Control Board (GRIDS Programme), the intervention of the Spanish National Police, the Deputy Directorate of Customs Surveillance and the coordination of the Intelligence Center against Terrorism and Organized Crime (CITCO).
Source data
All of the source data used in graphics and data tables may be found in our Data catalogue.
Number of laboratory sites associated with NPS production dismantled in Europe in 2013-2016
Country
Number of laboratory sites
Belgium
1
Bulgaria
1
Czechia
2
Estonia
2
France
0
Germany
2
Hungary
1
Netherlands
16
Poland
9
Romania
5
Slovakia
2
Spain
1
Sweden
4
Number of laboratory sites associated with NPS production dismantled in Europe in 2017-2021
Country
Number of laboratory sites
Belgium
4
Bulgaria
0
Czechia
0
Estonia
0
France
1
Germany
11
Hungary
0
Netherlands
52
Poland
37
Romania
1
Slovakia
1
Spain
2
Sweden
1
Number of laboratory sites associated with NPS production dismantled in Europe in 2017-2021, by category of new psychoactive substance produced
Category
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
Total
Arylalkylamines
0
1
0
0
0
1
Ketamine
1
0
1
1
1
4
Cannabinoids
0
3
1
1
0
5
Cathinones
8
3
5
14
17
47
Indolalkylamines
0
1
1
0
0
2
Opioids
1
2
1
0
0
4
GHB/GBL
4
8
8
9
5
34
Phenethylamines
1
3
1
0
0
5
Unspecified NPS
0
4
7
2
2
15
Number of new psychoactive substances notified to the EU Early Warning System for the first time, European Union, 2005-2023
Years
Number of NPS
2005
13
2006
7
2007
14
2008
13
2009
21
2010
41
2011
48
2012
74
2013
81
2014
101
2015
98
2016
66
2017
51
2018
55
2019
53
2020
46
2021
52
2022
41
2023
26
Number of new psychoactive substances notified to the EU Early Warning System for the first time by category, European Union, 2005–2023
Year
Aminoindanes
Arylalkylamines
Arylcyclohexylamines
Benzodiazepines
Cannabinoids
Cathinones
Opioids
Other substances
Phenethylamines
Piperazines
Piperidines and pyrrolidines
Plants and extracts
Tryptamines
2005
1
1
3
2
6
2006
1
1
2
3
2007
2
1
3
2
1
3
2
2008
1
6
1
1
3
1
2009
6
4
1
2
5
1
2
2010
1
3
2
11
14
3
3
1
1
1
1
2011
1
5
1
1
23
7
4
4
2
2012
5
3
1
31
4
3
8
14
1
4
2013
1
6
1
2
29
8
4
13
14
1
1
1
2014
4
4
30
31
4
14
9
5
2015
4
2
5
24
26
4
12
9
3
6
3
2016
3
6
6
11
14
9
10
5
1
1
2017
1
1
3
10
12
13
4
4
1
2
2018
1
1
5
11
8
11
9
5
4
2019
1
2
8
10
8
13
3
2
1
5
2020
1
4
3
11
8
10
4
5
2021
5
3
15
6
6
9
4
4
2022
1
2
2
24
5
1
3
1
1
1
2023
1
9
3
7
2
4
Numbers and categories of new psychoactive substances detected each year following their first identification, European Union, 2005-2022
Year
Aminoindanes
Arylalkylamines
Arylcyclohexylamines
Benzodiazepines
Cannabinoids
Cathinones
Tryptamines
Opioids
Other substances
Phenethylamines
Piperazines
Piperidines and Pyrrolidines
2005
0
1
1
1
0
1
13
0
4
8
3
0
2006
1
3
2
1
0
0
8
0
3
10
4
0
2007
1
2
1
1
0
2
16
0
5
12
8
1
2008
0
2
2
1
2
7
9
0
7
11
6
1
2009
2
2
2
1
6
10
11
1
8
16
6
2
2010
1
3
3
1
16
22
15
1
5
21
9
2
2011
3
6
4
1
41
30
16
1
10
31
7
3
2012
3
14
7
3
55
37
20
5
15
35
7
4
2013
4
19
7
5
63
45
17
7
28
47
8
5
2014
4
19
7
10
86
70
19
9
37
49
9
4
2015
4
20
8
12
93
88
22
12
41
50
10
9
2016
4
22
12
19
89
96
20
17
42
45
9
11
2017
4
19
13
26
84
93
29
30
42
47
6
13
2018
3
18
10
22
90
93
28
29
48
44
8
10
2019
4
16
12
18
81
90
27
26
63
47
8
10
2020
2
13
17
20
77
78
23
29
47
36
4
11
2021
3
16
19
18
100
78
25
28
56
39
6
8
2022
4
18
17
23
86
78
25
20
55
40
10
8
Seizures of new psychoactive substances reported to the EU Early Warning System: total number of seizures, European Union, 2005-2022
Year
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
Number of seizures
929
1301
1857
3264
5996
6475
7891
11410
25208
24154
34190
46019
37583
33618
22450
21252
29399
26390
Seizures of new psychoactive substances reported to the EU Early Warning System: quantity of material seized for all forms reported in weight, European Union, 2005-2022
Year
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
Quantity seized (kg)
1.896
22.601
65.771
62.241
944.083
1110.328
676.245
1805.11
1940.076
2925.087
4599.363
3175.676
3018.483
4118.687
2042.919
5134.434
8527.035
30681.746
Seizures of new psychoactive substances reported to the EU Early Warning System: total number of seizures by category, European Union, 2022
Category
Number of seizures
Cathinones
9661
Cannabinoids
4683
Others
4451
Arylcyclohexylamines
3920
Phenethylamines
1337
Benzodiazepines
752
Opioids
749
Arylalkylamines
423
Tryptamines
213
Piperidines and pyrrolidines
105
Piperazine derivates
86
Aminoindanes
10
Seizures of new psychoactive substances reported to the EU Early Warning System: total number of seizures by category substance, European Union, 2022
Substance
Number of seizures
Ketamine
3462
3-CMC
2997
Pregabalin
2339
4-CMC
1962
ADB-BUTINACA
1645
3-MMC
1204
2C-B
901
alpha-PHP
674
MDMB-4en-PINACA
575
N-ethylnorpentedrone
571
Other
10060
Seizures of new psychoactive substances reported to the EU Early Warning System: quantity of material seized by category for all forms reported in weight, European Union, 2022
Category
Quantity material (kg)
Cathinones
26522.926
Cannabinoids
844.026
Others
375.732
Arylcyclohexylamines
2798.233
Phenethylamines
53.821
Benzodiazepines
4.203
Opioids
16.594
Arylalkylamines
59.022
Tryptamines
4.404
Piperidines and pyrrolidines
2.538
Piperazine derivates
0.194
Aminoindanes
0.051
Seizures of new psychoactive substances reported to the EU Early Warning System: quantity of material seized by substance for all forms reported in weight, European Union, 2022
Substance
Quantity material (kg)
3-CMC
19414.919
3-MMC
2848.907
Ketamine
2792.879
2-MMC
1510.029
N-ethylnorpentedrone
1056.867
alpha-PHiP
568.344
JWH-210
467.506
Eutylone
334.37
MDPHP
179.661
Mephedrone
167.267
Other
1340.997
Seizures of new psychoactive substances reported to the EU Early Warning System by country: numbers of seizures, European Union, 2022
Country
Number of seizures
Austria
141
Belgium
Bulgaria
996
Cyprus
12
Czechia
47
Germany
2418
Denmark
173
Estonia
323
Greece
86
Spain
5444
Finland
1602
France
2572
Croatia
25
Hungary
1415
Ireland
6
Italy
142
Lithuania
564
Luxembourg
50
Latvia
409
Malta
5
Netherlands
1056
Poland
3760
Portugal
257
Romania
10
Sweden
4717
Slovenia
133
Slovakia
27
Seizures of new psychoactive substances reported to the EU Early Warning System by country: quantity of material seized for all forms reported in weight, European Union, 2022
Country
Quantity material (kg)
Austrial
20.179
Belgium
0
Bulgaria
14.956
Cyprus
0.01
Czechia
4.139
Germany
199.249
Denmark
501.604
Estonia
169.703
Greece
12.951
Spain
4005.083
Finland
47.22
France
0
Croatia
2.478
Hungary
158.369
Ireland
0.012
Italy
56.04
Lithuania
16.531
Luxembourg
0.141
Latvia
84.47
Malta
0.016
Netherlands
24612.796
Poland
305.978
Portugal
20.321
Romania
1.66
Sweden
442.325
Slovenia
5.263
Slovakia
0.255
Dismantled laboratories associated with cathinone production in Europe by substance produced, 2017-2021
Cathinone produced
Number of laboratories
3-CMC
5
3-MMC
1
4-CMC
17
alpha-PHP
1
4-MMC
23
Seizures of cathinone precursors in Europe by cathinone produced, 2017-2021
Cathinone precursor used
2-CMC
4-CMC
4-MMC
Other cathinones
x-MMC
2017
110
1211.265
2018
500
50.077
2019
305.991
12.824
120
2020
407.3
445.2
50
2021
20
244
291.4
Number of synthetic cathinones notified to the EU Early Warning System for the first time, European Union, 2005-2023
Row Labels
Cathinones
2005
1
2008
6
2009
4
2010
14
2011
7
2012
4
2013
8
2014
31
2015
26
2016
14
2017
12
2018
8
2019
10
2020
8
2021
6
2022
5
2023
3
Seizures of synthetic cathinones reported to the EU Early Warning System: trends in total number of seizures, European Union, 2005-2022
Year
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
Number of seizures
6
7
161
1010
1790
2662
2988
6398
6273
12398
21945
15061
13906
6413
5503
8449
9661
Seizures of synthetic cathinones reported to the EU Early Warning System: quantity of material seized for all forms reported in weight, European Union, 2005-2022
Year
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
Quantity seized (kg)
0.5
0
0
7
49.5
402.3
394.7
840.6
894.5
992.3
1786.9
1909.9
1160.4
1070.6
752.9
3307.6
4536.6
26522.9
Top five synthetic cathinones seized by number of seizures reported to the EU Early Warning System, European Union, 2022
Substance
Number of seizures
3-CMC
2997
4-CMC
1962
3-MMC
1204
alpha-PHP
674
N-ethylnorpentedrone
571
Other
2253
Top five synthetic cathinones seized by quantity of material seized for all forms reported in weight reported to the EU Early Warning System, European Union, 2022
Substance
Quantity material (kg)
3-CMC
19414.919
3-MMC
2848.907
2-MMC
1510.029
N-ethylnorpentedrone
1056.867
alpha-PHiP
568.344
Other
1123.861
Seizures of synthetic cathinones reported to the EU Early Warning System by country: numbers of seizures, European Union, 2022
Country
Number of seizures
Austria
29
Belgium
Bulgaria
1
Cyprus
1
Czechia
21
Germany
290
Denmark
17
Estonia
63
Greece
14
Spain
1416
Finland
472
France
778
Croatia
4
Hungary
888
Ireland
Italy
51
Lithuania
66
Luxembourg
7
Latvia
56
Malta
Netherlands
423
Poland
3398
Portugal
184
Romania
1
Sweden
1436
Slovenia
38
Slovakia
7
Seizures of synthetic cathinones reported to the EU Early Warning System by country: quantity of material seized for all forms reported in weight, European Union, 2022
Country
Quantity material (kg)
Austria
2.125
Belgium
0
Bulgaria
0
Cyprus
0.001
Czechia
0.26
Germany
29.128
Denmark
0.04
Estonia
39.059
Greece
0.615
Spain
3455.04
Finland
9.229
France
0
Croatia
0.135
Hungary
138.554
Ireland
0
Italy
0.892
Lithuania
0.213
Luxembourg
0.082
Latvia
79.059
Malta
0
Netherlands
22249.65
Poland
299.515
Portugal
17.927
Romania
0.001
Sweden
200.056
Slovenia
1.098
Slovakia
0.248
Number of synthetic cannabinoids notified to the EU Early Warning System for the first time, European Union, 2005-2023
Year
Cannabinoids
2008
1
2009
6
2010
11
2011
23
2012
31
2013
29
2014
30
2015
24
2016
11
2017
10
2018
11
2019
8
2020
11
2021
15
2022
22
2023
5
Seizures of synthetic cannabinoids reported to the EU Early Warning System: quantities of powders and herbal material seized, European Union, 2005-2022
Year
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
Quantity herbal (kg)
2.58
87.75
118.53
71.26
173.51
206.56
1560.23
551.08
158.57
235.92
112.7
100.45
384.93
233.84
Quantity powder (kg)
2.03
41.11
20.76
323.52
595.41
419.12
337.09
191.1
149.95
70.77
82.6
96.7
57.4
504.06
Seizures of synthetic cannabinoids reported to the EU Early Warning System: trends in number of seizures, European Union, 2005-2022
Year
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
Number of seizures
10
99
358
1006
1718
2820
9813
9601
7821
10003
8962
8729
6042
5714
6994
3441
Number of synthetic cannabinoids seized in the form of herbal material, European Union, 2022
Substance
Number of seizures (herbal)
ADB-BUTINACA
1120
MDMB-4en-PINACA
339
CUMYL-NBMINACA
311
4F-MDMB-BICA
219
5F-MDMB-PICA
159
JWH-210
121
Other
788
Quantity of synthetic cannabinoids seized in the form of herbal material, European Union, 2022
Substance
Quantity herbal (kg)
MDMB-4en-PINACA
90.9
ADB-BUTINACA
86.17
4F-ABINACA
9.81
JWH-210
7.13
4F-MDMB-BICA
6.71
CUMYL-CBMICA
6.36
Other
26.76
Number of synthetic cannabinoids seized in the form of powder, European Union, 2022
Substance
Number of seizures (powder)
ADB-BUTINACA
100
MDMB-4en-PINACA
36
JWH-210
32
4F-MDMB-BICA
26
ADB-B-5Br-INACA
20
5F-MDMB-PICA
16
Other
154
Quantity of synthetic cannabinoids seized in the form of powder, European Union, 2022
Substance
Quantity powder (kg)
JWH-210
460.22
ADB-BUTINACA
19.35
4F-MDMB-BICA
5.35
MDMB-4en-PINACA
4.83
5F-AKB48
1.6
ADB-5Br-INACA
1.48
Other
11.22
Seizures of synthetic cannabinoids reported to the EU Early Warning System by country: numbers of seizures, European Union, 2022
Country
Number of cases
Austria
49
Bulgaria
988
Cyprus
3
Germany
974
Denmark
4
Estonia
1
Greece
15
Spain
44
Finland
20
France
479
Croatia
16
Hungary
375
Ireland
2
Italy
13
Lithuania
34
Luxembourg
5
Latvia
16
Montenegro
2
Netherlands
27
Poland
157
Portugal
30
Romania
6
Sweden
131
Slovenia
49
Slovakia
1
Seizures of synthetic cannabinoids reported to the EU Early Warning System by country: quantity of powder seized, European Union, 2022
Country name
Quantity powder (kg)
Austria
0
Bulgaria
6.59
Cyprus
0
Germany
10.44
Denmark
0.04
Estonia
0
Greece
10.64
Spain
0.04
Finland
0.04
France
0
Croatia
0
Hungary
9.65
Ireland
0
Italy
0
Lithuania
1.37
Luxembourg
0
Latvia
0.42
Montenegro
0
Netherlands
462.86
Poland
1.04
Portugal
0
Romania
0.83
Sweden
0.11
Slovenia
0
Slovakia
0
Seizures of synthetic cannabinoids reported to the EU Early Warning System by country: quantity of herbal material seized, European Union, 2022
Country name
Quantity herbal (kg)
Austria
12.48
Bulgaria
4.03
Cyprus
0
Germany
69.68
Denmark
0
Estonia
0
Greece
0.35
Spain
1.26
Finland
0.03
France
0
Croatia
0
Hungary
8.47
Ireland
0
Italy
0.84
Lithuania
0.51
Luxembourg
0
Latvia
0.03
Montenegro
0
Netherlands
68.38
Poland
2.87
Portugal
2
Romania
0.81
Sweden
57.49
Slovenia
4
Slovakia
0
Number of seizures of HHC (all forms) reported to the EU Early Warning System, European Union, 2022
Country name
HHC seizures (all forms)
Austria
2
Bulgaria
4
Cyprus
1
Czechia
10
Germany
1
Denmark
5
Estonia
25
Greece
1
Spain
15
Finland
7
France
26
Croatia
1
Hungary
11
Italy
14
Lithuania
2
Poland
1
Sweden
8
Slovakia
2
Number and types of new opioids notified to the EU Early Warning System for the first time, 2005-2023
Year
Other opioids
Fentanils
Benzimidazoles
2009
1
0
0
2010
0
0
0
2011
0
0
0
2012
1
2
0
2013
2
2
0
2014
1
3
0
2015
1
3
0
2016
1
8
0
2017
3
10
0
2018
5
6
0
2019
5
2
1
2020
4
1
5
2021
3
0
3
2022
0
0
1
2023
1
6
Seizures of new opioids reported to the EU Early Warning System: trends in numbers of seizures, European Union, 2005-2022
Year
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
Number of seizures
1
48
5
22
64
171
490
1369
1206
1157
580
594
742
749
Seizures of new opioids reported to the EU Early Warning System: quantities seized for all forms reported in weight, by type of opioid, European Union, 2005-2022
Year
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
Others
0.003
0.092
0.018
0.024
0.754
0.359
0.87
4.027
5.53
3.059
1.14
1.142
1.318
5.286
Fentanils
0
0
0
0.003
0.084
0.928
1.264
4.343
15.25
6.712
15.755
6.029
4.957
8.25
Benzimidazoles
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0.129
3.562
1.955
3.059
Seizures of new opioids reported to the EU Early Warning System by country: numbers of seizures, European Union, 2022
Country
Number of seizures
Austria
3
Belgium
Bulgaria
Cyprus
Czechia
Germany
14
Denmark
5
Estonia
88
Greece
20
Spain
25
Finland
49
France
14
Croatia
Hungary
8
Ireland
2
Italy
2
Lithuania
248
Luxembourg
Latvia
227
Malta
Netherlands
Poland
5
Portugal
Romania
Sweden
38
Slovenia
1
Slovakia
Seizures of new opioids reported to the EU Early Warning System by country: quantity seized for all forms reported in weight, European Union, 2022
Country
Quantity material (kg)
Austria
0.0508
Belgium
0
Bulgaria
0
Cyprus
0
Czechia
0
Germany
0.015489
Denmark
0.015
Estonia
1.163843
Greece
1.039
Spain
4.1163
Finland
0.0018
France
0
Croatia
0
Hungary
0.0028471
Ireland
0.0115
Italy
0.0082
Lithuania
6.579922406
Luxembourg
0
Latvia
2.88704
Malta
0
Netherlands
0
Poland
0.25839
Portugal
0
Romania
0
Sweden
0.444
Slovenia
0.00027
Slovakia
0
Top five new opioids seized by number of seizures reported to the EU Early Warning System, European Union, 2021
Substance
Number of seizures
Carfentanil
335
Isotonitazene
160
Tramadol
166
ODT
14
Ocfentanil
10
Other opioids
55
Top five new opioids seized by number of seizures reported to the EU Early Warning System, European Union, 2022
Substance
Number of seizures
Carfentanil
302
Tramadol
163
Protonitazene
104
Metonitazene
89
Isotonitazene
42
Other opioids
49
Top five new opioids seized by quantity seized reported to the EU Early Warning System, European Union, 2021
Substance
Number of seizures
Carfentanil
4.884
Isotonitazene
1.917
Tramadol
0.282
ODT
0.143
U-49900
0.823
Other opioids
0.18
Top five new opioids seized by quantity seized reported to the EU Early Warning System, European Union, 2022
Substance
Number of seizures
Carfentanil
8.243
Tramadol
5.201
Protonitazene
1.638
Metonitazene
0.873
Isotonitazene
0.267
Other opioids
0.372
Countries in Europe reporting identifications of nitazene opioids, 2019-2023 (all types of identification)
Country
Count
Netherlands
1
Finland
1
Latvia
1
Ireland
1
Bulgaria
1
Austria
1
Hungary
1
Norway
1
Lithuania
1
Poland
1
Czechia
1
Estonia
1
Denmark
1
Italy
1
Slovenia
1
Sweden
1
Germany
1
France
1
Spain
1
Belgium
1
Portugal
1
Number of benzodiazepines reported for the first time in Europe, 2005-2023
Year
Notifications
2005
0
2006
0
2007
1
2008
0
2009
0
2010
0
2011
1
2012
1
2013
2
2014
4
2015
5
2016
6
2017
3
2018
5
2019
2
2020
0
2021
3
2022
2
2023
1
Seizures of new benzodiazepines reported to the EU Early Warning System: trends in number of seizures, European Union, 2005-2022
Year
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
Number of seizures
13
17
9
26
20
33
31
421
815
998
2643
1682
1552
1713
1262
1015
1262
752
Seizures of new benzodiazepines reported to the EU Early Warning System: number of tablets and capsules seized, European Union, 2005-2022
Year
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
Tablets and capsules (units)
922
4336
1405
741
2597
826
786
173549
465186
131350
263380
131102.75
112356.54
113628
97607.5
65115
293242.7
70617
Seizures of new benzodiazepines reported to the EU Early Warning System: number of seizures, European Union, 2022
Substance
Number of seizures
Bromazolam
157
Etizolam
145
Flualprazolam
104
Flunitrazolam
63
Flubromazepam
50
Other
233
Seizures of new benzodiazepines reported to the EU Early Warning System: quantity seized for all forms reported in weight, European Union, 2022
Substance
Quantity material (kg)
Etizolam
2.635
Flualprazolam
0.55
Deschloroetizolam
0.507
Bromazolam
0.299
Clonazolam
0.06
Other
0.152
Seizures of new benzodiazepines reported to the EU Early Warning System: quantity of tablets and capsules, European Union, 2022
Substance
Tablets and capsules (units)
Flubromazolam
34488
Clonazolam
9829
Flualprazolam
8224.5
Flubromazepam
3572
Etizolam
3560
Other
10943.5
Seizures of new benzodiazepines reported to the EU Early Warning System by country: number of seizures, European Union, 2022
Country
Number of seizures
Austria
14
Belgium
Bulgaria
Cyprus
Czechia
Germany
114
Denmark
36
Estonia
15
Greece
1
Spain
37
Finland
185
France
35
Croatia
Hungary
8
Ireland
1
Italy
4
Lithuania
11
Luxembourg
8
Latvia
55
Malta
Netherlands
34
Poland
16
Portugal
Romania
Sweden
173
Slovenia
2
Slovakia
3
Seizures of new benzodiazepines reported to the EU Early Warning System by country: quantity of material seized for all forms reported in weight, European Union, 2022
Country
Quantity material (kg)
Austria
0.065
Belgium
0
Bulgaria
0
Cyprus
0
Czechia
0
Germany
0.216677
Denmark
0.2614
Estonia
0.05955
Greece
0
Spain
0.72436
Finland
0.09355
France
0
Croatia
0
Hungary
0.0019978
Ireland
0
Italy
0.002672
Lithuania
0.0490774
Luxembourg
0
Latvia
0.7943284
Malta
0
Netherlands
1.3967
Poland
0.25325
Portugal
0
Romania
0
Sweden
0.26342
Slovenia
0.02024
Slovakia
0.000339
Seizures of new benzodiazepines reported to the EU Early Warning System by country: quantity of tablets and capsules, European Union, 2022
Country
Tablets and capsules (units)
Austria
0
Belgium
0
Bulgaria
0
Cyprus
0
Czechia
0
Germany
18051
Denmark
5660
Estonia
0
Greece
0
Spain
1972
Finland
3341.5
France
0
Croatia
0
Hungary
279.5
Ireland
0
Italy
0
Lithuania
0
Luxembourg
80
Latvia
548
Malta
0
Netherlands
489
Poland
200
Portugal
0
Romania
0
Sweden
39985
Slovenia
0
Slovakia
11
Seizures of ketamine reported to the EU Early Warning System: trends in numbers of seizures, European Union, 2005-2022
Year
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
Number of seizures
319
337
273
297
454
903
838
826
1011
740
701
1337
1699
1813
2035
2268
2718
3462
Seizures of ketamine reported to the EU Early Warning System: quantities seized for all forms reported in weight, 2005-2022
Year
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
Quantity seized (kg)
0.01
17.54
16.5
4.6
106.07
477.56
91.84
171.97
39.67
186.03
24.32
179.78
942.56
1819.57
547.04
1107.58
866.28
2792.88
Interface colour table (not a data file)
Substance
Color
Amphetamine
#FBAA19
Cannabis
#B3D455
Cannabis plants
#A6D6AA
Cannabis resin
#3d7000
Cocaine and crack
#87D3E1
Cocaine
#87D3E1
Herbal cannabis
#B3D455
Heroin
#7DA7D8
MDMA
#F58465
Methamphetamine
#D17219
Amphetamines
#FEC357
Other substances
#ABADB0
Aminoindanes
#83358C
Arylalkylamines
#D7CCE1
Arylcyclohexylamines
#FBD1C2
Benzodiazepines
#9687AB
Cannabinoids
#BED242
Cathinones
#F08262
Opioids
#EC5A7A
Others
#B2B2B2
Unspecified NPS
#B2B2B2
Phenethylamines
#8CADDC
Piperazines
#9F761C
Piperidines and pyrrolidines
#A8D4AF
Indolalkylamines (Tryptamines)
#EC97AD
Plants and extracts
#486929
Ketamine
#f4b5a6
GHB/GBL
#73BCC7
References
Consult the list of references used in this module.