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The latest news, analysis and opinion on Drugs. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Relatives of victims of ex-Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte’s deadly drug war campaign react after watching a broadcast of the International Criminal Court at a gathering in Quezon City on Wednesday. Photo: EPA
The Philippines

‘Vindication’: ICC chamber rules case against Rodrigo Duterte to proceed

Duterte’s lawyers argue that the crimes against humanity case targeting him should not proceed as the Philippines is not an ICC member.

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Singapore

UN alarmed by Singapore executions for drug-related offences

China’s private sector

How China’s ‘landmark’ drug pricing guidelines could be a boon for biotech

Crime in Hong Kong

5 arrested in Hong Kong as thousands of anti-obesity tablets, injections seized

Authorities conduct two raids and seize over 3000 tablets of clonazepam and zolpidem, and six boxes of unregistered slimming injections.

Weight-loss injections were earlier found to be available on the reseller platform Carousell. Photo: Handout
United States

Trump signs order to speed up review of psychedelics

This would expedite review of drugs such as ibogaine, a drug that US military ‌veteran groups have said can help ⁠treat PTSD.

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Americas and the Caribbean

US military says 4 killed in fourth ‘drug boat’ strike in a week

Death toll from controversial campaign reaches 174 as the US military increases kinetic operations in the eastern Pacific.

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South Korea

In South Korea, you can order online deliveries for almost anything – even drugs

The number of teenagers arrested for drug-related crimes in the country has surged from just 30 in 2005 to 1,477 in 2023.

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A delivery man makes his way on motorbike through Seoul’s busy Hongdae neighbourhood. Photo: Shutterstock
The Philippines

Will Philippine ex-president Duterte stand trial at the ICC, and for how long?

Judges are set to decide by late April whether to send Duterte’s case to trial, with any proceedings expected to move at a ‘glacial pace’.

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India

Opinion | Asia’s flood of cheap Ozempic generics opens gates to weight-loss abuse

Cheaper semaglutides as patent ends is good news for diabetics. But lax regulation also means a risk of abuse by those desperate to lose weight.

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Fame and celebrity

‘Ketamine Queen’ gets 15 years in jail for selling Matthew Perry deadly drugs

Jasveen Sangha allegedly ran an elaborate operation catering to high-end clients like the 54-year-old Friends star.

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Matthew Perry arrives for a film premiere in Los Angeles in April 2009. Photo: AFP
India

Here comes the ‘Mounjaro bride’: Indian pre-wedding prep includes obesity drug

Many Indian marriages are arranged by families, often bringing expectations around physical appearance and financial status.

Brides sit during a mass marriage ceremony in Mumbai. Photo: AFP
Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong customs seizes HK$3.4 million worth of suspected drugs, arrests 2 men

Suspected ketamine, cocaine and ‘Ice’ seized in two separate operations, department says.

US-China relations

Beijing hails US cooperation as ICE returns suspected drug smuggler to China

With Xi and Trump set to meet next month, Beijing says handoff signals ‘progress in bilateral counternarcotics law enforcement’.

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Crime

After car crash, Tiger Woods told officer he was ‘talking to the president’

It wasn’t clear if the golfer, who is dating Vanessa Trump, was talking about US President Donald Trump.

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Tiger Woods is taken into custody by sheriff’s deputies following a car crash in Jupiter Island, Florida, in March. Photo: Martin County Sheriff’s Office via AP
Indonesia

Indonesia to deport Scottish crime boss wanted by Spain

Steven Lyons is wanted in Spain and Britain in connection with organised crime, drug trafficking and money laundering.

Steven Lyons (centre) is escorted by police officers in Denpasar, Bali, on Tuesday, Photo: AFP
Biomedicine: Companies

China biotech deals hit record as innovative drugs draw global interest

Deals reach US$60 billion in first quarter after analysts say Chinese biotech firms have shown substantial technological advancements.

South Korea

South Korean ‘sugar cane killer’ extradited from Philippines over drug empire

Accused of running a drug ring from his Philippine prison cell, ‘VIP’ inmate Park Wang-yeol was extradited after a nine-year legal impasse.

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Hong Kong society

Red faces at bureau after anti-drug advert sends wrong message

Viewed from certain angles, advert appeared to encourage drug use.

From some angles, the advert says: “Stand firm together and take drugs.” Photo: Threads/Nicie_life
United States

US rapper Afroman celebrates after court protects his right to mock police

The rapper had used home security footage in his music videos to take aim at their raid of his house in 2022.

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US-China trade war

Fears grow over US drug supply’s growing dependence on Chinese ingredients

Beijing’s global pharmaceutical push follows same playbook as rare earths, semiconductors and electric vehicles, warn US lawmakers.

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War and conflict

Video | Survivors recount deadly air strike on Kabul drug rehab hospital

Afghanistan says 400 killed In hospital strike, Pakistan denies targeting civilian sites.

People, who got injured in what the Taliban said was a Pakistani air strike on a drug users rehabilitation hospital, sit on beds after getting treatment at a hospital, in Kabul, Afghanistan, March 17, 2026. REUTERS/Sayed Hassib
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United States

US ‘grief author’ convicted of murdering husband with lethal fentanyl dose

Prosecutors say Kouri Richins poisoned her husband for a US$4 million estate before self-publishing a children’s book on coping with loss.

Kouri Richins was convicted of poisoning her husband. Photo: AP
Americas and the Caribbean

Cartel boss on US ‘most wanted’ list captured in Bolivia raid

Sebastian Enrique Marset Cabrera, who had a US$2 million bounty on his head, was immediately put on a plane to be transferred to the US.

United States

Wealth, drugs and rape: US luxury real estate stars convicted of sex trafficking

Once the kings of high-stakes property, Alexander twins Oren and Alon and brother Tal face life in prison after a trial exposed a pattern of drugged assaults.

US-China relations

US and China clash over fentanyl and tariffs at global drugs meeting

The exchange underscored tensions ‌between the two countries ahead of the Trump-Xi meeting in China at the end of the month.

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A US Drug Enforcement Administration chemist checks confiscated pills containing fentanyl in New York in October 2019. Photo: TNS
Americas and the Caribbean

Trump offers Latin American leaders US missile strikes to hit drug cartels

The US president launched a 17-nation ‘counter cartel’ coalition at his ‘Shield of the Americas’ summit.

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US President Donald Trump attends the “Shield of the Americas” summit in Miami, Florida, on Saturday. Photo: Reuters
Japan

‘Social morals are dying’: Japan’s under-20s are getting high like never before

The relaxed attitude towards ‘fashionable’ drugs has been cited as one reason for more young Japanese arrested for cannabis offences.

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The Philippines

Allies of Philippines’ Duterte step up online attacks as drug war trial looms

The efforts have focused on undermining the ICC itself, targeting victims and witnesses and normalising mockery of the dead.

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