Advertisement
Advertisement
TOPIC

Drugs

Drugs
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Drugs. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte (left) listens to Ronald Dela Rosa, then-director general of the Philippine National Police, during a press conference at the Malacanang palace in Manila in 2017. Photo: AFP
The Philippines

Philippine senator escapes arrest as ICC confirms drug war warrant

Senator Ronald Dela Rosa will be treated as if in the custody of the Senate.

The Philippines

Hiding from the ICC? Philippine senator’s 6-month paid absence draws fire

videocam
Fame and celebrity

Britney Spears admits reckless driving in DUI plea deal, avoiding jail

Crime in Hong Kong

Man arrested in Hong Kong after police seize HK$800,000 of suspected heroin

Suspect, 44, held in Tuen Mun operation for allegedly trafficking in dangerous drugs, police say.

Police seized 1.3kg of drugs during the operation. Photo: Getty Images
Mexico

Mexico captures top cartel leader hiding in roadside ditch

Capture of Jalisco leader with a US$5 million bounty follows the killing of cartel boss ‘El Mencho’ in February.

Crime

Man pleads guilty in 2002 murder of Run-DMC’s Jam Master Jay

Nearly 24 years later, Jay Bryant admits helping gunmen enter studio to ambush Jason Mizell over a drug dispute.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka arrests 22 monks with US$3.5 million worth of cannabis in record haul

Each monk was found with 5kg of kush concealed within false walls in his luggage at Colombo airport.

Sri Lankan monks arrive at court after their arrest in Negombo on Sunday. Photo: AFP
Americas and the Caribbean

Explosive device kills 20 and injures 36 on bus in Colombia

At least 26 such incidents have taken place in the last two days, amid a wave of violence linked to drug-trafficking.

United States

US FDA plans ultra-fast review of 3 psychedelic drugs after Trump directive

The recent moves on psychedelics reflect growing popular support for the mind-altering substances among Trump’s supporters.

Chinese history

Inside the 14k, the Hong Kong triad that went global

From its roots in mainland China to expansion in Hong Kong and beyond, we look at the history of one of the most notorious triad societies.

Police arrest suspected 14K triad members at a restaurant in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, in 1995. The 14K began life as an openly pro-Kuomintang society in mainland China before becoming a global criminal organisation based in Hong Kong. Photo: SCMP
United States

US reclassifies certain marijuana products as a less-dangerous drug

It is one of the most significant federal changes to marijuana policy in decades, removing barriers to ‌researching the drug’s potential use.

The regulation of medical marijuana has come a long way in the US since California became the first state to adopt it in 1996. Photo: TNS
Mexico

Deaths of CIA agents in Mexico spark sovereignty row with White House

President Sheinbaum spars with Washington over the role of Americans in a Chihuahua anti-drug operation.

The Philippines

‘Vindication’: ICC chamber rules case against Rodrigo Duterte to proceed

Duterte’s lawyers argue that the crimes against humanity case targeting him should not proceed as the Philippines is not an ICC member.

videocam
9
Singapore

UN alarmed by Singapore executions for drug-related offences

UN rights chief Turk said drug-related offences not involving loss of life did not meet the ‘most serious crimes’ standard by international law.

Singapore at sunrise. The death penalty is mandatory in Singapore for drug trafficking above certain quantities, such as 500g (1.1 lb) of cannabis or 15g of heroin. Photo: Shutterstock
China’s private sector

How China’s ‘landmark’ drug pricing guidelines could be a boon for biotech

State Council calls for ‘value-based pricing’ for innovative drugs, a move researchers said would benefit private healthcare players.

Chinese biotech firms reached 157 agreements to out-licence early-stage drugs last year. Photo: Shutterstock
Crime in Hong Kong

5 arrested in Hong Kong as thousands of anti-obesity tablets, injections seized

Authorities conduct two raids and seize over 3000 tablets of clonazepam and zolpidem, and six boxes of unregistered slimming injections.

United States

Trump signs order to speed up review of psychedelics

This would expedite review of drugs such as ibogaine, a drug that US military ‌veteran groups have said can help ⁠treat PTSD.

videocam
5
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Americas and the Caribbean

US military says 4 killed in fourth ‘drug boat’ strike in a week

Death toll from controversial campaign reaches 174 as the US military increases kinetic operations in the eastern Pacific.

Video posted on social media showed a vessel bobbing in the water before being struck by a projectile and exploding. Photo: @Southcom via X
South Korea

In South Korea, you can order online deliveries for almost anything – even drugs

The number of teenagers arrested for drug-related crimes in the country has surged from just 30 in 2005 to 1,477 in 2023.

videocam
The Philippines

Will Philippine ex-president Duterte stand trial at the ICC, and for how long?

Judges are set to decide by late April whether to send Duterte’s case to trial, with any proceedings expected to move at a ‘glacial pace’.

videocam
4
India

Opinion | Asia’s flood of cheap Ozempic generics opens gates to weight-loss abuse

Cheaper semaglutides as patent ends is good news for diabetics. But lax regulation also means a risk of abuse by those desperate to lose weight.

videocam
An advert for Eli Lilly’s obesity awareness campaign is seen on a building in Gurugram, India, on December 16. Photo: Reuters
Fame and celebrity

‘Ketamine Queen’ gets 15 years in jail for selling Matthew Perry deadly drugs

Jasveen Sangha allegedly ran an elaborate operation catering to high-end clients like the 54-year-old Friends star.

videocam
Matthew Perry arrives for a film premiere in Los Angeles in April 2009. Photo: AFP
India

Here comes the ‘Mounjaro bride’: Indian pre-wedding prep includes obesity drug

Many Indian marriages are arranged by families, often bringing expectations around physical appearance and financial status.

Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong customs seizes HK$3.4 million worth of suspected drugs, arrests 2 men

Suspected ketamine, cocaine and ‘Ice’ seized in two separate operations, department says.

US-China relations

Beijing hails US cooperation as ICE returns suspected drug smuggler to China

With Xi and Trump set to meet next month, Beijing says handoff signals ‘progress in bilateral counternarcotics law enforcement’.

videocam
A drug smuggling suspect was returned to China by US ICE via cooperation channels between the two countries, Chinese state media says. Photo: AP
Crime

After car crash, Tiger Woods told officer he was ‘talking to the president’

It wasn’t clear if the golfer, who is dating Vanessa Trump, was talking about US President Donald Trump.

videocam
4
Tiger Woods is taken into custody by sheriff’s deputies following a car crash in Jupiter Island, Florida, in March. Photo: Martin County Sheriff’s Office via AP
Indonesia

Indonesia to deport Scottish crime boss wanted by Spain

Steven Lyons is wanted in Spain and Britain in connection with organised crime, drug trafficking and money laundering.

Biomedicine: Companies

China biotech deals hit record as innovative drugs draw global interest

Deals reach US$60 billion in first quarter after analysts say Chinese biotech firms have shown substantial technological advancements.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement