Suffolk drug seizures fall despite national record haul

Why it matters: The drop in Suffolk contrasts sharply with the national picture. Drug seizures nationally have reached record levels, with Border Force and police across England and Wales seizing over 119 tonnes of illegal drugs worth £3 billion.

By the numbers:

• 3,716 drug seizures in Suffolk, down 7% from last year
• 217,644 total seizures across England and Wales, up 13%
• 40,639 Border Force seizures, up 57%
• Record 28 tonnes of cocaine seized nationally
• Record 85 tonnes of herbal cannabis seized nationally

Local impact: In Suffolk, officers seized:

• 1kg of powdered cocaine
• Less than 1kg of heroin
• 185kg of herbal cannabis

The wider picture: Cleveland Police recorded the highest seizure rate outside London, with 7,053 seizures per million people. Thames Valley had the lowest at 242 per million.

What experts say: Lee Fernandes from The UKAT Group warns of changing drug preferences, particularly among young people:

• Moving away from traditional Class A drugs
• Increasing use of cannabis vapes
• The growing popularity of ketamine and synthetic drugs

Government response: Migration Minister Seema Malhotra says authorities are determined "to protect the public from illegal drugs which pose a threat to people's lives."

Bottom line: While national drug seizures reached record levels in the year to March 2024, Suffolk recorded 7% fewer seizures compared to the previous year.