Europe becomes an Ecstasy factory: explosions, poison waste and new drugs!

Europe becomes an Ecstasy factory: explosions, poison waste and new drugs!

Niederlande, Europa - Europe has developed into a main production facility for global ECSTASS trading, which is confirmed by a current report by Europol and the European Drug Agency (Euda). The increasing export requirement, especially after Latin America, emphasizes the alarming tendencies in MDMA production, which thus draws a crystal-clear image of a flourishing, illegal industry. In Europe, MDMA is mainly produced with industrial high -pressure reactors, which is efficient, but also leads to significant problems.

Newer production methods, such as the risky "cold process", are now used due to bottlenecks in devices and chemical starting materials. These methods are dangerous because they increase the risk of fires and explosions, as the Magazin Vol.at reports. In 2021, the MDMA production was estimated to be between 1,155 and 3,191 tons of chemical waste, whereby most of them are illegally disposed of.

Current trends in the MDMA market

The analysis of the Euda and Europol explains that around 12.3 million Europeans between the ages of 15 and 64 have consumed MDMA at least once. The annual retail value of the MDMA market is estimated at at least 594 million euros, which adds up to around 72.4 million ecstasy tablets. The decline in the average content of MDMA in the tablets, which fell from 170 mg in 2019 to 144 mg in 2022, is particularly worrying.

New mixed drugs, such as "Pink Cocaine" and "Tucibi", have established themselves on the market. These products are often of unclear chemical composition and have health risks that are reinforced by consumption in club and festival culture. Experts warn of the unpredictable effects of these mixed drugs and demand more information and drug checking measures.

production and traffic

MDMA production focuses primarily in the Netherlands and Belgium. The manufacturers often avoid legal controls by using unregulated chemical substances, often from China. This problem can be seen in the fact that since 2013 the seizures of these alternative chemicals have exceeded from PMK. The online sales of MDMA and other drugs also increase, with orders often via social media and messenger apps.

Current reports show that MDMA is increasingly smuggling from Europe to Latin America, often in exchange against cocaine. These new trade routes are a challenge for the law enforcement agencies, which require increased surveillance and control in order to contain these trends.

The Euda and Europol have requested measures to combat MDMA production and distribution. The recommendations for action aim at improving strategic intelligence, strengthening reactions to reduce the offer and international cooperation. In view of the risks that MDMA consumption, especially in the nightlife and music festival scene, Harm reduction measures such as drug examination services are of great importance.

Overall, the current situation shows that Europe plays a central role in production and trade in MDMA. The urgency to develop effective strategies to combat this illegal industry is higher than ever.