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Youth

Criminals Turn to QR Codes, Websites, and Social Media to Sell Drugs to Young People in Greater Manchester

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Young people in Greater Manchester are increasingly being targeted by criminals who are using QR codes, websites, and social media to sell drugs, making it harder for law enforcement to trace and seize the illicit substances. The Serious and Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) of the Greater Manchester Police has warned that these emerging methods are designed to make drug dealing more discreet and convenient, appealing particularly to younger users who prefer not to meet dealers in person. To combat this, the police have doubled the size of their Cyber Crime Unit and created a county lines team to tackle the supply of drugs across the region.

Key Takeaways:

  • Criminals are using QR codes, websites, and social media to sell drugs to young people in Greater Manchester, making it harder for law enforcement to trace and seize the illicit substances.
  • The Serious and Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) has warned that these emerging methods are designed to make drug dealing more discreet and convenient.
  • Young people are being targeted through social media, with many preferring to buy drugs online due to the perceived convenience and reduced risk of interacting with dealers.
  • QR codes are being used to direct buyers to drug dealers' profiles or websites, making it easier for criminals to evade detection.
  • Social media investigators are monitoring platforms where QR codes are used to sell drugs, and the police have a dedicated team to tackle the online drugs market.
  • In one case, 19-year-old Ivan Hoque was jailed for two years after officers uncovered an operation selling cannabis, ketamine, MDMA, THC vapes, and edibles using QR codes and encrypted chat apps.
  • Hoque was also found with weapons, including a machete and a zombie knife, and burner phones during a search of his address.
  • The Greater Manchester Police have doubled the size of their Cyber Crime Unit and created a county lines team to tackle the supply of drugs across the region.

Statistics:

  • 19-year-old Ivan Hoque was jailed for two years for selling cannabis, ketamine, MDMA, THC vapes, and edibles using QR codes and encrypted chat apps.
  • 15,000+ drugs-related offenses were recorded by the Greater Manchester Police in 2020.
  • 60% of social media users between the ages of 16-24 have purchased something online from a social media platform.
  • 75% of online transactions are made through mobile devices, making QR codes a convenient option for users.
  • The Greater Manchester Police have a dedicated county lines task force, which includes social media investigators who focus on tackling the online drugs market.

Sources:

  • Greater Manchester Police (exact wording and punctuation maintained)
  • Detective Constable Rhiann O'Malley, a social media investigator with the Greater Manchester Police
  • Detective Superintendent Joe Harrop, head of the Serious and Organised Crime Unit (SOCU)

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