Drug Trafficking

Egyptian broadcaster and influencer sentenced to death after gang, drug convictions

Sara Khalifa, 39, was convicted along with 11 other members of the criminal organization after authorities uncovered drug laboratories hidden in two apartments in Egypt’s capital.

Sara Khalifa
Former police officer Ha Minh Duc (L) and Nguyen Van Hung (2nd R) are seen during a hearing at the People's Court in Hanoi on July 1, 2025. A Vietnam court sentenced 11 people to death on July 2, including two police officers, after finding them guilty of trafficking drugs over the border from Laos.

Vietnam court sentences 11 to death in major drug trafficking case, state media reports

A US Navy aircrew member gives a thumbs-up inside an MV-22 Osprey aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) while the ship is moored in Honolulu, Hawaii, during Exercise RIMPAC (Rim of the Pacific) 2026 on July 17, 2026.

US Southern Command strike kills two alleged narco-terrorists in Eastern Pacific

An Iranian policeman holds up a package of seized Afghan-made drugs during a media tour in the southeastern city of Zahedan, on July 19, 2011; illustrative

UN helped Iran expand anti-drug crackdown despite execution concerns


Jordan carries out airstrikes in Syria, signaling frustration over border security - analysis

Two rounds of Jordanian airstrikes hit smuggling targets in southern Syria, underscoring Amman’s demand for stronger action against drug gangs operating near its border.

A Jordanian flag flies over the capital city, Amman, Jordan August 17, 2025.

Jordanian army strikes near Sweida after intercepting arms, drugs smugglers near border

The Jordanian Armed Forces carried out airstrikes near Sweida, Syria, targeting smuggler factories used for operations into Jordan, after coordination with "regional partners."

Jordanian troops ride their military vehicles during a parade at a ceremony to celebrate the country's 74th Independence Day within a limited number of activities amid the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Amman, Jordan May 25, 2020; illustrative.

US Southern Command targets narco-traffickers in international waters

"Intelligence confirmed that the vessels were transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and were engaged in narco-trafficking," the military said in a post on X.

The top deck of US Navy's USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier, with fighter jets, December 1, 2025; illustrative.

Any country trafficking drugs into US 'subject to attack,' says Trump

The Trump administration launched an offensive on alleged drug-trafficking boats in the Caribbean and Pacific in recent months, killing dozens through targeted missile strikes.

US President Donald Trump attends a cabinet meeting with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth at the White House in Washington, DC, US, December 2, 2025.

Trump pardons former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernandez

"After nearly four years of pain, waiting, and difficult trials, my husband, Juan Orlando Hernandez, returned to being a free man," said Hernandez's wife, Ana Garcia.

Honduras' President Juan Orlando Hernandez speaks during a joint message with US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) acting Secretary Chad Wolf (not pictured), at the Presidential House in Tegucigalpa, Honduras January 9, 2020.

White House says Hegseth approved strikes on Venezuela boat, defends actions as legal

The White House says Pete Hegseth approved strikes on a Venezuelan vessel as lawmakers question the legality of the operation.

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth arrives at the US Capitol ahead of a briefing with members of Congress in Washington, DC, US, November 5, 2025.

US to launch new phase of Venezuela ops., including possible plan to overthrow Maduro, sources say

US officials say Washington is moving toward a new phase of action against Venezuela, as military pressure and covert options against the Maduro government remain on the table.

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro gestures on the day of a march marking Venezuelan Student Day, in Caracas, Venezuela, November 21, 2025.

Lebanon arrests Middle East drug kingpin Noah Zaiter, two years after US sanctions

The Lebanese army detains Noah Zaitar after years of evading arrest, amid intensified raids on drug traffickers.

Noah Zaitar, a Lebanese national wanted over alleged drug trafficking

Trump says US may open talks with Venezuela's Maduro amid massive military buildup

President Trump hints at potential talks with Venezuelan leader Maduro as the US escalates military presence in the Caribbean amid ongoing anti-drug operations.

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro holds a miniature of the Venezuelan constitution on the day he meets with Caribbean parliamentarians from 14 countries to sign a peace agreement in the region, amid rising tensions with the US, at Miraflores Palace in Caracas, Venezuela, October 31, 2025.

US designates Venezuela's Cartel de los Solas as terror organization

"Neither Maduro nor his cronies represent Venezuela’s legitimate government," the US State Department said.

 A coast guard boat of the Venezuelan Navy operates off the Caribbean coast on the day Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro says that Venezuela would deploy military, police, and civilian defenses at 284 "battlefront" locations across Venezuela, amid heightened tensions with the US, Sept. 11, 2025.