Geneva: why drug seizures took the elevator

ThoseDrug trafficking –Why the drug seizures took the elevator in Geneva

The overall quantities intercepted by the police increased by 35% last year. In question, in particular, the influx of cocaine, but also the number of matters of importance treated by the anti -up brigades.

Posted today at 7:21 p.m.

The amounts of drugs entered in Geneva took the elevator last year. In question, the wave of cocaine that swallows all over Europe, but not only: antisputing brigades have also resolved several major cases affecting organized networks. The emphasis on the fight against the street deal, as part of the Crack plan, also had repercussions. Back on the different sockets made by the inspectors and the state of the market.

The quantities entered effectively increased in 2024, according to figures from the police statistics of crime. Last year, the police got their hands on approximately 200 kilos of additional substances, for a total of more than 860 kilos. There are especially eight times more ecstasy, 46% more cocaine, but also a significant increase in hallucinogenic substances (excluding mushrooms and LSD), with more than 36 kilos seized (+94%).

Other increases are greater but concern very small quantities, such as GHB or synthetic cannabinoids. Finally, some increases are random, depending on the control of luggage at the airport, such as the Khat (legal in several European countries but not in Switzerland).

“This is a very special market, focused on consumers mostly from the Horn of Africa,” said the judicial police. The seizures of these leaves are done almost exclusively in aerport environment on people returning from producing countries. ”

Structured networks in Geneva

This increase in seizures is due to various factors. The surveys made it possible to aim for larger fish: structured networks, “involved in the import and distribution of large quantities of cocaine, as well as cannabic products”. Less business than in 2023 (around 2000 in total, a thousand less), but of a visibly greater magnitude in view of the quantities entered.

“This commitment is part of a broader strategy for strengthening specialized units, especially through the crack plan,” said the judicial police. More means have been deployed on the ground, especially against the street deal.

But there drug market situation Also influence these seizures: Europe has been confronted with “a massive influx” of cocaine for several years, as regularly shows the analysis of wastewater led by the European Drug Observatory. The quantities that pass, including in Switzerland from the Iberian Peninsula, are therefore numerous. And the local market is diversifying: more and more networks are also offering synthetic drugs, hence the increase, in particular, of synthetic cannabinoids.

Psychedelic medicine

Why are the hallucinogens, however mainly ordered abroad via La Poste, are increasingly seized? Probably following articles related to the “potentially healing virtues of these substances in the context of mental illnesses”, indicates the judicial police.

Psychedelic medicine, in vogue, is notably used To treat anxiety. “There is no monitoring on this subject, but we know that different clinics and medicine services have started to make this type of prescription/therapies,” confirms Frank Zobel, Swiss addiction.

Decrease in heroin trafficking

The heroin seizures, on the other hand, decreased. Deal’s plans held by albanophone traffickers are decreasing. The rear bases and the traffic places were partly moved to neighboring France. An observation that observers of this environment recently told us, seeing little product traveling among users.

In question? Probably “a more difficult heroine supply given the global geopolitical context and a certain postponement of the usual consumers from this drug to crack,” said police. If its price in the street has not really dropped, the purity rate, however, slightly decreased.

No shortage of poppy

After the ban on poppy culture in Afghanistan, there is not yet a shortage. “Possible explanations for this are the existence of significant stocks in this country and along the road traffic roads,” says Frank Zobel, deputy director of Swiss addiction.

But this situation is also explained by the fact that, since the summer of 2024, to the establishment of Plan crackthe police force in drugs has been intensified in the city center sectors. And these areas are not the same as those where heroin sells, hence an effect on statistics.

The crack plan set up in Geneva

How can we explain that in view of its explosion in Geneva, the volume of crack seized remains weak, or barely 200 grams for 173 cases? Consumers are rather buying their dealers with small amounts of cocaine that they transform a crack very quickly and that they immediately use. They rarely keep the stones over them. The volume entered “does not reflect the effort of the anti -up units of the police in the matter”, analyze the latter.

What about the arrival of feared fentanyl in Geneva? “Some samples of fentanyl and Nitazène have been identified in Switzerland, but there is so far to indicate a larger -scale traffic,” says Frank Zobel. Risk is rather linked to the purchase, especially on the Internet, of products from North America.

The situation concerning synthetic drugs could change or not in the months and years to come, according to Swiss Addiction. “We have been waiting for a wave of fentanyl for ten years, and so far there has not been,” continues the specialist. What it teaches us is that the North American and European drug markets still seem to be not very connected. ”

Chloé Dethurens has been a journalist in the Geneva section since 2019. She has been writing for the Genève tribune since 2007.More info

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