UK crime agency discovers international network for rape using drugs

UK crime investigators have discovered a large, international group of criminals who use drugs to help them commit sexual assaults. These criminals drug their victims before attacking them. Some attackers also film the assaults.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) explained that secret online groups, many still unknown to the police, allow these offenders to arrange attacks or to have them filmed. These crimes often happen within relationships where the victim trusts the attacker, sometimes even in long-term relationships.

The NCA started investigating an online forum last October. Since then, they have found over 270 people connected to this forum and similar online spaces. The agency has shared information about suspects and potential victims with police forces in the UK and other countries. Most of this information, over 90%, has been sent abroad.

According to Nigel Leary, a deputy director at the NCA, they believe they have found a truly international network. Criminals have been identified in dozens of countries across all continents. In the UK, this information has led to at least 14 separate police investigations and helped safeguard eight victims.

Leary stated that online platforms are making these crimes easier to plan and carry out. He mentioned that users discuss in graphic detail how they want to drug victims for sexual abuse. They also ask for advice on the best drugs to use, how to give them to someone, and how to film the assaults. Some offenders coordinate their attacks and share methods to avoid being caught.

He added that many victims may not even know they have been attacked because they were drugged and unconscious. The scale of what the investigators have seen is very worrying, showing that this is not just isolated behaviour but is becoming organised. Cases are likely under-detected and under-reported, meaning many crimes are not coming to light.