A potentially explosive discovery has shaken the Dungeness Nuclear Power Station, as a packet containing a white powdered substance—believed to be cocaine—was reportedly uncovered last month in the Control Room. The shocking revelation comes at a critical time for the station, which is in the early stages of decommissioning and has witnessed a significant influx of external contractors over the past year.
The discovery was made during a routine search by sniffer dogs, prompting immediate concerns about security and safety at one of the UK’s key nuclear facilities. While the substance has yet to be chemically tested, EDF, the operator of the site, has indicated that the material was identified by a member of staff who reported it dog and is strongly believed to be an illegal drug.
An EDF spokesperson confirmed the incident, stating: “We can confirm a packet of what we believe were drugs was discovered in the power station. Staff working in the area underwent drug and alcohol testing immediately, and all tested negative. A sweep of the station found no further suspect material. We will continue our rolling programme of random drug and alcohol testing of our staff.”
Despite assurances from EDF that staff tested negative and no further substances were found during follow-up searches, the incident has triggered significant concerns about the protocols in place to secure such a sensitive site. The Looker understands that Kent Police were consulted on the matter, but since the drugs were not found on an individual, no investigation is being carried out. The material was subsequently destroyed, and the incident has been reported to the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR).
This is not the first troubling report from Dungeness in recent weeks. The site, which is undergoing a complex decommissioning process as nuclear fuel is removed for processing, has been plagued by safety lapses. Recently, a worker was awarded substantial damages after suffering life-changing injuries, adding to the station’s growing reputation for operational negligence. In another incident, improper equipment used to move a vending machine led to it crushing a worker, further underscoring ongoing safety issues.
The combination of these events paints a worrying picture of the current state of affairs at the Dungeness site. The presence of a controlled substance in the highly restricted Control Room raises red flags not only about potential lapses in security but also the level of oversight exercised over the contractors and staff operating in this high-stakes environment.
While EDF has sought to downplay the incident, emphasising that immediate steps were taken and all staff were reminded of onsite support services, public confidence in the company’s ability to manage a facility of such importance may already be shaken.
A source within EDF noted that the discovery was made during a “test situation” involving sniffer dogs. The source added: “EDF consulted Kent Police on next steps and, because it was found in a place, not on a person, they are not investigating. The material has been destroyed and the matter has been reported to our regulator, the Office for Nuclear Regulation.”
However, the lack of a formal investigation by law enforcement has left some questioning the adequacy of the response. Should the presence of drugs at a nuclear power station, regardless of the circumstances, not warrant a deeper investigation to determine how and why it occurred? The Dungeness incident is just the latest in a series of worrying developments at nuclear facilities globally. With heightened scrutiny on the safety and security of such sites, this revelation could not have come at a worse time for EDF. The company must now work to rebuild trust while ensuring that all security measures are robust enough to prevent future breaches of this kind.
As the decommissioning process continues and external contractors flow in and out of the site, EDF must grapple with the challenge of maintaining stringent security standards. In light of recent injuries and now this drug-related incident, it is clear that stronger oversight is urgently needed.
Despite the challenges, Dungeness remains a beacon of hope for local residents who believe in its potential for revitalisation. Many in the community are advocating for Dungeness to be considered as a site for new nuclear development, either through small modular reactors (SMRs) or a large-scale power station similar to the Hinkley Point C project in Somerset or the recently launched Sizewell C in Suffolk. These state-of-the-art, two-unit, 3,200 MWe European Pressurised Reactor (EPR) nuclear stations are each designed to generate carbon-neutral energy for up to six million homes and businesses. Such developments could bring economic growth, jobs, and clean energy solutions to the region, provided the station can overcome its current issues and rebuild public trust.