Keywords: Narcotics


US scales back anti-drug presence in West Africa as cocaine trafficking expands

The United States is reducing its direct counter-narcotics presence in West Africa at a time when the region is becoming increasingly important to international cocaine trafficking networks. The shift reflects a broader change in Washington's priorities, with greater attention being directed toward......

Teenager critically wounded in shooting near Lyon as organized crime investigation opens

A 17-year-old boy was critically injured in a shooting in Villeurbanne, near Lyon, during the early hours of Saturday, prompting an investigation into attempted murder in an organized criminal context. The teenager was shot shortly after 1 a.m. on a public road in the Rhône commune, according......

Haaland’s image found on cocaine packages seized in Ecuador

Norwegian football star Erling Haaland has unexpectedly appeared on the packaging of a large cocaine shipment seized by Ecuadorian authorities, attracting international attention because of the Manchester City striker’s image being used on the drug packages. Ecuadorian police said officers arrested......

Moroccan authorities seize 61 kg of cocaine at Guergarat border crossing, arrest two suspects

Moroccan security authorities have seized 61 kilograms of cocaine during a joint operation at the Guergarat border crossing, south of Dakhla, dealing another blow to international drug trafficking networks operating across regional trade routes. The operation, carried out by officers from Morocco’s......

Italy seizes 770 kilograms of cocaine hidden in banana shipment at Vado Ligure port

Italian authorities have uncovered one of the country’s largest recent anti-drug operations after seizing 770 kilograms of high-purity cocaine concealed inside a refrigerated container carrying bananas at the port of Vado Ligure, in northwestern Italy. The shipment, which originated from one of......

Clermont-Ferrand hit by new shooting linked to suspected drug trafficking network

Five young men were wounded by gunfire during the night from Sunday to Monday near a suspected drug trafficking location in Clermont-Ferrand, in central France. Two of the victims suffered serious injuries, according to local judicial authorities, as investigators examine the possibility of a targeted......

Mexico seizes nearly three tonnes of cocaine in Pacific anti-drug operation

Mexican authorities have seized nearly three tonnes of cocaine and arrested four suspects during a maritime anti-drug operation in the Pacific Ocean, as the government continues to intensify its crackdown on organized crime and narcotics trafficking. The operation was carried out by the Mexican Navy,......

Italian authorities seize 340 kg of cocaine hidden in plantain shipment

Italian financial police have seized 340 kilograms of high-purity cocaine concealed inside a shipment of plantains at the Port of Vado Ligure, dealing another significant blow to international drug trafficking networks operating through European ports. Authorities estimate the seized narcotics would......

Three killed in U.S. strike on suspected drug trafficking boat in the Pacific

Three people were killed on Thursday in the eastern Pacific Ocean after a U.S. military strike targeted a vessel suspected of being involved in drug trafficking, according to U.S. military officials. The U.S. Southern Command (Southcom) said intelligence assessments indicated that the boat was operating......