Sukhray Singh Saran sentenced to six years in prison.

Sukhray Singh Saran 21-year-old Winnipeg man pleaded guilty yesterday to one count of possession for the purpose of trafficking and was sentenced to six years in prison. "There is certainly a tragedy in all of this when you have a person of such a young age (going to prison)," said Crown attorney Jeremy Aikerstream. Police arrested Saran, then 19, and two other men in August 2007, while raiding a Portage Avenue drug den. Court heard police had been monitoring the activities of a criminal group involved in large scale cocaine trafficking in early 2007 when the trail led to a Leila Avenue apartment.

Sudinia Johnson, 34 of Hamilton, and Otis Kelly, 40 of Fairfield. Arrested at Pleasant Avenue and Nilles Road in Fairfield,$1 million each bail

Sudinia Johnson of hamilton and Otis Kelly of Fairfield are each in jail on a million dollar bond tonight.The Butler County Sheriff says the two were traveling from Chicago to Butler County with 7 kilos of cocaine.He says authorities tracked the men from Chicago and pulled them over in Fairfield. Deputies also seized five vehicles in the investigation."It's one of the most sophisticated set ups we've ever seen. It's got hydraulics, it's got an alarm system on it. You can't get in to get to those drugs without an alarm going off and you have to set the hydraulics so the safe opens in the back seat." The sheriff says the suspects live in Butler County and distribute the drugs to dealers in the area.Fifteen pounds of cocaine from Chicago, by way of Mexico, estimated to be worth more than $500,000 on the street.Bonds were set at $1 million each for Sudinia Johnson, 34 of Hamilton, and Otis Kelly, 40 of Fairfield. Arrested at Pleasant Avenue and Nilles Road in Fairfield, the pair are charged with drug trafficking and possession.That was most of the haul undercover Butler County sheriff's investigators seized Wednesday in Fairfield in what officials say is the county's second largest cocaine bust. It occurred just a few months after the county's biggest bust."This is the second one of these we have had in about four months. You almost have to be one stupid criminal to come to this community with what we've got going on with the drug seizures and the arrests," Sheriff Rick Jones said Thursday.Jones would give few details about the investigation because he says more arrests are expected.Earlier this summer, a separate federal investigation in Butler County led to a bust where 17½ pounds of cocaine were found hidden in the bumper of a car.

Europe now has more than 12 million cocaine users, 1.5 million heroin users and 9.5 million ecstasy users

Europe now has more than 12 million cocaine users, 1.5 million heroin users and 9.5 million ecstasy users, a conference on the EU's drugs strategy heard today.
Fianna Fáil MEP Eoin Ryan, a former junior minister with responsibility for the national drugs strategy, told the event that fighting drug crime means sharing intelligence to track criminals across borders.“We need to increase our knowledge of all aspects of drug use through more and better co-ordinated research and data, including information on drug related crime and how international drug cartels operate. But to achieve these goals, international co-operation is urgently needed,” Mr Ryan said.“We now live in an internal market of 27 EU member states. No one European country can defeat the international drug barons on their own.”Mr Ryan said the EU is also the largest financial contributor of aid to Afghanistan in an effort to reduce heroin production, “albeit with limited success to date”.A total of 90 per cent of all heroin sold on the streets of Ireland come directly from the poppy fields of Afghanistan, he added."The European Union is to increase the number of information programmes that it is running in Europe to highlight the dangers of illegal drug abuse. Vulnerable groups in our society will be particularly targeted."
“A European Citizens Alliance on Drugs contains principles and commitments to guide people as to how they should deal with drug related issues as they arise within their environment.”The conference entitled How the EU Action Plan for Drugs 2009-2012 can benefit the people of Dublin also heard from Minister of State for Drugs Strategy John Curran, Lord Mayor of Dublin Eibhlin Byrne, Sebastian Saville, an advisor to the European Parliament on EU drug policy issues, and crime journalist Paul Williams.Mr Curran said the Government's own drug strategy included focusing on reducing the demand for drugs and the supply of drugs. It also focused on treatment, including harm reduction, and on prison-based measures and rehabilitation measures, he said.He said he would be organising a working group on drugs later this month.Sebastian Saville, an adviser to the International Drug Policy Consortium, said drugs strategy should help policy makers to reach "informed decisions" based on the best available evidence on drugs.He said the focus in the drugs debate was sometimes exclusively on numbers rather than on the harm done."Would we rather have a million people who smoke cannabis or 50,000 chaotic crack users?"He said there was a "lack of evidence" on interdiction as a means of controlling drugs.Mr Saville said that drug seizures marked only a small percentage of all the drugs reaching the market and it had to be considered whether the actions of policy makers were proportional to the result. Future policy had to be based on "sound evidence" but the issue was complicated, Mr Saville said.Speakers at the conference expressed concern that the EU strategy focused on drugs, without any emphasis on the harm done by alcohol.Prof Joe Barry, public health consultant and former president of the Irish Medical Organisation said: "There seems to be a reluctance in Ireland to link drugs and alcohol in public policy terms. If we don't have an alcohol strategy, our drugs strategy won't be as effective."Lord Mayor of Dublin Councillor Eibhlin Byrne said those who used drugs and those who were pushing drugs and "causing havoc in our communities" needed to be dealt with in different ways.Ms Byrne said she was aware of women on their "second or third credit union loan" to pay off dealers who were threatening to "break legs or to damage their children".She said she was aware children as young as 10 years old were being used to carry drugs around the city for dealers because they were less likely to be challenged by gardai.She said that 20 years ago, she would have advised women and communities being intimidated in this way to undertake marches of protest."I would not advocate that now because I believe it would be dangerous. In the 20 years, human life has become cheaper."Ms Byrne said she was "not a great one" for policies and action plans because "very often the problem is the absence of money in programmes that we feel will address the issues".
She said she was glad that there was an element of funding attached to the EU policy. Although this has yet to be finalised, it is estimated that between €20 million and €25 million will be provided to promote the strategy in local communities throughout the EU.

Jamel “Bump” Brannon, 28, of no permanent address, was identified as the main organizer of illegal drug sales in Riverside and Black Rock.

Jamel “Bump” Brannon, 28, of no permanent address, was identified as the main organizer of illegal drug sales in Riverside and Black Rock. He remains at large.
Individuals arrested Wednesday in the sweep were: Stacey Matthews, 22, of Condon Avenue; Jonathan Decerro, 17, of Albany Street; Laicie Manzella, 19, of Condon; Yashiara Maldonado, 18, of Condon; Kathleen Wargula, 18, of Laird Avenue; Linda Wargula, 54, of Laird; Charles Lynch, 32, of Grove Street; Michelle Anthony, 25, of Condon. Also, Michael Burgos, 23, of Esser Avenue; Ruben Rosario, 18, unknown address; Deveraux Jaeckle, 16, of Germain Street; James Goree, 33, of Laird; Bobby Johnson, age unknown, of Grote Street; Charles Lynch, 32, of Grote; Mark Lucas, 20, of Laird; Derek Taton, 22, of Loretta Avenue, Town of Tonawanda; Deborah Wagaman, 52, of Herkimer Street; Jennifer Pladas, 32, unknown address; Martin Lauber, 33, of Herkimer; Shannon Fitzpatrick, 24, unknown address; Allen Vance, 35, of Grote; and Antoinette Burhanan, 24, of Grote. Individuals previously arrested on warrants were identified as Doyl Avino, 41; Tyrell Legall, 35; Larry Chavers, 33; Tremaine Williams, 20; Clifford Collier, 45; Jamar Young, 19; Kelly Garcia, 35; Winston Foy, 32; Isaiah Jones, 18; Asante Kwabena, 32; Sterling Rather, 31; Johnny Lewis, 28; and E. Jay Corp, 33. In addition to Brannon, 12 individuals are still wanted on warrants: Dwayne A. Wilson, 37; Johnny Smith, 18; John Shelton, 19; Leandro Juan Rodriguez, 33; Roberto Leon, 17; Marjorie Patterson, age unavailable; James C. Johnson, 22; Kevin D. Jakubczak, 21; Carlo A. Gibson, 23; Marquis L. Ford, 26; Sammy Delgado, 29; and Lamaine Clark, 24.

Carlos Patino Restrepo was flown to the United States and arrived in an armored car for his arraignment Thursday in U.S. District Court

Carlos Patino Restrepo was flown to the United States and arrived in an armored car for his arraignment Thursday in U.S. District Court in Central Islip.Patino Restrepo, 44, is accused of bringing tons of cocaine into the United States beginning in the 1990s, according to court documents, Newsday reported. He is charged with conspiracy to possess and import cocaine into the country, with intent to distribute.He pleaded not guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Joanna Seybert, who ordered him held without bail as a flight risk and a danger to the community.
Patino Restrepo’s New York attorney, Todd Merer, denied that his client had threatened to kill the previous prosecutor and agent on the case, telling Newsday the charges were based on the fraudulent testimony of two or three Colombians.
In Colombia, authorities considered Patino Restrepo an accomplice of top cocaine lord Wilber Varela, who was on the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s list of most wanted fugitives, with a $5 million reward for his arrest. Varela was found shot to death earlier this year in Venezuela.The cartel would deliver the cocaine to the Colombian port of Buenaventura, where Mexican transporters loaded it on boats and planes to the United States, according to the U.S. Justice Department.
Patino Restrepo was arrested last year in Colombia, and authorities there approved his extradition to the United States.

Jeffrey Conway,who had a trial with Celtic Football Club, agreed to mind drugs for a person he met at a party in return for some cocaine for his own

Jeffrey Conway,who had a trial with Celtic Football Club, agreed to mind drugs for a person he met at a party in return for some cocaine for his own use.
Conway, of Belclare Avenue, Poppintree, Ballymun pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of the cocaine in his bedroom at his family home on June 1, 2007.Judge Katherine Delahunt remanded Conway in custody earlier this month to allow her consider reports handed into court before she finalised his sentence.
She told Conway today that she had read the reports carefully and she was now going to adjourn the case again to allow for an updated probation report and urine analysis. She readmitted Conway to bail to allow him to engage with the probation service and adjourned sentencing to next July.Garda Angela McFadden told Mr Garret Baker BL, prosecuting, that when gardaí acting on confidential information attended at the Conway family home, they were met by the accused who brought them to his bedroom and pointed at a wardrobe containing a large shopping bag holding a block of cocaine.Garda McFadden said the cocaine weighed 485.9 grammes and was valued at more than €34,000.Conway, who has no previous convictions, told gardaí he had a met a person at a party who had asked him to mind the drugs and in return he would receive some cocaine for personal use. He said he had been using cocaine heavily for a year and was spending up to €200 a week on the drug. He said he owed about €1,600 to financial institutions, was unemployed and "could not go on without cocaine".Garda McFadden agreed with defence counsel, Mr Luán Ó Braonáin SC (with Mr Paul Greene BL), that Conway had cooperated with gardaí in relation to his own role and was not distributing the drugs himself.Dr David Gibney told Mr Ó Braonáin that Conway had come to him in 2007 seeking assistance in securing a place on a residential detoxification programme. He said Conway had successfully completed the programme and now spoke to transition year students about the dangers of drug addiction.
Dr Gibney said in his experience with drug addicts Conway was "exceptional and had done very well".Mr Ó Braonáin submitted that Conway was a vulnerable individual who dealt with his insecurities via alcohol and cocaine use. He said he was open to exploitation by others as his "default setting" was to say "yes" to people in order to keep them happy and make them like him.He said Conway had "excelled at football" and had a trial with Celtic Football Club as well as playing League of Ireland football. He said Conway had now put together a business plan to set up as a contract plumber.Mr Ó Braonáin said Conway had successfully attended at The Rutland Centre to deal with his drug addiction and was now benefiting other young people in the community by passing on his knowledge of the dangers of drugs.He asked the court to take into account that Conway was "an exceptional and specific offender" who had entered the earliest possible plea of guilty. He said Conway’s family were in court "in bountiful numbers" to support him.

Traci C. Buckley, 28, smuggled a “dangerous narcotic” into the jail by passing it to inmate Raymond H. Sitterly, 31.

Traci C. Buckley, 28, smuggled a “dangerous narcotic” into the jail by passing it to inmate Raymond H. Sitterly, 31. Deputies didn’t identify the drug.The pair were arrested on Saturday during the act of smuggling, deputies said, after a week-long investigation by detectives and corrections staff members.Both were charged with first degree promoting prison contraband, a felony. Buckley was arraigned in Oxford and released on her own recognizance. Both are scheduled to appear in Town of Norwich Court at a later date, police said.

Thomas McIntyre, 40, was caught after police raided his home in Cairnton Place, Tillicoutry,

Thomas McIntyre, 40, was caught after police raided his home in Cairnton Place, Tillicoutry, last May. Detectives moved in after quizzing users who confessed to often buying drugs from McIntyre.
At the High Court in Glasgow, McIntyre admitted being concerned in the supply of heroin between 1 January and 10 May last year. It emerged he had already served a five year jail-term for drug dealing after being convicted in 2003. He accepts that heroin brings misery, he knows that better than most Liam O'Donnell Defence lawyer
Judge Lord Bracadale reduced the latest sentence from seven years due to his guilty plea. The court heard police questioned several addicts after being alerted to McIntyre's drugs trade. One man admitted he had acted as a "runner" for the accused to help deliver heroin. Officers then raided McIntyre's home on 10 May last year.
A woman there admitted that McIntyre sold drugs. Police also seized £865 in cash and two mobile phones. A number of text messages on the phones were from users looking to buy drugs. McIntyre was later detained and admitted dealing heroin on a daily basis. Liam O'Donnell, defending, said McIntyre had been lured back into drugs on his release from jail and had been spending up to £1,000-a-day on cocaine and heroin for himself. The lawyer added: "He was approached by an individual claiming that money was owed. He accepts that he had a choice, but chose to re-enter the world of drug dealing. "He is a man who has not made money through drugs, but made money for others. He accepts that heroin brings misery, he knows that better than most."
Mr O'Donnell also said McIntyre's mother had disowned him and that he had latterly been living with friends. McIntyre also admitted failing to appear for a previous court date. Lord Bracadale sentenced him to 12 months on that charge to run concurrently with the six and a half years.

Sebastian Araujo, 42 and Moises Solano, 50

Sebastian Araujo, 42 and Moises Solano, 50 were scheduled to appear for a bond hearing Tuesday after police found 25 kilos of cocaine, with an estimated street value of more than $2.5 million, on them at a North Side gas station.
After Grand Central Area Spanish Gang Task Force officers received information that a vehicle was being used to transport a large quantity of narcotics from Texas to Chicago, they set up surveillance at a North Side gas station that was supposed to be the drop-off point for the drugs.They saw the vehicle approach the gas station and detained two men, Sebastian Araujo, 42 and Moises Solano, 50, at the scene, according to a release from police News Affairs.While they were being held, a drug-sniffing dog was brought in, who detected something in the rear panels of the vehicle's back seats, the release said.Police removed the panels and found numerous cellophane-wrapped brick-like objects, which were tested and found to be cocaine, the release said. A total of 25 kilos of cocaine was recovered, which has an estimated street value of more than $2.5 million.Araujo and Solano, both of near west suburban Northlake, were taken to the Albany Park District police station for processing and charged with possession of a controlled substance. They were expected to appear for a bond hearing Tuesday, police said.

Brian Mounsey, 50, of Stockton-on-Tees, once sentenced to death in Thailand for drug dealing but commuted to 40 years in prison.

Richard Arthur Daniels, 38, of Beechwood Road, Wibsey, was jailed for ten years. Anthony Davies, 27, of Lloyds Drive, Low Moor, got six years.

A third Bradford man, Dean Martin, 30, of Glendale Drive, Wibsey, is expected to be sentenced next week. Daniels had admitted a charge of conspiring to supply cocaine. Davies and Martin pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply class A drugs.

The court heard that much of the prosecution case was built around surveillance of the mastermind John Roe, 40, of Workington, Cumbria, who organised one major pick up of imported cocaine and cannabis valued at £29,000 from London. Police secretly recorded his conversations as he journeyed from Bradford to London. He was jailed for 12 years. The gang included a man, Brian Mounsey, 50, of Stockton-on-Tees, once sentenced to death in Thailand for drug dealing but commuted to 40 years in prison. He was jailed for ten years. The senior detective who led the investigation said the gang was regarded by police as the number one threat to law and order in Cumbria.
Detective Inspector Jason Hudson, of Cumbria Constabulary’s serious and organised crime unit, said: “The impact of these convictions can’t be underestimated.”
The conspiracy involved links with drug barons in Yorkshire and outside the UK. Roe admitted three charges of conspiring to supply cannabis, and one each of conspiring to supply cocaine and amphetamines. Surveillance gave police key evidence against the gang’s importer, Gino Obiekezie, a 34-year-old London man with a Nigerian passport, who admitted two counts of conspiring to supply class A drugs and one of importing cocaine. He was jailed for eight years.

Miguel Fernando Villarreal-Ochoa guilty of conspiring to posses and possessing with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine.

Miguel Fernando Villarreal-Ochoa guilty of conspiring to posses and possessing with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine.The trial for the 35-year-old owner of Villarreal Transport started last Wednesday with the jury making their decision at 8 p.m. Friday.Brownsville FBI agents received information that a large amount of narcotics was located at a certain address in Brownsville.
Authroties found cocaine and thousands of dollars of cash af Villareal-Ochoa's Brownsville home.The trucking company owner is expected to be sentenced on Jan. 26, 2009 where he faces 10 years to life in prison and a maximum fine of $4 million dollars.

Eduardo Arellano Felix captured by Mexican law enforcement agents

Mexican law enforcement agents have captured Eduardo Arellano Felix, a suspected leader of the brutal, Baja California-based drug cartel responsible for smuggling large amounts of cocaine, marijuana, and methamphetamine to the United States.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration had offered $5 million for information leading to his capture. Arellano has been indicted in U.S. federal court in San Diego. Mexican officials said Sunday that Arellano was arrested at a Tijuana residence Saturday night, along with his daughter. The daughter's name was not available. They have been taken to Mexico City, as is the case with most high-profile arrests in drug cases. The DEA also confirmed Arellano's detention. It is the latest in a series of arrests in recent years that has weakened the organization. As the cartel has lost its grip on the lucrative drug-smuggling routes into the United States, a deadly battle for control of the Tijuana region has ensued. Eduardo Arellano's arrest follows that of his three brothers, Benjamin, Francisco Rafael and Francisco Javier, and the death of a fourth, Ramon, who was killed in a 2002 shootout with Mexican police in the state of Sinaloa.
Eduardo Arellano, nicknamed El Doctor, has been described as a reclusive former medical student in charge of overseeing the group's finances. With the removal of his brothers, he played an increasingly important role. A nephew, Fernando Sanchez Arellano, has been said to be in charge of the group's day-to-day operations. But Sanchez has been challenged by a former crew leader, Eduardo Garcia Simental, known as El Teo, and their battle has claimed the lives of close to 150 people in Tijuana in the past month.

Antonio F. Ropiza pleaded not guilty to a count of second-degree murder

Antonio F. Ropiza, 30, of Riverhead, pleaded not guilty to a count of second-degree murder Monday in Riverhead Town Justice Court, court officials said.Town Justice Allen Smith ordered Ropiza held in county jail without bail.According to police, Beatrice Shaw's mother discovered her daughter's dead body inside her apartment around 3:15 p.m. Friday. Police said Ropiza stabbed Shaw the night before after he fought with Shaw over some crack cocaine he'd obtained from her. Defense lawyer James Saladino of Riverhead said his client had suffered an unspecified brain injury 10 years ago and had recently been taking medication."He told police he stopped taking his medication a month ago," Saladino said. "I don't know if he completely understands what is going on."Deputy Insp. Robert Oswald, commanding officer of the Suffolk police major crimes bureau, said the defendant and victim had a "casual relationship between them based on their mutual use of crack cocaine.""He was dissatisfied with the quality or quantity of crack cocaine he had gotten from her," Oswald said.Ropiza, of 12 Fairview Dr., is due back in court on Oct. 30.

Courtney T. Moragne, was sentenced for unlawful gun possession and possession of crack cocaine with intent to sell

Courtney T. Moragne, 26, formerly of Pierce Avenue, was sentenced for unlawful gun possession and possession of crack cocaine with intent to sell, both felonies.
Agents from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives worked on the case with Niagara Falls Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard P. Maigret said Moragne was arrested with crack cocaine in June 2006, November 2006 and again in January 2007.Moragne also was found to be in possession of loaded firearms during both of the 2006 arrests, Maigret said. He pleaded guilty to criminal charges in May.

Demont Story, of 14408 Brandon Court in Dale City, faces a federal charge of conspiracy to distribute five or more kilograms of cocaine.

Demont Story, of 14408 Brandon Court in Dale City, faces a federal charge of conspiracy to distribute five or more kilograms of cocaine. Police charged 17 people, one from the Dale City area, with distributing massive amounts of cocaine in Prince William County. Multiple kilograms of cocaine from Chicago, with a street value of nearly $20,000, were distributed throughout the county, officials announced at a Monday afternoon press conference. “The myth that large scale cocaine trafficking is not present in this area, we are proving today that it is here,” Joseph Persichini, assistant director of the FBI Washington, D.C. Field Office said.
Officials said Story for many years coordinated the purchase of the drugs, transporting them from Chicago and selling them in Prince William, said Persichini.
When officials began their investigation in 2005 they found Story had employed his uncle, Dennis Story, of Chicago, to transport the drugs from Chicago to Virginia. Both were arrested in March. The trafficking operation began in 2004, however, it is unclear how many kilograms of cocaine were sold in Prince William County, Persichini said. Officials also would not speculate on how much money the drug ring brought in. Another Woodbridge man who officials said conspired with Story is still on the loose. Gary Lewis, 33, of 2140 Jennings Street, also faces federal charges of conspiracy to distribute five or more kilos of cocaine.

Narendra Kalidas Suchak was stopped by customs officers at Dover docks in Kent on Friday evening after he arrived on a ferry from Calais.

Narendra Kalidas Suchak, 56, of Mason Row, Hamilton, was stopped by customs officers at Dover docks in Kent on Friday evening after he arrived on a ferry from Calais.
Upon inspection of his Audi car they said they discovered five packages hidden in the rear quarter panels, containing approximately 5kg of the drug.Further inquiries led to £3,500 in cash being recovered from a house in Leicester.HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) spokesman Bob Gaiger said: "This was an excellent detection by UK Border Agency officers which led to the seizure of a large amount of cash under the Proceeds of Crime Act."HMRC together with UKBA play a vital role in the fight to prevent illegal drugs from entering the UK and in protecting our communities from the violence and corruption that always accompany this hideous trade."

Jesus Zambada Garcia, the brother of a suspected drug kingpin in the northwestern state of Sinaloa, was among 16 people captured

Jesus Zambada Garcia, the brother of a suspected drug kingpin in the northwestern state of Sinaloa, was among 16 people captured Monday after a gunbattle in the Mexican capital, said Attorney General Eduardo Medina Mora. The attorney general said Zambada, whose nickname means "the king," commanded one of four branches of the so-called Sinaloa cartel, leading its operations in central Mexico. Zambada is the brother of Ismael Zambada and an associate of Joaquin "Shorty" Guzman, the most-wanted trafficker in Mexico, officials said. Jesus Zambada controlled smuggling of cocaine and chemical ingredients for the production of methamphetamine through Mexico City's airport, Medina Mora said. Authorities have focused increasing attention in recent months on drug smugglers' use of the country's largest airport.
Jesus Zambada is also linked to a number of gruesome drug killings in central and western Mexico, prosecutors said. "The arrest of Jesus Zambada Garcia, the King, stands out, without a doubt, as one of the most significant by President (Felipe) Calderon's government to date," Medina Mora told reporters. "It is not the only one in recent months, nor will it be the last in the months to come." Investigators are looking into Zambada's possible role in the assassination of the acting federal police chief, Edgar Millan Gomez. The police commander was ambushed in his Mexico City home in May by a gunman, and authorities have long suspected Sinaloa traffickers were behind the slaying. Marisela Morales, who runs the organized-crime unit of the attorney general's office, called Zambada "one of the most important" smugglers of cocaine and methamphetamines into Mexico.

Jonathan G. Salgado-Alvarez, 36, of 19 Sargent St.was phony.

Jonathan G. Salgado-Alvarez, 36, of 19 Sargent St. — was phony.When troopers tried to fingerprint him at the state police barracks in Leominster, they determined he had used sandpaper or some abrasive material to grind off the ridged skin of his fingerprints in an apparent attempt to conceal his identity.Salgado-Alvarez displayed a driver's license with a number that came back to a different person in Puerto Rico with a different name and date of birth than those listed on the license.
Police said they found 454 grams of cocaine hidden in a back seat compartment of a 2000 Buick Century that was registered to a man living at the Lawrence address. Salgado-Alvarez claimed the man was his roommate.Salgado-Alvarez was charged with trafficking cocaine, unlicensed operation, marked lanes violation, refusing to identify himself, and providing a false name to police. He was scheduled to be arraigned in Fitchburg District Court yesterday.State Trooper John McDonald stopped the Buick Century after watching it swerve between marked lanes on Route 2 westbound in Fitchburg just before Exit 30 late Tuesday afternoon.McDonald said he got suspicious while walking up to the car when he smelled an excessive amount of a masking agent used to cover up other odors.The trooper knew something was wrong when the driver handed him a bogus driver's license, could not immediately remember the name of the car's registered owner, and failed to give the full name of the girlfriend he claimed he was going to see. The trooper also notice a loosened dashboard and glove box.A state police dog detected narcotics in the man's car. After towing it to the state police barracks, state troopers and a Fitchburg police detective discovered a "hide" — an illegal alteration to a motor vehicle used to conceal and transport contraband — inside the passenger side rear seat.In the hide, police found two plastic bags, one a little bigger than a softball, the other slightly smaller. The bags contained a total of 125 small baggies containing what they said they believe is cocaine.

Tyrone Fleming was charged with possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia, and illegal transportation of alcohol

Tyrone Fleming, 45, of Deerfield, Fla., was charged with possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia, and illegal transportation of alcohol, police said.traffic stop of a semi truck in Plainfield turned into a drug arrest when cocaine and drug paraphernalia were found in the passenger's possession, police said.
Illinois State Police and Plainfield police stopped the truck at Lockport and Dillman Streets on Friday because it was oversize, police said.

Stacey Goss, 31, pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 or more grams of crack cocaine.

Stacey Goss, 31, pleaded guilty June 18 to a charge of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 or more grams of crack cocaine. U.S. District Judge Mark R. Kravitz sentenced her to 120 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release.According to the U.S. attorney's Connecticut office, Goss, also known as "Binky," was among 22 people named Feb. 14 in a 30-count indictment handed up by a grand jury charging them with offenses including drug trafficking and witness-tampering in connection with a drug distribution ring in southwest Connecticut.Goss, who has been detained since her arrest Feb. 20, was accused of distributing crack to customers and street-level dealers on behalf of her co-conspirators, acting U.S. Attorney for Connecticut Nora R. Dannehy said in a prepared statement.

Richard Compton was caught with £320,000 worth of the Class A

Richard Compton was caught with £320,000 worth of the Class A substance near the M74 motorway at Lesmahagow in October last year. He drove on the wrong side of the road and crossed a central reservation in a bid to escape a police patrol car. When officers finally stopped him his face was covered in white powder. At the High Court in Edinburgh, the former salesman from Livingston, West Lothian, admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine and amphetamine. The 41-year-old also admitted driving dangerously by driving at excessively slow speed, on the wrong side of the road, crossing a central reservation, weaving from lane to lane and narrowly avoiding collisions. He further pled guilty to driving while unfit through drink or drugs. The court heard that officers recovered two kilos of cocaine from the Honda Civic Compton he was driving. The Class A drug was found to be double the level of purity normally available in street deals. A further search at Crompton's home in Livingston found one and a quarter kilos of amphetamine in a fridge, worth £12,000.
Crompton told police he had been getting blocks of amphetamine and then packaging it into smaller amounts for another, whom he refused to name. He said he had driven to London from Livingston to pick up a package when he was stopped by police as he returned on 24 October last year. He was to be paid £1,000 for the journey but never got the cash after getting stopped. Judge Lord Bracadale told Crompton he would have jailed him for seven years for the crimes, but for his guilty pleas. He was also banned from driving and ordered to re-sit a test because of the motoring offences.

Freddie Lopez Jr. of Ruskin, Juan Antonio Ramos of Ruskin and Arnold Castaneda of Wimauma are each charged with felony cocaine trafficking

Freddie Lopez Jr. of Ruskin, Juan Antonio Ramos of Ruskin and Arnold Castaneda of Wimauma are each charged with felony cocaine trafficking. Each was held without bail at the Orient Road Jail today.Authorities arrested the men about 4:40 p.m. Wednesday at Big Bend Road and U.S. 301 South in Riverview, jail records show.According to affidavits, Ramos, 28, arranged for the other men to sell 12 ounces of cocaine to the detective for $6,000.Lopez supplied the cocaine, affidavits state. All three met with the detective for the exchange, affidavits state.

Athletics coach Trevor Graham was sentenced by a U.S. judge on Tuesday to one year of home confinement

Athletics coach Trevor Graham was sentenced by a U.S. judge on Tuesday to one year of home confinement for lying to federal agents investigating the BALCO doping scandal, according to media reports.Graham's attorney and prosecutors were not immediately available for comment.Graham triggered a huge steroid scandal by anonymously sending the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency a syringe with a then-undetectable steroid that was traced back to the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative (BALCO), a San Francisco-area company.The scandal affected athletics, baseball and American football, and led to prison time for BALCO founder Victor Conte and others, including Olympic sprinter Marion Jones.Jamaican-born Graham formerly trained Jones and disgraced sprinters Tim Montgomery and Justin Gatlin.Graham, who ran in the 1988 Olympic 4x400 meters relay for Jamaica, was convicted in May of lying over his relationship with Angel Heredia, a Mexican athlete who testified he sold performance-enhancing drugs to Graham and his athletes.In July, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency said Graham had been banned for life from coaching or participating in activities of several sports organizations including the U.S. Olympic Committee.Former San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds, baseball's all-time home run leader, has also been indicted in connection with the BALCO scandal. He has denied knowingly taking performance-enhancing drugs.

Email Ewald Banai,was arrested by Revenue and Customs officers when he arrived at Belfast International Airport on a flight from Amsterdam

Email Ewald Banai, a 57-year-old Surinamese national resident in Holland, was arrested by Revenue and Customs officers when he arrived at Belfast International Airport on a flight from Amsterdam in October last year. During routine questioning, officers became suspicious and Mr Banai was arrested and taken to a nearby hospital for X-ray examination. One hundred small packages were recovered and on subsequent testing proved to contain a total of 1.07 kilos of cocaine with a street value of £207,000. Sentencing him at Antrim Crown Court, Judge Grant described Banai as "a habitual re-offender". He had previous involvement in Holland for drugs offences relating to cocaine and heroin. The judge said he wanted to "stamp out the illegal importation of drugs into Northern Ireland". John Whiting, Assistant Director Criminal Investigation and the HMRC said after the case; "HMRC is working closely with the police and other law enforcement agencies such as the Serious Organised Crime Agency to protect the public from the significant and damaging effects drugs have on our communities. "This collaboration is helping to protect the UK from the violence and corruption that always accompanies the trade in illegal drugs.

Gangsta Rapper Thomas Mandigo expects a life sentence

Thomas Mandigo was arrested in April on drug possession charges. He was found guilty of the crime several weeks ago. Prosecutor Jason Jones said that Mandigo glorified his gangster and drug selling lifestyle with videos placed on You Tube.
Monday, a Caddo judge determined that Mandigo is a four-time felony offender, and that's something that he can consider during sentencing, according to the multi-offender bill. Mandigo is set to be sentenced next Tuesday. Jones expects a life sentence.

Miss Louisiana Teen USA, Lindsey Evans, has been stripped of her title following her arrest for alleged possession of marijuana

Miss Louisiana Teen USA, Lindsey Evans, has been stripped of her title following her arrest for alleged possession of marijuana, which the police found in her purse after she and three girlfriends were apprehended for leaving a restaurant without paying the bill. (For more details, read our earlier story.)Paula Miles, president of the company that sponsors the Miss Louisiana Teen USA pageant, gave TMZ an advance copy of her statement:Lindsey Evans has been part of an organization that believes in opportunities when earned and consequences when warranted. Due to recent circumstances, Lindsey has been relieved of her duties as Miss Louisiana Teen USA 2008 effective immediately."
She had only 10 days left.

Former Damascus Police Chief Tony Richardson faces up to 80 years in prison after pleading no contest Tuesday to charges that he sold methamphetamine.

Former Damascus Police Chief Tony Richardson faces up to 80 years in prison after pleading no contest Tuesday to charges that he sold and conspired to distribute methamphetamine. And there are more charges to come. The no-contest pleas, which carry the same penalties as a conviction but is not an admission of guilt, were delivered Tuesday in answer to two drug charges in Washington County Circuit Court. Richardson is scheduled for sentencing on those charges Jan. 14.
Still pending are 14 other criminal charges – 11 felonies and three misdemeanors – and a pending trial date in March. “Because they are different dates and different offenses, they can’t all be tried together unfortunately, so we’re having to just piecemeal the cases a few at a time until we can get them all tried,” Commonwealth’s Attorney Dennis Godfrey said. “We have to go from one jury pool to another in order to do that, so it will take quite a while to get through them unless some type of understanding is reached.” Godfrey said he does not anticipate offering Richardson a plea agreement. “We wanted to have a trial,” said Chief Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Nicole Price, who added that she and Godfrey will be ready for trial in the next case as well. Richardson said nothing in court Tuesday except to answer questions from retired 30th Circuit Judge Birg Sergent, who is presiding over the cases. Richardson’s attorney, Tony Anderson, said it would be inappropriate to comment on the case while sentencing and other charges are pending. Although Richardson has largely remained silent since his arrest last year, in May he said he would tell his story “as soon as I’m turned loose.” During Tuesday’s hearing, Special Agent Brian Snedeker of the federal Drug Enforcement Agency, testified that on June 12, 2007, law enforcement agents used a confidential source to make a controlled purchase of 3.5 grams of methamphetamine from Richardson. “I was both listening to the transaction as it occurred and watching Mr. Richardson’s residence as the transaction occurred,” Snedeker testified. Snedeker also identified evidence for the Commonwealth, which was sealed, including video recordings, a transcript and text message records. The charges still pending against Richardson include three counts of drug distribution, two counts of imitation drug distribution, two counts of conspiracy to distribute drugs, possession of drugs, grand larceny of a firearm, two counts of possessing a firearm with scheduled drugs and two counts of obstructing justice. According to the indictment, the possession charges are for meth and hydrocodone; the distribution charges are for meth, hydrocodone, oxycodone and imitation meth; and the firearm in question belonged to the Glade Spring Police Department.

Milton Tyson stopped found with a van full of counterfeit merchandise, a small amount of marijauna and a loaded pistol.

Milton Tyson, 39, of Harvest. He had been a special education teacher at Lee High for more than 10 years. Police arrested Tyson Monday not far from Lee High School. They say when they stopped him they found a van full of counterfeit merchandise, a small amount of marijauna and a loaded pistol. "This pistol we determined was on campus prior to us arresting him off," said Sgt. Mark Roberts with the Huntsville Police Department.Huntsville Police are looking at pursuing additional federal charges through the Alabama Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms. Police say Tyson did have a current pistol permit on him. "We're hoping that maybe the A.T.F. will come through on that because we don't feel that anyone should be carrying weapons on campus especially when they're involved in illegal activities such as this," said Sgt. Roberts.As for the counterfeit items:"We believe that he had a connection in New York. That he was having it sent through the mail, and we have records that show that he had been doing this for a long period of time. Maybe even up as far as two years ago," said Sgt. Roberts.
The bigger issue at hand. "We do know that students were buying from Mr. Tyson, yes," said Sgt. Roberts.And investigators say there may have been more people than Tyson selling the counterfeit clothing and tennis shoes. They could face charges too. If convicted, Tyson could face imprisonment for more than a year. As for his career at Lee High school, a spokesperson for Huntsville City Schools says Tyson won't be allowed back on the Lee campus. A decision on his employment with Huntsville City Schools will be determined based on the outcome of the criminal prosecution. Tyson is in the Huntsville Metro Jail being held on a bond of $102,500.

Philip Tasker, 42, was found with the 70kg haul of heroin stashed in the back of his Citroen van.

Philip Tasker, 42, was found with the 70kg haul of heroin stashed in the back of his Citroen van.The drugs were in boxes marked up for carrying bacon.The discovery was made when Tasker was stopped by UK Border Agency officers at the Eastern Docks in Dover on Friday (October 17).Tasker has now been released on bail and is due to appear at Dover Magistrates Court on Thursday (October 23).

Michael Sammon charged with conspiracy to possess firearms with intent to endanger life, conspiracy to import firearms possessing class C

Michael Sammon (born 13/03/1960) has today, Monday 20 October 2008, been charged with conspiracy to possess firearms with intent to endanger life, conspiracy to import firearms, conspiracy to manufacture firearms, conspiracy to sell or transfer firearms to another, conspiracy to possess ammunition, having a false instrument, possessing a class C controlled drug and possessing an identity document with intent.
He is due to appear before Manchester City Magistrates' Court on Tuesday 28 October 2008.

Arrested Teodoro Fino Restrepo, who allegedly arranged cocaine shipments from Colombia to Mexico's Beltran Leyva cartel.

Arrested Teodoro Fino Restrepo, who allegedly arranged cocaine shipments from Colombia to Mexico's Beltran Leyva cartel.All the suspects are being held on suspicion of drug trafficking, money laundering and organised-crime activities, Ms Morales said. Authorities had been investigating the group since 2005.
"This is important, because it breaks a logistic link in the chain that supplies Mexican cartels with cocaine," she said.

Natalie Ellen Quinn, 26, of Grenville Walk in Littleborough, was arrested on the P&O ship Arcadia in Southampton early Sunday

Natalie Ellen Quinn, 26, of Grenville Walk in Littleborough, was arrested on the P&O ship Arcadia in Southampton early SundaySeven people were arrested in total in an operation involving HM Revenue and Customs and the UK Border Agency. Quinn is believed to be one of four who allegedly had a total of 30 kilos of cocaine strapped to their bodies. She was charged alongside Calvin Hylton, 41, from Manchester, Briony Dyce, 25, from Birmingham, and Camille Dupee, 19, for whom no address was given. None of those detained were members of the ship's crew and three others that were arrested have been bailed. The four people charged are due before Southampton Magistrates' Court charged with drug smuggling.

Victor M. Ramolete, 26, of Atlantic Beach was arrested.

Manager of a Jacksonville Beach bar was arrested Friday after a month-long investigation into reported drug sales inside Eddie Bahama’s, a bar at 314 First St. N.Detectives said they started surveillance inside the bar after buying drugs on three occasions.A fourth purchase was made about 10 p.m. Friday, after which Victor M. Ramolete, 26, of Atlantic Beach was arrested.Authorities said they bought about 2 1/2 ounces of cocaine during the investigationRamolette was charged with trafficking in cocaine and three counts of sale of a controlled substance.

Starr County Sheriff Reymundo Guerra resigned

Sheriff of a rural Texas county next to the U.S.-Mexico border has resigned after being indicted on federal drug charges.An attorney for Starr County Sheriff Reymundo Guerra says the sheriff's resignation was submitted during the weekend and was accepted by the county commissioners at an emergency meeting Monday morning.Guerra faces three counts in an indictment accusing him and 14 other people of involvement in a large-scale cocaine and marijuana smuggling operation.He pleaded not guilty on Friday.Defense attorney Philip Hilder said a court ruling was likely Monday on whether Guerra would be granted bail.

Larry Dobie "Bear" Pruitt,investigation culminated with the search of Pruitt's home, bar, and auto repair garage

Larry Dobie "Bear" Pruitt, 58, was arrested last year as part of an investigation between the Fourth Judicial District Drug Task Force and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.The investigation culminated with the search of Pruitt's home, bar, and auto repair garage on Sept. 28 last year.District Judge Ronnie Greer ordered Pruitt to remain in federal custody pending his sentencing set for Feb. 23, 2009.
In addition to a sentence of 10 to life, Pruitt also faces a possible $4 million fine, and at least five years of supervised release once he gets out of prison.

Elmira Police arrested 21-year old Brittany Nelson of Southport, Michael Harper,Jamal Brock, Robert Christian

Month-long investigation leads to a major drug bust in the Town of Southport.Police seized 500 grams of cocaine, estimated to value about $40,000.Elmira Police arrested 21-year old Brittany Nelson of Southport, 22-year old Michael Harper, 28-year old Jamal Brock, and 26-year old Robert Christian all of Elmira.Harper and Nelson were arraigned and sent to the Chemung County Jail without bail. Brock and Christian are in the Elmira City Lock Up waiting to be arraigned.

Malta,Dutch man was arrested after having in his possession more than 400 grammes of cocaine.

Dutch man was arrested after having in his possession more than 400 grammes of cocaine. The drug was found in 11 capsules and was hidden in his underwear. Another 43 capsules were found within his stomach.The man had just flown in from Amsterdam before being stopped and searched at the airport late last night in an operation carried out jointly with Customs.Further investigations are being carried out by Magistrate Audrey Demicoli.

Marie Dyce,Natalie Ellen Quinn,Calvin Neil Hylton,Camille Danielle P & O ship Arcadia four arrested 30 kilograms of cocaine strapped to their bodies.

The arrested passengers - Natalie Ellen Quinn, 26, from Rochdale, Lancashire, Camille Danielle, 19, from Handsworth, Birmingham, Calvin Neil Hylton, 41, from Manchester, and Briony Marie Dyce, 25, also from Handsworth – were charged with importing Class A drugs at Southampton Magistrates Court yesterday. They were remanded in custody.$3 million worth of illegal drugs has been seized during a raid on a cruise ship in the English port city of Southampton.Customs officials arrested seven people during the raid on the P and O ship Arcadia, an 11-deck boat with room for nearly 2,000 passengers.Four of those arrested had a total of 30 kilograms of cocaine strapped to their bodies.They have appeared in court charged with trying to smuggle the drug.
None of the seven involved were crew members. A P and O spokeswoman said the ship had just returned to Southampton from a 23-night cruise to the Caribbean.The company is cooperating with the police and has made no further comment. drugs were reportedly found strapped to the three women and one man as they disembarked from the P&O ship Arcadia at Southampton.The liner had just returned from a 23-day cruise of the Caribbean, with island stops on Antigua, St Lucia, Grenada and Barbados.
More than 8.8lb (30kg) of cocaine was discovered, making it the largest cruise ship drugs seizure in Britain, police believe. Three more people were arrested in the dock car park and surrounding areas.The large haul raises fears that criminal gangs are exploiting the light security of cruise ships as a new way of trafficking drugs into Britain."They have the whole day on an island, giving them plenty of time to pick up any drugs, and then plenty of time to conceal it when they get back on board," he said.The three other people arrested near the docks have been bailed.
Passengers paid up to £5,000 for a place on Arcadia's Caribbean cruise. The ship boasts a three-tier theatre, glass elevators offering a view of the ocean, and a spa. "Everything about Arcadia is indulgent," the P&O website says.

Vivian Dennis, a 75-year-old retired construction worker and Michael Dawkins, farmer of St Elizabeth, are each facing charges of possession, dealing

Jamaican-born British national, Vivian Dennis, a 75-year-old retired construction worker and Michael Dawkins, farmer of St Elizabeth, are each facing charges of possession, dealing and attempting to exporting cocaine. Dawkins also has to answer an additional charge of conspiracy. The court heard that on October 11, Dennis had boarded a flight to London, England, at the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, and was later summoned to the Narcotics Office. There he identified bags that had been taken to the office during routine luggage checks. He identified the luggage as his and used keys in his possession to open it. Four bottles labelled magnum and three bottles labelled Red Label wine were taken from a black bag all of which contained cocaine in the liquid form. Dennis told the police that it was Dawkins who gave it to him. Dawkins was subsequently called to the airport and was arrested and charged. Defence attorney Trevor Ho-Lyn, who represented Dennis, said that his client has carried back liquor for the accused before, and thought nothing was amiss when he was again asked to take back the bottles of what he thought were genuine liquors. He said his client has an unblemished record and would never get involved in this type of criminal activity. However, RM Henry denied bail saying that based on the information conveyed to the court, it would appear that both men were involved in the attempt to smuggle drugs and Dennis could be a flight risk.
Attorney Dalton Reid also said his client, Dawkins, had nothing to do with the drugs and said that it would have been stupid of his client to return to the airport knowing he had placed drugs in Dennis' suitcase. He argued that his client's actions shows that he could not have been involved. The men are scheduled to return to court on November 4. In the meantime, the substance is to be analysed at the government forensic laboratory.

Robert Cain said Dorne Dewaine Wheeler shot into his pickup truck striking his common law wife, Judy Logan.

$10 cocaine debt leads to wife's shooting, man testifies as Mobile murder trial begins. A man who admitted he and his common law wife were addicted to cocaine told a Mobile jury today that she was shot with a bullet meant for him because he had not paid a $10 cocaine debt. Robert Cain said Dorne Dewaine Wheeler shot into his pickup truck on July 7, 2007, striking his common law wife, Judy Logan. She died nearly three weeks later. Cain said Logan, 47, had just gotten out of prison on a robbery sentence and that five days later they were looking for cocaine in Alabama Village in Prichard when Wheeler, 27, spotted them. Cain said Wheeler shot into his truck, striking Logan. A forensic specialist later testified that the bullet from a 9 mm rifle went through her arm, ribs and lung, before stopping in her spine. The murder trial before Circuit Judge Michael Youngpeter resumes Tuesday.

Quintel Owens, Andrew Keyes and Alfred Anderson arrested three suspects during a drug bust that netted $71,000 worth of cocaine.

State police troopers in Morgantown arrested three suspects during a drug bust that netted $71,000 worth of cocaine. Police arrested three suspects from Hagerstown, Md.: Quintel Owens, Andrew Keyes and Alfred Anderson during the bust.

Graham Harris guilty of possessing 25.3g of cocaine with intent to supply

Graham Harris, 56, claimed the drug was for his own use because prescription drugs did not help him.
But at an earlier hearing a jury had found him guilty of having it with intent to supply, as well as possession.
At Gloucester Crown Court yesterday, Judge William Hart said a sentence of five years would be normal in such a case but because of the circumstances he was able to reduce it to three years.At the earlier hearing, a jury found Harris, 56, of Severn Road, guilty of possessing 25.3g of cocaine with intent to supply.They acquitted him of possessing criminal property – £5,000 in cash.Harris admitted possession of cannabis and was given a concurrent one-month sentence for that offence.
Prosecutor Giles Nelson told the jury police raided Harris's home on July 13 last year and found cannabis, cocaine and the cash."This was a significant find of drugs," Mr Nelson said, adding the street value of the cocaine at the time was up to £1,265.Giving evidence, Harris told the jury he had started using cocaine after going through a "serious bad patch" in 2002 and had since used the drug to battle his depression.
"I tried to commit suicide by cutting my wrists," he said.
"I lost seven pints of blood and I'm lucky to be alive today, to be honest with you."
Questioned by his legal representative Jason Coulter, Harris said that in 2006 a friend had suggested he try cocaine to "bring (himself) through it".
"I tried it and it just lifted me," he told the jury.
When asked by Mr Coulter why he might have had such a large amount of the drug if it was not for supply, he replied: "It is so I don't have to worry about going into that fraternity of people for quite a while."
The cash was mostly in a safe inside the house but about £660 was found in a wallet hidden under a mattress in the master bedroom, the court was told.
With the cocaine police also found two replica handguns, a machete and a baseball bat.Harris said one of the handguns belonged to his son, the machete was used to cut willow and the baseball bat was for a game.
Before sentence was passed Susan Cavanagh, for Harris, said the cocaine found in the house was of only 20% purity and so was worth about £250 and not the £1,265 originally suggested.Judge Hart said although the amount of cocaine found suggested supply, he did not consider Harris a street dealer.A confiscation hearing will be held on December 16.

Teodoro Mauricio "The Dove" Fino, is accused of shipping cocaine to Mexico for the powerful Beltran Leyva brothers to sell in the United States

Colombian kingpin Teodoro Mauricio "The Dove" Fino, is accused of shipping cocaine to Mexico for the powerful Beltran Leyva brothers to sell in the United States, police said on Sunday.Fino, who was arrested a party on Saturday, fled Colombia in 1997 and Mexican police have been on his trail for a decade.The arrests follow a string of narcotics seizures and captures of gang leaders the Mexican government. But drug violence over smuggling routes is spiraling in Mexico, with some 3,725 people killed this year.The Beltran Leyva brothers remain a key target for President Felipe Calderon, who has sent 36,000 troops across Mexico to fight drug gangs.
Soldiers arrested Alfredo Beltran Leyva in January 2008 but the remaining four brothers are still at large. They are allied with the ruthless Gulf cartel in eastern Mexico.

Gerard Matthews told gardaí he was told that €1,000 would be taken off his €25,000 drugs debt

Gerard Matthews (30), Grange Village, Mullingar, told gardaí he was told that €1,000 would be taken off his €25,000 drugs debt when he received a call ordering him to collect the vehicle from a McDonald's car park in Ballyfermot, Dublin.Sgt Brendan Breen agreed with Mary Ellen Ring SC, defending, that Matthews felt he had no option but to comply with the request and he believed that if he had ignored it there would have been "detrimental consequences".Matthews pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of the drugs for sale or supply at the N4 Lucan by-pass in May 2007.He also admitted to theft of €640 from Centra in Rathmines four days earlier and to producing a knife during the raid.Judge Delahunt accepted that Matthews's role was transporting the drugs but said he played "an intrinsic role" in the trade. "Those above you would not be able to operate without you."She accepted that a psychological assessment showed that there were "traumatic aspects" to his background and noted that he had been abusing drugs since he was 13 years old.Judge Delahunt said she was satisfied that Matthews's case had special and exceptional circumstances so that the presumptive mandatory sentence of 10 years did not apply.

Mark Hawkes was caught sneaking a quantity of Class C drugs into Stockton’s Holme House Prison.

Mark Hawkes was caught sneaking a quantity of Class C drugs into Stockton’s Holme House Prison.Prison officers saw him put something into his mouth, which turned out to be a condom containing the drugs.When questioned by police he said he had been given them by someone else and threatened if he didn’t take them into the prison.In a separate incident Hawkes had stolen pairs of jeans from a shop in Stockton High Street in order to sell them to fund his drug addiction.Peter Wishlade, mitigating, said Hawkes had become addicted to heroin and as a result he had amassed a record for “acquisitive crime”.Hawkes, he said, had been told by someone else he had to take the drugs into prison, which he did.“He did that simply to avoid the possible consequences not only to himself but friends and family,” said Mr Wishlade.He said Hawkes had told him he was free of drugs and he looked “bright-eyed and bushy-tailed”.Hawkes, 27, of Cherry Court, Stockton, admitted possession of drugs with intent to supply and theft and was jailed for 14 months

Stephen Proudman was jailed for 12 months after he pleaded guilty to possession of a Class A drug on March 15 with intent to supply

Stephen Proudman then approached them and he said that he had drugs - cocaine - for friends.He had two bags and he said he had been given the smaller bag for looking after the larger amount and £450.He said he was looking after the cocaine for a friend who had gone into town and had not wanted to take them with him, Teesside Crown Court was told.Shaun Grainger, defending, said Proudman, 22, had never been in trouble before and he was approached by someone who he knew was a street dealer and from who he had bought cocaine before.Proudman was asked to look after the drugs for the evening and to hand them back the following morning.Mr Grainger added: “He is very much at the bottom of any supply line.“He has shown remorse and he comes across as a polite young man who regrets what he has done. He has taken steps to address his social drug taking and to distance himself from the man who asked him to look after the drugs.“He is not someone who is likely to ever trouble these courts again.”Judge Michael Taylor told Proudman: “You appear to be a decent young man.
“You are asked by your dealer to mind the drugs and his stash, and you know that people are going to profit from that and it causes misery to others.“But those who are involved in any way, shape or form in the supply chain of Class A drugs know that prison is inevitable.”Proudman of Rousham Gardens, Middlesbrough, was jailed for 12 months after he pleaded guilty to possession of a Class A drug on March 15 with intent to supply.

Priyankar Biswas was arrested from the campus after 94 gm heroin was found in his hostel room

Priyankar Biswas was arrested from the campus after 94 gm heroin was found in his hostel room, police said. However, a senior IIT official said he was arrested outside the campus. IIT rules provide for suspension of any student who spends 24 hours in custody. Priyankar will be expelled if a disciplinary panel finds him guilty.

John Paul Watson had taken both prescription medication and heroin

John Paul Watson, 42, of Turner Street, Redcar, had taken both prescription medication and heroin on January 15, Teesside Coroner’s Court was told. He was found unconscious in bed the following morning by a friend. The court heard Mr Watson had a history of drug and alcohol abuse but was trying to improve his life at the time of his death by studying on a computer course. Pathologist Jan Lowe gave the cause of death as respiratory failure due to the combined effects of the heroin with the other drugs. Deputy coroner Anthony Eastwood recorded a verdict of misadventure.

Barry Mitchinson Teesside Magistrates had issued a warrant for his arrest on June 25 1998.

Barry Mitchinson married, had three children, and forged a new career as a stonemason.But the judge dismissed defence pleas to let him stay free, saying that he could not be rewarded for evading justice for ten years.Mitchinson, now 35, claimed he fled East Cleveland to escape from a gang who wanted payment for thousands of pounds of drugs police seized from him.He was found in Kent last month where he was living in a housing association property with his Belgian wife and three children, said prosecutor Jolyon Perks.Mitchinson was at work when police arrived on his doorstep but he gave himself up the next day, Teesside Crown Court was told.Teesside Magistrates had issued a warrant for his arrest on June 25 1998.
Mitchinson had burgled a house in The Parkway, Saltburn, on February 22 1998 and stolen a video recorder, CDs and rolling tobacco worth a total of £527.While on bail he was arrested in Lazenby on June 4 1998 with £3,500 of heroin in his socks and a dealer’s list.He claimed he had been paid £100 to collect and deliver the two packages of Class A drugs.But he failed to return to the police station on August 4 1998 when the find would have been analysed.Judge Michael Taylor said this week that Mitchinson would have been jailed for four and a half years if he had appeared before a court in 1998.Michael Bosomworth, defending, said according to a pre-sentence report, Mitchinson had the ability to learn from his mistakes and the ability to rehabilitate.Mr Bosomworth argued the public was not threatened by a man who had clearly rehabilitated himself and was earning money to pay taxes and to support three children.Judge Taylor told Mitchinson: “I am asked to deal with you leniently today, and there are attractive aspects to that argument. But the State cannot agree to those who evade justice receiving credit for that.”
Mitchinson, formerly of Diamond Street, Saltburn, was jailed for two years and one month after he admitted burglary, possession of a Class A drug with intent to supply, and a bail offence.

Deborah Watson has been arrested on charges she tried to smuggle drugs to inmates at Valdosta State Prison

Georgia prison employee has been arrested on charges she tried to smuggle drugs to inmates at Valdosta State Prison. Authorities said a tip led to Wednesday's arrest of 26-year-old Deborah Watson. She faces several charges, including intent to distribute a variety of illegal drugs. Lowndes County sheriff's officials said marijuana, cocaine and ecstasy was found in tube socks that Watson hid on her body.

Mojataba Baharloui was found to be carrying £1,500, and drugs and the weapon were found in the house.

Mojataba Baharloui, 37, arrived after them and he was found to be carrying £1,500, and drugs and the weapon were found in the house.torch-gun was found at the man’s Hartlepool home when it was raided by police with a warrant to search for drugs, said prosecutor Anne Davies.Policed seized 253 Diazepam tablets, 11 foil wraps of cannabis resin and a small amount of amphetamines which were all for his personal use, Teesside Crown Court was told.The stun-gun was capable of discharging high-voltage charges.He maintained that the gun was a torch which he bought from a friend.
Rupert Doswell, defending, said: “He maintained that he originally bought the item as a torch for £20, and the fact that attracted him to it was that it was rechargable and could be plugged into a jack.”Baharloui had developed a drug habit four years ago following the deaths of his parents in Iran, and he took them to dull the pain of his loss.He lived with his partner and he helped out at her takeaway shop, the court heard.The Recorder of Middlesbrough Judge Peter Fox QC said it was an “exceptional case for firearms”.He said: “It was a firearm apparently with a difference, that you say and have always said, that you bought it as a torch, and from what I have heard I give you the benefit of the doubt.“I accept that your purpose was to use this thing as a torch, which it is capable of being used as such.”
Baharloui, of Queen’s Court, Hartlepool, was given a nine month jail sentence suspended for two years with supervision and 250 hours unpaid work after he pleaded guilty to possessing a prohibited weapon and Class B and C drugs on April 16.

Michael Spadafora and three others allegedly produced more than $9 million worth of methamphetamine

Agents say 42-year-old Michael Spadafora and three others allegedly produced more than $9 million worth of methamphetamine," said Attorney General Thomas Corbett.
ran the show, cooking meth in the kitchen and basement of Spadafora's half-million dollar Reading home, a shed and a shipping container. After each meth cook, they say Spadafora put liquid meth in pipes and buried it underground until he needed more. Some of his best customers were right here in our area."We believe Mr. Spadaforas's meth was distributed across southeastern Pennsylvania and was even being supplied to members of the Warlocks Outlaw Motorcycle Gang," said Corbett.The Warlocks have long been linked to meth. Recently, state investigators took down 13 members of the notorious biker gang for dealing the drug. Then Warlocks President Thomas Zaroff was arrested and his garage raided. Just two weeks ago, Corbett's agents broke up a multi-million dollar operation that was shipping crystal meth from Mexico to Philadelphia in porcelain dolls."Definitely what it tells me, there is a problem here in southeastern Pennsylvania with methamphetamine," said Corbett.Corbett says most disturbing was the discovery of a life-size, bullet-riddled target of a police officer found in a suspect's home. "Somebody's learning how to hone in with their weapon and where are they shooting, they're shooting into the heart of a police officer. We have a huge problem in this state, this country with a lack of respect for law enforcement," said Corbett.Agents made undercover purchases of meth from the ring. They seized 68 guns, including half a dozen assault rifles and handguns with silencers. The meth labs were dismantled. Corbett says with the high demand for meth in this area, there's no doubt someone try to take fill the void left by these arrests.

Ivorian national arrested for attempting to smuggle 18 cocaine capsules hidden in the lining of his pants

Police services arrested, Wednesday, at the Mohammed V airport, an Ivorian national for attempting to smuggle 18 cocaine capsules hidden in the lining of his pants and an undetermined number of the same drug in his stomach.According to security sources, the suspect, 37, hid around 245 grams of cocaine in his pants lining but he refused to tell the police the exact number of capsules he swallowed.
The smuggler, who was coming from Abidjan and heading to Milan, was handed to police pending trial.In 2007, the security services of the Casablanca international airport set up an ultra sound system that helped arrest tens of what is known as "cocaine mules."

Wilson James Douglas was sentenced, last June, by the first instance court of Souk Larabaa ALGharb (west) to seven years in prison and a $ 1,200 fine

Wilson James Douglas was sentenced, last June, by the first instance court of Souk Larabaa ALGharb (west) to seven years in prison and a $ 1,200 fine. In the same case, the court had also handed down six-year and four-year prison terms to two Moroccans, while two others were acquitted.an American national and four Moroccans sued for international drug trafficking.On May 7, the Moroccan rural police (Gendarmerie Royale) intercepted in the region of Souk Larbaa, a CESNA 337 aircraft as it landed in a non-classified road to load drugs. The twin-engine plane was seized and its pilot James Douglas arrested.

Ramiro Vanoy-Murillo, a former commander in the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC), was sentenced to 24 years and four months. Francisco Zul

Ramiro Vanoy-Murillo, a former commander in the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC), was sentenced to 24 years and four months. Francisco Zuluaga-Lindo, also of the AUC, was sentenced to 21 years and eight months. Both men, imprisoned for two years in Colombia before their extradition in May to the US, were accused of involvement in massive cocaine smuggling operations in the late 1990s. In the extradition deal, the US government promised not to seek the maximum penalty of life imprisonment. "I want to express to the court, the US government and my family my repentance and remorse for my criminal conduct," said Vanoy-Murillo.Two right-wing paramilitary warlords extradited with 12 others from Colombia in May amid great fanfare were ordered Thursday to spend decades behind U.S. bars after pleading guilty to roles in a far-reaching cocaine smuggling conspiracy.U.S. District Judge K. Michael Moore imposed the maximum sentences under federal guidelines on 60-year-old Ramiro Vanoy Murillo and Francisco Javier Zuluaga Lindo, 38, even though prosecutors recommended lesser sentences.Vanoy Murillo was sentenced to more than 24 years in prison and Zuluaga Lindo to just under 22 years. They are the first of 14 warlords extradited in May to be sentenced to federal prison.The men were leaders of Colombia's right-wing United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia, known by its Spanish acronym AUC. The AUC has been blamed for hundreds of killings, kidnappings and other crimes considered some of the worst atrocities of Colombia's long-running civil conflict.Colombian President Alvaro Uribe said the 14 were sent to face U.S. justice because they were still committing crimes from inside Colombian prisons and had not paid restitution to their victims. They were yanked from their cells May 12 and flown as a group to the U.S. in a top-secret operation that surprised even prosecutors working to document paramilitary crimes in Colombia.The U.S. charges did not mention Colombian violence. Authorities focused on attempts by Vanoy Murillo, Zuluaga Lindo and many others to smuggle an estimated 20 tons of cocaine into the United States from December 1997 to November 1999.In court Thursday, Vanoy Murillo expressed "my remorse, my repentance" and again admitted his guilt."I am here to accept responsibility for my actions," he said in Spanish, according to a court interpreter.Zuluaga Lindo also said he was ready to accept Moore's sentence.
U.S. Attorney R. Alexander Acosta said the two were initially jailed Aug. 16, 2006, on Colombia arrest warrants issued at the request of U.S. authorities.
U.S. prosecutors said Vanoy Murillo, also known as "Cuco," was a former commander of an AUC wing known as the "Bloque Mineros" — "Miners Bloc" in English — financed mainly by cocaine trafficking. Prosecutors said the group controlled many airstrips and cocaine production facilities in Colombia and provided security for other smugglers.Zuluaga Lindo, a large man nicknamed "El Gordo" — or "The Fat One" — disarmed with his group in August 2005. The moves were supposed to have protected them from extradition to the U.S. and assure them lesser prison terms in Colombia, in return for publicly confessing their crimes.In Colombia, authorities described Vanoy as a veteran drug trafficker and an ally in the 1980s of Colombia's most famous narco, Pablo Escobar. Vanoy had commanded an irregular army of some 1,000 men in a region where the paramilitaries killed hundreds, they said.Zuluaga Lindo is among drug traffickers who are believed to have paid millions of dollars for a paramilitary "franchise" so they could later take advantage of a government amnesty program that offered reduced sentences, those officials said. Zuluaga told Colombian prosecutors he was part of the AUC's political and financial wing and had no part in and did not order any killings.One other AUC member extradited in May — 47-year-old Diego Murillo — has pleaded guilty in New York federal court and is awaiting sentencing in December. The others are being prosecuted in Tampa, Washington and Houston.The Miami guilty pleas grew out of a huge federal investigation known as "Operation Millenium" that since 1999 has resulted in 38 convictions of drug traffickers and money launderers operating out of Colombia and also Mexico.
The AUC was created two decades ago by landowners and cocaine cartels to battle leftist rebels who held sway over much of Colombia's countryside, though it quickly morphed into one of the country's biggest drug-trafficking organizations.
Colombia's civil conflict is now in its fifth decade. More than 30,000 paramilitary fighters have demobilized since 2003 as part of a peace effort that saw many warlords surrender to the Colombian government.

Bolivian man was arrested after he was found with 94 large capsules containing drugs which he had swallowed and smuggled into the country.

Bolivian man was arrested after he was found with 94 large capsules containing drugs which he had swallowed and smuggled into the country.Kuala Lumpur police chief DCP Datuk Muhammad Sabtu Osman said the 29-year-old, a suspected drug mule, had swallowed the drugs in Buenos Aires, Argentina, before taking a 23-hour flight and landing in KLIA airport on October 10.“A narcotics team from Brickfields led by Insp Mohd Sofian raided a luxury hotel room where the man was staying, after receiving a tip off.“We also arrested another person in the hotel room, a 37-year-old Thai woman,” DCP Sabtu said.Investigations showed that the capsules containing cocaine weighed about 934gm with a street value of RM300,000 and were meant for distribution in neighbouring Thailand.The woman was to have carried the drugs in an express bus back home.DCP Sabtu said each capsule was wrapped in three layers.“The first layer is fingertips of rubber gloves, second, aluminium foil and the third layer was plastic. The capsule was then tied with dental floss.“With this method, the drugs are not damaged by the strong acids found in the stomach,” he said,He added that the suspect had smothered the capsules with lady’s finger juice (lendir) to help ease the swallowing of the large capsules.He added that the suspect retrieved the capsules after passing faeces.“It is believed that he ate a lot upon reaching here to induce the need to go to the toilet and retrieve the drugs,” a bemused DCP Sabtu told reporters at a press conference in the city police headquarters on Wednesday.
DCP Sabtu said the suspect was believed to have been paid USD5,000 by the drug syndicate in Argentina and was scheduled to be on a return flight to Bolivia a few days.Both suspects have been remanded until Saturday under Section 39 (b) of the Dangerous Drugs Act and, if convicted, face the death penalty.Police are also working with Interpol to track down the syndicate.DCP Sabtu warned that this method of smuggling drugs was very dangerous.In two other cases this year in Kuala Lumpur, a man from Tanzania and the other from Pakistan had died after swallowing the capsules with drugs, he said.

Danny Davidson who has been described by the US government as a major drug trafficker was again denied bail

Danny Davidson who has been described by the US government as a major drug trafficker was again denied bail when he appeared in court Tuesday.Senior Magistrate Glen Brown refused a bail application by Attorney Oswest Senior Smith.
Mr. Smith again dismissed the allegations against the 58 year old businessman and argued that the US has not submitted any tangible evidence linking him to drug trafficking.He also asked the court to order the return of two million dollars taken from Mr. Davidson by the police. Mr. Davidson, a building contractor, from Brown's Town, St Ann is accused of smuggling millions of dollars worth of cocaine and ganja into the United States.US prosecutors claimed the Jamaican was a member of the Ayala Serna drug smuggling organization which has been smuggling tons of cocaine and ganja from Colombia through Jamaica and the Bahamas into the United States. Mr. Davidson who was indicted in December 2005 is facing more than 30 counts of conspiracy to import cocaine and ganja into Florida.He's also facing multiple counts of money laundering.US prosecutors say they have the Jamaican on tape making arrangements to import multi-million dollar shipments of narcotics into the US.
They also have statements of co-conspirators who have linked the Jamaican to drug trafficking.

Starr County Sheriff Reymundo Guerra appeared before a U.S. magistrate judge in McAllen on Tuesday and was ordered temporarily detained pending

Starr County Sheriff Reymundo Guerra appeared before a U.S. magistrate judge in McAllen on Tuesday and was ordered temporarily detained pending a hearing Friday on the government's request that he be held without bond until trial, said Angela Dodge, spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's Office. It wasn't immediately clear if Guerra had an attorney. His chief deputy will run the department for now, said Starr County Judge Eloy Vera."It is very shocking and, of course, very disheartening when something like this happens," Vera said. "I was, I am of the opinion that sheriff Guerra is a very good sheriff." Few details about the allegations against Guerra have been released, but Vera said it is a blow to the reputation of a county trying to clean up its image. In 1998, Guerra's predecessor, Sheriff Eugenio "Gene" Falcon Jr., pleaded guilty to conspiracy after an informant posing as a bail bondsman paid Falcon $11,050 in bribes for inmate referrals.

Ever Villafane Martinez represented Colombia's Norte del Valle drug cartel in dealings with Mexico's Sinaloa cartel

Mexican authorities say they have extradited a Colombian cartel operative wanted for smuggling thousands of pounds of cocaine into the United States. The federal Attorney General's Office says Ever Villafane Martinez represented Colombia's Norte del Valle drug cartel in dealings with Mexico's Sinaloa cartel. He escaped from a Colombian prison in 2001. Villafane is the 153rd suspect extradited from Mexico to the United States. The Attorney General's Office announced the extradition in a news release Thursday. Since taking office in 2006, President Felipe Calderon has sent a record number of top drug lords to the United States, including the alleged Gulf cartel leader, Osiel Cardenas. Ever Villafane Martinez represented Colombia's Norte del Valle drug cartel in dealings with Mexico's Sinaloa cartel, the federal Attorney General's Office said in a news release. He escaped from a Colombian prison in 2001 and faces drug charges in Florida.The Attorney General's Office initially said authorities had extradited Villafane. It later sent a release saying it had started proceedings and that Villafane remains in a maximum-security prison outside Mexico City.Since taking office in 2006, President Felipe Calderon has sent a record number of top drug lords to the United States, including the alleged Gulf cartel leader, Osiel Cardenas. The government has extradited a total of 152 criminals from Mexico to the United States, the news release said.

Delroy Gayle, aged 48, of Willesden, London was sentenced after a jury found him guilty of being knowingly concerned in the importation of cocaine

Delroy Gayle, aged 48, of Willesden, London was sentenced after a jury found him guilty of being knowingly concerned in the importation of cocaine following an investigation by officers from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).Gayle flew into the UK from Cameroon, via Paris, and claimed to be returning home after a funeral when he was intercepted by UK Border Agency detection officers in the green channel at Bristol Airport on 2 June 2008. HMRC officers then took over the investigation.
Andrew Pavlinic, Assistant Director Criminal Investigation for HMRC said: "Cocaine devastates lives and communities. Our investigators are determined to stop these dangerous drugs from reaching UK streets. This case was successfully prosecuted by the Revenue & Customs Prosecutions Office (RCPO). RCPO is an independent prosecuting authority which reports to the Attorney General, and is responsible for the prosecution of all HMRC cases.

In a recent incident Major Singh along with Sabbi, resident of village Baropal prepared a consignment of Heroin and got it smuggled through the border

Inquiry against some Indian Army personnel was held in the near past to investigate their involvement in drug trafficking. In this regard certain officers serving at Indian Border Security Force (BSF) along with personnel posted on Border Observation Posts were found involved but the case was hushed up. In a recent incident Major Singh along with Sabbi, resident of village Baropal prepared a consignment of Heroin and got it smuggled through border crossers to Lahore, Pakistan. As per the details furnished by a reliable source, Indian Army authorities got a tip regarding existence of drug trafficking net comprising of officers and personnel serving in BSF and Indo Tibetan Border Force (ITBP). The net comprised of at least two officers and seven Other Ranks including Major Singh against whom investigation has been ordered by General Officer Commanding Western Command.It is expected that fate of this investigation would not be different from one held earlier as pressure from various channels is being exerted on Inquiry board.

Roosevelt Spann was charged with using a firearm in a drug trafficking crime

Roosevelt Spann was charged with using a firearm in a drug trafficking crime resulting in death. He attempted to be the getaway driver using a stolen motorcycle after Torrence Johnson was shot to death on Charles Street in November 2001.
But the motorcycle wouldn't start. So Spann and his accomplices - Solothal "Itchy Man" Thomas and James Moore - ran on foot to Spann's house. Spann pleaded guilty Wednesday.Thomas and Moore also have been convicted in the killing. Also convicted was Jermaine Bell, who led the RNG heroin, cocaine and crack-dealing organization near Reisterstown Road and Gwynn Falls Parkway.

Percy Hawatha Cloud,Antonia Barrera, Seberiano Julian Rodriquez,Richard Lee Watts Jr., Carlos Humberto Flores,Arrested

Arrested Percy Hawatha Cloud, 52, of 200 Madi Court in Winston-Salem; Maria Antonia Barrera, 34, of Greensboro; Seberiano Julian Rodriquez, 30, of Greensboro; 34, of Greensboro; and Richard Lee Watts Jr., 49, of 2800 N. Patterson Ave. in Winston-Salem.A Winston-Salem police officer accused each of them of attempting to possess 14 ounces of cocaine, arrest warrants say.Flores was being held last night in the Forsyth County Jail, with bond set at $300,000. Being held on $250,000 bond each were Cloud, Barrera, Rodriquez and Watts.

Demetrius Thomas was sentenced to almost six years in prison for dealing crack cocaine

Demetrius Thomas, 28,a Huntington man was sentenced to almost six years in prison for dealing crack cocaine.after he admitted that he sold 6.72 grams of crack cocaine to a confidential informant working with the Huntington Drug & Violent Crime Task Force for $150 in Huntington, the release states.U.S. District Judge Robert C. Chambers sentenced Thomas to 70 months in prison

Toby Jermaine Person agents searched his vehicle and hotel room, they found 59 grams of crack cocaine, 14 grams of powder cocaine

Toby Jermaine Person, 32, of Columbus, pleaded guilty to the drug charge in July, the news release said. On July 31, 2006, officers with the Parkersburg Narcotics Task Force apprehended Person after a traffic stop that led to a foot chase in Parkersburg, according to the release.When agents searched his vehicle and hotel room, they found 59 grams of crack cocaine, 14 grams of powder cocaine, 1.8 kilograms of marijuana, 148 ecstasy pills and more than $8,000, the release states.
Chief U.S. District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin imposed the sentence.

2.3kg cocaine worth €161,000 seized in the possession of a 44-year-old Dutch man

About 2.3kg of the drug was found in plastic packaging concealed in the back support of a haversack in the possession of a 44-year-old Dutch man. The man had arrived on a flight from Amsterdam, after travelling from Quito, Ecuador. Officers from Revenue's Customs Service seized cocaine worth €161,000 at Dublin Airport yesterday.The man was detained and questioned by the Garda Drugs Unit in Santry, and was due to appear in Dublin District Court this afternoon. The latest seizure brings to €6 million the value of drugs seized by officers of Revenue's Customs Service at Dublin Airport.

Hisham Bennink pleaded guilty to selling cocaine to undercover police officers

Hisham Bennink pleaded guilty to selling cocaine to undercover police officers in Greater Victoria on four separate occasions, said his lawyer Geofrey Simair.21-year-old Victoria man, charged along with five others in connection with a "dial-a-dope" crack cocaine operation, has been sentenced to six months in jail.Bennink, who was arrested in August, was credited with 108 days in jail. He must serve a further 72 days.

Grant Emery,Prosecutors allege Emery distributed about a half-ounce of cocaine on Feb. 19 and about an ounce on April 24.

Grant Emery, 25, who was in state custody, pleaded not guilty Tuesday in U.S. District Court to a two-count indictment. Prosecutors allege Emery distributed about a half-ounce of cocaine on Feb. 19 and about an ounce on April 24.He faces a maximum of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine if convicted. Emery remains in custody.
The case will be heard by Chief U.S. District Judge Richard Cebull.

John Guarneri,a police lieutenant with the city Sanitation Department, was arrested and charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine

John Guarneri, 31, of Pleasant Plains, a police lieutenant with the city Sanitation Department, was arrested and charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine, according to a federal complaint filed in Brooklyn federal court. Guarneri was also identified by law enforcement officials as the nephew of "Mafia Cop" Louis Eppolito, the former NYPD detective convicted in 2006 of taking part in eight mob murders. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled last month that Eppolito and ex-partner Stephen Caracappa, formerly of Great Kills, can be sentenced on a racketeering conspiracy conviction. According to Brooklyn defense attorney Ken Montgomery, Guarneri was held yesterday pending the completion of a bail package.
"I don't think he is a major player," Montgomery said outside court. Guarneri joined the Department of Sanitation in April 2000, according to an agency spokesman.
Sanitation spokeswoman Kathy Dawkins said Guarneri was considered absent without leave yesterday when he didn't show up for work. The scene is a far cry from 2005, when Guarneri was honored for on-the-job heroics for saving a man from being beaten on a Brooklyn street. On Aug. 9, 2005, while on routine patrol in Brooklyn, Guarneri noticed a 68-year-old man being spat on, slapped and assaulted with a baseball bat; he subdued and held the assailant until police arrived and arrested him.
According to the FBI, the cocaine was kept in the basement of the Sikorski Meat Market, a popular Eastern European specialty store on Manhattan Avenue in Greenpoint. Employee Andrzej Filipkowski, 40, was charged with using the Sikorski market as a base of operations for drug sales. According to the federal complaint, Filipkowski called the cocaine "hot kielbasa" and distributed it to other buyers.
The term for Slavic sausage was used by drug dealers to specify the 80 percent pure cocaine that federal investigators say is in demand throughout the metropolitan area.

Malta International Airport,33-year-old Nigerian was arrested

A 33-year-old Nigerian was arrested on Thursday afternoon after he was found to be in possession of cocaine at the Malta International Airport, police said.The man, who resides in Valencia, Spain, was stopped by Members of the Drug Squad, in a joint-operation with personnel from the Customs Enforcement Unit, as he landed in Malta on a flight from Valencia.The police said that the man was stopped after he was deemed to be acting suspiciously. After undergoing a medical examination at Mater Dei Hospital, he was found to be carrying an amount of capsules in his stomach. In fact, the capsules were later found to contain cocaine.Duty Magistrate Dr Audrey Demicoli, who was informed about the case, appointed various experts to help conduct an inquiry.Police investigations are still under way and the man is expected to be arraigned today

Micro Light aircraft revealed 10 bundles of marijuana with an estimated weight of 223 pounds pilot arrested.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s air operations spotted and interdicted an ultra-light aircraft Tuesday that illegally crossed the U.S.-Mexican border carrying approximately 223 pounds of marijuana. The smuggled drugs have an approximate street value of $180,000.A CBP helicopter was able to trail this light plane holding more than 200 pounds of marijuana where it was ditched in Arizona.CBP’s Air & Marine Operations Center in Riverside, Calif. Tuesday morning detected an unidentified northbound, low-flying aircraft 12 miles west of Nogales, Ariz. and just north of the border. A CBP surveillance helicopter from Tucson was launched and identified the airplane as an ultra-light aircraft. The ultra-light landed three miles southwest of Marana Regional Airport, Marana, Ariz. Once on the ground, the pilot attempted to abscond on foot. The CBP helicopter landed at the scene and apprehended the pilot, a Mexican national.
A search of the aircraft revealed 10 bundles of marijuana with an estimated weight of 223 pounds. A 2006 Kawasaki ATV was also found. The pilot, the aircraft, the marijuana and the ATV were turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for further investigation with the assistance from CBP Air and Marine.
CBP’s Air and Marine Operations Center spotted this light aircraft illegally enter the U.S. from Mexico. It was found to be smuggling marijuana.The Air & Marine Operations Center is a state-of-the-art, law enforcement radar surveillance facility that tracks and seeks to identify general aviation aircraft that are inbound to the United States, looking for drug smuggling or terrorist activity.CBP’s Office of Air and Marine protects the American people and critical infrastructure by using an integrated and coordinated air and marine force to detect, interdict and prevent acts of terrorism arising from unlawful movement of people, illegal drugs and other contraband moving toward or crossing the borders of the United States.

Gareth Knott was found in possession of four bags of white powder when searched by police

Gareth Knott of Anstee Court, Leckwith, Cardiff, was found in possession of four bags of white powder when searched by police in June.A policeman had spotted Knott and two other men acting suspiciously in Cornwall Street, Grangetown, and decided to search them because they smelled of cannabis.In addition to the crack cocaine the policeman found a bag of cannabis in Knott’s pocket. Officers carried out a further search of Knott’s home, where they found five more bags of cocaine.During interviews with police, he admitted he was going to supply the drugs to his friends when they all went out to a nightclub.His barrister, Jodie McBride, told Cardiff Crown Court: “Mr Knott has no previous convictions whatsoever. But unfortunately he has now entered the criminal system at the highest level.”She said he had bought the drugs for £250 and intended to sell them to friends for £270. His barrister denied claims that Knott’s actions were the result of his girlfriend having a “responsible job”, which brought in more income than he earned.Sentencing him to two-and-a-half years in a young offenders’ institute, Judge Stephen Hopkins yesterday described him as a “low-level street dealer”.

Leonel Tribilant, 38, Demetrius Gabriel, 21, Antonio Munnings, 20, and Kerlin Bellot, 29, have all been indicted on charges of possession of crack

Leonel Tribilant, 38, Demetrius Gabriel, 21, Antonio Munnings, 20, and Kerlin Bellot, 29, have all been indicted on charges of possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute. All four have past drug convictions and have recently had state drug trafficking charges dropped against them, according to Manatee County court records.In January, prosecutors declined to file cocaine trafficking charges against Tribilant. He had been arrested in a Bradenton Police drug sweep dubbed "Operation Broken Ice."Police detectives made numerous arrests in the sweep, but charges were dropped against several suspects after prosecutors said police did not provide enough evidence to get convictions.In Tribilant's case, police said they had recorded phone calls of him making drug deals. Prosecutors later ruled the phone calls were not enough to file charges.Court records show cocaine trafficking charges against Gabriel, Munnings and Bellot were also dropped.In March, Manatee County Sheriff's Office detectives stormed a house in the 700 block of 64th Avenue Terrace West, finding all three men.They also found more than 230 grams of crack cocaine in the house, in a hidden compartment below floorboards, according to sheriff's reports.
All three were arrested, but prosecutors dropped the charges because the drugs were not in plain view, therefore possession could not specifically be assigned to anyone in the house.But as local authorities arrested the men, federal authorities were also watching them, witnessing several crack cocaine drug deals since September 2007, according to the indictment.U.S. Attorney's Office spokesman Steve Cole said authorities often ask for assistance in building drug cases."In the past few years, we have been reaching out to help local law enforcement agencies who come to us with people they are having a problem with," Cole said. "We have a pretty good track record of getting convictions in these cases. We are really trying to get the worst of the worst."

Scotty Medford Ellis was charged Sunday when a police officer received a call about drug activity in the parking lot of Ingles on Barber Boulevard

Scotty Medford Ellis resigned Thursday after police over the weekend cited her with possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.Ellis, who served as executive director of the Haywood County Tourism Development Authority since 1995, said her resignation would take effect Nov. 1. She declined to comment on the pending charges.“I am proud, as a native of Haywood County, to have helped make people throughout the Southeast aware of its beauty as a top vacation destination,” Ellis said. “I certainly hope the progress we have made over the last 13 year continues.”
Ellis was charged Sunday when a police officer received a call about drug activity in the parking lot of Ingles on Barber Boulevard. A witness called police after reportedly seeing a woman in a BMW put marijuana in a black bag before going into the store, according to a Police Department arrest report.The report states that the officer approached the woman, later determined to be Ellis, when she came out of the store and asked if he could search the black bag in her front seat. Ellis told the officer she would rather he not before relenting and handing him the bag. The officer opened the bag and found deodorizing spray and zip-closure plastic bags containing 1/2 ounce of marijuana, 1 gram of hashish and a glass pipe, according to the report.The officer gave Ellis a citation for misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.These charges come less than two months after Ellis pleaded no contest to two misdemeanor drug charges stemming from a Dec. 30 traffic stop. In that case a N.C. Highway Patrol trooper stopped Ellis for speeding and reported smelling marijuana. Ellis told police there was a small bag of marijuana in the front passenger seat and officers also discovered a glass pipe in the bag, according to a police report.
The TDA gets hotel occupancy taxes to fund tourism promotion.Ellis said she did not immediately know what she would do for work, but said she plans to “pursue other opportunities.”

Adam Szendzielorz, of Essendon, and accomplice James Puentes, both 28, have each been sentenced to 10 years.

Adam Szendzielorz, of Essendon, and accomplice James Puentes, both 28, have each been sentenced to 10 years.They were caught after customs officers intercepted a kilo postal-package of the drug. It was addressed to a lavishly kitted out North London council flat the pair used as a base.They had arranged for the £86,000 parcel to be sent from Costa Rica. But it was intercepted in May at London's Mount Pleasant postal depot. Police swapped the contents with baby powder, and officers posed as couriers to deliver it to the flat. Puentes answered the door and Szendzielorz arrived minutes later.The men, sporting £6,000 worth of of Rolex watches between them, were arrested as they left the flat. Officers found another £10,000 worth of cocaine.The flat, sublet from a council tenant, was kitted out with a plasma television, iPod docks and a tropical fish tank, and there was £300 worth of Champagne stashed in the fridge. Szendzielorz, who has not paid tax for nine years, was carrying a rucksack with around £5,000 of cocaine stuffed inside.The new delivery was found unopened inside the property, and a further £4,500 of the drug was found in a draw in Puentes' bedroom, along with £600 cash and Puentes' Spanish passport.The pair, who have no previous relevant convictions, attended St Aloysius School in Highgate together.But Szendzielorz developed a cocaine habit after his mother died in early 2005.John Hunter, defending, said Szendzielorz took up dealing to fund a drug habit which he developed after his mother died in 2005.Szendzielorz, of Glebe Close, Essendon, and Puentes, of Kentish Town, north London, each denied importing cocaine.Szendzielorz denied converting criminal property but admitted possessing cocaine with intent to supply in respect of the £10,000 cocaine haul.Puentes denied possessing and converting criminal property and possession with intent.They were convicted of all charges at Blackfriars Crown Court last month. Sentencing them last Thursday, judge Miss Recorder Joanna Korner QC, said: "Both of you have been engaged together in drug dealing for some time, certainly for a period of at least a year.