The production of opium increased sharply in Myanmar after falling for seven years, according to the UN. It touched nearly 795 metric tonnes in 2022, nearly double the production in 2021 – 423 metric tonnes – the year of the military coup. The UN believes this is driven by economic hardship and insecurity, along with higher global prices for the opium resin that is used to make heroin. The coup plunged much of Myanmar into a bloody civil war that still continues. “Economic, security and governance disruptions that followed the military takeover of February 2021 have converged, and farmers in … Continue reading Opium production in Myanmar surges to nine-year high

Jamaican authorities have seized an estimated $80 million worth of cocaine from a ship at the port of Kingston in one of the country’s biggest-ever drug busts, authorities said. Jamaican officials discovered the shipment hidden inside a cargo ship from South America, the Jamaica Constabulary Force said in a statement late on Saturday, putting its estimated street value at $80 million. The search of the cargo ship yielded more than 1,500 kilograms (3,306 lbs) of cocaine, the police said. The goods were split into 50 bags containing 1,250 packages, Jamaica’s Defence Force said in a separate statement. Transnational criminal organizations … Continue reading Jamaica seizes $80 million worth of cocaine from cargo ship

Three security force members have died in clashes in the state of Sinaloa after the arrest of a son of notorious Mexican drug kingpin “El Chapo”. Ovidio Guzmán-López – himself alleged to be a leader of his father’s former cartel – was captured in Culiacán and transferred to Mexico City. Furious gang members set up road blocks, set fire to vehicles and attacked a local airport. Two planes were hit by gunfire – one while preparing to take off. More than 100 flights were cancelled at three Sinaloa airports. The state governor said earlier 18 people had been admitted to … Continue reading Deadly riots grip Mexican state after arrest of El Chapo’s son

An Irishman faces a drug charge in Australia after allegedly being caught with a quantity of cocaine concealed in Kinder Surprise capsules. Australian Border Force (ABF) officers took the man to hospital for a CT scan after traces of the drug were allegedly found in his baggage at Melbourne International Airport on 28 December. The 28 year old later excreted six yellow plastic capsules, police said. They allegedly contained about 120 grams of cocaine. The man was remanded in custody. Officers charged the man with one count of importing a marketable quantity of a border controlled drug, namely cocaine. If … Continue reading Irishman charged over cocaine concealed in Kinder Egg

US federal drug agents say they seized enough fentanyl in 2022 to kill every American. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) says they intercepted 379m potentially deadly fentanyl doses, which is just two milligrams. The DEA described the highly addictive substance, which is 50 times more powerful than heroin, as the deadliest drug threat facing the US. The agency says most of the fentanyl is trafficked into the US from Mexico. The DEA says it seized more than 10,000lb (4,500kg) of fentanyl, as well as over 50.6m fentanyl pills that were made to resemble different prescription painkillers. That is more than … Continue reading OMG: US law enforcement agency seize enough fentanyl to kill every single American seized in 2022

A drug “super cartel” that controlled about a third of Europe’s cocaine supply has been dismantled, police have announced. Dubbed Operation Desert Light, 49 people were arrested across six European countries, the EU’s police agency, Europol, said. They included a British national, who is suspected of heading the operation. More than 30 tonnes (30,000kg) of drugs were seized during the two-year-long investigation, Europol said. Operation Desert Light saw authorities in Spain, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) work together to bring down the cartel, Europol said in a statemnet. Those arrested included six “high-value targets” – those … Continue reading Europol take down cocaine ‘super cartel’ in a massive crackdown

French security forces have intercepted in the Cerdanya area 1.5 tons of cannabis resin from Spain, which, on the black market, would have reached a value of 9.7 million euros, according to the French customs service. The drugs were found on 3 November inside a truck whose drivers claimed to be travelling empty to Paris. Inside the trailer, however, the agents found about 40 bales of resin. The two drivers, whose identity and nationality have not been disclosed, were handed over to the Judicial Police. The Marseilles Public Prosecutor’s Office has taken charge of the investigations, according to the official … Continue reading France intercepts 1.5 tons of cannabis resin from Spain

The largest haul of cannabis ever seized by Spanish police was discovered in a series of raids across the country, officers said. Around 32 tonnes of the crop were found, adding up to a street value of $60m, a spokesperson for Guardia Civil, Spain’s national police force, said. Police said they arrested nine men and 11 women, aged between 20 and 59, in busts on a network of offices in Toledo, Ciudad Real, Valencia and Asturias, which span the country from north to south. The Guardia Civil said the “complex business network” was supplying the domestic drug market and sending shipments to Switzerland, … Continue reading Spain makes largest ever cannabis seizure worth $60m in raid

A former heavyweight boxer has been charged in the US with trafficking 22 tonnes of cocaine, worth more than $1bn into Europe. Goran Gogic, 43, from Montenegro, was arrested on Sunday in Miami after being indicted by a New York grand jury. The charges come from three seizures, including one of the largest in the US. Prosecutors say the traffickers sent the drugs from Colombia via US ports, using cranes and nets at night to hoist them onto cargo ships from speedboats. Court documents say Gogic was in charge of the logistics, coordinating with Colombian traffickers, crew members and dock … Continue reading Ex-heavyweight boxer Goran Gogic charged with cocaine trafficking

A 1.8 tonne haul of liquid methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $1bn has been seized by Australian police in Hong Kong. The class A drug, which was bound for Australia, had been found hidden in cartons of coconut water. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Australian Border Force (ABF) in Hong Kong worked with Hong Kong Customs and Excise (HKCE) to intercept what they said was a “record-breaking” stash. The AFP said the illicit consignment was identified using intelligence developed by AFP officers in Mexico and the Australian Department of Home Affairs. They said “international cooperation” then led … Continue reading Record $1bn of liquid meth found hidden inside coconut water cartons

The Santa Rosa de Lima cartel has allegedly claimed responsibility for the violent scene at the bar in the Tarimoro municipality, in the state of Guanajuato, Infobae reported. The assailants ambushed El Jarras pool hall, an establishment in the area downtown, where local festivities were taking place. Nine people died on the scene and one victim succumbed to their injuries after being transported to a hospital. Gruesome images of the attack on Wednesday night began circulating online shortly after. In a harrowing video reportedly recorded by the attackers, shots can be heard as an injured man is shown lying on the … Continue reading Ten people killed in cartel shooting at Mexico pool hall

Authorities in Saudi Arabia say they have seized 46 million amphetamine pills that were smuggled in a shipment of flour – a record for the kingdom. Security forces tracked the shipment as it arrived at the Riyadh Dry Port and was taken to a warehouse, the General Directorate of Narcotics Control said. Six Syrians and two Pakistanis were arrested in a raid on the warehouse. The GDNC did not name the amphetamine, but Saudi Arabia is the largest market for tablets bearing the captagon logo. Captagon, typically a mix of amphetamine, caffeine and various fillers, is reportedly one of the … Continue reading Saudi Arabia seizes record 46 million amphetamine pills hidden in flour