One might wonder what's common between Muammar &nbsp;Gaddafi and ecstasy pills, but a recent haul of the party drug bearing the visage of the late Libyan leader is bringing to focus Libya's emerging role as a narcotics hub. Authorities of the north African nation recently seized about 100,000 ecstasy pills moulded in the shape of Gaddafi’s face, hair and famous Bedouin robes. The shipment came by sea from an unnamed European country, reported Reuters and other outlets.<h2>How the Gaddafi-shaped ecstasy shipment was seized</h2>The reports said that security agents received a tip-off that a gang planned to move the drugs by sea, and tracked the shipment until it reached a Libyan port. Officers intercepted a cargo van and found the pills hidden inside, said Al Rada for Combating Terrorism and Organised Crime. About 100,000 XTC pills were seized and suspects referred to prosecutors. The pills were brown and moulded with Gaddafi’s distinctive features.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pakistan-plays-mediator-in-libya-even-as-internal-turmoil-grows-1783447906410/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/pakistan-plays-mediator-in-libya-even-as-internal-turmoil-grows-1783447906410/embed</a><h2>After Gaddafi's death, Libya became a transit hub for synthetic drugs</h2>Gaddafi was one of the last-standing dictators who fell in the wake of the Arab Spring-inspired protests of 2010-11. He was captured and killed by rebel fighters helped by US-led NATO forces in October 2011. Since his death, Libya has been ravaged by instability and civil conflict.Currently, it is a de facto divided state, with the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity controlling the west, and forces linked to Khalifa Haftar in the east and much of the south.Amid this, the narcotic underworld appears to have grown. The seizure of ‘Gaddafi pills’ highlights Libya’s growing role as a transit hub for synthetic drugs and other narcotics moving across Africa, Europe, the Middle East and beyond.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sarah-khalifa-death-sentence-egypt-drug-case-1788703881351">Egyptian TV presenter Sarah Khalifa sentenced to death in major drug case</a><h2>Libya, the regional narco hub: From cannabis to cocaine and synthetics</h2>The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said in a report this January that Libya had become a major transit hub for synthetic drugs and other narcotics. Trafficking networks have exploited Libya’s fragmented governance, porous borders, long coastline and weak institutions.Cannabis resin, cocaine, MDMA/ecstasy, Captagon and illicitly sourced pharmaceuticals are moving through Libya. The trafficking networks connect suppliers in the Americas with markets in Western and South-Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa.Cocaine shipments now arrive directly from Ecuador, Colombia and Brazil at Libyan ports. Consignments move through West African ports and overland routes across Niger and Chad.In 2024, &nbsp;cocaine seizures in Libya were estimated to have street value of up to $7.8 million.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/love-lies-narcotics-police-uncover-plot-to-frame-newlywed-husband-in-kashmir-1786372376796">Love, lies &amp; narcotics: Police uncover plot to frame newlywed husband in Kashmir</a><h2>Ecstasy, pharmaceuticals and synthetic drugs surge in Libya</h2>This is not the first time in recent years that synthetic drugs were seized in Libya. In March 2023, authorities seized 1.7 million ecstasy tablets at Misrata port in five second-hand cars aboard a commercial vessel. Another 600,300 tablets were later seized from the same vessel at Benghazi.Pharmaceutical trafficking is also widespread, with more than 4 million tramadol pills seized in 2023. Benghazi authorities found 15 million pregabalin tablets in 2023 and another 8.6 million in January 2024, having a combined black-market retail value of around &nbsp;$34.5 million.<h2>Libya, a new narco state in the making?</h2>Over the past decade, Libyan ports such as Misrata, Benghazi, al-Khoms and Tobruk have become key entry and redistribution points.Drug trafficking in Libya is slowly becoming a lucrative, albeit dangerous industry, if one goes by the reports. The clandestine industry overlaps with migrant smuggling. Proceeds from narcotics are fuelling firearms trafficking and illicit currency markets. Armed groups are being strengthened, further weakening Libya’s national institutions. &nbsp;

The recent seizure of ecstasy pills moulded with Muammar Gaddafi’s face highlights Libya's growing role as a transit hub for synthetic drugs moving between Europe, Africa and the Americas. Is the strife-torn north African nation turning into a narco-state?

One might wonder what's common between Muammar Gaddafi and ecstasy pills, but a recent haul of the party drug bearing the visage of the late Libyan leader is bringing to focus Libya's emerging role as a narcotics hub. Authorities of the north African nation recently seized about 100,000 ecstasy pills moulded in the shape of Gaddafi’s face, hair and famous Bedouin robes. The shipment came by sea from an unnamed European country, reported Reuters and other outlets. How the Gaddafi-shaped ecstasy shipment was seized The reports said that security agents received a tip-off that a gang planned to move the drugs by sea, and tracked the shipment until it reached a Libyan port. Officers intercepted a cargo van and found the pills hidden inside, said Al Rada for Combating Terrorism and Organised Crime. About 100,000 XTC pills were seized and suspects referred to prosecutors. The pills were brown and moulded with Gaddafi’s distinctive features. https://www.wionews.com/videos/pakistan-plays-mediator-in-libya-even-as-internal-turmoil-grows-1783447906410/embed After Gaddafi's death, Libya became a transit hub for synthetic drugs Gaddafi was one of the last-standing dictators who fell in the wake of the Arab Spring-inspired protests of 2010-11. He was captured and killed by rebel fighters helped by US-led NATO forces in October 2011. Since his death, Libya has been ravaged by instability and civil conflict. Currently, it is a de facto divided state, with the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity controlling the west, and forces linked to Khalifa Haftar in the east and much of the south. Amid this, the narcotic underworld appears to have grown. The seizure of ‘Gaddafi pills’ highlights Libya’s growing role as a transit hub for synthetic drugs and other narcotics moving across Africa, Europe, the Middle East and beyond. Also read: Egyptian TV presenter Sarah Khalifa sentenced to death in major drug case Libya, the regional narco hub: From cannabis to cocaine and synthetics The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said in a report this January that Libya had become a major transit hub for synthetic drugs and other narcotics. Trafficking networks have exploited Libya’s fragmented governance, porous borders, long coastline and weak institutions. Cannabis resin, cocaine, MDMA/ecstasy, Captagon and illicitly sourced pharmaceuticals are moving through Libya. The trafficking networks connect suppliers in the Americas with markets in Western and South-Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Cocaine shipments now arrive directly from Ecuador, Colombia and Brazil at Libyan ports. Consignments move through West African ports and overland routes across Niger and Chad. In 2024, cocaine seizures in Libya were estimated to have street value of up to $7.8 million. Also read: Love, lies & narcotics: Police uncover plot to frame newlywed husband in Kashmir Ecstasy, pharmaceuticals and synthetic drugs surge in Libya This is not the first time in recent years that synthetic drugs were seized in Libya. In March 2023, authorities seized 1.7 million ecstasy tablets at Misrata port in five second-hand cars aboard a commercial vessel. Another 600,300 tablets were later seized from the same vessel at Benghazi. Pharmaceutical trafficking is also widespread, with more than 4 million tramadol pills seized in 2023. Benghazi authorities found 15 million pregabalin tablets in 2023 and another 8.6 million in January 2024, having a combined black-market retail value of around $34.5 million. Libya, a new narco state in the making? Over the past decade, Libyan ports such as Misrata, Benghazi, al-Khoms and Tobruk have become key entry and redistribution points. Drug trafficking in Libya is slowly becoming a lucrative, albeit dangerous industry, if one goes by the reports. The clandestine industry overlaps with migrant smuggling. Proceeds from narcotics are fuelling firearms trafficking and illicit currency markets. Armed groups are being strengthened, further weakening Libya’s national institutions.

The recent seizure of ecstasy pills moulded with Muammar Gaddafi’s face highlights Libya's growing role as a transit hub for synthetic drugs moving between Europe, Africa and the Americas. Is the strife-torn north African nation turning into a narco-state?

‘Gaddafi ecstasy pills’ highlight Libya’s growing role in drug trafficking in Africa, Europe and beyond

In a first, Chennai Air Customs officials have seized synthetic drug tablets that have come in from France. Based on intelligence, officials had detained a postal parcel suspected to contain narcotics substance, which arrived from at the Foreign Post Office. On examination it was found to contain MDMA tablets worth Rs 4 lakhs.&nbsp;

The parcel which contained a plastic pouch carried pink-colored tablets suspected to be MDMA, a narcotic substance. This particular variant of the tablet is known as ‘ACAB Pig’. ACAB is an acronym of a derogatory term and is used as a slogan used in protests, graffiti, tattoos and other imagery. The pills themselves were in the shape of a cartoon pig. Senior officials said that this was the first time that this variant of MDMA pills were being seized, that too from France.&nbsp;

Reports from the UK state that authorities urge public to exercise extra caution with such pills which are shaped like cartoons. This is done as children may chance upon the harmful substances by accident and consume them considering them to be sweets. There have been many instances where such pills with a cartoon shape have been seized in various countries.&nbsp;

130 MDMA pills valued at 5445USD or Rs 4 lakhs were recovered and seized under the NDPS Act, 1985. The seized tablets contain around 250mg of MDMA which is a very high dose. The parcel arrived from Poulainville, a town in Northern France and was consigned to an address in Chennai city. Searches at the apartment did not yield results are the apartment was locked and was said to have been unoccupied since the lockdown.

In a first, Chennai Air Customs officials have seized synthetic drug tablets that have come in from France. Based on intelligence, officials had detained a postal parcel suspected to contain narcotics substance, which arrived from at the Foreign Post Office.

In a first, Chennai Air Customs officials have seized synthetic drug tablets that have come in from France. Based on intelligence, officials had detained a postal parcel suspected to contain narcotics substance, which arrived from at the Foreign Post Office. On examination it was found to contain MDMA tablets worth Rs 4 lakhs. The parcel which contained a plastic pouch carried pink-colored tablets suspected to be MDMA, a narcotic substance. This particular variant of the tablet is known as ‘ACAB Pig’. ACAB is an acronym of a derogatory term and is used as a slogan used in protests, graffiti, tattoos and other imagery. The pills themselves were in the shape of a cartoon pig. Senior officials said that this was the first time that this variant of MDMA pills were being seized, that too from France. Reports from the UK state that authorities urge public to exercise extra caution with such pills which are shaped like cartoons. This is done as children may chance upon the harmful substances by accident and consume them considering them to be sweets. There have been many instances where such pills with a cartoon shape have been seized in various countries. 130 MDMA pills valued at 5445USD or Rs 4 lakhs were recovered and seized under the NDPS Act, 1985. The seized tablets contain around 250mg of MDMA which is a very high dose. The parcel arrived from Poulainville, a town in Northern France and was consigned to an address in Chennai city. Searches at the apartment did not yield results are the apartment was locked and was said to have been unoccupied since the lockdown.

MDMA pills from France with derogatory sign ‘ACAB’ seized at Chennai, worth $5445

The US on Friday booked five Chinese foreign nationals and two Chinese entities under the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act.

"The Department of State joins the Department of the Treasury in announcing the designation of five People`s Republic of China foreign nationals — Ji Songyan, Zhan Longbao, Cheng Guifeng, Zheng Guangfu, and Hu Qi — and two Chinese entities — Wuhan Livika Technology Co. Ltd., and Global United Biotechnology Inc. — for their support to and involvement in the international drug trafficking operations of Chinese synthetic opioid traffickers Zheng Fujing and Yan Xiaobing and the Zheng Drug Trafficking Organisation (DTO). These designations are made pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (Kingpin Act)," US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said at a press briefing.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/its-time-to-push-back-against-challenge-posed-by-china-pompeo-313923">Also read|&nbsp;It's time to push back against challenge posed by China: Pompeo</a>

In August 2019, the Department of the Treasury had identified PRC national Fujing Zheng and the Zheng DTO as important foreign narcotics traffickers pursuant to the Kingpin Act.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) also designated Guanghua Zheng, a PRC national, for his support to the Zheng DTO`s drug trafficking activities; Qinsheng Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., a Chinese entity, for being owned or controlled by Fujing Zheng; and Xiaobing Yan, a PRC national, as a significant foreign narcotics trafficker pursuant to the Kingpin Act.

"Today`s action is part of a continued whole-of-government effort to crack down on fentanyl and other synthetic opioids, trafficked from China, that have claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of Americans," Pompeo added.&nbsp;

The US on Friday booked five Chinese foreign nationals and two Chinese entities under the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act. "The Department of State joins the Department of the Treasury in announcing the designation of five People`s Republic of China foreign nationals — Ji Songyan, Zhan Longbao, Cheng Guifeng, Zheng Guangfu, and Hu Qi — and two Chinese entities — Wuhan Livika Technology Co.

The US on Friday booked five Chinese foreign nationals and two Chinese entities under the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act. "The Department of State joins the Department of the Treasury in announcing the designation of five People`s Republic of China foreign nationals — Ji Songyan, Zhan Longbao, Cheng Guifeng, Zheng Guangfu, and Hu Qi — and two Chinese entities — Wuhan Livika Technology Co. Ltd., and Global United Biotechnology Inc. — for their support to and involvement in the international drug trafficking operations of Chinese synthetic opioid traffickers Zheng Fujing and Yan Xiaobing and the Zheng Drug Trafficking Organisation (DTO). These designations are made pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (Kingpin Act)," US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said at a press briefing. Also read| It's time to push back against challenge posed by China: Pompeo In August 2019, the Department of the Treasury had identified PRC national Fujing Zheng and the Zheng DTO as important foreign narcotics traffickers pursuant to the Kingpin Act. The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) also designated Guanghua Zheng, a PRC national, for his support to the Zheng DTO`s drug trafficking activities; Qinsheng Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., a Chinese entity, for being owned or controlled by Fujing Zheng; and Xiaobing Yan, a PRC national, as a significant foreign narcotics trafficker pursuant to the Kingpin Act. "Today`s action is part of a continued whole-of-government effort to crack down on fentanyl and other synthetic opioids, trafficked from China, that have claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of Americans," Pompeo added.

Chinese foreign nationals, entities booked under Foreign Narcotics Act in US

Myanmar soldiers swooped on several illicit drug labs to seize nearly $27 million of narcotics, chemicals, and equipment, military newspaper The Myawady said Monday, the biggest bust so far this year.

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Photos showed hundreds of barrels, bags and other containers recovered in the operation in what is believed to be the world's largest methamphetamine producing nation.

Also see: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/myanmar-president-u-win-myint-calls-on-external-affairs-minister-jaishankar-283075">Myanmar President U Win Myint calls on External Affairs Minister Jaishankar</a>

Troops raided several sites over the weekend in Kutkai township of eastern Shan state after receiving a tip-off, the newspaper said.

They found around 18 million tablets, about 33 kilograms of heroin and 281 barrels of acids hidden in a ground pit alongside other equipment, including stoves, tablet-making machines, and vehicles.

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"It’s the biggest seizure this year," a police officer from the anti-drugs department told AFP, asking not to be named.

Myanmar's multi-billion dollar drug industry is centred in Shan in the country's east, where the poppy-covered hills also hide illicit production labs.

High-grade crystal meth -- often known as ice -- is smuggled out of the country to lucrative markets as far away as Seoul, Tokyo or Sydney.

Meanwhile, there is a booming regional market for lower quality tablets known as yaba that have also become increasingly popular within Myanmar.

A study by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime says that Southeast Asia's crime gangs are netting more than $60 billion a year -- a conservative estimate, according to experts -- thanks to a sophisticated smuggling and money-laundering operation.

Myanmar seized an estimated $374 million worth of drugs in 2019, according to figures by the anti-drugs department.

Myanmar soldiers swooped on several illicit drug labs to seize nearly $27 million of narcotics, chemicals, and equipment, military newspaper The Myawady said Monday, the biggest bust so far this year.

Myanmar soldiers swooped on several illicit drug labs to seize nearly $27 million of narcotics, chemicals, and equipment, military newspaper The Myawady said Monday, the biggest bust so far this year. Also read: Myanmar army clash with insurgents kills 5 Rohingyas Photos showed hundreds of barrels, bags and other containers recovered in the operation in what is believed to be the world's largest methamphetamine producing nation. Also see: Myanmar President U Win Myint calls on External Affairs Minister Jaishankar Troops raided several sites over the weekend in Kutkai township of eastern Shan state after receiving a tip-off, the newspaper said. They found around 18 million tablets, about 33 kilograms of heroin and 281 barrels of acids hidden in a ground pit alongside other equipment, including stoves, tablet-making machines, and vehicles. × "It’s the biggest seizure this year," a police officer from the anti-drugs department told AFP, asking not to be named. Myanmar's multi-billion dollar drug industry is centred in Shan in the country's east, where the poppy-covered hills also hide illicit production labs. High-grade crystal meth -- often known as ice -- is smuggled out of the country to lucrative markets as far away as Seoul, Tokyo or Sydney. Meanwhile, there is a booming regional market for lower quality tablets known as yaba that have also become increasingly popular within Myanmar. A study by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime says that Southeast Asia's crime gangs are netting more than $60 billion a year -- a conservative estimate, according to experts -- thanks to a sophisticated smuggling and money-laundering operation. Myanmar seized an estimated $374 million worth of drugs in 2019, according to figures by the anti-drugs department.

Myanmar seizes drugs, equipment worth $27 million: Military

Dutch Olympic athlete Madiea Ghafoor has been sentenced to eight-and-a-half years in jail after 2 million pounds ($2.58 million) worth of ecstasy tablets and crystal meth were found in the boot of her car in Germany, DPA news agency has reported.

Ghafoor, 27, was stopped at a border check in Elten in June where 50kg of ecstasy, 2kg of crystal meth and 11,950 euros in cash were seized by police, the report said.

The athlete, who ran for the Netherlands in the 4x400m relay at the 2016 Olympic Games, pleaded not guilty to the charges at Kleve District Court and said she thought she was carrying doping materials, the German news agency said.

The Dutch Athletics Union said it was shocked by the case and would investigate Ghafoor’s claim concerning doping materials to ascertain who else might have been involved.

"We are stunned by the judgement," a statement on the organisation’s website said. "With the ruling of the German court, the Athletics Union rejects the actions of Ghafoor.

"The Athletics Union condemns any use or trade in doping or drugs and fully commits itself to the Dutch doping law.

"The case has been transferred to the Doping Authority to investigate the extent to which the doping legislation has been violated."

Ghafoor refused to reveal who she was transporting the drugs for and said she feared for the safety of her family, DPA said.

Dutch Olympic athlete Madiea Ghafoor has been sentenced to eight-and-a-half years in jail after 2 million pounds ($2.58 million) worth of ecstasy tablets and crystal meth were found in the boot of her car in Germany, DPA news agency has reported.

Dutch Olympic athlete Madiea Ghafoor has been sentenced to eight-and-a-half years in jail after 2 million pounds ($2.58 million) worth of ecstasy tablets and crystal meth were found in the boot of her car in Germany, DPA news agency has reported. Ghafoor, 27, was stopped at a border check in Elten in June where 50kg of ecstasy, 2kg of crystal meth and 11,950 euros in cash were seized by police, the report said. The athlete, who ran for the Netherlands in the 4x400m relay at the 2016 Olympic Games, pleaded not guilty to the charges at Kleve District Court and said she thought she was carrying doping materials, the German news agency said. The Dutch Athletics Union said it was shocked by the case and would investigate Ghafoor’s claim concerning doping materials to ascertain who else might have been involved. "We are stunned by the judgement," a statement on the organisation’s website said. "With the ruling of the German court, the Athletics Union rejects the actions of Ghafoor. "The Athletics Union condemns any use or trade in doping or drugs and fully commits itself to the Dutch doping law. "The case has been transferred to the Doping Authority to investigate the extent to which the doping legislation has been violated." Ghafoor refused to reveal who she was transporting the drugs for and said she feared for the safety of her family, DPA said.

Dutch Olympic athlete jailed for drug trafficking

Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested five people and seized 129 kilograms of drugs along with over Rs one crore in cash from their possession.

The ATS has arrested them from Mumbai on Monday and Tuesday. According to the police, three accused have been sent to custody till September 16 while two others will be produced in court on Wednesday.&nbsp;

"ATS team had conducted search yesterday and today and we have seized 129 kilograms of MD drug. Initially, we had recovered 9 kilograms of drugs and later during or investigation we had also recovered one factory premise in Navi Mumbai, where the search is still underway. We had recovered another 120 kilograms of drugs from there which makes a total os 129 kilograms of drugs," said a police official while addressing a presser.

"We have also recovered Rs 1 crore 4 lakh in cash from the factory premise.

According to the information we have received, this network was operating on a large scale in Mumbai.

These are one of the main suppliers of drugs in the city. They used to handle everything from manufacturing to supplying," he added.

The police are further probing the case and trying to search for other connections in this network.

Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested five people and seized 129 kilograms of drugs along with over Rs one crore in cash from their possession. The ATS has arrested them from Mumbai on Monday and Tuesday.

Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested five people and seized 129 kilograms of drugs along with over Rs one crore in cash from their possession. The ATS has arrested them from Mumbai on Monday and Tuesday. According to the police, three accused have been sent to custody till September 16 while two others will be produced in court on Wednesday. "ATS team had conducted search yesterday and today and we have seized 129 kilograms of MD drug. Initially, we had recovered 9 kilograms of drugs and later during or investigation we had also recovered one factory premise in Navi Mumbai, where the search is still underway. We had recovered another 120 kilograms of drugs from there which makes a total os 129 kilograms of drugs," said a police official while addressing a presser. "We have also recovered Rs 1 crore 4 lakh in cash from the factory premise. According to the information we have received, this network was operating on a large scale in Mumbai. These are one of the main suppliers of drugs in the city. They used to handle everything from manufacturing to supplying," he added. The police are further probing the case and trying to search for other connections in this network.

Mumbai: 5 arrested with 129 kg drugs, over Rs 1 crore cash

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