The tables in this section monitor over time the number of drug seizures and quantities seized by law enforcement agencies (mainly police and customs officials), figures that available for many countries historically over the longer term. Tables include data from the EU member states,
Tables SZR-1 to SZR-18 show reported drug seizures by country, where data are available, for the major drug types of interest by both numbers of seizures and quantities seized.
Summary points
Cannabis
Despite annual fluctuations, the overall trend in the number of seizures is declining over the period 2002 to 2007 in Europe. The quantity seized in 2007 is almost 40 % greater than that in 2006, but is still around 20 % less than the record level reported in 2004 (see Table SZR-1 and Table SZR-2).
The number of herbal cannabis seizures in Europe has increased steadily since 2002, more than doubling by 2007 (see Table SZR-3), The quantity of herbal cannabis seized in 2007 is less than the 130 tonnes reported in 2002, however after three years of decline, the most recent three years have shown a return to earlier levels (see Table SZR-4). Generally, the United Kingdom is the EU Member State reporting the most seizures of herbal cannabis, accounting for approximately half of the total number of seizures in 2005 and 2006, has not yet reported data for 2007. Turkey reported a record amount of almost 10 500 seizures in 2007, more than double that reported in the previous year.
Since 2002, the number of seizures of cannabis plants has been steadily increasing, 2007 volume representing an increase of more than 70 % on that reported in 2006 (see Table SZR-5). Countries consistently reports quantity seized either as the number of plants or as an estimate of the weight in kilos. The number of plants seized has been relatively stable for the past two years, up from a low of approximately one and a half million in 2002. The weight of plants seized has been steadily increasing over the period 2002 to 2007 (see Table SZR-6).
Heroin
Data for the years 2002 to 2007 indicate an initial fall in the number of seizures, followed by a steady increase since 2003 (see Table SZR-7). Although the quantity of heroin intercepted in the European Union has shown an approximate increase of 8.5 % between 2006 and 2007, the overall trend for 2002 to 2007 is declining. For 2007, Turkey reported five times the quantity of heroin it reported seized in 2002 (see Table SZR-8).
Cocaine
The number of cocaine seizures has been on the increase over the period 2002–07 in Europe, and more notably since 2003. Seizures of cocaine reported in 2007 is almost double that reported in 2003. The quantity of cocaine seized has also been increasing, but with regular fluctuations. In 2005 and 2006, the total quantity seized in Europe reached record levels. Total seizures reported in Europe dropped in 2007 to approximately 77 tonnes, with seizures in Portugal dropping more than 27 tonnes while those in Spain dropped more than 11 tonnes (see Table SZR-9 and Table SZR-10).
Amphetamine
Over the period 2002–07, the number of seizures has increased steadily while the amount of amphetamines intercepted has fluctuated but has shown a general upward trend, and reached a new high in 2007 (see Table SZR-11 and Table SZR-12).
Methamphetamine
Over the period 2005 and 2007, both the number and the quantity of methamphetamine seized in Europe have been increasing, though both remain low in comparison to other drugs. As in previous years, Norway accounts for most seizures and amounts recovered (see Table SZR-17 and Table SZR-18).
Ecstasy
For the period 2002–07 like for like, the number of ecstasy seizures reported dropped sharply in 2003, but has since showed a slight increase year on year. Over the same period, the quantity seized declined to a low in 2005, but has recovered, and appears to be approaching the 2002 level once again (see Table SZR-13 and Table SZR-14).
Hallucinogenic substances
The current situation is unclear as the United Kingdom, that usually reports a relatively large number of seizures and quantity seized, has yet to report. Nevertheless, the data available indicates a decline in quantities seized, while the number of seizures increased slightly over the period 2003–07. However, as yet there is no suggestion that the drug is experiencing a revival in popularity (see Table SZR-15 and Table SZR-16).