Sharp increase in the import of drug plants

The plant is legal and can, among other things, be used in soap production. But it also contains the narcotic substance mitragynine, which can produce opioid-like effects.

— 39 tons, that’s a huge amount. There will be a lot of soap if soap is to be made from these plants, says Jenny Åberg, an expert at the Swedish Customs Service, to the radio.

“We at the Customs are not allowed to do anything about it because at the time of import it is a plant and not classified as a drug,” she continues.

According to Joakim Strandberg at the Public Health Authority, several authorities and even the government have discussed how the plant can be regulated.

“Without regulation, this plant can be used freely and of course there is a risk of addiction,” he tells P3 Nyheter.

nh2-general