drug trafficking
'El Chapo' lawyer says drug lord a scapegoat at start of US trial
A lawyer for accused Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman told a New York jury in opening remarks that his client was a scapegoat for the real leader of Mexico's Sinaloa…
In The Papers
El Chapo trial: Defence strategy to 'divide jury' rather than prove innocence
IN THE PAPERS - Monday, November 5: We look at the Iranian papers as US sanctions go into effect. We also look at how the US midterms could change the national political…
Massive 'El Chapo' drugs trial begins in New York
Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman goes on trial in New York on Monday, accused of running the world’s biggest drug cartel and spending a quarter of a century smuggling more than 155 tons…
Reporters
Colombia: Cursed by coca in Catatumbo
While the United Nations on Wednesday announced that Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine producer, our reporters visited the northeastern region of Catatumbo - one of…
Mexican authorities discover 166 bodies in mass grave
Mexican authorities discovered at least 166 bodies at a mass grave site in Veracruz state, prosecutors said Thursday, the latest horrifying find in a region hit by bloody drug…
Reporters
Forced disappearances in Mexico's drug war
Since 2006, when the Mexican military began to intervene in the country's war on drug trafficking, tens of thousands of people have gone missing. Have they been killed, sold to…
Drug smuggler returns to France after 18 years in Indonesian custody
A Frenchman detained for 18 years after trying to smuggle drugs into Bali arrived in Geneva on Sunday and was on his way home after being deported in a case that sparked outrage…
Focus
Mexican presidential frontrunner Obrador promises controversial amnesty plan
On Sunday, Mexicans will elect a new president. Andrés Manuel López Obrador is widely expected to win the poll. This would be a historic moment for Mexico, where the left has…
The Debate
Mexico swings left: Firebrand Lopez Obrador tipped for historic win
He likes to call himself a "high-risk politician." No, we're not talking about Donald Trump, but the man who come Sunday could become Mexico's first-ever left-wing president.…
Suspect arrested in killing of Mexican journalist
The alleged perpetrator behind the murder of Mexican journalist Javier Valdez—a long-time AFP collaborator killed in May 2017 -- is in police custody, Interior Minister Alfonso…
Tramadol: Cameroon’s low-budget opioid crisis
Today’s Focus report takes us to Cameroon where we look at a growing addiction to opioids. Readily available on the black market, one of the most abused substances, Tramadol, is…
Focus
Andalusia, the gateway to Europe for cannabis
More than 70% of cannabis in circulation in Europe transits through Andalusia, in southern Spain. The drug is transported from Morocco on speedboats across the Strait of…