The Nagoya High Court has upheld the acquittal of a 47-year-old man in a cannabis possession case, ruling that the evidence was seized through illegal procedures. This decision highlights the importance of procedural legality in Japan's strict drug enforcement landscape, particularly following recent amendments to cannabis laws.
German authorities have issued a stark warning regarding a significant increase in hard drug use, particularly synthetic narcotics, across the country. Seizures of new psychoactive substances more than tripled in 2024, with officials highlighting a 'massive drug problem' driven by rising availability and sophisticated trafficking methods.
Former US President Donald Trump recently asserted that Mexico is 'run by cartels' despite praising Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum as 'brave.' Sheinbaum, Mexico's first female president, has consistently rejected any notion of US military intervention, emphasizing national sovereignty and calling for collaborative, not subordinate, efforts against drug trafficking.
A large-scale, coordinated operation by Slovak and Hungarian authorities, supported by Eurojust and Europol, has led to the dismantling of a major organised crime group. The operation resulted in 22 arrests across Slovakia, Hungary, and Germany, and the search of 45 premises. The network is estimated to have trafficked drugs worth at least EUR 175 million since 2019, including cocaine, hashish, and cannabis.
The U.S. Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on Colombian President Gustavo Petro, his wife, son, and Interior Minister Armando Benedetti. The sanctions, announced on October 24, 2025, accuse Petro of allowing drug cartels to flourish and significantly increasing cocaine production, leading to an unprecedented escalation in tensions between Washington and Bogotá.
Luxembourg's Grand Ducal Police and France's Metz International Transport Control Brigade conducted joint patrols on cross-border trains on October 23, 2025. The operation focused on immigration and drug violations, leading to 12 individuals found illegally residing in France out of 42 people stopped, and aimed to increase police presence on public transport.
Germany's Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) has increased the maximum quantity of cannabis imports for medical and scientific purposes by 70 tonnes, bringing the total to approximately 192.5 tonnes. This adjustment comes after the previous 2025 import quota was exhausted, reflecting a rapidly growing demand in the German medical cannabis market.
A new report on Drug-Related Intimidation (DRI) in Northern Ireland, welcomed by Justice and Health Ministers, reveals nearly 40% of the population are aware of DRI, with one in eight directly affected. It calls for an urgent, coordinated, cross-sectoral response to tackle the issue's devastating impact.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has voiced strong opposition to recent U.S. strikes on alleged drug boats off the coast of South America. Sheinbaum emphasized the importance of international law and national sovereignty in addressing drug trafficking, stating that such actions are not a solution to the complex issue of organized crime.
A 53-year-old Romanian man, found to be under the influence of drugs and driving with a revoked license, was detained after attempting to drive his car into the Russian Embassy in Bucharest early Thursday morning. The incident resulted in no injuries or significant material damage.
The Nigerian Senate has passed the Nigeria Mines Rangers Service Establishment Bill, 2025, on October 21, 2025. This legislation aims to combat illegal mining, enhance regulatory oversight, and secure mining sites across the country, addressing significant economic losses and security threats.
Gregory Bell, 43, who led one of the UK's largest drug trafficking networks, has been sentenced to 18 years and nine months at Manchester Crown Court. Bell pleaded guilty to drug supply conspiracies and money laundering, operating an 'industrial scale' enterprise using encrypted communications and a vast network.
Authorities in Limón, Costa Rica, intercepted a container with 3 tons of cocaine hidden among fresh fruit at the Moin Container Terminal. The shipment was bound for Germany, and a 32-year-old driver was arrested in connection with the discovery.
Former President Donald Trump announced an immediate end to U.S. aid to Colombia, calling President Gustavo Petro an 'illegal drug leader.' This follows Petro's criticism of U.S. anti-drug strikes and his call for U.S. soldiers to disobey Trump's orders, escalating tensions between the two nations.
South African Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has voiced serious concerns over patients exploiting the public health system by collecting medication from multiple facilities. This follows the discovery of large quantities of ARV drugs in a bus crash wreckage in Limpopo, highlighting systemic vulnerabilities and the need for integrated digital patient tracking.
The U.S. military has detained at least two survivors from a suspected drug-smuggling vessel in the Caribbean following a strike near Venezuela. This marks the first time individuals have been taken into custody during President Trump's anti-drug campaign, which has previously resulted in numerous fatalities, raising new legal and humanitarian questions.
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has defended his decision to disband the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), citing its temporary nature, budgetary concerns, and the need for equitable resource distribution across the South African Police Service. His testimony before Parliament's Ad Hoc Committee highlighted the team's alleged irregular operations post-2022 and duplication of efforts with new police structures.
A high-ranking RCMP officer, Chief Superintendent Mathieu Bertrand, has confirmed that at least seven international cartels are actively operating within Canada. These organizations, designated as terrorist entities by the Canadian government, are involved in drug trafficking, illicit goods production, and money laundering, posing significant national security risks and impacting Canadian communities.
Canada's federal government has outlined comprehensive plans to bolster border security, including expanding the Coast Guard's role, tightening immigration policies, and enhancing information sharing. Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree introduced Bill C-12, the 'Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders Act,' on October 8, 2025, backed by a $1.3 billion Border Plan.
Uzbek customs officials have dismantled 'Deadpool,' a large-scale regional drug trafficking network operating via Telegram since 2017. Coordinated operations in August and September 2025 led to the arrest of key distributors and the seizure of significant quantities of synthetic drugs, including alpha-PVP and clephedrone, marking a major blow against online narcotics markets in Central Asia.
