The White House was briefly evacuated Sunday evening while President Joe Biden was at Camp David. The secret service discovered suspicious powder in a common area of the west wing, and law enforcement officials say that the initial test showed the substance was cocaine. Secret Service Agents were doing routine rounds when they found the white powder in an area accessible to tour groups, not in any particular west wing office.

'Cocaine' discovered in White House by Secret Service agents, evacuations follow | Details

A stash of cocaine has been found at the White House premises. As per reports, US law enforcement authorities have revealed that a preliminary field test conducted on a white substance discovered in the White House library yielded positive results for cocaine.

The US Secret Service is now focused on determining how this illicit substance made its way into the highly secured premises of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, as per The Guardian.

<h2>How did cocaine get into the White House?</h2>

The Secret Service is trying to find out exactly that.&nbsp;As per reports, the presence of the substance, which is currently undergoing further testing, was initially brought to notice when a firefighter from the Washington DC hazardous materials team radioed about finding a yellow bar labelled as cocaine hydrochloride. It was discovered during a routine inspection.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/too-soon-subways-insensitive-our-subs-dont-implode-sign-after-titan-tragedy-invites-criticism-611933">Too soon? Subway's insensitive 'our subs don't implode' sign after Titan tragedy angers netizens</a>

"We have a yellow bar saying cocaine hydrochloride," flagged the team as per the Washington Post.

Talking to the publication, Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi revealed that the discovery prompted an immediate increase in security alert levels and a brief evacuation of the executive mansion as a precautionary measure.&nbsp;

Anthony Guglielmi, a spokesperson for the Secret Service, confirmed that an investigation has been initiated to determine the cause and manner of the substance's entry into the White House.&nbsp;

<h2>Where was President Joe Biden?</h2>

President Joe Biden, as per the report, was away at Camp David when the incident occurred, but he and First Lady Jill Biden returned to the White House on Tuesday morning.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-bathhouse-provides-rent-a-dad-service-to-keep-young-boys-out-of-women-only-areas-611834">China: Bathhouse provides 'rent-a-dad' service to keep young boys out of women-only areas</a>

An official familiar with the investigation has revealed that the quantity of the substance was small.

<h2>Not the first time&nbsp;</h2>

While concerning, this is apparently not the first instance of illegal drugs having made their way into the White House.&nbsp;

As per The Guardian, previous revelations include rapper Snoop Dogg's claim of smoking weed in a bathroom in 2013, musician Willie Nelson confessing to smoking a joint on the White House roof during Jimmy Carter's presidency, British actor Erkan Mustafa admitting to using marijuana and cocaine during a visit to the White House amid Nancy Reagan's "Just Say No" anti-drugs campaign, and Jefferson Airplane singer Grace Slick's unsuccessful attempt to spike President Richard Nixon's tea with LSD in 1970, remarking that she believed "Tricky Dick needs a little acid."

(With inputs from agencies)

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A stash of cocaine has been found at the White House premises. As per reports, US law enforcement authorities have revealed that a preliminary field test conducted on a white substance discovered in the White House library yielded positive results for cocaine.

A stash of cocaine has been found at the White House premises. As per reports, US law enforcement authorities have revealed that a preliminary field test conducted on a white substance discovered in the White House library yielded positive results for cocaine. The US Secret Service is now focused on determining how this illicit substance made its way into the highly secured premises of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, as per The Guardian. How did cocaine get into the White House? The Secret Service is trying to find out exactly that. As per reports, the presence of the substance, which is currently undergoing further testing, was initially brought to notice when a firefighter from the Washington DC hazardous materials team radioed about finding a yellow bar labelled as cocaine hydrochloride. It was discovered during a routine inspection. Also read | Too soon? Subway's insensitive 'our subs don't implode' sign after Titan tragedy angers netizens "We have a yellow bar saying cocaine hydrochloride," flagged the team as per the Washington Post. Talking to the publication, Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi revealed that the discovery prompted an immediate increase in security alert levels and a brief evacuation of the executive mansion as a precautionary measure. Anthony Guglielmi, a spokesperson for the Secret Service, confirmed that an investigation has been initiated to determine the cause and manner of the substance's entry into the White House. Where was President Joe Biden? President Joe Biden, as per the report, was away at Camp David when the incident occurred, but he and First Lady Jill Biden returned to the White House on Tuesday morning. Also read | China: Bathhouse provides 'rent-a-dad' service to keep young boys out of women-only areas An official familiar with the investigation has revealed that the quantity of the substance was small. Not the first time While concerning, this is apparently not the first instance of illegal drugs having made their way into the White House. As per The Guardian, previous revelations include rapper Snoop Dogg's claim of smoking weed in a bathroom in 2013, musician Willie Nelson confessing to smoking a joint on the White House roof during Jimmy Carter's presidency, British actor Erkan Mustafa admitting to using marijuana and cocaine during a visit to the White House amid Nancy Reagan's "Just Say No" anti-drugs campaign, and Jefferson Airplane singer Grace Slick's unsuccessful attempt to spike President Richard Nixon's tea with LSD in 1970, remarking that she believed "Tricky Dick needs a little acid." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Discovery of cocaine in White House library prompts secret service investigation

The White House was briefly evacuated Sunday evening while President Joe Biden was at Camp David. The secret service discovered the suspicious powder in a common area of the west wing, and law enforcement officials say that the initial test showed the substance was cocaine. Secret Service Agents were doing routine rounds when they found the white powder in an area accessible to tour groups, not in any particular west wing office. The complex was reportedly evacuated at about 8:45 pm Sunday as fire and emergency crews were brought in to do a rapid test, which preliminarily identified cocaine. The White House was soon reopened and the powder was sent for further testing. In a statement, the secret service said the white house was closed as a precaution as emergency crews investigated. The District of Columbia fire department was called in to evaluate and determine that the substance was not hazardous.

'Cocaine' discovered in White House by Secret Service agents, evacuations follow

The smuggling of drugs is a global menace law enforcement agencies across the world tackle on a daily basis. We have seen examples of drugs being smuggled in luggage, inside the bodies of passengers and by other means. But now smugglers have tried to smuggle cocaine by hiding it inside surfboards.

Uruguayan officials have said that the police have broken a drug ring which was smuggling cocaine hidden in surfboards. The cocaine was being smuggled from South America to Europe.

The officials said that the narcotics were seized after cooperative efforts by anti-drug police in Uruguay, Italy, Spain and Portugal. They said that so far, three Italian citizens have been arrested. Two of them were in Portugal and one in Italy.

"Operation Iris is unprecedented in our country because of the scope and significance of international cooperation," National Police Director Jose Manuel Azambuya said in a conference in which authorities from other countries participated via video link.

The police said that sniffer dogs from an Uruguayan anti-drug unit signalled that there was something suspicious in a package with the six surfboards on May 23. Cocaine was found inside the surfboards.&nbsp;

Five of the surfboards were stuffed with a total of 90 pounds (40.6 kilograms) of cocaine. The sixth surfboard was allowed to pass through so that authorities in Europe could track who was receiving the narcotics.

Two people who went to pick up the package were arrested by Portuguese police. The package had transited through Spain on June 7. The remaining surfboard held about 20 pounds (9.3 kilos) of cocaine, police said.&nbsp;

In Italy, an Italian citizen who sent the surfboards from Uruguay was arrested in Italy on June 11. A police statement reportedly said that he is awaiting extradition to stand trial in Uruguay.&nbsp;

Uruguay, sandwiched between Argentina and Brazil, has become in recent years a major transit point for cocaine from Colombia and Peru bound for Europe.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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The smuggling of drugs is a global menace law enforcement agencies across the world tackle on a daily basis. We have seen examples of drugs being smuggled in luggage, inside the bodies of passengers and by other means.

The smuggling of drugs is a global menace law enforcement agencies across the world tackle on a daily basis. We have seen examples of drugs being smuggled in luggage, inside the bodies of passengers and by other means. But now smugglers have tried to smuggle cocaine by hiding it inside surfboards. Uruguayan officials have said that the police have broken a drug ring which was smuggling cocaine hidden in surfboards. The cocaine was being smuggled from South America to Europe. The officials said that the narcotics were seized after cooperative efforts by anti-drug police in Uruguay, Italy, Spain and Portugal. They said that so far, three Italian citizens have been arrested. Two of them were in Portugal and one in Italy. "Operation Iris is unprecedented in our country because of the scope and significance of international cooperation," National Police Director Jose Manuel Azambuya said in a conference in which authorities from other countries participated via video link. The police said that sniffer dogs from an Uruguayan anti-drug unit signalled that there was something suspicious in a package with the six surfboards on May 23. Cocaine was found inside the surfboards. Five of the surfboards were stuffed with a total of 90 pounds (40.6 kilograms) of cocaine. The sixth surfboard was allowed to pass through so that authorities in Europe could track who was receiving the narcotics. Two people who went to pick up the package were arrested by Portuguese police. The package had transited through Spain on June 7. The remaining surfboard held about 20 pounds (9.3 kilos) of cocaine, police said. In Italy, an Italian citizen who sent the surfboards from Uruguay was arrested in Italy on June 11. A police statement reportedly said that he is awaiting extradition to stand trial in Uruguay. Uruguay, sandwiched between Argentina and Brazil, has become in recent years a major transit point for cocaine from Colombia and Peru bound for Europe. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Surfboards stuffed with cocaine bound for Europe seized in Uruguay

Drug use among Nigerian youths has become a growing concern in recent years. The statistics are alarming, with over 11% of young Nigerians engaging in the abuse of hard drugs such as syrup, tramadol, diazepam, cocaine, and shisha mix. Why is this proving to be a menace for authorities in the West African country? Our correspondent Louisa Olaniyi sent us this report.

Growing drug menace in Nigeria

"Carlos," a 36-year-old coca grower in Colombia, is stuck hanging onto kilos of the valuable paste used to make cocaine stashed under his bed.

Normally, the illegal cache would be worth thousands of dollars, but a sudden dearth of buyers has&nbsp;left him high and dry and concerned about the future of his children.

Carlos is not his real name -- the grower wished to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals from armed groups operating near his farm in Llorente in Colombia's southern Narino department, where increasing numbers of small-scale coca producers worry where their next meal will come from.

Their hands covered in scratches, groups of "raspachines" or expert coca pickers, advance at great speed through the sea of green crops in Llorente.

Once harvested, the coca leaves reach Carlos, who cooks them, along with a mixture of chemicals, on a small stove until they yield a white substance.&nbsp;

Cultivating his two hectares had cost him about $660, Carlos told AFP, and normally he would be able to sell the product for about $4,000.

But with a dip in demand and historically low prices, he has so far sold only $154's worth. At the end of the trading chain, the cocaine made with his paste would be worth millions.

"Prices are (very) bad," Carlos told AFP in his small, makeshift lab.&nbsp;

"The only option is to keep it (the paste)," in the hopes that prices, and demand, will pick up.

<h2>Illegal, but crucial&nbsp;</h2>

Experts say the rise of synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, an "overproduction" of coca, changing consumer habits and several recent blows to Colombia's powerful drug cartels could all be contributing to the price drop.

Colombia remains the world's largest producer of cocaine -- of which coca is the main ingredient -- and the United States its biggest buyer.

Coca cultivation is illegal, but a mainstay for many in the South American country of 50 million people.

Some 250,000 Colombian families depend on coca for a living -- about 1.5 per cent of the population, according to official figures.&nbsp;

All along the country's Pacific coast, however, coca growers have seen their incomes plummet since the beginning of the year.

The region, under the yoke of armed and violent dissidents of the FARC guerrilla group that disarmed in 2017, is where about 44 per cent of Colombia's 204,000 hectares of coca was grown in 2021, according to the UN.

"At this time, the coca economy is not yielding a lot to survive on," grower Nilson Solis told AFP among his crops outside the town of Olaya Herrera, also near the Pacific coast.&nbsp;

Residents say the price for a kilogram of coca paste has dropped from about $695 to $440 in just a few months.

<h2>'Not a lot'</h2>

It appears ironic that growers are struggling: Colombia broke its own record of land under coca cultivation two years ago, according to the latest available UN report.

Colombian government official Felipe Tascon said rising conflict between drug cartels and other armed groups fighting over resources and terrain may have made it more difficult to move product.

Julian Quintero, head of an NGO working to reduce risk from psychoactive drug use, said "overproduction" is also likely contributing to the drop in demand.

Coca has ever more "alkalinity and yield," which means less of it is needed to produce cocaine, he said.

And Rival drugs such as ecstasy are gaining ground among younger pleasure seekers, Quintero added.

Colombia's new leftist President Gustavo Petro visited Olaya Herrera this month, where he met community leaders and speculated that lower demand may also have to do "with the fact that Americans have changed their consumption, their tastes."&nbsp;

Synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, more powerful and addictive than cocaine, are proliferating in the United States.&nbsp;

Petro has criticised the US-led "war on drugs" that has criminalised and impoverished rural Colombians, and has mooted an amnesty for drug traffickers willing to give themselves up and abandon the trade.

He has also proposed purchasing arable land to redistribute to small farmers to make a living from legal crops, free from the violent yoke of the drug gangs they rely on to make a living.

Meanwhile, farmers like Solis are looking for alternatives as hunger stares more and more coca growers in the face. He is considering taking up illegal logging.

"When we take stock, we have nothing left," he told AFP.&nbsp;

"Barely enough to buy a pound of rice and a little oil."

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"Carlos," a 36-year-old coca grower in Colombia, is stuck hanging onto kilos of the valuable paste used to make cocaine stashed under his bed. Normally, the illegal cache would be worth thousands of dollars, but a sudden dearth of buyers has left him high and dry and concerned about the future of his children.

"Carlos," a 36-year-old coca grower in Colombia, is stuck hanging onto kilos of the valuable paste used to make cocaine stashed under his bed. Normally, the illegal cache would be worth thousands of dollars, but a sudden dearth of buyers has left him high and dry and concerned about the future of his children. Carlos is not his real name -- the grower wished to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals from armed groups operating near his farm in Llorente in Colombia's southern Narino department, where increasing numbers of small-scale coca producers worry where their next meal will come from. Their hands covered in scratches, groups of "raspachines" or expert coca pickers, advance at great speed through the sea of green crops in Llorente. Once harvested, the coca leaves reach Carlos, who cooks them, along with a mixture of chemicals, on a small stove until they yield a white substance. Cultivating his two hectares had cost him about $660, Carlos told AFP, and normally he would be able to sell the product for about $4,000. But with a dip in demand and historically low prices, he has so far sold only $154's worth. At the end of the trading chain, the cocaine made with his paste would be worth millions. "Prices are (very) bad," Carlos told AFP in his small, makeshift lab. "The only option is to keep it (the paste)," in the hopes that prices, and demand, will pick up. Illegal, but crucial Experts say the rise of synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, an "overproduction" of coca, changing consumer habits and several recent blows to Colombia's powerful drug cartels could all be contributing to the price drop. Colombia remains the world's largest producer of cocaine -- of which coca is the main ingredient -- and the United States its biggest buyer. Coca cultivation is illegal, but a mainstay for many in the South American country of 50 million people. Some 250,000 Colombian families depend on coca for a living -- about 1.5 per cent of the population, according to official figures. All along the country's Pacific coast, however, coca growers have seen their incomes plummet since the beginning of the year. The region, under the yoke of armed and violent dissidents of the FARC guerrilla group that disarmed in 2017, is where about 44 per cent of Colombia's 204,000 hectares of coca was grown in 2021, according to the UN. "At this time, the coca economy is not yielding a lot to survive on," grower Nilson Solis told AFP among his crops outside the town of Olaya Herrera, also near the Pacific coast. Residents say the price for a kilogram of coca paste has dropped from about $695 to $440 in just a few months. 'Not a lot' It appears ironic that growers are struggling: Colombia broke its own record of land under coca cultivation two years ago, according to the latest available UN report. Colombian government official Felipe Tascon said rising conflict between drug cartels and other armed groups fighting over resources and terrain may have made it more difficult to move product. Julian Quintero, head of an NGO working to reduce risk from psychoactive drug use, said "overproduction" is also likely contributing to the drop in demand. Coca has ever more "alkalinity and yield," which means less of it is needed to produce cocaine, he said. And Rival drugs such as ecstasy are gaining ground among younger pleasure seekers, Quintero added. Colombia's new leftist President Gustavo Petro visited Olaya Herrera this month, where he met community leaders and speculated that lower demand may also have to do "with the fact that Americans have changed their consumption, their tastes." Synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, more powerful and addictive than cocaine, are proliferating in the United States. Petro has criticised the US-led "war on drugs" that has criminalised and impoverished rural Colombians, and has mooted an amnesty for drug traffickers willing to give themselves up and abandon the trade. He has also proposed purchasing arable land to redistribute to small farmers to make a living from legal crops, free from the violent yoke of the drug gangs they rely on to make a living. Meanwhile, farmers like Solis are looking for alternatives as hunger stares more and more coca growers in the face. He is considering taking up illegal logging. "When we take stock, we have nothing left," he told AFP. "Barely enough to buy a pound of rice and a little oil." WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Cocaine price crash a blow for Colombian coca growers

Colombian Navy has seized what is claimed to be the largest narco-submarine ever found in the country.

The "narco sub", which is some 30 metres (100 feet) long and three metres wide, was intercepted in the Pacific Ocean while on its way to Central America on Friday.

These homemade narco-submarines travel just below the water’s surface, allowing them to cover long distances while evading detection.&nbsp;

Colombian laws penalise use, construction, commercialisation, possession, and transportation of these semi-submersibles, with up to 14 years in prison.

The vessel was carrying a staggering three tonnes of cocaine, which will fetch around $103 million in the market, the navy said, according to reports.

The Central America sea route is commonly used by peddlers for drug smuggling into the United States—the world’s largest consumer of Colombian cocaine.

The navy also detained three crew members—aged 45, 54 and 63—who are all Colombians. They claimed that they were "forced by a drug trafficking organisation" to take the sub to Central America, the navy said in a statement.

The images released by authorities showed that the dark-coloured submarine was carrying numerous packages of narcotics cleverly camouflaged with Toyota labels.&nbsp;

Local media reports stated that Friday’s seizure was one the biggest in the country since Colombia began keeping track in 1993.

Over the past three decades, the Colombian Navy has intercepted a total of 228 similar vessels used to transport large quantities of drugs from the Pacific Ocean to the United States or even across the Atlantic to Europe.

The three suspects were later transported to Tumaco in southern Colombia to face legal proceedings.

Though the enforcement authorities have been able to successfully crack down on drug mafia, the trade still runs uninterrupted in Colombia, with record levels of cocaine production reported.

In 2021, around 204,000 hectares of coca crops were cultivated, resulting in the production of approximately 1,400 tons of cocaine hydrochloride, according to the United Nations.

The fight against drug trafficking remains an ongoing struggle, with profound impacts on the country and the international community.

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Colombian Navy has seized what is claimed to be the largest narco-submarine ever found in the country. The "narco sub", which is some 30 metres (100 feet) long and three metres wide, was intercepted in the Pacific Ocean while on its way to Central America on Friday.

Colombian Navy has seized what is claimed to be the largest narco-submarine ever found in the country. The "narco sub", which is some 30 metres (100 feet) long and three metres wide, was intercepted in the Pacific Ocean while on its way to Central America on Friday. These homemade narco-submarines travel just below the water’s surface, allowing them to cover long distances while evading detection. Colombian laws penalise use, construction, commercialisation, possession, and transportation of these semi-submersibles, with up to 14 years in prison. The vessel was carrying a staggering three tonnes of cocaine, which will fetch around $103 million in the market, the navy said, according to reports. The Central America sea route is commonly used by peddlers for drug smuggling into the United States—the world’s largest consumer of Colombian cocaine. The navy also detained three crew members—aged 45, 54 and 63—who are all Colombians. They claimed that they were "forced by a drug trafficking organisation" to take the sub to Central America, the navy said in a statement. The images released by authorities showed that the dark-coloured submarine was carrying numerous packages of narcotics cleverly camouflaged with Toyota labels. Local media reports stated that Friday’s seizure was one the biggest in the country since Colombia began keeping track in 1993. Over the past three decades, the Colombian Navy has intercepted a total of 228 similar vessels used to transport large quantities of drugs from the Pacific Ocean to the United States or even across the Atlantic to Europe. The three suspects were later transported to Tumaco in southern Colombia to face legal proceedings. Though the enforcement authorities have been able to successfully crack down on drug mafia, the trade still runs uninterrupted in Colombia, with record levels of cocaine production reported. In 2021, around 204,000 hectares of coca crops were cultivated, resulting in the production of approximately 1,400 tons of cocaine hydrochloride, according to the United Nations. The fight against drug trafficking remains an ongoing struggle, with profound impacts on the country and the international community. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Colombian Navy intercepts ‘largest ever’ narco-submarine in history with three tonnes of cocaine

Here we bring you a quick round-up of all latest news, top headlines and international breakings from all across the globe, stay tuned with Gravitas for more!

Gravitas Global Headlines: Anti-govt protests resume in Nairobi | Major cocaine bust in Portugal

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has said that the global supply of cocaine is at record levels. In its "Global Report on Cocaine 2023," the UNODC said the surge is partly a result of an expansion in cocoa bush cultivation, which doubled between 2013 and 2017, hit a peak in 2018 and rose sharply again in 2021.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has said that the global supply of cocaine is at record levels. In its "Global Report on Cocaine 2023," the UNODC said the surge is partly a result of an expansion in cocoa bush cultivation, which doubled between 2013 and 2017, hit a peak in 2018 and rose sharply again in 2021. But this surge is also because of improvements in the process of conversion from cocoa bush cocaine hydrochloride. The UNODC said that the Covid pandemic had a disruptive effect on drug markets. ALSO READ | Colombian navy seizes semi-submersible craft carrying tonnes of cocaine, finds two bodies "With international travel severely curtailed, producers struggled to get their product to market. Night clubs and bars were shut as officials ramped up their attempts to control the virus, causing demand to slump for drugs like cocaine that are often associated with those settings," it said. However, most recent data suggests this slump had little impact on long-term trends. "In parallel, there has been a continuing growth in demand, with most regions showing steadily rising numbers of users over the past decade. Although these increases can be partly explained by population growth, there is also a rising prevalence of cocaine use," the UNODC said in its report. It further pointed out that interceptions by law enforcement agencies have also been on the rise "at a higher speed than production (of cocaine), meaning that interdiction has contained the growth of the global amount of cocaine available for consumption." North America and Western and Central Europe remain the largest destination markets for cocaine, but data suggested that new markets are the fastest growing. Africa and Asia have emerged as potentially developing markets. Africa The UNODC said in its 2023 report that Africa continues to play a significant part in the global cocaine market. "While an important aspect of this is its role in as a transit region, this role has also likely contributed to the development of local markets," it added. The drugs agency said that the prevalence of past-year use for Africa overall is estimated at 0.27 per cent as of 2020, an average level significantly less than the Americas, Europe and Oceania, but above Asia (0.07 per cent). "However, Africa remains the region most affected by a lack of data on drug supply and demand and any estimate is affected by a high level of uncertainty," the report said. Citing seizure data, the UNODC said the role of Africa, especially West and Central Africa, as a transit zone for cocaine on its way to destination markets such as Europe has expanded substantially starting in 2019. Asia When it comes to Asia, the UNODC said the indications of cocaine use and trafficking in East and South-East Asia are limited and point mainly to moderate levels of use in specific urban pockets, and to the exploitation of some countries in this subregion as transit points for cocaine trafficked towards urban consumer centres or other destination markets. "However, this subregion accounts for a large share of the world’s population and a number of these countries have experienced strong economic growth, creating a burgeoning middle class which could be susceptible to the initiation of cocaine use," the report said. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

UN drugs agency says global supply of cocaine is at record levels

Colombian Navy announced on Sunday (March 12) that a semi-submersible vessel with two dead bodies and nearly three tonnes of cocaine on board was seized in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of the country.&nbsp;

In a statement, the Colombian Navy mentioned that they also found two surviving crew members, who are "in poor health". They were given medical attention to save their lives.&nbsp;

The Navy informed that "apparently there was an accident inside the semi-submersible vessel due to the generation of toxic gases from fuel".

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indiana-yellow-chemical-plume-disperses-in-new-albany-investigation-underway-572065">Indiana: Yellow chemical plume disperses in New Albany, investigation underway</a>&nbsp;

Captain Cristian Andres Guzman Echeverry said in a video released by the navy: "These people's poor health state is presumably due to the inhalation of toxic fumes caused by fuel problems inside the boat."&nbsp;

The Navy added in its statement: "With this operational deployment that had foreign support, more than $87 million dollars were prevented from entering the financial structures of drug trafficking organisations that commit crimes in the Colombian Pacific and more than six million doses from circulating in the international illegal market."&nbsp;

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It mentioned: "The Colombian Navy will continue deploying all its capabilities to counter the scourge of drug trafficking structures that commit crimes in the Colombian Pacific."&nbsp;

The submersible vessel, the rescued people, the bodies, and the shipment were escorted by the navy to a port at Tumaco in southwestern Colombia, near the border with Ecuador. Navy officials said the shipment of drugs was headed to Central America.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

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Colombian Navy announced on Sunday (March 12) that a semi-submersible vessel with two dead bodies and nearly three tonnes of cocaine on board was seized in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of the country.

Colombian Navy announced on Sunday (March 12) that a semi-submersible vessel with two dead bodies and nearly three tonnes of cocaine on board was seized in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of the country. In a statement, the Colombian Navy mentioned that they also found two surviving crew members, who are "in poor health". They were given medical attention to save their lives. The Navy informed that "apparently there was an accident inside the semi-submersible vessel due to the generation of toxic gases from fuel". ALSO READ | Indiana: Yellow chemical plume disperses in New Albany, investigation underway Captain Cristian Andres Guzman Echeverry said in a video released by the navy: "These people's poor health state is presumably due to the inhalation of toxic fumes caused by fuel problems inside the boat." The Navy added in its statement: "With this operational deployment that had foreign support, more than $87 million dollars were prevented from entering the financial structures of drug trafficking organisations that commit crimes in the Colombian Pacific and more than six million doses from circulating in the international illegal market." × It mentioned: "The Colombian Navy will continue deploying all its capabilities to counter the scourge of drug trafficking structures that commit crimes in the Colombian Pacific." The submersible vessel, the rescued people, the bodies, and the shipment were escorted by the navy to a port at Tumaco in southwestern Colombia, near the border with Ecuador. Navy officials said the shipment of drugs was headed to Central America. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Colombian navy seizes semi-submersible craft carrying tonnes of cocaine, finds two bodies

2.4 tonnes of Cocaine which is equivalent to half of Australia's estimated annual consumption were seized by a joint U.S and Australian law enforcement operation. The cocaine would have fetched the Mexican drug cartel that it is linked with 677 million dollars if it hadn't been seized.

2.4 tonnes of Cocaine bound for Australia linked to Mexican cartel

Authorities in France on Friday (March 3) warned about "narco-tourism" on northern Channel beaches, following two tonnes of cocaine washing ashore drew dozens of beachcombers. A report by the news agency AFP on Saturday said that several batches of watertight packages were found in villages such as Neville-sur-mer, Omonville-la-Rogue and Reville. The total street value of the drug was estimated at $159 million (150 million euros).&nbsp;

Speaking to the Parisien newspaper, Reville mayor Yves Asseline said, "We've seen people arriving in 4x4s, brand new cars or with quad bikes on the beach, sometimes at dawn with head torches."&nbsp;

Police were patrolling beaches regularly with the help of a helicopter which was flying low over the water to spot any suspected packages in the sea. People familiar with the developments told AFP that investigators were still uncertain where the cocaine came from.&nbsp;

On Friday, local prosecutor Philippe Astru warned about the risks of taking part in narco tourism. "The act of taking possession of one of these bundles and transporting it is a crime that carries a punishment of up to 10 years in prison," Astru told reporters.&nbsp;

The prosecutor also said that the purity of the substance was not known so far, adding, that if it was the usual strength of imported cocaine then it could be "fatal'' if consumed.&nbsp;

Three days back, the French government said that police seized 27 tonnes of cocaine in 2022, a five-fold increase compared with the level 10 years back.&nbsp;

Figures released by the Interior Ministry showed that seizures were up five per cent last year compared to 2021, with over half of the narcotic transiting via the West Indies and France's South American region of Guiana.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Authorities in France on Friday (March 3) warned about "narco-tourism" on northern Channel beaches, following two tonnes of cocaine washing ashore drew dozens of beachcombers.

Authorities in France on Friday (March 3) warned about "narco-tourism" on northern Channel beaches, following two tonnes of cocaine washing ashore drew dozens of beachcombers. A report by the news agency AFP on Saturday said that several batches of watertight packages were found in villages such as Neville-sur-mer, Omonville-la-Rogue and Reville. The total street value of the drug was estimated at $159 million (150 million euros). Speaking to the Parisien newspaper, Reville mayor Yves Asseline said, "We've seen people arriving in 4x4s, brand new cars or with quad bikes on the beach, sometimes at dawn with head torches." Police were patrolling beaches regularly with the help of a helicopter which was flying low over the water to spot any suspected packages in the sea. People familiar with the developments told AFP that investigators were still uncertain where the cocaine came from. On Friday, local prosecutor Philippe Astru warned about the risks of taking part in narco tourism. "The act of taking possession of one of these bundles and transporting it is a crime that carries a punishment of up to 10 years in prison," Astru told reporters. The prosecutor also said that the purity of the substance was not known so far, adding, that if it was the usual strength of imported cocaine then it could be "fatal'' if consumed. Three days back, the French government said that police seized 27 tonnes of cocaine in 2022, a five-fold increase compared with the level 10 years back. Figures released by the Interior Ministry showed that seizures were up five per cent last year compared to 2021, with over half of the narcotic transiting via the West Indies and France's South American region of Guiana. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

France warns about 'narco-tourism' on beaches after two tonnes of cocaine washes ashore

Two sealed bags containing a total of 2.3 tonnes of cocaine washed up on the northern French coast in the past week, said a report by the news agency AFP, on Thursday (March 2) citing a source with knowledge of the find. The total street value of the drugs found is reportedly close to $160 million. The report was published a day after French authorities said they seized 27 tonnes of cocaine in 2022, a five-time increase over the past decade.&nbsp;

In what is reported to be two separate finds of watertight packages, one on Sunday where multiple bags containing a total of 850 kg worth of cocaine was found on the Reville beach near the northern end of Normandy and the other on Wednesday when six more bags of the drugs turned up at the nearby Vicq-sur-Mer, reported AFP.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canadian-companies-have-been-licensed-to-make-and-sell-cocaine-heres-why-568070">Canadian companies have been licensed to make and sell cocaine. Here’s why</a>

However, this is not the first time a major cocaine shipment washed up on the French coast, in 2019 at least 1.6 tonnes of the illicit drug was found all around the French Atlantic coast, while the recent drugs found on Wednesday and Sunday were on the Normandy English Channel coast. Sources familiar with the investigation told AFP that they remain uncertain about where this cocaine came from.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/explained-what-is-black-cocaine-drug-seized-in-india-521631">Explained: What is ‘black cocaine’, drug seized in India?</a>

The report also said how the officials are unsure about if traffickers threw it overboard deliberately to evade arrest or whether the consignment fell from their boat due to the heavy weather. Meanwhile, the local maritime authorities are on “special watch” and have been scanning the area using an aircraft but no more drugs were found, as of Thursday afternoon, reported AFP.&nbsp;

This comes as European countries have&nbsp;faced a surge in the trafficking and use of the illicit drug, as per reports, most cocaine now enters Europe through northern ports like the Netherlands city of Rotterdam, Antwerp in Belgium, the German city of Hamburg and France’s Le Havre. Reportedly, the port city of Le Havre has become the main entry point for cocaine into France.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cocaine-to-concrete-ecuador-finds-an-innovative-way-to-utilise-surplus-of-seized-illicit-drug-563271">Cocaine to concrete: Ecuador finds an innovative way to utilise surplus of seized illicit drug</a>

On Wednesday, the French government said that they seized 27 tonnes of cocaine in 2022 which, as per interior ministry figures, is up five per cent from last year compared with 2021. Overall, the French authorities seized 157 tonnes of illegal drugs in 2022.

At least more than half of this cocaine comes from the West Indies and France’s South American region of Guiana, said the interior ministry. In fact, just last month, authorities seized 1.9 tonnes of the illicit substance, as per the ministry of public accounts which also oversees customs enforcement.&nbsp; 
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Two sealed bags containing a total of 2.3 tonnes of cocaine washed up on the northern French coast in the past week, said a report by the news agency AFP, on Thursday (March 2) citing a source with knowledge of the find.

Two sealed bags containing a total of 2.3 tonnes of cocaine washed up on the northern French coast in the past week, said a report by the news agency AFP, on Thursday (March 2) citing a source with knowledge of the find. The total street value of the drugs found is reportedly close to $160 million. The report was published a day after French authorities said they seized 27 tonnes of cocaine in 2022, a five-time increase over the past decade. In what is reported to be two separate finds of watertight packages, one on Sunday where multiple bags containing a total of 850 kg worth of cocaine was found on the Reville beach near the northern end of Normandy and the other on Wednesday when six more bags of the drugs turned up at the nearby Vicq-sur-Mer, reported AFP. ALSO READ | Canadian companies have been licensed to make and sell cocaine. Here’s why However, this is not the first time a major cocaine shipment washed up on the French coast, in 2019 at least 1.6 tonnes of the illicit drug was found all around the French Atlantic coast, while the recent drugs found on Wednesday and Sunday were on the Normandy English Channel coast. Sources familiar with the investigation told AFP that they remain uncertain about where this cocaine came from. ALSO READ | Explained: What is ‘black cocaine’, drug seized in India? The report also said how the officials are unsure about if traffickers threw it overboard deliberately to evade arrest or whether the consignment fell from their boat due to the heavy weather. Meanwhile, the local maritime authorities are on “special watch” and have been scanning the area using an aircraft but no more drugs were found, as of Thursday afternoon, reported AFP. This comes as European countries have faced a surge in the trafficking and use of the illicit drug, as per reports, most cocaine now enters Europe through northern ports like the Netherlands city of Rotterdam, Antwerp in Belgium, the German city of Hamburg and France’s Le Havre. Reportedly, the port city of Le Havre has become the main entry point for cocaine into France. ALSO READ | Cocaine to concrete: Ecuador finds an innovative way to utilise surplus of seized illicit drug On Wednesday, the French government said that they seized 27 tonnes of cocaine in 2022 which, as per interior ministry figures, is up five per cent from last year compared with 2021. Overall, the French authorities seized 157 tonnes of illegal drugs in 2022. At least more than half of this cocaine comes from the West Indies and France’s South American region of Guiana, said the interior ministry. In fact, just last month, authorities seized 1.9 tonnes of the illicit substance, as per the ministry of public accounts which also oversees customs enforcement. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Over two tonnes of cocaine found in Normandy; France faces record rise in drug seizures

Canadian companies have been given approval by the country’s federal health agency to produce and sell cocaine, seemingly reflecting Health Canada’s bid to improve safety conditions for the country’s drug addicts. This also comes after a radical policy shift to address an opioid overdose crisis which has killed thousands.&nbsp;

In a statement, a Canadian biosciences company, Sunshine Earth Labs, on Thursday (March 2) said that they have been licensed to produce and sell cocaine, a month after a similar licensing arrangement was offered to the British Columbia-based Adastra Labs.

“We will evaluate how the commercialization of this substance fits in with our business model at Adastra in an effort to position ourselves to support the demand for a safe supply of cocaine”, said the chief executive Michael Forbes of the British Columbia-based company. The labs, which until now focused on cannabis extracts, are also allowed to produce and sell hallucinogens, psilocybin and psilocin which are more commonly known as magic mushrooms.&nbsp;

The Sunshine Labs said that they received permission from the federal health agency to “legally possess, produce, sell and distribute coca leaf and cocaine” in November, last year. This was in addition to MDMA (ecstasy), morphine and diacetylmorphine (heroin). “We are incredibly proud of the progress we have made in the last year, said Donovan Edwards, CEO of Sunshine Earth Labs, in a statement.&nbsp;

He added, “we have been proactively pursuing amendments to our Dealer's License to include MDMA, coca leaf, cocaine, opium, morphine, and diacetylmorphine to position ourselves as a legitimate safer supply partner. We will continue to work on securing global trade relationships to import ethically sourced medical products for safer supply.”

Notably, the move is in line with a criminal code exemption which was granted by the government to the aforementioned Canadian province for a three-year pilot project which aims to destigmatize drug use which they believe stops people from seeking help, reported AFP. It also made British Columbia only the second jurisdiction in North America to decriminalise hard drugs following the United States’ Oregan in 2020.&nbsp;

Out of the more than 30,000 overdose-related deaths recorded across Canada, British Columbia accounted for over 10,000 since 2016 when it declared a public health emergency and was dubbed as the epicentre of the crisis. The number also represented nearly six people dying each day from toxic drug poisoning out of the five million residents of the province.&nbsp; 
 
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Canadian companies have been given approval by the country’s federal health agency to produce and sell cocaine, seemingly reflecting Health Canada’s bid to improve safety conditions for the country’s drug addicts.

Canadian companies have been given approval by the country’s federal health agency to produce and sell cocaine, seemingly reflecting Health Canada’s bid to improve safety conditions for the country’s drug addicts. This also comes after a radical policy shift to address an opioid overdose crisis which has killed thousands. In a statement, a Canadian biosciences company, Sunshine Earth Labs, on Thursday (March 2) said that they have been licensed to produce and sell cocaine, a month after a similar licensing arrangement was offered to the British Columbia-based Adastra Labs. “We will evaluate how the commercialization of this substance fits in with our business model at Adastra in an effort to position ourselves to support the demand for a safe supply of cocaine”, said the chief executive Michael Forbes of the British Columbia-based company. The labs, which until now focused on cannabis extracts, are also allowed to produce and sell hallucinogens, psilocybin and psilocin which are more commonly known as magic mushrooms. The Sunshine Labs said that they received permission from the federal health agency to “legally possess, produce, sell and distribute coca leaf and cocaine” in November, last year. This was in addition to MDMA (ecstasy), morphine and diacetylmorphine (heroin). “We are incredibly proud of the progress we have made in the last year, said Donovan Edwards, CEO of Sunshine Earth Labs, in a statement. He added, “we have been proactively pursuing amendments to our Dealer's License to include MDMA, coca leaf, cocaine, opium, morphine, and diacetylmorphine to position ourselves as a legitimate safer supply partner. We will continue to work on securing global trade relationships to import ethically sourced medical products for safer supply.” Notably, the move is in line with a criminal code exemption which was granted by the government to the aforementioned Canadian province for a three-year pilot project which aims to destigmatize drug use which they believe stops people from seeking help, reported AFP. It also made British Columbia only the second jurisdiction in North America to decriminalise hard drugs following the United States’ Oregan in 2020. Out of the more than 30,000 overdose-related deaths recorded across Canada, British Columbia accounted for over 10,000 since 2016 when it declared a public health emergency and was dubbed as the epicentre of the crisis. The number also represented nearly six people dying each day from toxic drug poisoning out of the five million residents of the province. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Canadian companies have been licensed to make and sell cocaine. Here’s why

It is a public health crisis that kills hundreds of Americans a day. More than 100,000 Americans die each year from overdoses, mostly from opioids. Fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine and now xylazine are the most abused drugs in the United States.

Has America lost the war on drugs?

The high quantities of drug seizures in Ecuador have led to a new and unique construction material, cocaine. This comes after the amount of drugs seized in 2021 doubled in the country when compared to the previous year to more than 210 tonnes, mostly cocaine, said Ecuador’s police. The country is also said to be a transit point for gangs to ship cocaine to the United States and Europe. However, since incumbent President Guillermo Lasso came to power two years ago, Ecuador has ramped up its efforts to stop the flow of illicit drugs in and out of the country.&nbsp;

How does it work?

The country uses a so-called encapsulation method with the support of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) “out of desperation to make good on destroying the drugs”, the undersecretary for Drug Control at Ecuador’s Interior Ministry, told Reuters. The process includes pulverising seized bricks of cocaine in machines with some other materials at a waste disposal plant and then mixing the fine powder obtained with cement, sand and water to create concrete.&nbsp;

The waste treatment plant which is located at an undisclosed location outside the Ecuadorian capital city of Quito reportedly receives hundreds of blocks of cocaine hydrochloride and coca paste which is the precursor to cocaine, from across the country every week. Subsequently, as per technicians, it is broken down and mixed with glass, expired medicines and even oil waste, reported Reuters.&nbsp;

After this, the powder is mixed with other materials to produce a cement slurry to use in construction. According to the UN drug agency, as this slurry sets it combines with the rest of the materials mixed and forms a stable, hard and impenetrable matrix which prevents cocaine from seeping into the ground or being recovered.&nbsp;

“This procedure is cheaper, takes less time and doesn't affect the environment,”&nbsp;said Ecuador’s Director of Anti-Drug Investigation, Pablo Ramirez, while noting that&nbsp; the encapsulation of a tonne of cocaine takes less than three hours as opposed to incinerating the same amount of the illicit drug which can take at least 12 hours.&nbsp;

However, this cocaine-laced concrete has not been used for construction projects just yet. So far, the Ecuadorian authorities have been using this process to fill 15-metre-deep holes in the undisclosed location of the plant with layers of concrete which would later form a warehouse floor and they have no plans of using the encapsulated cocaine for other projects as of now.&nbsp; 
 
Ecuador’s drug problem&nbsp;

As mentioned earlier, since the country acts as a transit point for drugs sent to the US and Europe, authorities have seized record amounts of the illicit substance over the years. In 2022, while the number of seizures dropped slightly, the quantity of drugs found remained high which led to 27 police warehouses, where the illicit substances are stored before being destroyed, exceeding their maximum capacity.

Mera also told Reuters that the record amounts of drugs also surpassed the number of ovens used to incinerate the drugs which led to Ecuador using some of its excess cocaine to turn into construction material. Notably, the process of encapsulation has helped authorities to free some space at the police drug collection centres.

According to plant technicians, so far, nearly 350 tonnes of cocaine and its precursor coca paste seized between last year and the year before has been turned into construction material. While some 83 tonnes of cocaine is still waiting to be encapsulated, said Ramirez.&nbsp; 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

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The high quantities of drug seizures in Ecuador have led to a new and unique construction material, cocaine. This comes after the amount of drugs seized in 2021 doubled in the country when compared to the previous year to more than 210 tonnes, mostly cocaine, said Ecuador’s police.

The high quantities of drug seizures in Ecuador have led to a new and unique construction material, cocaine. This comes after the amount of drugs seized in 2021 doubled in the country when compared to the previous year to more than 210 tonnes, mostly cocaine, said Ecuador’s police. The country is also said to be a transit point for gangs to ship cocaine to the United States and Europe. However, since incumbent President Guillermo Lasso came to power two years ago, Ecuador has ramped up its efforts to stop the flow of illicit drugs in and out of the country. How does it work? The country uses a so-called encapsulation method with the support of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) “out of desperation to make good on destroying the drugs”, the undersecretary for Drug Control at Ecuador’s Interior Ministry, told Reuters. The process includes pulverising seized bricks of cocaine in machines with some other materials at a waste disposal plant and then mixing the fine powder obtained with cement, sand and water to create concrete. The waste treatment plant which is located at an undisclosed location outside the Ecuadorian capital city of Quito reportedly receives hundreds of blocks of cocaine hydrochloride and coca paste which is the precursor to cocaine, from across the country every week. Subsequently, as per technicians, it is broken down and mixed with glass, expired medicines and even oil waste, reported Reuters. After this, the powder is mixed with other materials to produce a cement slurry to use in construction. According to the UN drug agency, as this slurry sets it combines with the rest of the materials mixed and forms a stable, hard and impenetrable matrix which prevents cocaine from seeping into the ground or being recovered. “This procedure is cheaper, takes less time and doesn't affect the environment,” said Ecuador’s Director of Anti-Drug Investigation, Pablo Ramirez, while noting that the encapsulation of a tonne of cocaine takes less than three hours as opposed to incinerating the same amount of the illicit drug which can take at least 12 hours. However, this cocaine-laced concrete has not been used for construction projects just yet. So far, the Ecuadorian authorities have been using this process to fill 15-metre-deep holes in the undisclosed location of the plant with layers of concrete which would later form a warehouse floor and they have no plans of using the encapsulated cocaine for other projects as of now. Ecuador’s drug problem As mentioned earlier, since the country acts as a transit point for drugs sent to the US and Europe, authorities have seized record amounts of the illicit substance over the years. In 2022, while the number of seizures dropped slightly, the quantity of drugs found remained high which led to 27 police warehouses, where the illicit substances are stored before being destroyed, exceeding their maximum capacity. Mera also told Reuters that the record amounts of drugs also surpassed the number of ovens used to incinerate the drugs which led to Ecuador using some of its excess cocaine to turn into construction material. Notably, the process of encapsulation has helped authorities to free some space at the police drug collection centres. According to plant technicians, so far, nearly 350 tonnes of cocaine and its precursor coca paste seized between last year and the year before has been turned into construction material. While some 83 tonnes of cocaine is still waiting to be encapsulated, said Ramirez. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Cocaine to concrete: Ecuador finds an innovative way to utilise surplus of seized illicit drug

Airports are one of the biggest transit points for smuggling all kinds of contraband including drugs. Almost all the airports in the world are vulnerable to smuggling, but some are more favoured by smugglers like Cayenne airport in French Guiana, the departure point of cocaine to Europe.

Cayenne airport, the departure point of Cocaine to Europe

In what comes as one of the biggest stashes of contraband confiscated, the New Zealand authorities on Wednesday said they had recovered cocaine worth $300 million, weighing 3.

In what comes as one of the biggest stashes of contraband confiscated, the New Zealand authorities on Wednesday said they had recovered cocaine worth $300 million, weighing 3.3 tonnes floating in international waters. The joint operation named 'Operation Hydros' between the New Zealand police, customs and defence force led to the discovery of the drugs. A total of 81 bales of cocaine was seized and hauled upon the Royal New Zealand Navy vessel HMNZS Manawanui back to the mainland where the entire batch was destroyed. Local reports stated that some of the bales of cocaine had stickers as identifiers. One had a batman logo while another had a four-leaf clover. The amount of drugs seized was enough to supply New Zealand for 30 years, which suggests that it was destined for another country - most certainly Australia, according to the authorities. "This is the single biggest seizures of illegal drugs by authorities in this country by some margin. While this disrupts the syndicate’s operations, we remain vigilant given the lengths we know these groups will go to circumvent coming to law enforcement’s attention," Police Commissioner Andrew Coster was quoted as saying in a Reuters report. "There is no doubt this discovery lands a major financial blow right from the South American producers through to the distributors of this product." Operation Hydros: Police, Customs and NZDF recover half a billion dollars’ worth of cocaine at sea https://t.co/BxaZfWgFJ6 pic.twitter.com/1NxNzlWo9T — NZP Media (@NZPoliceMedia) February 8, 2023 × Read more: ChatGPT figures out way to smuggle drugs from Columbia to the UK Drug traffickers often leave packaged drugs in international waters to be picked up by other vessels. It is a widely used strategy as cocaine floats and the traffickers using a net with flotation devices, attach the bales of drugs to it. The discovery of the record amount of drug comes in the backdrop of New Zealand starting an operation last year to keep an eye on the movement of suspicious vessels whilst taking help from intelligence-sharing partners. Read more: Australia to legalise use of MDMA and magic mushrooms for treating depression Last year in March, the agencies recovered a 700 kilogrammes cocaine shipment at a New Zealand port, coming from South America, bound for another country. The upsurge in drug assignments through New Zealand suggests that drug traffickers are assessing it as a viable route to other markets. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Cocaine worth $300 million with batman stickers found floating in New Zealand

New Zealand authorities have recovered 3.2 tonnes of cocaine, worth more than $300 million, found floating in the Pacific Ocean and believed to be bound for Australia. Watch video to know more.

New Zealand recovers 3 tonnes of cocaine floating in the sea

Canadian province of British Columbia has launched a trial to fight the increasing cases of drug overdose and trafficking. Hard drugs like heroin and cocaine have been decriminalised for the next three years. Molly Gambhir reports.

Gravitas: British Columbia decriminalises hard drugs

Spanish police seized 4.5 tonnes of cocaine with an estimated ro be worth of $114 million. A raid was conducted in a cattle ship off the Canary Islands earlier this week. Watch further to know more.

Spanish Police seize cocaine worth $114 mn from a ship

Police in Spain have seized large amounts of cocaine from a cattle ship. The price of these drugs is said to be in the millions. Authorities say the seized unfolds new ways of being employed by drug clans for transporting drugs.

Spain: Police offloads boxes of Cocaine from cattle ship

Europe has become a spectator to a tsunami of cocaine. Getting drugs in the big cities has become as easy as ordering a pizza. People are using messaging applications like WhatsApp and Signal to place an order for required drugs and within 20 minutes, a dealer shows up at the door with the parcel.

UK: Drug cartels bringing in more crimes to Europe

Europe has become a spectator to a "tsunami"&nbsp;of cocaine, and getting the drug in big cities has become as easy as ordering a pizza. People using messaging applications like WhatsApp and Signal place an order, and within 20 minutes a dealer shows up at their door.

As Police commissioner Virginie Lahaye puts it, now the process of "scoring"&nbsp;is, "much easier than having to go to some grim place in the suburbs."

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Lahaye, the head of the Paris drug squad, was quoted by AFP as saying, "Consumers prefer to go on a platform and have their drugs delivered by a guy who looks like a Deliveroo rider."

European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) reports that in 2021, around 3.5 million Europeans took cocaine. This is four times what the European population consumed 20 years back.

The head of Belgian federal police, Eric Snoeck, calls it a “tsunami” of cocaine. According to Europol, in 2021, 240 tonnes of the drug were seized. This is again a huge increase from the almost one-fifth quantity seized just a decade ago.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/a-cocaine-deluge-has-taken-over-europes-biggest-port-542665">A cocaine deluge has taken over Europe's biggest port</a>

"Kidnappings, torture and hits: there is so much money at stake that the criminal organisations have brought the cartels’ methods to our shores,"&nbsp;said French anti-drug office’s Stephanie Cherbonnier.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/colombia-breaks-coca-growing-record-slams-war-on-drugs-527399">Colombia breaks coca-growing record, slams 'failure of war on drugs', moots amnesty</a>

Reportedly, with Europe emerging as one of the most lucrative markets for the "big drug cartels", corruption and extreme violence that served them well in South America have also emerged as their SOP in Europe.

At the street level, as per Europol estimates, Europe’s cocaine market is worth between 7.6 and 10.5 billion euros (8.24 to 11.39 USD).

(With inputs from agencies)

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Europe has become a spectator to a "tsunami" of cocaine, and getting the drug in big cities has become as easy as ordering a pizza. People using messaging applications like WhatsApp and Signal place an order, and within 20 minutes a dealer shows up at their door.

Europe has become a spectator to a "tsunami" of cocaine, and getting the drug in big cities has become as easy as ordering a pizza. People using messaging applications like WhatsApp and Signal place an order, and within 20 minutes a dealer shows up at their door. As Police commissioner Virginie Lahaye puts it, now the process of "scoring" is, "much easier than having to go to some grim place in the suburbs." Watch | No amount of alcohol is safe to drink Lahaye, the head of the Paris drug squad, was quoted by AFP as saying, "Consumers prefer to go on a platform and have their drugs delivered by a guy who looks like a Deliveroo rider." European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) reports that in 2021, around 3.5 million Europeans took cocaine. This is four times what the European population consumed 20 years back. The head of Belgian federal police, Eric Snoeck, calls it a “tsunami” of cocaine. According to Europol, in 2021, 240 tonnes of the drug were seized. This is again a huge increase from the almost one-fifth quantity seized just a decade ago. Also read | A cocaine deluge has taken over Europe's biggest port "Kidnappings, torture and hits: there is so much money at stake that the criminal organisations have brought the cartels’ methods to our shores," said French anti-drug office’s Stephanie Cherbonnier. Also Read | Colombia breaks coca-growing record, slams 'failure of war on drugs', moots amnesty Reportedly, with Europe emerging as one of the most lucrative markets for the "big drug cartels", corruption and extreme violence that served them well in South America have also emerged as their SOP in Europe. At the street level, as per Europol estimates, Europe’s cocaine market is worth between 7.6 and 10.5 billion euros (8.24 to 11.39 USD). (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

In Europe ordering cocaine is as easy as ordering pizza; 'customers' avail 20 minutes delivery: Report

A 28-year-old Irish man is accused of allegedly smuggling almost 120 grammes (4.2 ounces) of cocaine inside six&nbsp;chocolate capsules&nbsp;in Australia.&nbsp;

According to the authorities, the man brought drugs inside sealed&nbsp;Kinder Surprise yellow egg capsules that were not edible, CNN reported.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/violence-grips-mexico-after-the-arrest-of-el-chapos-son-ovidio-guzman-lopez-549882">Also&nbsp;read |&nbsp;Violence grips Mexico after the arrest of El Chapo's son Ovidio Guzman Lopez</a>

The Australian Border Forces (ABF) and Australian Federal Police (AFP) in a joint press conference said that the man was stopped at the Melbourne International Airport when his luggage turned positive for the presence of cocaine. He was taken to a nearby hospital for a CT scan.&nbsp;

He later excreted the capsules containing cocaine and is being charged for bringing a marketable amount of cocaine.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Christmas themed police seize record amounts of cocaine ahead of the holiday season

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In a press release, Chris Slamon, detective superintendent said, "Smuggling drugs internally is idiotic – there is the real risk that something could go wrong, resulting in a potentially fatal drug overdose or permanent damage to internal organs."&nbsp;

He added that such arrest clearly shows the extent to which people try to avoid getting detained at the border.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/the-diabetes-drug-that-helps-lose-weight-is-all-the-rage-on-social-media-since-musk-tweeted-about-it-528125">Also read |&nbsp;The diabetes drug that helps lose weight is all the rage on social media ever since Musk tweeted about it</a>

Last year, on Dec 30, the man appeared at the Melbourne Magistrates Court. He was remanded in custody to appear for a committal mention- a preliminary hearing before the committal hearing on March 27.&nbsp;

Usually in Australia, the maximum penalty for such offences is&nbsp;25 years.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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A 28-year-old Irish man is accused of allegedly smuggling almost 120 grammes (4.2 ounces) of cocaine inside six chocolate capsules in Australia. According to the authorities, the man brought drugs inside sealed Kinder Surprise yellow egg capsules that were not edible, CNN reported.

A 28-year-old Irish man is accused of allegedly smuggling almost 120 grammes (4.2 ounces) of cocaine inside six chocolate capsules in Australia. According to the authorities, the man brought drugs inside sealed Kinder Surprise yellow egg capsules that were not edible, CNN reported. Also read | Violence grips Mexico after the arrest of El Chapo's son Ovidio Guzman Lopez The Australian Border Forces (ABF) and Australian Federal Police (AFP) in a joint press conference said that the man was stopped at the Melbourne International Airport when his luggage turned positive for the presence of cocaine. He was taken to a nearby hospital for a CT scan. He later excreted the capsules containing cocaine and is being charged for bringing a marketable amount of cocaine. Watch | Christmas themed police seize record amounts of cocaine ahead of the holiday season In a press release, Chris Slamon, detective superintendent said, "Smuggling drugs internally is idiotic – there is the real risk that something could go wrong, resulting in a potentially fatal drug overdose or permanent damage to internal organs." He added that such arrest clearly shows the extent to which people try to avoid getting detained at the border. Also read | The diabetes drug that helps lose weight is all the rage on social media ever since Musk tweeted about it Last year, on Dec 30, the man appeared at the Melbourne Magistrates Court. He was remanded in custody to appear for a committal mention- a preliminary hearing before the committal hearing on March 27. Usually in Australia, the maximum penalty for such offences is 25 years. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Australia: 28-year-old Irish man accused of smuggling cocaine in chocolate capsules

Another huge revelation has tumbled out of Prince Harry's soon-to-be-published autobiography titled 'Spare'. The Duke of Sussex admitted to trying cocaine when he was 17, according to Sky News.

Another huge revelation has tumbled out of Prince Harry's soon-to-be-published autobiography titled 'Spare'. The Duke of Sussex admitted to trying cocaine when he was 17, according to Sky News. The publication said it managed to get its hands on a copy of Harry's book after a Spanish version mistakenly went on sale in Spain. "It wasn't very fun, and it didn't make me feel especially happy as seems to happen to others, but it did make me feel different, and that was my main objective. To feel. To be different," wrote Harry in the book. "Of course I had been taking cocaine at that time. At someone's house, during a hunting weekend, I was offered a line, and since then I had consumed some more." Harry admitted it has his rogue phase as a teenager and that he would have done anything to alter the 'pre-established' order. "I was a seventeen-year-old willing to try almost anything that would alter the pre-established order. At least, that's what I was trying to convince myself of. At that time, I was as capable of lying to myself as I had lied to that staff member." WATCH | Gravitas: Prince Harry accuses prince William of assault × This is not the first major disclosure by Prince Harry in his book which comes out in five days' time. Notably, in one of the sections of the book, Harry claimed that his brother Prince William hit him and pushed him to the floor after describing Meghan Markle as “difficult”, “rude” and “abrasive”. “It all happened so fast. So very fast. He grabbed me by the collar, ripped my necklace, and knocked me to the floor. I landed on the dog’s bowl, which cracked under my back, the pieces cutting into me. I lay there for a moment, dazed, then got to my feet and told him to get out." Read more: Prince Harry claims in memoir William hit and pushed him to the floor over Meghan Markle Despite penning the rough moments between the duo, Prince Harry during the publicity tour of the book has claimed that he would like to have his 'father and brother back'. "It never needed to be this way," said Harry in an excerpt from his interview with ITV's Tom Bradby, due to be released this Sunday. "They've shown absolutely no willingness to reconcile. I would like to get my father back; I would like to have my brother back." Read more: Ahead of autobiography release, Prince Harry says he wants his father and brother back (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

'It made me feel different': Prince Harry admits trying cocaine when young

As the world prepares to celebrate Christmas, some countries are already celebrating a different kind of 'white Christmas'. From South America to Europe, police officials are busting drug cartels.

Christmas themed police seize record amounts of cocaine ahead of the holiday season

After years of law enforcement policy it disproportionately treating crack offenders more punitively. The US Justice Department has finally moved to end the sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine offences.

US orders end to cocaine sentencing disparities; justice dept aims to reverse decades old policy

Traces of suspected cocaine, a Class A drug in the United Kingdom,&nbsp;were found at Chevening House, the grace-and-favour home of Liz Truss when she was the UK foreign secretary.

Chevening House is a 115-room mansion, traditionally granted to the foreign secretary, and its upkeep is funded by a trust established by an act of parliament. A grace-and-favour home refers to a residential property designated for a democratically elected government's senior official or minister during their time in office.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/liz-truss-says-i-am-not-a-quitter-as-calls-for-her-resignation-grow-in-uk-526823">Liz Truss says 'I am not a quitter' as clamour for her resignation mounts in UK</a>

According to a report in The Guardian, staff found a "white powder" after summer parties at Chevening House, which also had&nbsp;Truss' political allies in attendance.&nbsp;Members of staff found traces of a white powder on two occasions towards the end of the Tory leadership contest. They were allegedly discovered following gatherings that Truss hosted for her allies over the weekends of August 19-21 and September 2-4.

A spokesperson for Liz Truss has clarified that the claims were "categorically untrue".

“If there were evidence that this alleged activity had occurred during her use of Chevening, Ms Truss would have expected to have been informed and for the relevant authorities to have properly investigated the matter," a spokesperson for Liz Truss said in an official statement.&nbsp;

A staff member told The Guardian that they had tested the powder using a swab that changes colour when it comes into contact with cocaine.

WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/uk-police-concludes-partygate-scandal-with-126-fines-480874">UK police concludes partygate scandal investigation with 126 fines</a>

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Earlier in April 2021, in one of the Downing Street parties that constituted the wildly consequential "partygate" scandal, it was reported that cleaning staff at 10 Downing Street found deposits of white powder in bathrooms and on a table in the offices. There was no conclusive investigation into the claim.

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Traces of suspected cocaine, a Class A drug in the United Kingdom, were found at Chevening House, the grace-and-favour home of Liz Truss when she was the UK foreign secretary.

Traces of suspected cocaine, a Class A drug in the United Kingdom, were found at Chevening House, the grace-and-favour home of Liz Truss when she was the UK foreign secretary. Chevening House is a 115-room mansion, traditionally granted to the foreign secretary, and its upkeep is funded by a trust established by an act of parliament. A grace-and-favour home refers to a residential property designated for a democratically elected government's senior official or minister during their time in office. ALSO READ | Liz Truss says 'I am not a quitter' as clamour for her resignation mounts in UK According to a report in The Guardian, staff found a "white powder" after summer parties at Chevening House, which also had Truss' political allies in attendance. Members of staff found traces of a white powder on two occasions towards the end of the Tory leadership contest. They were allegedly discovered following gatherings that Truss hosted for her allies over the weekends of August 19-21 and September 2-4. A spokesperson for Liz Truss has clarified that the claims were "categorically untrue". “If there were evidence that this alleged activity had occurred during her use of Chevening, Ms Truss would have expected to have been informed and for the relevant authorities to have properly investigated the matter," a spokesperson for Liz Truss said in an official statement. A staff member told The Guardian that they had tested the powder using a swab that changes colour when it comes into contact with cocaine. WATCH | UK police concludes partygate scandal investigation with 126 fines × Earlier in April 2021, in one of the Downing Street parties that constituted the wildly consequential "partygate" scandal, it was reported that cleaning staff at 10 Downing Street found deposits of white powder in bathrooms and on a table in the offices. There was no conclusive investigation into the claim. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

'Traces of suspected cocaine' found at Liz Truss' former official residence

A worldwide operation against a Serbian drug network on Saturday resulted in the arrest of nine individuals, as Belgian officials seized almost 115 kilogrammes of cocaine, according to the prosecution.&nbsp;

The raid took place in a warehouse in the city of Arlon in Belgium's southeast, where the suspects were discovered trying to conceal cocaine for export under concrete slabs, according to a statement from Belgian prosecutors.&nbsp;

According to the statement, five of the prisoners were taken into custody in Belgium, two in the Netherlands, one in Luxembourg, and another in Serbia.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/freedom-or-slavery-imran-khan-spells-out-ptis-political-future-in-rawalpindi-537748">Pakistan: Imran Khan announces PTI members will quit all assemblies</a>

103 parcels weighing 115 kg&nbsp;(254 pounds) and valued at 11.5 million euros ($12 million) were seized by law authorities.&nbsp;

Nearly 100 police officers participated in simultaneous searches in Serbia, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands as part of an operation to find a "Serbian criminal organisation active in the international cocaine trade," according to the prosecutors.

(With inputs from agencies)

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A worldwide operation against a Serbian drug network on Saturday resulted in the arrest of nine individuals, as Belgian officials seized almost 115 kilogrammes of cocaine, according to the prosecution.

A worldwide operation against a Serbian drug network on Saturday resulted in the arrest of nine individuals, as Belgian officials seized almost 115 kilogrammes of cocaine, according to the prosecution. The raid took place in a warehouse in the city of Arlon in Belgium's southeast, where the suspects were discovered trying to conceal cocaine for export under concrete slabs, according to a statement from Belgian prosecutors. According to the statement, five of the prisoners were taken into custody in Belgium, two in the Netherlands, one in Luxembourg, and another in Serbia. Also Read: Pakistan: Imran Khan announces PTI members will quit all assemblies 103 parcels weighing 115 kg (254 pounds) and valued at 11.5 million euros ($12 million) were seized by law authorities. Nearly 100 police officers participated in simultaneous searches in Serbia, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands as part of an operation to find a "Serbian criminal organisation active in the international cocaine trade," according to the prosecutors. (With inputs from agencies)

Nine arrested in international operation against Serbian drug network

Colombia, the world's leading&nbsp;cocaine&nbsp;producer, broke its own record for coca leaf cultivation in 2021, a UN body said Thursday, as the government highlighted the "failure" of the US-led war on drugs.

There was "an increase of 43 per cent in the area planted with coca... from 143,000 hectares in 2020 to 204,000 ha in 2021," the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said in a statement.

This was the highest figure since the UNODC started monitoring&nbsp;Colombia's&nbsp;cocaine&nbsp; production 21 years ago.

The increase in coca cultivation went hand-in-hand with a rise in&nbsp;cocaine&nbsp;production from 1,010 tonnes in 2020 to 1,400 tonnes last year, destined mainly for the United States and Europe.

"This continued an upward trend that has been consolidating since 2014," said the UNODC.

At the presentation of the report in Bogota, Justice Minister Nestor Osuna said the numbers were clear evidence "of the failure of the war on drugs."

He said the government was working on a new drug policy, which for now would not include legalizing&nbsp;cocaine.

But he expressed the hope that "one day" the&nbsp;cocaine&nbsp;trade will be regulated at a global level.

As part of a new approach, Colombia's leftist President Gustavo Petro has mooted an amnesty for drug traffickers willing to give themselves up and abandon the trade.

He has also proposed purchasing arable land to redistribute to small farmers to make a living from legal crops, free from the violent yoke of the drug gangs they rely on to make a living.

Holistic approach

Petro considers small-scale coca growers the victims of a state that for years poisoned their land with pesticides to eradicate the illegal plantations.

Thousands of coca growers and pickers are behind bars on trafficking charges in Colombia.

Petro's predecessor, Ivan Duque, had been a key ally of the drug war led by the United States -- the world's leading&nbsp;cocaine&nbsp;consumer.

Earlier this month, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Petro in Colombia, saying afterwards they shared "extensive common ground," despite the new president's change of tack.

"We strongly support the holistic approach the Petro administration is taking," Blinken said after the meeting.

"On both the enforcement side but also on the comprehensive approach to the problem... I think that we're largely in sync," he added.

The UNODC said coca cultivation "continues to threaten the cultural potential of the country and its biodiversity," contributing to deforestation.

Half of the plantations are in special management areas, it said, and a high percentage on the lands of black communities and in forest reserve areas.

Colombia, the world's leading cocaine producer, broke its own record for coca leaf cultivation in 2021, a UN body said Thursday, as the government highlighted the "failure" of the US-led war on drugs.

Colombia, the world's leading cocaine producer, broke its own record for coca leaf cultivation in 2021, a UN body said Thursday, as the government highlighted the "failure" of the US-led war on drugs. There was "an increase of 43 per cent in the area planted with coca... from 143,000 hectares in 2020 to 204,000 ha in 2021," the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said in a statement. This was the highest figure since the UNODC started monitoring Colombia's cocaine production 21 years ago. The increase in coca cultivation went hand-in-hand with a rise in cocaine production from 1,010 tonnes in 2020 to 1,400 tonnes last year, destined mainly for the United States and Europe. "This continued an upward trend that has been consolidating since 2014," said the UNODC. At the presentation of the report in Bogota, Justice Minister Nestor Osuna said the numbers were clear evidence "of the failure of the war on drugs." He said the government was working on a new drug policy, which for now would not include legalizing cocaine. But he expressed the hope that "one day" the cocaine trade will be regulated at a global level. As part of a new approach, Colombia's leftist President Gustavo Petro has mooted an amnesty for drug traffickers willing to give themselves up and abandon the trade. He has also proposed purchasing arable land to redistribute to small farmers to make a living from legal crops, free from the violent yoke of the drug gangs they rely on to make a living. Holistic approach Petro considers small-scale coca growers the victims of a state that for years poisoned their land with pesticides to eradicate the illegal plantations. Thousands of coca growers and pickers are behind bars on trafficking charges in Colombia. Petro's predecessor, Ivan Duque, had been a key ally of the drug war led by the United States -- the world's leading cocaine consumer. Earlier this month, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Petro in Colombia, saying afterwards they shared "extensive common ground," despite the new president's change of tack. "We strongly support the holistic approach the Petro administration is taking," Blinken said after the meeting. "On both the enforcement side but also on the comprehensive approach to the problem... I think that we're largely in sync," he added. The UNODC said coca cultivation "continues to threaten the cultural potential of the country and its biodiversity," contributing to deforestation. Half of the plantations are in special management areas, it said, and a high percentage on the lands of black communities and in forest reserve areas.

Colombia breaks coca-growing record, slams 'failure of war on drugs', moots amnesty

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