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Drugs

Drugs
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Drugs. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Defendants (in blue) stand during their trial for drug trafficking in Ho Chi Minh on November 12, 2023. Photo: Vietnam News Agency/AFP
Vietnam

Vietnam’s move to end executions for drug trafficking sparks debate in region

The proposal has put a spotlight on the different legal approaches against drug trafficking offences in the region.

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Hong Kong stock market

China’s Akeso says cancer drug beat AstraZeneca’s Imfinzi in phase 3 trial

Crime

Colombia mulls locking up dangerous criminals on prison ships

Americas and the Caribbean

US military kills 2 in eastern Pacific boat strike in first attack in months

Lethal attack on low profile vessel ends two-month pause, bringing total campaign death toll to 223 across 67 strikes.

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US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth in Panama City earlier this month. Photo: AP
ATP

Australia’s Nick Kyrgios admits ‘huge mistake’ after failing test for cocaine

Wimbledon finalist, provisionally suspended after testing positive after an ATP 250 event in Mallorca in June, takes ‘full responsibility’.

Indonesia

Indonesia seizes 2.6 tonnes of liquid meth in record drug bust

This is the second raid involving a Tanzanian-flagged vessel in two weeks. Almost all the crew are from Myanmar.

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Crime in Hong Kong

Customs arrests 10 over HK$56 million cannabis haul bound for Europe, Africa

About 240kg of suspected cannabis buds seized in month-long operation targeting a syndicate that used the city as a transit hub.

The operation, code-named Fire Mesh, resulted in the seizure of about 240kg of cannabis buds. Photo: Jelly Tse
Thailand

Thailand to review pardon rules after release of drug lord, 85, brings backlash

Laota Saenlee, a former anti-communist guerrilla turned drug runner, is freed after serving less than a decade of a life sentence.

Malaysia

Malaysia holds off on pilot extradition request pending Indonesian drug probe

The goal now is to obtain information to see if the Malaysian Airlines pilot acted alone or was part of a network, the home minister says.

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Malaysia

All Malaysia Airlines pilots pass drug tests following Jakarta arrest

The mandatory screening process was ⁠ordered after a Malaysian Airlines pilot was arrested in Indonesia on drug trafficking charges.

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Malaysia Airlines planes are parked at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang. Photo: Reuters
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.

A doctor and his friend were jailed in Singapore for consuming Ecstasy at a Sentosa villa party. Photo: Shutterstock
China’s private sector

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

Amid systemic efficiency and a wave of innovation, the country’s biotech sector is expanding at a pace that has caught the market off guard.

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Crime

Alleged Irish crime boss charged in Dublin after extradition from Dubai

Daniel Kinahan remanded in custody over charges of directing an international crime group following handover by UAE authorities.

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.

Clara Chan Ka-chai, CEO of Hong Kong Investment Corporation (HKIC) Photo: Enoch Yiu
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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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.

Emergency services rushed the children to Queen Elizabeth Hospital for treatment. Photo: Handout
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.

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.

Juan Orlando Hernandez meets with supporters on Sunday. Photo: Reuters
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.

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.

The pails seized by Hong Kong customs earlier this week containing the suspected ketamine. Photo: Handout
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.

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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