World news | The GuardianMar 9
Belgium at risk of becoming ‘narco-state’, judge warns https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/09/belgium-at-risk-of-becoming-narco-state-judge-warns #DrugsTrade #WorldNews #Belgium #Europe
Belgium at risk of becoming ‘narco-state’, judge warns

President of Antwerp court makes comments after anonymous judge warned country was turning into ‘a narco-state’

The Guardian
US news | The GuardianMar 5
Dismay as Hegseth urges Latin American allies to join ‘offense’ against cartels https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/05/hegseth-latin-america-drug-cartels #UsNews #UsForeignPolicy #DrugsTrade #WorldNews #Mexico #Venezuela #Americas
Dismay as Hegseth urges Latin American allies to join ‘offense’ against cartels

Critics sceptical Pentagon chief’s plan for increased military force – amid rising US intervention – will stop drug gangs

The Guardian
World news | The GuardianFeb 23
Killing of Mexican drug cartel boss ‘El Mencho’ sparks wave of violence https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/feb/23/el-mencho-mexican-drug-cartel-boss-killing-violence #Mexico #Americas #WorldNews #DrugsTrade #UsNews #DonaldTrump
Mexican drug cartel boss ‘El Mencho’ tracked through romantic partner

Killing of Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader sparks wave of violence across western Mexico

The Guardian
World news | The GuardianFeb 23
Who was El Mencho, the former police officer who co-founded an ultraviolent cartel in Mexico? https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/feb/23/who-was-el-mencho-drug-cartel-boss-killed-mexico #Mexico #Americas #WorldNews #JoaqunElChapoGuzmn #DrugsTrade
Who was El Mencho, the former police officer who co-founded an ultraviolent cartel in Mexico?

Drug lord who was killed by Mexican special forces on Sunday led a cartel known for aggression and military-style arsenal

The Guardian
US news | The GuardianFeb 21
US military strike kills three in second alleged drug boat attack this week https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/20/us-military-strike-drug-smuggling-pacific #UsMilitary #UsNews #UsForeignPolicy #Drugs #DrugsTrade
US military strike kills three in second alleged drug boat attack this week

Move brings total number of people killed in US strikes on suspected boats since September to at least 148

The Guardian
World news | The GuardianFeb 11
Alleged drones in El Paso airspace cast spotlight on Mexican cartels’ growing arsenals https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/feb/11/mexican-cartel-drones-el-paso #Mexico #Texas #DrugsTrade #Americas #UsNews #WorldNews
Alleged drones in El Paso airspace cast spotlight on Mexican cartels’ growing arsenals

Closure of airspace draws attention to crime groups’ high-powered weapons – and may give Trump an excuse to attack

The Guardian
US news | The GuardianFeb 10
US says two people killed in military strike on boat in Pacific https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/09/us-military-strike-pacific #UsMilitary #UsNews #Venezuela #DrugsTrade #Americas #WorldNews #TrumpAdministration
US says two people killed in military strike on boat in Pacific

Officials say rescuers searching for lone survivor after latest attack on what Pentagon says are suspected drug smugglers

The Guardian
Science | The GuardianFeb 5
Unlicensed weight-loss drugs marketed on social media as ‘prizes’ https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/feb/05/unlicensed-weight-loss-drugs-retatrutide-social-media-competitions-prizes #WeightlossDrugs #Health #SocialMedia #Society #Whatsapp #Telegram #DigitalMedia #DrugsTrade
Unlicensed weight-loss drugs marketed on social media as ‘prizes’

‘Giveaway’ competitions on WhatsApp and Telegram for retatrutide and other drugs described as ‘extremely dangerous’

The Guardian
World news | The GuardianFeb 3
Colombian president and Trump put aside insults for amicable White House meeting https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/feb/03/colombian-president-and-trump-put-aside-insults-for-amicable-white-house-meeting #Colombia #DonaldTrump #Americas #DrugsTrade #WorldNews #UsNews
Colombian president and Trump put aside insults for amicable White House meeting

Leaders had been trading hostile remarks for months but Gustavo Petro’s visit ended with warm words from US counterpart

The Guardian
World news | The GuardianJan 29
Wigan lottery winner, 80, helped build £288m counterfeit drugs empire, court told https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/jan/29/wigan-lottery-winner-counterfeit-drugs-empire-court #GreaterManchester #UkNews #DrugsTrade #Drugs #Gangs #OrganisedCrime #Crime #Society
Wigan lottery winner, 80, helped build counterfeit drugs empire, court told

John Eric Spiby is one of four jailed for being part of gang running operation worth up to £288m

The Guardian