Latest news with #counternarcotics
Free Malaysia Today
7 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
China takes action on key US fentanyl demands
Beijing has defended its drug control record and accused Washington of using fentanyl to 'blackmail' China. (AFP pic) BEIJING : China has taken a series of actions in the past week on counter-narcotics, in a sign of cooperation with US demands for stronger action on the synthetic opioid fentanyl, a key irritant in the bilateral relationship. US President Donald Trump imposed 20% tariffs on Chinese imports in February over Beijing's alleged failure to curb the flow of precursor chemicals for fentanyl, which has caused nearly 450,000 US overdose deaths. Those tariffs have remained in effect despite a fragile trade truce reached in Geneva in May. Beijing has defended its drug control record and accused Washington of using fentanyl to 'blackmail' China. Both sides were in a stalemate over the issue for months, despite China sending its vice public security minister to the Geneva talks. China has balked at some of Washington's demands which include publicising the crackdown on precursors on the front page of the Communist Party mouthpiece People's Daily, educating Party members and tightening regulation of specific chemicals, among other actions. Today, China's state security ministry accused a 'certain country' of 'deliberately launching unwarranted attacks on China over the fentanyl issue', in a veiled swipe at the US. However, last Friday, Beijing added two precursors to a list of controlled chemicals starting July 20, according to a government statement. The chemicals, 4-piperidone and 1-boc-4-piperidone, were 'considered fundamental to resolving the fentanyl issue,' raising hopes that the 20% tariffs could be eventually lifted, according to a source familiar with US government thinking. The move came after US ambassador David Perdue had a rare meeting with China's public security minister Wang Xiaohong last Thursday in Beijing, at which Wang expressed willingness to work with Washington on drug control, according to a Chinese statement. China's foreign ministry said the action on precursors was an 'independent measure' taken by Beijing in line with the UN Drug Convention and 'demonstrates China's attitude of actively participating in global drug governance'. Working-level conversations on fentanyl remain ongoing and Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed the topic in a June 5 phone call. Chinese immigration officials seized 2.42 tons of drugs and arrested 262 suspects for drug smuggling so far this year, state media reported today, as Beijing vowed to crack down on drug trafficking and 'intensify anti-drug propaganda' in border areas and ports. In addition, Chinese officials announced yesterday that they had prosecuted more than 1,300 people and arrested over 700 more nationwide for drug-related money laundering offences between January and May this year, a 2.1% year-on-year increase. Beijing will 'cut off the criminal interest chain and destroy the economic foundation of drug crimes,' Miao Shengming, a senior official at the Supreme People's Procuratorate said during a press conference. On Monday, a court in the southeastern province of Fujian handed a suspended death sentence to former drug control official Liu Yuejin for bribery, state media reported. Liu, a former director of the public security ministry's narcotics control bureau, was convicted of illegally receiving bribes worth over ¥121 million (US$17 million) between 1992 and 2020. The US Embassy in Beijing did not respond to a request for comment. The Chinese government statements did not mention the US. Chinese scholars acknowledge that fentanyl's central position in the US-China trade war comes with a lot of political baggage for Beijing. 'The US views the fentanyl issue as a sign of poor governance on China's part and has exerted pressure on China as a result, politicising the issue of drug control,' said Liu Weidong, a US-China expert at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. 'This context is certain to influence China's approach to addressing the fentanyl issue,' Weidong said.
Arab News
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Pakistan boosts intelligence-sharing with Gulf states to curb drug trafficking
KARACHI: Pakistan and Gulf countries have intensified efforts to combat drug trafficking by enhancing intelligence-sharing, Pakistan's Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) said on Tuesday, with Oman appointing a drug liaison officer in Islamabad. The development comes months after Islamabad hosted the Pakistan-Gulf Cooperation Council (Pak-GCC) Counter-Narcotics Conference, marking the first-ever formal assembly of anti-narcotics leadership from Pakistan and all six GCC member states, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait along with special observers from Italy. For years, drug traffickers have exploited geographical and technological loopholes, using Pakistan as a transit hub and GCC nations as lucrative markets, according to the ANF. Despite ongoing efforts, the scale of smuggling seizures continues to expand, with traffickers now leveraging the dark web, cryptocurrency, and synthetic drug manufacturing to evade law enforcement agencies. 'During the conference, the Director-General of Narcotics of the Sultanate of Oman announced the appointment of drug liaison officer in Pakistan,' the ANF said in a statement. 'Acting on this decision, Mr. Suleiman Al-Hanai has been appointed as Oman's first Drug Liaison Officer in Pakistan who has assumed his official responsibilities in Islamabad.' The announcement signals a new phase in relations between the two countries as they align their efforts in the global war on drugs, according to the ANF. The appointment reflects a shared commitment by Pakistan and Oman to safeguard their societies and promote a drug-free environment across the Gulf and South Asian regions. In recent years, the ANF has successfully intercepted tones of illicit drugs, dismantled trafficking rings through road, border, dry port, airport and sea routes, and strengthened global relationships. With its advanced intelligence capabilities and strategic operations, the ANF has intensified collaboration with GCC security agencies, ensuring that traffickers find no safe passage between these regions. In June 2024, the ANF also stepped up its international cooperation against drug trafficking through a workshop backed by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, uniting national, regional and global agencies to strengthen data-sharing and coordination.
CTV News
05-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Halifax-based navy ship assists in seizing 13K kilograms of cocaine in the Caribbean
A Halifax-based navy ship has helped seize a significant amount of drugs during a counter narcotics operation in the Caribbean Sea. A Halifax-based navy ship has helped seize a significant amount of drugs during a counter narcotics operation in the Caribbean Sea. The Canadian Armed Forces says HMCS William Hall and a United States Coast Guard team seized more than 1,300 kilograms of cocaine during two separate patrols on May 29 and 31. Rescue boats were deployed from HMCS William Hall to intercept vessels of interest in the Caribbean, resulting in the seizures. HMCS William Hall HMCS William Hall is pictured in the Halifax Harbour on May 14, 2025. (Source: Royal Canadian Navy/Facebook) The vessel departed Halifax on May 15 to take part in the United States-led counter narcotics operation called Operation CARIBBE. HMCS Harry DeWolf and the United States Coast Guard also seized 750 kilograms of cocaine in the Caribbean on March 1 as part of Operation CARIBBE. The Canadian Armed Forces have provided support to the operation since 2006. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
Arab News
30-05-2025
- General
- Arab News
Royal Navy seizes $40m worth of drugs in Arabian Sea bust
LONDON: A Royal Navy frigate operating in the Arabian Sea seized $40 million worth of drugs in a major operation, the Daily Telegraph reported on Friday. It came after the HMS Lancaster pursued a drug-trafficking boat for more than a day when British drones launched from the warship spotted illegal activity. The ship's crew deployed a Wildcat helicopter to carry out the interception, which saw a boarding team from 42 Commando seize 80 packages of drugs. Stopping illicit activity in its tracks! 1000kg Heroin 660kg Hashish 6kg Amphetamine Safe from the streets, thanks to our team Read more: — HMS Lancaster (@HMSLANCASTER) May 30, 2025 A Royal Navy spokesman said the packages contained 1,000 kg of heroin, 660 kg of hashish and 6 kg of amphetamine. 'It's the second bust in three months for the British warship, which is based in Bahrain and is attached to a New Zealand-led international task force spread across the Indian Ocean hunting down illegal activity,' he added. 'And it's the second time the Royal Navy's new Peregrine drones — mini-helicopters that conduct reconnaissance sorties for hours on end and feed live information back to Lancaster's operations room — have played a vital part in the success.' In March, the Royal Navy used its Peregrine drones for the first time in a drugs bust, tracking smugglers in the Indian Ocean. More than 3 tonnes of heroin, hashish and amphetamine were seized. Luke Pollard, the UK's armed forces minister, said: 'I congratulate the crew of HMS Lancaster on this significant seizure, which is keeping dangerous and illegal drugs off our streets. 'This operation highlights the unique role our Royal Navy contributes, working to disrupt criminal operations around the world, keeping us secure at home and strong abroad.'
Arab News
22-05-2025
- Arab News
Saudi authorities thwart attempt to smuggle amphetamines in Riyadh
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's counter-narcotics authority has dismantled a major amphetamine trafficking operation, seizing 1.52 million pills hidden within a table shipment in Riyadh and apprehending four suspects linked to the scheme. The General Directorate of Narcotics Control executed the bust as part of broader Interior Ministry initiatives to disrupt drug networks threatening national security. Investigators tracked the contraband to recipients in both Riyadh and Eastern Province, culminating in the arrest of three Syrian expatriates and one Saudi national. Security authorities urged the public to report drug smuggling or selling by calling 911 in Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, or 999 in other regions. Reports can also be made to the General Directorate of Narcotics Control at 995 or via email.
