Deadly Nitazene Drug Sold on Teen-Favorite App, More Dangerous Than Heroin
A highly dangerous synthetic opioid, known as nitazene and described as being more lethal than heroin, is being actively marketed and sold on the encrypted messaging app Telegram, which is widely used by teenagers. This alarming trend is contributing to a rising death toll across Britain, with experts warning that the actual number of fatalities may be significantly underreported.
App-Based Drug Marketplace
Our investigation has uncovered that nitazene, a potent synthetic opioid said to be up to 100 times stronger than heroin, is being advertised, sold, and arranged for delivery through Telegram. The drug is available in chats that attract thousands of followers, with dealers often based in the United States but offering worldwide shipping, including to the UK. Photos posted on the app show the drug being concealed in other packaging and delivered via courier services, while it is frequently sold in pill form designed to resemble ecstasy.
Group names on Telegram explicitly reference nitazene, with some chats labeled "Main supply" or "Synthesize chemical." Dealers share delivery notifications and images of the drug, while subscribers are cautioned that "stock is very limited." One message even boasts, "Shipping from China, worldwide, with tracking," highlighting the global reach of this illicit trade.
Underreported Deaths and Health Risks
According to the National Crime Agency, nitazenes were linked to 333 deaths in Britain in 2024. However, new research from King's College London suggests this figure may be underreported by as much as a third. Dr. Caroline Copeland, a senior lecturer in pharmacology and toxicology at King's College London, explains that nitazenes can degrade in post-mortem blood samples, making them difficult to detect in standard toxicology tests. This means many deaths caused by these drugs might be missed, leading to incomplete data and inadequate public health responses.
The risks associated with nitazene use are severe and include suppression of breathing, respiratory arrest, loss of consciousness, coma, dizziness, fainting, withdrawal symptoms such as nausea and retching, itching, lethargy, and constipation. Experts warn that these synthetic opioids can be manufactured cheaply and easily, increasing their availability and danger.
Accidental Consumption and Public Concern
Records indicate that some individuals are taking nitazenes accidentally, as the drug is often mixed with other substances as a cheap substitute. This poses a significant risk to unsuspecting users who may not realize what they are consuming. One source expressed shock at the drug's free availability on Telegram, stating, "That is so dangerous. Nobody really knows what they are taking with this stuff. It's a very disturbing situation."
Telegram's Response
In response to these findings, a spokesperson for Telegram stated that the sale of drugs is explicitly forbidden by the platform's terms of service, and such content is removed whenever discovered. The company employs moderators with custom AI tools to proactively monitor public parts of the platform and accept reports to remove harmful content, including drug sales. Telegram also allows users to report not only individual posts or groups but also specific terms that may be used to identify harmful content, enabling a community-driven effort to block such material in the app's search feature.
Despite these measures, the persistence of nitazene sales on Telegram underscores the challenges in combating the online drug trade and protecting vulnerable populations, particularly teenagers, from exposure to these deadly substances.
