Who is Faisal Taghi, alleged drug kingpin extradited from UAE to Netherlands? The UAE and the Netherlands have an extradition treaty, though another alleged drug trafficker sought by the European country was recently released from Emirati custody. United Arab Emirates
Saudi's latest drug bust: thousands of narcotics tablets, 760 pounds of qat Saudi Arabia is a major destination for the amphetamine Captagon, though seizures have decreased recently due to more enforcement in transit countries like Jordan, according to a recent report. Saudi Arabia
Lebanon-Venezuela kingpin detained in Turkey's 'third largest' cocaine bust The Turkish Interior Minister reported some 1,340 pounds of cocaine seized in the operation, which also included the arrest of 13 people. Turkey
Jordan arrests dozens in crackdown against drug smuggling from Syria Dozens of people were arrested inside Jordan, as the kingdom ramps up efforts to fight drug smuggling attempts mainly on the border with Syria. Jordan
Why are foreign mobsters, drug gangs attracted to Turkey? A wave of foreign mobster violence in Turkey has raised alarm that the country has become a safe haven for criminal kingpins from the region and beyond. Turkey
Smugglers find new ways to bring drugs into Gaza Smugglers in the Gaza Strip are using new and unconventional methods to bring in narcotics hidden inside various goods, as local authorities struggle to stop them amid lack of equipment due to the Israeli siege. Palestine
Palestinians blame Israel for Gaza drug trade Gaza is experiencing a surge in illegal drug trafficking, addiction and crime. Palestine
Narcotic sales on rise in Syria Syrians are trying to escape deteriorating economic conditions and security pressures from government forces in the regime-controlled areas by resorting to tranquilizers and sedatives. Syria
Traffickers use refugees to smuggle drugs from Iran to Turkey There are growing claims and indications that refugees illegally crossing the Iranian-Turkish border, the route of an exodus from Afghanistan to the West, are forced to smuggle drugs by their traffickers. Turkey
Iraqi soldiers killed in desert operation as drug busts surge Massive amounts of drugs are being smuggled across Iraqi borders while a large anti-terrorism operation including Iran-linked forces and US-led coalition support continues. Iraq
Another Captagon bust in Saudi Arabia as drug war continues The discovery of more than 3 million pills of the drug in Dammam on the Persian Gulf is at least the fourth bust in Saudi Arabia this year. Saudi Arabia
Reports of poppy in chocolates rattle Egypt Controversy has swept across Egypt after statements made by a former Egyptian official revealed that there are chocolates in the Egyptian market containing a small percentage of a narcotic substance. Egypt
Jordanian forces shoot alleged drug smugglers on snowy border with Syria There has been a series of large drug busts in the Middle East recently. Jordan
Drug dealers in Gaza risk Hamas military trials Hamas in the Gaza Strip has come under criticism for referring civilians accused of drug use and traficking to the military judiciary. Palestine
Drug use surges in opposition-controlled areas in northwest Syria Security forces in the countryside of Aleppo are combating the spread of narcotic substances, amid growing demands for cooperation by the Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army factions. Syria
Mobster’s claims turn spotlight to new cocaine route via Turkey A spree of rattling allegations by a Turkish mobster has brought into focus the increase in cocaine trafficking in Turkey and its domestic and international ramifications. Turkey
