The Lao People's Democratic Republic has officially declared December 19 of every year as Alcoholic Beverages Prohibition Day. This move, announced on December 18, 2025, aims to strengthen the enforcement of the 2014 Law on Alcoholic Control, protect public health, and mitigate the social and economic harms associated with excessive alcohol consumption across the nation.
The Lao government has officially declared December 19 of every year as Alcoholic Beverages Prohibition Day, aiming to bolster public health and reduce alcohol-related harm. This nationwide ban on alcohol consumption reinforces the 2014 Law on Alcoholic Control, with enhanced enforcement measures set to begin in 2025.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order reclassifying marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, recognizing its medical uses and easing research barriers. This significant shift in U.S. drug policy does not federally legalize recreational use but aims to reduce tax burdens for cannabis businesses and facilitate medical research.
Cristian Fernando Gutierrez-Ochoa, a high-ranking member of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and son-in-law of 'El Mencho,' was sentenced to 11 years and eight months in a U.S. federal prison for money laundering. He faked his death in Mexico to evade capture and lived under a false identity in California.
President Emmanuel Macron announced a significant increase in fines for drug users in France, tripling the penalty from €200 to €500 during a visit to Marseille. This move is part of an intensified national crackdown on drug trafficking and related violence, aiming to deter consumption and disrupt criminal networks.
The U.S. State Department has officially designated Clan del Golfo, Colombia's largest drug cartel, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). This move, announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, aims to intensify financial pressure and escalate the anti-drug campaign against the violent criminal group, known for extensive cocaine trafficking and attacks on civilians and officials.
Several European Union member states, with strong backing from Estonia, are pushing for significant amendments to EU legislation to impose stricter limits on cross-border imports of tobacco and alcohol. The initiative, primarily aimed at curbing illicit trade and safeguarding national public health policies, seeks to revise existing rules governing personal use imports within the single market.
Estonia, alongside several other EU member states, is advocating for amendments to existing legislation to introduce stricter limits on cross-border tobacco and alcohol imports. The initiative, primarily driven by Denmark, aims to combat illicit trade, recover lost tax revenues, and bolster public health policies across the European Union.
Several EU member states, with strong backing from Estonia, are advocating for stricter limits on cross-border personal imports of tobacco and alcohol. This initiative aims to curb illicit trade, which results in significant tax revenue losses for governments and undermines public health efforts. The proposals involve amending Article 32 of the Excise Duty Directive.
Several EU member states, led by Denmark and supported by Estonia, are advocating for stricter limits on cross-border tobacco and alcohol imports. The move aims to combat illicit trade, address public health concerns, and prevent revenue loss by amending Article 32 of the Excise Duty Directive.
Greek authorities have successfully dismantled a criminal organization involved in the illegal import and trafficking of refrigerants from Albania. A coordinated police operation in Kastoria led to four arrests and the seizure of over 1.3 tonnes of refrigerant, valued at approximately €58,000.
Seven individuals, including three serving police officers, have been charged in Bulgaria for participation in an organized criminal group involved in arson, bribery, and narcotics trafficking in Sofia and the Lovech region. The charges follow a five-month investigation by the Lovech District Prosecutor's Office.
The U.S. military confirmed strikes on three alleged drug vessels in the Eastern Pacific on Monday, December 15, 2025, resulting in the deaths of eight individuals. The operation, part of an ongoing counternarcotics campaign, was conducted by US Southern Command.
Brazil's Federal Police announced a record BRL 9.5 billion in asset seizures from criminal operations between January and November 2025, a significant 57% increase from the previous year. Director-General Andrei Rodrigues highlighted the focus on decapitalizing organized crime by targeting its financiers and leaders.
President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order on December 15, 2025, formally designating illicit fentanyl and its precursor chemicals as 'Weapons of Mass Destruction' (WMD). The move aims to escalate federal efforts against the opioid crisis, citing fentanyl's extreme lethality and its role in funding criminal organizations.
The French Navy has intercepted a flagless fishing boat off the French Antilles, uncovering 2,360 kilograms (5,200 pounds) of cocaine. This significant nighttime operation contributes to over 31 tons of narcotics seized by the French Navy in the Caribbean this year, underscoring the region's role in international drug trafficking.
Portuguese authorities have arrested eight individuals, including officials from the Vinho Verde wine commission and wine producers, in a large-scale fraud probe dubbed 'Operation Puro Verde'. The investigation centers on alleged corruption, document falsification, and abuse of power compromising the integrity of the region's wines.
A Europol-supported operation in Germany on December 10, 2025, resulted in the arrest of three key suspects and the seizure of over €5 million in criminal assets linked to the 'Balkan Cartel'. The coordinated action targeted high-value individuals involved in multi-tonne cocaine shipments, money laundering, and weapons trafficking.
Bahrain marked International Anti-Corruption Day on December 9, 2025, with top officials, including the Interior Minister and members of the Shura Council, highlighting the Kingdom's unwavering dedication to integrity and combating corruption through robust legislative frameworks, community engagement, and international cooperation. Key initiatives and recent achievements were underscored.
Saudi Arabia has quietly expanded access to alcohol beyond diplomats, now permitting non-Muslim premium residency holders and high-earning expatriates to purchase alcoholic beverages at a licensed store in Riyadh. This move is part of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, aiming to boost tourism and diversify its economy.
