Venezuela Trump sends navy fleet to Venezuela — but does the Suns cartel exist? American vessels are expected to arrive off South America next week in an apparent attempt to stop drug trafficking. 29/08/2025
Health news Highly potent cannabis products raise risk of psychosis, study says Cannabis products today tend to be much stronger than the plant itself, raising concerns among researchers and policymakers about their health effects. 26/08/2025
Lebanon Iraq says tip-off to Lebanon led to destruction of captagon factory Western governments estimate that captagon has generated billions of euros in revenue for former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, his associates and allies. 19/08/2025
Culture news 'Ketamine Queen' to plead guilty in death of Matthew Perry A woman who was charged with selling 'Friends' star Matthew Parry the dose of the drug that killed him has agreed to plead guilty. 19/08/2025
Health news No evidence that ketamine helps with chronic pain, major review finds Researchers cautioned that the existing evidence base is too poor to draw any solid conclusions on whether ketamine can help patients suffering from chronic pain. 18/08/2025
Belgium Brussels' top prosecutor slams inaction over drug gang violence There have been 57 shootings in the Belgian capital to date this year, including 20 since the start of the summer, resulting in at least four deaths. 12/08/2025
Health news Police seize €57 million in black market medicines, weight loss drugs Interpol cited a concerning rise in demand for unauthorised weight loss drugs and peptide supplements in Europe and other wealthy regions. 25/06/2025
Culture news Syringe attacks during France’s music street festival leave 145 jabbed Renewed fears of syringe attacks come as 145 people across France reported being stabbed with needles at annual street music festival, La Fête de la Musique. A spokeswoman for the Interior Ministry said: “The ministry is taking this very seriously." 24/06/2025
Health news Why Denmark wants parents to talk to their teens about opioids Danish authorities launched the campaign after a survey found that nearly half of Copenhagen parents do not know enough about opioids to talk to their children about the drugs. 11/06/2025
Health news Overdoses and drug-related gang violence are rising, EU officials say Europe’s emerging drug threats span everything from fake medicines, cocaine busts, and synthetic weed, according to a new report. 05/06/2025
Europe News Digital weight loss: How online Ozempic buyers bypass prescriptions Weight loss drugs can be purchased online with ease, and a boom in sales exposes consumers to risk. 05/06/2025
Portugal Police bust major drug trafficking ring in central Portugal The crackdown began with an arrest in Évora and escalated with 29 coordinated search warrants executed across the region, including the Santarém District. 30/05/2025
Health news Europe's teens are turning to vapes instead of taking drugs or alcohol The new analysis tracked nearly 114,000 teenagers across 37 countries in Europe. 21/05/2025
France France to build high-security jail in Amazon to house drug traffickers The country's Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin announced the €400-million scheme during a visit to French Guiana on Sunday. 19/05/2025
Health news US overdose deaths fell 27% last year, but remain far above EU levels An estimated 80,000 people in the US died from drug overdoses in 2024. 15/05/2025
Mexico Mexican mayor arrested as part of cartel training site probe Bones, shoes and clothes were discovered in March at the Izaguirre Ranch, which is located in Mexico's western Jalisco province. 05/05/2025
Business Novartis posts better-than-expected sales driven by medicine demand The Swiss pharma company also raised its full-year guidance, with sales expected to grow by high-single digits and core operating income set to grow by low double-digits. 29/04/2025
Healthcare Scientists aim to vet claims that microdosing boosts well-being Small studies on how microdosing affects people’s mental wellbeing have uncovered a powerful placebo effect. 18/04/2025
Europe News Over 230 arrested as Europol dismantles drug smuggling networks Europol said the investigation, codenamed Operation Bulut, took place across multiple jurisdictions and involved authorities in Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain. 15/04/2025
Europe News Dutch cannabis growers welcome expansion of scheme to legalise sales While growing cannabis is still illegal, cannabis shops — known as coffeeshops — in 10 municipalities will be allowed to sell marijuana from 10 licensed producers. 07/04/2025