Myanmar burns seized narcotics to mark World Drug Day

STORY: Myanmar burns seized narcotics to mark World Drug Day SHOOTING TIME: June 26, 2024 DATELINE: June 27, 2024 LENGTH: 00:00:43 LOCATION: YANGON, Myanmar CATEGORY: SOCIETY/LAW SHOTLIST: 1. various of the event (source: MRTV) STORYLINE: Myanmar authorities on Wednesday burnt seized narcotics in Yangon, Mandalay, Taunggyi and over 20 townships to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the Information Team of the State Administration Council reported. A total of 77 kinds of narcotics and chemicals were burnt on the occasion, the report said. The burnt narcotics included 1,366 kg of opium, 2,178 kg of heroin, 239 million stimulant tablets, 23,393 kg of ICE, 1,775 kg of kratom powder, 1,257 kg of cannabis, 4,165 kg of ketamine and 12 kg of brown opium powder, it said. In his World Drug Day message, Chairman of the State Administration Council Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said Myanmar is facing challenges related to opium poppy cultivation, synthetic drug producti

20 tonnes of drugs destroyed in Afghanistan

STORY: 20 tonnes of drugs destroyed in Afghanistan SHOOTING TIME: April 23, 2024 DATELINE: April 25, 2024 LENGTH: 00:01:44 LOCATION: Kabul CATEGORY: OTHERS SHOTLIST: 1. various of Afghan security force members in preparation for burning illicit drugs and the objects used in manufacturing drugs, in Kabul 2. SOUNDBITE (Pashto): MUFTI AHMADULLAH AHMADI, Head of counter-narcotics police 3. various of the ceremony of setting on fire illicit drugs and the objects used in manufacturing drugs STORYLINE: The Afghan caretaker government held a ceremony on Tuesday to set on fire a huge quantity of illicit drugs and the objects used in manufacturing drugs on the outskirts of the capital city of Kabul. More than 20 tonnes of illicit drugs including 635 kg of heroin were set on fire publicly. SOUNDBITE (Pashto): MUFTI AHMADULLAH AHMADI, Head of counter-narcotics police "The counter-narcotics police have conducted more than 22,000 operations and arrested more than 9,000 individuals on the charge of involvement in drug

British crime boss arrested in Türkiye

STORY: British crime boss arrested in Türkiye SHOOTING TIME: Dec. 6, 2023 DATELINE: Dec. 7, 2023 LENGTH: 0:00:31 LOCATION: ISTANBUL, Türkiye CATEGORY: POLITICS/LAW SHOTLIST: 1. various of the arrest operation 2. pic of Shaun Monaghan under arrest STORYLINE: The Turkish police said Wednesday that a British armed gang leader was arrested for drug trafficking, arms smuggling and robbery during an operation in Türkiye's largest city Istanbul. Shaun Monaghan, wanted by an Interpol Red Notice, was detained in the operation dubbed Cage-16, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said on the social media X. According to the minister, Monaghan came to Türkiye in October and was captured at a hotel in the Fatih district of Istanbul on Tuesday, one day after Interpol issued the notice. Monaghan's group has been operating in northeast Britain, distributing large quantities of cocaine and heroin, as well as dealing in weapons and committing armed robbery, Yerlikaya said. Xinhua News Agency correspondents r

UGANDA-KAMPALA-NARCOTIC DRUGS-DESTRUCTION

UGANDA-KAMPALA-NARCOTIC DRUGS-DESTRUCTION

(231111) -- KAMPALA, Nov. 11, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Police officers check a pack of heroin during an event to destroy over 56 kilograms of seized narcotic drugs in Kampala, Uganda, Nov. 10, 2023. The Ugandan police and aviation authorities burnt more than 56 kg of illicit and narcotic drugs seized at Entebbe International Airport in the capital of Kampala from January 2020 to November 2023. (Photo by Nicholas Kajoba/Xinhua)

Turkish police seize over 1 ton of drugs

STORY: Turkish police seize over 1 ton of drugs SHOOTING TIME: Nov. 3, 2023 DATELINE: Nov. 4, 2023 LENGTH: 0:01:05 LOCATION: Ankara CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Turkish police anti-narcotic operations in Türkiye (courtesy of Turkish Interior Ministry) STORYLINE: Turkish security forces seized 1.1 tons of drugs in anti-narcotic operations across 44 provinces, the country's Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said Friday. A total of 176 suspects were detained in the operations involving 387 teams, 985 police officers, two aircraft, and 27 narcotic detection dogs, Yerlikaya said on social media X. The police seized 846 kg of methamphetamine, 223 kg of skunk, 11 kg of cocaine, 15 kg of marijuana, five kg of bonzai, 0.5 kg of heroin, 35,000 narcotic pills, 14 pistols, four rifles, and a large amount of money. Located at the conjunction of Asia and Europe, Türkiye has been grappling with international drug smuggling for many years. Turkish security forces frequently launch operations against drug dea

Police destroy drug lab, arrest possessor in north Afghanistan

STORY: Police destroy drug lab, arrest possessor in north Afghanistan DATELINE: July 14, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:26 LOCATION: SHEBERGHAN, Afghanistan CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of destroying a drug lab 2. SOUNDBITE (Dari): MOHAMMAD YOUNUS AKHUNDZADA, Provincial director for counter-narcotics police 3. various of destroying a drug lab STORYLINE: Police have discovered and destroyed a drug processing lab and arrested its owner in north Afghanistan's Jawzjan province, Mohammad Younus Akhundzada, the provincial director for counter-narcotics police, said Wednesday. SOUNDBITE (Dari): MOHAMMAD YOUNUS AKHUNDZADA, Provincial director for counter-narcotics police "After spotting the place by security personnel of Qushtepa district we launched operations today and destroyed the drug lab with all its facilities including bowls and barrels, we set fire to all." Similarly, in Dara-e-Suf district of Samanagan province, police discovered and destroyed a drug lab and objects used in manufacturing heroin on Tuesd

Cambodia burns down 5.71 tonnes of illicit drugs, ingredients

STORY: Cambodia burns down 5.71 tonnes of illicit drugs, ingredients DATELINE: June 28, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:11 LOCATION: Phnom Penh CATEGORY: OTHERS SHOTLIST: 1. various of destroying illicit drugs and ingredients in Phnom Penh STORYLINE: Cambodia on Wednesday destroyed 5.71 tonnes of illicit drugs and ingredients, officials said. Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sar Kheng set fire on the illicit drugs and substances at a ceremony held at the Diamond Island in the capital Phnom Penh. "This clearly demonstrates the government's strong commitment to preventing and cracking down on all forms of drug trafficking," he said. Kheng commended authorities at all levels for sparing no effort to suppress all kinds of drug crimes for the sake of the nation's peace, security, safety, public order and development. Phnom Penh Municipal Court's prosecutor Chreng Khmao said roughly 5.71 tonnes of illicit drugs and ingredients were destroyed at the event, and that those drugs included heroin, cocaine, methamph

Police arrest 93 alleged criminals in Afghanistan's eastern province

STORY: Police arrest 93 alleged criminals in Afghanistan's eastern province DATELINE: June 28, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:16 LOCATION: JALALABAD, Afghanistan CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of illicit drugs seized and alleged criminals arrested during the operations in Afghanistan's eastern Nangarhar province STORYLINE: Police in Afghanistan's eastern Nangarhar province have arrested 93 people on charge of involvement in criminal activities over the past month, deputy head of the provincial police department Mawlawi Tahir Mabariz said Monday. Addressing a press conference, the official added that six women and three children are also among the arrested people involved in illegal activities such as murder, robbery, mobile snatching, forgery, theft, drug smuggling, and creating law and order problems. During the operations, police also discovered and seized illicit drugs including heroin and hashish, as well as arms and ammunitions including seven pieces of AK-47 assault rifles and five pistols, the officia

Myanmar burns over 446 mln USD worth of seized narcotic drugs

STORY: Myanmar burns over 446 mln USD worth of seized narcotic drugs DATELINE: June 27, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:23 LOCATION: YANGON, Myanmar CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the drug burning ceremony in Yangon STORYLINE: Myanmar destroyed more than 446 million U.S. dollar worth of narcotic drugs seized from around the country to mark the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on Monday, police said. The seized illegal drugs and precursor chemicals were ceremonially burnt in the Southeast Asian country's three major cities of Yangon, Mandalay, and Taunggyi, it said. Myanmar's authorities destroyed 36 kinds of narcotic drugs worth nearly 208 million dollars in Yangon, 34 kinds of drugs worth over 69 million dollars in Mandalay, and 75 kinds of drugs worth over about 170 million dollars in Taunggyi, respectively. Last year, narcotic drugs and precursor chemicals worth over 642 million dollars were also burnt in the three places. The destroyed drugs included heroin, op

Afghan police destroy drug processing lab, arrest 2 in Badakhshan province

STORY: Afghan police destroy drug processing lab, arrest 2 in Badakhshan province DATELINE: Jan. 7, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:00 LOCATION: Kabul CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Afghan police on duty on the streets STORYLINE: The Afghan counter-narcotics police destroyed a drug processing lab and arrested two persons on the charge of involvement in the drug business in Afghanistan's northern Badakhsahn province on Wednesday, reported the state-run Bakhtar news agency (BNA) on Thursday. Acting on a tip-off, the units of counter-narcotic police launched an operation in Argo district of Badakhshan province on Wednesday, discovering and destroying a drug processing lab and arresting two persons from the site, the news agency reported. According to the media outlet, the police had also uncovered a huge number of materials used in manufacturing heroin from the site. Afghan authorities have intensified their crackdown on illicit drugs and those involved in the underground business as security person

4 Japanese arrested on suspicion of heroin smuggling

4 Japanese arrested on suspicion of heroin smuggling

NARITA, Japan - A Narita airport customs office official on Jan. 9 shows some of the 16.7 kilograms of heroin which four Japanese men attempted to smuggle from Laos to Australia in Dece,ber 2002. The men were arrested while in transit at Narita airport.

4th paroled Japanese returns from Australia

4th paroled Japanese returns from Australia

NARITA, Japan - Chika Honda (2nd from R), one of two remaining Japanese tourists out of five imprisoned in Australia for the past 10 years for smuggling heroin, was released on parole and arrived at Narita airport on Nov. 18. Honda's arrival followed the return of three others two weeks ago. The five Japanese have long pleaded their innocence and maintain they did not know the heroin was in their luggage.

3 convicted Japanese traffickers return from Australia

3 convicted Japanese traffickers return from Australia

NARITA, Japan - Kichiro Asami (L), Masaharu Katsuno (C) and his brother Mitsuo speak to reporters at Narita airport, northeast of Tokyo, on Nov. 7 after arriving there from Australia. They were released on parole after being imprisoned for the past 10 years on charges of smuggling heroin into Australia. They have claimed they were falsely charged because their interpreter was inadequate.

G-8 begins Miyazaki confab on drug crime

G-8 begins Miyazaki confab on drug crime

MIYAZAKI, Japan - Officials and experts from the Group of Eight (G-8) major countries kicked off a conference Dec. 13 in Miyazaki, southwestern Japan, to reinforce cooperation in cracking down on crimes related to illegal drugs such as stimulants and heroin. Representatives from the U.N. International Drug Control Program also attended the meeting, which is to follow up on July's G-8 summit in Okinawa.

Narcotics burned in Thailand in antidrug show

Narcotics burned in Thailand in antidrug show

BANGKOK, Thailand - Bags of drugs are piled up in Bang Pa In, Ayutthaya Province, some 60 kilometers north of Bangkok, to be destroyed by fire June 28 to commemorate the 24th World Anti-Narcotics Day. Thai authorities said a total of 1.5 tons of illicit drugs, including 13 million amphetamine tablets, 250 kilograms of heroin, 107 kg of opium and 4.6 kg of Ecstasy, were destroyed.

Afghan police destroy drug lab, arrest 6 in Kunduz province

STORY: Afghan police destroy drug lab, arrest 6 in Kunduz province DATELINE: Dec. 12, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:23 LOCATION: Kabul CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of police on duty in northern Kunduz province, Afghanistan STORYLINE: Afghan counter-narcotics police destroyed a drug processing lab and arrested six people on charge of involvement in the drug business in Afghanistan's northern Kunduz province Saturday, provincial head for information and culture Matiullah Rohani said. "Acting on a tip-off, the units of counter-narcotic police launched an operation in Nikpay village of Khanabad district in the wee hours of Saturday, destroying the lab and arrested six persons from the site," Ruhani told reporters here. The police had also uncovered a huge number of materials used in manufacturing heroin from the possessions of the arrested suspects, the official said. Afghan authorities have intensified their crackdown on illicit drugs and those involved in the underground business as security perso

Drug addiction, another U.S. legacy in Afghanistan

STORY: Drug addiction, another U.S. legacy in Afghanistan DATELINE: Sept. 11, 2022 LENGTH: 00:02:26 LOCATION: Kabul CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the Jangalak Hospital 2. SOUNDBITE (Dari): SHAH AGHA, Former U.S. company truck driver 3. various of Afghans destroying poppy fields 4. SOUNDBITE (Dari): ABU BAKR, Drug addict 5. SOUNDBITE (Dari): MOHAMMAD DAWOD JAIHON, Head of Jangalak Hospital STORYLINE: For 12 years, Shah Agha, 42, drove trucks for a U.S. company transporting supplies for U.S. forces. Life as a trucker was an endless road of pain and suffering. He was under constant fear of violence, both from Afghan militias attacking coalition convoys and for his service as a driver for occupying forces. SOUNDBITE (Dari): SHAH AGHA, Former U.S. company truck driver "As a driver for U.S. forces, and to forget my daily fears on the roads and highways, I used to smoke heroin. There were constant problems. I had to use something to forget my suffering. I got addicted 12 years ago, and have been hos

Nigeria destroys over half a million kg of seized illicit drugs

STORY: Nigeria destroys over half a million kg of seized illicit drugs DATELINE: Aug. 5, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:11 LOCATION: LAGOS, Nigeria CATEGORY: LAW SHOTLIST: 1. various of agents of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency destroying seized drugs STORYLINE: Nigeria's National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Thursday burned down more than 560,000 kilograms of illicit drugs in Lagos state, the country's economic hub, the largest of its kind to be destroyed in the 32-year history of the anti-drug agency. Speaking at a ceremony held in the Badagry area of Lagos state, Mohamed Buba Marwa, chairman of the NDLEA, said the drugs to be destroyed were part of the 3.5 million kilograms of illicit drugs seized across the country since January 2021, including cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, cannabis sativa, among others. Marwa said the exercise sends a strong message to drug barons and cartels that "they will continue to lose their huge investments in the criminal trade if they fail to back out and loo

Myanmar burns seized drugs in 3 cities to mark world drug day

STORY: Myanmar burns seized drugs in 3 cities to mark world drug day DATELINE: June 27, 2022 LENGTH: 00:05:00 LOCATION: YANGON, Myanmar CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the burning of drugs STORYLINE: Myanmar ceremonially burnt seized narcotic drugs in the cities of Yangon, Mandalay and Taunggyi on Sunday, marking the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. In Yangon, 33 kinds of narcotic drugs and precursor chemicals worth over 356.68 billion kyats (192.6 million U.S. dollars), which were seized in the lower part of Myanmar, were destroyed on Sunday morning. The destroyed drugs included heroin, cannabis, stimulant, methamphetamine and ecstasy among others in connection with 5,914 drug cases. In Mandalay, 25 kinds of narcotic drugs and chemicals worth over 316.77 billion kyats (171 million U.S. dollars) were destroyed. In Taunggyi, 58 kinds of narcotic drugs worth over 515.36 billion kyats (278.3 million U.S. dollars) were burnt on Sunday. Home Affairs Minister Lieutenan

AFGHANISTAN-HERAT-CHECKPOINT

AFGHANISTAN-HERAT-CHECKPOINT

(220530) -- HERAT, May 30, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Photo taken on May 30, 2022 shows a checkpoint in Herat province, Afghanistan. Police have discovered 9 kg of heroin in Afghanistan's western Herat province and taken two alleged drug smugglers into custody, the state-run Bakhtar news agency reported Sunday. (Photo by Mashal/Xinhua)

AFGHANISTAN-HERAT-CHECKPOINT

AFGHANISTAN-HERAT-CHECKPOINT

(220530) -- HERAT, May 30, 2022 (Xinhua) -- An Afghan security force member searches a man at a checkpoint in Herat province, Afghanistan on May 30, 2022. Police have discovered 9 kg of heroin in Afghanistan's western Herat province and taken two alleged drug smugglers into custody, the state-run Bakhtar news agency reported Sunday. (Photo by Mashal/Xinhua)

AFGHANISTAN-HERAT-CHECKPOINT

AFGHANISTAN-HERAT-CHECKPOINT

(220530) -- HERAT, May 30, 2022 (Xinhua) -- An Afghan security force member searches a vehicle at a checkpoint in Herat province, Afghanistan on May 30, 2022. Police have discovered 9 kg of heroin in Afghanistan's western Herat province and taken two alleged drug smugglers into custody, the state-run Bakhtar news agency reported Sunday. (Photo by Mashal/Xinhua)

Afghan farmers switch to strawberry planting amid poppy ban

STORY: Afghan farmers switch to strawberry planting amid poppy ban DATELINE: April 20, 2022 LENGTH: 00:02:02 LOCATION: KANDAHAR, Afghanistan CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various shots of Strawberry fields in Kandahar province 2. SOUNDBITE1 (Pashto): MOHAMMAD ALLAH NURI, Agriculture official 3. various shots of Strawberry fields and a shop in Kandahar province 4. SOUNDBITE1 (Dari): AZIZ AHMAD AHMADI, Farmer 5. various shots of Strawberry fields and a shop in Kandahar province STORYLINE: Afghanistan's Kandahar, Helmand and Zabul provinces have always been close to the heart of the world's opium, and later heroin, trade. Poppy cultivation has been outlawed, but not for the first time. Almost every government in Afghanistan's war-torn history has tried to do the same. The perennial problems the country's leaders face are very few means of alternative ways of making a living in the undeveloped mountains, and that the profits of the trade are simply much more than are to be found in other, legal, pursuits.

Taliban supreme leader bans poppy cultivation in Afghanistan

STORY: Taliban supreme leader bans poppy cultivation in Afghanistan DATELINE: April 4, 2022 LENGTH: 00:02:04 LOCATION: Kabul CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the press conference 2. SOUNDBITE (Dari): ZABIHULLAH MUJAHID, Chief spokesman of Afghanistan's caretaker government 3. various of street views in Kabul 4. various of poppy fields STORYLINE: The Taliban supreme leader Haibatullah Akhundzada on Sunday banned in a decree the cultivation of opium poppy and trade of opium in Afghanistan, the Taliban-led caretaker government confirmed. SOUNDBITE (Dari): ZABIHULLAH MUJAHID, Chief spokesman of Afghanistan's caretaker government "As per the decree of the supreme leader of Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), all Afghans are informed that from now on, cultivation of poppy has been strictly prohibited across the country. In addition, the usage, transportation, trade, export and import of all types of narcotics such as alcohol, heroin, tablet K (street name for a drug with stimulant effects that often

Police in south China seize 7 kg of heroin

STORY: Police in south China seize 7 kg of heroin DATELINE: Feb. 26, 2022 LENGTH: 00:00:50 LOCATION: NANNING, China CATEGORY: OTHERS SHOTLIST: 1. various of the anti-drug operation STORYLINE: Police in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region have busted a trans-border drug trafficking racket that involved seven drug dealers and six drug addicts, as well as 7 kg of heroin, Guangxi's Chongzuo Border Management Detachment said on Saturday. The case is under further investigation. Police in Guangxi have recently launched a joint anti-drug operation in border areas. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Nanning, China. (XHTV)

4 Japanese arrested on suspicion of heroin smuggling

4 Japanese arrested on suspicion of heroin smuggling

NARITA, Japan - A Narita airport customs office official on Jan. 9 shows some of the 16.7 kilograms of heroin which four Japanese men attempted to smuggle from Laos to Australia in Dece,ber 2002. The men were arrested while in transit at Narita airport. (Kyodo)

Engel & Joe (2001)

Engel & Joe (2001)

Robert Stadlober Characters: Engel Film: Engel & Joe (2001) Director: Vanessa Jopp 24 September 2001 Date: 24 September 2001

The Heroin Gang - film (1968)

The Heroin Gang - film (1968)

David Mccallum Film: The Heroin Gang (1968) Director: Brian G Hutton 07 February 1968 Date: 07-Feb-68

The Heroin Gang - film (1968)

The Heroin Gang - film (1968)

Telly Savalas, Stella Stevens, Pat Hingle & David Mccallum Characters: Emil Dietrich,Stacey Woodward,Harry Mitchell & Sol Madrid Film: The Heroin Gang (1967) Director: Brian G Hutton 07 February 1968 Date: 07-Feb-68

The Heroin Gang - film (1968)

The Heroin Gang - film (1968)

David Mccallum & Stella Stevens Characters: Sol Madrid & Stacey Woodward Film: The Heroin Gang (1968) Director: Brian G Hutton 07 February 1968 Date: 07-Feb-68

The Heroin Gang - film (1968)

The Heroin Gang - film (1968)

Stella Stevens & David Mccallum Characters: Stacey Woodward & Sol Madrid Film: The Heroin Gang (1968) Director: Brian G Hutton 07 February 1968 Date: 07-Feb-68

The Heroin Gang - film (1968)

The Heroin Gang - film (1968)

David Mccallum Film: The Heroin Gang (1968) Director: Brian G. Hutton 07 February 1968 Date: 07-Feb-68

The Heroin Gang - film (1968)

The Heroin Gang - film (1968)

David Mccallum Characters: Sol Madrid Film: The Heroin Gang (1966) Director: Brian G. Hutton 07 February 1968 Date: 07-Feb-68

The Heroin Gang - film (1968)

The Heroin Gang - film (1968)

David Mccallum Catches Fish Film: The Heroin Gang (1968) Director: Brian G. Hutton 07 February 1968 Date: 07-Feb-68

The Heroin Gang - film (1968)

The Heroin Gang - film (1968)

David Mccallum & Telly Savalas Characters: Sol Madrid & Emil Dietrich Film: The Heroin Gang (1969) Director: Brian G. Hutton 07 February 1968 Date: 07-Feb-68

WHO'LL STOP THE RAIN

WHO'LL STOP THE RAIN

WHO'LL STOP THE RAIN [US 1978] aka DOG SOLDIERS GAIL STRICKLAND, MICHAEL MORIARTY Date: 1978

SLC PUNK

SLC PUNK

SLC PUNK MATTHEW LILLARD as Steveo, MICHAEL A. GOORJIAN as Heroin Bob Date: 1998

WHO'LL STOP THE RAIN?

WHO'LL STOP THE RAIN?

WHO'LL STOP THE RAIN? [US 1978] AKA DOG SOLDIERS TUESDAY WELD AND NICK NOLTE DRUGS - HEROIN COPYRIGHT: UNITED ARTISTS Date: 1978

4th paroled Japanese returns from Australia

4th paroled Japanese returns from Australia

NARITA, Japan - Chika Honda (2nd from R), one of two remaining Japanese tourists out of five imprisoned in Australia for the past 10 years for smuggling heroin, was released on parole and arrived at Narita airport on Nov. 18. Honda's arrival followed the return of three others two weeks ago. The five Japanese have long pleaded their innocence and maintain they did not know the heroin was in their luggage. (Kyodo)

3 convicted Japanese traffickers return from Australia

3 convicted Japanese traffickers return from Australia

NARITA, Japan - Kichiro Asami (L), Masaharu Katsuno (C) and his brother Mitsuo speak to reporters at Narita airport, northeast of Tokyo, on Nov. 7 after arriving there from Australia. They were released on parole after being imprisoned for the past 10 years on charges of smuggling heroin into Australia. They have claimed they were falsely charged because their interpreter was inadequate. (Kyodo)

G-8 begins Miyazaki confab on drug crime

G-8 begins Miyazaki confab on drug crime

MIYAZAKI, Japan - Officials and experts from the Group of Eight (G-8) major countries kicked off a conference Dec. 13 in Miyazaki, southwestern Japan, to reinforce cooperation in cracking down on crimes related to illegal drugs such as stimulants and heroin. Representatives from the U.N. International Drug Control Program also attended the meeting, which is to follow up on July's G-8 summit in Okinawa.

Narcotics burned in Thailand in antidrug show

Narcotics burned in Thailand in antidrug show

BANGKOK, Thailand - Bags of drugs are piled up in Bang Pa In, Ayutthaya Province, some 60 kilometers north of Bangkok, to be destroyed by fire June 28 to commemorate the 24th World Anti-Narcotics Day. Thai authorities said a total of 1.5 tons of illicit drugs, including 13 million amphetamine tablets, 250 kilograms of heroin, 107 kg of opium and 4.6 kg of Ecstasy, were destroyed.