Four Arrested and €7 Million in Cannabis Seized in Co Kildare Drug Trafficking Operation
In a significant crackdown on drug trafficking, authorities in Co Kildare have arrested four individuals after seizing cannabis worth approximately €7 million during a surprise operation. The incident unfolded when officers conducted a planned search at a residential property located in Athy, where they discovered a substantial cache of the illegal substance. The operation, which was part of a series of coordinated searches under the initiative named Operation Tara, resulted in the arrests of three men, aged in their 30s and 40s, and a woman in her 20s. These individuals were taken into custody and are currently being held at... [Continue Reading]
UN warns synthetic drug production surges in Myanmar’s Golden Triangle
The Golden Triangle, spanning parts of Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand, has long been a hotspot for illicit drug production, but a new UNODC report reveals an unprecedented surge in synthetic drug manufacturing and trafficking specifically in Myanmar’s Shan State. Methamphetamine seizures totaled 236 tons across East and Southeast Asia in the past year, a 24% increase from 2023. This rise exposes worsening law enforcement and security challenges in the region, affecting countries adjacent to Myanmar through increased drug availability and related criminal networks. While seizures demonstrate some enforcement success, the actual supply of methamphetamine is estimated to be much larger,... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 01 Apr 2026 13:45
UN Report Warns Global Instability Drives Rise in Drug Crime and Drug Use
The UNODC's World Drug Report 2025 reveals that the persistence of global instability has intensified the challenges posed by the international drug trade. Organized criminal networks have adapted to exploit ongoing crises, expanding their reach and fueling a record high in drug use worldwide. This growth exacerbates social and economic harms in communities across continents. Vulnerable populations are disproportionately affected as trafficking groups target them amid weakened law enforcement and political instability. The report stresses the need for robust prevention programs, enhanced cross-border law enforcement cooperation, and the use of new technologies to disrupt supply chains. It also highlights the... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 01 Apr 2026 13:42
Ukraine’s war fuels shift in organized crime, worsening social and economic harm
The war in Ukraine, now in its fourth year, has triggered a significant transformation in the nation’s organized crime networks. According to a new UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) report, criminal groups have adapted their operations to exploit war-driven displacement and vulnerabilities, especially through drug trafficking and production, notably synthetic drugs like methadone. This shift is amplifying social problems and economic disruptions across the country. The escalating trafficking risks affect displaced populations and communities, worsening the humanitarian toll and complicating governance. Criminal enterprises are expanding to fill security vacuums, undermining state authority and the prospects for stable recovery.... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 01 Apr 2026 13:36
Syria's Captagon Tablet Production Disrupted Following Regime Change, UNODC Reports
One year after the regime change in Syria, the country's illicit production of the synthetic stimulant captagon has been significantly disrupted, according to a UNODC research brief. Since December 2024, Syrian authorities have dismantled 15 large industrial-level laboratories and 13 smaller storage facilities linked to captagon manufacturing. This marks a substantial hit to one of the region's largest synthetic drug production hubs. Before the regime change, Syria’s daily captagon output was estimated to reach millions of tablets, fueling drug trafficking and conflict economics across the Middle East. The shutdown of these facilities disrupts supply chains vital for organized crime networks,... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 01 Apr 2026 12:51
Drugs and Cash Seized in Summerside Police Bust
On March 27, 2026, a joint operation in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, led by the Prince District Joint Forces Operations and assisted by local police and RCMP services, executed a search warrant at a residence suspected of drug activity. The raid resulted in the seizure of approximately 55 grams of cocaine, drug paraphernalia, and $5,500 in cash. The arrested suspect, a man from the Summerside area, was taken into custody but has since been released pending further investigation. The collaboration between multiple law enforcement agencies underscores the community's efforts to combat drug trafficking and related crimes. This seizure highlights ongoing... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 01 Apr 2026 10:00
