Libya has witnessed years of fighting and political instability since 2011 when its leader, Muammar Gaddafi, was captured and killed.&nbsp;But the uncertain security situation has led to another consequence – Libya's rise as a transit hub for cocaine and synthetic drugs supplied to North Africa, West Asia and Europe.&nbsp;For instance, a security agency of the government of national unity seized a shipment of a staggering one hundred thousand ecstasy pills, which arrived at a Libyan port via a European country.&nbsp;Images showed the seizure of sacks of brown pellets moulded into the shape of Gaddafi's head and shoulders.&nbsp;These pills were hidden in a cargo van.&nbsp;According to the authorities, they got a tip that a gang was planning to transport the drugs by sea and tracked the shipment until it arrived.&nbsp;Now, the instability in Libya is evident from the presence of two competing power centres.&nbsp;The government of national unity led by PM Abdul Hamid Al Da-Baiba is the internationally and un-recognised government, which controls capital Tripoli and the Northwestern region.&nbsp;On the other hand, the Libyan National Army, led by its commander-in-chief Khalifa Haftar, controls major parts of the country, including most of its oil fields and key infrastructure.&nbsp;Two weeks ago, representatives of these rival factions signed an un-backed deal to hold legislative and presidential elections under a single executive authority within a period of two years.&nbsp;According to a report published by the UN office on drugs and crime in January 2026, the political instability since 2011 enabled the rapid growth of drug trafficking, as well as domestic consumption of drugs in Libya.&nbsp;This report blamed people's economic hardship and unemployment hovering at around 15 to 19 percent for this situation.&nbsp;It also highlighted that cocaine worth nearly 7.8 million US dollars was seized in 2024 alone.&nbsp;But what makes this country a hub for drug trafficking?&nbsp;According to this report, Libya offers a cheaper and easier alternative for transit, storage and distribution of drugs across the region and beyond.&nbsp;It reportedly hosts a number of warehouses where different types and large volumes of drugs are stored.&nbsp;But, is there a plan to counter this?&nbsp;The UN recommended Libya to take a number of steps such as enhancing inter-institutional mechanisms, calibrating criminal justice system towards a long-term reduction of drug markets and scaling up eEfforts to counter corruption.&nbsp;However, with the fractured governance structure in Libya, the fight against drugs appears to be a tall order...

A security agency of the government of national unity seized a shipment of a staggering one hundred thousand ecstasy pills, which arrived at a Libyan port via a European country. Images showed the seizure of sacks of brown pellets moulded into the shape of Gaddafi's head and shoulders.

Libya has witnessed years of fighting and political instability since 2011 when its leader, Muammar Gaddafi, was captured and killed. But the uncertain security situation has led to another consequence – Libya's rise as a transit hub for cocaine and synthetic drugs supplied to North Africa, West Asia and Europe. For instance, a security agency of the government of national unity seized a shipment of a staggering one hundred thousand ecstasy pills, which arrived at a Libyan port via a European country. Images showed the seizure of sacks of brown pellets moulded into the shape of Gaddafi's head and shoulders. These pills were hidden in a cargo van. According to the authorities, they got a tip that a gang was planning to transport the drugs by sea and tracked the shipment until it arrived. Now, the instability in Libya is evident from the presence of two competing power centres. The government of national unity led by PM Abdul Hamid Al Da-Baiba is the internationally and un-recognised government, which controls capital Tripoli and the Northwestern region. On the other hand, the Libyan National Army, led by its commander-in-chief Khalifa Haftar, controls major parts of the country, including most of its oil fields and key infrastructure. Two weeks ago, representatives of these rival factions signed an un-backed deal to hold legislative and presidential elections under a single executive authority within a period of two years. According to a report published by the UN office on drugs and crime in January 2026, the political instability since 2011 enabled the rapid growth of drug trafficking, as well as domestic consumption of drugs in Libya. This report blamed people's economic hardship and unemployment hovering at around 15 to 19 percent for this situation. It also highlighted that cocaine worth nearly 7.8 million US dollars was seized in 2024 alone. But what makes this country a hub for drug trafficking? According to this report, Libya offers a cheaper and easier alternative for transit, storage and distribution of drugs across the region and beyond. It reportedly hosts a number of warehouses where different types and large volumes of drugs are stored. But, is there a plan to counter this? The UN recommended Libya to take a number of steps such as enhancing inter-institutional mechanisms, calibrating criminal justice system towards a long-term reduction of drug markets and scaling up eEfforts to counter corruption. However, with the fractured governance structure in Libya, the fight against drugs appears to be a tall order...

A security agency of the government of national unity seized a shipment of a staggering one hundred thousand ecstasy pills, which arrived at a Libyan port via a European country. Images showed the seizure of sacks of brown pellets moulded into the shape of Gaddafi's head and shoulders.

Ecstasy tablets are rage in 'drug haven' Libya | Gravitas

A leading Dutch drug and mental health institute has issued a “Red Alert” over ecstasy pills shaped like the head of US President Donald Trump, warning that the tablets could be potentially lethal. The Trimbos Institute said on Friday (Aug 28) that several of the pills had recently been submitted to a network of drug-testing centres in the Netherlands, where users can have substances checked before taking them.“Absolutely do not use these pills,” the institute warned.Images released by Trimbos showed tablets featuring a depiction of Trump’s head on one side. The other side carried the markings “NL” and “Trump”, separated by a vertical line. The pills were found in at least green and yellow colours.Warning over dangerous chemicalAccording to the institute, the tablets contain a high concentration of para-methoxymethamphetamine, or PMMA, a substance chemically similar to MDMA, the main active ingredient in ecstasy.Trimbos warned that PMMA can take longer to produce an effect than MDMA. That delay could prompt users to take additional pills, believing the first dose had not worked, increasing the risk of a potentially fatal overdose.The institute said use of the tablets “can lead to overheating with possibly deadly consequences.”Despite the warning, Trimbos spokesperson Anniek Groothuis said there had been no confirmed reports so far of serious illness or deaths linked to the Trump-shaped pills.“We do not know of any victims where PMMA was found in their blood,” she told The Associated Press.Ecstasy remains illegal in the Netherlands, although its use is widespread, particularly in clubs and at music festivals. A Dutch government report published in 2024 estimated that around 550,000 people had used the drug during the year.The pills are also not appearing for the first time. In 2017, German police seized thousands of orange ecstasy tablets moulded in the shape of Trump’s head.

Dutch health institute Trimbos has issued a “Red Alert” over Trump-shaped ecstasy pills containing high levels of PMMA, warning they could cause overheating and potentially deadly consequences.

A leading Dutch drug and mental health institute has issued a “Red Alert” over ecstasy pills shaped like the head of US President Donald Trump, warning that the tablets could be potentially lethal. The Trimbos Institute said on Friday (Aug 28) that several of the pills had recently been submitted to a network of drug-testing centres in the Netherlands, where users can have substances checked before taking them. “Absolutely do not use these pills,” the institute warned. Images released by Trimbos showed tablets featuring a depiction of Trump’s head on one side. The other side carried the markings “NL” and “Trump”, separated by a vertical line. The pills were found in at least green and yellow colours. Warning over dangerous chemical According to the institute, the tablets contain a high concentration of para-methoxymethamphetamine, or PMMA, a substance chemically similar to MDMA, the main active ingredient in ecstasy. Trimbos warned that PMMA can take longer to produce an effect than MDMA. That delay could prompt users to take additional pills, believing the first dose had not worked, increasing the risk of a potentially fatal overdose. The institute said use of the tablets “can lead to overheating with possibly deadly consequences.” Despite the warning, Trimbos spokesperson Anniek Groothuis said there had been no confirmed reports so far of serious illness or deaths linked to the Trump-shaped pills. “We do not know of any victims where PMMA was found in their blood,” she told The Associated Press. Ecstasy remains illegal in the Netherlands, although its use is widespread, particularly in clubs and at music festivals. A Dutch government report published in 2024 estimated that around 550,000 people had used the drug during the year. The pills are also not appearing for the first time. In 2017, German police seized thousands of orange ecstasy tablets moulded in the shape of Trump’s head.

Dutch health institute Trimbos has issued a “Red Alert” over Trump-shaped ecstasy pills containing high levels of PMMA, warning they could cause overheating and potentially deadly consequences.

Trump-shaped ecstasy pills trigger ‘Red Alert’ in Netherlands: ‘Absolutely do not use’

In the latest incident, new variants of Ecstasy pills commonly known as ‘Frosch’ and ‘Lamborghini’ have been seized by Customs Officials at the Foreign post office in Chennai. There have been multiple thwarted attempts of Ecstasy pills coming into Chennai via Foreign post in the recent weeks.&nbsp;

On suspicion of containing narcotic substances, Chennai Air Customs had detained two postal parcels suspected which arrived from the Netherlands.&nbsp;

On examination, first parcel was found to contain 490 green-colored pills suspected to be MDMA, a narcotics substance. These pills are commonly known as ‘Frosch’ have a smiley on one side and contain around 160 mg of MDMA.&nbsp;

The second parcel was found to contain 50 orange pills embossed with a bull logo, similar to that of the supercar brand. These pills are known as “Lamborghini” and contain around 200 mg of MDMA. The seized pills are extremely potent as they contain a very high dosage of MDMA. Dosage above 120 mg is considered to be high and can be fatal.

Total 540 MDMA pills valued at Rs 16 lakhs were recovered and seized under the NDPS Act, 1985.

MDMA is commonly known as Ecstasy, a party drug that alters mood and perception and is chemically similar to both stimulants and hallucinogens which produce feelings of increased energy and pleasure.&nbsp;

The parcels were addressed to two different persons in the city. As a follow-up action, officials carried out searches at the addresses and detained two persons to ascertain their role in smuggling.&nbsp;

“During the lockdown period, the availability of alcohol and drugs have come down and we have been maintaining a strict vigil. In recent times most of the Ecstasy drug parcels have come from Europe as that is the hub of illegal MDMA pill manufacture. In terms of the pills, Netherlands are said to offer the best quality and these drugs are very common among youth in Europe. These are popular party drugs that are even used by teenagers in certain countries” &nbsp;Customs Commissioner, Rajan Choudhary told WION.&nbsp;

During the recent weeks(Including the 17-day lockdown in Chennai) there has been a spurt in Ecstasy seizures. Four parcels containing highly potent drugs had been seized over the last few weeks. The combined value of these four drug parcels(excluding the latest), all of which contained variants of ecstasy are Rs.26 lakhs.

In March this year, Air Customs had seized ecstasy pills worth Rs. 30 Lakhs at the Foreign Post Office, Chennai and arrested a Mysore based person.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

In the latest incident, new variants of Ecstasy pills commonly known as ‘Frosch’ and ‘Lamborghini’ have been seized by Customs Officials at the Foreign post office in Chennai.

In the latest incident, new variants of Ecstasy pills commonly known as ‘Frosch’ and ‘Lamborghini’ have been seized by Customs Officials at the Foreign post office in Chennai. There have been multiple thwarted attempts of Ecstasy pills coming into Chennai via Foreign post in the recent weeks. On suspicion of containing narcotic substances, Chennai Air Customs had detained two postal parcels suspected which arrived from the Netherlands. On examination, first parcel was found to contain 490 green-colored pills suspected to be MDMA, a narcotics substance. These pills are commonly known as ‘Frosch’ have a smiley on one side and contain around 160 mg of MDMA. The second parcel was found to contain 50 orange pills embossed with a bull logo, similar to that of the supercar brand. These pills are known as “Lamborghini” and contain around 200 mg of MDMA. The seized pills are extremely potent as they contain a very high dosage of MDMA. Dosage above 120 mg is considered to be high and can be fatal. Total 540 MDMA pills valued at Rs 16 lakhs were recovered and seized under the NDPS Act, 1985. MDMA is commonly known as Ecstasy, a party drug that alters mood and perception and is chemically similar to both stimulants and hallucinogens which produce feelings of increased energy and pleasure. The parcels were addressed to two different persons in the city. As a follow-up action, officials carried out searches at the addresses and detained two persons to ascertain their role in smuggling. “During the lockdown period, the availability of alcohol and drugs have come down and we have been maintaining a strict vigil. In recent times most of the Ecstasy drug parcels have come from Europe as that is the hub of illegal MDMA pill manufacture. In terms of the pills, Netherlands are said to offer the best quality and these drugs are very common among youth in Europe. These are popular party drugs that are even used by teenagers in certain countries” Customs Commissioner, Rajan Choudhary told WION. During the recent weeks(Including the 17-day lockdown in Chennai) there has been a spurt in Ecstasy seizures. Four parcels containing highly potent drugs had been seized over the last few weeks. The combined value of these four drug parcels(excluding the latest), all of which contained variants of ecstasy are Rs.26 lakhs. In March this year, Air Customs had seized ecstasy pills worth Rs. 30 Lakhs at the Foreign Post Office, Chennai and arrested a Mysore based person.

Ecstasy pill variants ‘Frosch’ and ‘Lamborghini’ worth Rs 16 lakhs seized in Chennai

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