Border Force seize 1.3 tonnes of ketamine in 15-year record
Border Force officers at Harwich International Port in Essex alone have seized 300kg of ketamine over the past year
Border Force seized 1.3 tonnes of ketamine in the first three months of 2026 – the highest quarterly total for 15 years.
Officers also intercepted more than 59,000 doses of nitrous oxide, and 9,000kg of cocaine in the same period, the Home Office said.
The ketamine seizure comes amid increasing concern over the harm the class B drug might be causing UK users.
Experts warn regular use can lead to incontinence while for others it stops the bladder working, and can also make the organ bleed and cause scarring.
Border Force officers at Harwich International Port in Essex alone have seized 300kg of ketamine over the past year
Minister for migration and citizenship, Jo White, said: “The record amount of ketamine seized at our border reflects the dedication, professionalism and vigilance of Border Force officers, who work around the clock to keep dangerous drugs off our streets.
“Every seizure prevents harm, disrupts organised crime and helps protect families and communities across the country. Criminal gangs profit from addiction and misery, and we are determined to stop them.
“As criminal networks adapt and new threats emerge, our response will remain relentless. We will continue strengthening our borders, targeting organised crime and preventing harmful drugs from reaching our communities.”