Europa. New gangs 'Uberise' Europe's cocaine supply and bring more violence  Rising production from Latin America has led groups from North Africa and the Balkans to change the drug trade, EU agency says. (Guardian, UK, 14.12.2018) https://ww…

USA. Drug wholesalers drove fentanyl's deadly rise, study shows -- Cheap, plentiful drug entered wholesale markets following heroin supply shocks Fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid implicated in nearly 29,000 overdose deaths in the United States…

Inside the Mafia-Run Cocaine Network Shattered by European Police A two-year investigation culminated this week with 90 arrests, splitting wide open a mafia coalition that trafficked drugs to Europe from across the world. Here’s how the clans…

USA. US: Bar Owner ‘Mama Jo,’ 70, Charged With Running Million-Dollar Fencing Ring  Police in Michigan broke up a long-running fencing operation that allegedly paid heroin addicts to steal goods ranging from guns and liquor to ceil…

USA. Drug wholesalers drove fentanyl's deadly rise, report concludes Fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid implicated in nearly 29,000 overdose deaths in the United States last year, most likely spread because of heroin and prescription pill shorta…

Lesotho. Marijuana, mountains and money: How Lesotho is cashing in Lesotho is aiming to make money from the booming medicinal marijuana industry, but the BBC's Vumani Mkhize says the southern African nation already has an unheralded illicit trade i…