Uncovered - Drug dealers target North East towns with QR Code stickers

A Hits Radio North East investigation has revealed QR code stickers promoting illegal drug sales in Gateshead and Darlington.

The stickers feature cannabis leaf designs and are placed conspicuously on street furniture.

Several of these stickers were discovered by Micky Welch promoting next-day delivery for cannabis products.

Gateshead Council has acted swiftly, confirming the removal of suspected drug-dealing QR stickers following our investigation.

Councillor Angela Douglas, Chair of the Gateshead Community Safety Board, said:

“There’s been a significant increase in drugs being sold online, including unregulated substances and fake prescription medications.

“Even if a website looks professional, these products can be highly dangerous and life-threatening, as they are unlikely to be what they say they are. The websites can also be a total scam – meaning that anyone who does attempt to buy from them risks having their identity or bank details stolen.

Neighbourhood Policing teams and Trading Standards in Darlington have both confirmed stickers have been found and they're actively investigating.

It's worrying for WithYou in Darlington at STRIDE, they provides free and confidential services for adults and young people facing challenges with drugs and alcohol.

Jake Towns is the leader of the young person's team for the charity:

"It is really concerning to see QR codes dotted around, and this is drug dealers increasing their reach.

We have seen with the rise in dangerous synthetic drugs, sometimes called spice, many people nowadays don't actually know what they're taking.

In our service we know that not everything that is sold is what it claims to be. We've seen fake pills, contaminated drugs and substances labelled as one drug but containing another.

Working with young people and understanding the drug landscape locally it's becoming more common to see spice found in vapes and edibles.

Whether you're a young person, a parent, or you just have questions, reach out, there is always support available to help."

When scanned, these QR codes direct users to websites offering pre-rolled joints and cannabis gummies.

Nick Hawe, a former police detective who specialised in online criminality, warns that these websites might be scams - potentially defrauding individuals seeking to purchase these substances:

"Slick branding and reviews are easy to fake, and, using temptations like next day delivery are great, until the customer loses their money and there's no delivery at all.

People could lose an awful lot, money, banking apps, online accounts, social media and their contacts.

I would simply say report it, report it, report it - to police, to report fraud, who used to be called action fraud and to the local council where these stickers are found.

We must have the knowledge so we can tackle it and make more people aware"

Have you spotted one of these QR Code stickers where you live? Let us know.

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