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Drugs
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Drugs. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
last updated:
9 September, 2024
A police officer demonstrates the “space oil” rapid test. Photo: Eugene Lee
Hong Kong

Editorial | Test kits on front line of ‘space oil’ drug battle in Hong Kong

Latest Hong Kong police weapon against growing narcotic use by young to be backed by stronger penalties.

European cinema

‘Vain’ and ‘offensive’: Mexico-set Oscars darling Emilia Perez irks many there

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Donald Trump

Threatened US tariffs on Canada, Mexico paused as talks with China loom

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Donald Trump

Trump to hit Canada, Mexico with 25% tariffs on Saturday, says rate could rise

The US president also indicated he would proceed with duties on China, though he did not specify how high they would be.

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US President Donald Trump speaks at a press briefing at the White House on Thursday. Photo: TNS
Trending in China

China boy tells police about dad’s poppy husks after being scolded over homework

Anti-narcotics unit takes over investigation from local police after son seeks ‘revenge’ on dad over pressure to perform well academically.

Crime in Hong Kong

1 in 3 Hongkongers do not know ‘space oil’ health risks, drug survey finds

Usually packaged in e-cigarette capsules and containing anaesthetic etomidate, substance has been gaining popularity among young people.

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The Philippines

Philippines softens stance on ICC investigating Duterte’s deadly drugs war

After years of defiance, Manila has hinted at limited cooperation with the International Criminal Court to investigate ex-president Duterte.

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Filipino policemen tape off an area in Manila where a drugs suspect was shot in an alleged extrajudicial killing in 2018. Rights groups say Rodrigo Duterte’s drugs war claimed more than 12,000 lives. Photo: EPA-EFE
Crime in Hong Kong

2 students charged over ‘space oil’ found in handbag by Hong Kong customs

Pair jointly charged with one count of possession of Part 1 poison after routine check at China Ferry Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui.

European Union

Top drug lord finds refuge in Sierra Leone after marrying president’s daughter

The convicted cocaine smuggler, one of Europe’s most wanted fugitives, enjoys high-level protection in the West African nation.

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Spain

Spanish police break up Chinese trafficking ring

The gang deceived young women, capturing them with the aim of selling them into prostitution in Spain, Greece and the United States.

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Spanish police have broken up a trafficking ring. Photo: Shutterstock
Donald Trump

Meet Silk Road’s Ross Ulbricht, who was just pardoned by Donald Trump

Penn State graduate Ross Ulbricht was sentenced to life in prison for running Silk Road, a drug marketplace on the dark web that conducted more than US$200 million in illegal drugs trade using bitcoin.

Donald Trump has officially pardoned Silk Road creator Ross Ulbricht. Photo: @BitcoinMagazine/X
United States

Purdue, Sackler family to pay US$7.4 billion in US opioid settlement

New settlement is meant to address a drug addiction crisis that has led to over 700,000 opioid overdose deaths in the US.

United States

Trump pardons imprisoned Silk Road founder for online drug scheme

US president makes good on a campaign pledge to free the mastermind behind the illicit drug marketplace Silk Road.

Colombia

At least 80 killed, thousands displaced in Colombia guerilla violence

Civilians caught in the crossfire as ELN guerillas target former members of a separate rebel group in the bloodiest violence in recent years.

Colombia’s army has scrambled to evacuate people. Photo: AFP
Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong police make first ‘space oil’ arrest using new rapid test kit

Police apprehend 55-year-old man after test on suspicious e-cigarette capsule comes back positive for anaesthetic etomidate.

Authorities plan to have etomidate listed as a dangerous drug to help combat the use of space oil. Photo: Eugene Lee
Crime in Hong Kong

More Hong Kong police patrols at ‘Lan Kwai Fong of Gen Z’ as teen crime rises

Police say there has been an uptick in violent crimes involving teenagers in Kwun Tong district since the fourth quarter.

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Malaysia

Malaysian police confirm dead Pinkfish concertgoers had drugs in blood

Toxicology analysis revealed the presence of drugs in the bodies of the four victims who attended the event in Selangor.

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United States

Biden grants clemency to 2,500 people, most ever in a day

Biden may issue further commutations or pardons before he hands over power to president-elect Donald Trump on Monday.

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Biden commuted the sentences of nearly 1,500 people and pardoned 39 others last month. Photo: AP
Hong Kong police

7 Hong Kong police officers among 12 arrested over money laundering

Bank accounts allegedly used to launder suspected criminal proceeds amounting to about HK$10.5 million in eight years.

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Malaysia

Ecstasy and agony: Malaysia’s festival drug deaths spur calls for testing kits

Experts say the risks are heightened by a lack of harm-reduction infrastructure to help festival attendees make informed choices.

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The Philippines

Opinion | How the Philippines is managing a cold war abroad – and at home

The removal of the Dutertes from the security council is a calculated move by Marcos Jnr to prevent the family, perceived as pro-China proxies, from exerting influence.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
Britain

Scotland leader praises first UK consumption facility for illegal drugs

The pilot centre aims to reduce harm associated with injecting drugs, as Scotland grapples with the highest drug misuse death rates in Europe.

Drug taking paraphernalia are pictured in the UK’s first drug consumption room, where users can take their own illegal drugs under medical supervision. Photo: AFP
Crime in Hong Kong

3 arrested, HK$20 million of Ice seized in Hong Kong drug lab raid

Police say the 1,000 sq ft facility in Shek Wu Wai is believed to have been operational for about one to two months.

Wellness

Inside Myanmar drug rehab centre where tough love is the prescription

Weightlifting, karate drills and tug-of-war contests are all activities at the facility in a country that produces huge amounts of narcotics.

The Philippines

Filipinos fear US’ anti-ICC bill may impede probe into Duterte’s drug war

The bill slams the ICC’s ‘illegitimate’ charges against Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu for war crimes related to the Israel-Gaza war.

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Relatives of drug war victims calling for justice against then President Rodrigo Duterte in Manila in 2021. Photo: Reuters
Crime in Hong Kong

Amount of drugs found on air passengers in Hong Kong last year up by 244% over 2019

Customs officers seized 874kg of narcotics, worth HK$349 million, from air travellers in 2024, Post learns.

Hong Kong customs seized 4.5kg of suspected cocaine from three men who tried to smuggle the drugs into the city via the airport on December 31. Photo: Handout
France

French police seize two tons of cocaine worth around US$134 million in Le Havre

Truck driver, dock worker were arrested and face up to 30 years in jail. Port of Le Havre is major gateway for cocaine smuggling in France.

Americas and the Caribbean

Man arrested for supplying drugs to One Direction singer Liam Payne

Braian Paiz, accused of having supplied cocaine to Payne, is one of 5 people indicted over death of the 31-year-old former British pop star in October.

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