Drug-trafficking | Euronews

English

Portugal

Portugal announces record cocaine haul off the Azores archipelago

Portuguese law enforcement was assisted by the navy and air force, as well as the UK and US authorities, in difficult weather conditions.

Spain

Spain seizes 10 tonnes of cocaine in largest-ever maritime bust

The National Police intercepted a merchant ship in the Atlantic with 9,994 kilos of cocaine hidden in salt. Thirteen people have been arrested following an international operation supported by the DEA and the NCA.

USA

Trump signals US ground operations in Mexico to target drug cartels

President Donald Trump said US forces will "start now hitting land" in Mexico targeting drug cartels, following months of naval strikes against narcoboats. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has expressed opposition to this move.

USA

Maduro wishes US agents 'good night' and 'Happy New Year'

Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were taken from their home in Venezuela's capital city Caracas in a dramatic nighttime US military operation.

ADVERTISEMENT

Venezuela

Maduro open to US talks on drug trade but silent on narcoboat strikes

Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro says Caracas is ready to engage in constructive dialogue with Washington to combat drug trafficking amid continued pressure and military strikes from the Trump administration.

USA

Trump: US struck Venezuelan shore facility used for loading narcoboats

The US president declined to specify the location or which agency conducted the operation. The strike marks an escalation beyond previous attacks on boats in open waters.

USA

US strikes another narcoboat in eastern Pacific, killing one

The Trump administration has said the strikes were meant to stop the flow of drugs into the US and increase pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

USA

New US strike on alleged drug boat kills four in eastern Pacific

The US military said Wednesday that it attacked a boat accused of smuggling drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing four people on the same day the House rejected efforts to limit President Donald Trump’s power to use military force against drug cartels.

USA

Trump designates fentanyl as weapon of mass destruction

President Trump designated fentanyl a weapon of mass destruction as eight people were killed in the new US strike on alleged drug-trafficking vessels in the Pacific Ocean, bringing the total death toll to at least 95 since September.

France

Cocaine overtakes cannabis as France's most lucrative illicit drug

Cocaine overtook cannabis as France's most lucrative illicit drug in 2023, generating €3.1 billion as usage tripled over a decade despite falling prices.

USA

Hegseth defends strikes on alleged cartel boats in the Caribbean

As part of the Pentagon’s anti-drug campaign, the US has been targeting vessels in the Caribbean, striking dozens of boats and killing at least 87 people.

12 minutes with

Belgian drug chief asks EU to pressure apps to work with authorities

Belgium’s first-ever National Drug Commissioner, Ine Van Wymersch, tells Euronews that the European Union needs to crack down on encrypted messaging platforms that allow drug traffickers to coordinate their criminal operations.

Europe News

Belgian drug chief warns of hidden 'spice' in vapes affecting children

The majority of illegal refillable vape capsules seized in Belgium are laced with synthetic cannabinoids, Belgium's drug commissioner warned. This risks addiction from a young age.

USA

US resumes strikes on narcoboats, killing four in latest operation

US Southern Command resumed lethal strikes on alleged narcoboats, killing four amid bipartisan scrutiny of the Pentagon's anti-drug campaign.

Netherlands

Indonesia to repatriate two convicted Dutch drug traffickers

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime says Indonesia is a major drug smuggling hub despite having some of the strictest drug laws in the world.

USA

Trump hints at ground action in Venezuela to combat drug trafficking

Tensions with Venezuela further escalated earlier this week after Washington designated the so-called Cartel of the Suns as a terrorist organisation.

Venezuela

US to designate alleged Maduro-led cartel a terrorist organisation

In 2020, near the end of US President Donald Trump’s first term, Washington sanctioned Maduro and others over alleged "narco-terrorism", saying that he had been the co-leader of the Cartel of the Suns since at least 1999. He has denied the charges.

No Comment

Thousands march in Marseille to denounce drug violence after killing of activist's brother

Thousands of people marched Saturday in the French southern port city of Marseille to denounce drug trafficking after the killing last week of an activist's brother shocked the country.

Portugal

Portugal arrests 'Hulk', top Brazilian druglord and gang ringleader

The PCC is the largest criminal organisation in Brazil and has around 20,000 members — with some estimates stating that the total number could be even higher, with the gang consisting of as many as 40,000 lifetime members plus 60,000 contractors.

Venezuela

Venezuela carries out military exercises amid fears of US strikes

The regime of Nicolás Maduro has said it is preparing its armed forces in case of an attack by the US.