Overview
- England and Wales recorded a 13% annual rise in drug seizures in the year to March 2024, reaching the highest level since the pandemic.
- Merseyside logged 7,237 seizures, more than double the prior year and the most since 2010, including 32,777 cannabis plants, 3kg of powder cocaine, 1kg of heroin, and 3,000 MDMA doses.
- Surrey registered 849 seizures, a 5% decline on the previous year, with local totals including 526 cannabis and 277 powder cocaine seizures, plus itemised amounts such as 7kg of cocaine, 1kg of heroin, 12,000 MDMA doses, and 25 cannabis plants.
- While cannabis is the most seized substance in every force area and powder cocaine is typically second, the next most common drug varies by region, including heroin in some areas and crack in others.
- An interactive Home Office map details the most commonly seized drug in each police force area, underscoring that seizure patterns reflect enforcement activity as well as supply.