world news EU agencies blame technology for rise in drug trafficking Europeans spend billions of euros on drugs each year, making it a "major source of income for organised crime", Europol and the EU's drugs agency said in a joint report. 26/11/2019
Luxembourg Luxembourg could become first EU country to fully legalise cannabis In an interview with Politico, Health Minister Etienne Schneider confirmed his government's plans to legalise production and consumption of cannabis for recreational purposes, while calling other European countries to do the same. 08/08/2019
Portugal Synthetic opioid drugs like fentanyl are a 'growing concern' in Europe New report from a European drug agency reveals one in five people seeking treatment for opioid abuse are addicted to synthetic drugs 06/06/2019
Europe News Report indicates increase of cocaine in EU, links to social media Over 104,000 cocaine seizures were reported in the EU in 2017, amounting to 140.4 tons. This is double the quantity seized in 2016. "Social media, encryption techniques and darknet marketplaces" are correlated with the increase. 06/06/2019
Europe News European agency warns about 'uberisation' of drug market New report suggests drug entrepreneurs are creating cocaine 'call centres' which make it easier for drug users to order online 06/06/2019
world news Killer drug fentanyl 'linked to 250 deaths in Europe' One of the opioid painkillers causing a killer drug epidemic in the US has been linked to hundreds of deaths in Europe, it’s emerged. 07/06/2018
Europe News Fear of opioid crisis in Europe Last year alone, 51 new psychoactive substances have been detected 07/06/2018
Colombia Colombia seizes 5 tonnes of cocaine in banana shipment It's Colombia's country's biggest drugs bust so far this year, worth around 350 million euros. 07/03/2018
Spain Busted: cocaine-filled pineapple ring Spanish and Portuguese police have seized more than 700 kg of cocaine wrapped in pineapple skins and shipped from South America. 18/01/2018
United Kingdom Deadly painkiller drug fentanyl has ‘growing market in Europe’ The drug, used to treat cancer pain, is being increasingly used recreationally and is blamed for a rise in overdose deaths in Europe. 19/12/2017
world news Record drug bust in Spain Police intercept 331 kilos of heroin most of it at Barcelona's port where it was hidden inside cement bags. 30/11/2017
Europe News Drug trafficking moves to 'darker corners' of the web: EU report 'Darknet' drug trade on the rise, say officials 28/11/2017
Spain Britons arrested in Spain on suspicion of drug dealing Twleve Britons are among group arrested in Magaluf along with drugs and cash, accused of dealing in holiday spot's clubs. 03/09/2017
Germany How start-ups in Germany are turning to weed The marijuana business in Europe is experiencing a gold rush – but this time it’s legal. 03/07/2017
Spain Is Spain becoming Europe's cannabis garden? Spain, once considered an entry point for cannabis to reach Europe, is now increaisngly producing the drug on home soil. 12/06/2017
Europe News Drug report warning over powerful opioids The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drugs Addiction report warns of criminal gang links 06/06/2017
France France wants to scrap prison terms for cannabis use France will introduce a new law by the end of the year to soften punishments for cannabis use, officials say. The legislation, a key promise of 28/05/2017
Greece Greek police put on show major drugs haul Greek authorities have presented the haul they seized in a major drugs raid at the weekend. 06/03/2017
United Kingdom Cannabis farm found in disused nuclear bunker Thousands of cannabis plants found in shelter built for UK government officials in the event of a nuclear strike 23/02/2017
Germany Germany's biggest ever cocaine haul seized Customs officials in Germany have put on display the country’s biggest ever cocaine haul. 04/02/2017
Ireland Could Ireland get even greener? As Ireland decides whether to follow suit and decriminalise marijuana, we take a look at the reported pros and cons. 30/12/2016
Finland Former head of Helsinki drug squad sentenced in drug smuggling scandal In a rare corruption case in Finland - ranked the second least corrupt country in the world - the former anti-drug chief was handed a 10 year sentence. 29/12/2016
world news One quarter of people living in the EU smoke tobacco, new statistics reveal One quarter of persons living in the EU smoke tobacco, and one in every five is passively exposed to tobacco smoke, says new Eurostat report 07/12/2016
world news Has the West covered up its own sports drug cheats? Russia fielded a diminished Olympic team at Rio 2016, and its Paralympic team was excluded entirely, after findings of widespread, state-orchestrated doping. 28/10/2016
Sport IOC strip three Kazakh weightlifters of 2012 Olympic gold medals The International Olympic Committee dealt another blow to drugs cheats on Thursday when they disqualified eight athletes from the 2012 Games in London. 27/10/2016
Denmark Residents of Copenhagen's Christiania demolish cannabis huts after shooting Residents of Copenhagen’s so-called free town of Christiania began tearing down stalls selling cannabis. 02/09/2016
