Jim Adams and 30-year-old Tricia Adams have been charged federally with the illegal sale of Schedule II prescription narcotics consisting primarily of Oxycontin, Percocet and Hydrocodone.
The FBI says undercover agents bought drugs from Jim Adams, a former employee of the Sierra Army Depot. It says Tricia Adams served as the main supplier of the drugs while continuing to work at the depot.Also arrested were 25-year-old Jacob Lahr of Doyle, and 29-year-old Markey Walker, and 41-year-old Jerry Goodman both of Susanville. The FBI says they face unspecified state charges.
Saturday, 30 August 2008
Charles Bowman and William Baugh Officials found over 100 hydrocodone pills and 3 quarters of a pound of compressed marijuana in the suspects' vehicle
Charles Bowman of Buckhannon, and 41-year-old William Baugh of Weston were stopped on Route 50 east of Parkersburg Thursday.Officials found over 100 hydrocodone pills and 3 quarters of a pound of compressed marijuana in the suspects' vehicle.
"We're sitting at the crossroads of 50 and I-77," Sheriff Ken Merritt says, "and we are doing interdiction on the highways, and this will continue."
Both Bowman and Baugh were arrested on charges of possession of marijuana with the intent to deliver, possession of hydrocodone with the intent to deliver.. and conspiracyMeanwhile, Parkersburg city police say the area's narcotics task force arrested a Columbus man Thursday on drug charges.Quentin DeVaughn Davis is charged with delivery and intent to deliver, and is being held on $250,000 bond.
Chief Gerald Board says 20 grams of crack cocaine and a large amount of money was seized in the raid."Other arrests are pending," Chief Board says. "It's an ongoing investigation; it's been going on for for quite some time. We do expect more arrests out of it."Davis was arrested at a Beverly Street residence. He could eventually face federal drug charges.
"We're sitting at the crossroads of 50 and I-77," Sheriff Ken Merritt says, "and we are doing interdiction on the highways, and this will continue."
Both Bowman and Baugh were arrested on charges of possession of marijuana with the intent to deliver, possession of hydrocodone with the intent to deliver.. and conspiracyMeanwhile, Parkersburg city police say the area's narcotics task force arrested a Columbus man Thursday on drug charges.Quentin DeVaughn Davis is charged with delivery and intent to deliver, and is being held on $250,000 bond.
Chief Gerald Board says 20 grams of crack cocaine and a large amount of money was seized in the raid."Other arrests are pending," Chief Board says. "It's an ongoing investigation; it's been going on for for quite some time. We do expect more arrests out of it."Davis was arrested at a Beverly Street residence. He could eventually face federal drug charges.
David Scott Kiger sentenced to eight years.
David Scott Kiger, 26, Rushville, faced Judge Matt Headley for his sentencing. Following a brief hearing, Headley gave Kiger eight years. Of that eight years, he will serve six, to be broken up into three years in the prison and three years on home detention. Kiger was charged with a Class C felony for his part in smuggling marijuana, cocaine and cell phones into the penal facility where he was employed.
A plea agreement was approved in the case because of Kiger's cooperation as the fact that he had no prior criminal convictions. Kiger's wife took the stand and told the court to consider giving her husband a second chance. She said Kiger was the sole caretaker for his family including his wife, child, mother and grandmother while his father is serving in Iraq. Kiger told the court that he was coerced into the smuggling act after he and his family were threatened by gangs with outside sources.
He said he had smuggled contraband into the prison no more than five times. Headley countered by saying Kiger was probably taught how to deal with such situations during his first week of job training at the prison.
In March, Kiger was caught conducting a drug deal in Cloverdale and was arrested by Indiana State Police. At that time, he was charged with one count of dealing cocaine over 3 grams, one count of possession of cocaine over 3 grams, one count of dealing in marijuana under 30 grams, one count of possession of marijuana under 30 grams, one count of dealing in a schedule II controlled substance, one count of possession of a schedule II controlled substance, one count of trafficking with an offender and one count of neglect of a dependant due to his child being in the car with him when he conducted the offence .Kiger was to report to Putnam County Jail at noon on Thursday to begin his incarceration.
A plea agreement was approved in the case because of Kiger's cooperation as the fact that he had no prior criminal convictions. Kiger's wife took the stand and told the court to consider giving her husband a second chance. She said Kiger was the sole caretaker for his family including his wife, child, mother and grandmother while his father is serving in Iraq. Kiger told the court that he was coerced into the smuggling act after he and his family were threatened by gangs with outside sources.
He said he had smuggled contraband into the prison no more than five times. Headley countered by saying Kiger was probably taught how to deal with such situations during his first week of job training at the prison.
In March, Kiger was caught conducting a drug deal in Cloverdale and was arrested by Indiana State Police. At that time, he was charged with one count of dealing cocaine over 3 grams, one count of possession of cocaine over 3 grams, one count of dealing in marijuana under 30 grams, one count of possession of marijuana under 30 grams, one count of dealing in a schedule II controlled substance, one count of possession of a schedule II controlled substance, one count of trafficking with an offender and one count of neglect of a dependant due to his child being in the car with him when he conducted the offence .Kiger was to report to Putnam County Jail at noon on Thursday to begin his incarceration.
Deanisha L. Rutherford,pleaded guilty Thursday to attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance and promoting prison contraband.
Deanisha L. Rutherford, 22, of 4104 Digney Ave., pleaded guilty Thursday to attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance and promoting prison contraband. Her sentencing was scheduled for Oct. 30. District Attorney Jon E. Budelmann said she was paid $100 to carry the heroin. The charges carry a prison sentence of up to seven years behind bars, but Rutherford, a middle school tutor in the Bronx, was promised a sentence of shock probation in return for her guilty pleas. Shock probation calls for Rutherford to serve six months in the county jail as part of a five-year sentence of probation. Leone reduced bail to $2,500 cash or $5,000 bond, and Rutherford's family posted bail later that day. Rutherford will stay with her 2-year-old daughter and mother in Boston. The judge warned her to be in court for sentencing or he will sentence her to seven years in prison.
Christian Renteria-Ley sold the heroin to Ryan Dean Russell, who then sold some of the illegal drug to Mary Gilliland.
32-year-old Mexican man has been sentenced to more than 11 years in federal prison for his role in the heroin overdose death of a Salem man two years ago.Federal prosecutors said Christian Renteria-Ley sold the heroin to Ryan Dean Russell, who then sold some of the illegal drug to Mary Gilliland.Her husband, 46-year-old Thomas Gilliland, died of an overdose after taking the drug in March 2006.Russell was sentenced to 87 months in prison for his role in the death, and Mary Gilliland was sentenced to 48 months.Anyone convicted of being in the chain of distribution of a drug that results in the death of another person could face life in prison under federal law.
Thursday, 28 August 2008
MacKenzie Phillips, 48, was arrested earlier today (August 27) at LAX International Airport
MacKenzie Phillips, 48, was arrested earlier today (August 27) at LAX International Airport for alleged possession of crack cocaine and heroin.Mackenzie Phillips has been busted at LAX for allegedly possessing heroin and cocaine. She’s in custody right now.At 10:00 AM, officers responded to Terminal 4, where 48-year-old Phillips was being screened by TSA. During the screening process, some baggies and balloons believed to contain heroin and cocaine were found
Samantha Krawshuk and others had bought heroin and paid for a hotel room in Avon after a trip to the pawn shop to unload the goods
Samantha Krawshuk, 19, of 2 Spoonwood Road, Canton, was charged by warrant with first-degree larceny and hindering prosecution after she gave police a false statement about the incident, blaming others who weren't involved, Lt. William Tyler said. Family members in Farmington reported to police July 12 that $13,200 in jewelry including a diamond engagement ring, an emerald ring, silver bracelets and necklaces and several other items were missing. Police were able to determine that Krawshuk and others had bought heroin and paid for a hotel room in Avon after a trip to the pawn shop to unload the goods in late July, Tyler said. Krawshuk gave police a written statement identifying who she believed was responsible for the crime, which investigators later determined pointed out people who weren't actually involved. She was also charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree larceny, interfering with an officer and second-degree making a false statement. She turned herself in to police early Wednesday and was held on $40,000 bond until her appearance in Hartford Superior Court later in the day. Tyler said more arrests are expected in the case.
Gian Singh Sandhu, 29, was convicted of cocaine possession for the purpose of trafficking and importing drugs
Gian Singh Sandhu, 29, was convicted of cocaine possession for the purpose of trafficking and importing drugs by a jury in Sarnia in November 2007. Justice John Desotti said the sentence was necessary to denounce and deter international drug smuggling. Sandhu was arrested July 25, 2003, at the Blue Water Bridge after three duffle bags containing 49 packages of cocaine were found in a transport truck sleeper compartment. The cocaine was described by one customs officer as the largest seizure in her 20-year career. It was 78-to-90 per cent pure and might have sold for $100 a gram on the street. Sandhu testified he knew nothing about the drug, but said a family member had travelled with him before he crossed the bridge. The trucker, a father of two young children, is a timid, docile person vulnerable to manipulation, according to a psychological report presented to the court. Drug couriers tend to be weak and vulnerable, federal prosecutor Michael Robb said during sentencing submissions. Desotti described Sandhu as “unsophisticated” and incapable of organizing the crime, but said such people are often used by traffickers. The sentence is a tragic outcome for a young man with no criminal record, he added.
Truck drivers are recruited because the volume of vehicles means few can be searched at the border for drugs. Loads of perishable produce are the most popular choice because they must be quickly processed, the court was told. Sandhu was hauling California strawberries. An OPP drug expert testified couriers can normally earn $1,000 for each kilogram smuggled.
Truck drivers are recruited because the volume of vehicles means few can be searched at the border for drugs. Loads of perishable produce are the most popular choice because they must be quickly processed, the court was told. Sandhu was hauling California strawberries. An OPP drug expert testified couriers can normally earn $1,000 for each kilogram smuggled.
Dillon O'Brien, from Clonsilla in Dublin, appeared in court alongside Thomas and Sean Hinchon, of St Ronan's Close, Clondalkin,
Dillon O'Brien, from Clonsilla in Dublin, appeared in court alongside Thomas and Sean Hinchon, of St Ronan's Close, Clondalkin, who are charged with similar offences.Wearing a beige v-neck jumper, a white shirt and dark trousers, prison officer Dillon O'Brien was told in court that these were extremely serious charges.
He is accused of 14 offences between January 2005 and March 2007, including charges of bringing vodka, mobile phones and a controlled drug, diamorphine, to prisoners at Mountjoy.One charge alleges that the prison officer conspired with Wayne Bradley and another person to supply cocaine to David Mulvey on March 12th last year.
The court heard this conspiracy charge alone carries a maximum sentence of 14 years.
The book of evidence has been served, Judge Denis McLoughlin granted legal aid for two counsel and the case has been sent forward to the next sitting of Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for trial.Two other men, Sean and Thomas Hinchon, have also been sent forward for trial on charges including allegations of conspiring with the prison officer.
He is accused of 14 offences between January 2005 and March 2007, including charges of bringing vodka, mobile phones and a controlled drug, diamorphine, to prisoners at Mountjoy.One charge alleges that the prison officer conspired with Wayne Bradley and another person to supply cocaine to David Mulvey on March 12th last year.
The court heard this conspiracy charge alone carries a maximum sentence of 14 years.
The book of evidence has been served, Judge Denis McLoughlin granted legal aid for two counsel and the case has been sent forward to the next sitting of Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for trial.Two other men, Sean and Thomas Hinchon, have also been sent forward for trial on charges including allegations of conspiring with the prison officer.
Abergil brothers, Yitzhak and Meir, were remanded in custody for 20 days yesterday pending a request by law enforcement in the United States
Abergil brothers, Yitzhak and Meir, were remanded in custody for 20 days yesterday pending a request by law enforcement in the United States for their extradition on murder charges. The Abergils, reputed heads of one of the most notorious crime syndicates in Israel, were brought before a Jerusalem Magistrate's Court judge along with Moshe Malul and Israeli Ozifa, who are also wanted in the U.S. for their alleged role in the killing of an Israeli drug dealer, Sami Atias. A fifth man, Sason Barashi, was also remanded in custody until the necessary investigation is completed and he may be released under house arrest. By law, the suspects may be remanded as many as 60 days in custody, by which point the U.S. law enforcement authorities need to present Israeli courts with a detailed request for the extradition of the five suspects. Police and prosecution sources have said that the extradition process may take as long as a year because of the various court deliberations and other bureaucratic requirements. For the first time yesterday,defense attorneys for the five suspects learned of the charges facing their clients in the U.S. The indictment includes four different crimes that are attributed to Yitzhak Abergil: involvement in the murder of Atias in California in 2003; trade in Ecstasy; extortion and violence against businessmen; and money laundering and fraud.
The 78-page document from the U.S. law enforcement authorities, detailing the charges against the five suspects, charges that Yitzhak Abergil and Malul were involved in the murder of Israeli drug dealer Atias in California in 2003. According to the document, hit men looked for Atias on orders from Abergil, who wanted to avenge Atias' attempt to steal a shipment of Ecstasy pills he was supposed to sell in the U.S. on behalf of Abergil and Malul.
Abergil and Malul are also charged with creating an organization that smuggled Ecstasy, cocaine and hashish from Europe to the United States. Malul and his brother are believed to have secured sources producing Ecstasy in Europe, raised the capital and arranged for the shipment of the drugs to California.
The 78-page document from the U.S. law enforcement authorities, detailing the charges against the five suspects, charges that Yitzhak Abergil and Malul were involved in the murder of Israeli drug dealer Atias in California in 2003. According to the document, hit men looked for Atias on orders from Abergil, who wanted to avenge Atias' attempt to steal a shipment of Ecstasy pills he was supposed to sell in the U.S. on behalf of Abergil and Malul.
Abergil and Malul are also charged with creating an organization that smuggled Ecstasy, cocaine and hashish from Europe to the United States. Malul and his brother are believed to have secured sources producing Ecstasy in Europe, raised the capital and arranged for the shipment of the drugs to California.
Gladisse Alexandra Molar arrested a Brazilian woman after finding a haul of three kilograms and 20 grams of cocaine in her possession.
Lebanese authorities on Thursday foiled an attempt to smuggle a huge quantity of cocaine through Beirut airport.
Airport security arrested a Brazilian woman after finding a haul of three kilograms and 20 grams of cocaine in her possession.The woman was identified as Gladisse Alexandra Molar.
Airport security arrested a Brazilian woman after finding a haul of three kilograms and 20 grams of cocaine in her possession.The woman was identified as Gladisse Alexandra Molar.
Quirino Paulino Castillo, charged with trafficking almost 1 400 kilos of cocaine into the US.
Quirino Paulino Castillo,charged with trafficking almost 1 400 kilos of cocaine into the US. This has been the biggest drug bust in the history of that country.
It has been reported that the group of 20 witnesses were formally notified by the local Ministry of Justice via a diplomatic note received by the DR Ministry of Foreign Relations. According to Nacional news, “Those people have been notified to declare not only in the Quirino case but in cases also being heard related to the Quirino case itself.”Castillo is a former captain of the DR and is allegedly the leader of a major drug trafficking organisation, which was responsible for smuggling tons of cocaine into the US. Castillo’s total assets amassed to somewhere in the neighbourhood of RD$2 billion. The ex-captain was arrested following the confiscation of 1,387 kilos of cocaine linked to him on December 19, 2004. The cocaine had an estimated street value of RD$900 million (approx. US$26 400). He was consequently extradited to the US for hearings of a drug-smuggling case in New Jersey. Castillo’s extradition is the first under a newly adopted criminal code in the DR, and was the result of a joint investigation between the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the DR Government’s National Direction for Drug Control and was sponsored by the US Organised Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force.
Meanwhile, during a hearing in the case held Monday 25, the owners of FAMA Shipping, located in Manhattan’s Amsterdam Avenue, Fátima HenrÃquez Diaz and Jose de Leon Ortega were given an opportunity to air their pleas. Both owners were extradited in connection with the Castillo proceedings.According to Nacional News, US federal prosecutors claimed they “have sufficient evidence that incriminate the defendants”. The trial is to begin on September 2 where the 20-plus witnesses would face the Manhattan’s South District Federal Court.
It has been reported that the group of 20 witnesses were formally notified by the local Ministry of Justice via a diplomatic note received by the DR Ministry of Foreign Relations. According to Nacional news, “Those people have been notified to declare not only in the Quirino case but in cases also being heard related to the Quirino case itself.”Castillo is a former captain of the DR and is allegedly the leader of a major drug trafficking organisation, which was responsible for smuggling tons of cocaine into the US. Castillo’s total assets amassed to somewhere in the neighbourhood of RD$2 billion. The ex-captain was arrested following the confiscation of 1,387 kilos of cocaine linked to him on December 19, 2004. The cocaine had an estimated street value of RD$900 million (approx. US$26 400). He was consequently extradited to the US for hearings of a drug-smuggling case in New Jersey. Castillo’s extradition is the first under a newly adopted criminal code in the DR, and was the result of a joint investigation between the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the DR Government’s National Direction for Drug Control and was sponsored by the US Organised Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force.
Meanwhile, during a hearing in the case held Monday 25, the owners of FAMA Shipping, located in Manhattan’s Amsterdam Avenue, Fátima HenrÃquez Diaz and Jose de Leon Ortega were given an opportunity to air their pleas. Both owners were extradited in connection with the Castillo proceedings.According to Nacional News, US federal prosecutors claimed they “have sufficient evidence that incriminate the defendants”. The trial is to begin on September 2 where the 20-plus witnesses would face the Manhattan’s South District Federal Court.
Tuesday, 26 August 2008
Douglas Albrightson, a crew member for an international airline, was arrested on Saturday at Cape Town International Airport
27-year-old Namibian man appeared in the Bellville magistrate's court on Wednesday on a drug possession charge.Police pokesperson Captain Dennis Adriao said Douglas Albrightson, a crew member for an international airline, was arrested on Saturday at Cape Town International Airport."He was stopped and searched by police who found 230 grams of cocaine with an estimated street value of R66 171 in his underpants."
Albrightson was remanded to September 3.Police have arrested a number of alleged drug mules at the airport in the past few weeks, Adriao said.
Albrightson was remanded to September 3.Police have arrested a number of alleged drug mules at the airport in the past few weeks, Adriao said.
Joseph Tyrell Sanders and Shamela Ashon Peele charged on August 22nd.
Joseph Tyrell Sanders of Plymouth and Shamela Ashon Peele of Brooklyn, New York were charged on August 22nd. Authorities tell us an investigator purchased 110 grams of cocaine from the two men. They were arrested immediately thereafter. The street value of the cocaine is roughly $11,000. Both men were confined under a $200,000 secured bond.
Maurice Terrill Robinson,was charged with two counts of felony possession of a Schedule II controlled substance (cocaine)
Maurice Terrill Robinson, 18, of the 700 block of Grover Street, was arrested Friday on cocaine and marijuana charges. Police also served a July 26 warrant for his arrest on another cocaine charge.Robinson was charged with two counts of felony possession of a Schedule II controlled substance (cocaine), misdemeanor simple possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance (marijuana), possession of drug paraphernalia and felony maintaining a vehicle, dwelling or place for a controlled substance.He was taken to Gaston County Jail on a $75,000 secured bond.
Alfonso "Fonnie" Caldwell faces a statutory mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years imprisonment, up to life, was in custody at the federal detention
Arrested Monday, Alfonso "Fonnie" Caldwell, 37, a former Chester resident, paroled murderer and drug "kingpin" who has eluded "hits" on his life since he was 19, had leased the unit at the Camden/Summit Valleybrook Apartments, according to a pair of federal indictments unsealed Monday.
The Concord apartment, as well as one on Daphne Street in West Philadelphia and a location on West Third Street in Chester, among others, aided Caldwell in running what Acting U.S. Attorney Laurie Magid called an international cocaine operation.
"The name Alfonso Caldwell is well-known to law enforcement," Magid said at a press conference Monday afternoon, announcing cocaine trafficking and money laundering offenses against Caldwell between October 2005 and September 2006.
"Caldwell was not some small-time drug operator," Magid said. "Tens of thousands of dollars were changing hands during drug transactions, money and drugs were being trucked across national borders, and stash houses were set up in residential neighborhoods in Philadelphia and Chester. Thankfully, we have shut down this drug operation."
Caldwell, who faces a statutory mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years imprisonment, up to life, was in custody at the federal detention center.
Authorities apprehended Caldwell early Monday without incident at his Delaware residence - a luxury home with decorative lawn topiaries and ornate hardscape.
Between 2003-2006, federal authorities said more than $500,000 passed through bank accounts attributable to Caldwell. During that same tax period, Caldwell reported "modest income."
In an interview with federal authorities in January 2008, Caldwell admitted that during 2005 and 2006, he paid about $1.5 million to the Mexican suppliers.
Monday night, a senior citizen who has resided at Camden/Summit Valleybrook Apartments for five years and asked not to be identified, said she is not surprised or shocked by much nowadays.
"But I think I would have been horrified to know that was going on," she said of the Mexican visitors two years ago.
When told of the elements described in the indictment, the woman said, "I've never seen anything like what you are describing.
"This is a very lovely area, very well-kept. There is a very strong working staff," she said.
Joining Magid at the press conference was Delaware County District Attorney G. Michael Green and Pennsylvania State Police Capt. David Young, as well as representatives from several federal agencies involved in the probe.
Both Magid and Green said the investigation is ongoing, though they declined to discuss any activities involving Caldwell since September 2006. In August 2006, Caldwell took a bullet in the arm but managed to dodge what Chester police at the time counted as the fifth attempted hit on his life.
Green noted the investigation leading to the indictments began when a Pennsylvania State Police trooper made a vehicle stop on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Somerset County, about 6 a.m. Sept. 20, 2006.
Confiscated following a search of the vehicle was four kilograms of cocaine - a purchase made the night before in Chester from Caldwell by the driver who is identified as L.W. in court papers.
Between October 2005 and September 2006, authorities alleged Caldwell made eight sales to L.W., totaling 11 kilograms of cocaine to L.W.
Caldwell - charging $20,000 for each kilogram - sold one and a half kilos of sham substance on one occasion. Those sales occurred primarily in Chester and Philadelphia.
On Sept. 30, 2006, Caldwell admitted to state police that L.W. was a cocaine customer, and he implicated another individual in several of the sales to L.W., the indictment states.
At the time, Caldwell gave consent to search a West Philadelphia apartment he used to store cocaine. With a key provided by Caldwell, troopers searched the apartment and confiscated multiple paraphernalia, $10,080 in cash, and four loaded pistols and a 12-gauge shotgun.
Caldwell also showed the troopers a hidden compartment in his vehicle that he used to transport money and cocaine, according to the documents.
Authorities allege that as early as 2006, Caldwell began receiving large shipments of cocaine and marijuana from his suppliers in Mexico. The suppliers used tractor-trailers to make the deliveries.
On some occasions, Caldwell paid the truck drivers for the cocaine. Other times, he paid the suppliers who traveled to Pennsylvania to collect the money from him.
In August 2006, authorities allege Caldwell received about 17 kilograms of coke and 250 pounds of marijuana from the Mexican suppliers. The Mexican suppliers arrived Aug. 1 and stayed at the Concord apartment.
Investigators saw the Mexican suppliers leaving the apartment Aug. 7. They had a large brown box with them. The suppliers drove to a Federal Express/Kinko's in Delaware, where they deposited the box for delivery. When searched, the box was found to contain a coffeepot. Inside the pot was $110,090, according to the indictment.
On Aug. 10, 2006, Caldwell took a bullet in the arm - just hours after three men were held for trial for trying to kill him and four state troopers in June 2006. Authorities in Chester suspected that years of bad blood between two rival drug organizations resurfaced when the drive-by hit on Caldwell outside a West End garage occurred, and failed.
Caldwell was 19 when he was shot twice in the neck as he stood talking with friends on a Chester street corner in 1991.
According to the indictment, Caldwell is currently on parole for a 1990 murder in Philadelphia. He was found guilty of murder as well as possessing an instrument of crime. He was sentenced to serve 10 to 20 years for the murder and two to five years for possessing an instrument of crime.
Assisting in the probe were members from the Drug Enforcement Administration, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division, the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area.
The Concord apartment, as well as one on Daphne Street in West Philadelphia and a location on West Third Street in Chester, among others, aided Caldwell in running what Acting U.S. Attorney Laurie Magid called an international cocaine operation.
"The name Alfonso Caldwell is well-known to law enforcement," Magid said at a press conference Monday afternoon, announcing cocaine trafficking and money laundering offenses against Caldwell between October 2005 and September 2006.
"Caldwell was not some small-time drug operator," Magid said. "Tens of thousands of dollars were changing hands during drug transactions, money and drugs were being trucked across national borders, and stash houses were set up in residential neighborhoods in Philadelphia and Chester. Thankfully, we have shut down this drug operation."
Caldwell, who faces a statutory mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years imprisonment, up to life, was in custody at the federal detention center.
Authorities apprehended Caldwell early Monday without incident at his Delaware residence - a luxury home with decorative lawn topiaries and ornate hardscape.
Between 2003-2006, federal authorities said more than $500,000 passed through bank accounts attributable to Caldwell. During that same tax period, Caldwell reported "modest income."
In an interview with federal authorities in January 2008, Caldwell admitted that during 2005 and 2006, he paid about $1.5 million to the Mexican suppliers.
Monday night, a senior citizen who has resided at Camden/Summit Valleybrook Apartments for five years and asked not to be identified, said she is not surprised or shocked by much nowadays.
"But I think I would have been horrified to know that was going on," she said of the Mexican visitors two years ago.
When told of the elements described in the indictment, the woman said, "I've never seen anything like what you are describing.
"This is a very lovely area, very well-kept. There is a very strong working staff," she said.
Joining Magid at the press conference was Delaware County District Attorney G. Michael Green and Pennsylvania State Police Capt. David Young, as well as representatives from several federal agencies involved in the probe.
Both Magid and Green said the investigation is ongoing, though they declined to discuss any activities involving Caldwell since September 2006. In August 2006, Caldwell took a bullet in the arm but managed to dodge what Chester police at the time counted as the fifth attempted hit on his life.
Green noted the investigation leading to the indictments began when a Pennsylvania State Police trooper made a vehicle stop on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Somerset County, about 6 a.m. Sept. 20, 2006.
Confiscated following a search of the vehicle was four kilograms of cocaine - a purchase made the night before in Chester from Caldwell by the driver who is identified as L.W. in court papers.
Between October 2005 and September 2006, authorities alleged Caldwell made eight sales to L.W., totaling 11 kilograms of cocaine to L.W.
Caldwell - charging $20,000 for each kilogram - sold one and a half kilos of sham substance on one occasion. Those sales occurred primarily in Chester and Philadelphia.
On Sept. 30, 2006, Caldwell admitted to state police that L.W. was a cocaine customer, and he implicated another individual in several of the sales to L.W., the indictment states.
At the time, Caldwell gave consent to search a West Philadelphia apartment he used to store cocaine. With a key provided by Caldwell, troopers searched the apartment and confiscated multiple paraphernalia, $10,080 in cash, and four loaded pistols and a 12-gauge shotgun.
Caldwell also showed the troopers a hidden compartment in his vehicle that he used to transport money and cocaine, according to the documents.
Authorities allege that as early as 2006, Caldwell began receiving large shipments of cocaine and marijuana from his suppliers in Mexico. The suppliers used tractor-trailers to make the deliveries.
On some occasions, Caldwell paid the truck drivers for the cocaine. Other times, he paid the suppliers who traveled to Pennsylvania to collect the money from him.
In August 2006, authorities allege Caldwell received about 17 kilograms of coke and 250 pounds of marijuana from the Mexican suppliers. The Mexican suppliers arrived Aug. 1 and stayed at the Concord apartment.
Investigators saw the Mexican suppliers leaving the apartment Aug. 7. They had a large brown box with them. The suppliers drove to a Federal Express/Kinko's in Delaware, where they deposited the box for delivery. When searched, the box was found to contain a coffeepot. Inside the pot was $110,090, according to the indictment.
On Aug. 10, 2006, Caldwell took a bullet in the arm - just hours after three men were held for trial for trying to kill him and four state troopers in June 2006. Authorities in Chester suspected that years of bad blood between two rival drug organizations resurfaced when the drive-by hit on Caldwell outside a West End garage occurred, and failed.
Caldwell was 19 when he was shot twice in the neck as he stood talking with friends on a Chester street corner in 1991.
According to the indictment, Caldwell is currently on parole for a 1990 murder in Philadelphia. He was found guilty of murder as well as possessing an instrument of crime. He was sentenced to serve 10 to 20 years for the murder and two to five years for possessing an instrument of crime.
Assisting in the probe were members from the Drug Enforcement Administration, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division, the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area.
Heshima Lawrence,was charged with possession of crack cocaine.
Heshima Lawrence, 34, was charged with possession of crack cocaine, possession with intent to sell, possession of less than four ounces of marijuana, and interfering with police. He was being held, with bail set at $100,000, pending an appearance Friday in Superior Court in Middletown. Police said they found Lawrence standing outside near his home when they went to serve the search warrant. Lawrence allegedly ran inside a house on Wetmore Place and tried to dump a large amount of crack cocaine down the sink, police said. Detectives on scene shocked Lawrence with a stun gun after a struggle, police said, and arrested him.When police tried to search Lawrence's home at 7 Longworth Ave., his neighbor, Alexander Daniels, 20, of 5 Longworth Ave., tried to stop them from entering, police said. Daniels was charged with interfering with police and is slated to appear in court on Sept. 4.
Anthony John Richard Lyons admitted importing drugs and possessing drugs with intent to supply at a Court of General Gaol
Anthony John Richard Lyons, 20, of Spring Valley Road, admitted importing drugs and possessing drugs with intent to supply at a Court of General Gaol Delivery on Friday. Rachael Braidwood, prosecuting, said the defendant returned from Liverpool by SeaCat at 9.45pm on April 30 having left the Island in the morning. He went to a house in Farmhill, before travelling by car to a campsite at Greeba, where he was arrested by police. Lyons told officers he was carrying drugs internally and was taken to hospital. A package containing 27.4 grammes of heroin, with a street value of £2,740, was recovered. Lyons told police he agreed to get the drugs because he had debts. He said he was asked by a man if he wanted to make a bit of money by going to Liverpool and bringing back some drugs. He said he met a man in Liverpool was given a small package for £600. Lyons said he was due to be paid £150 to £200 to meet his debts. Advocate Ian Kermode said the defendant collected the package with the intention of passing the drugs to a third party. The transaction did not take place so he did not benefit financially. Mr Kermode said Lyons believed he was nothing more than a drugs mule. Lyons had been very candid and honest with police and took full responsibility for his actions, which were reckless.
His rehabilitation had already begun, said Mr Kermode. Deemster Doyle told the defendant: 'You will have a second chance on your release from prison do not waste it. 'Stay away from drugs and prison. Defendants need to be aware that if they admit their guilt immediately they will get maximum credit, those who plead not guilty and are convicted will not.'
His rehabilitation had already begun, said Mr Kermode. Deemster Doyle told the defendant: 'You will have a second chance on your release from prison do not waste it. 'Stay away from drugs and prison. Defendants need to be aware that if they admit their guilt immediately they will get maximum credit, those who plead not guilty and are convicted will not.'
Sunday, 24 August 2008
Marques Holmes was arrested on one count of Class A felony dealing cocaine and two counts of Class B felony dealing cocaine.
Marques Holmes, 25, 924 W. Seventh St., was arrested on one count of Class A felony dealing cocaine and two counts of Class B felony dealing cocaine.At 3:45 p.m., Hollins was seen walking toward the entrance of a mobile home park near Indiana 212 and Tryon Road. He got into a vehicle and left the park. Officers Shane Washluske and Steven Bailey then stopped Hollins, and he was taken into custody without incident.Hollins, 22, 612 Carlon Court, was arrested on two counts of Class A dealing cocaine and one count of Class B felony dealing cocaine. He is serving an eight-year suspended sentence for Class B felony dealing cocaine. He was sentenced in October 2006 after pleading guilty.At 7:30 a.m., the Narcotics Division went to the home of Felicia Felix, 27, 606 Emily St., where she was taken into custody without incident on a warrant for possession of heroin as a Class D felony.
Huang Chih Huang, 34, was sentenced to 20 years in prison and fined 60 million riel
Huang Chih Huang, 34, was sentenced to 20 years in prison and fined 60 million riel, or about $15,000. Lin Hui Min, 17, and Wu Chia Hsun, 16, both women, received 12 years and fines of 40 million riel, about $10,000, each.The three are being held at Prey Sar prison, on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, following their arrest in December 2007 at Phnom Penh International Airport, when police confiscated heroin packets hidden under their clothes."The three confessed that they were hired to bring heroin from Cambodia to Taiwan," court deputy prosecutor Sok Kalyan said. "They are poor, and they did that for money."Lawyers for the three were not available for comment.
Center for Social Development court monitor Hang Charya said the three had confessed to transporting the drugs for money.Lor Ramin, secretary-general of the National Authority for Combating Drugs, said Friday that police were so far only able to arrest people who are hired to transport the drugs, instead of breaking up the organized crime network involved.Police are continuing the investigation into the drug network, but would require help from Interpol, Lor Ramin said.
Taiwanese groups committed some of the most drug trafficking in Cambodia, he said.
Center for Social Development court monitor Hang Charya said the three had confessed to transporting the drugs for money.Lor Ramin, secretary-general of the National Authority for Combating Drugs, said Friday that police were so far only able to arrest people who are hired to transport the drugs, instead of breaking up the organized crime network involved.Police are continuing the investigation into the drug network, but would require help from Interpol, Lor Ramin said.
Taiwanese groups committed some of the most drug trafficking in Cambodia, he said.
Shann Marshall, Brandon Quezergue,and Kinda Brown, arrested
Arrested were Shann Marshall, 23, Brandon Quezergue, 22, Brice Cherry, 27, and Kinda Brown, 22, the mother of the two-year-old boy. All were thought to be living in the apartment or staying there temporarily.Brown was arrested and released on a summons for simple possession. The others were booked with 21 drug possession counts in all and booked into St. Tammany Parish Jail with bonds in excess of $500,000.
All three men face possession with intent to distribute heroin, possession of drugs presence of a juvenile, monetary instrument abuse stemming from the counterfeit money, and possession of Xanax, marijuana and drug paraphernalia.Marshall and Quezergue were also booked with possession of hydrocodone, a powerful painkiller. In addition, Quezergue was booked with possession of a legend drug without a prescription for the drug Soma, a sedative.It was also unclear Wednesday how the suspects obtained the counterfeit money or how much has been circulated.
All three men face possession with intent to distribute heroin, possession of drugs presence of a juvenile, monetary instrument abuse stemming from the counterfeit money, and possession of Xanax, marijuana and drug paraphernalia.Marshall and Quezergue were also booked with possession of hydrocodone, a powerful painkiller. In addition, Quezergue was booked with possession of a legend drug without a prescription for the drug Soma, a sedative.It was also unclear Wednesday how the suspects obtained the counterfeit money or how much has been circulated.
Ruben Rios Estrada, nicknamed "El Pit," a reputed enforcer for the Arellano Felix cartel.
Ruben Rios Estrada, nicknamed "El Pit," a reputed enforcer for the Arellano Felix cartel. He was dragged from a bingo table and flown to Mexico City to face possible racketeering charges, Mexican law enforcement sources said.Rios narrowly escaped arrest last week after his convoy outran dozens of police cars in a wild chase across Tijuana, according to media reports. Police were sharply criticized by the local media for allegedly allowing him to escape.Friday's raid, which took place just after midnight, was carried out by more than 20 agents from Mexico's top organized-crime unit, known by its acronym, SIEDO, said a Mexican federal law enforcement official. The agency is a branch of the federal attorney general's office that investigates drug smuggling and has a reputation for honesty among U.S. law enforcement officials.
The unit is dispatched from Mexico City, often to arrest high-ranking organized-crime figures who allegedly are protected by local authorities. The Mexican military provided some support in the raid, said Duarte, the general.Rios, who rarely traveled without a large security detail, was unarmed when he was arrested. His bodyguards apparently were intimidated by the show of force, said a Mexican state law enforcement official who was not authorized to speak to the news media.
Another alleged cartel figure, whose identity was not released, was also arrested, Duarte said.The Agua Caliente racetrack is the showcase property of former Tijuana Mayor Jorge Hank Rhon, a gambling tycoon who owns off-track betting parlors across Mexico. Hank's company, El Grupo Caliente, complained that the raid caused panic among the 1,300 gamblers, though it said it supported authorities' efforts against organized crime.
The unit is dispatched from Mexico City, often to arrest high-ranking organized-crime figures who allegedly are protected by local authorities. The Mexican military provided some support in the raid, said Duarte, the general.Rios, who rarely traveled without a large security detail, was unarmed when he was arrested. His bodyguards apparently were intimidated by the show of force, said a Mexican state law enforcement official who was not authorized to speak to the news media.
Another alleged cartel figure, whose identity was not released, was also arrested, Duarte said.The Agua Caliente racetrack is the showcase property of former Tijuana Mayor Jorge Hank Rhon, a gambling tycoon who owns off-track betting parlors across Mexico. Hank's company, El Grupo Caliente, complained that the raid caused panic among the 1,300 gamblers, though it said it supported authorities' efforts against organized crime.
Perry Ingomar Toornstra, 28, is serving 15 years after he was found guilty of importing over 4,000 ecstasy pills and 460 LSD trips in 2000.
Perry Ingomar Toornstra, 28, is serving 15 years after he was found guilty of importing over 4,000 ecstasy pills and 460 LSD trips in 2000.On 6 December 2004 he received a package from abroad which contained toiletries and a packet of marsh mellows. A police sergeant, who inspected the package in the presence of the prisoner, noticed that a soap tube was oozing cream and realised that it was not properly sealed. He kept squeezing the container and three capsules fell out of the tube. Toornstra tried swallowing the capsules and was only prevented from doing so following a scuffle with the sergeant.Tests on the capsules revealed that the contained a total weight of 30 grams of cocaine.
Toornstra later told the police that he was expecting the drug, yet he was only expecting four or five grammes. He said that the drug was for his personal use and he could make 20 grammes of pure cocaine from the 30 grammes he was sent.
The court, presided over by Magistrate Lawrence Quintano said that although a considerable amount of cocaine was found in Toornstra’s possession, “the circumstances of the case leave a luring doubt as to whether the defendant had an intention to pass the cocaine to other persons.”In handing down his judgment, Magistrate Quintano also took into consideration “the way it (cocaine) was going to be introduced in a correctional facility where every effort is being made to control the inflow of drugs”.Thus he found Toornstra guilty of possessing cocaine and jailed him for nine months and fined him e600.
Toornstra later told the police that he was expecting the drug, yet he was only expecting four or five grammes. He said that the drug was for his personal use and he could make 20 grammes of pure cocaine from the 30 grammes he was sent.
The court, presided over by Magistrate Lawrence Quintano said that although a considerable amount of cocaine was found in Toornstra’s possession, “the circumstances of the case leave a luring doubt as to whether the defendant had an intention to pass the cocaine to other persons.”In handing down his judgment, Magistrate Quintano also took into consideration “the way it (cocaine) was going to be introduced in a correctional facility where every effort is being made to control the inflow of drugs”.Thus he found Toornstra guilty of possessing cocaine and jailed him for nine months and fined him e600.
Saturday, 23 August 2008
Juan Carlos Ramirez Abadia aka Lollypop was extradited to the United States on Friday to face racketeering charges
Colombian drug lord Juan Carlos Ramirez Abadia was extradited to the United States on Friday to face racketeering charges, a year after he was captured in a luxurious hide-out on the outskirts of South America's largest city.
Ramirez Abadia was flown before dawn from a prison in central Brazil to the Amazon region jungle city of Manaus, where he was handed over to agents of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, said Romeu Tuma Jr., a high-ranking Justice Ministry official.
Tuma said that Abadia was being flown to New York City in a U.S. government plane.
Tuma said the extradition was not revealed earlier "for obvious security reasons."
The remote maximum security prison where Ramirez Abadia was staying was attacked earlier this year by armed gunmen apparently trying to free him and Brazilian drug lord Luiz Fernando da Costa.Prison officials said earlier this month that they foiled a plot to stage another attack on the prison as well as a wave of kidnappings to terrorize judicial officials.Ramirez Abadia has acknowledged trafficking cocaine and prosecutors say his Norte de Valle cartel shipped 500 metric tons (550 tons) of cocaine to the United States from 1990 to 2003.Abadia radically altered his facial appearance with repeated plastic surgeries in an attempt to avoid capture in Brazil. But his own words gave him away, thanks to advanced voice recognition technology that has become a key tool in the war against drugs and terrorism.U.S. agents last year managed to confirm his identify by using the equivalent of a vocal fingerprint, according to Sergio Alambert, who served as Ramirez Abadia's lawyer immediately after his arrest.Brazilian police had closed in on Ramirez Abadia's properties in and around Sao Paulo, and were probing his alleged laundering of the Colombian cartel's drug profits. But because of his surgeries and multiple aliases, they lacked the positive identification needed for an arrest warrant.They got their break by taping his telephone conversations, the lawyer said. Colombian officials provided a recording they had of Ramirez Abadia, and both sets of recordings were passed to the DEA, which made the match.Police then swooped in on 22 locations in six Brazilian states, catching Ramirez Abadia in a luxurious home with a gym, sauna, plasma TVs, a swimming pool and nearly US$1 million in stashed cash.Tuma said U.S. officials promised not to seek the death penalty for Ramirez Abadia — a pledge Brazil requires before it sends accused criminals to other nations.
Ramirez Abadia — nicknamed "Lollypop" — told authorities last year he wanted to be quickly extradited to the United States so he could avoid having to first serve a 30-year Brazilian sentence for money laundering, gang formation and corruption. But Tuma said Ramirez Abadia later withdrew the request.
American officials sought Ramirez Abadia's extradition under a 2004 racketeering indictment issued by a federal grand jury in Washington, D.C., that could bring a lengthy sentence.The U.S. indictment accuses Ramirez Abadia and other gang members of routinely killing rivals and customers who failed to pay for drugs. He also was accused of killing a gang member he suspected was an informant for the DEA.
Ramirez Abadia fled to Brazil four years ago after a drug conviction in Colombia and allegedly ran the cartel's money laundering operation here.Brazilian authorities have auctioned off much of his riches, including a yacht that sold for about US$1 million and a collection of watches and pens that fetched more than US$1 million.
Ramirez Abadia was flown before dawn from a prison in central Brazil to the Amazon region jungle city of Manaus, where he was handed over to agents of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, said Romeu Tuma Jr., a high-ranking Justice Ministry official.
Tuma said that Abadia was being flown to New York City in a U.S. government plane.
Tuma said the extradition was not revealed earlier "for obvious security reasons."
The remote maximum security prison where Ramirez Abadia was staying was attacked earlier this year by armed gunmen apparently trying to free him and Brazilian drug lord Luiz Fernando da Costa.Prison officials said earlier this month that they foiled a plot to stage another attack on the prison as well as a wave of kidnappings to terrorize judicial officials.Ramirez Abadia has acknowledged trafficking cocaine and prosecutors say his Norte de Valle cartel shipped 500 metric tons (550 tons) of cocaine to the United States from 1990 to 2003.Abadia radically altered his facial appearance with repeated plastic surgeries in an attempt to avoid capture in Brazil. But his own words gave him away, thanks to advanced voice recognition technology that has become a key tool in the war against drugs and terrorism.U.S. agents last year managed to confirm his identify by using the equivalent of a vocal fingerprint, according to Sergio Alambert, who served as Ramirez Abadia's lawyer immediately after his arrest.Brazilian police had closed in on Ramirez Abadia's properties in and around Sao Paulo, and were probing his alleged laundering of the Colombian cartel's drug profits. But because of his surgeries and multiple aliases, they lacked the positive identification needed for an arrest warrant.They got their break by taping his telephone conversations, the lawyer said. Colombian officials provided a recording they had of Ramirez Abadia, and both sets of recordings were passed to the DEA, which made the match.Police then swooped in on 22 locations in six Brazilian states, catching Ramirez Abadia in a luxurious home with a gym, sauna, plasma TVs, a swimming pool and nearly US$1 million in stashed cash.Tuma said U.S. officials promised not to seek the death penalty for Ramirez Abadia — a pledge Brazil requires before it sends accused criminals to other nations.
Ramirez Abadia — nicknamed "Lollypop" — told authorities last year he wanted to be quickly extradited to the United States so he could avoid having to first serve a 30-year Brazilian sentence for money laundering, gang formation and corruption. But Tuma said Ramirez Abadia later withdrew the request.
American officials sought Ramirez Abadia's extradition under a 2004 racketeering indictment issued by a federal grand jury in Washington, D.C., that could bring a lengthy sentence.The U.S. indictment accuses Ramirez Abadia and other gang members of routinely killing rivals and customers who failed to pay for drugs. He also was accused of killing a gang member he suspected was an informant for the DEA.
Ramirez Abadia fled to Brazil four years ago after a drug conviction in Colombia and allegedly ran the cartel's money laundering operation here.Brazilian authorities have auctioned off much of his riches, including a yacht that sold for about US$1 million and a collection of watches and pens that fetched more than US$1 million.
Friday, 22 August 2008
David Quick, from Essex, was found guilty of conspiracy to supply class A drugs
David Quick, from Essex, was found guilty of conspiracy to supply class A drugs after a retrial at the Old Bailey and sentenced on July 25.
Police arrested Quick in a Dartford layby on the A282 when he pulled over to make a handover with the rest of the group.Officers searched the lorry and found 42kg of cocaine.Quick, who denied the charge, told detectives he had no idea about the drugs but the court heard how he took the truck onto a ferry in France having met with 37-year-old Michael Linker to pick up the stash.But when Quick arrived to meet 34-year-old Alister Morin on April 4 last year, police moved in as Linker tried to retrieve the cocaine from the truck.Morin was arrested in Bow Arrow Lane, Dartford, after being tracked driving to the transfer point.Quick had originally stood trial with Morin from Essex, in April.Morin was convicted for conspiracy to supply class A drugs and imprisoned for 15 years but Quick faced a retrial.
Linker from Bristol, and ring-leader, James Scarciglia, aged 30, from Harrow, had both admitted the same charge and were jailed for 14 years and 15 years respectively.
Another gang member - Jason Young, aged 37, of Bath Road, Dartford, was sentenced to eight years after pleading guilty to the same charge for acting as a courier.
Police arrested Quick in a Dartford layby on the A282 when he pulled over to make a handover with the rest of the group.Officers searched the lorry and found 42kg of cocaine.Quick, who denied the charge, told detectives he had no idea about the drugs but the court heard how he took the truck onto a ferry in France having met with 37-year-old Michael Linker to pick up the stash.But when Quick arrived to meet 34-year-old Alister Morin on April 4 last year, police moved in as Linker tried to retrieve the cocaine from the truck.Morin was arrested in Bow Arrow Lane, Dartford, after being tracked driving to the transfer point.Quick had originally stood trial with Morin from Essex, in April.Morin was convicted for conspiracy to supply class A drugs and imprisoned for 15 years but Quick faced a retrial.
Linker from Bristol, and ring-leader, James Scarciglia, aged 30, from Harrow, had both admitted the same charge and were jailed for 14 years and 15 years respectively.
Another gang member - Jason Young, aged 37, of Bath Road, Dartford, was sentenced to eight years after pleading guilty to the same charge for acting as a courier.
Kenneth Watkins, 28, also known as "DJ Blaze" and "DJ Hog Head Cheese" testified that he is "one of the hottest DJs in the U.S.,
Kenneth Watkins, 28, also known as "DJ Blaze" and "DJ Hog Head Cheese" testified that he is "one of the hottest DJs in the U.S., claiming to be 'world renowned'" according to a news release issued Wednesday by the U.S. Attorney's office in Dallas, which prosecuted the case."He is affiliated with the Ideal Talent Agency in Atlanta, which, according to its web-site, features well-known Hip Hop artists such as 3-6 Mafia, 50 Cent, Jay-Z and Mike Jones. Kenneth Watkins has been featured on XM Radio," the release said.
Watkins' celebrity status apparently didn't register much with the jury. What did sway them, though, turned out to be the $3 million in cocaine he was caught hauling.
Following a two-day trial held before U.S. District Judge Robert Junell in San Angelo, a jury deliberated less than two hours before convicting Kenneth Watkins on both counts of an indictment charging conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper of the Northern District of Texas. Watkins, 28, faces a maximum statutory sentence of life in prison; he is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Junell on November 7, 2008.Watkins, who is also known as "DJ Blaze" and "DJ Hog Head Cheese," took the stand at his trial and stated that he is one of the hottest DJs in the U.S., claiming to be "world-renowned." He is affiliated with the Ideal Talent Agency in Atlanta, which, according to its web-site, features well-known Hip Hop artists such as 3-6 Mafia, 50 Cent, Jay-Z and Mike Jones. Kenneth Watkins has been featured on XM Radio. The government presented evidence at trial that Watkins, and his co-defendant, Steven Alexander Aaron, 37, were arrested on April 22, 2008, after their eastbound vehicle, a tractor-trailer car hauler, was stopped by a West Central Texas Interlocal Crime Task Force Officer on Interstate 20, near mile marker 266, in Taylor County, Texas, because it didn't have secure chains or a license plate. Aaron was driving the vehicle; Watkins was the sole passenger. The car hauler was loaded with a maroon Chrysler minivan and a black Range Rover. After obtaining Aaron's consent, the officers searched the tractor-trailer and the two loaded vehicles, and discovered six bricks of cocaine in a black backpack in the rear hatch of the Range Rover. Testimony at trial showed that Watkins had hidden the backpack in the Range Rover. The street value of the cocaine in the backpack is approximately $3 million.
Court documents show that on two previous occasions, Aaron and Watkins had transported substantial quantities of illegal drugs from Phoenix to Atlanta. Aaron and Watkins would generally meet in the Atlanta area and load vehicles onto the car hauler and transport them to Phoenix, specifically using the vehicles to conceal the illegal narcotics from law enforcement. Upon arriving in Phoenix, several individuals would load the vehicles with illegal narcotics and Aaron and Watkins would then drive the tractor-trailer car hauler back to Atlanta.
Steven Alexander Aaron pled guilty prior to trial to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and is also scheduled to be sentenced on November 7, 2008.
U.S. Attorney Roper praised the excellent investigative efforts of the West Central Texas Interlocal Crime Task Force, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Abilene Police Department, and the Taylor County Sheriff's Office.
Watkins' celebrity status apparently didn't register much with the jury. What did sway them, though, turned out to be the $3 million in cocaine he was caught hauling.
Following a two-day trial held before U.S. District Judge Robert Junell in San Angelo, a jury deliberated less than two hours before convicting Kenneth Watkins on both counts of an indictment charging conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper of the Northern District of Texas. Watkins, 28, faces a maximum statutory sentence of life in prison; he is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Junell on November 7, 2008.Watkins, who is also known as "DJ Blaze" and "DJ Hog Head Cheese," took the stand at his trial and stated that he is one of the hottest DJs in the U.S., claiming to be "world-renowned." He is affiliated with the Ideal Talent Agency in Atlanta, which, according to its web-site, features well-known Hip Hop artists such as 3-6 Mafia, 50 Cent, Jay-Z and Mike Jones. Kenneth Watkins has been featured on XM Radio. The government presented evidence at trial that Watkins, and his co-defendant, Steven Alexander Aaron, 37, were arrested on April 22, 2008, after their eastbound vehicle, a tractor-trailer car hauler, was stopped by a West Central Texas Interlocal Crime Task Force Officer on Interstate 20, near mile marker 266, in Taylor County, Texas, because it didn't have secure chains or a license plate. Aaron was driving the vehicle; Watkins was the sole passenger. The car hauler was loaded with a maroon Chrysler minivan and a black Range Rover. After obtaining Aaron's consent, the officers searched the tractor-trailer and the two loaded vehicles, and discovered six bricks of cocaine in a black backpack in the rear hatch of the Range Rover. Testimony at trial showed that Watkins had hidden the backpack in the Range Rover. The street value of the cocaine in the backpack is approximately $3 million.
Court documents show that on two previous occasions, Aaron and Watkins had transported substantial quantities of illegal drugs from Phoenix to Atlanta. Aaron and Watkins would generally meet in the Atlanta area and load vehicles onto the car hauler and transport them to Phoenix, specifically using the vehicles to conceal the illegal narcotics from law enforcement. Upon arriving in Phoenix, several individuals would load the vehicles with illegal narcotics and Aaron and Watkins would then drive the tractor-trailer car hauler back to Atlanta.
Steven Alexander Aaron pled guilty prior to trial to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and is also scheduled to be sentenced on November 7, 2008.
U.S. Attorney Roper praised the excellent investigative efforts of the West Central Texas Interlocal Crime Task Force, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Abilene Police Department, and the Taylor County Sheriff's Office.
Linton Steele had an £80-a-day crack habit when he was selling the drugs on the streets of Middlesbrough.
Linton Steele, 28, began using drugs after his father and a cousin were shot dead in crime-capital Kingston, Teesside Crown Court was told.
He had an £80-a-day crack habit when he was selling the drugs on the streets of Middlesbrough.Then as recently as July 21 his younger brother was gunned down in Kingston while Steele was on remand on drugs charges in Holme House Prison, Stockton.
Steele had been arrested on a Kingston flight which landed at Gatwick in May after he was identified in an undercover police crackdown in 2006 code named Operation Drayton.He had been deported to Jamaica for immigration offences. He had married an English woman living in London and the couple had four children. He returned to the UK on a spouse's visa but police were notified.Steele first came to the UK in 2002 where he remained until he was refused permission to stay in May last year.His lawyer Peter Wishlade told the court: “The reason he was in Middlesbrough was that he was going through a particularly rocky spell with his wife, and he stayed with a friend for two months.“He had to feed his own addiction of £80 a day and he sold drugs on behalf of others.“He has freed himself of drug addiction now. The only reason he became involved in drugs was the shooting of his father and his cousin, and he found that drugs provided some solace.”
Mr Wishlade told the judge: “I think that you are probably aware that Kingston, Jamaica, is not the easiest place to live.“He does seem to me to be a very pleasant and very respectable man.”Prosecutor Simon Reevell said that Steele unwittingly supplied crack cocaine to an undercover officer in central Middlesbrough for up to £40 a rock.Steele delivered the drugs after the officer rang two dealers on their mobile phones.The Recorder of Middlesbrough Judge Peter Fox QC told Steele: “I accept everything that has been said and written on your behalf.
“But you know that cocaine is an evil thing and you were bound up with others in Middlesbrough in its distribution.”Steele, of Waterloo Road, Middlesbrough, was jailed for three years after he pleaded guilty to eight charges of supplying a Class A drug in March and April 2006.
He had an £80-a-day crack habit when he was selling the drugs on the streets of Middlesbrough.Then as recently as July 21 his younger brother was gunned down in Kingston while Steele was on remand on drugs charges in Holme House Prison, Stockton.
Steele had been arrested on a Kingston flight which landed at Gatwick in May after he was identified in an undercover police crackdown in 2006 code named Operation Drayton.He had been deported to Jamaica for immigration offences. He had married an English woman living in London and the couple had four children. He returned to the UK on a spouse's visa but police were notified.Steele first came to the UK in 2002 where he remained until he was refused permission to stay in May last year.His lawyer Peter Wishlade told the court: “The reason he was in Middlesbrough was that he was going through a particularly rocky spell with his wife, and he stayed with a friend for two months.“He had to feed his own addiction of £80 a day and he sold drugs on behalf of others.“He has freed himself of drug addiction now. The only reason he became involved in drugs was the shooting of his father and his cousin, and he found that drugs provided some solace.”
Mr Wishlade told the judge: “I think that you are probably aware that Kingston, Jamaica, is not the easiest place to live.“He does seem to me to be a very pleasant and very respectable man.”Prosecutor Simon Reevell said that Steele unwittingly supplied crack cocaine to an undercover officer in central Middlesbrough for up to £40 a rock.Steele delivered the drugs after the officer rang two dealers on their mobile phones.The Recorder of Middlesbrough Judge Peter Fox QC told Steele: “I accept everything that has been said and written on your behalf.
“But you know that cocaine is an evil thing and you were bound up with others in Middlesbrough in its distribution.”Steele, of Waterloo Road, Middlesbrough, was jailed for three years after he pleaded guilty to eight charges of supplying a Class A drug in March and April 2006.
Matthew Liebmann, 31, and his wife, Danielle Liebmann, 26, were arrested accused in court documents of receiving a package containing 215 tablets
Matthew Liebmann, 31, and his wife, Danielle Liebmann, 26, were arrested on the charges last week under complaints signed by John Burke and Carmen Frangella, who are with the Albany County sheriff's Drug Interdiction Unit. They are free on bail; the case is pending in Cohoes City Court.The couple are accused in court documents of receiving a package containing 215 tablets of morphine, a powerful painkiller, and 100 tablets of Ritalin, a commonly abused mild stimulant used to treat people with attention disorders. Both drugs are federally controlled substances and required a prescription.The case highlights the ease with which controlled substances can be ordered through the Internet, including from overseas, and delivered by U.S. mail couriers.Two years ago, the state Health Department's Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement smashed a domestic Internet prescription-drug network they said was delivering millions of dollars worth of controlled substances, primarily steroids, into New York and other states from Florida.The case began with the arrest of a Utica-area physician, David W. Stephenson, who was issuing blind prescriptions from his home-based Internet site for drugs such as methadone and Ritalin. Stephenson pleaded guilty and is serving six years in state prison.
For law enforcement agencies, the Internet has become a sprawling pipeline for drugs that are secreted among the millions of parcels handled daily by domestic mail couriers."There are over 150 illegal sites on the Internet offering pharmaceutical-controlled substances for sale," said Michael G. Moffett, who heads the Health Department unit that spearheaded the investigation of the Florida-based steroids network.The Cohoes case began when federal agents in Albany were contacted by DEA agents in Brazil. The DEA in South America were working with the Brazilian Federal Police, who were eavesdropping on the e-mails of a person suspected of supplying U.S. customers and others with controlled substances, records show.Brazilian authorities intercepted an e-mail placing an order for drugs that were to be delivered to a Cohoes apartment allegedly occupied by the Liebmanns. The package was intercepted by U.S. Postal inspectors and the Liebmanns were arrested Aug. 11 at their apartment.
For law enforcement agencies, the Internet has become a sprawling pipeline for drugs that are secreted among the millions of parcels handled daily by domestic mail couriers."There are over 150 illegal sites on the Internet offering pharmaceutical-controlled substances for sale," said Michael G. Moffett, who heads the Health Department unit that spearheaded the investigation of the Florida-based steroids network.The Cohoes case began when federal agents in Albany were contacted by DEA agents in Brazil. The DEA in South America were working with the Brazilian Federal Police, who were eavesdropping on the e-mails of a person suspected of supplying U.S. customers and others with controlled substances, records show.Brazilian authorities intercepted an e-mail placing an order for drugs that were to be delivered to a Cohoes apartment allegedly occupied by the Liebmanns. The package was intercepted by U.S. Postal inspectors and the Liebmanns were arrested Aug. 11 at their apartment.
Police raided Katie Armstrong’s Langley home they discovered 85 plants in her loft with a street value of £25,000.
police raided Katie Armstrong’s Langley home they discovered 85 plants in her loft with a street value of £25,000.The 25-year-old said she did not cultivate the cannabis and was just a patsy for the dealers, who threatened to harm her family if she told police about the illegal farm.But Armstrong still pleaded guilty to production of the class C drug at Bolton Crown Court because she did not want to name the gang behind the scheme.Recorder Ashley Murray, sentencing her to a suspended jail term on Monday, said: "The cultivation of illegal drugs on this level is clearly a very serious matter. The drug has many long-term social and personal consequences. You claim to have been under some sort of pressure but you have not named the people who participated in that activity. Your actions were wholly unacceptable. I do accept that you had no previous understanding of drugs and you acted with the influence of others who cultivated these plants. You are the very type of patsy that people of this nature are looking for."
The court heard how police found the drugs haul at Armstrong’s Carrock Walk home in October last year.Further investigations uncovered that upto £3,500 of electricity had been illegally diverted to the property to power hydroponic equipment used to grow the cannabis.Rachel Widdicombe, defending, said Armstrong - a single mum who cares for her mentally-ill mother - was relieved when officers arrived because she could finally speak up.Miss Widdicombe said: "Threats of violence were made against her and her family. She was told that the police may be able to protect her but they wouldn’t be able to protect her mother, father and family. She felt (going along with) it was the only way she could protect her family but accepts now that she could have gone to the police."Armstrong – who has no previous convictions - was sentenced to six months in jail suspended for 18 months. She has to complete 100 hours unpaid work and pay £100 costs. She also risks losing her housing association home in a repossession hearing later in the year
The court heard how police found the drugs haul at Armstrong’s Carrock Walk home in October last year.Further investigations uncovered that upto £3,500 of electricity had been illegally diverted to the property to power hydroponic equipment used to grow the cannabis.Rachel Widdicombe, defending, said Armstrong - a single mum who cares for her mentally-ill mother - was relieved when officers arrived because she could finally speak up.Miss Widdicombe said: "Threats of violence were made against her and her family. She was told that the police may be able to protect her but they wouldn’t be able to protect her mother, father and family. She felt (going along with) it was the only way she could protect her family but accepts now that she could have gone to the police."Armstrong – who has no previous convictions - was sentenced to six months in jail suspended for 18 months. She has to complete 100 hours unpaid work and pay £100 costs. She also risks losing her housing association home in a repossession hearing later in the year
Brendan James Brophy jailed for two-and-a-half years with a parole release date in April of next year.
Brendan James Brophy pleaded guilty to conducting what was described as a "sophisticated business".The Supreme Court in Brisbane heard Brophy imported steroids and human growth hormone from China, Great Britain and the United Arab Emirates. He also established a website to attract customers before his arrest in 2006. Police found steroids, almost $20,000 in cash, equipment to package the drugs and details of Brophy's customers at his Ashmore home. His lawyer Tony Kimmins said Brophy began using the drugs before he started selling them.
The Court heard they may have been destined for professional athletes as well as enthusiastic amateurs. Justice John Byrne jailed Brophy for two-and-a-half years with a parole release date in April of next year.
The Court heard they may have been destined for professional athletes as well as enthusiastic amateurs. Justice John Byrne jailed Brophy for two-and-a-half years with a parole release date in April of next year.
Thursday, 21 August 2008
Tanesh Bernard Dias allegedly helped a drug group in "cuckoo smurfing"
Tanesh Bernard Dias, 35, allegedly helped a drug group in "cuckoo smurfing", a sophisticated way of substituting legitimate overseas money transfers for drugs money. Federal agent Mark Creighton told the court Mr Dias received amounts of up to $1 million a time between March and his arrest earlier this month. Melbourne Magistrates' Court was told he would meet accused syndicate member Sharon Ropa, 37, at a Footscray supermarket, where she would hand him bundles of cash.
Mr Creighton said Mr Dias then used false names to put the money into bank accounts connected with Asian money transfer agencies. "The applicant received money from a criminal syndicate and he assisted in the banking of these monies so similar value could be made available to the criminal syndicate overseas," Mr Creighton said. Mr Dias was paid 0.35 per cent of the total he allegedly helped launder, the court was told. Mr Creighton said officers saw Mr Dias with cash amounts "the size of house bricks" and he recruited others to help with the deposits.
A search of his home uncovered 200 bank deposit slips worth $2 million and a further 54 transactions involving $703,000, it was said.
Mr Creighton said Mr Dias admitted in a police interview he thought the money might have come from drugs. Defence lawyer Charles Tan said using money remitting agencies in Asia was normal and his client "could have been unaware of what he was getting into". Mr Dias is charged with dealing with the proceeds of crime and providing false reporting information during bank deposits. The court was told Mr Dias had fled Sri Lanka on a false passport and was awaiting a protection visa application review in Australia. Mr Creighton said he feared Mr Dias would flee the country if released on bail. Magistrate Simon Garnett refused bail, saying the case against Mr Dias was strong and he was a flight risk. The record bust last June netted 4.4 tonnes of ecstasy, said to be worth $400 million. Mr Dias is due in court again next year.
Mr Creighton said Mr Dias then used false names to put the money into bank accounts connected with Asian money transfer agencies. "The applicant received money from a criminal syndicate and he assisted in the banking of these monies so similar value could be made available to the criminal syndicate overseas," Mr Creighton said. Mr Dias was paid 0.35 per cent of the total he allegedly helped launder, the court was told. Mr Creighton said officers saw Mr Dias with cash amounts "the size of house bricks" and he recruited others to help with the deposits.
A search of his home uncovered 200 bank deposit slips worth $2 million and a further 54 transactions involving $703,000, it was said.
Mr Creighton said Mr Dias admitted in a police interview he thought the money might have come from drugs. Defence lawyer Charles Tan said using money remitting agencies in Asia was normal and his client "could have been unaware of what he was getting into". Mr Dias is charged with dealing with the proceeds of crime and providing false reporting information during bank deposits. The court was told Mr Dias had fled Sri Lanka on a false passport and was awaiting a protection visa application review in Australia. Mr Creighton said he feared Mr Dias would flee the country if released on bail. Magistrate Simon Garnett refused bail, saying the case against Mr Dias was strong and he was a flight risk. The record bust last June netted 4.4 tonnes of ecstasy, said to be worth $400 million. Mr Dias is due in court again next year.
Anthony Antonio Shepard, sentenced to 22 uyears
Anthony Antonio Shepard, 34, was sentenced Tuesday by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever. In a news release, the U.S. Attorney's Office said Shepard was deemed a career offender because of his record, which includes drug and assault convictions.
The case stemmed from the investigation "Cold Wind," in which about 18 people have been sentenced on drug and gun charges.Prosecutors said Shepard and co-defendant Matthew Brent Fields provided 48.7 grams of crack cocaine to an undercover buyer in October 2006. Shepard pleaded guilty in September.
The case stemmed from the investigation "Cold Wind," in which about 18 people have been sentenced on drug and gun charges.Prosecutors said Shepard and co-defendant Matthew Brent Fields provided 48.7 grams of crack cocaine to an undercover buyer in October 2006. Shepard pleaded guilty in September.
Myrell Simpson Jr., Eric Howard Lansperry receiving multiple drug indictments
Myrell Simpson Jr., 34, 2911 Highway 80, was indicted six times for delivery of a controlled substance as a result of task force operations that stretched from December to March. Also receiving multiple drug indictments was Eric Howard Lansperry, 52, of 811 Lorilla, who was indicted four times for delivery of a controlled substance, District Attorney Hardy L. Wilkerson said.
Ajah Joseph, also known as Mr. 2000,arrested
police on Wednesday arrested an alleged member of a drug syndicate, Nigeria-born Ajah Joseph, also known as Mr. 2000, inside the Ancol amusement park complex in North Jakarta.National Narcotics Agency director Brig. Gen. Indradi Thanos said the arrest created a new lead to a drug trafficking chain spanning from Africa to Indonesia."There are seven suspects that we have arrested within the syndicate, which is famous for using women as their couriers," Indradi said, as quoted by Kompas.com on Thursday.Convicted drug dealers Chris, a Nigerian, and Dadang, an Indonesian, are among members of the syndicate who have remained active behind bars. Both are currently imprisoned at Cipinang penitentiary.
The remaining suspects include Nigerian Bethel Onye Oju, or Bonialso, Iwan Chandra and Wahyuni A dan Ati Suryani.The distribution of the drugs, Indradi said, involves networks in Pakistan, India and Malaysia, moving from one country to another through air transportation with at least nine to 10 kilograms of heroin per week."The supply came from the Golden Triangle in Thailand and from Afghanistan," he said.
The remaining suspects include Nigerian Bethel Onye Oju, or Bonialso, Iwan Chandra and Wahyuni A dan Ati Suryani.The distribution of the drugs, Indradi said, involves networks in Pakistan, India and Malaysia, moving from one country to another through air transportation with at least nine to 10 kilograms of heroin per week."The supply came from the Golden Triangle in Thailand and from Afghanistan," he said.
James Munro, 26, of Quebec, was arrested after he let a 51 kilogram shipment of Colombian cocaine go through the border
Canadian border agent at the Champlain crossing is accused of helping a drug smuggling ring. Investigators say James Munro, 26, of Quebec, was arrested after he let a 51 kilogram shipment of Colombian cocaine go through the border. It was part of a sting setup by federal authorities. They say Munro would let members of a drug ring know when he was working alone overnight. Investigators say the ring between Canada and Miami, Florida had been going on for five years, but Munro has not been involved the entire time. Seven other people were arrested.
Mohammed Joojo Gyimah reportedly told the police that he attempted to smuggle the substance to Barcelona in Spain but had to abort his plans
24-hour police guard has been placed on a 34-year-old man at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi, where 73 thumb-size pellets of a whitish substance suspected to be cocaine were removed from his stomach.Mohammed Joojo Gyimah, a native of Achiase in the Kwabre District of the Ashanti Region and a labourer in Barcelona, Spain, reported at KATH with stomach pains after swallowing the pellets.Doctors on duty quickly alerted the police before performing surgery on him to remove the pellets when he was rushed there.All the pellets have since been removed and he is still on admission. It was detected that two of the substances burst in his stomach, which caused the discomfort.The suspect reportedly told the police that he attempted to smuggle the substance to Barcelona in Spain but had to abort his plans upon arriving at the Kotoka International Airport, since he experienced severe stomach upset and felt dizzy.
He said he came to Ghana from Spain about five months ago and that a lady friend of his in Spain asked him to send the substance along on his return.He said he met one Asare, a native of the Brong Ahafo Region, at a place near the Prempeh College in Kumasi where the said Asare supplied him with the substance to be taken to Barcelona for a fee of 2000 euros, while his airfare was taken care of.He said Asare accompanied him to Accra and on their way to the airport, they stopped somewhere for him to swallow the substances but when he arrived at the precincts of the airport, he experienced severe stomach upset and felt dizzy so he aborted the journey and quickly returned to Kumasi in an attempt to get the pellets removed.
He said he was not successful in getting someone to help him until he collapsed and was rushed to KATH by members of his household.The Ashanti Regional Police Commander, DCOP Kwaku Ayesu Opare-Addo, who confirmed the story, said the Drug Law Enforcement Unit of the police received the information about the incident on Wednesday, August 13, 2008 and quickly rushed to the hospital.He said when they arrived, the suspect was in critical condition under observation at the Intensive Care UnitHe said a 24-hour guard was placed on the premises of the hospital until all the pellets were removed the following day.
Joseph Gerges El Chabab to be extradited to Belgium
Venezuela's highest court has approved a request from Belgium to extradite a Lebanese man convicted on drug trafficking and money laundering charges. The Supreme Court on Wednesday said Joseph Gerges El Chabab will soon be handed over to Belgium. A court there convicted him in 2006 of smuggling several shipments of cocaine into the European nation. El Chabab was collared by Venezuelan police in June.
Wednesday, 20 August 2008
Ramiro Vanoy Murillo, 60, and Francisco Javier Zuluaga Lindo, 38, are among 14 paramilitary members extradited to the U.S.
Ramiro Vanoy Murillo, 60, and Francisco Javier Zuluaga Lindo, 38, are among 14 paramilitary members extradited to the U.S. in May for their alleged roles in a massive cocaine smuggling operation in the late 1990s. The two entered their pleas before U.S. District Judge K. Michael Moore in downtown Miami.Under a plea agreement, Vanoy Murillo faces up to 19 years and Zuluaga Lindo more than 17 years behind bars. Prosecutors said they would drop additional charges against the two at sentencing. Each could also face up to $4 million in fines.The Bush administration agreed it would not seek life sentences as a precondition of their extradition. But on Tuesday, Moore reminded the defendants that he was not bound by the plea agreement in deciding sentencing.
A lean, bespectacled Vanoy Murillo, sporting a shaved head, and a husky Zuluaga Lindo attended the hearings quietly. Both wore standard beige jumpsuits, their feet in shackles and spoke only in response to the judge's questions.
At one point, asked his level of education, Vanoy Murillo responded: "I did not attend school. I am learning to read now in prison."The two are accused of conspiring to import thousands of kilograms of cocaine into the U.S. through Mexico. According to the defendants' attorney Dennis Urbano, Zuluaga Lindo offered to provide a boat for transport. Vanoy Murillo offered to sell some of the cocaine.
Colombian President Alvaro Uribe said he decided to extradite the men because they were still committing crimes from Colombian prisons and had failed to pay restitution to victims.
The rest of the 14 were extradited to Tampa, Washington, Houston and New York.
So far, Diego Murillo, 47, is the only other member of the extradited group to have pleaded guilty. He entered his plea in June to drug trafficking charges in Manhattan federal court and faces a sentence of up to 33 years in prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 18. Human rights organizations claimed Diego Murillo was behind hundreds of murders in Colombia as part of the right-wing United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia, known by the Spanish acronym AUC.Thousands of Colombians have lodged formal complaints of "atrocious crimes" against the paramilitaries _ including murder, rape and kidnapping. Hundreds of mass graves are thought to remain hidden in Colombia.
A lean, bespectacled Vanoy Murillo, sporting a shaved head, and a husky Zuluaga Lindo attended the hearings quietly. Both wore standard beige jumpsuits, their feet in shackles and spoke only in response to the judge's questions.
At one point, asked his level of education, Vanoy Murillo responded: "I did not attend school. I am learning to read now in prison."The two are accused of conspiring to import thousands of kilograms of cocaine into the U.S. through Mexico. According to the defendants' attorney Dennis Urbano, Zuluaga Lindo offered to provide a boat for transport. Vanoy Murillo offered to sell some of the cocaine.
Colombian President Alvaro Uribe said he decided to extradite the men because they were still committing crimes from Colombian prisons and had failed to pay restitution to victims.
The rest of the 14 were extradited to Tampa, Washington, Houston and New York.
So far, Diego Murillo, 47, is the only other member of the extradited group to have pleaded guilty. He entered his plea in June to drug trafficking charges in Manhattan federal court and faces a sentence of up to 33 years in prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 18. Human rights organizations claimed Diego Murillo was behind hundreds of murders in Colombia as part of the right-wing United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia, known by the Spanish acronym AUC.Thousands of Colombians have lodged formal complaints of "atrocious crimes" against the paramilitaries _ including murder, rape and kidnapping. Hundreds of mass graves are thought to remain hidden in Colombia.
Bobby Griffiths, 39, was arrested last year in Nottingham for the 2002 shooting of fellow Jamaican, 28-year-old Henry Norman
Bobby Griffiths, 39, was arrested last year in Nottingham for the 2002 shooting of fellow Jamaican, 28-year-old Henry Norman after being linked to the scene by forensic evidence.Mr. Griffiths was arrested after forensic evidence linked him to the murder scene.His blood was found on the murder weapon while his finger print was lifted from a petrol can used to torch the victim's body.He told the court that he had been terrified into cooperating with Mr. Norman's murderers but played no part in the actual murder.The court was told that Mr. Norman, also known as ‘Dante' who was known to sell cocaine and smuggled drug from the Caribbean, was killed over a dispute between drug dealers.Mr. Norman who lived in Hillford, Eadt London was lured to a flat in nearby Stratford.He was shot three times in the chest over a stash of missing cocaine.His body was driven to a nearby estate where it was doused with petrol and torched along with his car.Mr. Griffith said he was forced at gunpoint to cooperate with other men during the killing and tried to run out of the flat after hearing a man shouting murder.He said his blood was found on the gun because the gang leader forced him to hold it and then made him purchase the petrol can from a garage which was used to torch Mr. Norman's body.Following his acquittal, Mr. Griffith was again detained and is awaiting deportation to Jamaica.
Perry Wharrie, 48, of Pyrles Lane, in Loughton, was found guilty of possessing cocaine for sale and supply
Perry Wharrie, 48, of Pyrles Lane, in Loughton, was found guilty of possessing cocaine for sale and supply following a lengthy trial at Cork Circuit Criminal Court, in Ireland. Wharrie was also jailed in 1989 for the murder of off-duty police officer PC Frank Mason following a Securicor van robbery in Hemel Hempstead, in Hertfordshire, in 1988. Wharrie, with two others, was convicted of killing PC Mason, and served 17 years before being released in April 2005. The constable died following a struggle with the raiders when a single shot was fired, not by Wharrie, killing PC Mason. In relation to the drugs case, Martin Wanden, 45, of no fixed obode, and John Daly, 41, of Bexley, in Kent, were also convicted of possessing the drugs, and jailed for 30 and 25 years respectively. The Epping Forest Guardian reported at the time of their arrests how Wharrie had been charged in connection with Ireland's biggest ever seizure of illegal drugs at Dunlough Bay, Mizen Head, off the County Cork coast, on July 2 last year. More than 60 bales of cocaine were discovered floating in the sea when an air search was carried out for a number of men reported missing after a dinghy capsized. The group were attempting to smuggle 1.5 tonnes of the drug into Ireland. Michael Colgan, head of customs drugs law enforcement in Ireland, told the Guardian: "The Dunlough Bay find was the largest quantity of cocaine ever seized in Ireland and, as such, the case has enormous significance for us." He said they are working closely with seven EU countries, including Britain, to tackle the problem, and added: "International co-operation is essential for us: the fight against international drug smuggling is a battle which no country can wage on its own." Rita Fenwick, 66, Wharrie's next-door neighbour in the council block of flats above the parade of shops on Pyrles Lane, described him as a friendly, community-minded man. She said: "I knew he had been in prison before but he seemed nice enough so I didn't want to pry. I would often talk to him when we were out on the balcony and he would give me tips on how to look after my pot plants. He was very green-fingered. I know he lived there with his wife and that he had some grown-up step-children.
"The first time I found out about this was when I read in the papers that someone from Pyrles Lane had been arrested. I was shocked when I found out it was Perry."
She added: "Trust me, I don't go a bundle on gangster types; but I can tell you he was a nice man and a good neighbour."
Enver Mustafa, who lived in the same block of flats as Wharrie, said: "I used to pass him on the stairs, but I never really spoke to him. I think he lived alone, although I did see him with a woman sometimes.
"But, like I said, he just kept himself to himself really."
Mr Mustafa, who owns Envers Dry Cleaning and Ironing shop, on Pyrles Lane, added: "He just seemed like a normal guy. So it was a big shock to see him in the papers."
"The first time I found out about this was when I read in the papers that someone from Pyrles Lane had been arrested. I was shocked when I found out it was Perry."
She added: "Trust me, I don't go a bundle on gangster types; but I can tell you he was a nice man and a good neighbour."
Enver Mustafa, who lived in the same block of flats as Wharrie, said: "I used to pass him on the stairs, but I never really spoke to him. I think he lived alone, although I did see him with a woman sometimes.
"But, like I said, he just kept himself to himself really."
Mr Mustafa, who owns Envers Dry Cleaning and Ironing shop, on Pyrles Lane, added: "He just seemed like a normal guy. So it was a big shock to see him in the papers."
Artessia Moore, 21, was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Kansas City where she pleaded guilty earlier this year.
Artessia Moore, 21, was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Kansas City where she pleaded guilty earlier this year. She was carrying four bundles of cocaine in a swimsuit under her clothes last August when she was stopped by Kansas City police at a downtown bus terminal, according to court documents.The man she was traveling with, Morris Butler, 31, ran when officers tried to talk to him. He was fatally shot a short time later while struggling over an officer’s gun.Moore later told police that Butler paid her $1,000 to carry the drugs, which weighed almost five pounds, from California to Columbus, Ohio.
Mexican police say they have captured Ever Villafane Martinea Colombian cartel operative who served as a liaison to a Mexican drug gang.z
Mexican police say they have captured a Colombian cartel operative who served as a liaison to a Mexican drug gang.Police say Ever Villafane Martinez represented Colombia's Norte del Valle drug cartel in dealings with Mexico's Beltran Leyva gang.Assistant Secretary of Public Safety Facundo Rosas said Thursday that Villafane Martinez was detained on Wednesday, and that police found an assault rifle in his truck.Rosas says the suspect is also known as Marco Antonio Espinoza Tovali. He is wanted on drug charges in the United States, and escaped from a Colombian prison in 2001.Police say he is related by marriage to Norte del Valle leader Diego Leon Montoya.Mexican cartels smuggle Colombian cocaine into the United States.
Ever Villafane Martinez arrested, represented Colombia's Norte del Valle drug cartel in dealings with Mexico's Beltran Leyva gang.Assistant Secretary of Public Safety Facundo Rosas said Thursday that Villafane Martinez was detained on Wednesday, and that police found an assault rifle in his truck.Rosas says the suspect is also known as Marco Antonio Espinoza Tovali. He is wanted on drug charges in the United States, and escaped from a Colombian prison in 2001.Police say he is related by marriage to Norte del Valle leader Diego Leon Montoya.Mexican cartels smuggle Colombian cocaine into the United States.
Ever Villafane Martinez arrested, represented Colombia's Norte del Valle drug cartel in dealings with Mexico's Beltran Leyva gang.Assistant Secretary of Public Safety Facundo Rosas said Thursday that Villafane Martinez was detained on Wednesday, and that police found an assault rifle in his truck.Rosas says the suspect is also known as Marco Antonio Espinoza Tovali. He is wanted on drug charges in the United States, and escaped from a Colombian prison in 2001.Police say he is related by marriage to Norte del Valle leader Diego Leon Montoya.Mexican cartels smuggle Colombian cocaine into the United States.
Addison George, 43 was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment after earlier being found guilty of conspiracy to supply class A drugs
Addison George, 43 of Woodside, Thornwood, Epping was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment after earlier being found guilty of conspiracy to supply class A drugs.
Matthew Coles, 27, of Plomer Avenue, Hoddesdon, was jailed for 8 years after earlier pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs. The smugglers were snared after being identified as being behind the importation and distribution of cocaine in a twelve month covert operation run by Herts Police's serious and organised crime unit.During the trial, Cambridge Crown Court heard how George, a pilot would fly his four-seater Piper PA-28 aeroplane from North Weald Airfield in Essex to Le Touquet in Northern France and collect a black pilot's case containing a "large quantity" of cocaine. He would then fly back to the airfield, travel to Wormley, near Hoddesdon, Herts, and exchange the case.It is believed the drugs were then dealt across Hertfordshire and the South East. The court heard how on September 6, last year Coles who, acting as a courier, collected the case containing the drugs that George had picked up in France earlier that day. He was then stopped by police in a vehicle in Ware Road in Hoddesdon with the case and arrested. The case contained eight kilos of cocaine with a street value of more than £600,000. George was arrested the next day at North Weald Airfield. Both men were then charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs. Detective Inspector Dave Wheatley, from the serious and organised crime unit which led the operation, said: "This result represents the culmination of many months hard work, determination and patience. We have successfully succeeded in removing a large quantity of class A drugs from our streets and have disrupted a major organised crime operation. He added: "This case demonstrates that Hertfordshire is a hostile county for criminals to operate in and that we will take robust action against those people who are intent on breaking the law.
Matthew Coles, 27, of Plomer Avenue, Hoddesdon, was jailed for 8 years after earlier pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs. The smugglers were snared after being identified as being behind the importation and distribution of cocaine in a twelve month covert operation run by Herts Police's serious and organised crime unit.During the trial, Cambridge Crown Court heard how George, a pilot would fly his four-seater Piper PA-28 aeroplane from North Weald Airfield in Essex to Le Touquet in Northern France and collect a black pilot's case containing a "large quantity" of cocaine. He would then fly back to the airfield, travel to Wormley, near Hoddesdon, Herts, and exchange the case.It is believed the drugs were then dealt across Hertfordshire and the South East. The court heard how on September 6, last year Coles who, acting as a courier, collected the case containing the drugs that George had picked up in France earlier that day. He was then stopped by police in a vehicle in Ware Road in Hoddesdon with the case and arrested. The case contained eight kilos of cocaine with a street value of more than £600,000. George was arrested the next day at North Weald Airfield. Both men were then charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs. Detective Inspector Dave Wheatley, from the serious and organised crime unit which led the operation, said: "This result represents the culmination of many months hard work, determination and patience. We have successfully succeeded in removing a large quantity of class A drugs from our streets and have disrupted a major organised crime operation. He added: "This case demonstrates that Hertfordshire is a hostile county for criminals to operate in and that we will take robust action against those people who are intent on breaking the law.
Monday, 18 August 2008
Daven Brown, 26, also known as Stephon Redmond and who uses the name "Lucky Me," pleaded guilty to third-degree criminal possession
Daven Brown, 26, also known as Stephon Redmond and who uses the name "Lucky Me," pleaded guilty to third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. Brown faces one to three years in prison from state Supreme Court Justice William Kelly when sentenced on Oct. 8.Clarkstown police found more than a half ounce of cocaine and some marijuana with Brown on Feb. 22 during a domestic violence call from a woman living at 18 Francis Place.Brown has been held since his arrests in the county jail on $50,000 bail.Brown ignited a furor in 2007 among parents, police, school officials and some teens when his rap music spoke about rich white New City kids using cocaine.He put out several videos featuring his words and music and teenagers appeared on YouTube
Friday Joy, 27, and Aruna Ramot, 28, were arrested at 7pm on Tuesday, August 12, 2008, during the screening of passengers on KLM flight to Amsterdam.
Friday Joy, 27, and Aruna Ramot, 28, were arrested at 7pm on Tuesday, August 12, 2008, during the screening of passengers on KLM flight to Amsterdam.The Two women have been arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos by officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for lodging illegal substances suspected to be cocaine in their private parts. The NDLEA Airport Commander, Mr. Victor Cole-Showers, said that the women were nabbed based on routine profiling carried out on them by its officials during boarding by passengers.
“Two of them were found to have inserted five wraps each in their private parts,” the statement said.He said that the NDLEA was able to arrest the women because it was well informed on the tricks often employed by drug traffickers, adding that the agency would fulfil its mission of preventing the country from being used as a transit nation. Friday, a housewife with a four-year-old son, resides in Bologna in Italy. She inserted five wraps weighing 273 grammes into her private parts.
The suspect, who has spent over seven years in Italy, told the NDLEA that she was in desperate need of money to rent an apartment, having been separated from her husband for over a year. “It was not my intention; I was only doing it to help myself and my son. I needed money urgently to rent a house. I bought the drugs for the sum of 3,300 euros,” she reportedly confessed. Preliminary investigation by the NDLEA revealed that this was her second time of trafficking in hard drugs. In her statement, she indicated that she was given 2,000 euros on her first trip.
“The man I went to for help to secure a job told me to do drug business. This is my second time, the first time I was successful and my sponsor paid me 2,000 euros. Considering my condition, I decided to do it myself,” she stated.
Her friend, Ramot, a divorcee, who also lives in Italy, inserted five wraps of the suspected substance, weighing 269 grammes into her private part.
Both suspects, who are from Edo State, claimed to have bought the drug from a man identified as ‘chairman’.
“Two of them were found to have inserted five wraps each in their private parts,” the statement said.He said that the NDLEA was able to arrest the women because it was well informed on the tricks often employed by drug traffickers, adding that the agency would fulfil its mission of preventing the country from being used as a transit nation. Friday, a housewife with a four-year-old son, resides in Bologna in Italy. She inserted five wraps weighing 273 grammes into her private parts.
The suspect, who has spent over seven years in Italy, told the NDLEA that she was in desperate need of money to rent an apartment, having been separated from her husband for over a year. “It was not my intention; I was only doing it to help myself and my son. I needed money urgently to rent a house. I bought the drugs for the sum of 3,300 euros,” she reportedly confessed. Preliminary investigation by the NDLEA revealed that this was her second time of trafficking in hard drugs. In her statement, she indicated that she was given 2,000 euros on her first trip.
“The man I went to for help to secure a job told me to do drug business. This is my second time, the first time I was successful and my sponsor paid me 2,000 euros. Considering my condition, I decided to do it myself,” she stated.
Her friend, Ramot, a divorcee, who also lives in Italy, inserted five wraps of the suspected substance, weighing 269 grammes into her private part.
Both suspects, who are from Edo State, claimed to have bought the drug from a man identified as ‘chairman’.
Daryl James Button supplied his grandmother's partner with two grams of the class A drug.
Daryl James Button, of Sibthorpe Street, Lincoln, supplied his grandmother's partner with two grams of the class A drug.Button later told police he wanted to help the man because he was "paying too much" for drugs.Three days later Arthur Cadman (58) was found unconscious and surrounded by "drugs paraphernalia", Lincoln Magistrates' Court was told.He was declared dead at the scene but the location was not revealed in court.Police found a mobile phone text message on Mr Cadman's phone from Button, sent three days earlier, said prosecutor Edward Johnson.It read: "I am back now. Come and pick up if you want."When visited by police and told of Mr Cadman's death and the text message Button immediately said: "It's about the stuff I gave him. I had hoped he'd deleted the message."He later said: "I got him some gear."
Button was arrested on suspicion of supplying cocaine. He responded by saying: "I knew he was paying too much for it and I helped him out."
Button later admitted to police that he had sold the older man £100 worth of "gear".
Toxicology reports on the body revealed cocaine use but it was not proven that the drugs supplied by Button had contributed to the death, said Mr Johnson.
Button pleaded guilty to supplying cocaine on June 13.The case has now been sent to Lincoln Crown Court, where Button will be sentenced at a later date. A separate hearing on the issue of whether cocaine contributed to Mr Cadman's death may also be held.
Gregory Walker of Dayton. Arrested and charged with preparation of crack cocaine for sale The driver of the car, Samuel Heard was also arrested
The Fayette County Sheriff's Office won another strike in the ongoing drug trafficking trade coming out of the Dayton area with the arrest of two Dayton men Friday night. The men allegedly were in a vehicle with crack cocaine valued at more than $45,000.
Sheriff Vernon Stanforth said detectives working undercover arranged for the shipment of a large amount of crack cocaine from a Dayton man and in an effort to deliver the crack the two men were intercepted by sheriff's detectives along U.S. Route 35 near Interstate 71. Sheriff Stanforth had deputies set up a perimeter in the area and when the suspect was observed pulling into the pre-arranged drop-off point the Sheriff's STAR team moved into place and took the occupants into custody without incident.The sheriff's K-9 handler, Sgt. Jay Hicks, and his K-9 Kobe were on the scene as part of the Sheriff's STAR team. Kobe was taken around the car and indicated narcotics were present in the car. Subsequently, crack cocaine valued at over $45,000 was located and seized by deputies.
Arrested and charged with preparation of crack cocaine for sale was 47-year-old Gregory Walker of Dayton. The driver of the car, Samuel Heard, 23, was arrested at the scene for operating a vehicle under a license suspension. Both men are being held in the Fayette County Jail in lieu of bond.
Sheriff Vernon Stanforth said detectives working undercover arranged for the shipment of a large amount of crack cocaine from a Dayton man and in an effort to deliver the crack the two men were intercepted by sheriff's detectives along U.S. Route 35 near Interstate 71. Sheriff Stanforth had deputies set up a perimeter in the area and when the suspect was observed pulling into the pre-arranged drop-off point the Sheriff's STAR team moved into place and took the occupants into custody without incident.The sheriff's K-9 handler, Sgt. Jay Hicks, and his K-9 Kobe were on the scene as part of the Sheriff's STAR team. Kobe was taken around the car and indicated narcotics were present in the car. Subsequently, crack cocaine valued at over $45,000 was located and seized by deputies.
Arrested and charged with preparation of crack cocaine for sale was 47-year-old Gregory Walker of Dayton. The driver of the car, Samuel Heard, 23, was arrested at the scene for operating a vehicle under a license suspension. Both men are being held in the Fayette County Jail in lieu of bond.
Mark Shady, is charged with 14 counts of delivery of cocaine, 15 counts of possession with intent to deliver, two counts of corrupt organizations
Mark Shady, 32, of 1362 Lusk Run Road, is charged with 14 counts of delivery of cocaine, 15 counts of possession with intent to deliver, two counts of corrupt organizations, one count of criminal use of a communication facility and one count of conspiracy to deliver cocaine, according to state Attorney General Tom Corbett.Agents estimate the group was responsible for moving more than seven kilograms of cocaine with a street value of more than $780,000 since at least 2004.
Corbett said the investigation started focusing mainly on Shady's alleged distribution of cocaine in Lock Haven, Williamsport and the surrounding areas. From there, agents were able to identify two of his cocaine sources.Evidence and testimony about the alleged criminal activity was presented to a statewide investigating grand jury, which recommended the charges being filed Friday.
According to the grand jury, from March to August 2007, law enforcement agents made 14 cocaine purchases from Shady in Clinton County. The amounts purchased ranged from 3.4 to 84.4 grams, costing anywhere from $200 to $3,750.
Corbett said 10 of these transactions allegedly occurred at Shady's former residence in Woolrich. Others occurred at a gas station in Clinton County and an abandoned shopping plaza in Lock Haven, the attorney general said.
According to the grand jury, all of the cocaine bought in these 14 purchases came from either Coley Crouse or his partner, Scott Kramer.On Aug. 15, 2007, agents executed a search warrant on the residence of Crouse and his wife Julia Chiampi and found cocaine, a small bag of marijuana and different types of drug paraphernalia, according to Corbett. Agents also discovered more than $8,000 in cash, $3,720 of which was found to be the funds allegedly used in the undercover cocaine buys. Chiampi will be charged at a later date, Corbett said.The three defendants were preliminarily arraigned before Lycoming County Magisterial District Judge Allen Page.
Shady is being held in Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $25,000 bail.
Crouse and Kramer were released on $25,000 and $15,000 bail respectively.
The case will be prosecuted in Lycoming County by Senior Deputy Attorney General Patrick Leonard of the Attorney General's Drug Strike Force Section.Crouse, 33, 66 Pheasant Lane, Cogan Station, is charged with five counts of possession with intent to deliver, four counts of delivery of cocaine, two counts of corrupt organizations, one count of criminal use of a communication facility and one count of conspiracy to deliver cocaine.Kramer, 33, 2156 Wheatland Ave., Williamsport, is charged with three counts of possession with intent to deliver, two counts of delivery of cocaine, two counts of corrupt organizations, one count of criminal use of a communication facility and one count of conspiracy to deliver cocaine.
Christopher J. Benbow was snared in a 2004 sting by the Drug Enforcement Administration
Christopher J. Benbow was snared in a 2004 sting by the Drug Enforcement Administration in which authorities said he tried to arrange a deal for 1,000 kilograms of cocaine. Court documents say his purpose was to raise more than $200 million in cash for the black-market purchase of 9 kilograms of strontium 90.
An 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel agreed Monday with Benbow's contention that the federal jury in Tampa, Fla., that convicted him in October 2006 should have been told the cocaine was to be distributed outside the United States.
But the three-judge panel also noted that there is a good chance Benbow might be convicted again because of evidence that he "was part of a conspiracy to buy cocaine in the United States and to have it transported outside this country."
According to court documents:Benbow, in his mid-60s, was living in Estonia in the fall of 2003 when he learned that Russian former KGB agents were trying to sell three containers of strontium, which could be used by terrorists to make a dirty bomb.As he tried to find a buyer and earn a commission, a friend steered him to David Siegel, who claimed to have connections to the Israeli military but actually was a DEA informant.Siegel suggested that the Russians trade the strontium for cocaine, but they would accept only cash. Benbow then found some potential buyers for the cocaine in the United Kingdom. A plan evolved to transfer the cocaine to Europe and sell it for cash that the undercover informant's group would use to buy the strontium.U.S. authorities never established whether the strontium sale would occur. Benbow and four other men were arrested in the drug conspiracy.
An 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel agreed Monday with Benbow's contention that the federal jury in Tampa, Fla., that convicted him in October 2006 should have been told the cocaine was to be distributed outside the United States.
But the three-judge panel also noted that there is a good chance Benbow might be convicted again because of evidence that he "was part of a conspiracy to buy cocaine in the United States and to have it transported outside this country."
According to court documents:Benbow, in his mid-60s, was living in Estonia in the fall of 2003 when he learned that Russian former KGB agents were trying to sell three containers of strontium, which could be used by terrorists to make a dirty bomb.As he tried to find a buyer and earn a commission, a friend steered him to David Siegel, who claimed to have connections to the Israeli military but actually was a DEA informant.Siegel suggested that the Russians trade the strontium for cocaine, but they would accept only cash. Benbow then found some potential buyers for the cocaine in the United Kingdom. A plan evolved to transfer the cocaine to Europe and sell it for cash that the undercover informant's group would use to buy the strontium.U.S. authorities never established whether the strontium sale would occur. Benbow and four other men were arrested in the drug conspiracy.
Three-month jail reduction was granted in the 20-year sentence imposed on Australian drug trafficker Schapelle Corby
three-month jail reduction was granted in the 20-year sentence imposed on Australian drug trafficker Schapelle Corby, the second time authorities had cut the 31-year-old’s sentence after it was reduced by three months in 2006.
Corby is now expected to be freed by April 12, 2024, said Yon Suharyono, the head of the Kerobokan penitentiary on Bali Island, where Corby is being held.
Renae Lawrence, the only female member of the so-called “Bali Nine” ring of Australian heroin traffickers, also received a four-month cut from her 20-year sentence, Suharyono said.But for the first time this year, those convicted of terrorism, illegal logging and corruption will not get sentence reductions.
In his annual state of the union Friday, President Yudhoyono said that his government was strongly committed to fighting corruption, terrorism and drugs. He also warned that terrorism remained a threat to the country despite various achievements in combating such attacks.“The security apparatus has managed to arrest, prosecute and sentence the perpetrators but we must continue to heighten our vigilance,” Yudhoyono said.Indonesia achieved independence from Dutch colonial rule in 1945.The day’s celebrations included the popular “Panjat Pinang”, where competitors struggle to climb to the top of a greased betel nut palm trunk. The prizes ranged from plastic buckets to a new motorcycle.
Brenda Joyce was handed a one year sentence at Cambridge Crown Court and it will run consecutively with a 21- month sentence she is currently serving
Brenda Joyce was handed a one year sentence at Cambridge Crown Court and it will run consecutively with a 21- month sentence she is currently serving for possessing heroin with intent to supply.That sentence was due to be completed next month but this latest conviction will mean the 65-year-old, of Cockerell Road, Cambridge, will now be behind bars until 2009.Police raided her property in September last year after they had previously followed a man, who they believed to have been involved in a drug deal, to the house.On entering the property they found 2.14 grams of crack cocaine, various quantities of diamorphine, several wraps, plastic packaging and £729 in cash.Joyce, who was at the time on bail and awaiting court for the previous drug charge, was in the property when the police raided it.She later pleaded guilty to the charge but claimed she was forced into allowing her home to be used as a location for drug deals.Tim Brown, prosecuting, said: "She said people had put pressure on her to use the property for the supply of drugs. She said that she had in fact left the premises and had only returned to collect some personal items. But when police called at the premises she was in the bath so detectives believed she had more of a connection to the house than she was letting on."
Mr Brown listed 10 previous convictions Joyce has for 22 separate offences. These began with a prosecution for shoplifting in 1994.He said: "She then went on and moved from cannabis to heroin and she was on bail for the previous heroin offence when caught. She was clearly somebody who moved in those circles."Mark Shelley, mitigating, said: "She says the time she has spent in prison already has been useful. She is 65 and she is now clean of drugs and has the offer of a property in Peterborough when she leaves jail. This is close enough for her to see her grandchildren and she hopes to make a fresh start."Judge Anthony Bates, sentencing her to 12 months in prison, said: "You have been shown over the years to have a significant involvement in the drug scene. Your behaviour in prison has done you credit and you have the offer of an address in Peterborough and I hope that will take you away from the drug scene. However, I have reached the conclusion that imprisonment is inevitable."
Mr Brown listed 10 previous convictions Joyce has for 22 separate offences. These began with a prosecution for shoplifting in 1994.He said: "She then went on and moved from cannabis to heroin and she was on bail for the previous heroin offence when caught. She was clearly somebody who moved in those circles."Mark Shelley, mitigating, said: "She says the time she has spent in prison already has been useful. She is 65 and she is now clean of drugs and has the offer of a property in Peterborough when she leaves jail. This is close enough for her to see her grandchildren and she hopes to make a fresh start."Judge Anthony Bates, sentencing her to 12 months in prison, said: "You have been shown over the years to have a significant involvement in the drug scene. Your behaviour in prison has done you credit and you have the offer of an address in Peterborough and I hope that will take you away from the drug scene. However, I have reached the conclusion that imprisonment is inevitable."
Giovanni Polimeni, 35, today faced Melbourne Magistrates Court charged with aiding and abetting the importation of cocaine.
Giovanni Polimeni, 35, today faced Melbourne Magistrates Court charged with aiding and abetting the importation of cocaine.He was charged after his Griffith home was raided earlier this month as part of the AFP's Operation Inca.The arrest follows the AFP's announcement that it had seized 4.4 tonnes of ecstasy - hidden in tomato tins - with a street value of $440 million and arrested 20 people across Australia in early morning police raids on August 8.The other 23 arrested face a range of charges including drug trafficking, drug importation and money laundering.AFP Commissioner Mick Keelty said recent seizures had prevented 14.6 tonnes of illegal drugs, with a potential street value of $3 billion, hitting Australian streets.The 14-month investigation was the largest ever undertaken by the AFP and had caused a major disruption of organised crime in Australia and overseas, he said.
Polimeni was granted bail with a $250,000 surety. He will face court again next March
Polimeni was granted bail with a $250,000 surety. He will face court again next March
Shane Moloney, Brian Fitzpatrick ,Andrew Anderson are charged with possession of drugs with intent to sell or supply.
Shane Moloney (27), of Drimnagh Road, Drimnagh, Dublin, Brian Fitzpatrick (21), of Orchard Lawns, Ballyfermot, Dublin, and Andrew Anderson (23) , of Kylemore Drive, Ballyfermot, are charged with possession of drugs with intent to sell or supply. They are also charged with possession.They were arrested on Wednesday evening following a heroin seizure which was part of a planned garda operation on Kennelsfort Road, Palmerstown in west Dublin.Both Mr Fitzpatrick and Mr Anderson were remanded in custody with consent to bail while Mr Moloney made no application for bail. Det Garda Diarmuid Maguire from the Organised Crime Unit told Dublin district court that Mr Moloney had made no reply when charged.Judge John Lindsay remanded him in custody to appear before Cloverhill district court on August 21. When charged, Mr Anderson replied: "I hadn't got it in my possession", Det Garda Sean Dundon said. He objected to bail due to the seriousness of the charge. Mr Anderson was remanded with consent to bail.Mr Fitzpatrick made no reply when charged by Gda Stephen Bolger, who also objected to bail. Judge Lindsay remanded him with consent to bail.Both men are also due to appear before Cloverhill court on August 21. The arrests took place during the latest in a series of operations in which substantial quantities of heroin have been seized.
Roshan Fernando was shot dead on Friday by two unidentified gunmen.
Roshan Fernando (35) of Magazine Road, Borella was shot dead on Friday by two unidentified gunmen. Fernando sustained fatal injuries following gunshot injuries, the Police Media Spokesman SSP Ranjit Gunesekera told the Sunday Observer. No arrests have been made so far. The motive for the shooting is not known but according to the police it was due to business rivalry. Director, Police Narcotics Bureau, SSP Eric Perera has seized small quantities of heroin in the Talawatugoda and Kolonnawa areas. In a separate raid they also took in for questioning a man around 7 p.m. on Saturday at Keppettipola Mawatha, Kolonnawa for possessing 50 grammes and 100 milligrams of heroin. Meanwhile, there is a drastic drop in the volume of heroin in the country owing to the naval patrolling of the Palk Straits by the Indian and Sri Lankan Naval patrols.
Jason Musillo, 27, of Woodstock Road, was arrested Thursday after a car chase with police ended in a crash.
Jason Musillo, 27, of Woodstock Road, was arrested Thursday after a car chase with police ended in a crash.Members of the Ulster Regional Gang Enforcement Narcotics Team had attempted to take Musillo into custody in the area of Linderman Avenue and Burgevin Street, where he allegedly was going to conduct a heroin transaction.
When confronted, Musillo allegedly fled in a green Volkswagen Golf at high speed. Police said he drove through several lawns causing damage and endangering residents.
The car became airborne after it traveled over an embankment in the area of Pearl Street and Ringtop Road and struck several trees, coming to a stop, police said. Musillo was arrested, after allegedly resisting, and being found in possession of heroin.He was taken to Benedictine Hospital for treatment and then taken to Kingston Police Headquarters and charged with first-degree reckless endangerment, a felony.
Musillo was then taken to Town of Ulster Police Headquarters and charged with tampering with physical evidence, a felony, and resisting arrest, seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, misdemeanors. He was also charged with other vehicle and traffic law violations.Musillo was arraigned in Kingston City Court. He was sent to Ulster County Jail on $10,000 bail or $20,000 bond for the Kingston charges and $10,000 bail and $20,000 bond on the Town of Ulster charges. Police said Musillo was arrested by the team in March and was out on $25,000 bail when he was rearrested.
When confronted, Musillo allegedly fled in a green Volkswagen Golf at high speed. Police said he drove through several lawns causing damage and endangering residents.
The car became airborne after it traveled over an embankment in the area of Pearl Street and Ringtop Road and struck several trees, coming to a stop, police said. Musillo was arrested, after allegedly resisting, and being found in possession of heroin.He was taken to Benedictine Hospital for treatment and then taken to Kingston Police Headquarters and charged with first-degree reckless endangerment, a felony.
Musillo was then taken to Town of Ulster Police Headquarters and charged with tampering with physical evidence, a felony, and resisting arrest, seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, misdemeanors. He was also charged with other vehicle and traffic law violations.Musillo was arraigned in Kingston City Court. He was sent to Ulster County Jail on $10,000 bail or $20,000 bond for the Kingston charges and $10,000 bail and $20,000 bond on the Town of Ulster charges. Police said Musillo was arrested by the team in March and was out on $25,000 bail when he was rearrested.
Julian Patrick Garcia, 36, is charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession with intent to distribute marijuana,
Former jail guard Julian Patrick Garcia, 36, is charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, bringing contraband into a jail, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, attempt to commit a felony by furnishing drugs to a prisoner and a misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia. Garcia went down as a result of an internal investigation at the jail after officials heard allegations an inmate was arranging for drugs to be smuggled in. At last word, Garcia was trying to make a $56,000 bond.
In Lincoln, Nebraska, a state prison guard was arrested August 8 for allegedly smuggling drugs and tobacco into the Nebraska State Penitentiary. Andrew Myers, 23, faces a charge of providing contraband to an inmate. Myers had been under suspicion for two months. Prison officials said they believed he had taped the contraband to his body and delivered it to an inmate in return for $100.In McAlester, Oklahoma, a former lieutenant at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary was sentenced August 8 to a series of suspended sentences after pleading guilty to felony drug charges. Marion Bess, 44, had faced up to life in prison. He had pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine; conspiracy to deliver/manufacture/possess a controlled dangerous substance -- which carries a sentence of from seven years to life -- and unlawful use of a communication facility, meaning a telephone. He also pleaded guilty to one more count of meth possession. He has to do five years on probation and go to drug treatment.
In Lincoln, Nebraska, a state prison guard was arrested August 8 for allegedly smuggling drugs and tobacco into the Nebraska State Penitentiary. Andrew Myers, 23, faces a charge of providing contraband to an inmate. Myers had been under suspicion for two months. Prison officials said they believed he had taped the contraband to his body and delivered it to an inmate in return for $100.In McAlester, Oklahoma, a former lieutenant at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary was sentenced August 8 to a series of suspended sentences after pleading guilty to felony drug charges. Marion Bess, 44, had faced up to life in prison. He had pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine; conspiracy to deliver/manufacture/possess a controlled dangerous substance -- which carries a sentence of from seven years to life -- and unlawful use of a communication facility, meaning a telephone. He also pleaded guilty to one more count of meth possession. He has to do five years on probation and go to drug treatment.
Saturday, 16 August 2008
Charlie Aguirre Jr. was arrested Thursday and charged with bringing contraband into the jail
Charlie Aguirre Jr. was arrested Thursday and charged with bringing contraband into the jail, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and attempt to commit a felony. His bond was set at $11,000. The sheriff's office began investigating in early July after learning that an inmate was arranging for drugs to be smuggled in to the jail. Investigators intercepted several telephone calls between the inmate and a woman during which the inmate requested that she package and deliver marijuana, cocaine, tobacco and paraphernalia to the jail.
Authorities accused Aguirre of participating by getting the items to the inmate. Aguirre was placed on administrative leave after surveillance video captured him allegedly committing these crimes. He was later fired. The sheriff's office said the investigation is ongoing and more arrests are likely
Authorities accused Aguirre of participating by getting the items to the inmate. Aguirre was placed on administrative leave after surveillance video captured him allegedly committing these crimes. He was later fired. The sheriff's office said the investigation is ongoing and more arrests are likely
Vera Momcilovic is facing a maximum 15-year jail sentence after being convicted in July of trafficking methamphetamine.
Vera Momcilovic was a successful lawyer with a $600,000 city apartment and reputation as a church-goer when love led her to the dark side of the law.
The 41-year-old patent lawyer, described as a quiet and caring woman, is facing a maximum 15-year jail sentence after being convicted in July of trafficking methamphetamine.Her barrister Robert Richter, QC, today told the County Court falling in love with her drug-dealing boyfriend had been like entering a "black hole" for Momcilovic."There is a phenomenon of intelligent, bright, intellectual women who, for whatever reason, fall in love with the wrong person," he said.
"There are a number of cases that come to my mind of very upright respectable women who fall in love with people who may well be called Robin Hoods."
Momcilovic was found guilty by a jury after police found $169,500 cash in a shoe box and nearly 400 grams of ice, worth an estimated street value of up to $300,000, at her Exhibition Street apartment.The drugs and money belonged to her partner Velimir Markovski, 57, who is serving at least four years' jail, but the jury rejected Momcilovic's testimony that she hadn't known about the stash of drugs.
The court heard that Momcilovic's conviction would mean she would lose her livelihood and home.Momcilovic sat forward and cried into tissues as her family and friends told a pre-sentence hearing, of their shock at learning that the woman they knew as a dedicated daughter, who attended Serbian church regularly and did volunteer work, was involved in drugs.Her cousin Melissa Mustica said finding out about Momcilovic's conviction through a media report had been like "bad dream" while her uncle Michael Vekovic said the experience was like "watching a movie".
Ms Mustica said she had met Markovski and "would have wanted something better" for her cousin whose academic achievements, including a masters in law, had been the pride of their working-class families in St Albans.Retired police sergeant and family friend Dennis John Hughes was on the verge of tears as he told the court he and his wife had been "devastated" by Momcilovic's crime but had not hesitated to pay for her legal fees from their superannuation."The involvement in the activity she was charged with, it's going to devastate her career and future prospects. It's totally out of the blue," Mr Hughes said.
Mr Richter said Momcilovic was the victim of a violent crime in 1992 in the presence of Markovski which had tightened the bond between them.
"There was love there," he said.
Mr Richter said Momcilovic had played no part in dealing the drugs.He said Momcilovic had served 23 days behind bars and should be released from jail and given a suspended prison sentence of between two and three years.Crown prosecutor Gavin Silbert, SC, said an immediate custodial sentence was appropriate but agreed Momcilovic's offending was at the lower end of the scale.Judge Damien Murphy denied Momcilovic bail and said he would sentence her next week.
The 41-year-old patent lawyer, described as a quiet and caring woman, is facing a maximum 15-year jail sentence after being convicted in July of trafficking methamphetamine.Her barrister Robert Richter, QC, today told the County Court falling in love with her drug-dealing boyfriend had been like entering a "black hole" for Momcilovic."There is a phenomenon of intelligent, bright, intellectual women who, for whatever reason, fall in love with the wrong person," he said.
"There are a number of cases that come to my mind of very upright respectable women who fall in love with people who may well be called Robin Hoods."
Momcilovic was found guilty by a jury after police found $169,500 cash in a shoe box and nearly 400 grams of ice, worth an estimated street value of up to $300,000, at her Exhibition Street apartment.The drugs and money belonged to her partner Velimir Markovski, 57, who is serving at least four years' jail, but the jury rejected Momcilovic's testimony that she hadn't known about the stash of drugs.
The court heard that Momcilovic's conviction would mean she would lose her livelihood and home.Momcilovic sat forward and cried into tissues as her family and friends told a pre-sentence hearing, of their shock at learning that the woman they knew as a dedicated daughter, who attended Serbian church regularly and did volunteer work, was involved in drugs.Her cousin Melissa Mustica said finding out about Momcilovic's conviction through a media report had been like "bad dream" while her uncle Michael Vekovic said the experience was like "watching a movie".
Ms Mustica said she had met Markovski and "would have wanted something better" for her cousin whose academic achievements, including a masters in law, had been the pride of their working-class families in St Albans.Retired police sergeant and family friend Dennis John Hughes was on the verge of tears as he told the court he and his wife had been "devastated" by Momcilovic's crime but had not hesitated to pay for her legal fees from their superannuation."The involvement in the activity she was charged with, it's going to devastate her career and future prospects. It's totally out of the blue," Mr Hughes said.
Mr Richter said Momcilovic was the victim of a violent crime in 1992 in the presence of Markovski which had tightened the bond between them.
"There was love there," he said.
Mr Richter said Momcilovic had played no part in dealing the drugs.He said Momcilovic had served 23 days behind bars and should be released from jail and given a suspended prison sentence of between two and three years.Crown prosecutor Gavin Silbert, SC, said an immediate custodial sentence was appropriate but agreed Momcilovic's offending was at the lower end of the scale.Judge Damien Murphy denied Momcilovic bail and said he would sentence her next week.
Brendan James Brophy, 28, pleaded guilty in the Supreme Court in Brisbane on Thursday to a string of drug-related charges
Brendan James Brophy, 28, pleaded guilty in the Supreme Court in Brisbane on Thursday to a string of drug-related charges, including seven counts of importing tier one goods and trafficking in dangerous drugs.The court was told Brophy started his illegal business in July 2006, importing drugs from China, Dubai and the United Kingdom and selling them through a website he had created.He used a number of aliases to receive payments from customers, and to obtain the shipments of illegal drugs.When police raided his apartment at Ashmore on the Gold Coast in September 2006 they found 6.5 litres of liquid containing steroids and hormones, which had been intended for sale.They also found a database on his home computer that revealed he had sent drugs to 34 customers since establishing his business, and that several more people were waiting to receive their orders.
Prosecutor Glen Cash said it was impossible to determine how much money Brophy had made but that police found almost $20,000 in cash in his apartment.Mr Cash told the court that Brophy was arrested and released on bail shortly afterwards, but that he waited less than six months before he made another importation.
Defence barrister Tony Kimmins told the court his client had started importing again so he could fill orders he had not been able to meet prior to his arrest.
Mr Kimmins said Brophy had been threatened with physical violence if he did not deliver the drugs and that he feared for his safety.
The court was told Brophy is now remorseful for his actions, and that he is seeking to make his fortune in real estate.Justice John Byrne sentenced Brophy to two and a half years' jail.He ordered he be released on a two-year good behaviour bond after serving just six months behind bars.
Prosecutor Glen Cash said it was impossible to determine how much money Brophy had made but that police found almost $20,000 in cash in his apartment.Mr Cash told the court that Brophy was arrested and released on bail shortly afterwards, but that he waited less than six months before he made another importation.
Defence barrister Tony Kimmins told the court his client had started importing again so he could fill orders he had not been able to meet prior to his arrest.
Mr Kimmins said Brophy had been threatened with physical violence if he did not deliver the drugs and that he feared for his safety.
The court was told Brophy is now remorseful for his actions, and that he is seeking to make his fortune in real estate.Justice John Byrne sentenced Brophy to two and a half years' jail.He ordered he be released on a two-year good behaviour bond after serving just six months behind bars.
Adam Ruczaj (27) and Tomasz Ciulwik (28) from Poland were intercepted on their arrival at Belfast on a flight from Amsterdam.
Adam Ruczaj (27) and Tomasz Ciulwik (28) from Poland were intercepted on their arrival at Belfast on a flight from Amsterdam. The men were charged with attempting to smuggle the illegal drugs into the UK and appeared before Coleraine Magistrates Court on Wednesday, where they were remanded in custody to re-appear at Antrim Magistrates Court on September 9. This is just the latest seizure of the drug at the airport in recent months. Earlier this summer a woman was rushed to hospital after suspected cocaine crammed into condoms apparently burst inside her stomach. Our commitment is to do everything we can to stop this deadly trade In January of this year around 750g of the drug was seized by customs officers at the airport.
And in June 2006 around 13.5kg of cocaine, worth an estimated £3m, was discovered at the airport. It remains Northern Ireland’s biggest ever haul of the drug. “Drug smuggling is a very serious offence that has a significant and damaging effect on all our communities, and multi-agency co-operation plays a vital role in the fight to prevent illegal drugs from entering the UK,” said John Whiting, Assistant Director of Criminal Investigation with HM Revenue & Customs.
Maggie Eyden, Lead Official for UKBA in Northern Ireland, said: "UKBA, working in partnership with HMRC, are at the forefront of the fight to stop drugs entering the UK. Our commitment is to do everything we can to stop this deadly trade, to prevent illegal drugs from entering the UK and protect our communities from the violence and corruption that always accompanies the trade in illegal drugs.”
The street value of the seized drugs is estimated to be £80,000 to £100,000 depending upon purity.
And in June 2006 around 13.5kg of cocaine, worth an estimated £3m, was discovered at the airport. It remains Northern Ireland’s biggest ever haul of the drug. “Drug smuggling is a very serious offence that has a significant and damaging effect on all our communities, and multi-agency co-operation plays a vital role in the fight to prevent illegal drugs from entering the UK,” said John Whiting, Assistant Director of Criminal Investigation with HM Revenue & Customs.
Maggie Eyden, Lead Official for UKBA in Northern Ireland, said: "UKBA, working in partnership with HMRC, are at the forefront of the fight to stop drugs entering the UK. Our commitment is to do everything we can to stop this deadly trade, to prevent illegal drugs from entering the UK and protect our communities from the violence and corruption that always accompanies the trade in illegal drugs.”
The street value of the seized drugs is estimated to be £80,000 to £100,000 depending upon purity.
Friday, 15 August 2008
Stanislav Sasmil, 25, was jailed for eight years, six months, and Sandra Marisa Soares da Rocha, 26, for eight years for importing Class A drugs.
Stanislav Sasmil, 25, was jailed for eight years, six months, and Sandra Marisa Soares da Rocha, 26, for eight years for importing Class A drugs.
Mr Sasmil, from Estonia, and Ms Soares da Rocha, from Portugal, were caught with 4.2 kilos of cocaine in February. The pair, from Wylds Lane, Worcester, were jailed at Worcester Crown Court on Wednesday. The cocaine, with a street value of about £200,000, was found concealed in their suitcases on 1 February, HM Revenue and Customs said. It was detected after they arrived on a flight from Banjul, in The Gambia, via Brussels.
Sheikh Talal Nasser al-Sabah death sentence hanging over the sheikh for drug trafficking
Sheikh Talal Nasser al-Sabah who is in his fifties, was caught by Kuwaiti police with 10kg (22lb) of cocaine and 165lb of hashish. When sentencing him to death, Judge Humoud al-Mutwatah said that he had “willingly walked the path of evil” and deserved no mercy. Smuggling drugs in the Gulf is a high-risk enterprise, with frequent death sentences for dealers and mules. It is possible Sheikh Talal Nasser al-Sabah believed that being a relative of Kuwait’s rulers would protect him. Now, with a death sentence hanging over the sheikh for drug trafficking, the oil-rich emirate is waiting to see whether the strict rule of law or the kinship ties of the ruling family will prevail. The sheikh, It was the first time that a member of a Gulf royal family had been condemned to death by a court, and is widely seen as a test case for the impartiality of the law in a country where the convict’s relative, the Emir, could pardon his wayward kinsman. The sheikh was the nephew of a previous Emir of Kuwait, Jaber al-Sabah, who died in 2006, and is one of hundreds of members of the huge ruling family. Lawyers at the time hailed the sentence as a sign of the impartiality of the law. Najib al-Wugayyan, a prominent criminal lawyer, called the verdict “a magnificent indication to all that nobody is above the law”.
And isn’t this interesting? A similar case involving a Saudi royal:Strict as the laws are, they are not as harsh as those in Saudi Arabia, where smugglers convicted of trafficking marijuana have been beheaded. Even there, however, a member of the Royal Family, Prince Nayef bin Sultan bin Fawwaz al-Shaalan, has been caught up in drug trafficking. Last year a French court sentenced the Prince in absentia to ten years in jail and a $100 million (£50 million) fine for his part in a plot to smuggle two tonnes of cocaine from Colombia to an airport outside Paris in 1999, using a private aircraft and diplomatic immunity to move the drugs. Since Saudi Arabia has no extradition treaty with France or the US, the Prince was not jailed.
But back to KuwaitThe conviction was not Sheikh al-Sabah’s first run-in with the law. In 1991 he was arrested by Egyptian police and charged with smuggling heroin, although he said at the time that it was all for personal use. Sheikh al-Sabah continues to deny that he is a drug dealer and said that he has left his fate to the Emir. “I am drug-addicted and I am getting cured. I don’t deal,” he told the Kuwaiti newspaper al-Jareeda from his jail cell. “I don’t know whether Kuwaiti society is satisfied with the ruling of the judiciary or not. But it is in the hands of the Emir.”
And isn’t this interesting? A similar case involving a Saudi royal:Strict as the laws are, they are not as harsh as those in Saudi Arabia, where smugglers convicted of trafficking marijuana have been beheaded. Even there, however, a member of the Royal Family, Prince Nayef bin Sultan bin Fawwaz al-Shaalan, has been caught up in drug trafficking. Last year a French court sentenced the Prince in absentia to ten years in jail and a $100 million (£50 million) fine for his part in a plot to smuggle two tonnes of cocaine from Colombia to an airport outside Paris in 1999, using a private aircraft and diplomatic immunity to move the drugs. Since Saudi Arabia has no extradition treaty with France or the US, the Prince was not jailed.
But back to KuwaitThe conviction was not Sheikh al-Sabah’s first run-in with the law. In 1991 he was arrested by Egyptian police and charged with smuggling heroin, although he said at the time that it was all for personal use. Sheikh al-Sabah continues to deny that he is a drug dealer and said that he has left his fate to the Emir. “I am drug-addicted and I am getting cured. I don’t deal,” he told the Kuwaiti newspaper al-Jareeda from his jail cell. “I don’t know whether Kuwaiti society is satisfied with the ruling of the judiciary or not. But it is in the hands of the Emir.”
Thursday, 14 August 2008
Dwayne Nairn Charged with trafficking in a controlled substance (crack cocaine),
July 2008 members of the Integrated Guns and Gangs Unit initiated an investigation into an Oakville resident.as the investigation progressed, the Halton Regional Police Service Drug and Morality Bureau became involved.
On August 6th, 2008 at approximately 8:45pm a 42 year old Oakville woman was arrested after police observed her meeting with the original target of the investigation. A quantity of crack cocaine was seized at this time. Moments later the Emergency Services Unit executed a search warrant at 1160 Dorval Drive in Oakville. The adult residents of the apartment were taken into police custody. Two children from the residence were provided with temporary living arrangements by the Children’s Aid Society.Police subsequently obtained and executed a Controlled Drugs and Substances Act search warrant at the Dorval Drive address and seized 22 grams of crack cocaine, 86 ecstasy tablets, 3 grams of marihuana and $750 cash.
Charged with trafficking in a controlled substance (crack cocaine), possession of a controlled substance for the purposes of trafficking (crack cocaine), possession of a controlled substance for the purposes of trafficking (ecstasy) and possession of a controlled substance (marihuana) is: Dwayne Nairn 29 years old of Dorval Drive, Oakville.Charged with possession of a controlled substance for the purposes of trafficking (crack cocaine), possession of a controlled substance for the purposes of trafficking (ecstasy) and possession of a controlled substance (marihuana) is: Natasha Hall 30-years-old of Dorval Drive, Oakville. She is scheduled to appear in Milton court on August 26, 2008Charged with possession of a controlled substance (crack cocaine) is: Tammy Bedder 42 years old of South Forester Park Drive, Oakville.
On August 6th, 2008 at approximately 8:45pm a 42 year old Oakville woman was arrested after police observed her meeting with the original target of the investigation. A quantity of crack cocaine was seized at this time. Moments later the Emergency Services Unit executed a search warrant at 1160 Dorval Drive in Oakville. The adult residents of the apartment were taken into police custody. Two children from the residence were provided with temporary living arrangements by the Children’s Aid Society.Police subsequently obtained and executed a Controlled Drugs and Substances Act search warrant at the Dorval Drive address and seized 22 grams of crack cocaine, 86 ecstasy tablets, 3 grams of marihuana and $750 cash.
Charged with trafficking in a controlled substance (crack cocaine), possession of a controlled substance for the purposes of trafficking (crack cocaine), possession of a controlled substance for the purposes of trafficking (ecstasy) and possession of a controlled substance (marihuana) is: Dwayne Nairn 29 years old of Dorval Drive, Oakville.Charged with possession of a controlled substance for the purposes of trafficking (crack cocaine), possession of a controlled substance for the purposes of trafficking (ecstasy) and possession of a controlled substance (marihuana) is: Natasha Hall 30-years-old of Dorval Drive, Oakville. She is scheduled to appear in Milton court on August 26, 2008Charged with possession of a controlled substance (crack cocaine) is: Tammy Bedder 42 years old of South Forester Park Drive, Oakville.
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