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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

After pardoning his son Hunter, President Joe Biden will commute 1,500 sentences and pardon 39 people in the biggest single-day act of clemency in modern history. Photo: Getty Images

Biden unveils biggest single-day act of clemency in modern history

It is the largest single-day act of clemency in modern history, exceeding Barack Obama’s 330 before he left office in 2017.

12 Dec 2024 - 6:25PMvideocam

Shocking scenes in Bangkok as police bust over 120 in underwear ‘drug party’

9 Dec 2024 - 6:29PM

Trump aides contact Google, Meta, Snap over online drug sales: reports

9 Dec 2024 - 3:55PM

Fame and celebrity

Who is Orlando Brown – and what did he say about sex with Nick Cannon?

The actor and rapper has a history of drug abuse, homelessness, DUI and domestic battery; in December 2018 he said on Dr Phil that he was the son of musical icon Michael Jackson.

7 Dec 2024 - 4:00AMvideocam

Who is actor and rapper Orlando Brown – and what did he say about sex with Nick Cannon? Photos: Orlando Brown/YouTube; Getty Images

Indonesia to repatriate death-row convict to the Philippines

The move comes after years of international pressure, particularly from human rights groups and the Philippine government.

6 Dec 2024 - 8:01PM

Fame and celebrity

Meet Ruston Kelly, Kacey Musgraves’ ex-husband and musical inspiration

From figure skating prodigy to recovering addict, to the inspiration behind one of 2019’s most important country albums, Ruston Kelly has lived a storied life – but who is he really?

5 Dec 2024 - 6:00AM

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Japanese court convicts Australian who says she was tricked into smuggling drugs

Donna Nelson, in custody for nearly two years, was arrested in 2023 with about 2kg (4.4 pounds) of hidden phenylaminopropane.

4 Dec 2024 - 7:17PM

Family members of Australian citizen Donna Nelson walk out from the Chiba District Court after the opening day of the trial over Nelson for attempting to import drugs into Japan. Photo: AP

Recap | Discover Thai gems, from Bourdain food favourites to spirit houses

See what Thailand has to offer, such as its Golden Triangle opium history, colourful spirit houses and teak heritage, in five PostMag travel articles on the Southeast Asian tourist favourite.

4 Dec 2024 - 4:15PM

Trump says Canada could be 51st US state. A Canadian minister says he was joking

The US president-elect made the remarks in jest during a dinner with PM Justin Trudeau, says Dominic LeBlanc, who was at the event.

4 Dec 2024 - 1:50PMvideocam

Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong battling ‘space oil’ drug trend, police log 90 cases in first 10 months

Police also say 99 people arrested in operation over sale of various drugs online, with youngest aged just 12.

3 Dec 2024 - 6:50PM

In 2023, the force recorded only eight cases involving etomidate, a component of “space oil”, and arrested nine people. Photo: Jelly Tse.

Some Democrats frustrated over Joe Biden pardoning his son Hunter

Democrats join Republicans in criticising US President Joe Biden, saying pardon sets a bad precedent.

3 Dec 2024 - 10:24AMvideocam

US President Joe Biden and Hunter Biden. Photo: Reuters

Canada ambassador says Trump-Trudeau dinner key to getting tariffs removed

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with US President-elect Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago on Friday after Trump’s tariff threat.

2 Dec 2024 - 4:14PMvideocam

Trump says Canada PM Trudeau pledged action on border after tariff threat

The two leaders spoke during a ‘productive’ three-hour dinner that also covered topics like China, Ukraine, fentanyl and the Middle East.

1 Dec 2024 - 3:15AMvideocam

Singapore hangs fourth drug trafficker in less than a month

Tehran had urged the government to ‘reconsider’ the execution of Masoud Rahimi Mehrzad, a Singaporean-Iranian man.

29 Nov 2024 - 3:19PM

People protest against the death penalty in Singapore in 2022. Photo: AFP

What is behind Prabowo’s plan to repatriate foreign death-row convicts?

While the decision may signal a ‘softening of attitude’ towards the death penalty, critics suggest it could threaten Indonesia’s rule of law.

29 Nov 2024 - 11:30AMvideocam

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. Photo: Reuters

Canada considering retaliatory tariffs on US items following Trump threat

Canada mulls retaliatory tariffs on US goods as Trump threatens sweeping levies on Canadian products.

28 Nov 2024 - 10:34AMvideocam

Crime in Hong Kong

7 arrested in Hong Kong, including teacher, in crackdown on ‘space oil’ drug

Customs also seized anaesthetic that could produce HK$17 million worth of the narcotic.

27 Nov 2024 - 4:54PM

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Mexico’s Sheinbaum hints she could retaliate against Trump tariffs

Meanwhile, Canada’s Trudeau says he had a ‘good’ conversation with the US president-elect after the latter’s surprise tariff threat.

27 Nov 2024 - 11:55AMvideocam

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum gestures during a press conference at the National Palace in Mexico City on Tuesday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Video | Dramatic bodycam footage shows police chasing drug mules in Thailand

110 bags of crystal meth were seized, each weighing 1kg.

26 Nov 2024 - 12:49PMvideocam

Dramatic bodycam footage of police chasing drug mules

Thai police find 110kg (243lbs) of crystal meth stashed in abandoned pickup truck

26 Nov 2024 - 11:05AM

Bali Nine drug smugglers in Indonesian prison to return to Australia

Two ringleaders of the group were executed in 2015, while one trafficker was released from prison and another died of cancer.

23 Nov 2024 - 3:45PMvideocam

Indonesia executed Australian drug smugglers Andrew Chan (left) and Myuran Sukumaran in 2015. Photo: Reuters

Singapore executes third drug trafficker in a week as UN urges end to hangings

Rosman Abdullah’s execution was the eighth this year in the city state, seven for drug trafficking and one for murder.

22 Nov 2024 - 12:54PM

People protest against the death penalty in Singapore in 2022. Photo: AFP

Sex workers and ex-addicts show tourists Czech capital’s dark side

Social enterprise Pragulic tackles ‘myth and prejudice’ around people living on Prague’s streets, using tour guides who have all been there.

22 Nov 2024 - 5:44AM

Trump names new pick for attorney general as Matt Gaetz drops out

Pam Bondi nomination follows withdrawal of nominee Matt Gaetz amid scrutiny over sex trafficking allegations.

22 Nov 2024 - 10:52AM

Fame and celebrity

One Direction stars join mourners at Liam Payne’s funeral

The singer was found dead after a fall from his hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, triggering an outpouring of grief from fans around the world.

21 Nov 2024 - 11:53AM

Pallbearers carry the coffin of late One Direction singer Liam Payne out of St Mary’s church following his funeral service in Amersham on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

South Korea airport defends body search of traveller after drug scanner error

Customs officials say the invasive search was lawful and an ‘unavoidable measure’ even though it left the traveller with vaginal bleeding.

20 Nov 2024 - 7:31PM

Tourists check in at Daegu International Airport in South Korea. Photo: EPA-EFE/Yonhap

Is psilocybin the magic bullet for treating cluster headaches?

Neurologists call cluster headaches the most painful condition known. Psychedelics offer sufferers hope, but are illegal in most places.

20 Nov 2024 - 6:15PM

The Philippines

Filipinos back ICC probe of Duterte’s drug war, but will it sway midterm voters?

While his anti-narcotics campaign once had widespread support, a survey indicates 59 per cent now approve of the investigation into it.

18 Nov 2024 - 6:00PMvideocam

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