Post

Our investigation, with Indian publishing partner Newslaundry, found that more than 50% of the painkillers were high-strength (200mg+), doses not even approved for use in India.

Eight in 10 tapentadol pills sent between 2023 and 2025 listed Sierra Leone and Ghana as their destinations.

Sierra Leone's president declared a national emergency over drug abuse in 2024 and branded kush – a toxic blend of psychoactive substances including cannabis and synthetic opioids – a "death trap".

17/4/26, 1:29 pm2 reposts20 likes

Ghana’s Food and Drugs Authority said last year that the abuse of pharmaceutical opioids such as tapentadol — commonly known on the street as “Red” — was on the rise.

bellingcat.comDonate - bellingcatYour donation to Bellingcat is a direct contribution to our research. With your support, we will continue to publish groundbreaking investigations on events of public interest worldwide to create impa...

We want to uncover wrongdoing. We can with your support. Bellingcat is a not-for-profit. Consider donating so we can continue to create impact in 2026. www.bellingcat.com/donate

briancat.bsky.social

@briancat.bsky.social