London police crackdown on drug-laced e-cigarettes: Over 2,000 poisoning charges expected in 2024-2025

Sep.26

London police announced a crackdown on drug-tainted e-cigarettes. The operation stemmed from an incident in the southeast of the capital where e-cigarettes were laced with "cannabis-like products," leading to the hospitalization of a 14-year-old. Data shows that between March 2024 and March 2025, London police received over 2,000 allegations of drug-tainted e-cigarettes. Of the victims in August 2025, 66% were women, a disproportionately high proportion.

Key points:

·Reason for action: Cases of e-cigarettes being laced with "cannabis-like products" have emerged in the southeast of the UK capital, leading to a 14-year-old teenager being hospitalized and prompting the police to launch a crackdown.

·Crackdown measures: New detection equipment has been deployed in various public places to test e-cigarettes suspected of containing THC, spice, and other drugs. Near-infrared detectors and other drug screening devices are being used to verify suspicious powders and pills.

·Data: From March 2024 to March 2025, there have been over 2000 cases of e-cigarettes containing drugs being reported, with the police suggesting that the actual scale may be higher due to underreporting. In August 2025, 66% of the victims were female, a higher percentage compared to males.

According to a report from Sky News, the London Metropolitan Police are currently conducting an operation to crackdown on e-cigarettes laced with drugs.

The Metropolitan Police in London stated that the background of this operation was a case in which an e-cigarette was found to be laced with "cannabis products" in the southeast of the capital, resulting in a 14-year-old teenager being hospitalized.

According to authorities, law enforcement officers will use new detection devices to screen e-cigarettes suspected of containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or synthetic cannabinoids (spice) during inspections at bars, nightclubs, party boats, music festivals, concerts, and schools.

The police will also use a series of drug detection devices, including Near-Infrared Spectroscopy detectors that can detect suspected toxic powders and pills.

During the period from March 2024 to March 2025, the London Metropolitan Police received over 2000 reports of e-cigarettes containing drugs. However, authorities believe that the actual scale may be larger due to underreporting.

Women have been disproportionately affected, with females making up 66% of the victims in August 2025.

References:

[1] Police launch vape-spiking crackdown after teens as young as 14 admitted to hospital

Also Read:

[1] London, UK, launches online reporting channel, seizes nearly 120,000 illegal e-cigarettes in one year

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