Kratom and Synthetic Drugs: Violations at 63 Per Cent of Inspected Retail Outlets
Almost 900 legal violations were documented during nationwide inspections targeting kratom and synthetic psychoactive substances
Foto: Freepik
Violations were identified at 63 per cent of the retail outlets inspected during a nationwide operation targeting kratom and synthetic psychoactive substances. The Czech government is now planning comprehensive legislative and organisational changes.
A large-scale inspection operation has uncovered serious violations involving the sale of psychoactive substances in the Czech Republic. Authorities identified legal violations at 63 per cent of the nearly 1,000 retail outlets and distribution sites inspected.
The interministerial working group on psychoactive substances has presented the results of the KORUND inspection operation. Led by the Czech Ministry of the Interior, all relevant ministries participated in the operation together for the first time – including the ministries responsible for health, finance, industry and trade, and agriculture.
The inspections focused on the illegal handling of kratom and the distribution of dangerous synthetic psychoactive substances. In total, the authorities documented almost 900 unlawful acts. In 373 cases, criminal offences are suspected.
Foto: Terrance Barksdale | Pexels
Almost Half a Million Products Seized
Nearly 500,000 products were seized during the operation. The authorities ordered the destruction of more than 17,000 additional products. They also removed from circulation 3,000 kilograms of hashish, 1,300 kilograms of kratom, 11.7 tonnes of dried cannabis with a low concentration of active substances, and 22.6 kilograms of synthetic cannabinoids.
Investigators also identified 169 high-risk internet domains. A total of 25 online shops were blocked, while the corresponding products were removed from 96 vending machines. Laboratories examined more than 3,000 samples. Dangerous synthetic psychoactive substances were detected in 87 per cent of them.
Interior Minister Calls for Legal Loopholes to Be Closed
According to Interior Minister Lubomír Metnar, the results demonstrate that inspections alone are not sufficient. “We must close the legal loopholes that allow the market to circumvent the regulations. At the same time, we must ensure that the state can respond more quickly to new dangerous substances and distribution channels,” Metnar said. The aim, he added, was to reduce the availability of these substances and better protect children and young people in particular.
In response to the problems identified, the ministries involved are now preparing comprehensive changes. A total of 16 legislative measures and 17 organisational and technical measures are planned. These are intended to make dangerous substances more difficult to access and improve the protection of public health.
