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1712621

registered interest
date	22/04/2024
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Drugs: Smuggling
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that online sales representatives, working for illicit Chinese pharmaceutical and chemical companies, are producing and smuggling illegal drugs into the UK, what action they are taking to combat the sale and advertisement of such drugs on the internet, and what response they have received from any representations they have made to the government of China in this regard.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL3982
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/05/2024 answer text <p>Illicit production of synthetic drugs is a growing global concern, and we assess that criminal groups involved in illicit production are present in numerous countries around the world, including China. UK law enforcement agencies regularly engage with counterparts in countries where websites supplying and advertising illicit drugs are hosted. We have provided additional resources to the National Crime Agency (NCA) and Home Office international networks in key source and transit countries to work with other governments to identify and disrupt criminal groups who seek to exploit the UK. We are also working closely with partners to monitor developments in source countries, to assess how changes are likely to affect the drugs threat to the UK.</p><p>With regards to action being taken to combat the sale of illicit drugs on the internet, our Online Safety Act will introduce measures requiring platforms to remove content relating to the sale of illegal drugs online and prevent users from being exposed to it. If they fail to comply, they risk stiff financial penalties or in the most serious cases, having their sites blocked by the independent regulator, Ofcom.</p><p>Additionally, the NCA, along with policing colleagues across the UK target key offenders operating online and work to ensure they have the resources and powers they need to keep our country safe. For example, proposals are being taken forward in the Criminal Justice Bill to create a new power enabling law enforcement to suspend IP addresses and/or domain names being used for criminal purpose, including the sale of illicit drugs. This new power will allow agencies to obtain a court order to formally request action by organisations both domestically and outside of the UK.</p> answering member printed Lord Sharpe of Epsom question first answered 07/05/2024 14:35:25 answering member 4888 label Biography information for Lord Sharpe of Epsom
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1702310

registered interest
date	18/04/2024
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Drugs: Smuggling
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the production and distribution of illicit drugs from China, especially synthetic opioids such as nitazenes; and what estimate they have made of scale on which such drugs are smuggled into the UK.
tabling member printed	Lord Alton of Liverpool
uin	HL3921
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/05/2024 answer text <p>Tackling Class A drugs, including synthetic opioids, is a priority for the Government due to the harm caused to users, society and the economy.</p><p>We assess that the scale of trafficking of synthetic opioids into the UK remains small, relative to countries like the USA where they have caused devastation. However, nitazenes, which the National Crime Agency (NCA) assess as often being produced in illicit labs in China, have been linked to more than 100 deaths in the UK during the last year, and we are taking action.</p><p>The cross-Government Synthetic Opioids Taskforce is working with partner agencies, such as the NCA, the Department for Health and Social Care and the National Police Chiefs Council to deliver an evidence-based response to the risk posed by synthetic opioids, and to implement effective action to stem the demand and supply of these dangerous substances.</p> answering member printed Lord Sharpe of Epsom question first answered 02/05/2024 16:13:16 answering member 4888 label Biography information for Lord Sharpe of Epsom
tabling member	738 label Biography information for Lord Alton of Liverpool

1696801

registered interest
date	18/03/2024
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Drugs: Smuggling
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will hold discussions with the Irish Government on tackling the supply of illegal drugs entering the UK via the sea.
tabling member constituency	East Londonderry
tabling member printed	Mr Gregory Campbell
uin	19006
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/03/2024 answer text <p>In December 2021, the Government launched its ten-year drugs strategy, From Harm to Hope, to cut crime and save lives. As part of this, £300 million has been allocated to fund activity to break drug supply chains from end-to-end, this includes targeting upstream flow and securing the UK border to restrict drugs entering the UK via sea, land, and air.</p><p>The UK Government and its law enforcement partners are leveraging our extensive international networks to maximise cooperation with other governments to tackle drug trafficking upstream.</p><p>Border Force works with law enforcement organisations, including the Police Service Northern Ireland, other UK Police services, An Garda Síochána in the Republic of Ireland and the National Crime Agency, to target those who might attempt to smuggle illicit drugs between the Republic of Ireland and the UK, including via the sea.</p><p>Our continued work with partners, including the NCA and other law enforcement agencies, is effective in preventing drugs from reaching local communities where they fuel violence and exploitation, causing significant harm to our society.</p> answering member constituency Croydon South answering member printed Chris Philp question first answered 21/03/2024 15:31:53 answering member 4503 label Biography information for Chris Philp
tabling member	1409 label Biography information for Mr Gregory Campbell

1343342

registered interest
date	02/07/2021
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Drugs: Smuggling
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 26 May 2021 to Question 5143, what evidence demonstrates that the arrests made have included high-level actors in the trafficking of controlled drugs; and how many of those arrested or charged in relation to Operation VENETIC have been convicted.
tabling member constituency	Reigate
tabling member printed	Crispin Blunt
uin	26080
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/07/2021 answer text <p>The NCA reports that data derived from Operation VENETIC has, to date, led to over 2,300 people being arrested, over 1000 charged and 162 individuals convicted of a range of serious offences. These include well publicised cases of individuals involved in drug trafficking, like Thomas Maher, described by the judge at his trial as “an extremely important cog in the wheel of a sophisticated network”. A large number of cases linked to Operation VENETIC are progressing through the criminal justice system and it would be inappropriate to comment further on these at this time. The NCA regularly publishes the outcomes of investigations via press notices on its website.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency North West Hampshire answering member printed Kit Malthouse question first answered 07/07/2021 15:23:38 answering member 4495 label Biography information for Kit Malthouse
tabling member	104 label Biography information for Crispin Blunt

1332260

registered interest
date	11/06/2021
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Drugs: Smuggling
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 7 June 2021 to Question 8525 which noted that the cost of Operation Venetic is unknown, and to the Answer of 26 May 2021 to Question 5143 which noted that no assessment of the effects of Operation Venetic on the drugs markets has been made, if she will take steps to commission a full evaluation of the cost-effectiveness of Operation Venetic to the taxpayer, including estimates of (a) total costs across all relevant UK agencies; (b) total income raised from seized assets; (c) impacts on drug availability, rates of use, drug-related harms, and the associated costs and savings; and (d) impact on market-related violence and the associated costs and benefits, with reference to the finding of the Home Office’s 2017 evaluation of the 2010 drug strategy that drugs market violence is an unintended consequence of enforcing drug laws.
tabling member constituency	Reigate
tabling member printed	Crispin Blunt
uin	14129
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/06/2021 answer text <p>Operation VENETIC is an ongoing operation yielding tangible results on a weekly basis. As law enforcement continue to act on the significant volume of intelligence received from Operation VENETIC, we are not currently evaluating its impact. We will keep this under review. The National Crime Agency has led a number of investigations under Operation VENETIC and publishes regular press notices on the outcomes of these investigations. A wider overview of Operation VENETIC can also be found in the NCA’s <a href="https://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/who-we-are/publications/533-national-strategic-assessment-of-serious-and-organised-crime-2021/file" target="_blank">2021 National Strategic Assessment.</a></p> answering member constituency North West Hampshire answering member printed Kit Malthouse question first answered 16/06/2021 16:36:36 answering member 4495 label Biography information for Kit Malthouse
tabling member	104 label Biography information for Crispin Blunt

1328978

registered interest
date	27/05/2021
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Drugs: Smuggling
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 26 May 2021 to Question 5143 what the total cost is of Operation Venetic to date; and how she plans to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of Operation Venetic when no assessment has been conducted of the short-term and long-term impact to drug availability or demand in the UK.
tabling member constituency	Reigate
tabling member printed	Crispin Blunt
uin	8525
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/06/2021 answer text <p>Op VENETIC had a major impact on Organised Crime Groups involved in drugs trafficking, firearms trafficking, serious violence and money laundering. Many suspects that would otherwise have evaded justice due to their use of this criminally dedicated secure communication system are now facing prosecution for serious offences and face losing the financial benefits of organised crime due to proceeds of crime investigations.</p><p> </p><p>The operation has also made a significant contribution to the knowledge and understanding of Serious Organised Crime in the UK, how it operates and its vulnerabilities, which is assisting law enforcement operations going forwards.</p><p> </p><p>Whilst it is not possible to define an overall cost for this complex, large scale multi agency operation, over £56 million in criminal cash has so far been seized as a result of this operation.</p> answering member constituency North West Hampshire answering member printed Kit Malthouse question first answered 07/06/2021 16:00:43 answering member 4495 label Biography information for Kit Malthouse
tabling member	104 label Biography information for Crispin Blunt

1317003

registered interest
date	21/05/2021
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Drugs: Smuggling
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 29 September 2020 to Question 92900 on Drugs: Smuggling, what assessment her Department has made of the (a) short-term and (b) long-term effects of Operation VENETIC on the (i) availability, (ii) price and (iii) purity of drugs in the illegal drugs market since the date of that answer.
tabling member constituency	Reigate
tabling member printed	Crispin Blunt
uin	5143
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/05/2021 answer text <p>UK law enforcement continue to act on the significant volume of intelligence Operation VENETIC generated, with the National Crime Agency (NCA) acting as the lead organisation in the UK on this.</p><p> </p><p>The Home Office has not made an assessment of the effects of Operation VENETIC on the illegal drugs market. The NCA has led a number of investigations under Operation VENETIC and publish regular press notices on the outcomes of these investigations. The NCA’s 2021 National Strategic Assessment includes further information about the outcomes of activity following Operation VENETIC <a href="https://nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/who-we-are/publications/533-national-strategic-assessment-of-serious-and-organised-crime-2021/file" target="_blank">file (nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk)</a></p> answering member constituency North West Hampshire answering member printed Kit Malthouse question first answered 26/05/2021 16:17:39 answering member 4495 label Biography information for Kit Malthouse
tabling member	104 label Biography information for Crispin Blunt

1286421

registered interest
date	11/02/2021
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Drugs: Smuggling
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what quantity by weight of (a) cannabis, (b) heroin, (c) morphine, (d) cocaine (including crack), (e) benzodiazepines, (f) synthetic cannabinoids, (g) amphetamines, (h) MDMA, (i) LSD, (j) magic mushrooms and (k) anabolic steroids were seized by (i) the police, (ii) Border Force, (iii) prison services, (iv) armed forces and (v) other government agencies in (A) UK territory, (B) UK territorial waters, (C) international waters and (D) overseas territories in each year between 1971 and 2020.
tabling member constituency	Inverclyde
tabling member printed	Ronnie Cowan
uin	153299
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/02/2021 answer text <p>The Home Office collects and publishes data on the quantity of class A, class B and class C drugs seized in England and Wales by the police, including the British Transport Police, and Border Force. This data is published annually. The quantities of drugs seized are summarised in terms of kilograms, doses (in thousands) or plants, depending on the drug type.</p><p>Official statistics on seizures of drugs in England and Wales between 2000 and 2020 are available here:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/seizures-of-drugs-in-england-and-wales" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/seizures-of-drugs-in-england-and-wales</a>.</p><p>Statistics on seizures of drugs in England and Wales between 1978 and 2000 can be found on the National Archive Research Development and Statistics website: <a href="https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20110220111009/http:/rds.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/hosbarchive.html" target="_blank">https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/</a></p><p>Data for earlier years is not available. Information on drugs seized by the prison services, armed forces and other government agencies, and data on seizures made outside England and Wales is not held by the Home Office.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency North West Hampshire answering member printed Kit Malthouse question first answered 26/02/2021 14:25:47 answering member 4495 label Biography information for Kit Malthouse
tabling member	4465 label Biography information for Ronnie Cowan

1236129

registered interest
date	21/09/2020
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Drugs: Smuggling
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the (a) short-term and (b) long-term effects of Operation Venetic on the (i) availability, (ii)) price and (iii) purity of drugs in the illegal market, by drug type and (iv) levels of violence associated with the illegal drug market.
tabling member constituency	East Lothian
tabling member printed	Kenny MacAskill
uin	92900
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/09/2020 answer text <p>The Government is committed to tackling global drugs supply and reducing the violence and harm associated with the illegal drugs market. Operation VENETIC targeted EncroChat, a global encrypted communications service that was used exclusively by serious and organised criminals to coordinate their illicit activities, including drugs trafficking.</p><p> </p><p>There were 60,000 global users of EncroChat and 10,000 users in the UK, resulting in a significant volume of intelligence that UK law enforcement continue to act on. As a result, the impact on the (i) availability, (ii)) price and (iii) purity of drugs in the illegal market, by drug type and (iv) levels of violence associated with the illegal drug market has not been assessed.</p> answering member constituency North West Hampshire answering member printed Kit Malthouse question first answered 29/09/2020 14:57:22 answering member 4495 label Biography information for Kit Malthouse
tabling member	4772 label Biography information for Kenny MacAskill

1187544

registered interest
date	24/03/2020
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Drugs: Smuggling
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what data her Department holds on what the main source countries were of illegal (a) opiates, (b) cannabis and (c) cocaine smuggled into the UK in 2018-19.
tabling member constituency	Southampton, Itchen
tabling member printed	Royston Smith
uin	34378
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/04/2020 answer text <p>Information relating to the number of illicit drug users, the economic and social costs of illicit drugs and source countries for drug production is provided in the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/review-of-drugs-phase-one-report" target="_blank">Dame Carol Black Independent Review of Drugs evidence pack</a> on pages 17, 30, 33 and 41, published on 27 February 2020.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency North West Hampshire answering member printed Kit Malthouse grouped question UIN 34374 34376 question first answered 28/04/2020 15:08:39 answering member 4495 label Biography information for Kit Malthouse
tabling member	4478 label Biography information for Royston Smith