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The latest news, analysis and opinion on Drugs. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Filipino policemen (from left) Jeremiah Pereda, Arnel Oares and Jerwin Cruz attend a Senate inquiry in Pasay City on August 24, 2017. Photo: EPA
The Philippines

Philippine court upholds murder verdict in Duterte’s drug war case

While the ruling has been hailed as a win for human rights, it may not have much impact on Duterte’s ICC case, legal analysts say.

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China-Latin America relations

China, Russia clash with US at UN over Venezuela oil seizures and naval pressure

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China-Latin America relations

China says US broke international law by seizing oil tankers off Venezuela

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Malaysia

Malaysian rapper Namewee acquitted of drug use charge after negative test

The 42-year-old still faces a drug possession charge and remains under investigation following the death of a Taiwanese influencer.

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Malaysian rapper Namewee has been under investigation for drug-related charges and over the death of Taiwanese influencer Iris Hsieh in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: Handout
US-China relations

China showcases joint effort with US in drugs-related money laundering case

Case spanning both nations saw two men sentenced to jail following US tip-off, People’s Daily reports.

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Crime in Hong Kong

Passenger flung from car as 3 arrested after high-speed chase in Hong Kong

Driver and two passengers arrested for various offences after parked car and truck hit during wild ride in New Territories.

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Malaysia

‘One of the biggest ever’: Malaysia busts US$375 million drug ring

Six arrested in raids on a syndicate that could have supplied drugs to 68.5 million users according to narcotics officials.

Royal Malaysia Police display seized drugs and manufacturing equipment at a Saturday press conference in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: AFP
United States

Trump leaves war with Venezuela on the table, threatens more seizures: NBC

The comments increase pressure on Nicolas Maduro’s regime, but Trump wouldn’t say if ousting the Venezuelan leader was his ultimate goal.

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Americas and the Caribbean

Trump’s Venezuela ‘blockade’ raises legal questions as US masses forces

With an unusually large US military presence near Venezuela, observers warn of tactics that stretch the bounds of international law.

Americas and the Caribbean

US forces strike another alleged drug boat in eastern Pacific, killing 4

The attack brought the total number of known boat strikes to 26, while at least 99 people have been killed.

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The US Southern Command released video of a boat moving through water before there was an explosion. Photo: US Southern Command via X
Americas and the Caribbean

Trump orders blockade of sanctioned oil tankers going in and out of Venezuela

Venezuelan government condemns blockade as ‘irrational’ after the US president demands it ‘return’ oil, land and assets to the US.

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The crude oil tanker Skipper, which was seized by the US military off the coast of Venezuela last week. Photo Vantor via AP
Fame and celebrity

US doctor who helped sell ketamine to Matthew Perry avoids prison time

Mark Chavez was sentenced to eight months of home confinement and must do 300 hours of community service.

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Singapore

Singapore court dismisses challenge to mandatory death penalty for drugs

Singapore’s High Court rejects first constitutional challenge in 15 years to decades-old law as executions rise; activists may appeal.

US-China relations

China seizes 430kg cocaine aided by US intel, in sign anti-drug pact is working

Chinese authorities uncovered the drug in an international container at the Yantian port in Shenzhen, according to CCTV.

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Chinese authorities are reported to have seized the cocaine from an international container at Yantian port in Shenzhen, southern China. Photo: Reuters
Americas and the Caribbean

US military boat strikes kill 8, adding to drug war death toll

The US military said it targeted ‘designated terrorist organisations’, and posted video of an operation in the eastern Pacific.

One of the three boats hit by the latest US strikes in the eastern Pacific. Photo: US Southern Command via X
Donald Trump

Trump considers reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug

Reclassification could have ripple effects in the US, and represent one of the most significant federal changes to marijuana policy in decades.

United States

Trump declares fentanyl a ‘weapon of mass destruction’

US president dramatically escalates his fight against the drug by signing an executive order and warning against the ‘scourge’ of fentanyl.

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Americas and the Caribbean

Tensions rise as US prepares to seize more tankers with Venezuelan oil

Seizure off Venezuela signals a crackdown on a shadow fleet of tankers and financially squeezing the Maduro government.

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A satellite image shows the Skipper tanker and another vessel off Port Jose, Venezuela, on November 18, 2025. Photo: Planet Labs PBC via Reuters
Americas and the Caribbean

Tanker seized off Venezuela to be taken to US port, as threat of war grows

White House justifies targeting ‘black-market oil’ as Russia expresses support for its ally, Nicolas Maduro.

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Americas and the Caribbean

Explainer | US-Venezuela tensions: how far will Trump go?

As tensions escalate in the Caribbean, the world waits for Washington’s next move.

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United States

Forget the war on drugs. The US has gone to war on a font

The US State Department is ditching Calibri font, to restore ‘decorum and professionalism’.

The US State Department building in Washington. Photo: Reuters
China-Latin America relations

US senators warn of China-cartel links forming a global ‘Silk Road of crime’

At a Senate hearing, officials described Chinese money brokers as key to laundering cartel funds and fuelling the illicit fentanyl trade.

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US Customs and Border Protection display plastic bags of fentanyl after being seized at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago. US lawmakers say Chinese money brokers and Latin American cartels have merged their operations into a system that blurs the line between trade and trafficking. Photo: Reuters
Indonesia

Video | Indonesia sends home Dutch death row convict

Two Dutch nationals convicted of drug offences returned home after more than a decade in prison a week after Indonesia and the Netherlands signed a repatriation deal.

Singapore

Myanmar teen to be first foreigner deported under Singapore’s new Kpod law

As of September 1, foreigners with Kpods or testing positive for etomidate may be deported and banned from re-entering Singapore.

Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong police arrest 2 over possession of suspected dangerous drugs

Man, 55, and woman, 49, stopped in Cheung Sha Wan with officers seizing cartridges and packets of suspected etomidate and methamphetamine.

A government advertisement warning about the dangers of the drug previously named the drug “space oil” and renamed as etomidate. Photo: May Tse
Fame and celebrity

US actress Tara Reid seen downing wine in footage from night of alleged drugging

The ‘American Pie’ star accused a YouTuber of spiking her drink, but he denies it and authorities say the video is clear.

Tara Reid attends a benefit gala in Los Angeles in 2023. Photo: Getty Images/TNS
Americas and the Caribbean

US admiral denies ‘kill them all’ order in Caribbean boat strike

Admiral Frank Bradley briefs US lawmakers on the September 2 Caribbean attack that did not initially kill all on an alleged drug boat.

India

Opinion | Not just China: India also a piece of the US opioid puzzle

Like China, India has a large pharmaceutical sector that provides precursor chemicals. But it lacks China’s drug policy control.

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