The Home Office of the UK today announced record drug seizures of more than 119 tonnes over the past year in England and Wales, with an estimated value of £3 billion (€3.5 billion).

From April 2023 to the end of March 2024, police forces recorded the “largest number of drug seizures ever,” particularly at the borders, according to a press release.

A total of just over 217,600 seizures were made in England and Wales, marking a 13% increase compared to the same period last year.

During this period, over 119 tonnes of drugs—including cocaine, heroin, cannabis, and ketamine—were confiscated, setting a new record and reflecting a 52% increase from the previous year.

Cannabis seizures totaled 74 tonnes, the highest since records began in the 1970s, showing a 58% rise from the previous year.

Cocaine seizures also surged, rising by 52% to a record 28 tonnes.

“These figures send a strong message to organized criminal gangs: they will be caught and face the full force of the law if they attempt to bring illegal drugs into our country,” stated Deputy Immigration Minister Sheema Malhotra.

Yesterday, the UK also announced a ban on over 20 “dangerous substances,” including xylazine, a veterinary anesthetic that, when combined with opioids, has caused significant disruption in the US for years.