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Berlin Police Warn of Colorful 'Free-Sample' Drug Packets in Mailboxes

Authorities say dealers are using the packets as advertising for illegal delivery services and urge residents to report unopened items to police.

Overview

  • Police this week publicised photos of small, brightly decorated plastic packets left in residential mailboxes that they say are being used to distribute free samples of illegal drugs.
  • Officials listed possible contents as cocaine, ecstasy, ketamine, hashish, marijuana and the synthetic stimulant 3‑MMC and warned people not to open or handle the items.
  • Police said the packets are a deliberate marketing tactic by dealers to recruit customers for messenger‑based delivery networks and stressed that advertising for illegal drugs is a criminal offense.
  • Authorities highlighted a special risk to children because the colorful packaging could attract minors and asked parents to check mailboxes and report any finds immediately.
  • The mailbox packets fit a wider shift in urban drug sales from street deals to sticker, flyer and QR‑code campaigns that funnel buyers into chat groups, a trend authorities link to rising drug deaths and harder prevention work.