Warnings issued over QR code stickers appearing on Edinburgh streets offering 'menu' of Class A drugs
Those attempting to buy illegal drugs through the codes are “rolling the dice” on what they might receive, experts warn
Stickers featuring QR codes that direct people to an online “menu” of illegal Class A drugs have been appearing on Edinburgh’s streets - sparking urgent warnings from addiction support experts and local politicians.
Plastered on lamp posts and bus shelters around the Capital, the QR codes lead to an anonymous Telegram channel and a website claiming to ship “high quality party supplies” - including cocaine, opioids and the psychedelic DMT.
Dealers have previously used stickers to advertise cannabis and the shift towards marketing potent Class A drugs has been branded “deeply concerning” by Edinburgh and Lothians MSP Miles Briggs.
The online seller promises “quality products” and next-day Royal Mail delivery, but a drugs charity warns such purchases represent a “roll of the dice”, with users never sure what they’re actually going to receive.
Peter Furlong, harm reduction lead at Edinburgh drug and alcohol charity Change Grow Live (CGL), said: “If you’re buying a potato peeler off Amazon you’re pretty sure someone’s going to send you a potato peeler, but when you’re buying ketamine off the internet that’s not the case.”
The charity works with drug and alcohol users to offer free and confidential treatment, information and support. Its head of Scotland Services Simon Holmes warned that the stickers risk catapulting young and inexperienced individuals towards taking dangerously potent drugs.
He said: “Instantly the risk goes up because you don’t have the lived experience of going through the gateway drugs and escalating it. You can go straight into the top level where the real risk lies.”
Social media and QR code-linked websites are part of a “big shift” in how drugs are sold, with synthetic drugs of an unknown makeup becoming more widespread.
Mr Furlong continued: “The type of stuff that is popping up on there is probably more dangerous than many of the drugs out there on the street.
“People buy a drug thinking it's one thing but actually they’re being sold something totally different because it’s contaminated.”
Public Health Scotland have issued an alert warning of the drug supply’s contamination with highly potent synthetic opioids known as nitazenes which it said “pose a high risk of overdose, hospitalisation and death”.
A total of 1,133 people lost their lives to drugs across the country last year according to National Records Scotland and nitazenes were implicated in more than one in five of those deaths.
Although typically found as the unexpected contaminant in heroin, benzodiazepines and oxycodone, CGL say they are appearing across the drugs supply including in cocaine and ketamine.
Explaining the shifting landscape, Mr Furlong added: “Your stereotypical drug dealer in a BMW is still there but it's much safer for people to buy online. You don’t have to meet someone in a dark alley or under a lamppost, Royal Mail and other couriers deliver straight to your door.”
The website instructs customers to pay in cryptocurrency, while “reviews” suggest packages include stickers for them to distribute in their own neighbourhoods.
Images appearing to show tablets and white powder in the website’s review section were flagged by multiple AI detection tools as highly likely to be artificially created.
The Evening News was unable to verify whether the website is genuinely supplying any of the 45 drugs and medications advertised on the site.
Scottish Conservative MSP Miles Briggs said the individuals behind the stickers “must be stopped”.
He said: “I have written to Edinburgh Council Chief Executive and the Edinburgh Local Commander to look at ways to prevent these stickers from being put up and crack down on those trying to sell illegal drugs.”
While CGL noted that buying online removes the physical risks of meeting dealers on the street, Mr Holmes strongly advised against using the QR codes, urging users to weigh up the risks and utilise self-testing strips or confidential advice services.
A spokesperson for the City of Edinburgh Council said their officers “remain vigilant” and will remove any stickers of this nature found on council property.
A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “Royal Mail is legally obligated not to open post. However, we routinely report suspicious items to the relevant authorities for further inspection.”
“We work closely with police, Border Force and other law enforcement agencies to prevent criminal gangs from misusing the postal network. This includes sharing intelligence to support their investigations and assist in their interception of illegal items.”
The Evening News has approached Police Scotland for comment.