World
UN warns of surge in new synthetic drugs, cocaine, and methamphetamine
A United Nations report reveals a global drug market explosion with unprecedented increases in new synthetic drugs, cocaine, and methamphetamine, as criminal gangs exploit geopolitical instability to expand markets. The UNODC report highlights a fivefold increase in drug types discovered in 2024 compared to four years ago, with 755 novel psychoactive substances in circulation. The Taliban's opium ban in Afghanistan has spurred a shift toward synthetic opioids like fentanyl, while methamphetamine trafficking grows 13% annually and cocaine production reaches record highs.