Record-Breaking Drug Seizures Mark a 52-Year High in England and Wales
Law enforcement agencies in England and Wales have achieved an unprecedented milestone, recording the highest annual number of drug seizures since records began over five decades ago. In the year leading up to March 2025, police and Border Force officials made a staggering 269,321 seizures, representing a sharp increase of 24 per cent compared to the previous twelve-month period.
Historic Highs in Cannabis and Ketamine Confiscations
According to the Home Office, this figure marks the highest number of drug seizures since the time series was initiated in 1973. The data reveals particularly striking trends, including the largest quantity of herbal cannabis impounded since records started, with a massive 61 per cent rise to 137 tonnes. Additionally, ketamine seizures reached their highest level since tracking for this substance began in 2007, with nearly 3,400 incidents—a 50 per cent increase year-on-year.
This surge in ketamine seizures comes just two weeks after the Home Office's official drug policy advisers rejected a proposal to reclassify ketamine as a Class A substance. Such a reclassification would have entailed significantly tougher penalties for possession or supply. Despite concerns raised by a coroner following a user's death, the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs' assessment means penalties for using ketamine as a party drug will remain unchanged.
Ministers have labelled ketamine an 'extremely dangerous substance' and expressed deep concern over its growing usage. Known colloquially among clubbers as 'K' or 'Special K', ketamine typically appears as a powder and is commonly snorted.
Nitrous Oxide Seizures Skyrocket Following Legal Changes
The new statistics also highlight an extraordinary surge in nitrous oxide seizures, which soared by nearly 2,200 per cent year-on-year when measured by dose. Law enforcement confiscated 4.19 million doses, up dramatically from 180,000, a spike largely attributed to the criminalisation of its possession as a recreational drug in November 2023. Nitrous oxide, often referred to as laughing gas or 'hippy crack', has seen a marked increase in enforcement actions following this legislative shift.
Mixed Trends in Cocaine and Heroin Seizures
Powder cocaine seizures reached a 52-year high, with 23,706 incidents recorded during the twelve-month period, up from 20,900 in the previous year. However, the overall quantity of seized powder cocaine fell by 35 per cent to approximately 18.5 tonnes. In contrast, the total quantity of crack cocaine seized more than doubled, increasing by 106 per cent from 40 to 81 kilos.
Heroin seizures present a complex picture: the number of incidents decreased by 10 per cent to around 5,500, marking a 30-year low, yet the quantity of heroin seized rose by a third to 589 kilos. This discrepancy suggests shifts in enforcement strategies or trafficking patterns.
Class-Based Seizure Increases and Border Force Activity
The overall seizure numbers for different drug classes showed varied growth. Class A drug seizures increased by eight per cent to 2,926, Class B by 29 per cent to 46,977, and Class C by 39 per cent to 4,332. These figures underscore the broad scope of enforcement efforts across all categories of controlled substances.
Police forces made 14 per cent more seizures of all drug types during the year, while Border Force recorded a 65 per cent increase. The official statistics, published today, indicate that Border Force seized just over 148 tonnes of drugs, the largest quantity since 1973, primarily driven by confiscations of herbal cannabis.
The Home Office has cautioned that the number of seizures can be heavily influenced by factors such as enforcement activity, changes in recording practices, and fluctuations in the demand and supply of drugs. This record-breaking year reflects both intensified policing and evolving drug trends in the region.
