EU: Youth involvement in synthetic opioids smuggling rises
June 9, 2026
Highly potent synthetic opioids are emerging as a growing concern in Europe's illegal drug market, according to a new report from the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA), and young people are increasingly involved in their transportation and distribution.
Drawing on data from the EU's 27 member states plus Norway and Turkey, the Lisbon-based EUDA found that at least 50 new psychoactive substances were identified in Europe in 2025.
In particular, the report highlighted the growing risk posed by nitazenes, substances found in common street drugs such as cocaine, heroin and ketamine.
Europe's illegal drugs market
"Drug markets are evolving at speed, with the variety of substances on Europe's streets becoming ever more unpredictable," warned the agency's Executive Director Lorraine Nolan.
"This raises the risk of people taking high-potency drugs, often without knowing it."
It's not only the type of drugs which are evolving, but the transport methods, too, with cocaine increasingly arriving in Europe via smaller, less-scrutinized ports.
Smugglers are also turning to drones, speedboats and even semi-submersibles to transport drugs from South America or Africa.
How drug cartels are using young people
According to the EUDA report, the supply chains increasingly involve young people recruited by cartels from deprived districts of European cities.
Their tasks aren't limited to logistics and sales but often involve intimidation, violent assaults and even contract killings – while criminal masterminds provide planning, money and weapons in the background.
What are the most commonly used drugs in Europe?
Cannabis remains the most widely used drug in Europe, with 24.9 million adults aged 15 to 64 reporting use in the past year – figures boosted by experimental, partial legalization in countries such as Germany, Czech Republic, Luxembourg and Malta.
Nevertheless, Europe's illicit cannabis market is still valued at around €12 billion ($13.9 billion) and cannabis accounted for 68% of around one million illegal drug seizures in the EU in 2024.
Cocaine remains Europe's second-most prevalent drug, with 4.3 million adults reporting use in 2024.
The EUDA estimates that there were at least 7,600 overdose deaths in 2024, with the majority of cases involving multiple substances.
Edited by: Jenipher Camino Gonzalez