Andrej Babiš announces crackdown on kratom and synthetic drugs

Prime Minister Andrej Babiš has announced a major crackdown on the illegal sale of kratom and synthetic drugs following a nationwide inspection. The operation, known as ‘Korund’, involved multiple agencies and resulted in the seizure of approximately 500,000 products, including cannabis, hashish, and kratom. Authorities reported that 63 percent of the 1,000 inspected locations violated the law, with 90 percent of analyzed samples containing dangerous synthetic psychoactive substances. Proposed measures include raising the minimum age for kratom purchases from 18 to 21 and banning online sales.

In separate political developments, the Czech government is facing tension over the state budget. President Petr Pavel vetoed a controversial amendment to budget laws, citing concerns over the long-term sustainability of public finances and the potential for uncontrolled government spending. The government intends to override this veto. Additionally, Babiš has addressed environmental concerns by announcing the renewal of the National Coalition Against Drought, though critics have questioned the timing and marketing nature of his response to the ongoing water shortages.