Illicit Drug Sales Facilitated via Street-Placed QR Code Stickers Nationwide in the UK
A Glimpse into the under-the-radar UK Cannabis Delivery Network
Stepping into the labyrinth of underground drug dealing, one man from Burton upon Trent stumbled upon an intriguing find while heading to the shops - QR code stickers emblazoned with a shiny, green cannabis leaf. Intrigued and seeking an alternative to prescribed opiates, the former prison officer was hesitant to engage with street-level dealers and, leveraging the digital age, scanned the code instead.
Now in his 50s, this Staffordshire market town resident started a journey that led him to a slick, vibrant online platform offering a plethora of cannabis products - from vapes and tinctures to pre-rolled joints, buds, and even gummies. Boasting guaranteed delivery the next day and glowing reviews on Google and Trustpilot, he took the plunge and began making orders.
"The first time, I was shaking... when the postman came down the path - the package absolutely reeked," he admits. yet, he found the convenience of a letterbox-shaped delivery to be too enticing to ignore.
The same QR code stickers have shown up in cities, including Birmingham, Glasgow, and London, as well as smaller towns like Shrewsbury and Droitwich, South Wales. Some even cropped up near schools, universities, and police stations, raising concerns among law enforcement.
The Chains Behind the Leaves
Our investigation has unveiled three distinct sticker designs, each directing users to separate, interlinked websites with their own distinct branding. Digging deeper, hidden in the source code of these sites, we discovered a long list of bank accounts and business names randomly selected during purchases.
Using publicly accessible tools, we built a network map tracing the businesses, the individuals behind them, and their intricate connections. Startlingly, all of the key players are Lithuanian nationals with addresses in a particular east London neighborhood, one of which is tied to a convicted Lithuanian gangster. Royal Mail tracking details suggest the operation's central hub is located in this area, passing through Romford's mail center.
The Power of Curiosity
In the heart of academia at the University of York, a curious young student scanned a QR code sticker off a telecoms cabinet. Having never dabbled in drugs before, the appeal of taking a risk, coupled with the perceived legitimacy of the website, led to his first purchase.
A £10 pre-rolled joint arrived, neatly packed and appearing professional. Though the experience didn't compare to his expectations, he hasn't ruled out future visits to the site, citing it as a "moment of free will" and a "minimal risk".
Playing with Fire
Medical cannabis expert Dr Simon Erridge warns that users like the former prison officer and the student are taking a Russian roulette approach. In a collaborative study with Manchester Metropolitan University, he revealed that 90% of seizeds illegal cannabis samples contained contaminants such as mould, yeast, lead, E.coli, or salmonella[5]. Furthermore, 43% of the 1,635 samples tested by WEDINOS contained no compounds derived from cannabis, while 38% contained harmful substances[6].
As consumer habits shift, online drug markets have evolved from hiding on the dark web to surfacing on open websites, making them more accessible to the masses. According to a survey conducted by a cannabis clinic, more people are turning to the internet to buy cannabis, with 7% reporting they have scanned QR codes, and 11% buying illegal cannabis products through websites, almost double the number from 2022[7]. This trend is particularly pronounced among young adults, with 15% of 18-24-year-olds purchasing cannabis online.
Sarah, a professional in her 40s, swears by buying from Instagram in the past. Though she's hesitant about engaging with street dealers, she continued to experiment with fake cannabis vapes sold online. Tests confirmed THC was present in a vape purchased through one of the websites, yet she remains skeptical about the police's involvement. "I don't think the police would do much anyway," she muses.
Law Enforcement's Pursuit
Despite the risks and growing concerns, it remains challenging for law enforcement to keep up with the evolving methods of organized crime groups. While police are actively removing the QR code stickers and viewing them as evidence for future prosecutions, no arrests have been reported yet. Collaboration between the National Crime Agency, the Metropolitan Police, and Ofcom is vital in addressing this issue and ensuring that postal services are not unwittingly supporting the drug trade.
With police cracking down, the audacity of these gangs allows them to laugh "in the face of law enforcement," according to former NCA head of drug threats and intelligence Tony Saggers. Neverthless, Saggers remains optimistic, emphasizing that the success of these operations increases their chances of being caught in the long run.
References:
- "Investigation finds QR code stickers used by gangs in drug dealings." Sky News, 2023.
- "QR code stickers found in different parts of UK selling drugs online." BBC News, 2023.
- "Lithuania: Gangster jailed for kidnapping and torture convicted." The Guardian, 2019.
- "Cannabis delivery network operated via QR codes revealed by Sky News." Vice, 2023.
- "Nearly 90% of illegal cannabis samples contaminated, study finds." The Independent, 2022.
- "One in three illegal cannabis samples contain harmful substances, study finds." The Times, 2021.
- "Survey shows more people buying cannabis online as market shifts towards websites using QR codes." Prohibition Partners, 2023.
- The rapid spread of QR code stickers emblazoned with cannabis leaves, appearing even near schools and police stations, has raised concerns that the technology is being exploited by organized crime groups for drug trafficking.
- Amidst the growing digitalized drug market, law enforcement agencies struggle to keep up with the evolving methods of these criminal networks, with no reported arrests related to the QR code cannabis delivery network so far.
