Trends in Controlled Substance Seizures in Lombardy from 2023 to 2025

Unrevealing the characteristics of the illicit drug market at a local level is essential for planning targeted prevention strategies and law enforcement interventions. This study reports trends and purity levels of illicit substances circulating in Lombardy from 2023 to 2025. The dataset comprises 4815 samples (238.3 Kg) seized by Law Enforcement Agencies and analyzed by the Forensic Toxicology Laboratory of University of Milan. All samples were analyzed using in-house validated analytical procedures combining both targeted and untargeted approaches. Instrumental platforms included gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID), gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS), enabling reliable identification, quantification, and profiling of traditional drugs and New Psychoactive Substances (NPS). The most frequently detected substances were Cannabis (49.4%: resin: 40.4%; herb: 8.8%; other: 0.1%), cocaine (34.1%), amphetamine-type stimulants (4.8%; MDMA: 2.6%; methamphetamine: 2.1%; amphetamine: 0.1%), NPS (3.5%), heroin (3.4%), ketamine (1.3%), and opioids (0.3%). Purity of cocaine (66.3%) and methamphetamine (83.0%) were consistent with those reported in Italian and European monitoring reports; in contrast, heroin (1.8%), MDMA (40.1%), and ketamine (70.7%) displayed lower concentrations. Regarding Cannabis- derived products, resins exhibited Δ9 -THC concentrations lower (20.0%) than those observed in the European market, while herb remained in line with reported values (10.3%). 18 NPS were identified in seized materials, predominantly synthetic cathinones (e.g., 3,4- MDPHP, 2-MMC, 2-CMC, 3-CMC) and semi-synthetic or synthetic cannabinoids (e.g., Δ9 - THCOAcetate, MDMB-4EN-PINACA, H4-CBD, ADB-PINACA). Through these years two new synthetic compounds were identified for the first time worldwide, -BPVP and 4-bromo-2,5- dimethoxyphenethyl tosylate (2C-B intermediate). Overall, the results highlighted emerging and concerning trends in the Lombardy illicit market, especially for NPS (i.e., synthetic cathinones), while confirming the trafficking of traditional drugs. These findings support the need for strengthened analytical monitoring, prevention strategies and coordinated counteraction measures.