Police in Staffordshire have made a major breakthrough in the fight against a dangerous synthetic drug, seizing a haul worth an estimated £1.5 million that was found abandoned inside a van.
Major Drug Bust in Longton
The significant discovery was made earlier this month in the Longton area of Stoke-on-Trent. Officers from Staffordshire Police raided a vehicle they had linked to the supply of the Class B substance commonly known as 'monkey dust'.
Inside, they uncovered a staggering 25 kilograms of synthetic cathinone, the chemical compound that forms the basis of the drug. The force publicly announced the successful operation on Tuesday, December 23, 2025.
The Dangers of the 'Monkey Dust' Epidemic
'Monkey dust', or MDPV, is a powerful and unpredictable synthetic stimulant. Classified as a Class B drug, it can initially produce feelings of euphoria but rapidly leads to severe hallucinations, paranoia, and a distorted sense of reality.
Users often believe they possess superhuman strength and are impervious to pain, a dangerous combination that frequently results in serious self-injury or violent incidents directed at others.
Superintendent Phil Bryan, who leads Staffordshire's dedicated Operation Rivent targeting the drug, stated: 'This continues to be a force priority for us. We are determined to take robust action against anyone found to be involved in the supply of monkey dust in Staffordshire, while also helping the often vulnerable users of this substance to receive appropriate support.'
A Cheap and Dangerous Alternative
The drug, an off-white powder that can be snorted, swallowed, or injected, is notorious for causing a persistent smell of urine in users. It is typically manufactured in laboratories, often in China, and remains readily available online and through encrypted messaging apps like WhatsApp within the UK.
Its extreme danger is compounded by its low street price, sometimes as little as £2 per hit. This makes it a devastatingly accessible option for those with existing dependency issues, fuelling what authorities in Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire have described as an 'epidemic'.
The consequences of its use are starkly visible:
- In 2022, a man high on monkey dust went on a rampage in Staffordshire, injuring six police officers during a series of robberies and attempted car-jackings.
- Also in 2022, a 34-year-old woman, under the influence of the drug, repeatedly stabbed a cancer patient in his own home.
- In 2019, a Merseyside user was jailed for stabbing a police dog in the head, and another man threatened to kill an Aldi worker in Stoke-on-Trent.
Possession of Class B drugs like monkey dust can lead to a prison sentence of up to five years, while those convicted of supply or production face up to 14 years behind bars.
This substantial seizure represents a critical blow to local drug supply networks and underscores the ongoing commitment of Staffordshire Police to tackle the scourge of this synthetic drug head-on.
