Dozens of QR code stickers advertising an online cannabis market have been plastered across Deptford High Street in South East London, with the codes appearing on lampposts, bins, and shop fronts every 10 metres or so. The stickers, which feature a vibrant emoji smoking what appears to be a cannabis cigarette, link to a professionally made website that openly advertises cannabis products and boasts of delivery via Royal Mail in plain, odour-proof packaging.
Stickers Link to Brazen Online Cannabis Marketplace
The stickers appeared in recent weeks and are part of a mass advertising effort for an online cannabis market, according to a visit by MyLondon. The website linked by the QR codes advertises a variety of illicit products, including edibles, pre-rolls, and cannabis-infused vape products, with delivery described as "The UK's best quality meets express shipping, dispatched fast in plain, odour-proof packaging." The site also claims that deliveries are made with "ID checked at the door."
While the use of QR codes and stickers by suspected drug dealers is not new, a Sky News investigation last year revealed that similar stickers had been plastered across the nation and were eventually linked back to an East London Lithuanian Gang in 2025. The stickers found on Deptford High Street are of three specific types, according to the investigation.
Police Warn of Risks and Vow to Remove Stickers
Police forces across the country have advised that they are hunting for such stickers and will remove them when on patrol. The City of London Police has previously warned Londoners against scanning QR codes linked to illicit cannabis websites, stating that they are illegal and harmful, and may carry risks of viruses, data collection attempts, and the effects of cannabis itself.
While the Met Police would not specifically comment on the adverts spotted on Deptford High Street, a police spokesperson said: "We are committed to tackling the issues that matter most to Londoners. The sale and supply of drugs including cannabis is a key driver of serious crime across our communities. The Met will pursue those criminals who manufacture, cultivate, import, and supply illegal drugs, recognising the devastating impact that can have on our communities. We’ll continue to work with our partners to drive down the demand for drugs across London and support people to live drug free lives."
Impact on the Local Community
The stickers have not spared any street furniture on the busy high street, with MyLondon finding them frequently on lampposts, bins, and shop fronts. The brazen nature of the advertising suggests a growing trend of drug dealers using digital methods to reach potential customers, despite police efforts to combat such activities.
The Met Police's commitment to pursuing those involved in the supply of illegal drugs, including cannabis, underscores the seriousness with which authorities view these operations. Residents and visitors to Deptford High Street are advised to avoid scanning the QR codes and to report any sightings to the police, who have said they will remove the stickers when on patrol.
