Differently from the plant-based drug khat, which also contains katinon and affects the central nervous system with amphetamine-like properties, the katinons that EUDA warns about are manufactured synthetically.
In 2023, which is the latest year reported in EUDA's 2025 annual report, the importation and seizure of synthetic katinons amounted to three times the combined amount of amphetamine and metamfetamine seized in Europe. The amount seized has increased from 4.5 tons in 2021 to 37 tons in 2023.
Large quantities are believed to come in from India through the Netherlands, but 53 production sites were found in 2023 in EU countries, including one in Sweden.
The report also flags nitazener, a group of synthetic opioids that have caused many deaths in countries such as Sweden.
The development in the cannabis market is also portrayed as a new challenge, as cannabis products are becoming more numerous and stronger. Even seizures of cocaine are increasing for the seventh year in a row, according to the report.
