- Cocaine
- , Drug Rings
- , SOCA
- , UK
Cocaine Market in a Shift; Prices Climb
May 13th, 2009 by Rick
According to the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA), the cocaine market has been shifting and bulk prices have risen on an international scale, due to successful operations and undercover work. Although prices on the street have relatively remained the same, the price per kilo of cocaine has gone up several thousand Euros in the past year.
New data collected by the Forensic Science Service, reveals that the purity level of the cocaine that has been seized is less than 9% pure. Drug rings are diluting the cocaine powder with chemical cutting agents like; phenacetin (which causes cancer), cockroach insecticide and pet worming powder in order to compensate for the price increase.
SOCA has been testing every seizure of cocaine for the impurities as part of Project Endorse. With this technology, SOCA was able to link 170 different seizures together that would have otherwise been left undetected. Although the chemicals used to cut the cocaine are legal, SOCA has put a bullseye on the importers and have even sent some warning letters to ones that are suspected in supplying drug rings.
