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Drugs

Drugs
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Drugs. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
A doctor and his friend were jailed in Singapore for consuming Ecstasy at a Sentosa villa party. Photo: Shutterstock
Singapore

Doctor and friend jailed for taking drugs at Singapore villa party

A judge rejected the pair’s claims that their drinks had been spiked with Ecstasy pills.

China’s private sector

China’s drug firms set to compete on the world stage, analysts say

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Crime

Alleged Irish crime boss charged in Dublin after extradition from Dubai

Americas and the Caribbean

Trump ally Abelardo de la Espriella sworn in as Colombia president

The right-wing ex-lawyer who calls himself ‘The Tiger’ vowed to bomb cocaine labs, build mega prisons and usher in closer ties with the US.

Colombia’s President Abelardo de la Espriella salutes after taking the oath of office in Cali, Colombia, on Friday. Photo: AP
China’s private sector

Sugar for the pill: US$8b fund boosts Hong Kong’s biotech hub ambitions

Hong Kong Investment Corporation is stepping up its efforts to position itself amid Beijing’s challenge to US pharmaceutical dominance.

Malaysia

How crime syndicates are exploiting Malaysia’s connectivity to move drugs

The country’s proximity to major drug-producing areas and porous borders make it an attractive transit point for traffickers, analysts say.

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Malaysia

Malaysian police investigate how pilot smuggled drugs past airport checks

A KLIA security screener will be summoned for questioning after a Malaysia Airlines pilot is arrested with 70,000 Ecstasy pills in Jakarta.

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Indonesian Customs officials display the uniform of a Malaysian pilot arrested for drug smuggling during a press conference at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on Friday. Photo: AFP
Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong mother, aunt held after cannabis sweets send 2 children to hospital

Emergency services rushed children to Queen Elizabeth Hospital after girl, 12, vomited and boy, 6, briefly lost consciousness.

Crime

Colombia bombing near police station wounds 14 ahead of president’s inauguration

Defence Minister Pedro Sanchez blamed the National Liberation Army rebel group for the attack and offered a US$64,000 reward for information.

Crime in Hong Kong

Boy, 14, among 57 arrested in crackdown on triad-linked debt collection ring

Hong Kong police also dismantle prostitution venue, drug den and three illegal gambling parlours in operation.

Hong Kong police display evidence seized during their operation. Photo: YouTube
Indonesia

Sky high: drug-fuelled Malaysian pilot arrested with 70,000 pills in Indonesia

The pilot tested positive for meth, MDMA and cocaine after his arrest at the airport, meaning he was under the influence when he was flying.

Malaysia Airlines ground staff walk on the tarmac next to a Malaysia Airlines plane at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Photo: AFP
Americas and the Caribbean

Pardoned by Trump, ex-president Hernandez returns to Honduras

Former leader thanks the US president and hints at political comeback as local fraud case looms.

Crime in Hong Kong

Police smash triad-linked drug ring using foreign women to target pubgoers

Officers seize 7.2kg of cocaine and 500 grams of ketamine, methamphetamine and other drugs worth more than HK$5.2 million.

US-Venezuela conflict

Venezuela’s Maduro and wife back in US court, as judge sets 2027 trial date

Defence lawyers to seek dismissal of the drug-trafficking charges for the former president, claiming immunity.

Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, along with their lawyers at a hearing in New York City. Image: Jane Rosenberg via Reuters
United States

US jails Mexican drug kingpin ‘El Mayo’ for life

Most high-profile Mexican drug lord sentenced in the US since 2019 expresses remorse in court.

Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada reading his sentencing statement. Image: Elizabeth Williams via AP
Crime in Hong Kong

3 arrested after 131kg of ketamine disguised as sugar cubes found in air cargo

Hong Kong customs intercepts cargo from Germany with help from mainland authorities, finding pails containing drugs worth about HK$51 million.

US-China relations

Senate bill seeks to curb US reliance on China in drug industry

Lawmakers want more transparency around foreign influence in the sector, saying there’s no reason to allow rival to control supply chain.

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US-China relations

2 men sentenced for roles in trafficking fentanyl analogues from China to the US

Accused were among nine individuals charged and convicted for their part in importing more than one metric tonne of drugs into the US.

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Two men from the US state of New Jersey were sentenced this week for their roles in a drug trafficking organisation that imported fentanyl analogues from China. Photo: Shutterstock
Thailand

Thai PM warns may ‘shut down’ cannabis industry after global smuggling spike

Four years after decriminalisation, a wave of international drug busts could force Asia’s only legal cannabis market to recriminalise.

Hong Kong politics

Opinion | Anti-drug video fiasco not a vote of confidence in Hong Kong’s AI goals

If the authorities can’t use the technology appropriately for one video, one wonders how they can address other concerns posed by artificial intelligence.

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Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong police seize HK$120m of cocaine hidden in 3-tonne metal containers

Officers raid Yuen Long warehouse and arrest three men cutting open containers with tools.

Evidence seized during the warehouse raid included a number of tools. Photo: Handout
Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong cocaine haul hits 361kg in days after police raid another yacht

Narcotics bureau officers raid 20-foot yacht moored near boats targeted in earlier operation and arrest woman.

The second seizure involved drugs worth about HK$90 million. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong

Video | Anti-drug video pulled over claims it promotes drug use

Internet users have been posting selfies, sticker packs and song parodies mocking the video’s AI-generated K-pop girl band.

Trending in China

‘You are a hero’: Yunnan’s sole female anti-drug chief champions women in drug war

Li believes male and female officers perform equally vital roles; she is determined to ensure no drug criminals escape her watch.

Crime in Hong Kong

3 held as Hong Kong police seize HK$180m of suspected cocaine at typhoon shelter

Mastermind and two key syndicate members are arrested in city’s largest drug bust in 12 months.

Kwan Chun-hin (left) and Lam Pak-kiu at a press briefing about the raid. Photo: Edmond So
Hong Kong society

Hong Kong prison service pulls AI K-pop video after anti-drug message backfires

Beautiful AI-generated virtual K-pop girl group appears to be promoting use of illegal substances, not discouraging it, social media users say.

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Internet users say the original video looks more like a drugs promotion campaign. Photo: Facebook/Correctional Services Department
China-Latin America relations

China extends hand to Colombia’s Trump-backed president-elect

Beijing offers to work with de la Espriella in spite of his firm’s legal clash over the metro with a Chinese group and his US realignment vow.

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Australia

Australia makes record cocaine bust after 2.7 tonnes found buried in Sydney

The largest cocaine haul in Australian history was found stored in plastic tubs and hidden in underground bunkers in a Greater Sydney suburb.

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