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Spektakuläre Sicherstellung von ca. 100 Kilogramm Kokain Germany seizes 5 million euros of cocaine in major haul
Spektakuläre Sicherstellung von ca. 100 Kilogramm Kokain Germany seizes 5 million euros of cocaine in major haul
Gemeinsame Pressemeldung Polizei Berlin, Generalstaatsanwaltschaft Berlin und Zollfahndungsamt Berlin-Brandenburg
Eingabe: 19.08.2011 - 16:05 Uhr
Bremerhaven/Berlin

# 3051

Spektakuläre Sicherstellung von ca. 100 Kilogramm Kokain in Bremerhaven. Vier mutmaßliche Berliner Drahtzieher und zwei Mittäter durch Spezialeinheiten verhaftet. Kokain war für Berlin bestimmt. Insgesamt 24 Durchsuchungen von Wohn- und Gewerberäumen, Containern und Fahrzeugen.

Gestern gegen 15 Uhr nahmen Spezialeinheiten der Bremer Polizei drei mutmaßliche Tatverdächtige eines groß angelegten Kokainschmuggels fest, nachdem die Fahnder der Gemeinsamen Ermittlungsgruppe Rauschgift aus Berlin (GER) ca. 100 Kilogramm hochreines Kokain mit einem Reinheitsgehalt von ca. 80% in Bremerhaven sicherstellten. Weitere drei Festnahmen erfolgten anschließend in Berlin. Bei dem Kokain handelt es sich um die zweitgrößte Menge, die jemals durch die GER Berlin seit ihrer Gründung im Jahr 1978 beschlagnahmt wurde.
Ein Großteil der am Einsatz beteiligten ca. 250 Beamtinnen/en, unterstützt durch Spezialeinheiten von Polizei und Zoll, durchsuchten gestern Abend fünf Schiffscontainer mit der Legalfracht Kaffee im Freihafen von Bremerhaven. In einem dieser Container war das Kokain versteckt. Gleichzeitig wurden neun Wohnungen, zwei Lokale und sieben Autos durchsucht. Dabei fanden die Ermittler eine scharfe Schusswaffe Kaliber 9mm, tschechischer Bauart und ca. 170 Schuss scharfe Munition.

Unter der Leitung der Staatsanwaltschaft Berlin kamen die Fahnder der Gemeinsamen Ermittlungsgruppe Rauschgift den vier in Berlin lebenden Tatverdächtigen türkischer Herkunft bereits vor 2 Jahren auf die Spur. Die im Alter zwischen 34 und 51 Jahren alten Beschuldigten stehen in dem Verdacht, einen umfangreichen Handel mit Betäubungsmittel zu betreiben.
Die intensiven Ermittlungen führten die Beamten gestern in den Freihafen von Bremerhaven/ Niedersachsen, in dem gestern ein venezuelanisches Frachtschiff seine Ladung löschte. Dabei handelte es sich um fünf Container, von denen einer die Aufmerksamkeit der Beamten erzeugte. Nach der Containeröffnung wurden drei Sporttaschen entdeckt, in denen sich insgesamt ca. 100 Kilogramm Kokain befanden.

Die Beschuldigten werden noch heute einem Ermittlungsrichter zwecks Beantragung von Haftbefehlen vorgeführt.

Mit dem Ermittlungserfolg ist der Staatsanwaltschaft Berlin, der Polizei und dem Zoll einer der größten Erfolge bei der Bekämpfung des internationalen Drogenschmuggels der letzten Jahre gelungen.

http://www.berlin.de/polizei/presse-fahndung/archiv/355501/index.html

Germany seizes 5 million euros of cocaine in major haul
By REUTERS

Published: Aug 19, 2011 20:23 Updated: Aug 19, 2011 20:23

BERLIN: German police said on Friday they had detained seven men suspected of smuggling an estimated 5 million euros worth of cocaine, in one of the country’s largest ever strikes against drug trafficking.

Police said some 100 kg of cocaine was intercepted in Berlin. The shipment had come to the German port of Bremerhaven from Panama, police said. It was hidden in a container with coffee beans.

Germany’s central location in Europe and its well-developed infrastructure make it a major transit hub for drug commerce, according to the United States’ “2011 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report.”

Traffickers smuggle cocaine from South America to Germany for the domestic market, as well as through Germany to other European countries.

According to media reports, the authorities believed the smugglers were planning to bring a total of 650 kg of cocaine to Germany in three shipments.
Added on 23/08/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
SOCA turns up the heat on drug traffickers 5th August 2011
SOCA turns up the heat on drug traffickers 5th August 2011
Drugs smugglers who attempted to import almost 80kg of heroin into the UK disguised as chilli powder have been told they will face a total of 40 years in prison.

The heroin had been shipped in a single container to the UK from Asia in November 2010. At Birmingham Crown Court, Gulab Mohammed, 51, from Hugh Road, Birmingham was found guilty of importation of a Class A drug. He was sentenced to 21 years in prison. His son Khalid Mohammed, 29, also from Birmingham pleaded guilty to importation of a Class A drug in April. He was sentenced to 19 years.

The SOCA investigation showed that the Mohammeds had used a shipping agency to transport the heroin from Pakistan to the UK. On its arrival at Felixtowe on 3 November 2010, the container was scanned by UK Border Agency officers and found to contain 600 20kg sacks of red chilli powder. Twelve beige coloured packages were found in one of the sacks near the rear of the container, and when tested, the contents were found to be heroin. Six further sacks in the final row of the container also contained quantities of the drug.

SOCA officers substituted the heroin with a safe substance and then sent the consignment, driven by an undercover SOCA officer, to the delivery address, Sewon Enterprise UK Ltd, Bristol Road South in Birmingham. On his arrival he was met by the Mohammeds who asked him to take the container on to an industrial unit in Whitchurch, Shropshire. After arriving at the unit, the container was subsequently unloaded and the father and son arrested by SOCA officers.

The Judge granted Travel Restriction Orders against both men which will come into effect on their release from prison. A financial investigation is currently underway.
Added on 12/08/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Man charged over Dublin cannabis seizure (Customs officers found 91kg of cannabis in a consignment of chocolates that had arrived from the Netherlands.)
Man charged over Dublin cannabis seizure (Customs officers found 91kg of cannabis in a consignment of chocolates that had arrived from the Netherlands.)
Updated: 20:45, Wednesday, 29 June 2011

A man has been charged in connection with a seizure of cannabis in Rathcoole, Dublin, yesterday evening.

Rathcoole - Estimated value of €2.4m
A man in his 20s has been charged in connection with a seizure of cannabis in Rathcoole, Dublin, yesterday evening.

The drugs were discovered when a van was stopped as part of a planned operation by the National Drugs Unit.

The cannabis has an estimated street value of €2.4m.

The man was remanded in custody pending a bail hearing.

Separately, a man in his late 20s has been arrested following a drugs seizure at Dublin Port this afternoon.

Customs officers found 91kg of cannabis in a consignment of chocolates that had arrived from the Netherlands.

The man was brought to Ballymun Garda Station where he can be held for up to seven days.
Added on 12/08/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
The UNODC chief witnesses the success of the Global Container Control in Panama
The UNODC chief witnesses the success of the Global Container Control in Panama
CINUP | June 30, 2011 | In the ports of Panama have seized more than 155 containers (110 with counterfeit goods worth millions of dollars and 5 with drugs like, cocaine and heroin), all through the Container Control Programme since its establishment in the country in October 2009.

United Nations - CINUP June 30, 2011 - In the ports of Panama have seized more than 155 containers (110 with counterfeit goods worth millions of dollars and 5 with drugs like, cocaine and heroin), all through the Program Container Control since its establishment in the country in October 2009.

In total, approximately 1,200 kg of cocaine have been seized, the latter taking place last June 16, 2011, when officials of the Container Management Program at the Port of Manzanillo seized 174 kg of cocaine hidden inside a bags and lamps container en route from the Colon Free Zone to the port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands.

Two months earlier, authorities in the Port of Balboa Panama, they found 119 kilograms of cocaine hidden in containers of instant coffee bound for Gdynia, Poland. Several smuggling of cultural artifacts and archaeological heritage were recently found hidden in a load of household goods from Ecuador.

Panama, including the canal and its four container terminals are a maritime strategic center that serves 11 million containers a year, both in transit, transshipment and re-exports from the Free Zone, making it by far the largest segment in the Container Control Programme in the region. UNODC to replicate this success and encourage partnerships, cooperation and information exchange with Costa Rica and Guatemala (Puerto Barrios and Puerto Quetzal), where UNODC has expanded the program, said Executive Director of UNODC, Yury Fedotov, during a visit to the Unit Analysis of the Joint Container Control Program in Panama.

Mr. Fedotov, who was accompanied by Dr. Gloria Lopez Moreno, Director of Customs of Panama and who visited the port of Balboa on June 30 and witnessed the operation of the container program in real time, both in analysis phase as the inspection of containers.

UNODC is working closely with Customs of Panama and the Container Control Programme in Panama, which has led to the establishment of joint units in the Ports of Balboa and Manzanillo. Under the agreement, seven state agencies form part of these joint units: Customs Office, the Police Investigation Department and the Directorate of Judicial Investigation Police both the National Council of Public Security and National Defense, the National Naval and the Maritime Authority of Panama.

The staff of these units have been trained and has provided equipment and inspection technology for systematic assessment and profiling to identify high-risk containers for further inspection and proper. The staff also share information with their counterparts in other world ports. Currently, there are 27 operational units worldwide.

Panama joined the Container Control Programme of UNODC and the World Customs Organization (WCO) in June 2009 in an effort to improve the security of containers in the country. The program supports port authorities in developing countries to establish modern techniques to ensure adequate control and enforcement in trade of legal goods.

The program continues to hit spectacular results, intercepting maritime cargo of illegal drugs, endangered species, hazardous materials and cultural heritage among others. Since March 2006, more than 40 tons of cocaine, 31 tons of cannabis and about 770 tons of precursor chemicals were seized. Currently, UNODC is working to expand these achievements through a program that focuses on the international airports in West Africa and South America.

The Container Control Program operates in the ports of 11 countries in West Africa, Latin America and Central and West Asia (Afghanistan, Benin, Cape Verde, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Ghana, Guatemala, Panama, Pakistan, Senegal, Togo, Turkmenistan) . The sites selected are located in regions considered to be major illicit drug producing and / or are considered established routes of maritime trade to transport illicit drugs and precursor chemicals. It plans to expand the program this year to Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran, Jamaica and Kazakhstan.

The document also recognized the important financial support and equipment provided mainly by countries such as Canada, Germany, USA and England.

Mr Fedotov stressed the need to strengthen border controls maritime, land and air in the region, which is one of the effective ways to combat transnational organized crime.

El jefe de UNODC es testigo del éxito del Programa Global de Control de Contenedores en Panamá

CINUP| 30 Jun 2011 | En los puertos de Panamá se han incautado más de 155 contenedores (110 con artículos falsificados valorados en millones de dólares y 5 con drogas como; cocaína y heroína), todo esto a través del Programa de Control de Contenedores desde su establecimiento en el país en octubre del 2009.

Naciones Unidas – CINUP 30 de junio del 2011 – En los puertos de Panamá se han incautado más de 155 contenedores (110 con artículos falsificados valorados en millones de dólares y 5 con drogas como; cocaína y heroína), todo esto a través del Programa de Control de Contenedores desde su establecimiento en el país en octubre del 2009.

En total, aproximadamente 1,200 Kg. de cocaína han sido incautados, teniendo lugar el último caso el pasado 16 de junio de 2011, cuando los funcionarios del Programa de Control de Contenedores en el Puerto de Manzanillo incautaron 174 Kg. de cocaína escondida dentro de un contenedor con maletas y lámparas en ruta desde la Zona Libre de Colón hacia el puerto de Rotterdam en Holanda.

Dos meses antes, las autoridades en el Puerto de Balboa Panamá, encontraron 119 Kg. de cocaína escondida en contenedores de café instantáneo con destino a Gdynia, Polonia. Diversos contrabandos de artefactos culturales y de patrimonio arqueológico fueron recientemente encontrados escondidos dentro de una carga de artículos para el hogar provenientes del Ecuador.

Panamá, incluyendo el Canal y sus cuatro principales terminales de contenedores, son un centro estratégico marítimo que brinda servicios a 11 millones de contenedores al año, tanto por el tránsito, trasbordo y reexportaciones desde su Zona Libre, por lo que es por mucho, el mayor segmento en el Programa de Control de Contenedores en la región. UNODC desea replicar este éxito y fomentar alianzas, cooperación e intercambio de información con Costa Rica y Guatemala (Puerto Barrios y Puerto Quetzal), donde UNODC ha expandido el programa, expresó el Director Ejecutivo de UNODC, Yury Fedotov, durante una visita a la Unidad Conjunta de Análisis del Programa de Control de Contenedores en Panamá.

El Sr. Fedotov, que se encontraba en compañía de la Dra. Gloria Moreno de López, Directora de Aduanas de Panamá y quien visitó el puerto de Balboa el 30 de junio y presenció la operatividad del Programa de Contenedores en tiempo real, tanto en su fase de análisis como la de inspección de contenedores.

UNODC esta trabajando estrechamente con la Aduana de Panamá y el Programa de Control de Contenedores en Panamá, lo que ha llevado al establecimiento de Unidades Conjuntas en los Puertos de Balboa y Manzanillo. Según este acuerdo, siete agencias del Estado forman parte de estas Unidades Conjuntas: Aduanas, Ministerio Público, la Dirección de Investigación Policial y la Dirección de Investigación Judicial ambas de la Policía Nacional, el Consejo de Seguridad Publica y Defensa Nacional, el Servicio Nacional Aeronaval y la Autoridad Marítima de Panamá.

El personal de estas unidades ha sido capacitado y se le ha proporcionado el equipo y la tecnología de inspección para realizar evaluaciones sistemáticas y elaboración de perfiles con el fin de identificar contenedores de alto riesgo para su posterior y debida inspección. El personal también comparte información con sus contrapartes en otros puertos del mundo. Actualmente, existen 27 unidades operacionales a nivel global.

Panamá se unió al Programa de Control de Contenedores de UNODC y la Organización Mundial de Aduanas (OMA) en junio del 2009, en un esfuerzo para mejorar la seguridad de los contenedores en el país. El Programa brinda apoyo a las autoridades portuarias en países en desarrollo, con el fin de establecer técnicas modernas para asegurar el control adecuado y la aplicación de la ley en el comercio de mercancías lícitas.

El Programa continua alcanzando resultados espectaculares, interceptando cargas marítimas de drogas ilícitas, especies en peligro de extinción, materiales peligrosos y patrimonio cultural entre otros. Desde marzo del 2006, más de 40 toneladas de cocaína, 31 toneladas de cannabis y aproximadamente 770 toneladas de precursores químicos han sido incautados. Actualmente, UNODC se encuentra trabajando para expandir estos logros mediante un programa que se enfoque en los aeropuertos internacionales de África Occidental y Suramérica.

El Programa de Control de Contenedores opera en los puertos marítimos de 11 países en África Occidental, Latinoamérica y Asia Occidental y Central (Afganistán Benín, Cabo Verde, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Ghana, Guatemala, Panamá, Pakistán, Senegal, Togo y Turkmenistán). Los sitios seleccionados se encuentran ubicados en las regiones consideradas como mayores productores de drogas ilícitas y/o son considerados como rutas establecidas del comercio marítimo para el transporte de drogas ilícitas y precursores químicos. Se planea expandir el programa este año a Azerbaiyán, Georgia, Irán, Jamaica y Kazajstán.

También se hace un reconociendo al importante apoyo financiero y en equipo brindado principalmente por países como Canadá, Alemania, Estados Unidos e Inglaterra.

El Sr. Fedotov hizo énfasis en la necesidad de reforzar los controles fronterizos marítimos, terrestres y aéreos en la región, lo cual es una de las formas efectivas de combatir el crimen organizado transnacional.
Added on 12/08/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
200 kilos of cocaine found between mussels in a container at the port of Marin Hallados 200 kilos de coca entre mejillón en un contenedor en el puerto de Marín
200 kilos of cocaine found between mussels in a container at the port of Marin Hallados 200 kilos de coca entre mejillón en un contenedor en el puerto de Marín
02-07-2011

The Civil Guard seized 300 kilos of others in an operation a fortnight ago in the same facility, which makes Marin usual gateway to Europe

Facilities container terminal at the port of Marin. / G. Saints
J. S. P. | MARIN A new cache of cocaine, about two hundred kilos, was found yesterday in the Port of Marín inside a container from Chile and carrying a ship unloaded its cargo in the container terminal at the Port of Marín.

The shipment was tracked down by agents of organized crime, drug team of the Guardia Civil de Pontevedra, which all day long maintained a total silence on the case because the investigation remains open, says the agency Efe quoted sources close to the case.

The same sources claim that the drug had been concealed in a container in the middle of the mussel to a refrigerator for the port was supposedly unaware of the goods he had, a policing system that is known as rip-off.

Although the cache may have been spotted even during the night yesterday, throughout the day an absolute silence surrounding this case in the drug by the Guardia Civil to the point that absolutely no one in the consultations in the port area were aware of the case.

This apprehension is added to the caches located in recent months in the facilities of Puerto de Marin, who seems to have become a major drug entry point of the hook by this process blind.

Despite the remarkable silence, a businessman in the port also said knowing the location of the drug at night acknowledged that there was some movement between the container terminal but added that usual, so that particularly caught the attention of anyone .

The Port of Marin has become a frequent point of receipt of drugs from Latin American countries that are obscured in some way, sometimes as simple as running the place in bags or backpacks with the view to not cause suspicion but increasingly, as can be seen, with worse outcomes. The existence of the drug, not usually known to the recipient container.

One year ago, 800 kilos of cocaine seized in three arrests and then another half ton more hidden among frozen fish. In recent months, were seized from 55 kilos to the arrest of a policeman involved, 50 kilos from frozen shrimp and another 20 in the cooling system of a container. And now these 200 kilos probably no longer reach the market.

The last arrest before yesterday was in mid-June, when the Civil Guard, in collaboration with the Inland Revenue, intercepted another container loaded with 300 kilos of cocaine. These new caches confirms that organizations that use container traffic as a way to try to introduce drug shipments in Spain have been set in the port of Marin as a possible portals of entry for the drug.

For a fortnight ago is very similar to yesterday since the drug was hidden in a container of frozen mussels have left the port of San Vicente, also in Chile. The target company was a firm dedicated to handling this mollusk based in the province of Pontevedra.

La Guardia Civil se incautó de otros 300 kilos en una operación hace quince días en las mismas instalaciones, lo que convierte a Marín en puerta de entrada habitual a Europa
Instalaciones de la terminal de contenedores en el puerto de Marín. / g. santos
J. S. P. | MARÍN Un nuevo alijo de cocaína, de unos doscientos kilos, fue localizado ayer en el Puerto de Marín en el interior de un contenedor procedente de Chile y que transportaba un buque que descargó su carga en la terminal de contenedores del Puerto de Marín.

El cargamento fue localizado por agentes del equipo de delincuencia organizada antidroga de la Guardia Civil de Pontevedra, que durante toda la jornada mantuvo un mutismo total sobre el caso ya que la investigación sigue abierta, según explica la agencia Efe citando fuentes próximas al caso.

Las mismas fuentes aseguran que la droga venía oculta en un contenedor en medio del mejillón destinado a un frigorífico del puerto que supuestamente era desconocedor de la mercancía que traía, un sistema que policialmente se conoce como gancho ciego.

Aunque el alijo pudo haber sido localizado incluso durante la noche de ayer, a lo largo de toda la jornada un mutismo absoluto rodeó este caso de localización de la droga por la Guardia Civil, hasta el punto de que absolutamente ninguna persona de las consultadas en el ámbito portuario eran conocedora del caso.

Esta aprehensión se suma a los alijos localizados en los últimos meses en las instalaciones del Puerto de Marín, que parece haberse convertido en uno de los principales punto de entrada de droga mediante este procedimiento del gancho ciego.

Pese al notable mutismo, un empresario del puerto que también dijo desconocer la localización de la droga reconoció que durante la noche hubo algún movimiento entre los contenedores de la terminal aunque añadió que eso suele ser habitual, por lo que no llamó especialmente la atención de nadie.

El Puerto de Marín se ha convertido en un punto frecuente de recepción de droga procedente de los países latinoamericanos que se disimula de algún modo, a veces de lo más sencillo, como el colocarlo en bolsas corrientes o mochilas a la vista para que no causen sospechas, aunque cada vez, como se puede comprobar, con peores resultados. De la existencia de la droga, habitualmente, no tiene conocimiento el destinatario del contenedor.

Hace un año se incautaron 800 kilos de cocaína con tres detenidos y, posteriormente, otra media tonelada más ocultos entre pescado congelado. En los últimos meses se decomisaron partidas de 55 kilos con la detención de un guardia civil implicado; 50 kilos entre gambas congeladas y otros 20 más en el sistema de refrigeración de un contenedor. Y ahora estos probablemente 200 kilos que ya no llegarán al mercado.

La última aprehensión antes de la de ayer se produjo a mediados de junio, cuando la Guardia Civil, en colaboración con la Agencia Tributaria, interceptaba otro contenedor cargado con unos 300 kilos de cocaína. Estos nuevos alijos vienen a confirmar que las organizaciones que utilizan el tráfico de contenedores como vía para intentar introducir cargamentos de droga en España se han fijado en el puerto de Marín como una de las posibles puertas de entrada para la droga.

El caso de hace quince días es muy similar al de ayer ya que la droga estaba oculta en un contenedor cargado de mejillón congelado que habría salido del puerto de San Vicente, también en Chile. La empresa destinataria era una firma dedicada a la manipulación de este molusco radicada en la provincia de Pontevedra.
Added on 12/08/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Hackers kraken geo-tracking Duitse Politie Cyber-Attacke Hacker klauen Daten von Zoll-Server
Hackers kraken geo-tracking Duitse Politie Cyber-Attacke Hacker klauen Daten von Zoll-Server
Gepubliceerd: Zaterdag 9 juli 2011
Auteur: Uhro van der Pluijm

Een groep onbekende hackers heeft een server die in beheer was van de Duitse douane gekraakt. Op de server staan onderzoeksgegevens van de politie, namelijk de exacte locatie van verdachten.

Een hackersgroep die zichzelf n0-n4m3 Crew noemt zegt ingebroken te hebben in een server die gebruikt werd door de Duitse federale politie. De groep heeft een groot aantal gegevens gestolen van verdachten die bewaakt werden met behulp van GPS-trackingsysteem Patras. Ook stonden er instructies voor de installatie en het beheer van dat systeem op de server, zo meldt Der Spiegel.

Locaties en coördinaten
De Duitsers publiceerden de gegevens op hun website. In de data staan onder andere wachtwoorden van gebruikers, telefoonnummers, kentekens maar vanzelfsprekend ook locaties en coördinaten van verdachten. De groep lekte daarnaast ontelbaar veel interne documenten die op de server stonden.

Volgens een woordvoerder van de Duitse politie blijkt uit een analyse dat er geen onderzoeksinformatie gelekt is die de rechtshandhavers momenteel nog gebruiken. De gegevens kwamen volgens de zegsvrouw van een server die beheerd werd door de Duitse douane. Op die server stonden gegevens van de federale politie voor gebruik door douaniers.

Systeem uitgeschakeld
De politie heeft het Patras-systeem wel tijdelijk uitgeschakeld om beveiligingsredenen. Alle gebruikers van het systeem zijn geïnformeerd. De politie en douane onderzoeken momenteel of er kritieke informatie op het gekraakte systeem aanwezig is. Het Duitse Nationale Centrum voor Cyberverdediging onderzoekt de hack ook.

De Duitse techsite Heise merkt op dat de gebeurtenissen extra beschamend zijn voor de officials van de douane. Zij waren waarschijnlijk degenen die in de fout zijn gegaan. De mensen die dit soort systemen bij de douane beheren zijn zelf namelijk ook als lid verbonden aan dat Nationale Centrum voor Cyberverdediging.

Protest tegen monitoren
De hackersgroep schrijft op haar website overigens dat de hacks politiek gemotiveerd zijn. Ze heeft de aanval uitgevoerd als protest tegen het contant monitoren door ambtenaren. Volgens een statement op de website kunnen de hackers die constante controle niet langer tolereren. Alle rechten op bescherming van privacy worden volgens de Duitsers overtreden.

De n0-n4m3 Crew waarschuwt dat zijn vanaf nu iedere kwetsbaarheid schaamteloos zal uitbuiten. De Duitse groep gaat bovendien alles lekken waar zij de hand op kan leggen zo lang de overheid en grote bedrijven niets anders doen dan het stelen van, liegen naar en bespioneren van gewone burgers.

http://webwereld.nl/nieuws/107243/hackers-kraken-geo-tracking-duitse-politie.html



08.07.2011
Von Konrad Lischka und Marcel Rosenbach

Jetzt wurde auch eine deutsche Ermittlungsbehörde Opfer eines Hackerangriffs: Unbekannte haben brisantes Material von mindestens einem Zoll-Rechner entwendet, die Daten wurden im Web veröffentlicht.

Hamburg/Berlin - Die Unbekannten haben mindestens ein Ziel erreicht: Aufmerksamkeit. In der Nacht zum Freitag veröffentlichte eine Hackergruppe namens NN-Crew im Web Datensätze, die angeblich von Servern von Ermittlungsbehörden entwendet wurden und detaillierte Informationen zu Überwachungseinsätzen der Behörden enthalten.

Nach Informationen von SPIEGEL ONLINE haben die Unbekannten Material von einem Server einer Zollbehörde entwendet. Eine Sprecherin der Bundespolizei bestätigt: "Nach derzeitigen Feststellungen stammen die veröffentlichten Daten von einem Zoll-eigenen Server, auf den anscheinend auch Informationen der Bundespolizei zur Anwendung des Zielverfolgungssystems Patras für die Weiterverteilung im Zollbereich kopiert wurden." Das Bundespolizeipräsidium stellt nach einer ersten Analyse fest, dass keine "Einsatzdaten der Bundespolizei oder des BKA" veröffentlicht worden sind.


Bei Patras handelt es sich den veröffentlichten Dokumenten zufolge um ein System zur Auswertung von Positionsdaten, die zum Beispiel GPS-Peilsender an den Fahrzeugen überwachter Personen per Mobilfunk übermitteln. Die Bundespolizei hat den Patras-Server vorläufig abgeschaltet und alle Nutzer gewarnt.

Bewegungsprofile aus dem gesamten Bundesgebiet

Unter den veröffentlichten Daten finden sich Bewegungsprofile aus dem gesamten Bundesgebiet. Die einzelnen Datensätze sind in Ordnern sortiert, die die Namen unterschiedlicher Polizeistellen tragen. Darunter finden sich gemeinsame Ermittlungsgruppen der Landespolizeien, der Bundespolizei und des Zolls zur Rauschgiftbekämpfung, auch Zollfahndungsämter und mobile Einsatzkommandos sind betroffen.

Die einzelnen Datensätze enthalten Positionsprotokolle, die laut den Dokumenten in den Jahren 2009 und 2010 aufgezeichnet worden sind. Unklar ist, ob es sich dabei tatsächlich um Daten aus Ermittlungsverfahren handelt, bei denen ein Richter die Überwachung Verdächtiger erlaubt hat. Denkbar ist zum Beispiel auch, dass die Behörden eine neue Software zur Analyse von Bewegungsprofilen in einem Feldversuch getestet haben.

Von welchen Geräten die Daten aufgezeichnet worden sind, lässt sich nur auf Basis der parallel von der NN-Crew veröffentlichten Dokumente vermuten. Powerpoint-Präsentationen und Handbücher beschreiben, wie Überwachungstechnik installiert und gepflegt werden kann. Die beschriebenen Geräte werden demnach an Fahrzeugen angebracht, ermitteln über GPS-Signale die Position und übermitteln diese per Mobilfunk.

Software wertet Positionsdaten auf einem Server aus

Aus den veröffentlichten Dokumenten geht hervor, dass die gesammelten Positionsdaten zur Auswertung auf einen oder mehrere Server geladen wurden. In einer Nachricht eines Technik-Dienstleisters beschreibt der Mitarbeiter, wie sich das "installierte Patras-Web-Interface" anpassen lässt. Unklar ist, ob diese Patras-Webversion auf einem lokalen Computer in einer Dienststelle oder auf einem von außen erreichbaren System installiert war. Der Unterschied: Lokal lässt sich der Server nur aus dem internen Netz über Browser abrufen, ist er von außen zugänglich, ist die Gefahr von Angriffen höher.

Wie die Hacker an die Daten gekommen sind, ist auf Basis des vorliegenden Materials nicht nachzuvollziehen. Womöglich wurde ein Rechner bei einer Dienstelle attackiert, vielleicht lief eine Installation der Patras-Software tatsächlich auf einem ans Internet angeschlossenen Rechner - ein solcher Umgang mit den Daten wäre fahrlässig, sollte es sich tatsächlich um die Auswertung von echten Überwachungsmaßnahmen handeln.


Die Behauptung der Hacker, Daten von "einigen Servern der Bundespolizei" gezogen zu haben, muss indes nicht stimmen. Die veröffentlichten Dokumente deuten darauf hin, dass die Bundespolizei einen Download-Server ("BPOL-Download-Server") betrieben hat, von dem andere Stellen Software laden konnten - darunter Programme wie GPSTracker und Patras.

Eine Sprecherin der Bundespolizei kündigte an, man werde die "veröffentlichten Daten auf kritische Informationsinhalte" prüfen und den Zoll bei der "Aufklärung des Cyberangriffs" unterstützen. Das nationale Cyber-Abwehrzentrum beim Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik soll sich ebenfalls mit dem Fall befassen - das dürfte einer der ersten größeren Fälle für die eben erst eröffnete Stelle sein.

http://www.spiegel.de/netzwelt/web/0,1518,773189,00.html

Server der Bundespolizei ausspioniert Update
08.07.2011 12:10
Die Gruppe NN-Crew will nach eigenen Angaben in einen Server der Bundespolizei (BPOL) eingedrungen sein und zahlreiche Daten zum GPS-Tracking bei der Überwachung von Verdächtigen ausgelesen haben. Der gehackte Server wird von der BPOL offenbar als Datenpool und Server zum Download der GPS-Tracking-Software sowie der Anleitungen zur Installation und Bedienung verwendet. Für den Zugang zum Server müssen die Ermittler sich authentifizieren. Mehrere der Nutzernamen und Passwörter gehören zu den nun von NN-Crew veröffentlichten Daten. Daneben finden sich in den Überwachungsdatensätzen Telefonnummern, Kennzeichen, Orte und Koordinaten. Auf dem Server liegen auch zahlreiche interne Dokumente der Behörde.

Die nach eigenen Angaben politisch motivierte NN-Crew richtet sich mit der Aktion gegen die "dauerhafte Überwachung" durch Behörden. "Diese dauerhafte Überwachung kann nicht länger toleriert werden. Ihr habt euch zahlreicher Verbrechen gegen die Persönlichkeitsrechte und Datenschutzbestimmungen schuldig gemacht … Jede Lücke wird ab jetzt schamlos ausgenutzt, alles was wir in die Hände bekommen, werden wir leaken, um den Feinden der Freiheit den größtmöglichen Imageschaden zuzufügen. Solange die Regierung und die großen Firmen ihre Bürger bestehlen, belügen, ausspionieren und nichts anderes zu tun haben als darüber nachzudenken, wie sie ihre Macht weiter ausbauen und ihr Geld weiter anhäufen können, werden wir weitermachen und die Rechte der Bürger dieses Landes wahren", schreibt die Gruppe auf ihrer Webseite. Mittlerweile sind die Seiten jedoch nicht mehr erreichbar.

Telefonische und schriftliche Anfragen von heise Security an die Bundespolizei mit der Bitte um eine Stellungnahme zu dem Vorfall blieben bislang unbeantwortet.

[Update]In einer Stellungnahme teilte eine Sprecherin der BPOL mit, dass "nach Analyse des Bundespolizeipräsidiums keine Einsatzdaten der Bundespolizei (oder des BKA) veröffentlicht wurden. Nach derzeitigen Feststellungen stammen die veröffentlichten Daten von einem Zoll-eigenen Server, auf den anscheinend auch Informationen der Bundespolizei zur Anwendung des Zielverfolgungssystems PATRAS für die Weiterverteilung im Zollbereich kopiert wurden." Aus Sicherheitsgründen sei der Server des Geodatensystems PATRAS vorläufig abgeschaltet und alle PATRAS-Nutzer informiert worden.

Zudem stimme man sich derzeit mit dem Zollkriminalamt ab und prüfe die Daten auf kritische Informationsinhalte. Der Vorfall soll zudem vom Nationalen Cyber-Abwehrzentrum beim BSI analysiert werden. Das ist für den mutmaßlichen Verursacher der Panne, den Zoll, besonders peinlich, weil das Zollkriminalamt selbst (assoziiertes) Mitglied des Cyber-Abwehrzentrums ist. [/Update]
Added on 12/08/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Four tonnes of cannabis seized (Dutch-registered yacht )
Four tonnes of cannabis seized (Dutch-registered yacht )
Tuesday, 26 Jul 2011

Approximately four tonnes of cannabis have been seized following a UK Border Agency operation in the English Channel.

Agency cutters HMC Valiant and HMC Searcher intercepted a Dutch-registered yacht in UK waters off the coast of Sussex in the early hours of Sunday 24 July.

The vessel was escorted into Newhaven habour and was searched by officers.

The drugs discovered on board have an estimated street value of around £12 million.

Four men have been charged with the importation of controlled drugs.

Constant alert
David Smith, UK Border Agency regional deputy director, said: 'The UK Border Agency's fleet of cutters play a vital role in securing the border. 'They are on constant alert around the UK coastline to keep illegal drugs and other banned substances out of the UK.

'We are determined to prevent this terrible trade which can have such a destructive impact on the lives of so many.'

The UK Border Agency's five fast patrol vessels, known as Cutters, patrol the UK's 10,000 miles of coastline every day of the year to detect prohibited and restricted goods and prevent tax fraud by searching all types of vessels.

Each vessel can accommodate up to 16 persons and remain at sea for extended periods and in heavy weather conditions.

The crew are all highly trained for the maritime enforcement role they undertake.
Added on 12/08/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Drugs worth €1m found at Dublin Port
Drugs worth €1m found at Dublin Port
The Irish Times - Saturday, July 30, 2011

Customs officers have seized cannabis and cocaine worth an estimated €1 million from a container at Dublin Port.
The drugs were detected by a Customs sniffer dog in a refrigerated 12m container, which had arrived in Dublin Port from Germany via Holyhead yesterday morning.

A British national in his 50s was arrested and taken to Store Street Garda station.
Added on 12/08/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
£130k cannabis haul 'smuggled from China' - Northern Ireland
£130k cannabis haul 'smuggled from China' - Northern Ireland
Monday, 04 July 2011

A 26-year-old man has been in court in Belfast charged in connection with what a magistrate described as a "sophisticated and organised" drug smuggling operation between China and Northern Ireland.
Jianren Yu from Castlereagh Street in the east of the city was charged with having £130,000 worth of cannabis with intent to supply five days ago.

A detective said the drugs were found in a package which had been delivered to Yu's address where he lived with his wife and their five-year-old child.

The detective objected to bail for Yu, a Chinese national.

He said Yu had tried to interfere with the PSNI investigation. He said Yu was at least a facilitator if not the director of the importation of the drugs.

He said another man had already been charged in connection with the drugs but he added that police believed Yu knew the identity of a third person who was involved.

The detective said police also feared that Yu would leave Northern Ireland if he was freed on bail.

The detective said that the drugs had been sent in a package from China to Yu's address and it was thought there had been numerous similar deliveries.

Yu's solicitor said Yu thought the package contained cigarettes and clothes.

Magistrate Fiona Bagnell refused bail. Yu was remanded in custody until 1 August.

http://www.u.tv/News/%a3130k-cannabis-haul-smuggled-from-China/5f758393-d716-42bd-8ee3-909a2a7f404f
Added on 12/08/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Customs make £5.8m drug haul in frozen chips Officers stopped a Dutch registered lorry on June 30 at the inward freight controls of Dover's Eastern Docks
Customs make £5.8m drug haul in frozen chips Officers stopped a Dutch registered lorry on June 30 at the inward freight controls of Dover's Eastern Docks
maandag, juli 04 2011

A man has been accused of smuggling £5.8 million-worth of heroin, cocaine and cannabis in bags of frozen chips.
Otto Landman, from Eesveen in the Netherlands, appeared at Dover Magistrates' Court today.

He denied attempting to smuggle the drugs into the UK and was remanded in custody.

Officers stopped a Dutch registered lorry on June 30 at the inward freight controls of Dover's Eastern Docks.

When they searched the vehicle and its load of frozen chips, they found approximately 100 kilos of heroin, 15 kilos of cocaine and 250 kilos of cannabis.

The combined estimated street value of the drugs is estimated to be £5.8 million.

Enquiries by UK Border Agency investigators are continuing.

Carole Upshall, UK Border Agency Director for the south coast ports, said: "This is an excellent example of how UK Border Agency officers work tirelessly to detect and prevent drugs from being smuggled into the UK.

"We are determined to crack down on this terrible trade which can have such a destructive impact on the lives of so many.

"Anyone with information about activity they suspect may be linked to drug smuggling should call our on 0800 59 5000.

http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kentonline/news/2011-1/july/4/customs_make_58m_drug_haul.aspx

£5.8m drugs haul found on lorry


06 July 2011

A man has appeared in court charged with attempting to smuggle heroin, cocaine and cannabis into the UK.

Officers stopped a Dutch registered lorry on 30 June at the inward freight controls of Dover's eastern Docks. When they searched the vehicle and its load of frozen chips, they found approximately 100kg of heroin, 15kg of cocaine and 250kg of cannabis.

The combined estimated street value of the drugs is £5.8 million.

Otto Landman, from Eesveen in the Netherlands, appeared at Dover Magistrates Court on Saturday 2 July where he pleaded not guilty and has been remanded in custody. He will next appear at Dover Magistrates Court on Thursday 7 July.

Enquiries by our investigators are continuing.

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2011/july/11drug-haul-lorry
Added on 12/08/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Narcotics police apprehended nearly 136 kilos of drugs for bound for Antwerp - Belgium Policía antinarcóticos aprehende casi 136 kilos de droga
Narcotics police apprehended nearly 136 kilos of drugs for bound for Antwerp - Belgium Policía antinarcóticos aprehende casi 136 kilos de droga
18-07-2011

The Chief of the Narcotics Guayas Tcrnl. Freddy Rodriguez Ramos, accompanied by the Deputy Narcotics, Myr. Johnny del Salto, said the total drugs seized 106 kilos 067 grams correspond to cocaine, 20 kilos 174 grams of marijuana and 701 grams to 9 kilos heroin.
Among the events that draw attention and were reported by the police authority is the 16 Kilos 274 grams of cocaine, which sought to bring it to Madrid Spain in the 6464 flight of the airline Iberia, on behalf of the citizens DELGADO MOLINA GEMA. The drug was found in a blue nylon bag of the same brand TOTTO containing 20 packets inside alumina different logos. In this case, was arrested on MACIAS CANTERO JERONIMO Spanish.

In another of the facts disclosed that the arrest made at the July 7 TRLU1701419 container, the Shipping ECUADORIAN LINE, loaded with bananas, REYBANPAC company property, which was bound for bound for Antwerp - Belgium. In the aforementioned container is found in the area of ​​the ventilation system 41 Kilos 939 grams of cocaine.
In other events on July 2, 2011, were found 10 Kilos 849 grams of cocaine, possession of Ecuadorian nationality citizen Loffredo JULIO CESAR Faggioni, when he tried to ride the 6464 flight of the airline IBERIA route: Guayaquil - Madrid - Spain, the drug was hidden in the interior of the bag carry-on flight

These two facts add up to the seizure of 411 grams 6 Kilos of cocaine, possession of Ecuadorian WEIGHT PAUL XAVIER GOMEZ, 10 Kilos 221 grams of cocaine, possession of the Spanish MARIA ASUNCION Alajarin Ferrand. 7 kilos 327 grams of cocaine found in the possession of national ELVIS RODRIGUEZ RIVAS. The drug was destined for markets in Alicante, Madrid and Valencia in Spain.


Policía antinarcóticos aprehende casi 136 kilos de droga

18-07-2011

El Jefe del Servicio Antinarcóticos del Guayas, Tcrnl. Freddy Ramos Rodríguez, acompañado del Subjefe Antinarcóticos, Myr. Johnny del Salto, expreso que del total de la droga aprehendida 106 kilos 067 gramos corresponden a cocaína, 20 kilos 174 gramos a marihuana y 9 kilos 701 gramos a heroína.



Entre los hechos que llaman la atención y que fueron relatados por la autoridad policial se encuentra los 16 Kilos 274 Gramos de cocaína, que pretendieron sacarla a Madrid España en el vuelo 6464 de la aerolínea IBERIA, a nombre de la ciudadana DELGADO MOLINA GEMA. La droga fue encontrada en una maleta de nylon color azul marca TOTTO la misma que contenía en su interior 20 paquetes aluminados de distintos logos. En este caso fue detenido el español JERONIMO CANTERO MACIAS.

En otro de los hechos descubiertos esta la aprehensión realizada al pasado 7 de julio del contenedor TRLU1701419, de la Naviera ECUADORIAN LINE, cargada de banano, de propiedad de la empresa REYBANPAC, que tenía como destino con destino Antwerp - Bélgica. En el mencionado contenedor se encontró en el área del sistema de ventilación 41 Kilos 939 Gramos de cocaína.

En otros de los hechos el 2 de Julio del 2011, fueron encontrados 10 Kilos 849 gramos de cocaína, en posesión del ciudadano de nacionalidad Ecuatoriana JULIO CESAR LOFFREDO FAGGIONI, cuando pretendía viajar en el vuelo 6464 de la aerolínea IBERIA con la ruta: Guayaquil – Madrid - España, la droga se encontraba camuflada en el interior de una de las maleta de su equipaje de vuelo

A estos 2 hechos se suman el decomiso de 6 Kilos 411 gramos de cocaína, en posesión del ecuatoriano PABLO XAVIER PESO GOMEZ, 10 Kilos 221 gramos de cocaína, en posesión de la española MARIA ASUNCION ALAJARIN FERRANDES. 7 kilos 327 gramos de cocaína, encontrados en poder del nacional ELVIS RODRIGUEZ RIVAS. La droga tenía como destino los mercados de Alicante, Madrid y Valencia en España.

http://www.radiohuancavilca.com.ec/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6007%3Apolicia-antinarcoticos-aprehende-casi136-kilos-de-droga&catid=41%3Atitulares&Itemid=105
Added on 12/08/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Leeds cannabis smuggler jailed TWO men who smuggled cannabis from Thailand to West Yorkshire in a six-foot marine tank have been jailed.
Leeds cannabis smuggler jailed TWO men who smuggled cannabis from Thailand to West Yorkshire in a six-foot marine tank have been jailed.
Published on Monday 25 July 2011 15:35

TWO men who smuggled cannabis from Thailand to West Yorkshire in a six-foot marine tank have been jailed.

Police swooped just as Michael Mann, 44, was manoeuvring his newly-delivered parcel through patio doors at his home on Elmete Way, Oakwood, Leeds.

Officers found just over 12kgs of the drug hidden inside the tank, which had a street value of up to £19,000.

Leeds Crown Court heard the parcel had been intercepted at Stanstead airport on May 4 last year and officers tracked it to Mann’s home.

Michael Greenhalgh, prosecuting, said Matthew Jankowski’s fingerprints were found on an invoice that came with the tank, which is used to store fresh water on board yachts.

Both men were arrested and Mann claimed to have accepted the large parcel because he was intrigued by its contents but did not know it contained drugs.

Raid

He said he thought it may have been from his brother-in-law, who lives in Thailand.

Mann claimed to have just finished phoning him when officers raided his home.

He denied illegally importing drugs but was found guilty after a trial.

Jankowski, 29, of Greystones Grange, Sheffield, pleaded guilty to the offence after telling officers he had sent the package from Thailand, where his girlfriend lives.

Lawyers for the pair said both men were at the lower end of the drugs supply chain and the cannabis was of poor quality.

Patrick Roche, for Mann, said he was a former soldier who had had to leave the army after suffering a spinal injury while playing rugby in the forces.

He received disability allowance for his back pain and used cannabis to alleviate the symptoms.

Mann was jailed for two years and Jankowski for 18 months.

Judge James Spencer told them: “You were employed by others, I have no doubt, to take part in this activity.”
Added on 12/08/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Man faces £3m drug smuggling charge (Dutch nattional)
Man faces £3m drug smuggling charge (Dutch nattional)
Published on Thursday 4 August 2011 17:26


A 26-year-old man has been charged with smuggling heroin estimated to be worth £3 million after being stopped at the Channel Tunnel entrance.


UK Border Agency (UKBA) officers who stopped a coach en route to London at Coquelles in northern France found 31 heroin packages in a suitcase in the hold.

Mimoun Bounaouara, from the Netherlands, was charged and pleaded not guilty to drugs smuggling at Folkestone Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.

A UKBA spokesman said he has been remanded in custody and will next appear at Dover Magistrates' Court on August 11 as inquiries continue.

Barbara Wilson, assistant director of Border Force South and Europe, said officers are on round-the-clock alert to keep banned substances out of the UK.

http://www.wakefieldexpress.co.uk/news/national/man_faces_3m_drug_smuggling_charge_1_3644617
Added on 12/08/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Cocaine seized at Manchester Airport (hidden in tins of sweet potatoes)
Cocaine seized at Manchester Airport (hidden in tins of sweet potatoes)
04 August 2011


UK Border Agency officers at Manchester Airport have found 10 kg of cocaine valued at approximately £400,000.

The Class A drugs were discovered on Monday 1 August, hidden in tins of sweet potatoes which were in luggage that had come off a flight from Montego Bay in Jamaica.

Two women, aged 24 and 33, who had travelled on the flight and a
33-year-old man who was at the airport to meet them were arrested on suspicion of being involved in the illegal importation of Class A drugs. They were later released on bail pending further enquiries.
Added on 12/08/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Police nab suspect in biggest cocaine haul Apreensão de cocaína
Police nab suspect in biggest cocaine haul Apreensão de cocaína
6/8/2011
Portuguese authorities have announced they have arrested a suspected drugs trafficker, along with 52 kilogrammes of cocaine and a small arms cache hidden in ceramic materials shipped from Brazil.

The Judiciary Police in northern Oporto said the cocaine haul was the largest seized this year, with a street value of between €2.5 million and €5 million. Two UZI and Glock pistols and hundreds of rounds of munitions were also seized. Police identified the arrested suspect simply as a 48-year-old man without a criminal record.
http://www.theportugalnews.com/cgi-bin/article.pl?id=1124-21

Apreensão de cocaína


27 de Julho de 2011

A Polícia Judiciária, através da Directoria do Norte, identificou e deteve um homem pela presumível prática de crime de tráfico de estupefacientes, na área do Grande Porto, tendo sido apreendida na sua posse uma quantidade de cocaína, superior a 52 Kg.

Para além do produto estupefaciente, foram ainda apreendidas duas pistolas de calibre 9mm e centenas de munições, dissimulados no interior de materiais de cerâmica que haviam sido descarregados de contentores provenientes do Brasil e posteriormente transportados para dois armazéns.

O detido, de 48 anos de idade, vai ser presente a primeiro interrogatório judicial para aplicação das medidas de coacção tidas por adequadas.






http://www.policiajudiciaria.pt/PortalWeb/page/%7B5B3128DB-790F-4135-93F8-B32DA14322CB%7D

Cocaine bust

July 27, 2011

The Judicial Police, through its Directorate North, identified and arrested a man for alleged crime of drug trafficking in the Greater Porto area, having been seized in their possession a quantity of cocaine, more than 52 kg

In addition to the narcotics were also seized two 9mm pistols and hundreds of ammunition, hidden within ceramic materials that had been unloaded from shipping containers coming from Brazil and then shipped to two warehouses.

The detainee, 48 years old, will be present for the first judicial interrogation application of coercive measures taken by right.
Added on 12/08/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Seizure of nearly 600 kg of cannabis resin at the port of Nador the drug was concealed inside a vehicle type "Volkswagen", registered in the Netherlands
Seizure of nearly 600 kg of cannabis resin at the port of Nador the drug was concealed inside a vehicle type "Volkswagen", registered in the Netherlands
Sunday, August 7, 2011

Yet another decision this week kif in Morocco. Approximately 570 kg of cannabis resin (CHIR) hidden in a vehicle belonging to a Moroccan living abroad were seized on Friday night at the port of Nador in northern Morocco by Moroccan customs. Packaged in the form of platelets, the drug was concealed inside a vehicle registered in the Netherlands, said local security sources. The driver was accompanied by his wife and children, was arrested on the spot.

Saisie de près de 600 kg de résine de cannabis au port de Nador

Dimanche 7 Août 2011

Encore une autre prise de kif cette semaine au Maroc. En effet, environ 570 kg de résine de cannabis (chira) dissimulés dans un véhicule appartenant à un marocain résidant à l'étranger ont été saisis, vendredi soir au port de Nador, dans le nord du Maroc, par les douanes marocaines. Conditionnée sous forme de plaquettes, la drogue, était dissimulée à l'intérieur d'un véhicule immatriculé aux Pays-Bas, précise des sources sécuritaires locales. Le conducteur qui était accompagné de sa femme et de ses enfants, a été arrêté sur place.


http://www.lemaghrebdz.com/lire.php?id=37443

Seizure of over half a ton of chira to Nador Ferry Terminal

Nador, 06/08/11- The brigade fight against drug trafficking under Nador Customs seized on Friday night at the port of Beni Ansar, some 570 kg of chira (cannabis resin), it was learned from the regional customs of the northeast.

Packaged in the form of platelets, the drug was concealed inside a vehicle type "Volkswagen", registered in the Netherlands, belonging to a Moroccan national living abroad, said the source.

The vehicle, which was accompanied by his wife and children, was arrested and handed over to police
Saisie de plus d'une demi-tonne de chira à la gare maritime de Nador
Nador, 06/08/11- La brigade de lutte contre le trafic des stupéfiants relevant des douanes de Nador a saisi, vendredi soir au port de Beni Ansar, quelque 570 kg de chira (résine de cannabis), a-t-on appris auprès de la direction régionale des douanes du nord-est.

Conditionnée sous forme de plaquettes, la drogue a été dissimulée à l'intérieur d'un véhicule de type "Volkswagen Transporter", immatriculé aux Pays-Bas, appartenant à un ressortissant marocain résidant à l'étranger, a précisé la même source.

Le conducteur du véhicule, qui était accompagné de son épouse et de ses enfants, a été arrêté et remis à la police.
Added on 12/08/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
DNCD capture of "mules" llevaban 15 kilos of cocaine to Spain and Canada ( son of Dutch nationa)l DNCD captura dos “mulas” llevaban 15 kilos de coca a España y Canadá
DNCD capture of "mules" llevaban 15 kilos of cocaine to Spain and Canada ( son of Dutch nationa)l DNCD captura dos “mulas” llevaban 15 kilos de coca a España y Canadá
07/08/2011

SANTO DOMINGO .- La Dirección National Drug Control (DNCD) captures en el Aeropuerto Internacional de las Americas (AILA) to un origen of Dominican Dutch national attempt to address un avión con España Levada destination with 13 kilos of cocaine en el interior of the suitcases, so that en en el Aeropuerto Internacional de Punta Cana trapped fue otro viajero Levada who wanted to Canada un poco más de un kilo de la misma sustenance within equipaje con un doble fondo, la Drug Enforcement Agency reports.

El de la DNCD spokesman Roberto Lebron dijo that frustrated them Euris Ferrara viajeros son of Dutch Nationality Dominican origen y, y John Carlos Muñoz, Los nacido en USA y también de origen Dominican, 55 y 33 años respectively.

Lebron Señal that Ferrara seized fue en el area Migración of AILA by salida del Miembros del Centro de Información y Coordinación Joint (CICC) that persons pay al servicio, en moments that Levada wanted 12 packets of a España un blanco presumed octopus es cocaine, en el interior of the suitcases as they llevaba equipaje. Al moment apresamiento el mismo su is to address chequeaba No. el vuelo de la UX-088 airlines, including Air France, destination con la ciudad de Madrid.

He added that the suitcases propiedad cuando las del charged pasaban por la machine rayos X, these agents DNCD detectaron la la extraño presence of objects within them misma by you that along Levada fueron a la con su dueño del satellite workshop CICC en esa terminal.

Las suitcases, both of black color, brand y Bungy Sport Travel Star, requires it for fueron los del staff en presence de la Provincia deputy tax Santo Domingo, Nelson Tejada Beltre, y de las misma within hallo fueron los 12 del liners quoted octopus, los Estaban en cual envueltos plastic paper tape adhesives y de colores amarillo, negro y crema, dijo Lebron.

Tienen un 12 Los liners weighing approximately 13 kilos 890 grams, in particular aun por el forensic laboratory, where the fueron los fines sent to be analyzed.

En so that arrested John Carlos Muñoz fue en el Aeropuerto Internacional de Punta Cana wanted to address cuando el vuelo de la No. TS0609 airlines, Air Transat, which it Levada hasta la ciudad de Montreal, Canada.

Muñoz wanted to transport the 12 esa ciudad una proportionate large presumed sustenance blanca es cocaine, en el interior con una doble fondo briefcase, metal built foolish con cubierta con glass fiber.

Los del CICC agents in Punta Cana in Sospecha descubrieron imágenes del equipaje of Muñoz, in that it requires it su briefcase fue también en un presence of deputy tax Descubierta y fueron las 12 del proportionate cited octopus, las cual un Tienen un kilo weight of 67 kilograms , a drug that también fue al INACIF sent to be analyzed.

Both investigated for alleged estan siendo la DNCD official, to determine a quien tratan quien fueron narcotics Levada recruits for al exterior, y later, seran sometida a la justicia.

DNCD captura dos “mulas” llevaban 15 kilos de coca a España y Canadá

7-8-2011

SANTO DOMINGO.- La Dirección Nacional de Control de Drogas (DNCD) capturó en el Aeropuerto Internacional de las Américas (AILA) a un nacional holandés de origen dominicano que intentó abordar un avión con destino a España llevando consigo 13 kilos de cocaína en el interior de dos maletas, en tanto que en el Aeropuerto Internacional de Punta Cana fue atrapado otro viajero que quiso llevar a Canadá un poco más de un kilo de la misma sustancia dentro de un equipaje con doble fondo, informó la agencia antidrogas.
El portavoz de la DNCD, Roberto Lebrón dijo que los frustrados viajeros son Euris Ferreras Ferreras, de nacionalidad holandesa y origen dominicano, y John Carlos Muñoz, nacido en Los Estados Unidos y también de origen dominicano, de 55 y 33 años respectivamente.
Lebrón señaló que Ferreras Ferreras fue apresado en el área de migración de salida del AILA por miembros del Centro de Información y Coordinación Conjuntas (CICC) que prestan servicio allí, en momentos que este pretendía llevar a España 12 paquetes de un polvo blanco que se presume es cocaína, en el interior de dos maletas que llevaba como equipaje. Al momento de su apresamiento el mismo se chequeaba para abordar el vuelo No. UX-088 de la aerolínea Air Europa, con destino a la ciudad de Madrid.
Agregó que cuando las dos maletas propiedad del imputado pasaban por la maquina de rayos X, los agentes de la DNCD detectaron la presencia de objetos extraños dentro de las mismas, por lo que fueron llevadas junto con su dueño a la oficina satélite del CICC en esa terminal.
Las maletas, ambas de color negro, marcas Bungy Sport y Travel Star, fueron requisadas por los agentes en presencia del fiscal adjunto de la Provincia Santo Domingo, Nelson Beltre Tejada, y dentro de las mismas fueron hallados los 12 paquetes del citado polvo, los cuales estaban envueltos en cinta adhesiva y papel plástico de colores amarillo, crema y negro, dijo Lebrón.
Los 12 paquetes tienen un peso aproximado de 13 kilos 890 gramos, no determinado aun por el laboratorio forense, a donde fueron enviados a los fines de ser analizados.
En tanto que John Carlos Muñoz fue arrestado en el Aeropuerto Internacional de Punta Cana cuando quiso abordar el vuelo No. TS0609 de la aerolínea Air Transat, que lo llevaría hasta la ciudad de Montreal, Canadá.
Muñoz pretendía transportar a esa ciudad 12 porciones grandes de una sustancia blanca que se presume es cocaína, en el interior de una maleta con doble fondo, construido con tola metálica cubierta con fibra de vidrio.
Los agentes del CICC en Punta Cana descubrieron imágenes sospechosas dentro del equipaje de Muñoz, por lo que su maleta fue requisada también en presencia de un fiscal adjunto y fueron descubiertas las 12 porciones del citado polvo, las cuales tienen un peso de un kilo 67 kilogramos, droga que también fue enviada al INACIF para ser analizada.
Ambos imputados están siendo investigados por oficiales de la DNCD, quienes tratan de determinar por quienes fueron reclutados para llevar narcóticos al exterior, y posteriormente, serán sometidos a la justicia.
7 de agosto, 2011.-
http://www.dncd.mil.do/index.php/component/content/article/1-latest-news/665-dncd-captura-dos-mulas-llevaban-15-kilos-de-coca-a-espana-y-canada.html?ea97e10c5f91b275ce8431a1bdaaf84c=cbcee2d754dce8c73c88844b102d6d41
Added on 12/08/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
71 kilos of cocaine seized on a ship carrying fruit in Tarragona Incautan 71 kilos de cocaína en un buque que transportaba fruta en Tarragona
71 kilos of cocaine seized on a ship carrying fruit in Tarragona Incautan 71 kilos de cocaína en un buque que transportaba fruta en Tarragona
The anti-drug operation have helped the National Police, Customs Surveillance Service and the Civil Guard
AGENCIES - Valencia / Barcelona - 10/08/2011

Agents of the National Police have seized Valencia and Tarragona in Tarragona port a total of 71 kilograms of cocaine hidden in a container of a ship carrying fruit as legal goods. According to a statement from the Police Headquarters in Valencia, the arrest was conducted by agents of the Drug Unit and Organized Crime in Valencia, in collaboration with Tarragona, Customs Surveillance Service and the Civil Guard.

The police in Valencia, in the monitoring of sea lanes from the "hot" areas of South America, where there are regular shipments, detected the arrival of a ship at the port of Tarragona in which one might try to enter the mode narcotic "hook blind." The agents moved to the port of Tarragona and sought the help of other units and bodies mentioned for the inspection of container.

The ship from Costa Rica, with stops in Italy, had as final destination the port of Tarragona and contained as a legal commodity fruit, especially bananas. The police proceeded to the opening of a container a ship that deposited at the port of that city, locating the 71 kilograms of cocaine, divided into several bags containing a total of 61 packages of drugs.


Incautan 71 kilos de cocaína en un buque que transportaba fruta en Tarragona
En la operación antidroga han colaborado agentes de la Policía Nacional, los Servicios de Vigilancia Aduanera y la Guardia Civil
AGENCIAS - Valencia/Barcelona - 10/08/2011

Agentes de la Policía Nacional de Valencia y Tarragona han incautado en el puerto tarraconense un total de 71 kilogramos de cocaína ocultos en un contenedor de un buque que transportaba como mercancía legal fruta. Según un comunicado de la Jefatura Superior de Policía de la Comunidad Valenciana, la aprehensión ha sido realizada por agentes de la Unidad de Droga y Crimen Organizado de Valencia, en colaboración con los de Tarragona, Servicios de Vigilancia Aduanera y Guardia Civil.

Los policías valencianos, dentro del seguimiento de vías marítimas procedentes de las zonas "calientes" de Sudamérica, desde donde se producen envíos habituales, detectaron la llegada de un buque al puerto de Tarragona en el que se podría tratar de introducir sustancia estupefaciente con la modalidad del "gancho ciego". Los agentes se desplazaron hasta el puerto de Tarragona y solicitaron la colaboración de las demás unidades y cuerpos citados para la inspección del contenedor.

El buque procedente de Costa Rica y con escala en Italia, tenía como destino final el puerto de Tarragona y contenía como mercancía legal fruta, concretamente bananos. Los policías procedieron a la apertura de uno de los contenedores que el buque depositó en el puerto de esa ciudad, localizando los 71 kilogramos de cocaína, repartidos en varias sacas que contenían en total 61 paquetes de dicha droga.
Added on 12/08/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Around 3 tonnes of cannabis resin seized southern France in a truck coming from Morocco (boud for Paris)
Around 3 tonnes of cannabis resin seized southern France in a truck coming from Morocco (boud for Paris)
Paris - A quantity of 2.9 tonnes of cannabis resin was seized, on Wednesday, at the Port of Sète (southern France) in a truck coming from Tangier (northern Morocco).
The banned substance was concealed in the truck that was bound for Paris suburbs, the French police said in a statement.

Five allegedly involved traffickers were arrested during this operation. One of them was arrested in Vitry-sur-Seine (Paris suburbs) possessing 200 g of cocaine, 6,000 Euros, an automatic pistol, a silencer and munitions.

This operation was the fruit of a search that lasted several months, the French police said, adding that this network is headed by two natives of Vitry-sur-Seine, 42 and 55 year-old respectively, who belong to the trafficker’s circles of the “banlieue sud” of Paris.

The elder is wanted by the police after he was sentenced on June 21 to 10 years of prison on drug trafficking charges.
Added on 12/08/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Over one tonne of cannabis resin seized at Tangier Med port The truck was carrying a cargo of wood crafts to be exported to Belgium
Over one tonne of cannabis resin seized at Tangier Med port The truck was carrying a cargo of wood crafts to be exported to Belgium
08/11/2011

Tangier - Moroccan authorities seized, on Wednesday at Tangier Med passenger port, 1,020 kilograms of cannabis resin (locally known as Chira) in a truck bound for Europe.
The drug was found after a thorough search of the vehicle which is registered in Morocco.

The truck was carrying a cargo of wood crafts to be exported to Belgium, a police source said.

The banned substance was carefully concealed inside these traditionally made products, the same source added, noting that three Moroccan nationals were arrested including the truck driver, during this operation.
Added on 12/08/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Trio in massive Leeds drug plot More than 100 deliveries containing the drug were brought into the UK from Holland between June 2008 and September 2009.
Trio in massive Leeds drug plot More than 100 deliveries containing the drug were brought into the UK from Holland between June 2008 and September 2009.
By Tony Gardner
Published on Thursday 11 August 2011 09:21
THREE men were due to be sentenced today over a £150 million cannabis smuggling ring which used Leeds as one of its main bases.
It is believed to be the largest conspiracy to import cannabis to the UK on record.

The operation involved over 17 tonnes of the drug being brought into the country hidden in boxes of flowers.

More than 100 deliveries containing the drug were brought into the UK from Holland between June 2008 and September 2009.

West Yorkshire Police discovered Dutch criminals arranged 52 deliveries – worth an estimated £73.5m – of powerful ‘skunk’ cannabis to four storage premises in West Yorkshire, three of them in Leeds, the other in Bradford.

Cannabis with a potential street value of £73.5m was also discovered to have been smuggled into other parts of the country.

After a ten-week trial at Leeds Crown Court, Johannes Elmendorp, 61, was yesterday found guilty of conspiracy to supply a controlled drug of class B and class C and conspiracy to evade prohibition on importation of a controlled drug of class B and class C.

Terence Koetsier, 22, was found guilty of conspiracy to supply a controlled drug of class C and conspiracy to evade prohibition on importation of a controlled drug of class C.

Arie Menno Van Esch, 30, was found guilty of conspiracy to supply a controlled drug of class B and conspiracy to evade prohibition on the importation of a controlled drug of class B.

Jacob Schreuders, 38, and Edilson Dos Santos, 24, were both cleared by the jury of conspiracy to supply a controlled drug of class C and conspiracy to evade prohibition on importation of a controlled drug of class C.

Jonathan Elmendorp, 29, Theodorus Klassen, 60, and Sajid Mahmood, 35, of Birmingham, were cleared of conspiracy to supply a controlled drug of class B and conspiracy to evade prohibition on the importation of a controlled drug of class B.

The jury of seven men and five women reached the verdicts after more than 14 hours of deliberations.

Judge Sally Cahill was due to sentence Elmendorp, Koetsier and Van Esch, who are Dutch nationals, today.

http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/latest-news/central-leeds/trio_in_massive_leeds_drug_plot_1_3667502
Added on 12/08/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
HARC-team Rotterdam vindt 2500 kilo cocaïne; vijf mannen aangehouden HARC team Rotterdam find 2500 kilograms of cocaine, five men arrested
HARC-team Rotterdam vindt 2500 kilo cocaïne; vijf mannen aangehouden HARC team Rotterdam find 2500 kilograms of cocaine, five men arrested
Nieuwsbericht | 30-06-2011

Het HARC (Hit And Run Container-team), een samenwerkingsverband van de Zeehavenpolitie, Douane en FIOD, heeft in een container die met een zeeschip uit Ecuador was aangevoerd 2500 kilo cocaïne gevonden. De drugs zaten verstopt in dozen tussen dozen met perziken in blik.

Het HARC-team kwam de container op het spoor na een tip. Op 12 juni kwam de container aan in de Rotterdamse haven. Daarop werden drugshonden van de Douane langs de container gestuurd. Toen zij aansloegen werd de container door de scan gehaald, waarop de dozen met drugs werden ontdekt.

Onderzoek leidde vervolgens in de richting van vijf verdachten. Vier van hen konden op 23 juni in Den Haag worden aangehouden. Vlak voor de aanhouding werd een van de verdachten mishandeld door de anderen. De man raakte daarbij lichtgewond. Het gaat om vier mannen uit Den Haag, Rijswijk en Zoetermeer van 40, 50, 56 en 59 jaar. De vier zijn maandag voorgeleid aan de rechter-commissaris en in bewaring gesteld.

De 5e verdachte, een 32-jarige Amsterdammer is dinsdag in zijn woonplaats aangehouden. Hij wordt vrijdag voorgeleid aan de rechter-commissaris. De cocaïne heeft een groothandelswaarde van ruim 80 miljoen euro en is inmiddels vernietigd.

http://www.rijksoverheid.nl/nieuws/2011/06/30/harc-team-rotterdam-vindt-2500-kilo-cocaine-vijf-mannen-aangehouden.html

06/30/2011

The HARC (Hit And Run Container Team), a partnership of the Seaport Police, Customs and FIOD, found in a container by sea from Ecuador 2500 kilos of cocaine. The drugs were hidden in boxes between boxes of canned peaches.

The HARC team, came the container on track after a tip. On June 12, the container arrived in the port of Rotterdam. Then the Customs drug dogs were sent along the container. When she reacted positive the container was moved to the scan, where the boxes of drugs were discovered.

Research then led in the direction of five suspects. Four of them were on June 23 held in The Hague. Just before the arrest one of the suspects was mistreated by the others. The man was slightly injured. These four men from The Hague, Rijswijk and Zoetermeer are 40, 50, 56 and 59 years old. The four were arraigned Monday at the magistrate and remanded in custody.

The fifth suspect, a 32-year old from Amsterdam was arrested Tuesday in his hometown. He will be arraigned Friday at the magistrate. The cocaine has a wholesale value of more than 80 million euros and has been destroyed
Added on 12/08/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Rederij zet honden in tegen drugstrafiek in Antwerpse haven
Rederij zet honden in tegen drugstrafiek in Antwerpse haven
15-06-2011

Rederij MSC Belgium krijgt in de Antwerpse haven steeds meer te maken met drugstrafiek en wil daar paal en perk aan stellen. Sinds eind 2010 zet ze daarom drugshonden in op schepen die uit risicogebieden afkomstig zijn. Dat gebeurt door een Nederlandse firma, in samenspraak met de douane en federale politie. Dat meldt de haven van Antwerpen woensdag.
De maatregel kwam er nadat in september en oktober vorig jaar op korte tijd tot tweemaal toe drugs werden onderschept in de Antwerpse haven. De Zwitserse rederij liet voordien al geregeld controles met drugshonden uitvoeren in Zuid-Amerikaanse havens, maar dat bleek dus niet voldoende.
"De maat was vol", verklaart algemeen directeur Marc Beerlandt van MSC Belgium. "De bijkomende controles kosten ons wel wat centen, maar de schade die drugshandel aan onze reputatie toebrengt, kost ons nog meer", aldus nog Beerlandt.
Aanpak loont
De aanpak van MSC lijkt alvast te lonen. Sinds de honden er aan de slag zijn, werden er geen onderscheppingen meer gedaan op de Home Terminal van MSC. De controles zijn dan ook in de eerste plaats preventief en ontradend, ook voor havenarbeiders.
"In onze haven werden vorig jaar 8,4 miljoen containers behandeld. Een belangrijk deel daarvan passeert zonder problemen langs de Home Terminal van MSC. Het kan niet dat enkele havenarbeiders, die verleid worden door snel geldgewin, de reputatie van onze haven te grabbel gooien", juicht ook Antwerps Havenschepen Marc Van Peel (CD&V) de controles toe.
Added on 26/06/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Antwerpse havenarbeiders hielpen cocaïne uit containers halen
Antwerpse havenarbeiders hielpen cocaïne uit containers halen
15/06/11 11u11
De correctionele rechtbank van Antwerpen heeft woensdag acht havenarbeiders veroordeeld die werden ingehuurd om cocaïne uit containers te halen in de Antwerpse haven.
Ze kregen celstraffen tot 52 maanden, al dan niet deels met uitstel, boetes tot 13.750 euro of een werkstraf. Hun opdrachtgevers Abdelaziz A. (33) en Dashnor E. (47) kregen ieder vijf jaar cel.

Abdelaziz A. en Dashnor E. verwachtten in september 2010 ladingen cocaïne van respectievelijk 12 kilo en 40 kilo die zich aan boord van het schip MSC England bevonden. Om de drugs uit de containers te halen, schakelden ze havenarbeiders in.

Abdelaziz A. deed een beroep op Kenny V.A. (26) die een ploeg samenstelde om de uithaling te doen. In de nacht van 22 op 23 september 2010 werd de 12 kilo cocaïne uit de container gehaald. Kenny V.A. reed met de drugs weg, maar werd door de politie na een wilde achtervolging gevat.

Dashnor E. schakelde op zijn beurt de havenarbeiders Wim D. (46) en Danny K. (48) in. Toen die laatste vernam dat de douane de container in de gaten hield, zag hij van het plan af. Hij verwittigde de anderen niet, waardoor zij dachten dat hij met de 40 kilo cocaïne aan de haal was gegaan.

Dashnor E. verplichtte Wim D. vervolgens om een valse klacht tegen hem in te dienen zodat ze aan het adres van Danny K. konden geraken maar de politie greep in en arresteerde iedereen. De meeste beklaagden legden bekentenissen af, behalve Dashnor E. (belga/mvdb)

http://www.hln.be/hln/nl/957/Belgie/article/detail/1278829/2011/06/15/Antwerpse-havenarbeiders-hielpen-cocaine-uit-containers-halen.dhtml
Added on 26/06/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Duitser gepakt met 1500 kilo wiet op A50 Dutch cops seize 1.5 tonnes of cannabis, German arrested
Duitser gepakt met 1500 kilo wiet op A50 Dutch cops seize 1.5 tonnes of cannabis, German arrested
Laatste update: 15 juni 2011 14:19
AMSTERDAM - De politie heeft dinsdagochtend een bestelbus met ruim vijftienhonderd kilo wiet van de A50 bij Heeteren gehaald. De 39-jarige bestuurder uit het Duitse Kranenburg, vlak over de grens bij Nijmegen, is aangehouden.
De drugs hebben volgens het KLPD een straatwaarde van ruim 4,5 miljoen euro.
De man reed in een bestelbus met het opschrift van een vervoersbedrijf. Verkeersagenten zagen dat een deel van de bumper ontbrak en stelden een onderzoek in. In de laadruimte lagen 36 grote zakken waar volgens de chauffeur compost in zat.
http://www.nu.nl/algemeen/2540635/duitser-gepakt-met-1500-kilo-wiet-a50.html
Dutch cops seize 1.5 tonnes of cannabis, German arrested
15-06-2011
Dutch police have arrested a German man near Arnhem in the eastern Netherlands after discovering some one-and-a-half tonnes of cannabis in a van he was driving, a police spokesman said Wednesday.
"He was driving a transport company van, without bumpers, which caught the attention of police officers on patrol," Frans Zuiderhoek told AFP.
Police stopped the van as it headed towards Germany on Tuesday and searched the driver and his cargo of compost.
Inside, police found 36 bags, each weighing 42 kilogrammes (92 pounds), containing compressed cannabis leaves divided into one kilogramme packets, Zuiderhoek said.
He added: "The cannabis was not good quality. It was not Dutch cannabis," saying the drugs were probably in transit through the Netherlands on the way to and on its way to Germany.
The 39-year-old German driver, who lived in Kranenburg near the Dutch border also refused to say where the drugs came from, or where the shipment was going, Zuiderhoek said.
http://www.expatica.com/de/news/german-news/dutch-cops-seize-15-tonnes-of-cannabis-german-arrested_156672.html
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If the material in this e-mail is used for an alert, then the source of the material is “OPEN SOURCE news article”.
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Added on 26/06/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
European co-operation meeting at INTERPOL seeks to use global approach to boost Europe's security
European co-operation meeting at INTERPOL seeks to use global approach to boost Europe's security
17 June 2011
LYON, France – Extending areas of co-operation between INTERPOL and the European Union (EU) against transnational crime was the focus of Thursday's meeting between Europe’s Article 36 Committee (CATS) and INTERPOL at the world police body's General Secretariat headquarters.

Talks between the EU representatives – involving delegations from the current Hungarian EU Presidency, the General Secretariat of the Council of the EU, the European External Action Service, the EU Home Affairs Commission, the forthcoming Polish EU Presidency, Europol and Eurojust – and INTERPOL focused on the need for a global and integrated approach against transnational crime, with INTERPOL using its global reach to address external threats to the region.

The meeting reviewed a number of priority issues, including: drugs trafficking from West Africa to Europe, illegal immigration, trafficking in human beings, counterfeit medical products and pharmaceutical crime, stolen and lost travel documents, and stolen works of art, as well as interoperability between information systems.

The role of the INTERPOL Travel Document in facilitating the travel of its officers and other international experts working on behalf of the Organization, thus rendering INTERPOL’s assistance to its member countries quicker and more efficient, also topped the agenda.

"Our cooperation is crucial for security in Europe and beyond," said INTERPOL Secretary General Ronald K. Noble.

"As clearly stated in EU Commissioner Malmström’s Interior Security Strategy and Action Plan, a global and integrated approach to security is today the only way to effectively protect citizens in Europe and all over the world," added Mr Noble.

With the INTERPOL Chief saying that cooperation was yielding concrete results in the joint fight against transnational crime affecting Europe and the world, the meeting heard how in the case of maritime piracy off the coast of Somalia, the partnership between INTERPOL’s Maritime Piracy Task Force with Europol and with the EU's Atalanta naval force through INTERPOL’s National Central Bureau in London, as well as with NATO and other partners, now enabled efficient and productive sharing of information at the global level.

Following the investigation on the hijacking of Belgian flagged ship Pompei by Somali Pirates from April to September 2009, the first INTERPOL Red Notice for maritime piracy was issued, containing fingerprints of suspects, and circulated to all of INTERPOL's 188 member countries. It led to the location and arrest in the United Arab Emirates of a man suspected of playing a role in the negotiation and ransom payment phase.

With the screening against INTERPOL’s Stolen and Lost Travel Document database of the passports of travellers entering the EU another example of how INTERPOL helps strengthen security in Europe, and with only 17 of the 27 European Member States having installed INTERPOL’s MIND/FIND system at border points to enable the systematic screening of all travellers, Mr Noble urged all European countries to fully implement this system which gives its users access to data on more than 28 million records shared by 158 INTERPOL member countries.

Senior officials at the meeting included Mr Pierre Reuland, Special Representative of INTERPOL to the European Union, whose office in Brussels serves to strengthen law enforcement co-operation with the EU.
http://www.interpol.int/Public/ICPO/PressReleases/PR2011/News20110617.asp
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The content does not reflect in any way the official policy, interest or opinion of Dutch Customs and/or Dutch government.
If the material in this e-mail is used for an alert, then the source of the material is “OPEN SOURCE news article”.
In case the original text is written in a language, not English or German, a translation is given from a web based automatic translator. This will not give a 100% correct translation.
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Added on 26/06/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
175 kilo coke voor Amsterdam Policía nacional se incauta de 174.5 paquetes de presunta cocaína Police seized 174.5 alleged cocaine packages
175 kilo coke voor Amsterdam Policía nacional se incauta de 174.5 paquetes de presunta cocaína Police seized 174.5 alleged cocaine packages
zaterdag 18 juni 2011

In Panama heeft de Nationale Politie 174 kilo cocaïne in beslag genomen die bestemd was 'voor Amsterdam'. De drugs zaten verpakt in zwarte koffers en werden gevonden in de haven van de stad Colón aan de Atlantische kust van Panama. De vijftien koffers zaten opgeslagen in een container. Voordat deze container werd geladen werd hij weer geopend door de politie.
Er zijn 'voorlopig' twintig mensen aangehouden, aldus een woordvoerder van de politie. Ze zijn allemaal van Panamese nationaliteit.
Afzender van de partij koffers was een buitenlandse onderneming die gevestigd was in de belastingvrije zone van Colón.
Dit jaar is in Panama omstreeks 19 ton cocaïne in beslag genomen. Panama is een tussenstop voor cocaïne die vanuit Colombia per schip en door de lucht wordt aangevoerd. De meeste cocaïne gaat vanuit Panama deels over de weg, per schip en door de lucht naar andere Middenamerikaanse landen, vooral naar Mexico, en dan verder naar de Verenigde Staten.
Een kleiner deel wordt vanuit Panama naar andere havens in het Caraïbisch gebied en naar Europa gestuurd.
http://www.crimesite.nl/nieuws/drugs/21427-175-kilo-coke-voor-amsterdam.html
Police seized 174.5 alleged cocaine packages

Junio/2011 17/de

Ancon, Friday June 17, 2011. The National Police apprehended 20 people as part of the research that develops after the seizure of 174.5 packets contained within a white powder that is presumed to be cocaine found inside a container placed in a port in the area of Coco Solo province of Colon.


The Deputy Commissioner Bartholomew Agüero, police chief of Columbus area, explained that the seizure was the result of an operation in coordination with officials of the Special Prosecutor for Drug Offenses and the National Customs Service, by checking through Scanner a container hidden inside suitcases containing 174 multiple packages and through the above mentioned substance


In addition, the commissioner Aguero said the container, which was bound for the port of Amsterdam, the Netherlands, a company allegedly came from the Free Zone, so it was immediately carried out an errand which resulted in the arrest of 20 suspects for research.


The Columbus Area Police tirelessly continues with the operations across the province to remove from circulation persons required by the authorities, subject offenders, carrying illegal firearms and sellers of illegal substances. The PN invites the community to report the crime in the area, confirming that your information will be treated confidentially at the following telephone lines:



17/de junio/2011

Corregimiento de Ancón, viernes 17 de junio de 2011. La Policía Nacional aprehendió a 20 personas como parte de las investigaciones que desarrolla tras el decomiso de 174.5 paquetes que contenían en su interior un polvo blanco que se presume sea cocaína, encontrados dentro de un contenedor colocado en un puerto ubicado en el sector de Coco Solo, provincia de Colón.


El subcomisionado Bartolomé Agüero, jefe de la zona policial de Colón, detalló que el decomiso fue el producto de un operativo realizado en coordinación con funcionarios de la Fiscalía Especializada en Delitos Relacionados con Drogas y con el Servicio Nacional de Aduanas, mediante la verificación a través del scanner de un contenedor que ocultaba en su interior varios maletines que contenían 174 paquetes y medio de la sustancia arriba señalada


Además el subcomisionado Agüero señaló que el contenedor, que tenía como destino el puerto de Ámsterdam, Holanda, salió presuntamente de una empresa de la Zona Libre, por lo que de inmediato fue realizada una diligencia que dio como resultado con la aprehensión de 20 sospechosos para investigación.


La Zona de Policía de Colón continúa de manera incansable con los operativos en toda la provincia con el fin de sacar de circulación personas requeridas por las autoridades, sujetos infractores de la ley, portadores de armas de fuego ilegales y vendedores de sustancias ilícitas. La PN invita a la comunidad a denunciar el delito en el área, reiterando que sus informaciones serán tratadas de manera confidencial en las siguientes líneas telefónicas: 475-7049, 475-7031 y al 104.


http://www.policia.gob.pa/noticias/2011/Junio/17-06-11-1.html


***********************************************************************
This news article and/or link has been retrieved from public sources and sent to a selected group of Law Enforcement Officers in several countries of the world.
The content does not reflect in any way the official policy, interest or opinion of Dutch Customs and/or Dutch government.
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European news
Seized 138 kilos of cocaine hydrochloride in a cargo ship Incautados 138 kilos de clorhidrato de cocaína en un buque de carga
Seized 138 kilos of cocaine hydrochloride in a cargo ship Incautados 138 kilos de clorhidrato de cocaína en un buque de carga
June 20, 2011

138 kilos of cocaine hydrochloride were seized inside a container of the ship, when Guard units from the Navy developed an operation to visit and search ships that were anchored in the cargo sector Bay Colombia in the Gulf of Uraba.

The alkaloid was "within four sacks hidden in the ship's cooling system" Spring Bear "Puerto Rican flag, which carried out maneuvers loads of bananas and covered the route Hamburg - Colombia - Costa Rica.

CTI troops Urabá Special Prosecutor proceeded to perform the preliminary screening test approved (Pipher), giving positive for cocaine hydrochloride.

The Navy continues to carry out transactions to ensure security and prevent the smuggling of alkaloids in the region.

Incautados 138 kilos de clorhidrato de cocaína en un buque de carga
20 de junio de 2011
138 kilos de clorhidrato de cocaína fueron incautados, en el interior del contenedor de un buque, cuando unidades de Guardacostas de la Armada Nacional desarrollaban una operación de visita y registro a los buques que se encontraban fondeados, en la zona de carga del sector de Bahía Colombia, en el Golfo de Urabá.
El alcaloide se encontraba “dentro de cuatro costales escondidos en el sistema de refrigeración del buque “Spring Bear” de bandera Puertorriqueña, el cual realizaba maniobras de cargue de banano y cubría la ruta Hamburgo – Colombia – Costa Rica.

Efectivos del CTI Fiscalía Especializada de Urabá, procedieron a realizar la prueba inicial preliminar homologada (PIPH), dando resultado positivo para clorhidrato de cocaína.

La Armada Nacional continúa efectuado operaciones con el fin de garantizar la seguridad y evitar el tráfico de alcaloides en la región.
http://www.armada.mil.co/index.php?idcategoria=778625

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Added on 26/06/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Drug traffickers avoid Bulgaria because of tougher border controls
Drug traffickers avoid Bulgaria because of tougher border controls
Fri, Jun 10 2011
Drug traffickers were increasingly avoiding Bulgaria and were considering alternative routes to Europe through other countries, because of the tougher controls along the borders, Prime Minister Boiko Borissov said during Question Time in Parliament on June 10.

"The policy of the Government is consistent with the National Strategy on Drugs 2009/13. According to the Europol report, because of the reinforced control along the Bulgarian borders, drug traffickers are now opting to channel their drugs through other destinations, and are avoiding Bulgaria," he said.

The Prime Minister said that according to a report released by the US State Department in 2010, the Bulgarian Chief Directorate for Combating Organised Crime was the "most effective organisation in the fight against organised crime".

Superior controls along the Bulgarian borders has been a major issue in the country's bid to join the Schengen area. On June 9, that, and other issues once again resurfaced, when the country's hopes of joining the European Union's Schengen visa-free travel zone were dampened.

The Netherlands have opposed the move and said they would will decide on the fate of the Bulgarian and Romanian Schengen bids in 2012, and not sooner, effectively blocking their hopes for a potential 2011 entry, in spite of the fact that the European Parliament voted on June 8 to support the accessions of Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen area.

The Dutch decision was announced on June 9. The Netherlands will make a final decision, following further extensive evaluation and a test period for both countries, Dutch immigration minister Gerd Leers said.

"It is imperative that all approved measures pertaining to judicial reforms in Bulgaria and Romania are effective and irreversible," Leers said. Additionally, the Dutch minister said his country would demand that Bulgaria and Romania to be effective in their protection of their respective and collective borders".
Added on 20/06/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
1.7 tons of cannabis resin seized in Marrakech
1.7 tons of cannabis resin seized in Marrakech
10-06-2011

Marrakech - The customs services seized, on Thursday in Marrakech, around 1.7 tons of cannabis resin (locally known as chira) meant to be sent to Europe, a customs services source said.
The drug was concealed in ceramic tiles which were supposed to be sent to Belgium, it added.

During this operation, three people were arrested, while the main suspect (owner of the ceramic tile company) took to his heels.

An investigation is being conducted to shed light on this matter.
http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/general/1.7_tons_of_cannabis
Marrakech : Saisie de 1,7 tonne de résine de cannabis
10/06/2011 08:45
Marrakech- Les services de la direction régionale de la douane ont procédé jeudi à Marrakech, à la saisie de 1,7 tonne de résine de cannabis (chira) destinée à l'Europe, a-t-on appris de source douanière.
La drogue saisie a été soigneusement dissimulée dans des carrés de Zellige (céramique) est destinée à la Belgique, précise-t-on de même source.
Et de poursuivre que lors de cette opération, il a été procédé à l'interpellation de trois personnes, alors que le présumé auteur principal (propriétaire d'une société spécialisée dans la fabrication et l'exportation de Zellige) a réussi à prendre la poudre de l'escampette.
Une enquête a été diligentée pour cerner les contours de cette affaire, a ajouté la même source, rappelant que cette opération s'insère dans le cadre des efforts de lutte contre le trafic international de drogues.
http://biladi.ma/1115892-marrakech-saisie-de-17-tonne-de-resine-de-cannabis.html .
Marrakech: Seizure of 1.7 tonnes of cannabis resin

10/06/2011 08:45

Marrakech-services of the regional customs conducted Thursday in Marrakech, the seizure of 1.7 tonnes of cannabis resin (Chira) for Europe, officials said customs sources.

The drug seizure was carefully concealed in square Zellige (ceramic) is intended to Belgium, says the same source.

And to continue that during this operation, was taken to the arrests of three people, while the alleged principal perpetrator (owner of a company specialized in manufacturing and exporting Zellige) managed to take the powder to wander off.

An investigation has been initiated to identify the contours of this case, the source added, noting that this operation is part of efforts to fight against international drug trafficking.

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European news
DNCD takes 14 kilos cocaine on Italian legs
DNCD takes 14 kilos cocaine on Italian legs
June 13, 2011

The Italian tried to board a flight to the city of Malpensa, Italy

SANTO DOMINGO .- The National Drugs Control (DNCD) last night took two suitcases full of cocaine, one left abandoned and another that would be out of the country on a flight to Belgium, while a man was arrested when he found that he had legs lined with six packets of white powder having the same characteristics of that drug.

The bags were employed in the Punta Cana International Airport, the first with six packs in it, and the second with three packages, the latter found among the luggage mounted on an airliner Jet Air Fly, before the device flew TB-524, between the tourist destination and the city of Brussels, the capital of Belgium, said the drug agency.

Meanwhile, the man who was with his legs covered drug was identified as Pasqualin Mariano, an Italian caught in the La Romana Airport trying to board a flight bound for Blue Panorama City Malpensa, Italy. He was four kilos 80 grams of cocaine attached to the body, according to a bulletin issued by the Roberto Lebron, press officer of the DNCD.

In all three cases, he added, were taken about 14 kilos of cocaine, which were immediately transferred to the headquarters of the agency to then take them to the forensic laboratory for analysis. The first bag was found by a member of the Special Airport Security Corps (CESA) and delivered to the DNCD.

CESA agent found the luggage in front of the toilets in the terminal B of AILA, near exit 10, proceed east to take the X-ray area and when the machine was passed by foreign bodies were found in it. He then was given to anti-drug agents, who proceeded to physically verify a fiscal prudence, finding the 6-pack, weighing 6 kilos 590 grams.

The case occupied in Punta Cana, on his side, was labeled in the name of a woman identified as Yari Martinez, who did not respond to the call made by the crew of the plane that would travel to Brussels. It was not possible to determine the reasons the traveler had to address the device, though his absence means that decided not to engage for fear of detection of the drug, as indeed occurred.

Lebron said that a reliable source had warned officials in that service DNCD terminal in the Fly Air Jet flight would be taken a drug, which is why the case warned the crew, making the confiscation of the three packages , who weighed 3 kilos provisionally 950 grams. In this case also involving members of the Cesa and the Directorate of Intelligence of the Armed Forces.

Although it was not possible to arrest Martinez, said, "there is an open investigation to arrest the frustrated traveler and its sponsor, from the information provided by the source that made it possible to prevent operation of international drug trafficking. Failed to indicate where the woman resides in what condition would the Dominican Republic.

And regarding the Italian detainee in La Romana, Lebron reported that this is a man who arrived in the country as "tourists", but its purpose was to provide a "mule" to carry drugs to their country. DNCD agents at the airport of La Romana acting in conjunction with the prosecutor Richard Guilamo, certifying the record of arrest and seizure of the drug.
DNCD ocupa 14 kilos cocaína; detiene italiano con droga en las piernas
13 Junio 2011

El italiano trataba de abordar un vuelo con destino a la ciudad de Malpensa, Italia

SANTO DOMINGO.- La Dirección Nacional de Control de Drogas (DNCD) ocupó anoche dos maletas llenas de cocaína, una dejada abandonada y otra que sería sacada del país en un vuelo con destino a Bélgica, mientras un hombre fue arrestado cuando se detectó que tenía las piernas forradas con seis paquetes de un polvo blanco que tienen las mismas características del citado estupefaciente.

Las maletas fueron ocupadas en el Aeropuerto Internacional de Punta Cana, la primera con seis paquetes en su interior, y la segunda con tres paquetes, esta última hallada entre los equipajes montados en un avión de la aerolínea Jet Air Fly, antes de que el aparato emprendiera el vuelo TB-524, entre ese destino turístico y la ciudad de Bruselas, la capital de Bélgica, informó la agencia antinarcóticos.

Entretanto, el hombre que iba con las piernas cubiertas de droga fue identificado como Mariano Pasqualin, un italiano sorprendido en el Aeropuerto de La Romana tratando de abordar un vuelo de Blue Panorama con destino a la ciudad de Malpensa, Italia. Tenía cuatro kilos 80 gramos de cocaína adheridos al cuerpo, de acuerdo a un boletín emitido por el Roberto Lebrón, oficial de prensa de la DNCD.

En los tres casos -agregó- fueron ocupados aproximadamente 14 kilos y medio de cocaína, los que de inmediato fueron trasladados a la sede central del organismo para posteriormente llevarlos al laboratorio forense para el análisis correspondiente. La primera maleta fue encontrada por un miembro del Cuerpo Especializado de Seguridad Aeroportuaria (CESA) y entregada a la DNCD.

El agente del CESA halló el equipaje frente a los baños de la terminal B del AILA, próximo a la salida 10, procediendo este a llevarla al área de rayos equis y cuando fue pasada por la máquina se observaron cuerpos extraños en el mismo. Acto seguido fue entregado a los agentes de la antidrogas, quienes procedieron a verificarla físicamente en prudencia de un fiscal, encontrando los 6 paquetes, con peso de 6 kilos 590 gramos.

La maleta ocupada en Punta Cana, de su lado, estaba etiquetada a nombre de una mujer identificada como Yari Martínez, la que no respondió al llamado hecho por la tripulación del avión en que viajaría a Bruselas. No fue posible determinar las razones que tuvo la viajera para abordar el aparato, aunque su ausencia implica que decidió no embarcarse por temor a ser detectada la droga, como en efecto ocurrió.

Lebrón dijo que una fuente confiable había advertido a los oficiales de la DNCD de servicio en esa terminal que en el vuelo de Jet Air Fly sería sacada una droga, razón por la cual advirtieron del caso a la tripulación, logrando el decomiso de los tres paquetes, los que provisionalmente pesaron 3 kilos 950 gramos. En en este caso también intervinieron miembros del Cesa y de la Dirección de Inteligencia de las Fuerzas Armadas.

A pesar de que no fue posible detener a Martínez, comentó, "hay una investigación abierta para arrestar a la frustrada viajera y a su patrocinador", a partir de las informaciones facilitadas por la fuente que hizo posible evitar la operación de narcotráfico internacional. Se abstuvo de indicar donde reside la mujer y en qué condición saldría esta de República Dominicana.

Y respecto al italiano detenido en La Romana, Lebrón informó que se trata de un hombre que arribó al país como "turista", pero su propósito era servir de "mula" para llevar estupefacientes a su país. Los agentes de la DNCD en el aeropuerto de La Romana actuaron conjuntamente con el fiscal Richard Güilamo, quien certificó el acta de arresto y decomiso de la droga.

http://www.diariolibre.com/noticias_det.php?id=294100


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Added on 20/06/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
450 kilo ketamine uit India 450 Kilogramm sichergestellt;
450 kilo ketamine uit India 450 Kilogramm sichergestellt;
woensdag 08 juni 2011
De Duitse douane heeft vorige week in Heiligenhaus, nabij Düsseldorf, 450 kilo Ketamine in beslag genomen. Twee mannen ( van 28 en 45 jaar) zijn aangehouden toen zij de drugs aan het uitladen waren bij een fabriekshal. De drugs waren van India met het vliegtuig naar Frankfurt gestuurd. Vanuit daar ging het verder met de auto naar Heiligenhaus. De drugs heeft een straatwaarde van meerdere miljoenen euro.
Ketamine is een narcosemiddel en pijnbestrijder dat in gebruik is als partydrug.
In mei was al een vergelijkbare zending uit India op het vliegveld van Frankfurt ontdekt. Vorig jaar is in Duitsland 300 kilo ketamine in beslag genomen.
http://crimesite.nl/nieuws/buitenland/21358-ketamine.html
Illegaler Handel mit Ketamin aufgedeckt
Frankfurt am Main, 3. Juni 2011
Schwarzmarktwert mehrere Millionen Euro;
zwei Personen festgenommen
Beamte des Zollfahndungsamts Frankfurt am Main haben in der vergangenen Woche zwei britische Staatsangehörige in Heiligenhaus/Kreis Mettmann (NRW) vorläufig festgenommen. Die beiden 28 und 45 Jahre alten Männer waren gerade dabei, 22 Fässer mit insgesamt 450 Kilogramm des Wirkstoffs Ketamin in einer Lagerhalle abzuladen, als die Festnahmen erfolgten.
Ketamin unterliegt als Arzneimittel den Bestimmungen des deutschen Arzneimittelgesetzes. Aufgrund seiner bewusstseinsverändernden Wirkung wird Ketamin zunehmend missbräuchlich als Rauschmittel verwendet. Auf dem Schwarzmarkt und der Konsumentenebene wären mit dieser Menge mehrere Millionen Euro zu erzielen gewesen.
Erst in der vergangenen Woche wurde eine 21-jährige britische Studentin nach dem Konsum von Ketamin tot in ihrer Badewanne aufgefunden.
"Hier scheint eine neue Partydroge auf dem Vormarsch zu sein, deren Gefährlichkeit von den Konsumenten einfach unterschätzt wird. Bereits im vergangenen Jahr haben wir 300 Kilogramm dieses Mittels beschlagnahmt", so Hans-Jürgen Schmidt, Sprecher der Frankfurter Zollfahndung.
Das Ketamin war Mitte Mai durch Zollbeamte am Frankfurter Flughafen entdeckt worden. Den Beamten erschien die aus Indien stammende Lieferung suspekt, woraufhin sie die Zollfahndung verständigten.
Die Ermittlungen der Frankfurter Fahnder führten schließlich zu beiden britischen Verdächtigen.
Der gewerbsmäßige Handel mit bedenklichen Arzneimitteln (als solches ist Ketamin anzusehen) entgegen einer Vorschrift kann mit einer Freiheitsstrafe von bis zu zehn Jahren bestraft werden.
Zusatzinformation
Ketamin ist ein verschreibungspflichtiger Stoff, der in der Medizin zu Narkosezwecken und Schmerzbehandlung eingesetzt wird. Charakteristisch für seine Wirkung ist die Erzeugung von Schlaf und Schmerzfreiheit. In der Tiermedizin, vor allem bei Pferden, wird Ketamin als Narkotikum eingesetzt.
Missbräuchlich wird Ketamin als weißes Pulver vertrieben und als Rauschmittel verwendet, vorwiegend in der Technoszene, hier bekannt als ""K", "Kate", "Special K" oder "Vitamin K". Die Einnahme erfolgt üblicherweise nasal, ähnlich der Kokainanwendung und führt zu Halluzinationen. Der sogenannte "Kick" hält nur einige Sekunden an und endet oft in schrecklichen Horrorvisionen bis hin zu Lähmungserscheinungen. Kombiniert mit Alkohol und anderen Drogen kann es zu erheblichen Wechselwirkungen führen, die im Extremfall tödlich sein können.
Eine längerfristige Anwendung führt zu Dauerschäden u.a. der Blase und Niere.
Herausgeber:
Zollfahndungsamt Frankfurt am Main
Wilhelm-Fay-Straße 11
65936 Frankfurt am Main
Kontakt:
Hans-Jürgen Schmidt
Tel.: 069/50775-133
Fax: 069/50775-136
E-Mail: presse-zoll@zfaf.bfinv.de
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If the material in this e-mail is used for an alert, then the source of the material is “OPEN SOURCE news article”.
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Added on 15/06/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Customs officers find cocaine for million at train toilet
Customs officers find cocaine for million at train toilet
ÈTK |
8 June 2011
Olomouc, North Moravia, June 7 (CTK) - Czech customs officers Tuesday morning found one kilogram of cocaine with a street value of one million crowns at the toilet of an international express train, regional customs authority spokeswoman Marie Bortlova told CTK Tuesday.
Two sachets with the drug coated by a black stocking were found in the ceiling, Bortlova said, adding that the owner of the drug has not yet been found.
The investigation of the case is still underway, Bortlova said.
The customs officers were making a routine check of the express train going from Poland to Austria early in the morning, Bortlova said.
The sachets in a transparent film contained a white powder. Tests have confirmed the presence of cocaine, she added.
The Olomouc customs officers have passed the case to the Customs Anti-Drug Unit of the General Customs Authority that is to continue with the investigation, Bortlova said.
She said the customs officers had seized almost 90 kilograms of drugs last year.
http://praguemonitor.com/2011/06/08/customs-officers-find-cocaine-million-train-toilet
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Added on 15/06/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Man charged for attempted heroin importation in bed frames (from Vietnam)
Man charged for attempted heroin importation in bed frames (from Vietnam)
6 June 2011
Joint media release with the Australian Federal Police (AFP)
A 51-year-old Sunshine North man is scheduled to appear in the Melbourne Magistrates Court today charged with attempting to import approximately 1.7kgs of heroin into Australia via a shipping container.
Australian Customs and Border Protection Service officers discovered the heroin after targeting and searching the container at the Melbourne Container Examination facility when it arrived from Vietnam on 21 May 2011.
Located inside the container among other items were metal bed frames. Concealed inside two hollow tubes within one of the bed frames was a package weighing approximately 100 grams.
The package was examined and found to contain a powdery substance which initial testing showed to be heroin. Further inspection of the container revealed the presence of 16 similar packages also concealed within the metal bed frames.
http://www.customs.gov.au/site/mediaRelease20110606.asp
Added on 08/06/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
DNCD Dutch stopped going to Belgium with stomachs full of cocaine
DNCD Dutch stopped going to Belgium with stomachs full of cocaine
June 6, 2011 .-

PUNTA CANA .- Two Dutchmen were arrested by the National Drug Control (DNCD) trying to attempt to travel to Belgium with the digestive tract filled with bags of cocaine, arrest made before the two "mules" to board a flight to Brussels, said the institution narcotics.

The frustrated were identified as Artur Jorge Lopes and Alexander De Leeuw, who until the early hours of Monday had driven 82 and 91 capsules in the Hospital Our Lady of La Altagracia in Higuey, where they were taken by members of the DNCD after arrest.

The arrest occurred before both getting on a plane that performs Fly Jet Air flight 602 between the tourism community and the Belgian capital, according to a press release released by the DNCD. The two men had come into the country under the pretext that they were "tourists."

The anti-drug personnel on duty at the terminal proceeded to arrest them for presenting these unique profile of the individuals who are part of international networks that use the country as a bridge to bring narcotics to other destinations. Immediately complete the process of expulsion will be handed over to prosecutors.

The DNCD said the foreigners, after being identified, were taken to the agency office in that airport, where he underwent a physical exam and baggage in the presence of a Deputy Prosecutor of Higuey. They were then subjected to preliminary X-ray studies.

By throwing radiographic tests had foreign bodies in the digestive tract, we proceeded to transfer to hospital of Higuey, where a team of physicians began to administer the drugs that caused the expulsion of the bags that had eaten at a place that has been reluctant to reveal.

It shall inform the Dutch Embassy in Santo Domingo to be aware of the arrest of two individuals, who in the coming hours will be delivered to the Office of Higuey for presentation before the Judge of Instruction there for them coercive measures are given.

Are frequent arrests of foreigners and Dominicans trying to travel abroad with drugs in the digestive tract or attached to their bodies, have led to arrests in most cases dismantle major international drug trafficking networks. These arrests come here and Americas International Airport


DNCD detiene holandeses iban a Bélgica con estómagos llenos de cocaína



6 de junio, 2011.-
PUNTA CANA.- Dos holandeses fueron apresados por la Dirección Nacional de Control de Drogas (DNCD) tratando de que intentaron viajar a Bélgica con las vías digestivas llenas con bolsas de cocaína, arresto realizado antes de que ambas “mulas” abordaran un vuelo con destino a Bruselas, informó la institución antinarcóticos.
Los frustrados fueron identificados como Artur Jorge Lopes y Alexander De Leeuw, quienes hasta las primeras horas de este lunes habían expulsado 82 y 91 cápsulas en el Hospital Nuestra Señora de La Altagracia, en Higüey, a donde fueron trasladados por miembros de la DNCD tras el arresto.
La detención se produjo antes de ambos subir a un avión de Jet Air Fly que realiza el vuelo 602 entre esta comunidad turística y la capital belga,,de acuerdo a un boletín de prensa dada a conocer por la DNCD. Los dos hombres habían venido al país con el pretexto de que eran “turistas”.
El personal antidrogas de turno en la terminal procedió a arrestarlos por presentar estos el perfil propio de los individuos que son parte de redes internacionales que utilizan el país como puente para llevar narcóticos a otros destinos. Inmediatamente concluyan el proceso de expulsión serán entregados al Ministerio Público.
La DNCD dijo que los extranjeros, después de ser detectados, fueron llevados a la oficina de la agencia en la citada terminal aérea, donde se les realizó un chequeo físico y a sus equipajes en presencia de un fiscal adjunto de Higüey. Luego fueron sometidos a los estudios preliminares de rayos equis.
Al arrojar las pruebas radiográficas que tenían cuerpos extraños en las vías digestivas, se procedió a trasladarlos al hospital de Higüey, donde un equipo de médicos comenzó a administrarle los fármacos que le provocó la expulsión de las bolsas que habían ingerido en un lugar que se han resistido a revelar.
Se procederá a informar a la Embajada de Holanda en Santo Domingo para que tengan conocimiento de la detención de ambos individuos, quienes en las próximas horas serán entregados a la Fiscalía de Higüey para que los presente ante el Juez de la Instrucción de allí para que les sean dictadas medidas de coerción.
Son frecuentes los arrestos de extranjeros y dominicanos tratando de viajar al exterior con drogas en las vías digestivas o adheridas a sus cuerpos, detenciones que han permitido en la mayoría de los casos desmantelar importantes redes de narcotráfico internacional. Esas detenciones se producen aquí y en el Aeropuerto Internacional Las Américas (AILA).-
http://www.dncd.mil.do/index.php/component/content/article/1-latest-news/544-dncd-detiene-holandeses-iban-a-belgica-con-estomagos-llenos-de-cocaina.html?ea97e10c5f91b275ce8431a1bdaaf84c=c6ca2dad96a1973379dbda802db906c2
Added on 08/06/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
The police seized metal punches bananas and stuffed with cocaine La policía incauta plátanos y punzones metálicos rellenos de cocaína
The police seized metal punches bananas and stuffed with cocaine La policía incauta plátanos y punzones metálicos rellenos de cocaína
YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5_bRpz5msA&feature=player_embedded

Two people have been arrested in two operations in Barcelona and Mataró
13/01/2011 - 10:29 h

Barcelona. (EFE) .- An operation of the National Police and the Inland Revenue has allowed the seizure of 162 kilograms of cocaine hidden by an unpublished procedure inside plastic bananas. Barcelona has also arrested one person and has involved half a kilo of high purity cocaine hidden in a metal punch handles carpentry.

In the case of bananas, the police discovered that the drug imitations, very similar to the real, were concealed among a shipment of real fruit. Four people have been arrested, including the alleged ringleader, who personally traveled to the Colombian jungle to prepare the shipment.

Real bananas and fake parts containing the drug were shipped from Ecuador, sea, bound for the Port of Algeciras.

The operation began in early 2010 after locating in the Costa del Sol to several members of a drug gang that trafficked in large consignments of cocaine in the towns of Malaga, Benalmádena, Torremolinos, Fuengirola and Marbella.

Since the beginning of the investigation was established linking these people with two businessmen from Madrid who allegedly facilitated the necessary infrastructure for the introduction of the narcotic substance in our country.

Related to the main agents responsible for the group, based in Benalmádena, with both employers. In addition, they found that this individual was responsible for maintaining direct contacts with the Colombian cartels. Contacts that led him to move into the Colombian jungle to personally oversee the quality and quantity, and delivery of cocaine.

The drug punches

On the other hand, in another action carried out by agents of the police station of Mataró in Barcelona have been seized half a kilo of high purity cocaine hidden in the metal handle ten punches.

The complexity of the method of concealment has forced the police to request the assistance of a metal to discover the hideout of the drug, which was within ten punches seemingly solid stainless steel.

In the operation has been arrested a person accused of importing drugs from South America, adulterate at his home in Arenys de Mar (Barcelona) and distributing it to consumers in different localities of the region of Maresme Barcelona.

The judicial police commissioner of Mataró (Barcelona) began investigating after receiving information about a person who was involved in drug trafficking in that region.

After locating the alleged drug trafficker, the officers proceeded to arrest and found in possession of a cardboard box containing ten small metal punches.

The detainee was taken into custody, where he helped open a metal handles and found half a kilo of cocaine hidden.

In the subsequent house search, police found digital scales and other precision equipment used to adulterate the drug.
La policía incauta plátanos y punzones metálicos rellenos de cocaína
Dos personas han sido detenidas en las dos operaciones realizadas en Barcelona y Mataró
Sucesos | 13/01/2011 - 10:29h
Barcelona. (EFE).- Una operación de la Policía Nacional y de la Agencia Tributaria ha permitido la incautación de 162 kilogramos de cocaína ocultos mediante un inédito procedimiento en el interior de plátanos de plástico. También ha detenido en Barcelona a una persona y ha intervenido medio kilo de cocaína de gran pureza camuflada en unos mangos de punzones metálicos de carpintería.
En el caso de los plátanos, la policía descubrió que las imitaciones con la droga, muy similares a las reales, se encontraban disimuladas entre un cargamento de fruta auténtica. Han sido detenidas cuatro personas, entre ellas el presunto líder de la organización, quien viajó personalmente a la selva colombiana para preparar el envío.
Los plátanos reales y las piezas falsas que contenían el estupefaciente fueron enviadas desde Ecuador, vía marítima, con destino al Puerto de Algeciras.
La operación se inició a principios de 2010 tras localizar en la Costa del Sol a varios miembros de un grupo de narcotraficantes que traficaban con grandes partidas de cocaína en las localidades malagueñas de Benalmádena, Torremolinos, Fuengirola y Marbella.
Desde el principio de la investigación se estableció la vinculación de estas personas con dos empresarios de Madrid quienes, presuntamente, facilitaban la infraestructura necesaria para la introducción de la sustancia estupefaciente en nuestro país.
Los agentes relacionaron al principal responsable del grupo, asentado en Benalmádena, con ambos empresarios. Además, averiguaron que este individuo era el responsable de mantener los contactos directos con los carteles colombianos. Contactos que le llevaron a desplazarse al interior de la selva colombiana para supervisar personalmente la cantidad y calidad, así como el envío de la cocaína.
Los punzones con droga
De otro lado, en otra actuación llevada a cabo por agentes de la Comisaría de Mataró se han intervenido en Barcelona medio kilo de cocaína de gran pureza camuflada en el mango de diez punzones metálicos.
La complejidad del método de ocultación ha obligado a la policía a pedir la colaboración de un metalista para descubrir el escondite de la droga, que estaba en el interior de diez punzones de acero inoxidable aparentemente macizos.
En la operación ha sido detenida una persona acusada de importar la droga desde Sudamérica, adulterarla en su domicilio de Arenys de Mar (Barcelona) y distribuirla entre los consumidores de diferentes localidades de la comarca barcelonesa del Maresme.
La policía judicial de la comisaría de Mataró (Barcelona) inició las investigaciones tras recibir información sobre una persona que se dedicaba al tráfico de estupefacientes en esa comarca.
Tras localizar al presunto narcotraficante, los agentes procedieron a su detención y encontraron en su poder una caja de cartón de pequeñas dimensiones que contenía diez punzones metálicos.
El detenido fue trasladado a dependencias policiales, donde un metalista ayudó a abrir las empuñaduras y encontró medio kilo de cocaína camuflada.
En el registro domiciliario posterior, la policía encontró básculas digitales de precisión y otros utensilios utilizados para adulterar la droga.
http://www.lavanguardia.com/sucesos/20110113/54099949632/la-policia-incauta-platanos-y-punzones-metalicos-rellenos-de-cocaina.html
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European news
Cantidad de cocaína incautada supera los 800 kilos y destino era Mozambique Amount of cocaine seized over 800 kilos and destination was Mozambique
Cantidad de cocaína incautada supera los 800 kilos y destino era Mozambique Amount of cocaine seized over 800 kilos and destination was Mozambique
Martes, 31 de Mayo de 2011
Una alta fuente de la investigación confirmó que la droga incautada hasta el momento suma 860 kilos, hallada en un solo contendor camuflado en bolsas de arroz y tenía como destino Mozambique, África. Más tarde abrirán el segundo en Puerto Fénix. El mega operativo ya arrojó varios detenidos.
Al principio hallaron 400 kilos de cocaína, pero al finalizar la verificación del primer contenedor se confirmó un total de 860 kilos de la droga.
Ahora se aguarda la apertura del segundo contenedor "sospechoso", en cuyo interior se podría hallar otro importante cargamento de cocaína.
La sospecha de los intervinientes es que en ambos contenedores hay droga y que la carga podría superar los mil kilos.
La cocaína tendría como destino Mozambique, África.
Según los datos preliminares, el mega operativo arrojó varios detenidos, incluso se realizan allanamientos en distintos puntos de Gran Asunción, en procura de capturar a los narcotraficantes y otras personas vinculadas al tráfico de drogas.
El mega operativo fue ejecutado por el grupo de Coordinación de Investigaciones Aduaneras (CIA), que integran policías de Inteligencia y Antinarcóticos de la Policías Nacional, funcionarios de la Aduana y agentes de la DEA de la Embajada de los EEUU, quienes recibieron una información confidencial acerca de la operaciones de los narcotrficantes para enviar la droga a África.

A senior source in the investigation confirmed that the drugs seized to date sum 860 kilos, found in a single container hidden in bags of rice and was bound for Mozambique, Africa. He later opened the second in Puerto Phoenix. The operating mega and threw several detainees.
At first they found 400 kilos of cocaine, but at the end of the first container verification confirmed a total of 860 kilos of the drug
Now awaiting the opening of the second container "suspect", within which it could find another large shipment of cocaine
The suspicion of the participants is that both containers are drug and that the burden could exceed a thousand kilos.
Cocaine fate would Mozambique, Africa. According to preliminary data, operating mega yielded several arrests, including raids are conducted in different parts of Gran Asunción, seeking to capture drug traffickers and other people linked to drug trafficking.
The mega operation was carried out by the Research Coordination Group Customs (CIA), integrated police Anti-Narcotics Intelligence and National Police, Customs officials and agents of the DEA of the U.S. Embassy, who received confidential information about the operations of drug narcotrficantes to send to Africa.
http://www.ultimahora.com/notas/433530-Cantidad-de-cocaina-incautada-sube-a-800-kilos-y-destino-era-Mozambique

Record shipment of cocaine seized in a mega-operation

June 1, 2011

A record of 875.575 kg shipment of cocaine that was to be sent bags of rice merged in Mozambique and then redistributed mainly in the consumer market in South Africa, Europe and Asia, was seized yesterday afternoon at the private port "Phoenix" in Asuncion . The owner of the goods, valued at U.S. $ 150 000 a kilo, is a "dispatcher" that precisely in Spain had already lost a similar load shipped with palo santo wood. The procedure was carried out by customs officials and police from the DEA.


The operation began around 15:00, after officials of the Customs Administrative Coordination Research (CAIA) and police officers serving the DEA established a high risk profile for two containers with bags of rice, which should be shipped to Mozambique, southeast Africa.

The assistant who managed the office and was detained is José Domingo Martinez (51), the service agency "Sole", which supposedly works Capiatá.

The "shipper" who signed the shipping was Angel Tomás Aguayo Saldivar (51). This remains at large, but probably taken refuge in Ciudad del Este area, after his assistant will contact you by phone to inform you that came to inspect the containers.

Apparently, this would be the second shipment of Aguayo Saldivar, although the alleged owner of the goods and was guarded by anti-drug since lost another load of cocaine in Spain, which had also embarked on a private port of Asuncion, but this time mimicked between lignum wood.

Once the customs and DEA agents found cocaine breads between bags of rice from one container, immediately reported the case to the prosecution, to accompany the process of opening another container.

In the first container was 875.575 kg, while in the second package was not found any of the "white" and was apparently used as bait, said this morning Diego Céspedes, director of the private port.

Confiscan cargamento récord de cocaína en una megaoperación
1 de Junio de 2011

Un cargamento récord de 875,575 kilogramos de cocaína que iba a ser enviado mimetizado en bolsas de arroz a Mozambique y luego redistribuido principalmente en el mercado de consumo de Sudáfrica, Europa y Asia, fue decomisado ayer de tarde en el puerto privado “Fénix” de Asunción. El dueño de la mercancía, valuada en US$ 150 mil el kilo, es un “despachante” que precisamente ya había perdido en España una carga similar embarcada con maderas de palo santo. El procedimiento fue ejecutado por funcionarios aduaneros y policías de la DEA.


La operación se inició cerca de las 15:00, luego de que funcionarios de la Coordinación Administrativa de Investigación Aduanera (CAIA) y agentes policiales al servicio de la DEA establecieran un elevado perfil de riesgo sobre dos contenedores con bolsas de arroz, que debían ser embarcados hacia Mozambique, al sureste de Africa.

El auxiliar que gestionó el despacho y que fue detenido es José Domingo Martínez (51), al servicio de la agencia “Sole”, que funciona supuestamente en Capiatá.

El “despachante” que firmó el envío fue Angel Tomás Aguayo Saldívar (51). Este permanece prófugo, aunque probablemente refugiado en zona de Ciudad del Este, luego de que su auxiliar le llamara por celular para comunicarle que se iban a inspeccionar los contenedores.

Aparentemente, este iba a ser el segundo envío de Aguayo Saldívar, aunque el supuesto dueño de la mercancía ya era vigilado por antidrogas desde que perdió otro cargamento de cocaína en España, que también había embarcado en un puerto privado de Asunción, pero aquella vez mimetizado entre maderas de palo santo.

Una vez que los funcionarios aduaneros y agentes de la DEA detectaron los panes de cocaína entre las bolsas de arroz de uno de los contenedores, inmediatamente comunicaron el caso a la Fiscalía, para que acompañara el procedimiento de apertura del otro contenedor.

En el primer contenedor había 875,575 kilogramos, mientras que en el segundo no se encontró paquete alguno del “polvo blanco” y aparentemente fue usado como señuelo, según dijo esta madrugada Diego Céspedes, director del puerto privado.

http://www.abc.com.py/nota/confiscan-cargamento-record-de-cocaina-en-una-megaoperacion/

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This news article and/or link has been retrieved from public sources and sent to a selected group of Law Enforcement Officers in several countries of the world.
The content does not reflect in any way the official policy, interest or opinion of Dutch Customs and/or Dutch government.
If the material in this e-mail is used for an alert, then the source of the material is “OPEN SOURCE news article”.
In case the original text is written in a language, not English or German, a translation is given from a web based automatic translator. This will not give a 100% correct translation.
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Added on 07/06/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Intercepted 17 kilos of cocaine in a refrigerator container unloaded from a ship at the port of Tarragona
Intercepted 17 kilos of cocaine in a refrigerator container unloaded from a ship at the port of Tarragona
ACN / / 06.01.2011 / / 14:27 pm

Tarragona (ACN) .- A joint operation of the Guardia Civil de Tarragona and Deputy Customs Surveillance Directorate of Inland Revenue (Davao) decomissar allowed 17 kilos of cocaine were found inside a container unloaded in port of Tarragona. The agents controlling and analyzing the entries of goods were detected abnormal movements in Italian flag ship reached the dock in Spanish in the past 20 days, from Costa Rica and bound-in Vado Ligure (Italy). The ship carrying several containers, most of them declared as refrigerated goods with fresh fruit. Inside the cooling system of one of them hiding drugs.

Intercepten 17 quilos de cocaïna en un contenidor frigorífic d'un vaixell que descarregava al port de Tarragona
ACN // 01.06.2011 // 14.27 h
Tarragona (ACN).- Una operació conjunta de la Guàrdia Civil de Tarragona i la Direcció Adjunta de Vigilància Duanera de l'Agència Tributària (DAVA) ha permès decomissar 17 quilos de cocaïna que es trobaven en l'interior d'un contenidor descarregat en el port de Tarragona. Els agents que efectuaven el control i anàlisi de les entrades de mercaderies van detectar moviments anòmals en un buc de pavelló italià que havia arribat al moll de Castella el passat dia 20, procedent de Costa Rica i amb destinació a Vado-Ligure (Itàlia). La nau transportava diversos contenidors, la majoria d'ells frigorífics amb mercaderia declarada com fruita fresca. A l'interior del sistema de refrigeració d'un d'ells s'amagava la droga.

http://www.acn.cat/webACN/detallNoticia.do?idNoticia=618312

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The content does not reflect in any way the official policy, interest or opinion of Dutch Customs and/or Dutch government.
If the material in this e-mail is used for an alert, then the source of the material is “OPEN SOURCE news article”.
In case the original text is written in a language, not English or German, a translation is given from a web based automatic translator. This will not give a 100% correct translation.
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European news
Heroin, hashish seized 1.75 kilogrammes (kg) of hashish and half a kg of heroin that was found concealed in postage parcels as well as a courier package destined for Hong Kong and the Netherlands respectively.
Heroin, hashish seized 1.75 kilogrammes (kg) of hashish and half a kg of heroin that was found concealed in postage parcels as well as a courier package destined for Hong Kong and the Netherlands respectively.
our correspondent
Friday, June 03, 2011

Karachi

Personnel of the Pakistan Customs Drug Enforcement Cell (DEC) Karachi Airport Unit seized 1.75 kilogrammes (kg) of hashish and half a kg of heroin that was found concealed in postage parcels as well as a courier package destined for Hong Kong and the Netherlands respectively.

Customs official Qamar Thalho said that DEC staff intercepted two parcels and a courier package while international mail was being cleared for departure.

The parcels were booked from Karachi’s General Post Office for two different addresses in Hong Kong, and contained 1.75 kgs of hashish that was concealed in between the soles of 10 pairs of gents’ footwear.

Officials stopped the clearance of the courier package as it contained suspicious mechanical gear. Upon checking its contents, the DEC team found half a kg of powdered heroin which was concealed in the hollow cavities of the mechanical objects within the packaging.
http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=50497&Cat=4&dt=6/3/2011


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European news
Nearly one tonne of cocaine seized in international police operation Cocaïnebende opgerold in Albanië
Nearly one tonne of cocaine seized in international police operation Cocaïnebende opgerold in Albanië
The Hague, 31 May 2011
The Hague - The Netherlands.
Almost one tonne of cocaine and 160 kg of hashish have been seized in an international police operation led by the Spanish Civil Guard and coordinated by Europol. The huge consignment of cocaine was diluted in 13 tonnes of palm oil that had been shipped from Colombia, via Antwerp in Belgium, before being finally seized in Albania. In total, 22 members of an international criminal drugs network, some of them key "head" figures, have been arrested under this operation.
To enable the successful outcome of Operation Salonica, the Spanish authorities together with Europol worked with law enforcement authorities in seven countries: Albania, Austria, Belgium, Germany, Italy, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Serbia. The operation has resulted in the dismantling of a criminal organisation made up of Spanish, Moroccan and Albanian citizens who were importing and distributing large consignments of Colombian cocaine and Moroccan hashish in Europe.
The investigation started in October 2010 when the Judicial Police Task Force of the Spanish Civil Guard of Tarragona learned of a criminal group dealing drugs on an international level. As a result of investigations, it was confirmed that the organisation had a hierarchical structure with the head leading, directing and coordinating several branches dealing in various narcotics. One of the branches was in charge of cultivating cannabis, another one dealt with the supply of hashish from different sources. Furthermore, the network worked with a drugs cartel to obtain cocaine on a large scale and had an infrastructure in several European countries for distributing the drugs.
At the beginning of the investigation in October 2010, 1 kg of cocaine and 29 kg of cannabis were seized, and the branch specialised in cultivating and distributing cannabis was identified and dismantled. Several cannabis greenhouses were also dismantled and six members of the organisation were arrested.
The organisation was subsequently found to be importing large amounts of Colombian cocaine into Europe, mainly via the Belgian port of Antwerp, by concealing the drugs in shipping containers.
During one of several meetings of the network members in Spain, which were being monitored by the Civil Guard, the leaders of the Spanish and Colombian organisations were witnessed completing the transport of cocaine concealed in a container allegedly loaded with palm oil. The container would be travelling from Colombia to Antwerp in Belgium, where the final details of the transaction would be arranged.
The Civil Guard of Tarragona, coordinated by Europol, supervised a comprehensive international monitoring operation to follow the truck through Europe and finally to Albania, where the drugs were intercepted. The criminal group in Albania, in charge of oil processing to extract the diluted cocaine, has also been dismantled.
Among the criminal activities carried out by the members of this organised crime group was the sending of consignments of hashish from Spain to Italy and the Netherlands by means of commercial road transport. Consignments were concealed in the cabs of trucks, establishing a consistent flow which supplied 2-3 bales at a time.
In March 2011, police arrested two professional truck drivers, who were members of the network, as well as seizing 67 and 99.5 kg of hashish. The result of these operations was the dismantling of another branch of the organisation, who provided the required logistics to move the consignments of hashish.
As well as providing key operational analysis, Europol played a significant role in coordinating the operation and facilitating the controlled delivery.
"This successful cooperation between the Spanish authorities and Europol has delivered a great blow to a major international criminal syndicate," said Rob Wainwright, Director of Europol. "The sophisticated methods of concealment and transportation used by these criminal networks, and the global nature of their activities, underlines the importance of effective police cooperation through Europol's unique capabilities."
http://www.europol.europa.eu/index.asp?page=news&news=pr110531.htm
Cocaïnebende opgerold in Albanië
31-05-2011

In Albanië is een grote partij cocaïne onderschept, bijna 1000 kilo. De drugs zijn afkomstig uit Colombia. De politie heeft 22 mensen aangehouden. Dat heeft Europol bekendgemaakt.
De enorme lading cocaïne was verdund in palmolie die vanuit Colombia via België naar Albanië werd gestuurd. Daar werd naast de verdunde cocaïne ook nog eens 160 kilo hasj gevonden.
De verdachten komen uit Spanje, Albanië en Marokko. Europol zegt dat de operatie vorig jaar al van start ging. Toen kreeg de politie lucht van de drugsbende.
http://www.rtl.nl/(/actueel/rtlnieuws/buitenland/)/components/actueel/rtlnieuws/2011/05_mei/31/buitenland/cocainebende-opgerold-in-albanie.xml
Added on 03/06/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Seized about 1000 kilos of cocaine dissolved in oil palm
Seized about 1000 kilos of cocaine dissolved in oil palm
31/05/2011

Operation coordinated by Europol and directed by the Guardia Civil

The container was seized at the port of Antwerp (Belgium) and traveled in a controlled manner for 7 with destination countries Albania, where they were arrested the ringleaders of the network

At each stage of the operation THESSALONIKI have been arrested 22 persons of Spanish nationality, Albanian and Moroccan leaders had connections with drug cartels in Colombia, Morocco, Holland and Italy

Organizations supporting the police in Belgium, Macedonia and Albania, with the support of the police German, Italian and Austrian

The Civil Guard was operating THESSALONIKI, coordinated by Europol, which has dismantled a criminal organization comprised of Spanish citizens, Moroccans and Albanians, dedicated to the introduction and distribution in Europe of major items of cocaine and hashish from Colombia and Morocco respectively.

During the operation has ordered the seizure of about 1000 kilos of cocaine dissolved in 13 tonnes of palm oil in Europe came from Belgium and whose final destination was Albania, and 160 kilos of hashish. They have also been arrested in Spain, a total of 16 members of the network, while other countries have been detained another 6.

The investigations began last October when the Organic Unit of the Judicial Police of the Guardia Civil de Tarragona became aware of the existence of an organization dedicated to international drug trafficking. The result of these investigations it was found that this was a network with a pyramid structure where the organization responsible for leading, directing and coordinating several branches supplying different types of drugs.

One of these branches was devoted to the cultivation of marijuana, another to obtain hash in various ways and on the other hand, another organization was negotiating with the acquisition of cocaine on a large scale. Also, available infrastructure for the distribution of these drugs for several countries in Europe.

At the beginning of the investigation last October, seized a kilo of cocaine and 29 marijuana, and failed to identify and dismantle the branch responsible for the cultivation and distribution of marijuana, several greenhouses dismantling of this drug. They were arrested 6 members of the organization.

Subsequently found out that the organization introduced significant quantities of cocaine from Colombia hidden in containers, mainly through the port of Antwerp (Belgium).

In one of several appointments controlled by the Guardia Civil Spain, the agents could see how the heads of organizations and Colombian Spanish, prepared the shipment of cocaine hidden in a container, palm oil, which depart from Colombia to the port Antwerp (Belgium), which finalized the details of the sale.

With the information provided by the Civil Guard, through its control of goods from customs and cooperation Belgian group of drugs in that country, could be located one of the containers that the organization sought to introduce in Europe, which contained 13 tonnes of palm oil, which was dissolved an important item of cocaine.

Monitoring device of the goods in 7 countries

Once you locate the container, officers from the Guardia Civil was moved to Belgium where, in collaboration with police authorities of that country, began a comprehensive monitoring of the goods, after being allowed a controlled delivery of an international character by Court n º 2 de Tortosa (Tarragona)

The organization articulated container transport by road to Albania, so the Guardia Civil from Tarragona led a major international tracking device on its way through Belgium, Germany, Austria, Croatia and Serbia and, finally, in Macedonia and Albania, where paths Police complied with the relevant letters rogatory through their international links and prosecutors.

The close collaboration between the Civil Guard and the police of several countries affected by the device, embodied the success of the operation, which resulted in the breakdown in Albania the criminal organization would receive the cargo for chemical treatment to extract cocaine oil that was dissolved.

Hashish trade routes to Italy and Holland

In the context of criminal activities that engaged the components of this criminal organization were also articulated a system for sending items of hashish from Spain to Italy and the Netherlands by road freight cabins hidden in the truck, thus establishing a continuous flow of supplies in quantities of two or three bales.

On these facts were arrested in March two components of the network, professional truck drivers, on different devices designed to detect two separate shipments, which was broken one of the arms of the organization, and whose role it was realizing the transport of hashish through the logistics infrastructure at their disposal. In such devices seized 67 kilos of hashish and 99.5, respectively.

During the operation has proceeded to the arrest of:

• D.G.D., A.B.V. NEK and all components of the industry responsible for distribution of cocaine.
• N.E.F., G.G.B. and MEF, the three components of the branch in charge of growing and distributing marijuana.
• JAMZ, head of the organization that commissioned the work to other components. Obsessed with security, organized and coordinated in detail each shipment.
• JCJ, responsible for international coordination of the delivery of cocaine, right hand the head of the organization.
• EBV, head of logistics in international transport.
• JVA,, links to mafia groups in Italy.
• AGB, chief infrastructure hashish landings on the Mediterranean coast.
• A.M.M., liaison with Moroccan groups.
• JGG, distributing both cocaine and hashish from the organization and preparing vehicles for delivery of drugs to European countries.
• FGM and CPL, transporters of the hashish shipments to European countries.
• JSM, devoted to money laundering organization.

The transaction remains open and further arrests are not ruled out.

There are pictures of the operation in the Press Office of the Civil Guard, C / Guzmán el Bueno 110, tel. 91 514 60 10.

For more information contact Communications Office of the Commander of the Guardia Civil de Tarragona, phone 977 24 88 31



Incautados cerca de 1000 kilos de cocaína disuelta en aceite de palma
31/05/2011

Operación coordinada por EUROPOL y dirigida por la Guardia Civil
El contenedor fue intervenido en el puerto de Amberes (Bélgica) y viajó de forma controlada por 7 países teniendo como destino Albania, donde fueron detenidos los cabecillas de la red
En las distintas fases de la operación SALONICA han sido detenidas 22 personas de nacionalidades española, albanesa y marroquí que tenían conexiones con líderes de los cárteles de narcotráfico de Colombia, Marruecos, Holanda e Italia
Han colaborado las policías de Bélgica, Macedonia y Albania, con el apoyo de las policías alemana, italiana y austriaca
La Guardia Civil ha dirigido la operación SALONICA, bajo la coordinación de EUROPOL, en la que se ha desarticulado una organización criminal compuesta por ciudadanos españoles, marroquíes y albaneses, dedicada a la introducción y distribución en Europa de importantes partidas de cocaína y hachís procedentes de Colombia y Marruecos, respectivamente.
Durante la operación se ha procedido a la incautación de cerca de 1000 kilos de cocaína disuelta en 13 toneladas de aceite de palma que entraron en Europa por Bélgica y cuyo destino final era Albania, y 160 kilos de hachís. También han sido detenidos, en España, un total de 16 integrantes de la red, mientras que en el resto de países han sido detenidos otros 6.
Las investigaciones se iniciaron el pasado mes de octubre cuando la Unidad Orgánica de Policía Judicial de la Guardia Civil de Tarragona tuvo conocimiento de la existencia de una organización dedicada al narcotráfico a nivel internacional. Fruto de estas investigaciones se pudo constatar que se trataba de una red con una estructura piramidal donde el responsable de la organización lideraba, dirigía y coordinaba varias ramas que suministraban distintos tipos de sustancias estupefacientes.
Una de estas ramas se dedicaba al cultivo de marihuana, otra a la obtención de hachís por distintas vías y, por otro lado, se negociaba con otra organización la adquisición de cocaína a gran escala. Asimismo, disponían de infraestructura para la distribución de estas drogas por diversos países de Europa.
Al comienzo de la investigación, el pasado mes octubre, se incautó un kilo de cocaína y 29 de marihuana, y se consiguió identificar y desarticular la rama encargada del cultivo y distribución de la marihuana, desmantelando varios invernaderos de esta droga. Fueron detenidos 6 componentes de la organización.
Posteriormente, se pudo averiguar que la organización introducía importantes cantidades de cocaína procedente de Colombia oculta en contenedores, principalmente a través del puerto de Amberes (Bélgica).
En una de las diversas citas controladas en España por la Guardia Civil, los agentes pudieron comprobar cómo los jefes de las organizaciones, española y colombiana, preparaban el traslado de cocaína oculta en un contenedor de aceite de palma, que partiría desde Colombia hacia el puerto de Amberes (Bélgica), donde ultimarían los detalles de la compraventa.
Con la información aportada por la Guardia Civil, gracias al control de mercancías de la aduana belga y a la colaboración del grupo de drogas de dicho país, pudo ser localizado uno de los contenedores que la organización pretendía introducir en Europa, el cual contenía 13 toneladas de aceite de palma, en el que iba disuelta una importante partida de cocaína.
Dispositivo de seguimiento de la mercancía en 7 países
Una vez localizado el contenedor, agentes de la Guardia Civil se desplazaron a Bélgica donde, en colaboración con autoridades policiales de ese país, iniciaron un seguimiento exhaustivo de la mercancía, tras ser autorizada una entrega controlada de carácter internacional por el Juzgado nº 2 de Tortosa (Tarragona)
La organización articuló el transporte del contenedor por carretera hasta Albania, por lo que la Guardia Civil desde Tarragona dirigió un importante dispositivo internacional de seguimiento a su paso por Bélgica, Alemania, Austria, Croacia, y Serbia y, finalmente, por Macedonia y Albania, donde sendas Policías dieron cumplimiento a las correspondientes Comisiones Rogatorias a través de sus respectivos enlaces internacionales y fiscales.
La estrecha colaboración entre la Guardia Civil y las policías de los diversos países afectados por el dispositivo, materializó el éxito del operativo, que se saldó con la desarticulación en Albania de la organización criminal que iba a recibir la carga para su tratamiento químico para extraer la cocaína del aceite en que iba disuelta.
Hachís en rutas comerciales a Italia y Holanda
En el contexto de las actividades delictivas a que se dedicaban los componentes de esta organización criminal también tenían articulado un sistema de envío de partidas de hachís desde España a Italia y Holanda mediante el transporte de mercancías por carretera ocultos en las cabinas de camiones, estableciéndose así un flujo continuo de abastecimiento en cantidades de dos o tres fardos.
Por estos hechos fueron detenidos en el mes de marzo dos componentes de la red, camioneros de profesión, en dos dispositivos distintos orientados a detectar sendos envíos, por lo que fue desarticulado otro de los brazos de la organización y cuyo rol en la misma era el de materializar los transportes de hachís mediante la infraestructura logística de la que disponían. En dichos dispositivos se incautaron 67 y 99,5 kilos de hachís, respectivamente.
Durante la operación se ha procedido a la detención de:
• D.G.D., A.B.V. y N.E.K todos ellos componentes de la rama encargada de la distribución de cocaína.
• N.E.F., G.G.B. y M.E.F., los tres componentes de la rama encargada del cultivo y distribución de la Marihuana.
• J.A.M.Z., jefe de la organización que encargaba las tareas al resto de los componentes. Obsesionado con la seguridad, organizaba y coordinaba detalladamente cada envío.
• J.C.J., encargado de la coordinación internacional del envío de cocaína, mano derecha del jefe de la organización.
• E.B.V, jefe de logística en el transporte internacional.
• J.V.A,, enlace con los grupos mafiosos en Italia.
• A.G.B, jefe en infraestructura de desembarcos de hachís en el litoral mediterráneo.
• A.M.M., enlace con los grupos marroquíes.
• J.G.G., distribuía tanto cocaína como hachís procedente de la organización y preparaba vehículos para envío de sustancia estupefaciente a países europeos.
• F.G.M., y C.P.L., transportistas de los envíos de haschís a países europeos.
• J.S.M., dedicado al blanqueo de capitales de la organización.
La operación permanece abierta y no se descartan nuevas detenciones.
Existen imágenes de la operación en el Gabinete de Prensa de la Guardia Civil, C/ Guzmán el Bueno 110, tlf. 91 514 60 10.
Para más información pueden contactar con Oficina de Comunicación de la Comandancia de la Guardia Civil de Tarragona, en el teléfono 977 24 88 31
http://www.guardiacivil.es/prensa/notas/win_noticia.jsp?idnoticia=3108

***********************************************************************
This news article and/or link has been retrieved from public sources and sent to a selected group of Law Enforcement Officers in several countries of the world.
The content does not reflect in any way the official policy, interest or opinion of Dutch Customs and/or Dutch government.
If the material in this e-mail is used for an alert, then the source of the material is “OPEN SOURCE news article”.
In case the original text is written in a language, not English or German, a translation is given from a web based automatic translator. This will not give a 100% correct translation.
My website with favourites: http://crazycustoms.pbworks.com/ (please inform me when you find dead links etc.)
Added on 03/06/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Polícia Federal prende belga com 3 Kg de cocaína em Confins Brazil police arrest Belgian with 3 kg of cocaine in Confins
Polícia Federal prende belga com 3 Kg de cocaína em Confins Brazil police arrest Belgian with 3 kg of cocaine in Confins
30/05/2011
A Polícia Federal prendeu na noite de sexta-feira, 27, no Aeroporto de Confins, um belga de 26 anos, que tentava embarcar para Bruxelas, via Lisboa, levando cerca de três quilos de cocaína no fundo falso da bagagem de mão.
O jovem chegou a Belo Horizonte e logo foi para São Paulo. Depois de passar alguns dias na capital paulista retornou a BH para embarcar para a Europa. Desde que chegou ao Brasil o suspeito foi monitorado e assim que tentava embarcar ao seu país de origem foi abordado pelos policiais federais da Delegacia de Repressão a Entorpecentes. Os policiais revistaram sua bagagem e, com o uso de aparelhos de raio X, encontraram a droga na mala que o jovem levava em mãos. O pacote de droga estava em um fundo falso, embrulhado em plástico.
O homem foi preso em flagrante pela Polícia Federal, ouvido e agora encontra-se na Penitenciária Nelson Hungria, à disposição da justiça. Ele responderá pelo crime de tráfico internacional de drogas, com pena de 5 a 15 anos (podendo ser aumentada em 1/6 a 2/3 pela transnacionalidade) de reclusão.

http://www.fenapef.org.br/fenapef/noticia/index/33465

30/05/2011
The Federal Police arrested the night of Friday, 27, International Airport, A 26 year old Belgian, who tried to embark for Brussels, via Lisbon, taking approximately three kilograms of cocaine in the false bottom of hand luggage.

The Young arrived in Belo Horizonte and then went to Sao Paulo. After spending a few days in the state capital returned to BH to embark for Europe. Since coming to Brazil, the suspect was tracked and so tried to board their country of origin was approached by federal police of repression-Narcotics Police. The officers searched his luggage and, using X-ray machines, they found the drugs in the suitcase that carried the young in ill. The package of marijuana was in a false bottom, wrapped in plastic.


MAN was arrested in flagrante by the Federal Police, heard and now lies in the Nelson Hungria prison, the layout of Justice. He will answer Hair crime of international trafficking of drugs, with penalties of 5 to 15 years (may be increased by 1 / 6 to 2 / 3 BY transnationality) in prison.

***********************************************************************
This news article and/or link has been retrieved from public sources and sent to a selected group of Law Enforcement Officers in several countries of the world.
The content does not reflect in any way the official policy, interest or opinion of Dutch Customs and/or Dutch government.
If the material in this e-mail is used for an alert, then the source of the material is “OPEN SOURCE news article”.
In case the original text is written in a language, not English or German, a translation is given from a web based automatic translator. This will not give a 100% correct translation.
My website with favourites: http://crazycustoms.pbworks.com/ (please inform me when you find dead links etc.)
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Added on 31/05/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
'Diplomatic bags' used to smuggle cocaine
'Diplomatic bags' used to smuggle cocaine
By Tom Brady Security Editor
Friday May 27 2011
GARDAI and customs officers have smashed a Nigerian drugs trafficking gang using fake diplomatic bags to smuggle cocaine into the country.
Three suspects were in garda custody last night after detectives from the national drugs unit uncovered a cocaine mixing factory in an apartment in Navan, Co Meath.
Customs officers became suspicious when they spotted a Venezuelan diplomatic bag addressed to a man named as the honorary consul to South Africa and living in a housing estate in Athy, Co Kildare.
The bag was found to be fake and this sparked off a major week-long investigation into the drugs trafficking ring.
The garda national unit combined with customs officers and local detectives from Kildare and Meath to track down those responsible for importing the drugs.
The cocaine parcel was delivered by a courier to the address in Athy and gardai kept watch and waited until it was eventually taken to an apartment at Academy Square, Academy Street, in Navan, on Wednesday night.
Gardai intercepted the parcel in an underground car park of the apartment complex and seized 20 kilos of cocaine that had been concealed in the bag.
The haul has an estimated street value of €1.5m.
The find led officers to an apartment where they seized a further seven kilos of suspected cocaine and a kilo of suspected heroin. Subject to analysis, these have a street value of €500,000.
Gardai also discovered that the apartment, which was not being used for accommodation purposes, had been converted into a cocaine mixing factory and they also seized a number of items, including mixing utensils.
A large haul of sterling notes, worth in excess of £50,000, was also recovered.
Three Nigerian men, aged 31, 34 and 36 years, were arrested and were being held for questioning last night under section 2 of the drugs trafficking legislation at Kells and Finglas garda stations.
They can be detained without charge for up to seven days.
Gardai said last night they believed the operation smashed a significant drug smuggling route although it was not clear if the cocaine had been destined for sale here.
Officers noted that the seizure of such a large sum of sterling notes without any euros indicated that the gang had been planning to move the cocaine, after it had been mixed, to a market in Northern Ireland or in Britain.
Last night inquiries were under way to establish how long the ring had been in operation and to determine if there had been previous importations using a similar scam with a false diplomatic pouch.
- Tom Brady Security Editor
Irish Independent
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/diplomatic-bags-used-to-smuggle-cocaine-2659623.html
Added on 31/05/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Seized over 35 kilograms of cocaine Sequestrati oltre 35 chilogrammi di cocaina
Seized over 35 kilograms of cocaine Sequestrati oltre 35 chilogrammi di cocaina
Commando Provinciale Reggio Calabria - May 26 2011 hours 14:09

The financiers of the Nucleus of the Tax Police - Section GOA Reggio Calabria, together with officials of the Customs Agency - Central Office and SVAD Gioia Tauro and the financiers of the Group of the Guardia di Finanza di Gioia Tauro, they proceeded to the seizure of a cargo of over 35 kg of pure cocaine found inside a container in transit at the Calabrian port and unloaded from freighter M. O.

The operation, conducted by the District Anti-Mafia Directorate of Reggio Calabria in close and constant coordination with the Public Prosecutor's office of Palmi, is part of a larger context of police activities and allowed, after a series of cross-documentary after meticulous checks on several containers in transit at the port of Gioia Tauro, and includes the use of scanner equipment in use at the Customs, the detection of concealed cargo in the container shipped from the Peruvian port of Callao.

The goods, destined for the Iberian market, would have earned, with retail sales, about 7.5 million.

In this regard, it is to be regarded as the quantity of cocaine seized, cut at least 3-4 times would have reached, to the minute sale, an average price of fifty euro per gram.

Suspicions have arisen, in particular, the comparison between the customs documentation and the physical characteristics of the load, consisting of packets of "Heart of Palm" for a company to Barcelona is not directly working in the field of foodstuffs.

Eventually the men of the Customs of Gioia Tauro and the financiers were counted inside a black duffel bag, 30 rolls of drugs with a total weight of 35.120 kg of cocaine of high quality and purity.

The purpose of investigations aimed to identify the key players at every level of that international traffic is in full swing.

Sequestrati oltre 35 chilogrammi di cocaina
Comando Provinciale Reggio Calabria - 26 maggio 2011 ore 14:09
I finanzieri del Nucleo di Polizia Tributaria - Sezione G.O.A. di Reggio Calabria, unitamente ai funzionari dell'Agenzia delle Dogane - Ufficio Centrale Antifrode e S.V.A.D. di Gioia Tauro ed i finanzieri del Gruppo della Guardia di Finanza di Gioia Tauro, hanno proceduto al sequestro di un carico di oltre 35 KG di cocaina purissima rinvenuti all'interno di un container in transito presso il porto calabrese e sbarcato dalla nave mercantile M. O.
L'operazione, condotta dalla Direzione Distrettuale Antimafia di Reggio Calabria in stretto e costante coordinamento con la Procura della Repubblica di Palmi, s'inquadra nell'ambito di una più vasta attività di polizia giudiziaria ed ha consentito, dopo una serie di incroci documentali e successivi meticolosi controlli eseguiti su numerosi container in transito presso il porto di Gioia Tauro, realizzati anche attraverso l'impiego di apparecchiature scanner in uso alla Dogana, l'individuazione del carico occultato nel contenitore imbarcato presso il porto peruviano di Callao.
La merce, destinata al mercato iberico, avrebbe fruttato, con la vendita al dettaglio, circa 7,5 milioni di Euro.
In merito, va, infatti considerato come, il quantitativo di cocaina sequestrato, tagliato almeno 3-4 volte avrebbe raggiunto, alla minuta vendita, un prezzo medio di cinquanta euro al grammo.
I sospetti sono sorti, in particolare, dalla comparazione tra la documentazione doganale e le caratteristiche fisiche del carico, costituito da pacchetti di "Cuore di Palma", destinato ad una azienda di Barcellona non direttamente operante nel settore dei prodotti alimentari.
Alla fine gli uomini della Dogana di Gioia Tauro ed i finanzieri hanno contato, all'interno di un borsone nero, 30 panetti di droga per un peso complessivo di 35,120 KG di cocaina di elevata qualità e purezza.
L'attività d'indagine tesa ad individuare i protagonisti, ad ogni livello, di questo traffico internazionale è in pieno svolgimento.
http://www.gdf.it/GdF__Informa/Notizie_Stampa/Archivio_news/News_anno_2011/Maggio_2011/info-763266862.html
Gioia Tauro seized over 35 kg of cocaine

Thursday, May 26, 2011


The financiers of the Nucleus of the Tax Police - Section GOA Reggio Calabria, together with the Customs officials ENISA - Central Office and SVAD Gioia Tauro and the financiers of the Group of the Guardia di Finanza di Gioia Tauro, they proceeded to the seizure of a cargo of over 35 kg of pure cocaine found inside a container in transit at the Calabrian port and landed the cargo ship MSC OCTAVIA .
The operation, conducted by the District Anti-Mafia Directorate of Reggio Calabria in close and constant coordination with the Public Prosecutor's office of Palmi, is part of a larger context of police activities and allowed, after a series of cross-documentary after meticulous checks on several containers in transit at the port of Gioia Tauro, and includes the use of scanner equipment in use at the Customs, the detection of concealed cargo in the container shipped from the Peruvian port of Callao.
The goods, destined for the Iberian market, would have earned, with retail sales, about 7.5 million. In this regard, it is to be regarded as the quantity of cocaine seized, cut at least 3 to 4 times would have reached, to the minute sale, an average price of fifty euro per gram.
Suspicions have arisen, in particular, the comparison between the customs documentation and the physical characteristics of the load, consisting of packets of "Heart of Palm" for a company to Barcelona is not directly working in the field of foodstuffs.
Eventually the men of the Customs of Gioia Tauro and the financiers were counted inside a black duffel bag, 30 rolls of drugs with a total weight of 35.120 kg of cocaine of high quality and purity.
The purpose of investigations aimed to identify the key players at every level of that international traffic is in full swing.

Gioia Tauro: sequestrati oltre 35 kg di cocaina

Giovedì 26 Maggio 2011

I finanzieri del Nucleo di Polizia Tributaria – Sezione G.O.A. di Reggio Calabria, unitamente ai funzionari dell’’Agenzia delle Dogane – Ufficio Centrale Antifrode e S.V.A.D. di Gioia Tauro ed i finanzieri del Gruppo della Guardia di Finanza di Gioia Tauro, hanno proceduto al sequestro di un carico di oltre 35 KG di cocaina purissima rinvenuti all'interno di un container in transito presso il porto calabrese e sbarcato dalla nave mercantile MSC OCTAVIA.
L'operazione, condotta dalla Direzione Distrettuale Antimafia di Reggio Calabria in stretto e costante coordinamento con la Procura della Repubblica di Palmi, s’inquadra nell'ambito di una più vasta attività di polizia giudiziaria ed ha consentito, dopo una serie di incroci documentali e successivi meticolosi controlli eseguiti su numerosi container in transito presso il porto di Gioia Tauro, realizzati anche attraverso l’impiego di apparecchiature scanner in uso alla Dogana, l’individuazione del carico occultato nel contenitore imbarcato presso il porto peruviano di Callao.
La merce, destinata al mercato iberico, avrebbe fruttato, con la vendita al dettaglio, circa 7,5 milioni di Euro. In merito, va, infatti considerato come, il quantitativo di cocaina sequestrato, tagliato almeno 3 - 4 volte avrebbe raggiunto, alla minuta vendita, un prezzo medio di cinquanta euro al grammo.
I sospetti sono sorti, in particolare, dalla comparazione tra la documentazione doganale e le caratteristiche fisiche del carico, costituito da pacchetti di “Cuore di Palma”, destinato ad una azienda di Barcellona non direttamente operante nel settore dei prodotti alimentari.
Alla fine gli uomini della Dogana di Gioia Tauro ed i finanzieri hanno contato, all’interno di un borsone nero, 30 panetti di droga per un peso complessivo di 35,120 KG di cocaina di elevata qualità e purezza.
L’attività d’indagine tesa ad individuare i protagonisti, ad ogni livello, di questo traffico internazionale è in pieno svolgimento.

http://www.strill.it/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=98270:gioia-tauro-sequestrati-oltre-35-kg-di-cocaina&catid=40:reggio&Itemid=86

***********************************************************************
This news article and/or link has been retrieved from public sources and sent to a selected group of Law Enforcement Officers in several countries of the world.
The content does not reflect in any way the official policy, interest or opinion of Dutch Customs and/or Dutch government.
If the material in this e-mail is used for an alert, then the source of the material is “OPEN SOURCE news article”.
In case the original text is written in a language, not English or German, a translation is given from a web based automatic translator. This will not give a 100% correct translation.
My website with favourites: http://crazycustoms.pbworks.com/ (please inform me when you find dead links etc.)
Added on 29/05/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Camorra en mafia samen in Antwerpen
Camorra en mafia samen in Antwerpen
Nieuws - Buitenland

donderdag 26 mei 2011 06:46
Het openbaar ministerie in Antwerpen heeft 12 jaar cel geëist tegen Paolo Lumia, een 43-jarige Siciliaan die wordt beschouwd als een van de sleutelfiguren voor de cocaïnehandel tussen de maffia, camorra en de Colombiaanse drugskartels. Lumia zette in Antwerpen een professioneel en geraffineerd netwerk op poten om grote partijen cocaïne via luchttransporten naar Europa te halen.
De organisatie van Lumia gebruikte de Antwerpse diamanthandel én de handel in kinderspeelgoed als dekmantel.
'Het gaat hier niet om de zoveelste uithaalclubje dat cocaïne uit de containers in de haven van Antwerpen moet halen, deze heren spelen op een heel ander niveau. Het gaat hier om een bijzonder professioneel georganiseerd crimineel netwerk, waarvan Paolo Lumia de spin in het web is', zo omschreef openbaar aanklager Paul Van Tigchelt, het 17-koppige gezelschap dat woensdagmorgen terechtstond voor de 8C-kamer van de correctionele rechtbank van Antwerpen.
Het dossier-Lumia is voor Antwerpen inderdaad een a-typisch dossier.
Om te beginnen draait het het niet om de invoer van cocaïne via de Antwerpse haven, nochtans de belangrijkste overslagplaats van cocaïne in Europa. De organisatie rond Paolo Lumia werkte met luchttransporten.
Justitie vervolgt Lumia en co. voor de invoer van twee grote partijen cocaïne, die vanuit Argentinië naar de luchthaven van Zaventem werden gevlogen. Tussen 23 en 26 mei 2010 haalde de groep-Lumia ongeveer 255 kg binnen. Hoewel de speurders de bende in gaten hielden, konden ze de partij cocaïne niet onderscheppen.
Op 15 juni 2010 arriveerde een tweede zending, goed voor 291 kg cocaïne. Deze partij kon de federale politie wel in beslag nemen.
In de klassieke smokkelzaak duiken vaak Belgische havenarbeiders, Nederlandse drugsjongens, Marokkaanse smokkelaars of Albanese boeven op. In deze zaak gaat het om Sicilianen (opvallend: drie verdachten komen uit het maffiadorpje Mazaro Del Vallo) en Colombianen met een verblijfsadres in Barcelona.
Ze gedroegen zich als internationale zakenlui en pendelden permanent tussen Sicilië, Spanje, Zuid-Amerika en Antwerpen. Vreemde eend in de bijt is de als Georgiër geboren Israeli Aharon Antoshvili, in het milieu beter bekend als Alex De Jood of Alex De Juwelier.
Antoshvili zou voor de Italianen en Colombianen een aantal financiële verrichtingen hebben gedaan, maar Antoshvili ontkent dat met klem. Hij houdt vol dat hij niks met de drugstrafiek te maken heeft, maar dat hij wel enkele kleinere diamantdeals met de Italianen zou hebben gesloten.
De Italianen gingen ook bijzonder planmatig te werk en investeert aanzienlijk in de voorbereiding van de drugstrafiek. Het verhaal is een schoolvoorbeeld van hoe de moderne georganiseerde misdaad te werk gaat. 'Lumia en zijn rechterhand Enrico Bianco zetten eerste een legale structuur op die als dekmantel voor de drugshandel moest dienen', aldus Paul Van Tigchelt.
'De groep neemt in 2009 de import-exportfirma Tres Castillos, vormt het bedrijf om tot Global Things Impex en plaatst er een Belgische stroman in als zaakvoerder. Die zaakvoerder krijgt 1000 euro per maand, maar in werkelijkheid wordt het bedrijf op de achtergrond gerund door een aantal medewerkers van Lumia. Via Global Things Impex huurde de groep ook twee loodsen, en enkele opslagruimtes bij Shurgard. De groep regelde ook huizen, waar de leden van de organisatie konden verblijven.'
De organisatie zette vervolgens een legale invoer van speeltuigen en materiaal voor minigolfbanen op. De goederen werden verstuurd door een Argentijnse firma met Global Things Impex als bestemming. "Lumia had toen overigens al plannen om een twee aanvoerlijn op te zetten', aldus Van Tigchelt. Lumia deed verwoedde pogingen om in Luxemburg een bedrijf over te nemen, maar de onderhandelingen draaiden uiteindelijk op niets uit.' (...)
http://www.crimesite.nl/nieuws/buitenland/21284-camorra-en-mafia-samen-in-antwerpen.html
Added on 29/05/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Intervenen 15 quilos de cocaïna a passatgers a l´aeroport del Prat 15 kilos of cocaine in El Prat airport at passengers
Intervenen 15 quilos de cocaïna a passatgers a l´aeroport del Prat 15 kilos of cocaine in El Prat airport at passengers
21-05-2011

Cocaïna comissada ahir per la policia a l'aeroport de Barcelona.
BARCELONA | EFE
La Policia Nacional i la Guàrdia Civil de l'aeroport del Prat han intervingut en diverses operacions 15 quilos de cocaïna a diversos passatgers que ocultaven la droga en mallots adossats al cos i en dobles fons de l'equipatge, van informar fonts policials.
La Policia Nacional ha intervingut 8,7 quilos de cocaïna que dos passatgers procedents de Sao Paulo (Brasil) ocultaven en mallots que tenien adossats al cos, des de la cintura fins als genolls.
En la segona operació, la Policia Nacional van intervenir a dues persones, procedents de Bogotà (Colòmbia), un total de 3,6 quilos de cocaïna que transportaven a l'interior dels seus equipatges.
Els dos detinguts van ingressar a la presó acusats d'un delicte contra la salut pública.
http://www.diaridegirona.cat/catalunya/2011/05/21/intervenen-15-quilos-cocaina-passatgers-laeroport-del-prat/488602.html

15 kilos of cocaine in El Prat airport at passengers

24-05-2011

Cocaine comissada yesterday by police in Barcelona airport.

BARCELONA | EFE
The National Police and Civil Guard El Prat Airport have taken part in several operations, 15 kilos of cocaine to several passengers jersey concealed the drug in the body and attached double bottoms of luggage, police sources reported.
The National Police has been involved 8.7 kilograms of cocaine that two passengers from Sao Paulo (Brazil) concealed in jersey that had attached to the body from the waist to the knees.
In the second operation, the National Police spoke to two people from Bogota (Colombia), a total of 3.6 kilograms of cocaine transported inside their luggage.
The two detainees were admitted to prison accused of a crime against public health.

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European news
Nederlander vast in Dominicaanse Republiek Holandés detenido en Punta Cana con 2 paquetes coca en aparato de video
Nederlander vast in Dominicaanse Republiek Holandés detenido en Punta Cana con 2 paquetes coca en aparato de video
(Novum) - Een 54-jarige Nederlander is woensdagavond in de Dominicaanse Republiek aangehouden omdat hij ruim 1,3 kilo coke in een videorecorder het land uit wilde smokkelen. Hij werd op het internationale vliegveld in het zuidoosten van het land aangehouden. Dat meldt de politie op het Caribische eiland donderdag.
Het apparaat met twee pakketten cocaïne zat in een koffer die de man bij zich had. Bij een controle op het vliegveld in het toeristische oord Punta Cana viel hij door de mand. De man stond op het punt naar Brussel in België te vliegen. De politie onderzoekt hoe de man aan de drugs is gekomen.
De Dominicaanse Republiek is een belangrijke doorvoerhaven voor drugs uit Zuid-Amerika. In het land zitten 129 Nederlanders vast voor een drugsdelict, blijkt uit recente gegevens van het ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken in Den Haag.
http://binnenland.nieuws.nl/643003/nederlander_vast_in_dominicaanse_republiek

Holandés detenido en Punta Cana con 2 paquetes coca en aparato de video
SANTO DOMINGO.- Un ciudadano holandés fue apresado anoche por la Dirección Nacional de Control de Drogas (DNCD) con dos paquetes de cocaína dentro de un aparato de vídeo, sustancia que llevaría a Bruselas, Bélgica, en una modalidad de tráfico de estupefacientes detectada con frecuencia por el organismo.
El arresto de Sonata Sattijananad, de 54 años, se produjo en el Aeropuerto de Punta Cana, en la provincia La Altagracia, antes de abordar el vuelo TB524 de Jet Air Fly, de acuerdo a un comunicado emitido por el portavoz antidrogas, Roberto Lebrón. La detención del extranjero fue certificada por la fiscal Elizabeth Rijo.
Indicó que la DNCD tenía a Sattijananad en una lista de viajeros sospechosos, tomando en cuenta su perfil y por arribar al país como un “turista”. Por su forma, el Centro de Información y coordinación Conjuntas (CICC) procedió a registrar minuciosamente su equipaje, encontrando la droga en el aparato electrónico.
“La DNCD está atenta cuando ingresan al país con el perfil propio de los individuos ligados al tráfico internacional de narcóticos. Es por eso que cuando tratan de retornar a su destino de origen por lo regular a estas personas se les encuentra alguna sustancia extraña, como el caso en cuestión”, dijo Lebrón.
Los dos paquetes del citado polvo blanco pesaron provisionalmente un kilo 360 gramos y de inmediato fueron remitidos a la sede del organismo para que allí lo envíen al laboratorio forense. Al extranjero les serán solicitadas medidas de coerción en el Tribunal de Atención Permanente de Higüey.
Los investigadores tratan, además, de establecer quién facilitó la droga al extranjero, para junta al Ministerio Público actuar en consecuencia. El aparato electrónico con la cocaína fue detectado en la maleta de mano donde el imputado tenía sus prendas de vestir, de acuerdo al informe del portavoz de la DNCD.
De otro lado, la agencia antidrogas detuvo a un hombre que intentó venderle dos libras de marihuana a un oficial asignado a la Inspectoría de San Juan de la Maguana.
El detenido con la droga es Isidro Moreta Ogando, de 47 años, quien fue sorprendido en la carretera que comunica esa ciudad con Las Matas de Farfán.
De acuerdo al informe, Moreta Ogando tenía la droga dentro de una funda y fue sorprendido por los agentes cuando estaba parado en la entrada de la comunidad de Punta Caña, en momentos que al parecer esperaba transporte público para retornar a Las Matas de Farfán. Los agentes antidrogas pasaban por el lugar estando el detenido allí.
El detenido, que reside en la calle Bartolomé Farfán número 22, fue trasladado a San Juan de la Maguana para entregarlo al fiscal de esa jurisdicción, a los fines de que sea puesto a disposición de la justicia,. Se trata de establecer, igualmente, si está persona fue quien cultivó la droga o si la recibió de alguien en particular.
19 de mayo, 2011.-
http://www.dncd.mil.do/index.php/component/content/article/1-latest-news/508-holandes-detenido-en-punta-cana-con-2-paquetes-coca-en-aparato-de-video.html?ea97e10c5f91b275ce8431a1bdaaf84c=c848bc9e5e26e95ac7f557e0f5fc8bf1
Dutch arrested in Punta Cana in 2 packages coca VCR
SANTO DOMINGO .- A Dutch citizen was arrested last night by the National Drug Control (DNCD) with two packets of cocaine inside a VCR, a substance that would lead to Brussels, Belgium, in a form of narcotics detected with often by the body.

Sattijananad Sonata's arrest, 54 years, there was at the airport in Punta Cana, La Altagracia province, before boarding the flight of Jet Air Fly TB524, according to a statement by the spokesman on drugs, Roberto Lebron. The arrest of the alien was certified by the prosecutor Elizabeth Rijo.

He said the DNCD Sattijananad had a list of suspicious travelers, taking into account the profile and reach the country as a "tourist." By the way, the Center for Information and Joint Coordination (CICC) proceeded to comb his luggage, finding the drug in the electronic device.

"The DNCD is careful when entering the country with its own profile of individuals linked to international narcotics trafficking. That's why they try to return to their original destination for these people usually are found foreign matter, as the case in question, "Lebron said.

The two packages of white powder weighed provisionally cited a kilo 360 grams and were immediately sent to the headquarters of the agency to send him there to the forensic laboratory. Foreigners will be asked for coercive measures in the Permanent Court of Higuey Care.

Researchers are trying also to establish who supplied the drugs abroad, to seal the Attorney General to act accordingly. The electronic device with cocaine was detected in hand luggage where the accused had his clothing, according to the report of the spokesman of the DNCD.

On the other hand, the DEA arrested a man who tried to sell two pounds of marijuana to an officer assigned to the Province of San Juan de la Maguana.

The drug is stopped with the Moreta Isidro Ogando, 47, who was caught on the road connecting the city with Las Matas de Farfán.

According to the report, Moreta Ogando was in a drug case and was caught by officers when he was standing at the entrance to the community of Punta Cana, in moments that seem to expect public transport to return to Las Matas de Farfán. The narcotics officers went through the place while the prisoner there.

The suspect, who lives in Bartholomew Street Farfán number 22, was taken to San Juan de la Maguana to deliver the prosecutor in that jurisdiction, in order to be brought before justice. It seeks, also, if this person was who grew the drug or received it from someone in particular.

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European news
Report into Border Agency says ports 'wide open'
Report into Border Agency says ports 'wide open'
20 May 2011 Last updated at 05:08 GMT

By Mike McKimm BBC NI Environment & Science Correspondent
Some ports and airports in Northern Ireland may be wide open to the smuggling of drugs and illegal goods like cigarettes.
The warning comes in an independent report into the work of the UK Border Agency in Northern Ireland.
The report said that there was too much concentration on passport control at the expense of preventing smuggling.
It also said that too much reliance was placed on historical intelligence.
The independent chief inspector of the UK Border Agency spent six months examining how the agency carried out operations in Northern Ireland's sea ports, land border and airports.
He found that there had been few reviews of risk assessments at any of the locations. In one year, there was just one risk assessment for a single airport.
The report also discovered that agency staff did not check out air freight at Belfast.
Cigarettes
Flights from Belfast City Airport and City of Derry Airport had been assessed as low risk, but, said the report, that may no longer be the case. Yet there was little evidence of the risk being re-examined.
Often the agency's teams failed to reach their expected targets, especially when it came to contraband cigarettes.
The report suggested that there was a weakness in the team's initial target setting.
It was a similar story when checking sea freight.
Even after a period of 14 months targeting containers in Belfast with no success, the agency still relied on the same search feedback and risk assessment.
No consideration was given to moving the team to other ports, despite the fact that the last major seizure was of cigarettes in a different port, at Warrenpoint.
'Lack of clarity'
Claiming that small ports had been removed from the Northern Ireland risk register altogether, the inspector revealed that staff had completed threat assessments on just 16 out of 140 ports.
Northern Ireland's agency staff recognised there was a problem over who was responsible for this, noting that there is a "lack of clarity on ownership between operations and intelligence".
Too much emphasis was also placed on passport control points at the risk of missing smuggled goods, the report said.
Officers trained in detection were often used in this way and the report reveals that on one passport control point all three staff were detection officers.
Yet the report said: "This was on a flight considered to be high risk for the illicit importation of cigarettes."
The movement of "illicit commodities" across the land border between the north and south of Ireland was relatively unhindered by the agency staff.
They admitted to carrying out no detection work along the border because of personal security risks.
Attempts to address the problem led to the scanning of freight traffic leaving from Larne port but nothing was found.
Commenting on its findings, the inspector said the agency needed to use its staff more effectively and develop better intelligence.
It must also carry out more and better risk assessments, especially at the many small ports around Northern Ireland, he said.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-13462112

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European news
Six detainees to dismantle drug trafficking ring with 77 kilos cocaine
Six detainees to dismantle drug trafficking ring with 77 kilos cocaine
Dear all,
Remember the stowaways on board of the Mv EMS TRADER, caught with cocaine by the English colleagues in December 2009. They had wetsuits also.
Hans

Six detainees to dismantle drug trafficking ring with 77 kilos cocaine

(Catalonia) JUSTICE-INTERIOR-EVENTS, EVENTS | > AREA: Justice and Home Affairs
19.05.2011 / 10:50 h
Tarragona, May 19 (EFE) .- The National Police have arrested six people in Tarragona and Salou in an international operation against drug trafficking in which they have seized 77 kilos of cocaine, which wanted to introduce in Spain on merchant ships, reports NPC.
A joint operation between the NPC, the Inland Revenue, the U.S. DEA and organized crime units from Serbia and Montenegro has led to dismantle the network of drug traffickers.
The organization infiltrated its members among the sailors that they were provided drug during their stopovers in various South American ports.
Once in Spain, landed the drug attached to their bodies in strips inside wearing wetsuits under their regular clothing.
The operation has resulted in the arrest of six people, two in Salou (Tarragona) and four others in a boat docked at the Port of Tarragona, and the intervention of 77 kilos of cocaine.
The investigation began last February as an operation against a criminal organization in Eastern Europe which imported cocaine from South America to Europe by sea.
Besides the six arrested in Tarragona, with addresses in Salou and La Pineda (Vila-seca), Montenegro has been arrested in one of the leaders of the organization, and have generated international arrest warrants, from Serbia and Montenegro, the other members.
Along with the 77 kilos of cocaine confiscated 7,000 euros have been seized, dozens of mobile phones and two vehicles. EFE rq / pll
Seis detenidos al desarticular banda de narcotraficantes con 77 kilos cocaína

19-05-2011 / 10:50 h
Tarragona, 19 may (EFE).- La Policía Nacional ha detenido a seis personas en Tarragona y Salou en una operación internacional contra el narcotráfico en la que se han incautado 77 kilos de cocaína, que se querían introducir en España en barcos mercantes, informa el CNP.
Una operación conjunta entre el CNP, la Agencia Tributaria, la DEA estadounidense y las unidades contra el crimen organizado de Serbia y Montenegro ha permitido desarticular esta red de narcos.
La organización infiltraba a sus integrantes entre los marineros para que se proveyeran de droga durante sus escalas en diversos puertos sudamericanos.
Una vez en España, desembarcaban la droga adherida a sus cuerpos en fajas en el interior de trajes de neopreno que llevaban bajo sus vestimentas habituales.
La operación se ha saldado con la detención de seis personas -dos en Salou (Tarragona) y otras cuatro en un barco amarrado en el Puerto de Tarragona- y la intervención de 77 kilos de cocaína.
La investigación empezó el pasado mes de febrero como una operación contra una organización criminal de Europa del Este que importaba cocaína desde Sudamérica a Europa por mar.
Además de los seis detenidos en Tarragona, con domicilios en Salou y La Pineda (Vila-seca), se ha arrestado en Montenegro a uno de los cabecillas de la organización, y se han generado órdenes internacionales de detención, desde Serbia y Montenegro, para el resto de integrantes.
Junto a los 77 kilos de cocaína decomisados, se han intervenido 7.000 euros, decenas de teléfonos móviles y dos vehículos. EFE rq/pll
http://www.abc.es/agencias/noticia.asp?noticia=820777
Dismantled an international drug trafficking plot introducing cocaine into Spain by merchant ships

In an operation of the National Police, the Tax Office, the DEA (Drugs enforcements Administration) and U.S. Intelligence Units Organized Crime in Serbia and Montenegro

The organization infiltrated its members among the sailors that they were provided of the drug during a stopover in various South American ports

Once in Spain, landed banding drug to their bodies inside the diving wetsuits under their regular clothing

Have been arrested six people, two in Salou and four on a ship moored in the port of Tarragona, and 77 kilos of cocaine seized

19-May-2011 .- The permanent international police cooperation has led to dismantle a network of drug traffickers who introduced cocaine into Spain by merchant ships. The organization infiltrated its members among the sailors that they were provided of the drug during a stopover in various South American ports. Once in Spain, landed banding drug to their bodies inside the diving wetsuits under their regular clothing. Have been arrested six people, two in Salou and four on a ship moored in the port of Tarragona, and 77 kilos of cocaine seized in an operation of the National Police, the DEA (Drugs enforcements Administration) U.S. intelligence units against Organized Crime in Serbia and Montenegro and the Tax Office.

The investigation began last February following the request for cooperation from U.S. authorities (DEA). The goal was the dismantling of a criminal organization of individuals from Eastern Europe with a significant presence in some countries in this area and possibly also settled in Spain. The "drug dealers" would be dedicated to transportation and distribution of large quantities of cocaine from South America to Europe by sea.

In fact the investigations showed that the organization had made a shipment of cocaine aboard a merchant ship flying the flag of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The drug substance would have been charged in Argentina, under the supervision of members of the organization that would have traveled to that place, and would be discharged later in the Spanish port of Tarragona.

The researchers established a continuous monitoring on both the ship and sailors descended on it, which caused two of the sailors had been identified, having been seen by the Serbian police in an appointment with members of the local organization of Orisano (Sardinia). Through these sailors reached four other members of the organization in Spain, as well as the location of two of their homes in the towns of Salou and La Pineda.

Cocaine neoprene strips

Once the narcotic substance came to Spanish ports, the organization had contacted the sailors with the individuals charged with the reception on the ground. During the first appointment I explained how the drug should unload the ship, while endowed their wetsuits for diving. In a second descent of the ship, sailors wore wet suits under their clothes as a belt. Between the skin and clothes so many kilos of cocaine introduced as they were possible, to try to go unnoticed.

With the information gathered, the agents searched the boat and two homes and proceeded to the arrest of six individuals (four in the vessel and two in Salou). Finally, Montenegro would also stop in one of the leaders of the organization and generate international arrest warrants, from Serbia and Montenegro, for the remaining members of the same. Furthermore, in Spain 77 kilos of cocaine have been seized along with 7,000 euros, dozens of mobile phones and two vehicles.

The research was carried out by agents of the Central UDEV the Commissioner General of the Judicial Police and the UDYCO of Tarragona, with the collaboration of the Interior Attaché, Embassy of Spain in Belgrade, the Tax Agency, the intelligence units against Organized Crime in Serbia and Montenegro, and the DEA (Drugs enforcements Administration) of USA.
Desarticulada una trama internacional de narcotraficantes que introducía cocaína en España a través de barcos mercantes
En una operación de la Policía Nacional, la Agencia Tributaria, la DEA (Drugs Enforcements Administration) estadounidense y las Unidades de Inteligencia contra el Crimen Organizado de Serbia y de Montenegro
La organización infiltraba a sus integrantes entre los marineros para que se proveyeran del estupefaciente durante escalas en diversos puertos sudamericanos
Una vez en España, desembarcaban la droga enfajada a sus cuerpos en el interior de trajes de neopreno para buceo bajo su vestimenta habitual
Han sido detenidas seis personas -dos en Salou y cuatro en un buque amarrado en el puerto de Tarragona- e intervenidos 77 kilos de cocaína
19-mayo-2011.- La permanente cooperación policial internacional ha permitido desarticular una trama de narcotraficantes que introducía cocaína en España a través de barcos mercantes. La organización infiltraba a sus integrantes entre los marineros para que se proveyeran del estupefaciente durante escalas en diversos puertos sudamericanos. Una vez en España, desembarcaban la droga enfajada a sus cuerpos en el interior de trajes de neopreno para buceo bajo su vestimenta habitual. Han sido detenidas seis personas -dos en Salou y cuatro en un buque amarrado en el puerto de Tarragona- e intervenidos 77 kilos de cocaína, en una operación de la Policía Nacional, la DEA (Drugs Enforcements Administration) estadounidense, las Unidades de Inteligencia contra el Crimen Organizado de Serbia y de Montenegro y la Agencia Tributaria.
La investigación comenzó el pasado mes de febrero a raíz de la solicitud de cooperación por parte de las autoridades norteamericanas (DEA). El objetivo era la desarticulación de una organización criminal de individuos procedentes de Europa del Este con una importante implantación en algunos países de dicha zona y posiblemente asentada también en España. Los "narcos" estarían dedicados al transporte y distribución de importantes cantidades de cocaína desde Sudamérica a Europa vía marítima.
De hecho las pesquisas mostraron que la organización había introducido un cargamento de cocaína a bordo de un barco mercante con bandera de San Vicente y las Granadinas. La sustancia estupefaciente habría sido cargada en Argentina, bajo la supervisión de miembros de la organización que habrían viajado hasta dicho lugar; y posteriormente sería descargada en el puerto español de Tarragona.
Los investigadores establecieron una vigilancia continua tanto sobre el buque como sobre los marineros que descendían del mismo, lo que provocó que dos de esos marineros fueran identificados, al haber sido vistos por la policía serbia en una cita previa con integrantes de la organización en la localidad de Orisano (Cerdeña). A través de esos marineros se llegó hasta otros cuatro individuos integrantes de la organización en España, así como a la localización de dos de sus domicilios en las localidades de La Pineda y Salou.
Cocaína en fajas de neopreno
Una vez que la sustancia estupefaciente llegaba hasta puertos españoles, la organización hacía contactar a los marineros con los individuos encargados de la recepción en tierra. En una primera cita les explicaban el modo en que debían descargar la droga del barco, al tiempo que les dotaban de trajes de neopreno para buceo. En una segunda bajada del barco, los marineros se vestían con los trajes de neopreno bajo la ropa a modo de faja. Entre la piel y los trajes introducían tantos kilos de cocaína como les fuese posible, para tratar de pasar desapercibidos.
Con la información recopilada, los agentes registraron el barco y los dos domicilios y procedieron a la detención de seis individuos (cuatro en el buque y dos en Salou). Finalmente se detendría también en Montenegro a uno de los cabecillas de la organización y se generarían órdenes internacionales de detención, desde Serbia y Montenegro, para el resto de integrantes de la misma. Además, en España 77 kilos de cocaína han sido intervenidos junto a 7.000 euros, decenas de teléfonos móviles y dos vehículos.
La investigación ha sido desarrollada por agentes de la UDEV Central de la Comisaría General de Policía Judicial y de la UDYCO de Tarragona, con la colaboración de la Agregaduría de Interior de la Embajada de España en Belgrado, la Agencia Tributaria, las Unidades de Inteligencia contra el Crimen Organizado de Serbia y de Montenegro, y la DEA (Drugs Enforcements Administration) de Estados Unidos.
http://www.policia.es/prensa/20110519_1.html#
Serbian, Montenegrin traffickers arrested in Spain
Source: B92
BELGRADE -- Three Serbians and three Montenegrins have been arrested in Spain on suspicion that they attempted to smuggle 77 kilograms of cocaine.
Serbia's intelligence agency BIA announced that it cooperated in the operation with the Spanish police.
The drugs were transported from Argentina aboard a ship, and were intercepted in the port of Tarragona.

Jovan Stojić, chief of the BIA director's cabinet, told B92 in Belgrade on Thursday that the agency had no information that would indicate the six were part of a larger organized crime group.

"Our intelligence shows they acted autonomously," he said.

Stojić named the suspects as Serbian citizens Dražen Krasić, Dalibor Dramićanin and Goran Crnomarković, and Montenegrins Nikola Mrvaljević, Vuk Popović and Ilija Branković.

http://www.b92.net/eng/news/crimes-article.php?yyyy=2011&mm=05&dd=19&nav_id=74431

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European news
Bulgaria's Customs Capture 30 kg Heroin on Danube Ferry
Bulgaria's Customs Capture 30 kg Heroin on Danube Ferry
May 23, 2011, Monday

Bulgarian customs officers caught a shipment of 30.5 kg of heroin on the Danube river ferry between Bulgaria's Vidin and Romania's Calafat.
The heroin was discovered in the gas tank of a car Sunday night, the Customs Agency announced.
The car with a license plate from the Bulgarian city of Vratsa was selected for inspection after risk analysis.
The customs officers discovered a total of 60 packages of heroin in the gas tank, and the driver, a Bulgarian citizen, was arrested.
According to the estimates, the market price of the captured heroin is BGN 4.2 M.
http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=128518
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European news
Belgrade- Cocaine seized at the airport
Belgrade- Cocaine seized at the airport
Monday, 23 May 2011
Serbian Customs seized approx 3kg of cocaine at the airport.
The seizure happened as a result of the exchange of info with SECI Center, Bucurest. It was hidden in a computer bag. The smuggler was a 23yr old Greek who arrived in Bgd from Sao Paolo via Zurich
Prevented smuggling of cocaine at the airport Nikola Tesla
Monday, May 23, 2011.
The border crossing Nikola Tesla Airport in Belgrade, customs officials prevented an attempt to smuggle three kilograms of cocaine.

The drugs were discovered by customs exchange of intelligence information over the SECI Center in Bucharest. It was hidden in a bag for a computer, whose interior was filled with cocaine. Bag of drugs he tried to smuggle twenty-three-year storage traveler Greek nationality, which is via Zurich (Switzerland) arrived in Sao Paolo (Brazil) for Beograd.On was turned over to investigators further action.

We recall that in late November last year similarly found Bolivian citizen in an attempt to smuggle in their own womb for more than thirty packages of cocaine.

Using advanced and internationally recognized method of control and constant cooperation with the security structures, Customs participates in the protection of society from the threat of terrorism and transnational crime.
Ñïðå÷åíî êðè¼óì÷àðåœå êîêàèíà íà àåðîäðîìó Íèêîëà Òåñëà
ïîíåäåšàê, 23 ì༠2011.
Íà ãðàíè÷íîì ïðåëàçó Àåðîäðîì Íèêîëà Òåñëà ó Áåîãðàäó, öàðèíèöè ñó ñïðå÷èëè ïîêóøà¼ êðè¼óì÷àðåœà îêî òðè êèëîãðàìà êîêàèíà.
Äðîãà ¼å îòêðèâåíà íà îñíîâó ðàçìåíå îáàâåøòà¼íèõ öàðèíñêèõ èíôîðìàöè¼à ïðåêî SECI öåíòðà ó Áóêóðåøòó. Áèëà ¼å ñàêðèâåíà ó òîðáè çà êîìï¼óòåð, ÷è¼à ¼å óíóòðàøœîñò áèëà íàïóœåíà êîêàèíîì. Òîðáó ñà äðîãîì ïîêóøàî ¼å äà ó ïðòšàãó ïðîêðè¼óì÷àðè äâàäåñåò òðîãîäèøœè ïóòíèê ãð÷êå íàöèîíàëíîñòè, êî¼è ¼å ïðåêî Öèðèõà (Øâà¼öàðñêà) äîïóòîâàî èç Ñàî Ïàîëà (Áðàçèë) çà Áåîãðàä.Îí ¼å ïðåäàò ó äàšó íàäëåæíîñò èñòðàæíèõ îðãàíà.
Ïîäñåžàìî äà ¼å êðà¼åì íîâåìáðà ïðîøëå ãîäèíå íà ñëè÷àí íà÷èí îòêðèâåíà áîëèâè¼ñêà äðæàâšàíêà ó ïîêóøà¼ó, äà ó ñîïñòâåíî¼ óòðîáè ïðîêðè¼óì÷àðè âèøå îä òðèäåñåò ïàêåòèžà êîêàèíà.
Êîðèøžåœåì íàïðåäíèõ è ñâåòñêè ïðèçíàòèõ ìåòîäà êîíòðîëå è ñòàëíîì ñàðàäœîì ñà áåçáåäíîñíèì ñòðóêòóðàìà, Óïðàâà öàðèíà ó÷åñòâó¼å ó çàøòèòè äðóøòâà îä ïðåòœè òåðîðèçìà è òðàíñíàöèîíàëíîã êðèìèíàëà.
http://www.carina.rs/cyr/Stranice/Vest.aspx?ListItemID=226
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European news
Greek police seize cocaine shipment, arrest 9 300 kilos of cocaine concealed in a cargo timber ¸êñõâáí 300 êéëÜ êïêáÀíçò óå öïñôßï ìå îõëåßá
Greek police seize cocaine shipment, arrest 9 300 kilos of cocaine concealed in a cargo timber ¸êñõâáí 300 êéëÜ êïêáÀíçò óå öïñôßï ìå îõëåßá
Wed May 25, 2011

Greek police say they have arrested nine people in Thessaloniki on suspicion of smuggling nearly 300 kilograms (661 pounds) of cocaine into the country.
Police say the drugs were unloaded at the northern port city last month, and following a surveillance operation four Greeks and five foreign nationals were arrested Wednesday.
It says the arrests followed cooperation with U.S. anti-narcotics authorities.
They said the drugs allegedly originated in Paraguay.
http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2011/05/25/6715159-greek-police-seize-cocaine-shipment-arrest-9
300 kilos of cocaine concealed in a cargo timber
"Burden" of cocaine from Latin America, moved to Greece 300 kilos of cocaine hidden in a container with a timber managed by police and arrested. This is the biggest quantity of drugs seized in our country over the past five years ...

The members of the criminal organization exported drugs from Latin America, introduced into Greece and then transferred them to other European countries.
The tangle of the case began unfolding last month when officials SDOE found in the Container Terminal at the Port of Thessaloniki suspicious cargo in containers. Country of origin was Latin America.
These suspicions have led officials of the Financial Crime control of the container. Surprised discovered that there was "built" a large quantity of cocaine, 292 kg weight and 80 grams. The quantity of drugs was placed in a wood floor on which the container was loaded.
The container was placed under discreet surveillance and following relevant research and information, identified the brain circuitry, which attempted to clear the illegal cargo. Erected even further operation which resulted in identifying the recipients of cocaine, but the Greeks have taken place for handling the volume.
All of them were placed under discreet surveillance noon today, when the police intervened and handcuffed while he was on the beach in Thessaloniki.
As revealed by the survey, most of the arrested members of the ring, watched by police authorities abroad, as suspected smugglers of large quantities of drugs.
Arrested a total of nine members of the ring, including three people from Argentina, among them a woman, brain-organizers of the movement, two Albanians recipients, purchasers of the quantity of cocaine and four Greeks who helped in clearing the consignment of drugs.
From now until police investigations were found and seized 292.8 kilograms of cocaine, a container, which contained wood flooring, mobile phones, money and documents, documents handling of containers.
Investigations are continuing, however, the boundaries of a crime, to identify any other drug quantities or additional persons to participate.
To dismantle drug co megaloemporon Department Drug SDOE Attica, the Sub-Division of Narcotics Security Division of Attica and Thessaloniki, as well as the DEA Office Athens of the U.S. Embassy, which resulted in the dismantling of an international smuggling ring of large quantities of cocaine.
Those arrested will be brought to the Prosecutor of Thessaloniki.
http://www.thestival.gr/police/item/1882-300-kilos-of-cocaine-concealed-in-a-cargo-timber

¸êñõâáí 300 êéëÜ êïêáÀíçò óå öïñôßï ìå îõëåßá
"Âáñþíïõò" êïêáÀíçò áðü ôç ËáôéíéêÞ ÁìåñéêÞ, ðïõ ìåôÝöåñáí óôçí ÅëëÜäá 300 êéëÜ êïêáÀíçò êñõììÝíá óå êïíôÝéíåñ ìå îõëåßá, êáôüñèùóáí êáé óõíÝëáâáí ïé áóôõíïìéêïß. Ðñüêåéôáé ãéá ôç ìåãáëýôåñç ðïóüôçôá íáñêùôéêþí ðïõ Ý÷åé êáôáó÷åèåß óôç ÷þñá ìáò ôá ôåëåõôáßá ðÝíôå ÷ñüíéá...
Ôá ìÝëç ôçò åãêëçìáôéêÞò ïñãÜíùóçò åîÞãáãáí íáñêùôéêÝò ïõóßåò áðü ôç ËáôéíéêÞ ÁìåñéêÞ, ôéò åéóÞãáãáí óôçí ÅëëÜäá êáé óôç óõíÝ÷åéá ôéò ìåôÝöåñáí óå Üëëåò ÷þñåò ôçò Åõñþðçò.
Ôï êïõâÜñé ôçò õðüèåóçò Üñ÷éóå íá îåôõëßãåôáé ðñéí áðü Ýíá ìÞíá üôáí õðÜëëçëïé ôïõ ÓÄÏÅ åíôüðéóáí óôïí Óôáèìü Åìðïñåõìáôïêéâùôßùí óôï ËéìÜíé ôçò Èåóóáëïíßêçò ýðïðôï öïñôßï óå êïíôÝéíåñ. ×þñá ðñïÝëåõóçò Þôáí ç ËáôéíéêÞ ÁìåñéêÞ.
Ïé õðïøßåò áõôÝò ïäÞãçóáí ôïõò õðáëëÞëïõò ôïõ ÓÄÏÅ óôïí Ýëåã÷ï ôïõ êïíôÝéíåñ. ¸êðëçêôïé áíáêÜëõøáí ðùò õðÞñ÷å «êôéóìÝíç» ìåãÜëç ðïóüôçôá êïêáÀíçò, óõíïëéêïý âÜñïõò 292 êéëþí êáé 80 ãñáììáñßùí. Ç ðïóüôçôá ôùí íáñêùôéêþí Þôáí ôïðïèåôçìÝíç ìÝóá óå îõëåßá äáðÝäïõ ìå ôçí ïðïßá Þôáí Ýìöïñôï ôï êïíôÝéíåñ.
Ôï êïíôÝéíåñ ôÝèçêå õðü äéáêñéôéêÞ ðáñáêïëïýèçóç êáé ýóôåñá áðü ó÷åôéêÝò Ýñåõíåò êáé ðëçñïöïñßåò, åíôïðßóèçêáí ïé åãêÝöáëïé ôïõ êõêëþìáôïò, ïé ïðïßïé áðïðåéñÜèçêáí íá åêôåëùíßóïõí ôï ðáñÜíïìï öïñôßï. ÓôÞèçêå ìÜëéóôá êáé ðñüóèåôç åðé÷åßñçóç ðïõ åß÷å óáí áðïôÝëåóìá íá åíôïðéóôïýí ïé ðáñáëÞðôåò ôçò êïêáÀíçò, áëëÜ êáé ïé ¸ëëçíåò ðïõ ìåóïëÜâçóáí ãéá ôç äéáêßíçóÞ ôçò ðïóüôçôáò.
¼ëïé ôïõò ôÝèçêáí õðü äéáêñéôéêÞ ðáñáêïëïýèçóç ìÝ÷ñé óÞìåñá ôï ìåóçìÝñé, ïðüôå êáé åðåíÝâçóáí ïé áóôõíïìéêïß êáé ôïõò ðÝñáóáí ÷åéñïðÝäåò, åíþ âñéóêüôáí óôçí ðáñáëßá ôçò Èåóóáëïíßêçò.
¼ðùò ðñïÝêõøå áðü ôçí Ýñåõíá, ôá ðåñéóóüôåñá áðü ôá óõëëçöèÝíôá ìÝëç ôïõ êõêëþìáôïò, ðáñáêïëïõèïýíôáí êáé áðü áóôõíïìéêÝò áñ÷Ýò ôïõ åîùôåñéêïý, ùò ýðïðôïé äéáêéíçôÝò ìåãÜëùí ðïóïôÞôùí íáñêùôéêþí.
ÓõíåëÞöèçóáí óõíïëéêÜ åííÝá ìÝëç ôïõ êõêëþìáôïò, ìåôáîý ôùí ïðïßùí ôñßá Üôïìá áðü ôçí ÁñãåíôéíÞ, ìåôáîý ôïõò ìßá ãõíáßêá, åãêÝöáëïé-ïñãáíùôÝò ôçò äéáêßíçóçò, äýï Áëâáíïß ðáñáëÞðôåò-áãïñáóôÝò ôçò ðïóüôçôáò êïêáÀíçò, êáèþò êáé ôÝóóåñéò ¸ëëçíåò ðïõ âïÞèçóáí óôïí åêôåëùíéóìü ôïõ öïñôßïõ ôùí íáñêùôéêþí.
Áðü ôéò ìÝ÷ñé ôþñá áóôõíïìéêÝò Ýñåõíåò, âñÝèçêáí êáé êáôáó÷Ýèçêáí 292,8 êéëÜ êïêáÀíçò, Ýíá êïíôÝéíåñ, ôï ïðïßï ðåñéåß÷å îõëåßá äáðÝäïõ, êéíçôÜ ôçëÝöùíá, ÷ñçìáôéêÜ ðïóÜ êáé ôá Ýããñáöá-ðáñáóôáôéêÜ äéáêßíçóçò ôïõ êïíôÝéíåñ.
Ïé Ýñåõíåò ðÜíôùò óõíå÷ßæïíôáé óôá üñéá ôïõ áõôïöþñïõ, ìå óêïðü ôïí åíôïðéóìü ôõ÷üí Üëëùí íáñêùôéêþí ðïóïôÞôùí Þ óõììåôï÷Þò åðéðëÝïí ðñïóþðùí.
Ãéá ôçí åîÜñèñùóç ôùí ìåãáëïåìðüñùí íáñêùôéêþí óõíåñãÜóôçêáí ôï ÔìÞìá Íáñêùôéêþí ôïõ Ó.Ä.Ï.Å. ÁôôéêÞò, ïé Õðïäéåýèõíóåéò Äßùîçò Íáñêùôéêþí ôùí Äéåõèýíóåùí Áóöáëåßáò ÁôôéêÞò êáé Èåóóáëïíßêçò, êáèþò åðßóçò êáé ôï Ãñáöåßïõ D.E.A. Áèçíþí ôçò Ðñåóâåßáò ôùí ÇÐÁ, ç ïðïßá åß÷å ùò áðïôÝëåóìá ôçí åîÜñèñùóç äéåèíïýò êõêëþìáôïò äéáêßíçóçò ìåãÜëùí ðïóïôÞôùí êïêáÀíçò.
Ïé óõëëçöèÝíôåò èá ïäçãçèïýí óôïí åéóáããåëÝá Ðëçììåëåéïäéêþí Èåóóáëïíßêçò.
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European news
Over 11kg of cocaine seized at Ataturk Airport in Istanbul
Over 11kg of cocaine seized at Ataturk Airport in Istanbul
25 May 2011 | 14:19 | FOCUS News Agency

Home / Southeast Europe and Balkans
Istanbul. Over 11 kg of cocaine were seized at Ataturk Airport in Istanbul, Anatolian news agency announced.
The police have found 10,3 kg of cocaine in the luggage of a Nigerian woman arriving on a flight from Brazil. She admitted she had received USD 50,000 to carry the drug to the Netherlands.
In another operation a woman arriving on a flight from Ecuador was detained. She had swallowed capsules with 860gr liquid cocaine.

http://www.focus-fen.net/?id=n250573

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European news
Cruise ship cocaine smugglers jailed
Cruise ship cocaine smugglers jailed
24 May 2011
A gang of drug smugglers who tried to bring cocaine worth £4m into the country aboard a cruise ship have been sentenced to a total of 84 years at Canterbury Crown Court today.
The Court heard that our officers searched the cruise liner MSC Opera when it arrived in Dover on 21 May 2010 en route to Amsterdam from Brazil.
During a search of the ship they found baggage containing white powder in three cabins which reacted positively to a test for cocaine. The total weight of the drugs was approximately 35 kilos which once cut down for sale would have a potential street value of over £4 million.
In each of the three cabins, and also in a fourth, our officers found 'bodysuits' designed to be worn under clothing to conceal drugs, and tape or bandages for strapping drug concealments to bodies.
Seven people, two Lithuanian men, a Lithuanian woman, two Latvian men and two Latvian women were arrested and later charged with being knowingly concerned in the evasion of the prohibition on importation of cocaine under Sec. 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
Six had pleaded guilty to attempting to smuggle the cocaine and the remaining one - Ziedonis Auzins was found guilty after trial at Canterbury Crown Court on 18 February2011. All seven received prison terms when they appeared for sentencing at the same court today.
Malcolm Bragg, Criminal and Financial Assistant Director for the UK Border Agency, said:
"This group attempted to pose as genuine tourists aboard a cruise ship thinking they would go unnoticed. But like previous smuggling gangs we have caught using this method, they were wrong.
"We know the lengths that organised criminals will go to and will stop at nothing to bring them to justice.
"The sentences handed down in this case send a clear message to people considering smuggling drugs that you will have your freedom taken away for a long time.
"Drugs like cocaine devastate lives and communities. Anyone with information about activity they suspect may be linked to drug smuggling should call our hotline on 0800 59 5000."
A spokesperson for MSC Cruises said:
"MSC Cruises has a strict zero tolerance policy for illegal drugs on all its ships. We have cooperated fully with authorities from the very beginning and have provided all assistance necessary in this domain.
''We will take action to deport the smugglers at the end of their jail terms.''
The case follows the sentencing of eight Bulgarian and Lithuanian nationals earlier this year for attempting to smuggle 35 kilos of cocaine into the UK aboard a different cruise ship at Dover.
The smugglers were jailed for a total of 108 years at Canterbury Crown Court on 7 January 2011.
UK Border Agency officers use hi-tech search equipment to combat immigration crime and detect banned and restricted goods that smugglers attempt to bring into the country.
They also use an array of search techniques including detection dogs, carbon dioxide detectors, heartbeat monitors and scanners as well as visual searches to find well-hidden stowaways, illegal drugs, firearms and cigarettes which would otherwise end up causing harm to local people, businesses and communities.
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2011/may/30cruise-ship-cocaine

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European news
Dutch police bust cannabis export ring Megavangst bij invallen grote drugsbende
Dutch police bust cannabis export ring Megavangst bij invallen grote drugsbende
24/05/2011
Dutch authorities arrested five people for suspected involvement in a large-scale operation to export cannabis from the Netherlands to countries including Italy, officials said Tuesday.
"The men are suspected of the large-scale exportation of soft drugs," said Karen Gerritsen, spokeswoman for the prosecutor's office in Den Bosch in southern Netherlands.
"We suspect that several thousand kilogrammes of cannabis were transported to foreign countries over a number of years," police added in a statement.
"We think millions of euros were made in profit."
Some 350 police officers, investigators of the prosecutor's office and customs officials customs took part in Tuesday's operation, concluding a two-year investigation.
Homes were searched in 35 locations in the Netherlands and abroad -- notably in Belgium and Italy, yielding cannabis plantations with thousands of plants. All the arrests were in the Netherlands.
Police confiscated luxury cars and watches worth several hundred thousand euros, money in 75 bank accounts, 54 properties and "large quantities of soft drugs."
Though technically illegal, the Netherlands decriminalised the possession of less than five grammes (0.18 ounce) of cannabis in 1976 under a so-called "tolerance" policy.
Cannabis cultivation and wholesale remain illegal and are in the hands of criminal organisations in a black-market business worth an estimated two billion euros ($2.7 billion) per year.
http://www.expatica.com/nl/news/dutch-news/dutch-police-bust-cannabis-export-ring_151530.html

Megavangst bij invallen grote drugsbende
Laatst gewijzigd: woensdag 25 mei 2011 - 10:43 | Auteur: Nick Renders

EINDHOVEN - Ruim vijftig panden, 75 bankrekeningen en verschillende auto's. Dat was de vangst van de politie na de invallen bij een grote drugsbende. De politie vermoedt dat de bende de afgelopen jaren tientallen miljoenen euro's winst heeft gemaakt.
Witwassing en vuurwapenbezit
Bij de inval van de politie op dinsdagochtend zijn vijf arrestaties verricht. Dinsdagochtend werden vijf verdachten in hun woningen aangehouden. Het gaat om twee 40-jarige mannen uit Eindhoven, een 50-jarige man uit Waalwijk, een 40-jarige man uit Renswoude en een 50-jarige Helmonder. De verdachten worden beschuldigd van witwassing en van vuurwapenbezit. Volgens een politiewoordvoerder is dit "de start van de ontmanteling van een netwerkorganisatie, die heel professioneel met elkaar samenwerkte, strak communiceerde en doelgericht werkte".

Eerdere overval
Een van de huizen waar een inval geweest is, staat aan de Diamantring in de Eindhovense wijk Blixembosch. De eigenaar van dat pand bezit ook een ander huis in de straat. Dat huis werd drie jaar geleden overvallen.

Kostbare vangst
De zoekingen waren onder meer in woningen, loodsen, bergingen en winkels. De politie nam daarbij administratie, computers en tientallen gsm's in beslag voor verder onderzoek. Daarnaast werd beslag gelegd op kostbare goederen. Het gaat daarbij onder meer om een tiental auto's, waaronder een Mercedes McLaren, een Porsche Cayenne, een Porsche 911, een Ferrari en drie Audi's, en tientallen kostbare horloges met een totale waarde van meerdere honderdduizenden euro's. Ook werd beslag gelegd op 54 panden (onroerend goed) en op de tegoeden van 75 bankrekeningen in binnen- en buitenland. Verder werden zestien pallets met airco's en diverse plasmaschermen aangetroffen en in beslag genomen. Daarnaast is in totaal enkele tienduizenden euro's contant geld in beslag genomen. De meest opvallende vondst was een goed gevuld hobbelpaard. Een politiehond rook iets in het speelgoedpaard, dat gevuld bleek te zijn met geld en een horloge.

Actiedag
Tijdens de actiedag zijn invallen gedaan op zo'n 35 locaties in binnen- en buitenland. In Nederland gebeurde dat onder meer in Eindhoven, Tilburg, 's-Hertogenbosch, Meijel, Weert, Veenendaal, Waalwijk, Helmond, Oirschot en Belfeld. In België was een doorzoeking in Knokke. Politie en justitie in Italië hebben een parallelonderzoek gehouden. Ook daar is dinsdag een actiedag gehouden.

Vuurwapens en hennep
Daarnaast trof de politie bij de zoekingen in totaal vier vuurwapens aan, die ook in beslag zijn genomen. In een loods in Veenendaal werd een hennepkwekerij met 1100 planten aangetroffen en ontmanteld. In Helmond werden twee hennepdrogerijen met in totaal enkele tientallen kilo's henneptoppen ontdekt.

Politieonderzoek
Het onderzoek wordt sinds maart 2009 uitgevoerd door de Divisie Recherche van Politie Brabant Zuid-Oost onder leiding van het Openbaar Ministerie in Den Bosch. Aanleiding was informatie die bij de politie was binnengekomen. De afgelopen twee jaar hebben dagelijks zo'n twintig rechercheurs aan de zaak gewerkt.

Onderzoek gaat door
Aan de actiedag hebben zo'n 350 medewerkers van diverse Nederlandse politiekorpsen, het Openbaar Ministerie, de Belastingdienst en BOOM meegewerkt. Deze dag is een eerste aanzet. Het onderzoek gaat door. Zo volgt onder andere nog een financieel onderzoek, zodat het OM ook kan inzetten op ontneming. De politie verwacht de komende weken nog meer aanhoudingen te verrichten.
Printen
Eerste publicatie: dinsdag 24 mei 2011 - 16:51

http://www.omroepbrabant.nl/?news/155711652/Megavangst+bij+invallen+grote+drugsbende.aspx

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European news
La actuación conjunta de las policías española, búlgara y francesa evita la entrada de 500 kg de cocaína en España Joint action by the Spanish police, Bulgarian and French prevents entry of 500 kg of cocaine in Spain
La actuación conjunta de las policías española, búlgara y francesa evita la entrada de 500 kg de cocaína en España Joint action by the Spanish police, Bulgarian and French prevents entry of 500 kg of cocaine in Spain
Uno de los tres detenidos portaba documentación falsa mejicana lo cual despertó las alarmas de la policía aduanera
El destino de la droga eran las costas gallegas donde un grupo de narcotransportistas se encargaría de recogerla
20-mayo-2011.- La actuación conjunta de las policías española, búlgara y francesa ha evitado la entrada en España de un cargamento de 500 kilos de cocaína. El velero con la droga fue interceptado en la isla caribeña de Guadalupe antes de partir hacia las costas gallegas. Uno de los tres detenidos en relación con el envío había entrado en el país con documentación falsa mejicana, lo que despertó las sospechas de la policía en la Isla de Trinidad. Además, la embarcación ya había sido relacionada con anterioridad por los agentes extranjeros con el transporte de sustancias estupefacientes.
La investigación se inició a raíz de la información procedente de la Policía Judicial de Francia y de Bulgaria. A través de los mecanismos de coordinación y cooperación policial internacional se relacionaron estos datos con una actuación contra el tráfico de drogas desarrollada en nuestro país por la Policía Nacional sobre un grupo de narcotransportistas gallegos.
Las comprobaciones realizadas confirmaron que el velero, con pabellón de San Vicente y las Granadinas, había recalado en el puerto deportivo de Pointe a Pitre unas semanas antes de ser interceptado, desde donde había partido hacia Trinidad. Esta isla del Caribe ha sido tradicionalmente punto de partida de los veleros que acuden a recibir los alijos de cocaína a la desembocadura del río Orinoco.
Además, el velero, de más de 12 metros de eslora y utilizado en competiciones deportivas, había estado inscrito en el año 2010 en una regata que se desarrolla entre St. Malo, Francia y la Isla de Guadalupe. En ese momento, las autoridades policiales búlgaras, país de procedencia de los tripulantes, alertaron a la agencia antidroga francesa porque sospechaban que podría tratarse de un pretexto para transportar hasta Europa una cantidad desconocida de droga.
Lancheros gallegos trasladarían la cocaína a su llegada a España
La investigación seguida en España permitió acreditar que el velero una vez cargado con la cocaína se dirigiría hacia nuestro país y que, una vez frente a las costas gallegas, unos lancheros recogerían la droga que luego entregarían al grupo propietario de la ilícita mercancía para su distribución.
Gracias a la cooperación internacional y la coordinación con las Aduanas Francesas y la agencia antidroga de Francia (OCTRIS), apoyada por la Oficina de la DEA (Drugs Enforcements Administration) en Madrid, se averiguó la localización y la fecha en la que había atracado el velero en la marina de "Pointe a Pietre", en la Isla de Guadalupe, con droga en su interior .
En el registro realizado en la embarcación fueron intervenidos catorce fardos de cocaína que arrojaron un peso bruto aproximado de 500 kilogramos de cocaína. Sus tres tripulantes fueron detenidos.
En la investigación han participado agentes del GRECO de Galicia y de la Brigada Central de Estupefacientes, pertenecientes a la UDYCO Central de la Comisaría General de Policía Judicial, de las policías de Francia y Bulgaria y de la Oficina de la DEA norteamericana en Madrid.
http://www.policia.es/prensa/20110520_1.html

Joint action by the Spanish police, Bulgarian and French prevents entry of 500 kg of cocaine in Spain

One of the three arrested was carrying false papers which aroused the Mexican customs police alarms

The fate of the drug were the Galician coast where a group is responsible for pick narcotransportistas

20-May-2011 .- The joint action by the Spanish police, Bulgarian and French has prevented the entry into Spain of a shipment of 500 kilos of cocaine. The boat with the drug was stopped on the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe before leaving the Galician coast. One of the three arrested in connection with the shipment had entered the country with false documents Mexican, which aroused the suspicions of the police on the island of Trinidad. In addition, the boat had been linked previously by foreign agents to the transport of drugs.

The investigation was initiated following information from the Judicial Police of France and Bulgaria. Through coordination mechanisms and international police cooperation these data were related action against drug trafficking in our country developed by the National Police on a group of Galician narcotransportistas.

The checks carried out confirmed that the boat, flying the flag of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, had washed up in the marina at Pointe a Pitre few weeks before being intercepted, where you had gone to Trinidad. This Caribbean island has traditionally been the starting point for the boats that come to receive the caches of cocaine into the mouth of the Orinoco River.

In addition, the boat, over 12 meters in length and used in sports competitions, had been registered in 2010 in a race that runs from St. Malo, France and Guadeloupe. At that time, the Bulgarian police, country of origin of the crew, alerted the French drug agency because they suspected it could be a pretext to carry to Europe an unknown quantity of drugs.

Galician boaters would move the cocaine to his arrival in Spain

The investigation followed in Spain allowed the boat to prove that once loaded with cocaine would be directed toward our country and that, once off the Galician coast, some boaters would collect the drugs which are then handed over to the group owner of the illicit goods for distribution .

Thanks to international cooperation and coordination with the French Customs and the French drug agency (OCTRIS), supported by the Office of the DEA (Drugs enforcements Administration) in Madrid, it was found the location and the date on which he had robbed the sailboat in the marina of "Pointe a Pietre" on Isla de Guadalupe, with drug inside.

In the registration in the boat were seized fourteen packages of cocaine showed an approximate gross weight of 500 kilograms of cocaine. Its three crew members were detained.

In the investigation involved agents of the GRECO de Galicia and the Central Narcotics Brigade, part of the Central UDYCO the Judicial Police Commissioner-General of police in France and Bulgaria and the U.S. DEA office in Madrid.

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Added on 26/05/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Dozens of cans of pineapple filled with ... cocaine
Dozens of cans of pineapple filled with ... cocaine
Goods seized, come from Colombia, arrived at the port of Lisbon on April 25
The cocaine seized by the Police and the Spanish authorities on 38 cans of pineapple was aimed at a Portuguese company that served as an intermediary to trafficking in Spain, revealed Wednesday that leaders of research, writes AFP.

According to the chief inspector of the National Unit to Combat Drug Trafficking (UNCTE) PJ, Ricardo Macedo, so far have found 38 tins of cocaine dissolved in the liquid from cans, that's 56 pounds of the drug, which numbers may be rising, as it still follows the process of opening more than 4,000 cans seized.

The goods seized, come from Colombia, arrived at the port of Lisbon on 25 April, having been subject to drug testing that was positive to the presence of cocaine in 38 cans.

According to the head of the Portuguese police, called 'Operation Magic Syrup', developed in recent days in connection with the Spanish police, led to an investigation of a criminal organization dedicated to the international trafficking of large quantities of cocaine to operate in territory Iberian.

"This cocaine, and comes in cans, have a particularity, since it disappears rapidly because it dilutes the syrup of pineapple. This organization was the target of a thorough investigation in Spain, "said Ricardo Macedo, at a press conference.

According to the representative of the Spanish National Police, Jaime Iglesias, cocaine came from Colombia and Ecuador and was intended to Spain, having established a smuggling network infrastructure business in Portugal to introduce cocaine through ports lusos.

The organization was dismantled and given a May 12 through the harbor of Lisbon arrest of four suspects, one Portuguese, two Spaniards and a Colombian, taking them by the measure of coercive detention.

The Portuguese detained, 45, was the importer, no criminal records.

Spanish and Portuguese authorities have stressed cooperation 'vital' between the two countries, without which there could have been a successful investigation by the difficulty of the modus operandi used.

In October 2010, Ecuador had already been seized, the same group, 472 kilos of cocaine hidden in frozen fish in a refrigerator container.

Were involved in the operation the Unit for Combating Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs (UNCTE) and three Spanish authorities and the Directorate General of Customs and Excise on Consumption (DGAIEC).
Added on 19/05/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Havenarbeiders riskeren tot 6 jaar cel voor weghalen drugs
Havenarbeiders riskeren tot 6 jaar cel voor weghalen drugs
Het openbaar ministerie heeft celstraffen tot zes jaar effectief gevorderd voor acht havenarbeiders die tegen betaling cocaïne uit containers haalden in de Antwerpse haven. De zaak is vandaag behandeld voor de correctionele rechtbank.
Abdelaziz A. (33) en Dashnor E. (47) stonden volgens de aanklager aan het hoofd van twee criminele organisaties. Beiden verwachtten in september 2010 een lading cocaïne van respectievelijk 12 kilo en 40 kilo. De ladingen bevonden zich aan boord van het schip MSC England. Om de drugs uit de containers te halen, schakelden ze havenarbeiders in.

Abdelaziz A. deed een beroep op Kenny V.A. (26), die een ploeg samenstelde om de klus te klaren. In de nacht van 22 op 23 september 2010 werd de 12 kilo cocaïne uit de container gehaald. Kenny V.A. reed met de drugs weg, maar werd na een wilde achtervolging door de politie geklist.

Dashnor E. schakelde op zijn beurt havenarbeiders Wim D. (46) en Danny K. (48) in. Toen die laatste vernam dat de douane de container in de gaten hield, zag hij van het plan af. Hij verwittigde de anderen niet, waardoor zij dachten dat hij met de cocaïne aan de haal was gegaan.

Dashnor E. dwong Wim D. vervolgens om een valse klacht tegen hem in te dienen zodat ze aan het adres van Danny K. konden geraken, maar de politie greep in en arresteerde iedereen. De meeste beklaagden legden bekentenissen af. Dashnor E deed dat niet. Vonnis op 15 juni. (belga/adv)
http://www.demorgen.be/dm/nl/989/Binnenland/article/detail/1266292/2011/05/18/Havenarbeiders-riskeren-tot-6-jaar-cel-voor-weghalen-drugs.dhtml
Added on 19/05/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Customs dogs found nearly 3,000 kilos of marijuana and hashish
Customs dogs found nearly 3,000 kilos of marijuana and hashish
Douanespeurhonden vinden bijna 3000 kilo marihuana en hasj
Nieuwsbericht | 18-05-2011
Het HARC-team, een samenwerkingsverband van de Zeehavenpolitie Rotterdam-Rijnmond, Douane, FIOD en Openbaar Ministerie heeft vrijdag in een container bijna 3000 kilo marihuana en hasj gevonden. De drugs zaten verstopt tussen zakken houtskool.
De container was afkomstig uit Zuid-Afrika en met een zeeschip aangevoerd in de Rotterdamse haven. De drugs werden ontdekt door speurhonden van de Douane. Die sloegen aan toen zij in de buurt van de container kwamen.
Nader onderzoek wees in de richting van tien pallets met zakken houtskool uit Namibië. Tussen de zakken zaten pakketten met in totaal 2600 kilo marihuana en 200 kilo hasj. De drugs hadden een straatwaarde van ongeveer 1 miljoen euro.
Het HARC-team (Hit and Run Containerteam) stelt een nader onderzoek in naar de herkomst van de drugs. Er zijn nog geen aanhoudingen verricht. De marihuana en hasj zijn inmiddels vernietigd.

http://www.rijksoverheid.nl/nieuws/2011/05/18/speurhonden-vinden-bijna-3000-kilo-marihuana-en-hasj.html


Customs dogs found nearly 3,000 kilos of marijuana and hashish

18/05/2011

The HARC team, a partnership of the Rotterdam-Rijnmond Seaport Police, Customs, FIOD and Public Prosecution Office on Friday found in a container almost 3000 kilos of marijuana and hashish. The drugs were hidden among sacks of charcoal.

The container came from South Africa and a ship landed in the port of Rotterdam. The drugs were discovered by sniffer dogs of Customs. Those reacted when they came in the vicinity of the container.

Further investigation pointed in the direction of ten pallets with bags of charcoal from Namibia. Between the bags were packages with a total of 2600 kilograms of marijuana and 200 kilos of hashish. The drugs had a street value of around 1 million euros.

The HARC team (Hit and Run Container Team) suggests a further investigation into the origin of the drugs. There are no arrests made. The marijuana and hashish have been destroyed.

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This news article and/or link has been retrieved from public sources and sent to a selected group of Law Enforcement Officers in several countries of the world.
The content does not reflect in any way the official policy, interest or opinion of Dutch Customs and/or Dutch government.
If the material in this e-mail is used for an alert, then the source of the material is “OPEN SOURCE news article”.
In case the original text is written in a language, not English or German, a translation is given from a web based automatic translator. This will not give a 100% correct translation.
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Added on 19/05/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
The DNCD reported Sunday that captured a woman who tried to travel to Belgium for "three packets of cocaine attached to his body" as a belt.
The DNCD reported Sunday that captured a woman who tried to travel to Belgium for "three packets of cocaine attached to his body" as a belt.
Apresan "mula" viajaría a Bélgica forrada de cocaína
15 de Mayo, 2011 - 10:26 AM | Por Por la Redacción
La DNCD informó este domingo que apresó a una mujer que intentó viajar a Bélgica con “tres paquetes de cocaína adheridos a su cuerpo” en forma de faja. La detención de la “mula” se produjo en el Aeropuerto Internacional de Punta Cana, al Este del país.

Se trata de Vivian Elena Santos, una dominicana nacionalizada holandesa, quien estaba acompañada de una hija menor de edad, de acuerdo al reporte del organismo fue descubierta en el salón de migración de la terminal. Iba a tomar el vuelo TB524 de la aerolínea Jetair Fly, con destino a Bruselas.

El organismo dijo, en una nota de prensa, que la mujer será sometida a la justicia en las próximas horas “para que se le conozcan medidas de coerción”.

La droga incautada tenía un peso estimado de 1,25 kilogramos, aún por comprobar por el l Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Forenses (INACIF), donde fue remitida.
http://diario55.net/index.php?2/15681/
Apprehend mule travel to Belgium lined cocaine

May 15, 2011 - 10:26 AM | By By the Editor

The DNCD reported Sunday that captured a woman who tried to travel to Belgium for "three packets of cocaine attached to his body" as a belt. The arrest of the "mule" was in the Punta Cana International Airport, east of the country.

This is Vivian Elena Santos, a Dominican nationalized Dutch, who was accompanied by a minor daughter, according to the report of the body was discovered in the lounge of the terminal migration. Would take the airline's flight Jetair TB524 Fly to Brussels.

The agency said in a press release that the woman will have justice in the coming hours "so that you know coercive measures."

The drugs seized had an estimated weight of 1.25 kilograms, yet to be ascertained by the l National Institute of Forensic Sciences (INACIF), where it was submitted.
http://diario55.net/index.php?2/15681/

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This news article and/or link has been retrieved from public sources and sent to a selected group of Law Enforcement Officers in several countries of the world.
The content does not reflect in any way the official policy, interest or opinion of Dutch Customs and/or Dutch government.
If the material in this e-mail is used for an alert, then the source of the material is “OPEN SOURCE news article”.
In case the original text is written in a language, not English or German, a translation is given from a web based automatic translator. This will not give a 100% correct translation.
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Added on 18/05/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Israel seizes Colombian cocaine shipment worth millions
Israel seizes Colombian cocaine shipment worth millions
Court lifts gag order on police raid that snagged 250 kg of cocaine hidden in a coffee container; shipment worth more than NIS 60 million.
By Haaretz Service Tags: Israel news
Law enforcement services and customs officials in Ashdod recently seized a 250kg shipment of cocaine that reached Israel by boat from Colombia. The drugs were found a month ago, but the gag order on publication of the story was only lifted Sunday, when two suspects were arrested for their suspected involvement in the incident.
The two suspects will appear at a remand hearing at a Rishon Letzion court.
The operation was carried out by the drug unit at Ashdod port customs and the National Unit for the Investigation of Serious and International Crimes.
The drug shipment arrived in a coffee container on April 20. The coffee container was filled with hundreds of bags of coffee, and on top of which lay nine sacks, each found to hold a one-kilogram plastic bags of high-quality cocaine.
The value of the drugs that were found in the container was estimated at over NIS 60 million.
Seven people were arrested at the beginning of January on suspicion of attempting to smuggle 14.5 kilograms of the "rape drug," GBL. It is suspected that the arrestees tried to smuggle the drug from Europe in four separate attempts.
The group was arrested in a joint operation of customs officials at Ben-Gurion International Airport and Israel Police on the New Years Eve 2011.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/israel-seizes-colombian-cocaine-shipment-worth-millions-1.362076?localLinksEnabled=false
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Added on 18/05/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Iran warns West it could allow transit of drugs
Iran warns West it could allow transit of drugs
(AP)

14 May 2011
TEHRAN, Iran -Iran threatened on Saturday to allow the transit of illegal drugs through its territory to Europe if the West continues to criticize the Islamic nation for its practice of executing drug traffickers.
Mohammad Javad Larijani, the head of Iran’s High Council for Human Rights, said Iran was sacrificing blood in fighting drug trafficking and suggested it is unfair that it is then condemned by the West for executing smugglers.
“Westerners have to either be Iran’s partner in the fight against drug traffickers or we must think otherwise and, for instance, allow the transit” of drugs across Iranian territory, Larijani said in a comment posted on the judiciary’s website Saturday.
He said such a move would reduce the number of overall executions in Iran by 74 percent, “but the way will be paved for the smuggling of narcotics to Europe.”
U.N. officials have in the past warned that a “heroin tsunami” could hit Europe if the drug interdiction by Iran is weakened.
Iran says it has lost more than 3,700 troops in the fight against drug traffickers and 11,000 more have been injured to date since 1979, when the Islamic Revolution brought hard-line clerics to power.
“Unfortunately, Western countries not only provide no assistance to Iran in the fight against drug trafficking, they condemn us every year for punishing drug smugglers,” Larijani said.
Iran has also called on Europe to offer financial support to its fight against trafficking.
Iran lies a major drug route between Afghanistan — which accounts for more than 90 percent of the world’s illicit opium and heroin production — and Europe.
Iranian authorities have taken several steps to stop trafficking, including the building of dikes and trenches along large portions of its roughly 560-mile (900-kilometer) border with Afghanistan. Officials also seize more than three tons of narcotics each day, according to official statistics.
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle08.asp?xfile=data/middleeast/2011/May/middleeast_May331.xml§ion=middleeast
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Added on 18/05/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Seized 50 kilos of cocaine hidden in false bottoms of castor oil drums
Seized 50 kilos of cocaine hidden in false bottoms of castor oil drums
12-5-2011

In a joint operation of the National Police and the Tax Office

They arrested the two managers of the companies that introduced the drug in Spain within the containers from Colombia

The drug reached the port of Barcelona, was transported to an industrial estate in the Alicante town of Crevillente and finally moved to Benidorm

12-May-2011 .- Agents of the National Police in a joint operation with the tax authorities have seized 50 kilos of cocaine hidden in false bottoms of 17 drums of castor oil. They arrested the two managers of the companies that introduced the drug in Spain within the containers from Colombia. The drug arrived at the Port of Barcelona, was transported to an industrial estate in the Alicante town of Crevillente and finally moved to Benidorm.

The investigation began several months ago when it was discovered by agents of the existence of a commercial that was dedicated to introduce and distribute cocaine in our country. Was established at the time a tight grip around the company and people linked to it.

With the first steps it was found that the same individuals arrested in this operation had been involved in 2009 in similar criminal activities in Colombia, where the customs authorities intercepted 43 kilograms of cocaine whose destination was Spain.

The route of drums

Last April the new agents intercepted a shipment from Colombia with 17 drums of castor oil to the port of Barcelona, which were subsequently transferred to an industrial estate located in Crevillente (Alicante), where drug traffickers to the emptied and cleaned eventually transported to one of their homes, in Benidorm.

When officers came to inspect the containers discovered a false bottom perfectly sealed and sealed in each of them, inside which were found between 2 and 4 kg of narcotic substance. A total of 50 kilos of cocaine seized.

The research has been developed by UDYCO Brigade Judicial Police Provincial de Alicante and tax.
Incautados 50 kilos de cocaína ocultos en dobles fondos de bidones de aceite de ricino
12-5-2011
En una operación conjunta de la Policía Nacional y la Agencia Tributaria
Han sido arrestados los dos administradores de las empresas que introducían la droga en España en el interior de contenedores procedentes de Colombia
El estupefaciente llegó al puerto de Barcelona, fue transportado a un polígono industrial de la localidad alicantina de Crevillente y finalmente trasladado a Benidorm
12-mayo-2011.- Agentes de la Policía Nacional, en una operación conjunta con la Agencia Tributaria, han incautado 50 kilos de cocaína ocultos en dobles fondos de 17 bidones de aceite de ricino. Han sido arrestados los dos administradores de las empresas que introducían la droga en España en el interior de contenedores procedentes de Colombia. El estupefaciente llegó al Puerto de Barcelona, fue transportado a un polígono industrial de la localidad alicantina de Crevillente y finalmente trasladado a Benidorm.
La investigación se inició hace unos meses cuando se tuvo conocimiento por parte de los agentes de la existencia de una mercantil que se dedicaba a introducir y distribuir cocaína en nuestro país. Se estableció en ese momento un férreo control en torno a la empresa y a las personas vinculadas a la misma.
Con las primeras gestiones se pudo comprobar que los mismos individuos detenidos en esta operación habían estado implicados en 2009 en actividades delictivas similares en Colombia, cuando las autoridades aduaneras interceptaron 43 kilogramos de cocaína cuyo destino era España.
La ruta de los bidones
El pasado mes de abril los agentes interceptaron un nuevo envío desde Colombia con 17 bidones de aceite de ricino hasta el puerto de Barcelona, los cuales posteriormente fueron trasladados hasta un polígono industrial ubicado en Crevillente (Alicante), donde los narcotraficantes los vaciaron y limpiaron para transportarlos finalmente hasta uno de sus domicilios, en Benidorm.
Cuando los agentes procedieron a inspeccionar los recipientes descubrieron un doble fondo perfectamente sellado y precintado en cada uno de ellos, en cuyo interior se hallaron entre 2 y 4 kilogramos de la sustancia estupefaciente. En total se incautaron 50 kilos de cocaína.
La investigación ha sido desarrollada por UDYCO de la Brigada Provincial de Policía Judicial de Alicante y la Agencia Tributaria.
http://www.policia.es/prensa/20110512_1.html#
video: http://www.policia.es/videos/zip/20110512_1.zip or http://www.policianacionalcomunicacion.es/ricino.rar for a high quality video

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If the material in this e-mail is used for an alert, then the source of the material is “OPEN SOURCE news article”.
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Added on 13/05/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Spanish police smash drugs gang which smuggled cocaine to the UK
Spanish police smash drugs gang which smuggled cocaine to the UK
May 10, 2011 - 3:41 PM

They sent regular consignments of the drug hidden in the false bottoms of heavy goods vehicles
Ten people have been arrested in a National Police operation which has uncovered a gang of drug smugglers which sent consignments of cocaine from Spain to the UK hidden in the false bottoms of heavy goods vehicles carrying bona fide merchandise.

A was which was found in a warehouse used by the network to prepare the consignments to be sent to the UK was found to be carrying 32 kilos of cocaine amongst its cargo.

It’s understood that some of the drugs were distributed to regular clients in Barcelona and Ibiza.

The gang leader was arrested on Ibiza, where he had invested proceeds from the sale of the drugs in property on the island. The Interior Ministry said in a statement released on Tuesday that he also had plans to set up businesses there in luxury tourism.

The other gang members were arrested in Barcelona. None of the 10 suspects have been named in reports, nor have their nationalities been released.

Police also seized as part of the operation 65,000 pounds 71,500 € in cash and four firearms.

http://www.typicallyspanish.com/news/publish/article_30431.shtml?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+typicallyspanish%2FBbwu+%28Spanish+News%29
Added on 12/05/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
20kg of cocaine seized at Gatwick
20kg of cocaine seized at Gatwick
Published on Tuesday 10 May 2011 18:52
A MOTHER and daughter have been charged with trying to smuggle £800,000 worth of cocaine through Gatwick Airport.
Sandra Lee Grey, 44, formerly of Plaistow, East London, and her daughter, Kerene Taneik Hayles, 22, of Jamaica, were arrested upon arriving into Gatwick on a flight from Montego Bay in Jamaica on Sunday 8 May.
Around 20 kilos of cocaine were found concealed in toiletries in suitcases.
They were charged with attempting to import a class A substance, and appeared before Crawley Magistrates on Monday May 9 and were remanded in custody until a further hearing on May 18.
http://www.crawleyobserver.co.uk/news/local/20kg_of_cocaine_seized_at_gatwick_1_2666743
Added on 12/05/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
EMCDDA–EUROPOL annual report reviews new drugs entering market
EMCDDA–EUROPOL annual report reviews new drugs entering market
The Hague, 11 May 2011

The Hague - The Netherlands.
New psychoactive substances are becoming widely available at an ‘unprecedented pace’. This is according to the EMCDDA–Europol 2010 annual report on new drugs entering the European market released today in Lisbon (1). In 2010, a record number of new drugs were officially reported to the EMCDDA and Europol via the EU early–warning system (EWS) on new psychoactive substances (2).
A total of 41 new psychoactive substances were officially notified for the first time to the two agencies in 2010. This represents the largest number of substances ever reported in a single year, considerably up on 2009 (24 substances) and 2008 (13 substances). The full list of substances notified, annexed to the report, shows a ‘rather diverse’ group, including: synthetic cannabinoids, synthetic cathinones, synthetic derivatives of wellestablished drugs, as well as one plant–based substance.
Under the so–called ‘Spice’ phenomenon (3), 11 new synthetic cannabinoids were picked up in 2010, bringing the total number of these substances monitored by the EWS up to 27. Responding to health concerns, at least 16 European countries have now taken legal action to ban or otherwise control ‘Spice’ products and related compounds.
The report gives an account of the 2010 risk assessment of the synthetic cathinone derivative, mephedrone, which led to the decision for Europe–wide controls on the drug in December 2010 (4). A further 15 synthetic cathinone derivatives were detected during the year. Also documented is the first–time appearance of derivatives of two established drugs: ketamine and PCP (phencyclidine).
With a large number of new unregulated synthetic compounds marketed on the Internet as ‘legal highs’, the report describes the EMCDDA’s monitoring of online shops selling these substances.
Commenting on this year’s findings, EMCDDA Director Wolfgang GG�tz said: ‘Given the speed at which new developments occur in this area, it is important to anticipate future challenges. While our early–warning system has recently upped its operational capacity to react rapidly to new substances and products identified, it currently lacks the ability to anticipate emerging threats. This could be addressed by actively purchasing, synthesising and studying new compounds and by improving our capacity for investigative forensic analysis and research at European level’.
The European Commission is currently in the process of assessing the functioning of the mechanism through which Europe monitors and acts on new substances (Council Decision 2005/387/JHA). This is aimed at ensuring that Europe’s responses in this area are up–to–date and fit for purpose.
Europol Director Rob Wainwright adds: ‘The emergence of "legal highs" is a major feature of Europe’s drugs problem today. This issue was recently highlighted in Europol’s Organised Crime Threat Assessment 2011. We also notice that organised crime groups are increasingly active in producing and distributing drugs which can be associated with ecstasy. Together with our law-enforcement partners in the EU, Europol is determined to combat this phenomenon’ (5).
The EMCDDA–Europol 2010 annual report on new drugs was released on 11 May at the 11th Annual meeting of the EMCDDA–Reitox early–warning system (EWS) network and ahead of the First international multidisciplinary forum on new drugs (11–12 May, Lisbon). The forum is closed to the media, however a full programme and other information will be available at www.emcdda.europa.eu/events/2011/new-drugs-forum
Notes
(1) ‘EMCDDA–Europol 2010 annual report on the implementation of Council Decision 2005/387/JHA in accordance with Article 10 of Council Decision 2005/387/JHA on the information exchange, risk–assessment and control of new psychoactive substances’. The 2010 report is available in English at: www.emcdda.europa.eu/publications/implementation-reports See Annex 2 for list of substances. For more on the Council Decision, see www.emcdda.europa.eu/drug-situation/new-drugs
Article 10 of the Council Decision stipulates that: ‘The EMCDDA and Europol shall report annually to the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on the implementation of this Decision. The report will take into account all aspects required for an assessment of the efficacy and achievements of the system created by this Decision. The Report shall, in particular, include experience relating to coordination between the system set out in this Decision and the pharmacovigilance system’.
(2) The EWS provides EU Member States with an information exchange mechanism for reporting on the emergence of new psychoactive substances. It is a key element in the European fast–track system for assessing and responding to new drugs. Over 140 substances have been reported by Member States to the EMCDDA and Europol since the EWS was created in 1997. For more, see www.emcdda.europa.eu/themes/new-drugs/early-warning and brochure at www.emcdda.europa.eu/html.cfm/index40105EN.html The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is a key player in this early-warning mechanism.
(3) www.emcdda.europa.eu/publications/thematic-papers/spice
(4) Available in English at: www.emcdda.europa.eu/publications/risk-assessments See also www.emcdda.europa.eu/publications/drugnet/online/2011/73/article2
(5) Organised Crime Threat Assessment 2011 (launched 4.5.2011): www.europol.europa.eu/publications/European_Organised_Crime_Threat_Assessment_%28OCTA%29/OCTA_2011.pdf
Contact: Kathy Robertson, Media relations, Kathryn.Robertson@emcdda.europa.eu Cais do Sodrr�, 1249-289 Lisbon, Portugal, Tel. (351) 211 21 02 00, Fax (351) 218 13 17 11 press@emcdda.europa.eu, www.emcdda.europa.eu
http://www.europol.europa.eu/index.asp?page=news&news=pr110511.htm


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If the material in this e-mail is used for an alert, then the source of the material is “OPEN SOURCE news article”.
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European news
Essex: Cocaine haul discovered at Stansted Airport concealed in oil paintings
Essex: Cocaine haul discovered at Stansted Airport concealed in oil paintings
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
11:40 AM

COCAINE worth about £10,000 was sezied by border officials after attempts to smuggle the stash into the UK, hidden in a series of oil paintings.

The 20mgs of cocaine had been concealed inside five abstract oil paintings, flown into Stansted Airport from Colombia.
Sarah Wolstenholme, UK Border Agency assistant director at Stansted Airport, said: “It was the smell that initially alerted officers to the possibility that the paintings were more than they seemed.
“Further examination revealed that the smugglers had covered the canvases with a layer of cocaine and then literally painted over the drugs.”
The paintings, each measuring 25cm by 30cm, were destined for an address in south west London.
They arrived at Stansted on April 14 and were listed as shirts and paints, with a value of $1.
Investigations into the shipment are today continuing.
Ms Wolstenholme added: “Criminals are prepared to go to elaborate lengths to get drugs into the UK – even relatively small amounts like this.
“The challenge for us is to stay one step ahead of the organised gangs behind this vile industry. Our highly skilled officers embrace that, working tirelessly and using the latest technology to protect the UK.”
http://www.eveningstar.co.uk/news/essex_cocaine_haul_discovered_at_stansted_airport_concealed_in_oil_paintings_1_890446
Added on 12/05/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
100 Kilogramm Haschisch sichergestellt
100 Kilogramm Haschisch sichergestellt
Hamburg, 11. Mai 2011
Straßenverkaufswert von 500.000 Euro
Am 11. Mai 2011 gegen 00:15 Uhr kontrollierten Beamte der Gemeinsamen Fahndungsgruppe Autobahn (Landespolizei, Bundespolizei, Zoll) auf dem Autobahnrastplatz Hüttener Berge einen Mercedes Vito mit niederländischen Kennzeichen.
Im Fahrzeug befand sich ein 31-jähriger Niederländer. Bei der Nachschau im Fond entdeckten die Beamten versteckt unter der Rücksitzbank insgesamt 100 Kilogramm Haschisch.
Der Fahrer wurde vorläufig festgenommen, das Rauschgift sichergestellt.
Die weiteren Ermittlungen werden durch das Zollfahndungsamt Hamburg - Dienstsitz Kiel - geführt.
Der Rauschgift-Transporteur wird noch heute dem Haftrichter beim Amtsgericht Rendsburg vorgeführt.
Das sichergestellte Haschisch hat in Deutschland einen Straßenverkaufswert von etwa 500.000 Euro.
Herausgeber:
Zollfahndungsamt Hamburg
Sieker Landstraße 13
22143 Hamburg
Kontakt:
Axel Hirth
Tel.: 040/67571-710
Fax: 040/67571-201
E-Mail: presse@zfa-hamburg.de
http://www.zoll.de/f0_veroeffentlichungen/b0_rauschgift/t0_2011/y89_pm_haschischschmuggel/index.html
Added on 12/05/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Europol supports the seizure of 6.5 tonnes of heroin precursor
Europol supports the seizure of 6.5 tonnes of heroin precursor
The Hague - The Netherlands.

On 5 April, 6.5 tonnes of a critical heroin precursor (acetic anhydride) were seized by the Hungarian police. The consignment was stored in a warehouse used by members of an organised crime group. This seizure results from the intensive cooperation between Slovakia, Hungary and several other EU Member States, with the support of Europol and Eurojust. Through the analysis of case data, Europol identified operational links and organised operational meetings to exchange information.

These investigations led to the dismantling of a major organised criminal network heavily involved in acetic anhydride trafficking. Several places were searched in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Slovenia, and the main suspects were arrested. The organised crime group was involved in the trafficking of at least 30 tons of this precursor. The seizure is highly significant in terms of the quantities involved and the amount of heroin that could have been produced, had the consignment reached the laboratories for which it was destined.

http://www.europol.europa.eu/index.asp?page=news&news=pr110427.htm

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European news
"Wurfsendung" mit Kokain auf der Autobahn
"Wurfsendung" mit Kokain auf der Autobahn
Duisburg, 27. April 2011

Zoll stellt fünf Kilogramm Rauschgift sicher

Zollbeamte der Kontrolleinheit Verkehrswege des Hauptzollamts Duisburg verhinderten den Versuch von zwei syrischen Staatsangehörigen, über fünf Kilogramm Kokain mit einem geschätzten Straßenverkaufswert von 200.000 Euro auf der Autobahn 3 von den Niederlanden kommend nach Deutschland zu schmuggeln.

Die Beamten überholten das Fahrzeug der beiden Tatverdächtigen kurz vor der Autobahnabfahrt Elten und forderten den Fahrer per Anhaltesignal auf, zur Kontrolle in die Abfahrt zu folgen.
Während des Anhaltevorgangs konnten die Zöllner dann in den Rückspiegeln des Streifenwagens beobachten, dass eine größere schwarze Tasche aus dem Fenster der Beifahrerseite geworfen wurde.

Nachdem das Fahrzeug gestoppt war, untersuchte ein Zollbeamter die auf der Abbiegespur liegende Laptop-Tasche und fand in ihr fünf mit Klarsichtfolie umwickelte Pakete mit dem Rauschgift.
Auch Drogenschnelltests an den Händen der beiden 37 und 39 Jahre alten Männer und an mehreren Stellen im inneren des Fahrzeuges verliefen auf Kokain stark positiv.

Die beiden mutmaßlichen Drogenschmuggler wurden daraufhin vorläufig festgenommen, das Rauschgift, ein Handy und ein Navigationsgerät sichergestellt.
Die weiteren Ermittlungen führen Beamte des Zollfahndungsamts Essen.

Herausgeber:
Hauptzollamt Duisburg
Köhnenstraße 5-11
47051 Duisburg

Kontakt:
Norbert Schiwon
Tel.: 0203/7134-413
Fax: 0203/7134-111
E-Mail: presse-zoll@hzadu.bfinv.de
Added on 11/05/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Bulgarian Yacht Detained in France over Cocaine Shipping
Bulgarian Yacht Detained in France over Cocaine Shipping
May 1, 2011, Sunday

Bulgarian yacht has been detained along the French coast, upon which a shipment of 300 kg of cocaine was discovered onboard.

The case is a result of a joint operation of Bulgarian and French authorities as part of an effort to curb drug trafficking.

According to unconfirmed information, the shipment is part of a channel for trafficking cocaine from Latin America to Europe.

The crew of the yacht consisted of two Bulgarian citizens, who have been detained.

http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=127812
Added on 11/05/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Seized over 1,600 kilos of hashish hidden in the false bottom of a trailer
Seized over 1,600 kilos of hashish hidden in the false bottom of a trailer
French and Italian buyers moved to Barcelona to purchase large consignments of drugs that had previously purchased in Morocco. There are ten detainees

ACN
Barcelona | Updated 04/26/2011 12:12

The Spanish police has seized over 1,600 kilos of hashish hidden in a false bottom of a sophisticated type gondola trailer. The group was dismantled trucks to move to Casablanca in Morocco, where camouflage merchandise for introducing it to the state. Those responsible for the network of drug traffickers had with French and Italian buyers who moved to Barcelona to buy large consignments of narcotic. In total, ten people have been arrested in a joint operation of the tax police.

The investigation began over a year, after detecting the activities of an organized group that specializes in introducing large quantities of hashish in the State, hidden in vehicles fitted with double bottom. The officers discovered that two of the main investigation maintained contacts with other groups of Moroccan origin who provided the necessary infrastructure to transport the narcotic hidden in HGVs. The investigations were suspicious that the group was finalizing a major transport hashish and tried to use a vehicle equipped with double bottom.

After a first shipment to Morocco of a truck on a trial basis, the organization was preparing a second transport it masked a lot of hashish. Experts Working Group of technical interventions were found by police in a double bottom structure of the trailer that hides more than 1,600 kilos of hashish. The truck driver was arrested along with three others related to the shipment, which was located nearby. Later they arrested six people, five of them in Barcelona. In the operation have been seized, besides the truck and trailer that masked the drug, four vehicles, one stolen.


Confiscats més de 1.600 quilos d'haixix ocults en el doble fons d'un remolc

Compradors francesos i italians es desplaçaven fins a Barcelona per adquirir grans partides de droga, que s'havia adquirit prèviament al Marroc. Hi ha deu detinguts

ACN
Barcelona | Actualitzada el 26/04/2011 12:12

La policia espanyola ha confiscat més de 1.600 quilos d'haixix ocults en un sofisticat doble fons d'un remolc tipus góndola. El grup desarticulat feia circular camions fins a Casablanca, al Marroc, on camuflaven la mercaderia per introduir-la a l'Estat. Els responsables de la xarxa de narcotraficants comptaven amb compradors francesos i italians que es desplaçaven fins a Barcelona per adquirir grans partides d'estupefaent. En total han estat detingudes deu persones, en una operació conjunta de la policia amb l'Agència Tributà ria.

La investigació va començar fa més d'un any, després de detectar les activitats d'un grup organitzat especialitzat a introduir grans quantitats d'haixix a l'Estat, ocult en vehicles dotats de doble fons. Els agents van descobrir que dos dels principals investigats mantenien contactes amb altres grups d'origen marroquí que els proporcionaven la infraestructura necessà ria per al transport de l'estupefaent ocult en camions de gran tonatge. Les indagacions feien sospitar que el grup estava ultimant un important transport d'haixix i pretenia fer servir un vehicle proveït de doble fons. 



Després d'un primer enviament al Marroc d'un camió a manera de prova, l'organització va preparar un segon transport que sí que ocultava una gran quantitat d'haixix. Els especialistes del Grup Operatiu d'Intervencions Tècniques de la policia van localitzar un doble fons en l'estructura del remolc que ocultava més de 1.600 quilos d'haixix. El conductor del camió va ser detingut, junt amb tres persones més relacionades amb l'enviament, que van ser localitzades a les rodalies. Posteriorment es van detenir sis persones més, cinc d'elles a Barcelona. En l'operació s'han intervingut, a més del camió i el remolc que ocultava la droga, quatre vehicles, un d'ells robat.


http://www.ara.cat/societat/Confiscats-quilos-dhaixix-ocults-remolc_0_469753282.html

Incautados más de 1.600 kilos de hachís ocultos en un sofisticado doble fondo de un remolque

Operación conjunta de la Policía Nacional y la Agencia Tributaria

Los responsables de la red de narcotraficantes contaban con compradores franceses e italianos que se desplazaban hasta Barcelona para adquirir grandes partidas de estupefaciente

La red de "narcos" fletaba camiones hasta Casablanca donde camuflaban la mercancía ilícita

26-abril-2011.- Agentes de la Policía Nacional, en una operación conjunta con la Agencia Tributaria, han incautado más de 1.600 kilos de hachís ocultos en un sofisticado doble fondo de un remolque tipo góndola. El grupo desarticulado fletaba camiones hasta Casablanca (Marruecos) donde camuflaban la mercancía para introducirla en nuestro país. Los responsables de la red de narcotraficantes contaban con compradores franceses e italianos que se desplazaban hasta Barcelona para adquirir grandes partidas de estupefaciente, que después trasladaban hasta sus respectivos países. En total han sido detenidas diez personas.

La investigación comenzó hace más de un año tras detectar las actividades de un grupo organizado especializado en introducir grandes cantidades de hachís en España, oculto en vehículos dotados de dobles fondos. Los agentes averiguaron igualmente que dos de los principales investigados mantenían numerosos contactos con otros grupos de origen marroquí que les proporcionaban la infraestructura necesaria para el transporte del estupefaciente oculto en camiones de gran tonelaje.

Un primer envío de prueba

Los investigadores detectaron en las inmediaciones del peaje de Martorell un encuentro entre dos de las personas investigadas. Las indagaciones realizadas apuntaban a que el grupo estaba ultimando un importante transporte de hachís para lo que pretendían utilizar un vehículo provisto de doble fondo.

Tras un primer envío a Marruecos de un camión a modo de prueba la organización preparó un segundo transporte que sí ocultaría una gran cantidad de hachís. Los agentes detectaron a finales de marzo un vehículo con matrícula portuguesa en el Puerto de Cádiz con destino a Marruecos. El dispositivo policial desplegado interceptó el camión a su regreso a España días más tarde.

Los especialistas del GOIT (Grupo Operativo de Intervenciones Técnicas) de la Policía Nacional localizaron un sofisticado doble fondo en la estructura del remolque que ocultaba más de 1.600 kilos de hachís. El conductor del camión fue detenido, así como otras tres personas relacionadas con el envío que fueron localizadas en las inmediaciones.

Posteriormente fueron detenidas otras seis personas, cinco de ellas en la provincia de Barcelona. En la operación se han intervenido, además del camión y el remolque que ocultaba la droga, cuatro vehículos, uno de ellos sustraído.

En la investigación han participado agentes del Grupo IV de la UDYCO de la Brigada Provincial de Policía Judicial de Barcelona, de los GRECO Palma de Mallorca y Costa del Sol, de la Brigada Central de Estupefacientes, del GOIT y de la Agencia Tributaria.

Seized over 1,600 kilos of hashish hidden in a sophisticated double bottom of a trailer

Joint operation of the National Police and the Tax Office

Those responsible for the drug ring had French and Italian buyers who moved to Barcelona to buy large batches of drug

The network of "narcos" chartered camouflaged trucks to Casablanca where the illegal goods

26-Apr-2011 .- Agents of the National Police in a joint operation with the tax authorities have seized over 1,600 kilos of hashish hidden in a sophisticated double bottom of a gondola trailer. The group disbanded chartered trucks to Casablanca (Morocco) where the goods camouflaged to enter our country. Those responsible for the drug ring had French and Italian buyers who moved to Barcelona to buy large lots of narcotics, which later moved to their respective countries. In total, ten people have been arrested.

The investigation began over a year to detect the activities of an organized group that specializes in bringing large quantities of hashish into Spain hidden in vehicles equipped with double bottoms. The agents also found out that two of the leading researchers maintained numerous contacts with other groups of Moroccan origin who provided them with the necessary infrastructure for the transport of the drug hidden in heavy trucks.

A first trial shipment

Researchers found in the vicinity of toll Martorell a meeting between two of the persons investigated. The search conducted had revealed that the group was finalizing an important transport of hashish what they intended to use a vehicle fitted with double bottom.

After an initial shipment to Morocco of a truck on a trial basis the organization prepared a second transport themselves hide a large amount of hashish. The agents detected in late March, a Portuguese-registered vehicle at the port of Cadiz to Morocco. The device deployed police intercepted the truck on his return to Spain days later.

GOITO specialists (Intervention Techniques Task Force) of the National Police located a sophisticated double bottom in the structure of the trailer that hid more than 1,600 kilos of hashish. The truck driver was arrested and three others related to shipping that were located nearby.

They were subsequently arrested six others, five in the province of Barcelona. In the operation have been seized, as well as truck and trailer that hid the drugs, four vehicles, one stolen.

In the investigation involved agents UDYCO Group IV of the Judicial Police Brigade Provincial de Barcelona, ​​the GRECO Palma de Mallorca and Costa del Sol, the Central Narcotics Brigade, the GOITO and Revenue Agency.
http://www.policia.es/prensa/20110426_1.html# See video on the website



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If the material in this e-mail is used for an alert, then the source of the material is “OPEN SOURCE news article”.
In case the original text is written in a language, not English or German, a translation is given from a web based automatic translator. This will not give a 100% correct translation.
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Added on 11/05/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Zoll entdeckt vier Kilogramm Kokain in Reserverad
Zoll entdeckt vier Kilogramm Kokain in Reserverad
Kokain statt Luft!
Koblenz, 26. April 2011

Ein eindrucksvoller Aufgriff gelang Beamten der Kontrolleinheit Verkehrswege des Hauptzollamts Koblenz bei der Kontrolle eines niederländischen Pkws auf der Autobahn 61. Im Reserverad versteckt entdeckten sie insgesamt neun Kilogramm Kokain und Streckmittel.

Die Zöllner zogen einen niederländischen Staatsangehörigen aus dem Verkehr und kontrollierten ihn und seinen Pkw. Dabei erregte insbesondere das nur vage befestigte Reserverad die Aufmerksamkeit der Beamten. Bei der Kontrolle stellte sich heraus, dass das Rad nicht Luft, sondern mehrere Päckchen mit weißem Pulver beinhaltete.
Ein an dem Pulver durchgeführter Drogenschnelltest wies auf Kokain hin.
Der 33-jährige Niederländer wurde vorläufig festgenommen und samt dem Rauschgift an Beamte des Zollfahndungsamts Frankfurt übergeben, das die weiteren Ermittlungen übernahm.
Die Staatsanwaltschaft Koblenz beantragte für den Reisenden Haftbefehl. Der zuständige Amtsrichter ordnete anschließend die Untersuchungshaft an.
Die Ermittlungen dauern an. Zur Zeit gehen die Ermittler von vier Kilogramm Kokain aus. Das letztendliche Gutachten stehe noch aus, ergänzte der Pressesprecher des Zollfahndungsamts.

"Ein spektakulärer Fund. Die Kontrollbeamten haben hier einmal mehr bewiesen, wie wichtig Erfahrung und das richtige Gespür im Kampf gegen Drogenschmuggel sind", meint Sylke Zabel, Pressesprecherin des Hauptzollamts, zu dem Fall.

Ausgehend von vier Kilogramm Kokain, was um das Zwei- bis Dreifache gestreckt werden kann, wäre im Straßenverkauf über eine halbe Million Euro zu erzielen.

Herausgeber:
Hauptzollamt Koblenz
Schloss Hauptgebäude
56068 Koblenz

Kontakt:
Sylke Zabel
Tel.: 0261/3908-302
Fax: 0261/3908-502
E-Mail: presse-zoll@hzako.bfinv.de

http://www.zoll.de/f0_veroeffentlichungen/b0_rauschgift/t0_2011/z01_pm_kokain_im_reserverad/index.html

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If the material in this e-mail is used for an alert, then the source of the material is “OPEN SOURCE news article”.
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Added on 11/05/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
70 kg cocaine found in Gioia Tauro port
70 kg cocaine found in Gioia Tauro port
April 28, 20:28

REGGIO CALABRIA, 28 APR - Over 70 kilos of pure cocaine were discovered in a container in transit at the port of Gioia Tauro. The operation 'was scored by financiers of developments, it is by the Customs. The load had left the Colombian port of Santa Marta and was destined for the Spanish market. Would have earned, with retail sales, 15 million €. Yellow flames and customs officials have counted 60 loaves of drugs for a total weight of 70.2 kilos of cocaine in high quality '.

70 kg coca trovati in porto Gioia Tauro
Carico proveniva da Colombia, era destinato alla Spagna
28 aprile, 20:28

(ANSA) - REGGIO CALABRIA, 28 APR - Oltre 70 chili di cocaina pura sono stati scoperti in un container in transito nel porto di Gioia Tauro. L'operazione e' stata messa a segno dai finanzieri del Gico e dall'Agenzia delle dogane. Il carico era partito dal porto colombiano di Santa Marta ed era destinato al mercato spagnolo. Avrebbe fruttato, con la vendita al dettaglio, 15 milioni di euro. Fiamme gialle e doganieri hanno contato 60 panetti di droga per un peso complessivo di 70,2 chili di cocaina di elevata qualita'.


http://www.ansa.it/web/notizie/rubriche/cronaca/2011/04/28/visualizza_new.html_896035939.html

Gioia Tauro, the Finance Police seize over 70 kg of cocaine
April 28, 2011, 18:26 Reggio Calabria

The cocaine seized
The financiers of the nucleus of tax police - Gico of Reggio Calabria, assisted by colleagues from Gioia Tauro seized, in cooperation with the Customs Agency - Central Bureau of Fraud and Svad Gioia Tauro - a load of 70 kilos of pure cocaine found inside a container in transit at the Calabrian port and landed the cargo ship "MSC Ornella". The operation, conducted by the District Anti-Mafia Directorate of Reggio Calabria in close and constant coordination with the Public Prosecutor's office of Palmi, is part in a more 'extensive activities' of the judicial police and allowed, after a series of crosses documentary following meticulous checks on a number of containers in transit at the port of Gioia Tauro, and includes the use of scanner equipment in use at the Customs and the German shepherd of the Guardia di Finanza "Vacon", the detection of concealed cargo in the container shipped from the Colombian port of Santa Marta. The goods, destined for the Iberian market, would have earned, with retail sales, about 15 million €. In this regard, it is to be regarded as the quantity of cocaine seized, cut at least 3 to 4 times would have reached, to the minute sale, an average price of fifty euro per gram. Suspicions have arisen, in particular, the comparison between the customs documentation and the physical characteristics of the load landed containing polypropylene bags, while offsite for a company that sells furniture in Barcelona. At the end of financiers and officers have relied, in three jute bags placed around the center of the load, more than 60 loaves of drugs for a total weight of 70.2 kilos of cocaine of high quality 'and purity.


Gioia Tauro, la Gdf sequestra oltre 70 kg di cocaina
28 aprile 2011, 18:26 Reggio Calabria

La cocaina sequestrata
I finanzieri del nucleo di polizia tributaria - Gico di Reggio Calabria, coadiuvati dai colleghi di Gioia Tauro hanno sequestrato, in collaborazione con l'Agenzia delle Dogane - Ufficio centrale antifrode e Svad di Gioia Tauro - un carico di oltre 70 chili di cocaina purissima rinvenuti all'interno di un container in transito presso il porto calabrese e sbarcato dalla nave mercantile "Msc Ornella". L'operazione, condotta dalla Direzione distrettuale antimafia di Reggio Calabria in stretto e costante coordinamento con la Procura della Repubblica di Palmi, s'inquadra nell'ambito di una piu' vasta attivita' di polizia giudiziaria ed ha consentito, dopo una serie di incroci documentali e successivi meticolosi controlli eseguiti su numerosi container in transito presso il porto di Gioia Tauro, realizzati anche attraverso l'impiego di apparecchiature scanner in uso alla Dogana e del pastore tedesco della Guardia di Finanza "Vacon", l'individuazione del carico occultato nel contenitore imbarcato presso il porto colombiano di Santa Marta. La merce, destinata al mercato iberico, avrebbe fruttato, con la vendita al dettaglio, circa 15 milioni di euro. In merito, va, infatti considerato come, il quantitativo di cocaina sequestrato, tagliato almeno 3 - 4 volte avrebbe raggiunto, alla minuta vendita, un prezzo medio di cinquanta euro al grammo. I sospetti sono sorti, in particolare, dalla comparazione tra la documentazione doganale e le caratteristiche fisiche del carico sbarcato che conteneva sacchi di polipropilene, pur essendo cartolarmente destinato ad una azienda di Barcellona che commercializza mobili. Alla fine finanzieri e doganieri hanno contato, all'interno di tre sacchi di iuta posizionati all'incirca al centro del carico, oltre 60 panetti di droga per un peso complessivo di 70,2 chili di cocaina di elevata qualita' e purezza.

http://www.cn24.tv/news/24431/gioia-tauro-la-gdf-sequestra-oltre-70-kg-di-cocaina.html

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European news
Commissioner 44 kg of cocaine in a container
Commissioner 44 kg of cocaine in a container
Tarragona A joint operation of the Civil Guard in Tarragona and the Customs Surveillance Service of the Inland Revenue allowed the confiscation of 44 kilos of cocaine inside a container that had been unloaded at the port of Tarragona. Under investigation were detected strange movements which led to a suspect vessel reached the Italian pavilion at the pier of Castile on 20, from Costa Rica and whose fate Vado Ligure-in Italy. The drugs were hidden inside the cooling system in 40 plastic packages.
Comissen 44 kg de cocaïna en un contenidor al port
30/04/11 02:00 -
Una operació conjunta de la Guàrdia Civil de Tarragona i del Servei de Vigilància duanera de l'Agència Tributària va permetre el comís de 44 quilos de cocaïna dins d'un contenidor que s'havia descarregat al port de Tarragona. En el marc de les investigacions es van detectar moviments estranys que van provocar que se sospités d'un buc del pavelló italià que havia arribat al Moll de Castilla el dia 20, procedent de Costa Rica i que tenia com a destí Vado-Ligure, a Itàlia. La droga estava amagada dins del sistema de refrigeració de l'embarcació en 40 paquets plastificats.

http://www.elpunt.cat/noticia/article/24-puntdivers/4-divers/404348.html

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European news
Customs to increase after drugs found (Formula 1 racing)
Customs to increase after drugs found (Formula 1 racing)
Mon, 02 May 10:34:00 2011

Formula 1 and motor racing transporters are likely to face tougher scrutiny at UK customs from now on, after drugs were found in the trucks of a Superbike World Championship team last month.

Officials are alleged to have discovered quantities of cocaine, amphetamines and cannabis in the vehicle belonging to Paul Bird Motorport, which runs the Kawasaki Racing Team.
Four staff from the team have been arrested and released on bail.

On the back of the incident, a source at the United Kingdom Border Agency said that there was now likely to be a ramping up of checks on motor racing transport vehicles.

"Our intelligence analysts will be looking much more closely at motorsport vehicles from now on, including Superbikes and even Formula 1," the source was quoted as saying by the Daily Telegraph.

"They have been pulled over very rarely and that will now change."

'Controles op F1-vracht vergroot na drugsvondst'
02-05-2011

Normaalgesproken gaan de trucks en motorhomes van de Formule 1-teams moeiteloos door de douane. Dat zou wel eens kunnen veranderen, nu er bij een Superbike-team een grote hoeveelheid drugs en een wapen is gevonden.

Toen een Italiaans team van Kawasaki in het Engelse Dover aan kwam, werd de ontdekking gedaan. In voertuigen zat een vrij serieuze hoeveelheid drugs verstopt. Cocaïne, amphetaminetabletten en maar liefst honderd kilo aan cannabis, plus een pistool en munitie. Reden genoeg om niet alleen de betrokkenen in de boeien te slaan, maar om ook de controles op te schroeven bij toekomstige passages door de douane.

Volgens een woordvoerder van de Britse douane zullen de internationale teams, dus ook de Formule 1, nu veel vaker gecontroleerd worden.
http://www.gpupdate.net/nl/f1-nieuws/258675/controles-op-f1-vracht-vergroot-na-drugsvondst/

Superbike team lorries 'found to contain drugs'
Formula One and other motorsports are facing a security clampdown after trucks carrying racing motorcycles were allegedly found to have drugs and a handgun on board.
David Barrett, Home Affairs Correspondent 9:45AM BST 01 May 2011
Lorries belonging to a team taking part in the Superbike World Championship were detained at Dover last month after arriving by road and ferry from Italy.

On board the Kawasaki Racing Team trucks, officers allegedly discovered 18lbs (8kg) of cocaine, 157lbs (71kg) of amphetamine tablets and more than 220lbs (100kg) of cannabis – as well as a handgun and 35 rounds of ammunition, left lying on a table ins ide one vehicle.

It is claimed that no attempt had been made to conceal the weapon or the drugs.

A UKBA source said: "Our intelligence analysts will be looking much more closely at motorsport vehicles from now on, including Superbikes and even Formula One.

"They have been pulled over very rarely and that will now change."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/8485812/Superbike-team-lorries-found-to-contain-drugs.html

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European news
Bulgaria's Varna EU Entry Point for Cocaine from Latin America - Europol
Bulgaria's Varna EU Entry Point for Cocaine from Latin America - Europol
Bulgaria in EU | May 4, 2011, Wednesday

Bulgaria is one of five criminal hubs in the European Union, according to Europol latest report. Photo by Europol

Black Sea ports including Odessa, Constanta and Bulgaria's Varna have been identified as points of transit or entry for cocaine from Latin America, according to the latest report on organized crime by Europol.
"Within South East Europe, Bulgaria now serves as a transit point for maritime shipments from Latin America, trafficking from West Africa via Turkey and the Balkan Routes, and cocaine destined for Italian criminal groups," reads the annual analysis, entitled "EU organized crime threat assessment".

According to the report notable modi operandi include concealment in exotic fruit shipments and neutralisation in other materials or solutions, such as coffee, wine, polyester resin and textiles.

The text adds that the control by street gangs of drugs markets in some parts of this region is a concern to authorities, in as much as their affiliation to Latin American gangs may afford them privileged access to cocaine.

"Intelligence indicates that Russian speaking individuals resident in Latin America are facilitating and organising the trafficking of cocaine to the EU and the Russian Federation. EU citizens are also recruited as couriers by Russian criminal groups."

This year's report confirms the prevalence of five criminal hubs in the EU, highlighting the particular impact of the South-East hub and the Western Balkans region.

Of all the hubs the South East has seen the greatest expansion in recent years, as a result of increased trafficking via the Black Sea, proliferation of numerous Balkan routes for illicit commodities to and from the EU, and a significant increase in illegal immigration via Greece.

"Albanian speaking, Turkish and Former Soviet Union criminal groups are seeking to expand their interests in the EU, and may exploit opportunities in the possible accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen Zone, and recent and prospective EU visa exemptions for Western Balkan states, the Ukraine and Moldova," says the report.

Europol warns that the possible accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the Schengen Zone will greatly widen the Eastern green and blue borders.

"This has the potential to release the pressure on the Turkish-Greek border, and lead to increased targeting of Bulgaria and the Black Sea coast by illegal immigrants and their facilitators," it says.

http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=127917

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European news
Naval DETECTING DRUGS IN CONTAINER FROM COLOMBIA (destination ANTWERP)
Naval DETECTING DRUGS IN CONTAINER FROM COLOMBIA (destination ANTWERP)
AERONAVAL DETECTA DROGA EN CONTENEDOR PROCEDENTE DE COLOMBIA
06 de Mayo, 2011

Treinta y dos paquetes de cocaína, cuyo valor por unidad supera los 90 mil dólares en Europa, se encontraron escondidos en la puerta de un contenedor de 20"(pies) procedente de Colombia, luego que miembros de la Dirección de Inteligencia del Servicio Nacional Aeronaval dieran aviso al Grupo Global Control de Contenedores sobre su presencia en Balboa.

Este contenedor, mantenía en su interior más de 300 sacos de café, había llegado al país el pasado domingo y su salida sería el martes 3 de mayo, pero se encontraba retenido para ser inspeccionado cuyo destino era hacia Antwerp en Bélgica donde debería llegar el 16 de mayo, después de realizar travesía por el Atlántico.

Es importante mencionar que por primera vez utilizan esta modalidad para llevar a cabo la actividad ilícita, sin embargo el Grupo Global de Contenedores, conformado por los Estamentos de Seguridad Pública, en otras ocasiones han incautado drogas en los distintos puertos del país donde las redes del narcotráfico utilizan otros métodos para cumplir sus objetivos.

Los funcionarios del Grupo Global de Contenedores realizarán una inspección a la carga que contiene el contenedor de la Compañía Naviera Meditarranean Shipping Company, (MSC) para descartar la posibilidad que exista más sustancías ilícitas en otras partes del mismo.

http://www.aeronaval.gob.pa/NOTICIAS_2011/MAYO/02-05-11.html

Naval DETECTING DRUGS IN CONTAINER FROM COLOMBIA
May 6, 2011

Thirty-two packages of cocaine, whose unit value exceeds $ 90 000 in Europe, were found hidden in the door of a container of 20 '(feet) from Colombia, after members of the Intelligence Directorate of the National Air Service give notice to the Global Container Control Panel for its presence in Balboa.

This container, kept inside more than 300 bags of coffee, had arrived in the country last Sunday and his departure would be on Tuesday May 3, but was retained for inspection whose destiny was to Antwerp in Belgium where it should reach 16 May, after making the Atlantic crossing.

It is noteworthy that for the first time using this mode for carrying out the illegal activity, however the Global Container Group, formed by the Estates of Public Security, at other times drugs have been seized at various ports of the country where networks drug use other methods to achieve their goals.

Officials from Global Container Group conducted an inspection of the cargo container containing the Meditarranean Shipping Company Shipping Company (MSC) to rule out the possibility that there is more substance abuse in other parts.


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European news
Dortmunder Zollbeamte beschlagnahmen vier Kilogramm Marihuana
Dortmunder Zollbeamte beschlagnahmen vier Kilogramm Marihuana
Verbotene Reifenfüllung mit Drogen
Dortmund, 4. Mai 2011

Ein polnischer Pkw wurde am 2. Mai 2011 gegen Mittag auf der Rastanlage "Rhynern Süd" durch Beamte des Hauptzollamts Dortmund kontrolliert.

Der Fahrer, ein 29-jähriger polnischer Staatsbürger, konnte sich nicht ausweisen und hatte auch keine weiteren Dokumente zur Identitätsfeststellung bei sich.
Seine Angaben wurden durch ein polizeiliches Informationssystem überprüft und konnten bestätigt werden, da der Mann bereits vor einigen Jahren erkennungsdienstlich behandelt wurde.

Als Reisezweck gab er an, er sei für einen Tag in Duisburg gewesen und nun auf dem Rückweg nach Polen. Das Auto habe er sich geliehen. Aufgrund weiterer widersprüchlicher Angaben entschlossen sich die Zöllner, den Pkw in einer Werkstatt intensiver zu überprüfen.

Bei der Durchsicht des Kofferraums stellten die Beamten fest, dass das Ersatzrad größer war als die am Pkw montierten Reifen. Der Grund wurde nach dem Abziehen des Pneus von der Felge sichtbar. Befüllt war der Reifen mit zwölf Tüten Marihuana statt Luft.

Insgesamt wurden vier Kilogramm Marihuana beschlagnahmt. Der Beschuldigte wurde vorläufig festgenommen und gegen ihn ein Strafverfahren wegen Verstoßes gegen das Betäubungsmittelgesetz eingeleitet.

Die weiteren Ermittlungen führt das Zollfahndungsamt Essen.

Herausgeber:
Hauptzollamt Dortmund
Kronenburgallee 7
44139 Dortmund

Kontakt:
Uwe Jungesblut
Tel.: 0231/9571-204
Fax: 0231/9571-199
E-Mail: presse-zoll@hzado.bfinv.de

http://www.zoll.de/f0_veroeffentlichungen/b0_rauschgift/t0_2011/y94_pm_reifenfuellung/index.html

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European news
Brummifahrer auf Abwegen
Brummifahrer auf Abwegen
Duisburg, 20. April 2011
Zoll beschlagnahmt sechs Kilogramm Rauschgift
Aus der Fahrerkabine eines Lastkraftwagens holten Zollbeamte der Kontrolleinheit Verkehrswege Emmerich des Hauptzollamts Duisburg während einer Kontrolle auf der Autobahn 3 über fünf Kilogramm Marihuana und ein Kilogramm Amphetamine.
Die Beamten bemerkten den typischen Marihuanageruch im Führerhaus des Lastkraftwagens eines Schweizer Staatsbürgers. Überbleibsel eines Joints, den er in der Fahrerkabine geraucht habe, erklärte der Besitzer. Ein Teil des Geruchs stammte allerdings von 19 Joints, die unter dem Dachhimmel der Fahrerkabine versteckt waren.
Grund genug für die Zöllner, das Fahrzeug an der Dienststelle eingehender zu inspizieren, zumal sich nach Angaben des Fahrers die Schlafbank über dem Kabinenstauraum wegen eines mechanischen Schadens seit längerem nicht öffnen ließ. Aber gerade in diesem Bereich war für die erfahrenen Beamten noch immer ein intensiver Marihuanageruch wahrnehmbar.
Der technische Defekt stellte sich schnell als fachmännische Manipulation des Schlosses der Stauraumklappe heraus. Hier fanden die Zöllner dann auch das vermutete Rauschgift: drei in Folie verschweißte Pakete mit insgesamt fünf Kilogramm Marihuana und einem Kilogramm Amphetamine mit einem Straßenverkaufswert von rund 70.000 Euro.
"Diesmal waren im wahrsten Sinne des Wortes die Nasen der Kollegen maßgeblich am Erfolg beteiligt", so Norbert Schiwon, Pressesprecher des Hauptzollamts, zum erfolgreich vereitelten Drogenschmuggel.
Der mutmaßliche Dealer wurde vorläufig festgenommen und der Lastkraftwagen sichergestellt. Die weiteren Ermittlungen führt die Zweigstelle Kleve des Zollfahndungsamts Essen.
Herausgeber:
Hauptzollamt Duisburg
Köhnenstraße 5-11
47051 Duisburg
Kontakt:
Norbert Schiwon
Tel.: 0203/7134-413
Fax: 0203/7134-111
E-Mail: presse-zoll@hzadu.bfinv.de
Added on 21/04/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
UPDAE The drug was hidden in boxes of pineapples and bananas. The destination was Belgium and Spain.
UPDAE The drug was hidden in boxes of pineapples and bananas. The destination was Belgium and Spain.
Tonelada de “narcofrutas” en puerto marítimo
El alcaloide fue camuflado en piñas y cajas con plátanos. El destino era Bélgica y España.
El puerto marítimo Libertador Simón Bolívar de Guayaquil no solo se constituyó como paso importante para las embarcaciones comerciales del mundo, sino también para el narcotráfico. Dos cargamentos, que en total suma 1 tonelada 310.876 kilogramos, fueron incautados en la terminal portuaria, el pasado fin de semana.

La jefatura provincial Antinarcóticos del Guayas reveló el hallazgo de la droga, la cual fue cuidadosamente camuflada en cajas de piña y banano. El alcaloide pretendía ser llevado al continente europeo, específicamente a España y Bélgica.

“Piñas rellenas”
El pasado viernes los agentes de Control Antinarcóticos de puerto realizaron una inspección en el contenedor de siglas CGMU4976673, que pertenecía a la empresa Elaminvest S.A y cuyo destino era la ciudad de Amberes en Bélgica.
El contenedor fue revisado con la ayuda del can antidrogas Tenoch, el cual olfateó y dio su señal de alerta positiva. Es así que el fiscal a cargo de la operación dio la autorización de abrir las cajas que contenían piñas de exportación. Las frutas fueron perforadas y se constató que habían al menos 1.270 bloques con droga camuflados.
Quienes procesaron las piñas abrían la pulpa y reforzaban la cáscara con una mezcla de cera y naftalina. El peso total del alcaloide decomisado era de 1’021.477 gramos (más de una tonelada).

A partir del hallazgo se realizó una minuciosa investigación sobre la procedencia del cargamento ilícito. Se allanó el local de la compañía Elaminvest, situado en el centro comercial Gran Albocentro. También se inspeccionó el domicilio del representante de la empresa y un galpón ubicado en la ciudad de Quevedo.
Los uniformados detuvieron a cuatro personas, quienes eran funcionarios de la exportadora de la compañía proveedora de fruta Ingosacorp. Los aprehendidos fueron identificados como Amílcar Ostillo Vaca Dorado, Carlos David Endara Clavijo, Rolando Jorge Subía Merizalde y Julio Omar Cedeño Jijón.
Barraganetes cargados con coca
Un día después del hallazgo de la droga camuflada en piñas, se localizó otro alijo, esta vez en el bananapuerto situado en la isla Trinitaria. Esta vez se trataba de un contenedor cargado con plátano barraganete, perteneciente a la exportadora Unión de Bananeros Ecuatorianos S.A.
El can antidrogas Brix olfateó el contenedor, dando alerta de la posible existencia de droga en uno de los palés. Los agentes revisaron las cajas con el logotipo de Dole y hallaron 240 paquetes de forma rectangular que contenían clorhidrato de cocaína.
La droga pretendía ser enviada a España y su peso total alcanzaba los 289.402 kilogramos.
Al momento la Policía Nacional investiga a las personas relacionadas con el ilícito y por el momento se maneja la posibilidad que la cocaína provenga de Colombia.
http://m.extra.ec/ediciones/2011/04/13/cronica/tonelada-de--narcofrutas-en-puerto-maritimo/?pageNum=0
Ton of "narcofrutas" in seaport

The traffickers were withdrawing the pulp of the pineapple and loaded with blocks of cocaine.

The seaport of Guayaquil Simon Bolivar was not only as an important step for commercial vessels in the world, but also for drug trafficking. Two loads, which together cover 1 ton 310,876 kilograms were seized in the port terminal, last weekend.

Narcotics headquarters of Guayas province revealed the discovery of the drug, which was carefully hidden in boxes of pineapples and bananas. The drug was meant to be taken to Europe, specifically Spain and Belgium.

"Pineapple stuffed"
Last Friday, the Narcotics Control agents conducted an inspection port in the container stands CGMU4976673, which belonged to the company Elaminvest SA and whose destination was the city of Antwerp in Belgium.
The container was tested with the help of Tenoch drug dog, which sniffed and gave his positive alert. Thus, the prosecutor in charge of the operation gave the authorization to open the boxes containing export pineapples. The fruits were drilled and found to have had at least 1,270 drug blocks camouflaged.
Who processed pineapple pulp and opened the shell reinforced with a mixture of wax and naphthalene. The total weight of the alkaloid was seized 1'021 .477 grams (over one ton).

A discovery was made after a thorough investigation into the origin of illicit cargo. They accepted the company's local Elaminvest, located in the Great Mall Albocentro. Also inspected the address of the representative of the company and a warehouse located in the city of Quevedo.
The soldiers arrested four persons, who were employees of the exporter of the fruit supply company Ingosacorp. The arrested were identified as Amilcar ostill Vaca Dorado, David Endara Carlos Clavijo, Jorge Rolando Subía Merizalde and Julio Omar Cedeño Jijón.

Bulwark loaded with coca

One day after the discovery of drugs hidden in pineapples, is located another cache, this time in the Bananapuerto island in the Trinity. This time it was a container filled with banana barraganete, belonging to the Union of Banana Exporting Ecuadorian SA
The drug dog sniffed the container Brix, giving warning of the possible existence of drugs in one of the pallets. The agents checked the boxes with the logo of Dole and found 240 packages containing a rectangular cocaine hydrochloride.
The drug was intended to be sent to Spain and its total weight stood at 289,402 kilograms.
National Police when investigating those involved in the crime and currently handles the possibility that cocaine comes from Colombia.
Added on 18/04/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Agents seize 21 kilos of cocaine at Caucedo Port The container’s final destination was Hamburg, Germany
Agents seize 21 kilos of cocaine at Caucedo Port The container’s final destination was Hamburg, Germany
SANTO DOMINGO.- The Drugs Control Agency (DNCD) said it seized 21 kilos of cocaine at the Caucedo Multimodal Port, in Boca Chica on Thursday, in a container full of wood in transit from Ecuador to Germany.
Antinarcotics agents found the drug taped within a bundle inside container # HLXU6511653 full of treated wood, during inspections of the shipments from and to abroad.
The container’s final destination was Hamburg, Germany, the DNCD said in a statement, adding that it widens the investigation.
http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/local/2011/4/14/39259/Agents-seize-21-kilos-of-cocaine-at-Caucedo-Port
Added on 18/04/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Drug, fraud gangs costing Australia $15b a year
Drug, fraud gangs costing Australia $15b a year
15-4-2011

Huge industry: A haul of Mexican cocaine seized in Melbourne in 2008 (AAP: Joe Castro)
Organised crime is costing the Australian economy a staggering $15 billion a year, according to new figures released by the Australian Crime Commission (ACC).
The commission's report found credit card fraud, identity theft and cyber crime are all on the rise.
But it is Australians' love of illicit drugs that is proving to be the most lucrative source of income for organised crime.
Illicit drugs are the most profitable form of organised crime, with cocaine, ecstasy, and ice, or crystal meth, among the most commonly traded chemicals.
Australia's illegal drug market is a multi-billion-dollar enterprise with a large number of syndicates.
"Australians are among the world's highest per capita consumers of illicit stimulants and drug prices in Australia far exceed prices overseas, making domestic drug production and importation highly profitable," the report said.
ACC chief executive John Lawler says most of the cocaine that comes into Australia is imported from South and Central America.
"These are big networked operations. These are big businesses," he told ABC Radio's AM program.
"They rely on a whole range of activity to undertake their importations, particularly trusted insiders and internal facilitators, people who are corrupted.
"The Mexican cartels may indeed use organised criminal networks here in Australia to further distribute their drugs."
Mr Lawler says there is a "very lucrative" illicit drug market in Australia, "particularly for cocaine".
"These cartels are in the business of making money and what they see is a lucrative market here," he said.
"They are prepared to take the risk of peddling their death and misery here in Australia to make that money."
Other crimes
Tax evasion, money laundering, fraud, identity crime and high-tech crime are also high on the list of crimes, with internet-based crime tipped to increase in the short- to medium-term.
Home Affairs Minister Brendan O'Connor says organised crime now plays out on a worldwide stage.
"Because of technology, because of the evolving nature of our economy, crime has gone global, increasingly crime is transnational," he said.
"Criminals are no longer recognising boundaries of states. That's why law enforcement agencies have to work closer and closer together.
"We are seeing through intelligence and close co-operation successful outcomes in detecting, disrupting and apprehending criminals but we need to do more.
"This report is a reminder to the public that these are major challenges and people must make sure they secure themselves."
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/04/14/3191967.htm

For the Australian colleagues: http://www.crimecommission.gov.au/organised_crime/index.htm
Added on 18/04/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Civil Guard seized more than 570 kilograms of hashish pollen hidden in the wheels of a trailer La Guardia Civil incauta más 570 Kilogramos de polen de hachís ocultos en las ruedas de un trailer
Civil Guard seized more than 570 kilograms of hashish pollen hidden in the wheels of a trailer La Guardia Civil incauta más 570 Kilogramos de polen de hachís ocultos en las ruedas de un trailer
09/04/2011
The drug was hidden in the six wheels of a trailer carrying a container ue and intended to ship in Melilla to the mainland address
This intervention is the result of the training of agents for the detection of suspicious shipments, the search methods and optimal use of technical means and dogs in their implementation
Melilla La Guardia Civil have arrested a person who sought to move to Spain more than 570 kilograms of hashish pollen hidden in the wheels of the trailer he was driving.
The drug had been concealed in the six-wheeled trailer for transport of containers at a rate of about 90 kg each. The drug was found when officers were alerted by the detector dog and underwent x-rays wheels to track down the hideout.
So far this year, the Civil Guard in Melilla has seized more than 2700 kilos of various drugs hidden using different methods of camouflage.
As methods of concealment of drugs, it is remarkable that 45% are in the fuel tank, 40% in elaborate double bottoms (double metal boxes hidden areas of the vehicle) and finally to 15% within Wheel as in this case.
The movement of container trailers in the Port of Melilla is 300 per week, reaching more than 15,000 a year.
This intervention is the result of the training given to agents for the detection of suspicious shipments, search methods and optimal use of technical means and dogs in their implementation.
For more information contact the Office Peripheral Communication (OPC) of the Civil Guard in Melilla, tel. 952 69 60 33, ext. 1114.
To request images please contact the Press Office of the Civil Guard, tel. 91 514 60 10.
http://www.guardiacivil.es/prensa/notas/noticia.jsp?idnoticia=3072

La Guardia Civil incauta más 570 Kilogramos de polen de hachís ocultos en las ruedas de un trailer
09/04/2011
La droga se escondía en las seis ruedas de un trailer ue transportaba un contenedor y que pretendía embarcar en Melilla con dirección a la península
Esta intervención es el resultado de la formación de los agentes para detección de envíos sospechosos, los métodos de búsqueda y el empleo óptimo de medios técnicos y canes en su ejecución
La Guardia Civil de Melilla ha detenido a persona que pretendía trasladar a la Península más de 570 Kilogramos de polen de hachís ocultos entre las ruedas del trailer que conducía.
La droga venía oculta en las seis ruedas del remolque de transporte de contenedores, a razón de unos 90 kg cada una. La droga se encontró cuando los agentes fueron alertados por el perro detector y se pasaron rayos x a las ruedas para localizar el escondite.
En lo que va de año, la Guardia Civil de Melilla ha incautado más de 2700 kilos de diferentes drogas ocultas utilizando diferentes métodos de camuflaje.
Como métodos de ocultación de la droga, se puede destacar que el 45% lo están en el depósito de combustible, el 40% en dobles fondos muy elaborados (cajas metálicas dobles en zonas ocultas del vehículo) y por último un 15% en el interior de ruedas como en este caso.
El movimiento de remolques portacontenedores en el Puerto de Melilla es de 300 por semana, alcanzando la cifra de más de 15.000 al año.
Esta intervención es el resultado de la formación que reciben los agentes para detección de envíos sospechosos, métodos de búsqueda y el empleo óptimo de medios técnicos y canes en su ejecución.
Para más información pueden contactar con la Oficina Periférica de Comunicación (OPC) de la Guardia Civil de Melilla, tlf. 952 69 60 33, ext. 1114.
Para solicitud de imágenes pueden contactar con el Gabinete de Prensa de la Guardia Civil, tlf. 91 514 60 10.
Added on 18/04/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
TTwo held after 60kg drug seizure the cannabis was imported through Dublin Port from Cyprus via the Netherlands.
TTwo held after 60kg drug seizure the cannabis was imported through Dublin Port from Cyprus via the Netherlands.
Sunday, April 17, 2011

The Irish Times takes no responsibility for the content
or availability of other websites
Two men have been arrested following the seizure of 60kg of cannabis in Dublin.
The drugs, which have an estimated street value of €720,000, were seized at a business premises in Drumcondra.
The cannabis was imported through Dublin Port from Cyprus via the Netherlands.
Customs officers and gardaí observed the shipment as it moved from Dublin Port to the point at which it was seized.
The men, who are from England and aged 35 and 37 years, were arrested under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996.
They are being held at Store Street Garda station.
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0417/breaking14.html
Added on 18/04/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Man charged with smuggling drugs into UK, Cocaine, heroin and methamphetamines (The drugs were found in wrapped packages inside two suitcases that had come off a flight from Amsterdam)
Man charged with smuggling drugs into UK, Cocaine, heroin and methamphetamines (The drugs were found in wrapped packages inside two suitcases that had come off a flight from Amsterdam)
Published on Wednesday 6 April 2011 11:36
A MAN has been charged with trying to smuggle drugs worth £1.4m into the UK.
Cocaine, heroin and methamphetamines were discovered by UK Border Agency officers at Heathrow in one of the biggest seizures of its kind at the airport so far this year.
Adegboyega Ayobami Adeniji, 47, of Sandmere Close, Hemel Hempstead was arrested and later charged with attempting to import controlled drugs.
He was due to appear at Uxbridge Magistrates Court yesterday when he was expected to be remanded in custody.
The drugs were found in wrapped packages inside two suitcases that had come off a flight from Amsterdam into Terminal 5 on Monday evening. Adeniji had been a passenger on the plane.
In total around 33 kilos of cocaine, two kilos of heroin and two kilos of methamphetamines, commonly called crystal meth, were found.
UK Border Agency Heathrow director Graeme Kyle said: “As this shows, our officers are on constant alert to keep class A drugs and other banned substances out of the UK.”
Added on 17/04/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Encomienda contenía cocaína y era su destino a Holanda
Encomienda contenía cocaína y era su destino a Holanda
29-3-2011
La Senad dio apertura a la encomienda que fue incautado en el Aeropuerto Silvio Pettirossi (Paraguay),
la apertura se realizo hoy en hora de oficina, en el despacho de Atención Permanente del Palacio de Justicia.

Dicha encomienda tenía como festino final Ámsterdam, Holanda, en presencia del Juez Penal de Garantías Abog.
Rubén Darío Riquelme y el Fiscal Antidrogas Abog. Jorge Noguera abrieron el paquete.
Por disposición del Juez. Rubén Riquelme, se procedió a la apertura de la encomienda que
fue interceptada el pasado jueves, durante un control de rutina efectuado por la SENAD.
Destacados en el Aeropuerto Internacional de la capital Luqueña, hallando dentro de la “saca” del correo una caja conteniendo un
Álbum de Fotos, en cuya tapa y contratapa se encontraban ocultos laminas que contenían un total de 283 Gramos de COCAINA.

El Juez Darío Riquelme luego de la apertura del álbum dispuso que la misma esa guarda y custodia en la Bóveda de Evidencias de la Senad.
http://www.noticiaspolicialespy.com/v3/component/content/article/34-slide-show/555-encomienda-contenia-cocaina-y-era-su-destino-a-holanda.html
Mandates contained cocaine and was destined for the Netherlands.
29-3-2011
The Senad she opened the parcel that was seized at the airport Silvio Pettirossi,

opening was held today at office hours at the office of the Permanent Care of the Palace of Justice.

This parcel had the final Festino Amsterdam, Netherlands, in the presence of Criminal Justice Abog Guarantee.

Ruben Dario Riquelme and Fiscal Drug Abog. Jorge Noguera opened the package.

By order of the judge. Ruben Riquelme, proceeded to the opening of the parcel that

was stopped last Thursday, during a routine check conducted by the SENAD.

Featured in the Capital International Airport Luqueño, finding in the "out" of mail a box containing a

Photo Album, in whose front and back covers were hidden sheets containing a total of 283 grams of cocaine.

Judge Dario Riquelme after the opening of the album that established that the same care and custody in the Evidence Vault of Senad.

***********************************************************************
This news article and/or link has been retrieved from public sources and sent to a selected group of Law Enforcement Officers in several countries of the world.
The content does not reflect in any way the official policy, interest or opinion of Dutch Customs and/or Dutch government.
If the material in this e-mail is used for an alert, then the source of the material is “OPEN SOURCE news article”.
In case the original text is written in a language, not English or German, a translation is given from a web based automatic translator. This will not give a 100% correct translation.
My website with favourites: http://crazycustoms.pbworks.com/ (please inform me when you find dead links etc.)
Added on 17/04/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Harte Zeiten für Drogenschmuggler
Harte Zeiten für Drogenschmuggler
Osnabrück, 1. April 2011
23,5 Kilogramm Haschisch und 12 Kilogramm Marihuana sichergestellt;
Schwarzmarktwert 266.000 Euro
Die Zollbeamten der Kontrolleinheit Verkehrswege des Hauptzollamts Osnabrück wurden bei ihrer unermüdlichen Fahndung nach Drogenschmugglern schon wieder fündig. Sie stoppten am 31. März 2011 auf der Autobahn 30 zwei polnische Staatsbürger, die zuvor mit ihrem polnischen Kleintransporter aus den Niederlanden eingereist waren. Die Ladefläche war voll mit gebrauchten Kopier- und Faxgeräten sowie Zubehörteilen, die die Polen angeblich zuvor in den Niederlanden gekauft hatten.
Bei der intensiveren Kontrolle der Ladung entdeckten die Beamten eine zwischen den Geräten verstaute Reisetasche. Nach dem Öffnen der Tasche kamen mehrere, mit braunem Klebeband umwickelte, rechteckig geformte Blöcke zum Vorschein, die Haschisch enthielten. Bei der weiteren Durchsuchung wurden in einem Karton zehn Aluminiumtüten mit Marihuana entdeckt.
Um auch den Rest der Ladung noch genauer kontrollieren zu können, wurde das Fahrzeug durch ein Abschleppunternehmen zur Dienststelle in Schüttorf transportiert. Hier kam wieder einmal der schon recht bekannte Rauschgiftspürhund "Kjell" zum Einsatz. Auch diesmal war Kjell erfolgreich. Er zeigte starkes Interesse an einem Zubehörteil für Kopierer. Nach dem Öffnen des Gerätes kamen zwei weitere Aluminiumtüten mit Marihuana zum Vorschein.
Insgesamt wurden 23,5 Kilogramm Haschisch und 12 Kilogramm Marihuana gefunden. Der Schwarzmarktwert beträgt 266.000 Euro.
Die beiden Polen wurden vorläufig festgenommen und zwecks weiterer Ermittlungen dem Zollfandungsamt Essen - Dienstsitz Nordhorn - übergeben. Nach ersten Ermittlungen der Fahnder handelt es sich zumindest bei einem der festgenommenen Schmuggler um einen Rauschgiftkurier.
Der Haftrichter beim Amtsgericht Nordhorn erließ auf Antrag der Staatsanwaltschaft Osnabrück Haftbefehl und die Täter wurden in die nächstgelegene Justizvollzugsanstalt eingeliefert.
Added on 17/04/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Hamburger Zollfahnder haben in einem Überseecontainer aus Bolivien 320 Kilogramm hochreines Kokain beschlagnahmt
Hamburger Zollfahnder haben in einem Überseecontainer aus Bolivien 320 Kilogramm hochreines Kokain beschlagnahmt
Koks in Holzbrettern
Hamburg, 1. April 2011
Zollfahndung entdeckt 320 Kilogramm Kokain im Hamburger Hafen
Hamburger Zollfahnder haben in einem Überseecontainer aus Bolivien 320 Kilogramm hochreines Kokain beschlagnahmt. Das Rauschgift war aufwendig in Holzbrettern eingearbeitet.
Ein Fahnder der Ermittlungsgruppe Hafen hatte bereits im Februar 2011 einen Container aus Bolivien, in dem sich Holzmöbel befinden sollten, für eine eingehende Kontrolle ausgewählt.
Zunächst wurde der Container in der Röntgenanlage durchleuchtet, wo festgestellt werden konnte, dass sich neben Möbelstücken auch andere, größere Packstücke im hinteren Bereich des Containers befanden.
Nach Öffnung des Containers stellten sich diese Packstücke als mehrere Bündel mit Brettern heraus, die nicht zu den angemeldeten Möbeln passten. Die genaue Untersuchung der einzelnen Bretter führte zum Auffinden des Rauschgifts, welches äußerst aufwendig und professionell in dem Holz eingearbeitet war.
Insgesamt befanden sich in 200 Brettern jeweils 12 Pakete mit je rund 135 Gramm Kokain. Das entspricht einer Gesamtmenge von etwa 320 Kilogramm.
Anschließende Ermittlungen im Bestimmungsland Montenegro durch die dortigen Behörden führten am 28. März 2011 zur Festnahme zweier Haupttatverdächtiger. Es handelt sich dabei um einen 54-jährigen Montenegriner mit niederländischer Staatsangehörigkeit sowie seinen 26-jährigen Sohn.
Das Kokain hat einen Straßenverkaufswert von rund 16 Millionen Euro.
"Der Aufgriff zeigt erneut, welch hervorragende Arbeit die Beamten der Ermittlungsgruppe Hafen leisten, denn der Erfolg ist allein dem Gespür und der Hartnäckigkeit dieser Beamten zu verdanken", sagte die Vorsteherin des Zollfahndungsamts Hamburg, Sabine Heise.
Herausgeber:
Zollfahndungsamt Hamburg
Sieker Landstraße 13
22143 Hamburg
Kontakt:
Axel Hirth
Tel.: 040/67571-710
Fax: 040/67571-201
E-Mail: presse@zfa-hamburg.de
Added on 17/04/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Man had cocaine in his stomach (TWO Dutch nationals)
Man had cocaine in his stomach (TWO Dutch nationals)
Published on April 10, 2011
TWO Dutch nationals, a 62-year-old man and a woman, 53, were yesterday remanded in custody for six days after they were caught trying to smuggle through customs, 470 grammes of cocaine hidden inside the mans body, Larnaca police said.
The pair arrived at Larnaca airport 20 minutes after midnight on a flight from Brussels.
Their behaviour raised suspicions and they were picked up and taken to Larnaca hospital where they underwent an MRI, which revealed the presence of 47 small packages inside the man.
http://www.cyprus-mail.com/cyprus/man-had-cocaine-his-stomach/20110410
Added on 12/04/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Polícia de Pernambuco apreende 335,5 kg de cocaína em barco The Civil Police of Pernambuco seized on Sunday afternoon (10), in Recife, about 335.5 kilograms of cocaine
Polícia de Pernambuco apreende 335,5 kg de cocaína em barco The Civil Police of Pernambuco seized on Sunday afternoon (10), in Recife, about 335.5 kilograms of cocaine
Segundo delegado, é a maior apreensão na história do estado.
Droga estava escondida em um fundo falso na proa da embarcação.
10/04/2011
A Polícia Civil de Pernambuco apreendeu na tarde deste domingo (10), no Recife, cerca de 335,5 kg de cocaína. O droga estava escondida dentro de um barco ancorado em um porto da capital. Um argentino de 32 anos e uma brasileira de 21 foram presos. Segundo a polícia, é a maior apreensão de drogas da história de Pernambuco.
Os policiais foram chamados ao local após uma denúncia anônima. “Ao chegarmos no lugar onde o barco estava ancorado, percebemos que a parte da frente dele estava muito inclinada em relação a popa”, afirmou o delegado Ariosto Esteves, responsável pela apreensão. Ainda segundo ele, o casal suspeito confirmou que a cocaína era deles e que a droga iria para a Europa.
Os tijolos de cocaína estavam escondidos em um fundo falso localizado na proa do barco que estava ancorado no Iate Clube do Recife desde o dia 19 de janeiro. Segundo a polícia, a embarcação não deixou a cidade nos últimos três meses, mas foi usada para a realização de festas. O barco partiria para Europa nesta segunda-feira (11), de acordo com o delegado.
Suspeito contratou marinheiros
De acordo com a polícia, o argentino que vai ser indiciado por tráfico internacional de drogas junto com sua namorada, havia contratado três marinheiros estrangeiros (dois portugueses e um alemão), que foram liberados após o flagrante já que, segundo a políciam não tinham nenhuma relação com a droga. O trio seria responsável em conduzir o veleiro até a Europa.
A polícia também apreendeu R$ 25 mil em dinheiro, dois notebooks e um aparelho celular com o casal suspeito. De acordo com Esteves, os aparelhos podem conter informações importantes sobre o destino da droga. O caso foi encaminhado para o Departamento de Repressão ao Narcotráfico (Denarc) do Recife.

http://g1.globo.com/brasil/noticia/2011/04/policia-de-pernambuco-apreende-3355-kg-de-cocaina-em-barco.html
Police seize 335.5 kg of Pernambuco cocaine on boat
Second delegate, is the largest seizure in state history.
Drug was hidden in a false bottom in the bow of the vessel.
10/04/2011
The Civil Police of Pernambuco seized on Sunday afternoon (10), in Recife, about 335.5 kilograms of cocaine. The drug was hidden in a boat docked at a port of the capital. A 32 year old Argentinian and a Brazilian, 21 were arrested. According to police, is the largest drug seizure in the history of Pernambuco.
The police were called to the scene after an anonymous tip. "When we arrived at the place where the boat was anchored, we noticed that the front it was very slanted towards the stern," said the chief Ariosto Esteves, responsible for the arrest. Also according to him, the couple confirmed that the suspected cocaine was theirs and that the drug would go to Europe.
The bricks of cocaine were hidden in a false bottom located in the bow of the boat that was moored at the Yacht Club do Recife since Jan. 19. Police said the boat did not leave the city for the last three months, but was used for the conduct of parties. The boat would leave for Europe on Monday (11), according to the sheriff.
Suspect sailors hired
According to police, the Argentine who will be charged with international drug trafficking along with his girlfriend, had hired three foreign sailors (two Portuguese and one German), which were released after striking since, police said they had no relationship with the drug. The trio was responsible for driving the boat to Europe.
Police also seized £ 25,000 in cash, two laptops and a cell phone with the couple suspect. According to Esteves, the devices may contain important information about the fate of the drug. The case was referred to the Department for the Repression of Drug Trafficking (Denarc) of Recife.


youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=iJVulPIGRWc
Cocaína apreendida em barco no Recife chegou a 335 quilos
Publicado em 10.04.2011, às 19h54
A Polícia Civil de Pernambuco informou que a cocaína encontrada no assoalho de uma embarcação ancorada no Recife, na tarde deste domingo (10), pesou, na verdade, 335 quilos - e não 150 kg como havia sido divulgado anteriormente. Na pesagem oficial da droga constatou-se a maior quantidade do material, apresentado em altíssimo grau de pureza.
Foram presos Carlos Nicholas Lombardo, de 33 anos, e Yasmin Fercylla de França, de 22. De acordo com a polícia, eles pretendiam levar o entorpecente para a Espanha nesta segunda-feira (11), onde seria comercializado. Segundo o delegado que conduziu a operação de prisão dos suspeitos e interceptação da droga, Newton Motta, a quantidade apreendida é avaliada em R$ 8,375 milhões (já que o quilo custa, em média, R$ 25 mil).

A droga estava acondicionada no assoalho embaixo da cama do quarto principal de uma embarcação cubana, o barco Yeux II, que estaria ancorado desde janeiro no Pernambuco Iate Clube (PIC), próximo à antiga Casa de Banhos, em Brasília Teimosa, bairro do Pina, na Zona Sul do Recife. Segundo as investigações, a embarcação chegou à capital pernambucana conduzida por outro argentino, cujo nome ainda é desconhecido.

Segundo a versão contada por Carlos, que nega tudo, ele trabalha como mecânico na Argentina e teria comprado o barco desse outro argentino sem saber da existência da droga. Yasmin é brasileira e trabalha como empregada doméstica no Recife. Ela e Carlos mantêm um relacionamento amoroso. Em seu depoimento, confessou saber da existência da cocaína e disse que confiava muito em Carlos, motivo pelo qual arriscaria levar a droga com ele para a Europa. O casal embarcaria nesta segunda.

A prisão do casal ocorreu após uma denúncia anônima feita ao delegado Ariosto Esteves, titular da Delegacia de Primavera, na Zona da Mata do Estado. Este, por sua vez, acionou a o delegado Newson Motta, que montou o flagrante e apreendeu a droga com o casal. Após as praxes processuais, Carlos e Yasmin serão encaminhados a penitenciárias da Região Metropolitana do Recife.
http://ne10.uol.com.br/canal/cotidiano/grande-recife/noticia/2011/04/10/cocaina-apreendida-em-barco-no-recife-chegou-a-335-quilos-265756.php

Cocaine seized on boat arrived in Recife to 335 kilos
Posted on 04/10/2011 at 19h54
The Civil Police of Pernambuco said the cocaine found on the floor from a ship anchored in Recife, on Sunday afternoon (10), weighed, actually, 335 kilos - not 150 kg as had been previously disclosed. At the official weigh the drug was found the largest amount of material presented in very high purity.
They were arrested Charles Nicholas Lombardo, 33, and Yasmin Fercylla France, 22. According to police, they intended to bring the dope to Spain on Monday (11), which would be marketed. According to the officer who conducted the operation to arrest the suspects and interception of drugs, Newton Motta, the amount seized is valued at £ 8.375 million (as a pound it costs on average U.S. $ 25 000).

The drugs were packed on the floor under the bed of the main room of a Cuban vessel, the boat Yeux II, which was anchored since January in Pernambuco Yacht Club (PIC), near the old Bath House in Brasilia Stubborn, the district Pina in the south of Recife. According to investigations, the boat arrived in the capital of Pernambuco conducted by another Argentine, whose name is unknown.

According to the version told by Charles, who denies everything, he works as a mechanic in Argentina and would have bought the boat of another Argentine unaware of the existence of the drug. Yasmin is Brazilian and works as a maid in Recife. She and Carlos maintain a loving relationship. In his testimony, admitted knowing of the existence of cocaine and said he trusted much in Carlos, why risk it with him taking the drug to Europe. The couple embark on Monday.

The couple's arrest came after an anonymous tip to Ariosto delegate Esteves, head of the Bureau of Spring in the Forest Zone of the state. This, in turn, triggered the delegate Newson Motta, who set up the blatant and seized drugs with the couple. After having guidelines on procedure, Carlos and Yasmin will be sent to prison in the Metropolitan Region of Recife.
Added on 12/04/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Schwerer Schlag gegen organisierten internationalen Drogenschmuggel
Schwerer Schlag gegen organisierten internationalen Drogenschmuggel
Essen, 6. April 2011
162 Kilogramm Haschisch im Wert von 1,3 Millionen Euro geschmuggelt;
seit Jahren größter Haschischfund an der niederländischen Grenze;
Kurier festgenommen
Der kleine Grenzübergang Neurhede/Rhede wurde am 25. März 2011 zum Schauplatz des größten Haschischschmuggels der letzten Jahre. Genau dort hatten sich nämlich Beamte einer Kontrolleinheit des Hauptzollamts Oldenburg postiert. Gegen 14:00 Uhr beobachteten sie einen aus den Niederlanden kommenden schwedischen Kombi, den sie einer Kontrolle unterzogen.
Der Fahrer, ein 26-jähriger Litauer, gab zunächst an, keine Waren oder Drogen mit sich zu führen. Als die Beamten sich jedoch die Ladefläche anschauten, sahen sie vier prall gefüllte Reisetaschen, die auf den ersten Blick mit Klebeband umwickelte Kaffeepäckchen enthielten. Diese primitive Tarnung täuschte die Beamten jedoch nicht. Sie stellten schnell fest, dass sie hier einem riesigen Haschisch-Schmuggel von 162 Kilogramm auf die Spur gekommen waren.
Kurze Zeit später übernahmen die zuständigen Zollfahnder aus Nordhorn die weiteren Ermittlungen. Sie fanden heraus, dass man es hier mit einem höchst professionell organisierten Schmuggel mit internationalen Bezügen nach Russland, Litauen und Skandinavien zu tun hat. Eine weitere Spur könnte außerdem nach Polen führen, weil die zur Tarnung benutzten Kaffeetüten polnischen Ursprungs sind. Der durch russische Mittelsmänner in Litauen angeworbene Kurier scheint dabei nur Mittel zum Zweck gewesen zu sein.
Auch Geld schien bei der Vorbereitung und Durchführung dieser schweren Straftat keine Rolle zu spielen. Zunächst wurde das Schmuggelfahrzeug extra in Schweden gekauft und in die Niederlande gebracht. Erst am 24. März 2011 reiste der Kurier per Schiff nach Dänemark und auf dem Luftweg weiter nach Amsterdam. Dort übernahm er den mit 162 Haschischplatten beladenen Pkw. Nach dem derzeitigen Erkenntnisstand sollten die Drogen über Deutschland nach Skandinavien transportiert werden.
Gegen den Litauer hat das zuständige Amtsgericht in Papenburg auf Antrag der Staatsanwaltschaft Osnabrück einen Haftbefehl erlassen. Die weiteren Ermittlungen, die auch in Skandinavien und im Baltikum geführt werden, sind noch nicht abgeschlossen.
Added on 12/04/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Ecuador: seize 800 kilos of cocaine that went to Spain Ecuador: decomisan 800 kilos de cocaína que iba a España
Ecuador: seize 800 kilos of cocaine that went to Spain Ecuador: decomisan 800 kilos de cocaína que iba a España
6-4-2011
Effective counter-narcotics seized 800 kilos of cocaine at the port of Guayaquil that was about to be sent to Spain hidden in a shipment of tuna, police said Tuesday.
The drug, valued at $ 32 million, was wrapped in three packages to avoid the smell of the dogs trained, briefed reporters Colonel Freddy Ramos, the chief narcotics Guayas province, whose capital is Guayaquil, the second largest city country, 270 miles southwest of Quito.
Police said the operation was completed on Saturday, and tied the cargo to the company Frescomar, based in the port city of Manta, north of Guayaquil.
The representative of this company was arrested for investigation and are sought after the Spanish Francisco Cacabelos Lois, chairman of Frescomar; Cacabelos Servando Rodriguez, manager, and the Ecuadorian Ana Maria Delgado from A, export manager.
Ecuador: decomisan 800 kilos de cocaína que iba a España
Efectivos antinarcóticos decomisaron 800 kilos de cocaína en el puerto de Guayaquil que estaba a punto de ser enviada a España camuflada en un cargamento de atún, informó el martes la policía.
La droga, valorada en 32 millones de dólares, estaba envuelta en tres empaques para evitar el olfato de los perros adiestrados, informó a la prensa el coronel Freddy Ramos, jefe antinarcóticos de la provincia de Guayas, cuya capital es Guayaquil, la segunda ciudad del país, 270 kilómetros al suroeste de Quito.
Dijo que la operación policial se cumplió el sábado, y vinculó al cargamento a la empresa Frescomar, basada en la ciudad portuaria de Manta, al norte de Guayaquil.
El representante de esa empresa fue detenido para investigaciones y son buscados los españoles Francisco Cacabelos Lois, presidente de Frescomar; Servando Cacabelos Rodríguez, gerente, y a la ecuatoriana Ana María Delgado de la A, gerente de exportaciones.
http://es.noticias.yahoo.com/11/20110405/twl-ams-gen-ecuador-drogas-c6d32d2.html
Cayó cerca de una tonelada de droga
Lunes 04 de abril de 2011.-Un alijo de clorhidrato de cocaína fue descubierto en el Puerto de Guayaquil. La droga estaba camuflada en unos lomos de atún que iban a ser enviados en un contenedor hacia Valencia (España) por la empresa Pez Fresco Mar, instalada en Manta (provincia de Manabí) por el ciudadano español Alfonso Cascabelo. Según la información oficial, el contenedor salió de Manta el viernes por la tarde, rumbo al puerto guayaquileño. El sábado, a las 16:00, el cargamento fue inspeccionado por la Policía Antinarcóticos. Un perro adiestrado en la detección de narcóticos alertó sobre la sustancia ilegal, cuyo peso es cerca de 800 kilos.
Fell about one ton of drugs
Monday April 04, 2011.-A stash of cocaine hydrochloride was discovered in the port of Guayaquil. The drugs were hidden in a tuna loins that were to be shipped in a container to Valencia (Spain) for the company Pez Fresco Mar, installed in Manta (Manabi Province) by the Spanish citizen Alfonso Cascabelo. According to official information, the container out of Manta on Friday afternoon, heading for the Guayaquil port. On Saturday, at 16:00, the shipment was inspected by the CNP. A dog trained to detect narcotics alerted to the illegal substance, which weighs about 800 kilos.
http://www.ministeriodelinterior.gob.ec/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=556%3Acayo-cerca-de-una-tonelada-de-droga&catid=54%3Anoticias&Itemid=199&lang=es

Foto: The drug found in precooked tuna loins were covered with tape, cloth, wax and a plastic container
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMPAWnf1flI
Added on 12/04/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 25 - Six suspects arrested in Mombasa with a consignment of 196 kilograms of heroin
NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 25 - Six suspects arrested in Mombasa with a consignment of 196 kilograms of heroin
Heroin suspects to face charges Monday
BY BERNARD MOMANYI
25-03-2011

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 25 - Six suspects arrested in Mombasa with a consignment of 196 kilograms of heroin whose value has now been revised to Sh392 million were whisked to Nairobi on Friday and arraigned in court but they didn't plead to drug trafficking charges.

This was after failure to secure an interpreter for one of the accused person who only speaks Persian.

A police helicopter carrying the suspects and the drugs brought them to Nairobi shortly before 2 pm amid tight security.

Police Commissioner Mathew Iteere, CID director Muhoro Ndegwa led a team of senior officers who met the suspects and the haul amid massive security from heavily armed General Service Unit (GSU) officers.

The suspects who include three Kenyans, two Iranians and a Pakistani were handcuffed and sat pensively in the plane as GSU officers offloaded the drug consignment which was spread on the runway at the Wilson airport.

The drugs were concealed in 98 sachets disguised as dog food which were packed in two gunny bags all weighing 196 Kilograms.

"You can see even the way they are packaged, they are disguised as dog food to ensure they evade police drag nets, but their days were numbered. They have to answer for their crimes," the Police chief told reporters at the Wilson airport.

Mr Iteere told journalists that detectives had been monitoring the suspects since Wednesday when they rented an apartment in Shanzu, north of Mombasa where they wanted to keep the drugs before they transported the haul elsewhere.

"They had only stayed in the apartment for a day, and last [Thursday] night they took the drugs there, our officers had information and they intercepted them," he added.

He identified the suspects as Josh Omondi (Kenyan), Hassan Ibrahim (Kenyan), Yusuf Hassan (Kenyan), Ali Muhammed (Iranian), Abdul Baseet (Iranian) and Khan Mohamed (Pakistani).

"The six suspects will be charged in court today [Friday] with offences relating to drug trafficking and illegal possession of firearms because they were found with two pistols and 59 rounds of ammunition," he said.

Mr Iteere also displayed high frequency communication gadgets including GPS gadget which were recovered from the suspects during the raid.

"We do suspect that may be there was ship anchored somewhere in the deep seas within Mtwapa or Kilifi area that is why they had an item known as a GPS receiver so that they could be able to know the position where they were when they are at sea," he added.

The suspects were travelling in two vehicles which were also impounded by the police and towed to the Central Police station in Mombasa.

Mr Iteere said the operation to arrest and recover the drugs was conducted by officers drawn from the anti narcotics unit, the Special Crime Prevention Unit (SCPU), Criminal Intelligence Unit (CIU) and a team from the office of the Coast Provincial Police chief Aggrey Adoli.

"Once again we wish to reiterate our commitment to the public to ensure that drug abuse and the illicit drug trade become a thing of the past in this country," he warned.

"Those who want to quit the drug trade should do it now, and not tomorrow," he added.

Mr Iteere told journalists once the suspects are charged, an investigation will continue to establish the source of the drugs, their actual destination and key players.

"The immediate target is to identify arrest and prosecute every person involved in this criminal offence," he said.

"Our overall intention is to completely break any syndicates by dismantling their local and international networks."

In the last quarter of last year, President Mwai Kibaki ordered the Police Commissioner to restructure the Anti Narcotic Unit to ensure it effectively deals with the drug menace in the country.

The restructuring process was subsequently done and Sebastian Ndaru appointed to head the unit which led Thursday night's sting operation.

Last month a team appointed by the Police chief carried out an investigation and handed a report to Internal Security Professor George Saitoti who tabled it in Parliament.

The report exonerated four MPs the Minister had named in Parliament as having been under investigation for drug trafficking allegations. The Minister however told Parliament an investigation was going on to unmask the real culprits.

Mr Iteere told a parliamentary committee on Administration and National Security that Kenyan detectives were working closely with investigators from the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) from America.



http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/Kenyanews/Heroin-suspects-to-face-charges-Monday-12185.html

Police seize $5.8m drug haul at Kenya coast
25-3-2011
Kenya police have seized narcotics worth $5.8 million in a sting operation after it was sneaked into the country through an illegal landing bay along the coast.

The drug haul - 196kb packed in 2kg sachets sealed in polythene - was being transported in two vehicles at Shanzu area, Mombasa, when police struck at around 7pm (East Africa Time) on Thursday.

Three Kenyans, two Iranians and a Pakistani were arrested in the operation.

Police also recovered two pistols and more than 30 rounds of ammunitions from the two vehicles, a Nissan saloon car and a Toyota Rav4.

The drug was camouflaged as dog food under the brand name: "Science Plan: Veterinary formulated Canine Senior for older dogs. New improved taste”.

According to Coast provincial criminal investigations officer Ambrose Manyasia, a squad of officers zeroed in on the area after receiving reports that two vehicles were spotted in the area, raising suspicion their crew were on a fishy mission.

High-cost

The officers managed to locate the two vehicles and tracked them as they were driven to a high-cost apartment in the area.

“The officers then intercepted the vehicles and after carrying out a search, found the drugs in gunny bags in the two vehicles. We found the two gunny bags contained 98 packets of what we believe is heroin,” Mr Munyasia told journalists at the scene shortly before midnight.

http://www.africareview.com/News/Police+seize+drug+haul+at+Kenya+coast/-/979180/1132826/-/11jri6f/-/

***********************************************************************
This news article and/or link has been retrieved from public sources and sent to a selected group of Law Enforcement Officers in several countries of the world.
The content does not reflect in any way the official policy, interest or opinion of Dutch Customs and/or Dutch government.
If the material in this e-mail is used for an alert, then the source of the material is “OPEN SOURCE news article”.
In case the original text is written in a language, not English or German, a translation is given from a web based automatic translator. This will not give a 100% correct translation.
My website with favourites: http://crazycustoms.pbworks.com/ (please inform me when you find dead links etc.)
Added on 31/03/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
The Civil Guard is involved in the seizure of 364 kilos of cocaine and 106.5 of heroin in an international operation against drug trafficking
The Civil Guard is involved in the seizure of 364 kilos of cocaine and 106.5 of heroin in an international operation against drug trafficking
· At each stage of the operation KARPATHOS has arrested five persons of Romanian nationality leaders with connections to drug cartels of Medellin (Colombia)
· Joint operation of the Civil Guard police in Romania, Italy, Ecuador and Drug Enforcement Administration of the U.S.

Civil Guard under Karpathos operation, developed in phases, has been involved with police in Romania, Ecuador, Italy and officials from the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) of the U.S., the dismantling of a criminal composed by Romanian citizens are responsible for the introduction and distribution in Europe of major items of cocaine and heroin from Turkey and Ecuador respectively.

During the various phases of the police operation in Romania proceeded to the arrest of 5 persons of that nationality.

The investigations began when the Department of the Office of the High Court of Justice of Romania, in charge of investigating organized crime, contacted the Drug Group Central Operational Unit of the Guardia Civil, requesting cooperation to investigate and dismantle a international drug trafficking organization that sought to introduce into his country from South America and Turkey, important items of cocaine and heroin were later distributed in several European Union countries.

With the information gained Civil Guard officers moved to Romania where, in collaboration with police authorities of that country, they found that Romanian citizens had contacts in Spain with Colombia, members of the "Medellin cartel, which like the Romanians , periodically moving to Spain to organize and coordinate the transportation of cocaine from Ecuador to Europe, using as a springboard for entry the port of Algeciras (Cádiz).

In one of several appointments controlled by the Guardia Civil Spain, the agents watched as the Romanian Constantin N. 40, Catalin I. 41, met with Colombian Victor Manuel PS 54., alias "El Viejo" related to Colombian cartels "The Twins" and "Medellin" at the meeting finalized the transfer of cocaine hidden in a container frozen fish that was leaving the port of Guayaquil (Ecuador) made the port of Algeciras (Cádiz) and from there to the Romanian port of Constanta, via Italy.

Information transferred to the Ecuadorian police, underwent surgery at a later date at the port of Guayaquil, 364 kilograms of cocaine prepared for shipment to Europe.

In the course of the investigation which was subjected the Romanian drug ring, officials involved in the Romanian-Hungarian border truck to France carrying 106.5 kilos of heroin distributed in 216 packages hidden in a load of furniture from Turkey that would be distributed in the European market.

During the various phases of the operation was arrested the following people:

Constantin N. and Catalin I., accused of organizing the transport of 364 kilograms of cocaine under the coordination of the Colombian Victor Manuel PS, currently in search and seizure.

Vasile C. 56, Marcel MARIUS DA, 40, Marian T., 58, related to the intervention of 106.5 kilos of heroin.

For more information contact Communications Office of the Central Operational Unit, phone 91 503 13 27.
Added on 31/03/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
The Cocaine Wars: Invasion of the Drug Submarines
The Cocaine Wars: Invasion of the Drug Submarines
By John Otis / Bahia Malaga Tuesday, Mar. 29, 2011

Drug traffickers have been using submarines like this one, which the Colombian navy found in February
Luca Zanetti

In recent years, the boat of choice for Colombian cocaine smugglers has been the semisubmersible, a vessel that cruises just below the ocean's surface with only its air and exhaust pipes sticking out of the water. Since the semisubs have proved so successful at dodging interdiction, it seemed inevitable that traffickers — who in the past have commandeered entire passenger jets to move their product — would upgrade to even more elusive full-fledged submarines. But narco U-boats were a murky legend of the depths, the drug-cartel version of the Loch Ness monster.
Not anymore. In February, at a clandestine shipyard near Colombia's Pacific coast, the military impounded a homemade submarine 70 ft. (21 m) long — with three tons of cocaine nearby, ready to be loaded into a storage compartment that can hold eight tons. That discovery came seven months after the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) helped capture a 100-ft.-long (30 m) diesel-powered sub along a river tributary to the Pacific south of the Colombian border in Ecuador. It was about to make its maiden voyage, and though no drugs were found aboard, officials say they're certain it was a narcosub. Both busts make fairly plain that Colombian traffickers have now taken "a quantum leap in technology," says Jay Bergman, who heads the DEA's Andean division. "It's the difference between building a motor-scooter and building a car." (See photos of the submarines used to smuggle drugs.) (See attached photo's narco subs 1-12)

The subs are also a testament to the ingenuity of traffickers working at secluded dry docks deep inside the equatorial jungle. "Pictures do not do them justice," says Bergman. "You have to see the subs to get a perspective of how large they are and how much effort it takes to build them." The 70-footer captured in February, for example, is a fascinating hybrid of high and low technology. It sports a large conning tower (the platform atop a sub) with night-vision cameras. The stern holds a 346-horsepower diesel engine and tanks that can hold 1,700 gallons of fuel — enough for the two-week run to cocaine drop-off points near Mexico and Central America. Inside are compressed-air tanks for ballast, bunk beds, GPS equipment and touchscreen controls. It can cut its engine and dive down some 30 ft. (9 m) to hide from interdiction boats and aircraft.

Yet the sub is just as clearly artisanal. Its hull and tubing were fashioned from materials you can buy at Home Depot: fiberglass, wood and polyvinyl chloride. Colombian navy Lieutenant Fernando Monroy, a submariner who piloted the confiscated drug sub to the Pacific coast navy base at Bahia Malaga, says poor ventilation pushed up the temperature inside to 100°F (38°C), making it hard to breathe. (See pictures of cocaine country.)

In fact, one retired Colombian trafficker, who made three runs to Mexico at the helm of semisubs, described the conditions as "hellish," with the crew subsisting on crackers, canned beans and milk. There was no toilet; the smell of excrement, cocaine and diesel fuel was overwhelming — yet they rarely stopped because it's easier to detect stationary vessels. "Our orders were to keep moving," the trafficker, who asked not to be identified, told TIME. "There's always an armed person on board to keep watch over the crew and the cargo. If anyone starts to panic or mutiny, his orders are to eliminate the troublemaker."

Monroy and other officials predict the drug mafias will make the necessary adjustments — they always do — to improve comfort, stealth, range and payload. Indeed, the advances in maritime smuggling are evident in Bahia Malaga, where impounded vessels have been lined up like museum pieces. They include go-fast boats that can travel 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and most outrun U.S. Coast Guard vessels (though not helicopter-borne snipers, who track the boats' huge wakes and then move in to shoot out their engines). There is also a collection of semisubs, adopted after the Miami Vice era of the 1980s and '90s as traffickers opted for stealth over speed. Semisubs leave tiny wakes, making them harder to detect on radar. They're also relatively cheap to build and are scuttled after drug deliveries. Experts estimate that 70% of the cocaine leaving Colombia's Pacific coast in 2009 was packed aboard semisubs. (See how property rights may end Colombia's guerrilla war.)

Colombian and U.S. antidrug agents have gotten better at spotting the radar signature of semisubs and have captured dozens of them. But seizures have dropped dramatically over the past two years — from 17 in 2009 to six last year and just one so far this year — raising speculation that the smugglers have moved completely underwater. So far, no subs have actually been located beneath the surface; but Bergman points out that's not necessarily good news. "When analysts looking at emerging threats see this precipitous drop in semisubmersibles and then the advent of these two [seized] submarines, there's a concern that's raised," he says. "What are we missing?"

The answer could very well be Mucho. Submarines are invisible to radar, so hunting them requires sonar to identify their underwater sounds or magnetic anomaly detectors, since conventional subs are basically huge masses of steel that can cause deviations in the earth's magnetic fields. But the Pacific is vast and the two impounded drug subs are small and fiberglass, and contain relatively little steel. And even if a suspected drug sub is located, says Bergman, the practical and legal procedures for forcing it to the surface remain unclear. (Comment on this story.)

One approach is to follow Colombia's fumigation program, which sends fleets of crop dusters to destroy coca bushes before their green leaves can be turned into cocaine. Similarly, U.S. and Colombian agents are trying to infiltrate drug organizations and scour the Pacific estuaries, tributaries and mangrove swamps to detect and destroy subs before they launch. But if the aerial coca-eradication program is any indication (Colombia is still covered with thousands of acres of coca after 15 years of heavy spraying) eliminating the drug subs could be a long, frustrating slog.

http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2061934,00.html?xid=rss-topstories

***********************************************************************
This news article and/or link has been retrieved from public sources and sent to a selected group of Law Enforcement Officers in several countries of the world.
The content does not reflect in any way the official policy, interest or opinion of Dutch Customs and/or Dutch government.
If the material in this e-mail is used for an alert, then the source of the material is “OPEN SOURCE news article”.
In case the original text is written in a language, not English or German, a translation is given from a web based automatic translator. This will not give a 100% correct translation.
My website with favourites: http://crazycustoms.pbworks.com/ (please inform me when you find dead links etc.)
Added on 31/03/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
115 kg of cocaine and 52 kg of marijuana intercepted in Suriname that came from Guyana
115 kg of cocaine and 52 kg of marijuana intercepted in Suriname that came from Guyana
March 23, 2011 7:41 pm Units of the Judicial Service of the Police Corps Suriname have seized 115 kilograms of cocaine. Four suspects, including a woman, were arrested. The suspects are between 20 and 40 years old and have all the Surinamese nationality.
A special team of the Anti-Narcotics Brigade, the Intellingence Narcotic Unit and members of the Arrest Team on Tuesday at various locations, arrests and drugs seized. The Head of the Judicial Service Commissioner Krishna Hussainali-Mathoera reports that the suspected cocaine from Guyana to Nickerie and then by road to Paramaribo is transported.

On March 19 a party of about 52 kg of marijuana, which is denoted by “Jami”, seized by the police bureau of Calcutta. In this case three suspects, including two with one Guyanese and one with a Jamaican national arrested. The marijuana is believed to come from Jamaica. The study, which is made ​​by the Anti-Narcotics Brigade department will continue to show how the drug is brought into the country.




***********************************************************************
This news article and/or link has been retrieved from public sources and sent to a selected group of Law Enforcement Officers in several countries of the world.
The content does not reflect in any way the official policy, interest or opinion of Dutch Customs and/or Dutch government.
If the material in this e-mail is used for an alert, then the source of the material is “OPEN SOURCE news article”.
In case the original text is written in a language, not English or German, a translation is given from a web based automatic translator. This will not give a 100% correct translation.
My website with favourites: http://crazycustoms.pbworks.com/ (please inform me when you find dead links etc.)
Added on 31/03/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Irish Drug seizure The seized drugs, worth an estimated €250,000, had been imported into the country on a car ferry from Belgium
Irish Drug seizure The seized drugs, worth an estimated €250,000, had been imported into the country on a car ferry from Belgium
Two arrests after Galway drug seizure
The Irish Times - Wednesday, March 23, 2011

CONOR LALLY, Crime Correspondent
GARDAÍ AND Customs officers believe they have uncovered a drug supply route from continental Europe to the west of Ireland following the arrest of two men and the seizure of herbal cannabis in Co Galway.

Some 20kg of the drug were found in a holdall bag as it was being delivered to a man in a car park in Oranmore, Co Galway, yesterday morning.

Garda sources said one of two men arrested at the scene was regarded as a “significant” drug dealer in Co Galway, who has been a Garda target for some time.

The other man arrested is originally from Dublin and is also regarded as a drugs gang member.

The seized drugs, worth an estimated €250,000, had been imported into the country on a car ferry from Belgium. They were driven across the country to Galway for delivery.

Customs officers detected the drugs when the vehicle they were hidden in was disembarking the ferry. The vehicle was put under surveillance and gardaí allowed the haul to be driven into a car park in Oranmore for a handover. When the drugs were delivered, gardaí moved in.

The two suspects, aged 45 and 50, were arrested when a search of their vehicles yielded the drugs. The vehicles have been confiscated for forensic examination.

Both suspects were detained under section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act and were still being detained at Mill Street Garda station in Galway last night. They can be held for up to seven days without charge.

Yesterday’s operation involved the Garda National Drugs Unit, Galway Drugs Unit and Revenue’s Customs officers.
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0323/1224292845141.html
Added on 31/03/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Gioia Tauro: MAXI SEIZURE OF COCAINE
Gioia Tauro: MAXI SEIZURE OF COCAINE
Gioia Tauro: MAXI SEIZURE OF COCAINE

Roma, 22 marzo 2011

The customs officers on duty at the port of Gioia Tauro, in a brilliant operation carried out in collaboration with the military Guardia di Finanza operating in the customs and Reggio GICO Calabria, have seized 220 kilos of pure cocaine worth market estimated at more than 50 million €.
The drug was hidden among a load of boxes of frozen fish and one of bananas in two containers from South America and destined Two companies based in Bologna and Catania.
The controller implemented in time by the Agency in collaboration with Police Forces has been praised by the Attorney Anti-mafia District Attorney's Office added the Reggio Calabria, Dr. Giarritta Michele Prestipino, who during the press conference stated that:''This is an operation that follows a consolidated form, from the point of view of cooperation and coordination of the various actors acting on the face of conflict, both judicial forces police, "adding that" we use anti-fraud office Customs of Rome, which has a system of analysis of trade flows and suspicious transactions passing through the port whose cooperation was, is and will still be essential to counter the presence and interests 'Ndranghetistici in an area that it is a nerve center for the economy of Calabria.''
The investigation was coordinated by the Attorney and the DDA Palmi Reggio Calabria.

http://www.agenziadogane.it/wps/wcm/connect/1fe4e1004637ddd184ff8fe2201042a6/cre-s-20110322-35043-coca_Gioia.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=1fe4e1004637ddd184ff8fe2201042a6
Above is a Google translation of the attachment.

photo: http://www.crimeblog.it/post/6431/traffico-di-droga-220-kg-di-cocaina-sequestrati-nel-porto-di-gioia-tauro

Sequestrati due quintali di cocaina
La droga era all'interno di due container provenienti dal Sud America, nel porto di Gioia Tauro
19-3-2011

MILANO - Maxi operazione anti-droga nel porto di Gioia Tauro. Più di 220 chili di cocaina purissima sono stati sequestrati dai finanzieri del Nucleo di polizia tributaria-Gico di Reggio Calabria, coadiuvati da quelli di Gioia Tauro ed in collaborazione con l'Agenzia delle Dogane. La droga si trovava all'interno di due container provenienti dal Sud America. Con quello di sabato, i sequestri di cocaina effettuati dalla guardia di finanza di Reggio Calabria dal primo gennaio 2009 salgono a circa 700 chili mentre, sono stati 114, nello stesso periodo, i soggetti arrestati per traffico di sostanze stupefacenti.

NASCOSTA TRA PESCE E BANANE - La droga era nascosta tra un carico di scatole di pesce surgelato e uno di banane. Una volta tagliata e messa sul mercato, avrebbe avuto un valore di circa 50 milioni di euro. Dopo una serie di incroci documentali e ulteriori controlli eseguiti su numerosi container in transito nel porto di Gioia Tauro, i finanzieri hanno individuato la droga in due contenitori che erano stati imbarcati a Panama. I due container non sono risultati in regola con la documentazione di carico e doganale e quindi sono stati sottoposti a controlli più accurati. La droga era stata nascosta in modo da poter essere facilmente prelevata senza la necessità di usare mezzi meccanici. Il carico più grosso, pari a circa 140 chili di cocaina, era stato nascosto tra scatole di pescato surgelato. In tal modo, i trafficanti ritenevano di essere più garantiti, dal momento che sottoporre a controllo merce facilmente deperibile può significare, in caso di esito negativo, dover rimborsare pesanti oneri al destinatario della merce. Il secondo carico, invece, era nascosto tra le banane provenienti dall'Ecuador. Il confezionamento è risultato simile per entrambi i carichi. Ciò, secondo gli investigatori, conferma che la cocaina aveva la stessa origine.

http://www.corriere.it/cronache/11_marzo_19/gioia-tauro-sequestro-cocaina_b8d92c98-5215-11e0-a034-1db210fa1eaf.shtml (incl. video, I can send you a minor quality video by e-mail, which is almost 8Mb)

Seized 220 kgs of cocaine
The drugs were inside two containers from South America, in the port of Gioia Tauro
19-3-2011

LONDON - Maxi anti-drug operation in the port of Gioia Tauro. More than 220 kilos of pure cocaine were seized by the financiers of the core-Gico tax police in Reggio Calabria, supported by those of Gioia Tauro and in collaboration with the Customs Agency. The drug was found inside two containers from South America. With that on Saturday, cocaine seizures made by the financial police in Reggio Calabria from January 1, 2009 rose to about 700 pounds, while 114 were in the same period, those arrested for drug trafficking.

Tucked between peaches and bananas - The drugs were hidden among a load of boxes of frozen fish and a banana. Once cut and put on the market, would have a value of approximately EUR 50 million. After a series of cross checks and other documents on a variety of containers in transit at the port of Gioia Tauro, the financiers have identified two drugs in containers that were shipped to Panama. The two containers were not in compliance with the documentation of cargo and customs and then were subjected to more thorough checks. The drug was hidden so that it can be easily taken without the necessity of using mechanical means. The biggest load of around 140 kilos of cocaine had been hidden in boxes of frozen fish. Thus, the traffickers believed to be more secure, since checked perishable goods can mean, in case of failure, having to pay heavy charges to the consignee of the goods. The second shipment, however, was hidden among the bananas from Ecuador. The packaging was similar for both loads. This, according to investigators, confirms that the cocaine had the same origin.

***********************************************************************
This news article and/or link has been retrieved from public sources and sent to a selected group of Law Enforcement Officers in several countries of the world.
The content does not reflect in any way the official policy, interest or opinion of Dutch Customs and/or Dutch government.
If the material in this e-mail is used for an alert, then the source of the material is “OPEN SOURCE news article”.
In case the original text is written in a language, not English or German, a translation is given from a web based automatic translator. This will not give a 100% correct translation.
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Added on 31/03/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Iranian participation in drug trafficking through Venezuela to Central America, Mexico, the United States, the Caribbean and to Europe through West Africa is extensive
Iranian participation in drug trafficking through Venezuela to Central America, Mexico, the United States, the Caribbean and to Europe through West Africa is extensive
Drug Trafficking

Iranian participation in drug trafficking through Venezuela to Central America, Mexico, the United States, the Caribbean and to Europe through West Africa is extensive. The proceeds are used to finance further penetration of Iranian interests in the region, as well as to partially fund, along with extortion and kidnapping, the terrorist organizations mentioned previously.

The ocean-going tuna boats already mentioned load cocaine from Iranian installations in the delta of the Orinoco River, which is navigable for a substantial distance upriver. The cocaine is stored in the so-called "cement" plant and transshipped to West Africa and Europe. A "cement" plant is perfect for this purpose since its supposed product is shipped in bags and because some the chemicals used in cocaine production are also used in cement production. In similar fashion, tuna boats are perfect for transporting cocaine because in the upper hold there may actually be tuna, the odor of which masks the cocaine. Other routes through Venezuela channel cocaine through Haiti and the Dominican Republic to the Gulf Coast of the United States and the west coast of Florida. Cocaine is also flown or shipped in boats through Central America, particularly Honduras and Guatemala, into Mexico and the United States. Protection of the drug trade by the Venezuelan National Guard is so notorious that the Guard is sometimes referred to as an additional drug cartel.

See for the complete article "What are the Persians Doing Over Here?": http://usacac.army.mil/cac2/call/docs/11-15/ch_3.asp

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This news article and/or link has been retrieved from public sources and sent to a selected group of Law Enforcement Officers in several countries of the world.
The content does not reflect in any way the official policy, interest or opinion of Dutch Customs and/or Dutch government.
If the material in this e-mail is used for an alert, then the source of the material is “OPEN SOURCE news article”.
In case the original text is written in a language, not English or German, a translation is given from a web based automatic translator. This will not give a 100% correct translation.
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Added on 31/03/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Albania police seize 200 kilos of cocaine
Albania police seize 200 kilos of cocaine
March 23, 2011 - 7:39AM
Albanian authorities say they have seized 200 kilograms of Colombian cocaine that had been hidden on a truck, and arrested three suspected traffickers.
A statement from the prosecutor general's office says police arrested two Macedonians and one Albanian on Tuesday after stopping a truck at the Albanian city of Gjirokastra, 220 kilometres south of the capital Tirana and close to the Greek border.

The cocaine had been dissolved in palm oil.

authorities said the arrests followed information from western European countries.

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/albania-police-seize-200-kilos-of-cocaine-20110323-1c5hr.html

200 kg Colombian cocaine seized in Albania

Tuesday, 22 March 2011

Two hundred kilograms of Colombian cocaine was seized in the Eastern European country of Albania, the country's largest ever drug haul, El Espectador reported Tuesday.

The drugs were found diluted in palm oil container on a truck with Macedonian license plates in the southern Albanian town of Gjirostraka, according to the Albanian Prosecutor General's Office.

The cocaine had passed through Spain, Belgium, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia and Macedonia before arriving in Albania.

The seizure was made possible through the cooperation of police and prosecutors from other European countries, including Spain and Belgium.

Police so far have arrested two Macedonians and one Albanian on drug trafficking charges and continue to search for more members in the drug network.

http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/15070-200-kg-colombian-cocaine-seized-in-albania.html

***********************************************************************
This news article and/or link has been retrieved from public sources and sent to a selected group of Law Enforcement Officers in several countries of the world.
The content does not reflect in any way the official policy, interest or opinion of Dutch Customs and/or Dutch government.
If the material in this e-mail is used for an alert, then the source of the material is “OPEN SOURCE news article”.
In case the original text is written in a language, not English or German, a translation is given from a web based automatic translator. This will not give a 100% correct translation.
My website with favourites: http://crazycustoms.pbworks.com/ (please inform me when you find dead links etc.)
Added on 31/03/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
102 kg Haschisch sichergestellt
102 kg Haschisch sichergestellt
22.03.2011, Landeskriminalamt
MÜNCHEN: Größte Sicherstellung der letzten vier Jahre, Drogenkurier festgenommen.
Den aufmerksamen Blicken der Zivilfahnder der Polizeiinspektion 24 München ist die Sicherstellung von 102 kg Haschisch zu verdanken.

Die Polizeibeamten kontrollierten am Mittwoch, 16.03.2011, gegen 08.00 Uhr auf dem Autobahnrastplatz Brunnthal-Süd einen Pkw Kia Carens mit deutscher Zulas-sung. Bei der Kontrolle bemerkten die Beamten, dass der Fahrer ein Stück Haschisch in der Hand hielt.

Der arbeitslose Fahrer mit Wohnsitz in Karlsruhe wurde daraufhin vorläufig festgenommen und zur PI 24 verbracht.

Bei der anschließenden Durchsuchung des Pkw wurden in einem professionell eingebauten Schmuggelversteck im Heckbereich des Pkw ca. 102 kg Haschisch gefunden. Das Versteck ist über drei nachträglich eingebaute Klappen zugänglich. Das Haschisch war mit Klebeband umwickelt und in mehrere Pakete aufgeteilt.

Die sofort verständigte Gemeinsame Ermittlungsgruppe Polizei & Zoll des Bayerischen Landeskriminalamtes (LKA) und des Zollfahndungsamtes München (GER Südbayern) übernahm die Sachbearbeitung. Die Ermittlungen werden in enger Zusammenarbeit mit der Staatsanwaltschaft München I geführt.
Bei seiner Vernehmung gab er an, dass er das Rauschgift in den Niederlanden holte und nach Bari/Italien bringen sollte.

Nach Anordnung der Staatsanwaltschaft wurde der Drogenkurier dem Ermittlungsrichter beim AG München vorgeführt, der Haftbefehl erließ. Der 47-Jährige wurde in die Justizvollzugsanstalt Stadelheim verbracht.

Bei der beschlagnahmten Haschischmenge handelt es sich um die größte Sicherstellung in Bayern seit vier Jahren. Im März 2007 hatten Ermittler der Kriminalpolizeiinspektion Amberg insgesamt 224 kg Haschisch sichergestellt und drei deutsche Staatsangehörige festgenommen.
http://www.polizei.bayern.de/lka/news/presse/aktuell/index.html/133821
***********************************************************************
This news article and/or link has been retrieved from public sources and sent to a selected group of Law Enforcement Officers in several countries of the world.
The content does not reflect in any way the official policy, interest or opinion of Dutch Customs and/or Dutch government.
If the material in this e-mail is used for an alert, then the source of the material is “OPEN SOURCE news article”.
In case the original text is written in a language, not English or German, a translation is given from a web based automatic translator. This will not give a 100% correct translation.
My website with favourites: http://crazycustoms.pbworks.com/ (please inform me when you find dead links etc.)
Added on 31/03/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Three people charged in relation to 170kgs opium
Three people charged in relation to 170kgs opium
Release Date: Friday, March 18 2011, 04:08 PM

This is a joint media release with Australian Customs and Border Protection.

Two men and one woman appeared in the Sydney Central Local Court this morning charged with importing and attempting to possess 170kg of opium. All three were remanded in custody to appear again in June 2011.

Customs and Border Protection targeted a shipping container from Iran, addressed to Warrick Farm, NSW, and examined the container on 14 March at the Port Botany container facility. After an extensive physical search the consignment was found to contain illicit drugs.

The matter was referred to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) who then took possession of the consignment, which contained approximately 170 kilograms of opium.

The AFP executed search warrants on vehicles and private residences at Villawood, Guildford and Warwick Farm on 17 March 2011. During this action, AFP officers seized a further two and a half kilograms of opium and over $8,000 in cash.

Following the search warrants these persons were arrested and charged by the AFP:

A 35-year-old man from Villawood with attempt to possess a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, namely opium contrary to Section 307.5 of the Criminal Code Act 1995, by virtue of section 11.1 and the importation into Australia of a border controlled drug, namely opium, contrary to section 307.1 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.
A 49-year-old man from Villawood with attempt to possess a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, namely opium contrary to Section 307.5 of the Criminal Code Act 1995, by virtue of section 11.1 and possession of a marketable quantity of a border controlled drug, namely opium, contrary to section 307.6 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.
A 33-year-old female from Guildford with attempt to possess a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, namely opium contrary to Section 307.5 of the Criminal Code Act 1995, by virtue of section 11.1.
It will be alleged in court the consignment of 372 cartons concealed 19 packages containing 228 glass jars labelled as tomato paste. The glass jars contained a dark brown tar substance, which tested positive to opium.

The maximum penalty for these offences is as follows:

s307.1 life imprisonment and/or a $825,000 fine.
s307.5 life imprisonment and/or a $825,000 fine.
s307.6 life imprisonment and/or $550,000 fine.
The AFP is continuing their enquiries into this matter.
Added on 21/03/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
They seized 52 kilos of drugs
They seized 52 kilos of drugs
Operations were at the airport José Joaquín de Olmedo of Guayaquil, as well as the sea port and agencies post and couriers.

A total of 52 kilos 241 grams of drugs and 33 persons detained is the result that have left 29 control operations made - since 1 March 14 this year - the Guayas narcotics agentssaid yesterday the head of that unit of service, Colonel Freddy Ramos.

Operations, explained the official, were made at the airport José Joaquín de Olmedo of Guayaquil, as well as the sea port and agencies post and couriers.

Evidence seized in police operations, include 44 kilos 610 grams of cocaine, 7 kilos 393 grams of heroin, 238 grams of marijuana, as well as 3 guns (2 strips and 1 pistol), two cars and a motorcycle.

Among the most important cases is the arrest of the Swiss Scheibler Rinaldo, who intended to travel aboard the KLM line in Guayaquil-Amsterdam-Zürich route, 14.643 grams of cocaine hidden in the interior of several metal pieces. Also, the discovery of 14.604 grams of cocaine in a waste tank located at the stern of the vessel Baltic Novator Russian flag.
Added on 21/03/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Hong Kong trafficker jailed for 22 years over record cocaine haul
Hong Kong trafficker jailed for 22 years over record cocaine haul
Hong Kong - A 53-year-old man has been jailed for 22 years in Hong Kong after pleading guilty to trafficking more than 360 kilogrammes of drugs worth 300 million Hong Kong dollars (38 million US dollars).
Pang Yuet-wan, a village leader, was arrested after police stumbled on the drugs stored in 26 boxes on the roof of his house in a rural area of the New Territories while investigating a missing person case last April.

The haul included 232 kilogrammes of cocaine - the biggest ever seizure of the drug in the city.

Pang pleaded guilty to the charge of trafficking saying he had been paid 300,000 Hong Kong dollars to store the drugs.

His lawyer pleaded for a lighter sentence in view of Pang's age.

But the judge said the quantity of drugs was 'enormous and rare' and exceeded past guidelines for sentencing.
Added on 21/03/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Most expensive drug smuggling attempt thwarted at Dubai Airport by Dubai Customs Inspectors
Most expensive drug smuggling attempt thwarted at Dubai Airport by Dubai Customs Inspectors
16-03-2011

Dubai Customs inspectors at Dubai International Airport thwarted an attempt of smuggling 3kg of narcotic cocaine cleverly hidden into a bag that belongs to a passenger from African nationality arriving from Addis Ababa.

Mr. Ali Almaghawi – Sr. Manager of Airport Operations Dept at Dubai Customs said the type of the cocaine valued at AED 6 million which was found hidden cleverly in the African passenger’s bag is the most expensive of all the narcotic seizures caught this year in Dubai International Airport.

Almaghawi explained that the inspection team from Dubai Customs at airport (T1) with their infallible sense and experience of understanding of body language suspected the perturbed passenger and noticed his abnormal behavior. The team put the suspect under customs screening and followed him till he arrived at the inspection area. There he claimed that his bag contained nothing other than personal clothes, but An x-ray imaging system showed anomalies in the bottom area. Officers manually searched the bag and found 3kg of a white color substance wrapped with dark blue plastic tape and carefully hidden inside a pocket at the bottom of the bag, which was identified later as narcotic cocaine. In the investigation, the involved man confessed that the substance is pure cocaine and he was about to transport it via Dubai and deliver it to a man living in an Asian country for USD 3000. He said that his journey started from Accra in Ghana via Addis Ababa in Ethiopia and Dubai and was scheduled to end in an Asian country.

Mr. Ali Almaghawi added the involved man along with the seizure report and the confiscated narcotics were referred to the Dept of Drug Control Office at Dubai International Airport for legal procedure. He highlighted that Dubai Customs always keeps vigilant eye and will successfully thwart any attempts of smuggling drugs, prohibited and restricted goods by depending on its national qualified inspectors who continuously have training programs in the field of body language and learn how to identify drugs, ways used by smugglers, how to deal with the confiscated goods and investigate with the suspects by using the most advanced inspection tools which include luggage, body and guts inspection machines that have effectively advanced the customs to successfully achieve its strategic vision and corporate value as a frontline defender which does it best to protect society.

The total number of seizures carried out by the Department of Airport Operations at Dubai Customs in 2010 was 272 seizures, he explained. The seizures included different types of narcotics like cocaine, heroin, opium, marijuana and crystal attempted to smuggle by passengers from Asian, African, European and Australian nationalities.
Added on 21/03/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Kingston cocaine seizure valued over $217 million
Kingston cocaine seizure valued over $217 million
Jamaica Observer, Wednesday, March 16, 2011

THE 225 pounds (122.65 kilogrammes) of cocaine seized today at Port Bustamante in Kingston, has a street value of more than $217 million.

The seizure was made by the Customs Department this morning after a routine examination of a transhipment vessel, Vega Azurit from Guyana, which arrived at Berth 9 at 5:00 am.


Customs said in a statement this evening that no arrests have been made but that preliminary investigations suggest that the contraband was destined for Jamaica.

The packages have been handed over to the Trans National Crime and Narcotics Division (TNCD) of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) for further examination and investigation
Added on 21/03/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
€1.2m cocaine haul seized in Dublin
€1.2m cocaine haul seized in Dublin
Cocaine worth an estimated €1.2m has been seized by gardaí in Dublin.

The drug was discovered in a holdall bag in a 40-foot container at a location in west Dublin yesterday morning.

Gardaí believe that the container only recently arrived into Ireland.

No arrests have been made at this stage but investigations and forensic examinations are ongoing.
Added on 21/03/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Three people charged in relation to 170kgs opium
Three people charged in relation to 170kgs opium
This is a joint media release with Australian Customs and Border Protection.

Two men and one woman appeared in the Sydney Central Local Court this morning charged with importing and attempting to possess 170kg of opium. All three were remanded in custody to appear again in June 2011.

Customs and Border Protection targeted a shipping container from Iran, addressed to Warrick Farm, NSW, and examined the container on 14 March at the Port Botany container facility. After an extensive physical search the consignment was found to contain illicit drugs.

The matter was referred to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) who then took possession of the consignment, which contained approximately 170 kilograms of opium.

The AFP executed search warrants on vehicles and private residences at Villawood, Guildford and Warwick Farm on 17 March 2011. During this action, AFP officers seized a further two and a half kilograms of opium and over $8,000 in cash.

Following the search warrants these persons were arrested and charged by the AFP:

A 35-year-old man from Villawood with attempt to possess a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, namely opium contrary to Section 307.5 of the Criminal Code Act 1995, by virtue of section 11.1 and the importation into Australia of a border controlled drug, namely opium, contrary to section 307.1 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.
A 49-year-old man from Villawood with attempt to possess a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, namely opium contrary to Section 307.5 of the Criminal Code Act 1995, by virtue of section 11.1 and possession of a marketable quantity of a border controlled drug, namely opium, contrary to section 307.6 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.
A 33-year-old female from Guildford with attempt to possess a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, namely opium contrary to Section 307.5 of the Criminal Code Act 1995, by virtue of section 11.1.
It will be alleged in court the consignment of 372 cartons concealed 19 packages containing 228 glass jars labelled as tomato paste. The glass jars contained a dark brown tar substance, which tested positive to opium.

The maximum penalty for these offences is as follows:

s307.1 life imprisonment and/or a $825,000 fine.
s307.5 life imprisonment and/or a $825,000 fine.
s307.6 life imprisonment and/or $550,000 fine.
The AFP is continuing their enquiries into this matter.
Added on 21/03/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Kampf um die Sicherheit beginnt in Lettland
Kampf um die Sicherheit beginnt in Lettland
RIGA - Was hat die Kriminalität in der Metropolregion Nürnberg mit der Polizei in Lettland zu tun? „Jede Menge, aber hoffentlich nicht bald noch mehr“, sagt Heinz Kiefer. Der 62-Jährige aus dem Landkreis Neumarkt ist Präsident von Eurocop, der Dachorganisation der europäischen Polizeigewerkschaften, die sich für die Interessen von 600.000 Ordnungshütern in 21 Ländern einsetzt.
Die Parallelen sind offenkundig: Im Raum Nürnberg häufen sich die Diebstähle von Luxusautos wie BMW X5 und X6, die gleich in Serie gestohlen werden; auf den Autobahnen in Franken entdecken Fahnder regelmäßig riesige Mengen synthetischer Drogen, aber auch Heroin und Kokain.

Das sind Fälle, die auch zum Alltag der Polizei in Lettland gehören. Hinter Autoschiebern und Drogenschmugglern stecken straff organisierte Banden, die europa-, wenn nicht weltweit operieren.

Transit-Zone Franken
Aber was wollen kolumbianische Drogenbosse in Lettland? Tonnenweise Kokain ist dort aus Südamerika angekommen, zeigen Berichte des Innenministeriums in Riga. Das sind freilich nur die entdeckten Mengen.

Hintergrund ist eine Verschiebung der Schmuggelrouten — und hier spielt Lettland mit seinen Häfen, aber auch seinen traditionellen Verbindungen nach Osten eine wichtige Rolle in der Kriminalgeografie, ebenso wie die Metropolregion Nürnberg als Transitzone im Zentrum Europas.

Den fränkischen Schleierfahndern gelingen immer wieder sensationelle Kokainfunde auf der Route von Holland nach Italien. Schleuser aus Osteuropa werfen ihre „Ware“, arme Flüchtlinge aus Asien, bevorzugt an den Autobahnen um Nürnberg aus dem Auto. Ein Klassiker der Kriminalgeografie sind auch die Heroinrouten zwischen Asien und Europa, die teils über Nürnberg führen. Doch die Schmuggler scheuen keine Umwege, wenn in einem Land der Kontrolldruck fehlt — wie in Lettland.

Eine Tragödie
Das Land in der Mitte des Baltikums mit 2,2 Millionen Einwohnern steckt in einer tiefen Krise. Die desolaten Staatsfinanzen erinnern an die griechische Finanztragödie, dazu kommen Korruption und Schattenwirtschaft. Zwei Beispiele: Weil beim Kauf von Bussen aus Deutschland Millionen Euro als Schmiergelder geflossen sein sollen, läuft derzeit ein Verfahren der Justiz in Stuttgart. Beim geplanten Bau einer Straßenbrücke in Riga sind 27 Millionen Euro einfach verschwunden.

Eine Notverordnung der Regierung jagt die nächste. So sind die Gehälter der Staatspolizisten um mehr als die Hälfte gekürzt worden. Die Zahl der Ordnungshüter ist von 14.000 auf die Hälfte reduziert worden, weitere 2000 warten derzeit auf ihre Kündigung. Und sie arbeiten unter erbärmlichen Bedingungen, wie der 30-jährige Ermittler Valdis im Rigaer Problemviertel Sarkandaugava.



380 Euro Gehalt bekommt der Vater einer kleinen Tochter noch monatlich. Sein Büro in einem ehemaligen Bahnhof sieht aus wie ein Sperrmülllager. Dort stapelt er die Beute der Metalldiebe: Kabel, alte Waagen, Stahlrohrstühle und Dachrinnen.

Weil es kein fließendes Wasser in dem Gebäude für hundert Kriminaler gibt, haben holländische Polizisten Wasserspender in Fünf-Liter-Kanistern mitgebracht.
Valdis’ Gehalt reicht nicht für die Kleinfamilie; so arbeitet er nebenbei noch für einen privaten Sicherheitsdienst und jobbt in einer Kneipe. Heinz Kiefer, der die Wache mit seinem lettischen Gewerkschaftskollegen Agris Suna besuchte, ist entsetzt über die Arbeitsbedingungen und die wenigen, klapprigen Polizeiautos — die Wache in Sarkandaugava ist typisch für die Staatspolizei.

Längst hat die Polizei die Lage in dem Viertel nicht mehr im Griff: „Die Leute regeln ihre Streitigkeiten selber“, sagt ein Kriminalbeamter resigniert. Die Touristen in der schmucken Rigaer Altstadt mit ihren Jugendstil-Bauwerken bekommen von dem Problemen wenig mit. Dort patrouilliert eine Stadtpolizei mit feschen Uniformen, die aber lediglich Ordnungsaufgaben hat, sich also vorwiegend um Falschparker kümmert. Derweil fehlen aber die Kapazitäten der Ermittler für die großen Gauner, die zunehmend ihr Heil in Lettland suchen.

„Preußen des Baltikums“
Der Nachbarstaat Estland im Norden gilt mit einer effektiven Staatspolizei mittlerweile als „Preußen des Baltikums“; Litauen hat, so Polizeiexperten für organisierte Kriminalität, seine Probleme „halbwegs im Griff“. Freilich weiß Heinz Kiefer, dass er sich nicht in innere Belange Lettlands einmischen darf. Aber er verweist auf die europäische Dimension der Missstände. Lettland gehört zu den Staaten des Schengener Abkommens, die innerhalb Europas die Grenzkontrollen gelockert und ein einheitliches Visum vereinbart haben.

Für das organisierte Verbrechen ist die Lage Lettlands nämlich komfortabel: Offene Grenzen bis nach Spanien sind ideal für alle illegalen Geschäftsfelder, vom Drogenschmuggel bis zum Menschenhandel. Schleuserbanden haben leichtes Spiel, wenn Lettland seine Polizei rigoros verkleinert. Mit seinen mahnenden Worten findet Kiefer, früher Chef eines Spezialkommandos der Bereitschaftspolizei für besonders heikle Einsätze, durchaus Gehör bei der Regierung in Lettland, die inzwischen gerne Hilfe annimmt.

Beamte als Räuber
Doch muss er sich, wenn er in wenigen Wochen erneut Riga besucht, auf neue Ansprechpartner einstellen. Innenministerin Linda Murniece hat gerade wegen der Verhältnisse in dem Land entnervt hingeworfen und ihren Rücktritt erklärt. Anlass war eine Schießerei in der lettischen Stadt Jekabpils nach einem Überfall auf eine Spielhalle. Bei der Verfolgung der Täter wurde ein Polizist erschossen — von einem Kollegen: Denn vier der fünf Räuber waren Angehörige der Staatspolizei.
Added on 21/03/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Dubai Customs foils bid to smuggle in opium
Dubai Customs foils bid to smuggle in opium
DUBAI — The Dubai Customs recently foiled a bid to smuggle 8kg of opium worth some Dh200,000 in a handbag shipment at the Dubai Cargo Village. The drugs were concealed in leather handbags weighing 24kg in total.

“The contraband came from an Asian country was headed to a European country, and was seized two weeks back,” Omar Al Muhairi, Senior Manager of Cargo Village Air Operation, Dubai Customs, told Khaleej Times.

Muhairi said the customs inspector got suspicious of the contents of the cargo following an x-ray scan. “While manually searching the bags, the inspectors extracted a dark-coloured substance that looked like opium. It was stuffed in some bags.” The K9-Dogs Squad was brought into the scene to check the confiscated items. The Customs Mobile Laboratory was also called in to test a sample from the contraband, and it was reported that the substance found was narcotic opium.

The seized items were then transferred to the Anti-Narcotics Department of Dubai Police in line with the cooperation between the both sides.

In February this year, the Dubai Customs foiled three separate bids to smuggle 9kg of opium worth some Dh225,000 at the Dubai Cargo Village. “Dubai Customs foiled 55 bids to smuggle different kinds of narcotics in 2010. Those included four bids to smuggle 12kg of opium valued at over Dh300,000,” Muhairi said.
Added on 21/03/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Italian DNCD prevent a bring a drug smuggling Brussels
Italian DNCD prevent a bring a drug smuggling Brussels
A 53-year Italian was prevented by the National Drug Control (DNCD) to travel on a plane yesterday from Puerto Plata to Brussels, with about three kilos of cocaine in his luggage.
Fiorella Giuseppa Bellavia was detected by DNCD services in the Gregorio Luperon International Airport at the precise moment abobaría the airline's 104 flight Jetairfly.

Specifically carrying two packages of the drug in a rectangular lined with paper and tape, with an overall weight of 2.8 kilos.

DNCD members reviewed Bellavia baggage in his presence and a prosecutor attached to other leading authorities in the airport terminal at 5:00 pm.

The case is the subject of investigations, in order to catch others involved in it.
Added on 21/03/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
HUGE heroin catch revealed in Rødby
HUGE heroin catch revealed in Rødby
Estonian man with 40 kilos of heroin uncovered by ferry in Rødby.

A so-called great control by ferries in Rødby has been policemen and customs officials to lift the arms.

In two cars, there are 40 kilos of heroin respectively, revealed and 6,5 kilos of heroin, writes folketidende. dk.

A 35-year-old man from Estonia was taken with the largest quantity, while the other motorist in 45 years of age living in Norway.

Both men are produced in Constitutional Law in interrogation in Nykøbing Falster, writes folketidende. dk.

The cases show that a massive control where all vehicles to be checked, may well be worthwhile.

The police got the assistance of Customs officers from the Tax, which had advanced scanner equipment with during the action.
Added on 21/03/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Cocaine valuing $217M found in container from Guyana
Cocaine valuing $217M found in container from Guyana
Cocaine found in a duffle bag among logs in the container at Port Bustamante.
A top level probe is in progress into Wednesday's multi-million dollar drug find at Port Bustamante in Kingston.

One hundred and twelve packages of cocaine weighing 225 pounds and with a street value of more than $217 million were seized on a cargo vessel that arrived from Guyana.

It was the second major drug seizure by the Customs Department since the start of the year.

The Department says the cocaine was found during a routine examination of the ship.

No arrest was made.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the contraband was destined for Jamaica.

The packages have been handed over to the Trans-National Crime and Narcotics Division of the Jamaica Constabulary Force for further examination and investigation.

Police find several guns during operations in Kingston

Meanwhile, the police have made another significant gun find following Wednesday morning's seizure of two firearms at Port Bustamante.

A statement from the police says following the discovery of an AK-47 assault rifle and a shotgun at the port, operations were carried out at various locations in Kingston and St. Andrew.

During one of the raids three guns were found along with a large amount of ammunition.

They comprised an AK-47 rifle, one .45 semi-automatic pistol, a 9 millimetre semi-automatic pistol and more than 150 assorted rounds of ammunition.

They were seized at premises on Bay Farm Road in Kingston.

During the earlier operation at Port Bustamante, two persons were arrested when the guns were found hidden in barrels.
Added on 21/03/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Record seizure of 7 tons of cannabis
Record seizure of 7 tons of cannabis
More than seven tonnes of cannabis were seized yesterday on the A4 between the Marne and Seine-et-Marne by the police or the largest catch ever made by the PJ, who placed four men in custody , said on Friday police source.
The 7.064 tons of cannabis have been discovered in a truck stopped on the A4 and a part of the cargo was being loaded into a van, the source said.

This is the largest seizure made at one time in France by the police, it was clear from the same source. The truck came from Morocco via Spain and four men were remanded in custody.
Added on 21/03/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
A Coruña seized 113 kilos of cocaine from Ecuador
A Coruña seized 113 kilos of cocaine from Ecuador
A Coruña seized 113 kilos of cocaine from Ecuador
03.02.1911 | 17:54 h. Agencia EFE
The National Police has seized 113 kilograms of A Coruña cocaine from Guayaquil (Ecuador), who arrived in the city hidden in a consignment of fruit, police sources reported today.

According to him, on 28 February, responsible for a food distribution center, located in the Circle of A Grela (A Coruña), warned that after making the reception of a truck that was carrying fruit from the southern port Galician found one package that did suspect that it could be narcotics.

Once the visual inspection, police discovered that, hidden in several boxes of pineapple, were numerous "bananas" PVC well made and filled with narcotic substance, namely cocaine hydrochloride.

Each of the 190 bananas has a gross weight seized approximately 540 grams, which is 113 kg gross.

The goods arrived last February 18 at the port of Marin in the ship "Fortune", where it remained stored until further distribution, so now policing focuses on determining the recipient of the goods and establish their connection with trafficking networks exist in Galicia.

Police have inspected other establishments in which any of the pallets had been distributed, with negative results.

Police said the flow of drugs through the international trading system, by means of container transport is a mode that has been used in recent years and further increases daily.

At first the brigade intervened Provincial Public Security of A Coruña, through patrols of 091, and took charge of the Drug Action Unit and Organized Crime in Galicia (UDYCO), which instructs the police report for the Court Guard Training A Coruña.

Incautados en A Coruña 113 kilos de cocaína procedentes de Ecuador
02.03.11 | 17:54 h. Agencia EFE
La Policía Nacional se ha incautado en A Coruña 113 Kilogramos de cocaína procedentes de Guayaquil (Ecuador), que llegaron a la ciudad camuflados en una partida de fruta, han informado hoy fuentes policiales.

Según su relato, el pasado 28 de febrero los responsables de un centro de distribución de alimentación, ubicado en el Polígono de A Grela (A Coruña), avisaron de que tras realizar la recepción de un camión que trasladaba fruta procedente de un puerto del sur de Galicia detectaron diversos bultos que hicieron sospechar que podría tratarse de sustancias estupefacientes.

Realizada la inspección ocular, efectivos policiales comprobaron que, oculto en diversas cajas de piña, se encontraban numerosas "bananas" de pvc perfectamente confeccionadas y rellenas de sustancia estupefaciente, concretamente clorhidrato de cocaína.

Cada una de las 190 bananas decomisadas tiene un peso bruto aproximado de 540 gramos, lo que supone 113 kilogramos brutos.

La mercancía llegó el pasado 18 de febrero al puerto de Marín en el buque "Fortuna", donde permaneció almacenada hasta su posterior distribución, por lo que en la actualidad la actuación policial se centra en determinar el destinatario de la mercancía y establecer su conexión con las redes de narcotráfico existes en Galicia.

La Policía ha inspeccionado otros establecimientos en los que alguno de los palés había sido distribuido, con resultado negativo.

Según la Policía, la entrada de droga a través del sistema comercial internacional, por medio del transporte en contenedores, es una modalidad que se viene usando en los últimos años y que cada día se incrementa más.

En un primer momento ha intervenido la Brigada Provincial de Seguridad Ciudadana de A Coruña, por medio de patrullas del 091, y se hizo cargo de la actuación la Unidad de Drogas y Crimen Organizado de Galicia (UDyCO), que instruye el atestado correspondiente al Juzgado de Instrucción de guardia de A Coruña.

http://www.telecinco.es/informativos/sociedad/noticia/1476100/

A Coruña seized 113 kilos of cocaine from Ecuador
03.02.1911 | 17:54 h. Agencia EFE
The National Police has seized 113 kilograms of A Coruña cocaine from Guayaquil (Ecuador), who arrived in the city hidden in a consignment of fruit, police sources reported today.

According to him, on 28 February, responsible for a food distribution center, located in the Circle of A Grela (A Coruña), warned that after making the reception of a truck that was carrying fruit from the southern port Galician found one package that did suspect that it could be narcotics.

Once the visual inspection, police discovered that, hidden in several boxes of pineapple, were numerous "bananas" PVC well made and filled with narcotic substance, namely cocaine hydrochloride.

Each of the 190 bananas has a gross weight seized approximately 540 grams, which is 113 kg gross.

The goods arrived last February 18 at the port of Marin in the ship "Fortune", where it remained stored until further distribution, so now policing focuses on determining the recipient of the goods and establish their connection with trafficking networks exist in Galicia.

Police have inspected other establishments in which any of the pallets had been distributed, with negative results.

Police said the flow of drugs through the international trading system, by means of container transport is a mode that has been used in recent years and further increases daily.

At first the brigade intervened Provincial Public Security of A Coruña, through patrols of 091, and took charge of the Drug Action Unit and Organized Crime in Galicia (UDYCO), which instructs the police report for the Court Guard Training A Coruña.


La Policía Nacional incauta 113 kilos de cocaína oculta en bananas de PVC

Un error de los narcotraficantes en el envío provoca la intervención del alijo

Las investigaciones se centran ahora en identificar a los implicados y determinar el destino de la mercancía

02-marzo-2011.- Agentes de Policía Nacional han incautado en A Coruña 113 kilos de cocaína camuflada en contenedores de fruta tropical procedente de Guayaquil (Ecuador). Responsables de un centro de distribución de alimentos alertaron a las autoridades de la presencia de bultos sospechosos entre la mercancía. Las investigaciones se centran ahora en la identificación de los implicados y determinar el destino de la droga.

Localizadas 190 bananas de PVC

Operarios de un centro de distribución de alimentos dieron aviso a la policía ya que tras recibir la recepción de un camión que trasladaba fruta, procedente del sur de Galicia, detectaron en uno de los palés diversos bultos, que hicieron sospechar que podría tratarse de sustancia estupefaciente.

Ocultos en varias cajas de piña se encontraban numerosas bananas de PVC, perfectamente confeccionadas y rellenas de cocaína, en total 190 plátanos con un peso aproximado de 540 gramos cada uno.

La mercancía llegó a un puerto del sur de Galicia transportada en un buque, donde permaneció almacenada hasta su posterior distribución, por lo que la actuación policial se centra ahora en determinar a quién iba dirigida y establecer su conexión con las redes de narcotráfico existentes en Galicia.

Una modalidad que se viene usando en los últimos años

La entrada de droga a través del sistema comercial internacional, por medio del transporte en contenedores, es una modalidad que se viene usando en los últimos años. Entre las artimañas más utilizadas en el tráfico marítimo figura una de las más recurridas denominada "gancho ciego", que consiste en el transporte de la droga en lugares que permiten su introducción en el último momento de la exportación y su retirada a la llegada a puerto, a diferencia de este caso, en que la sustancia estupefaciente se oculta en un lugar intermedio entre la mercancía importada, aunque en elementos de fruta simulada.

La operación ha sido realizada por agentes de la Brigada Provincial de Seguridad Ciudadana de A Coruña y la Unidad de Drogas y Crimen Organizado de Galicia (UDyCO).

http://www.policia.es/prensa/20110302_3.html

The National Police seized 113 kilos of cocaine hidden in bananas PVC

An error in sending the drug intervention causes cache

Investigations are now focused on identifying those involved and determine the destination of the goods

02-Mar-2011 .- National Police agents have seized 113 kilos of A Coruña cocaine hidden in containers of tropical fruit from Guayaquil (Ecuador). Responsible for a food distribution center alerted the authorities about suspicious packages among the merchandise. Investigations are now focused on the identification of those involved and determine the fate of the drug.

Located 190 PVC bananas

Operators of a food distribution center was told to the police and that after receiving the receipt of a truck that was carrying fruit from the south of Galicia, detected in one of the pallets in one package, they did suspect it could be narcotic .

Hidden in several boxes of pineapple bananas were numerous PVC, perfectly made and filled with cocaine, with a total of 190 bananas, weighing approximately 540 grams each.

The goods arrived at a port south of Galicia carried in a ship, where it remained stored until further distribution, so that policing is now focused on determining who was targeted and set its connection with drug trafficking networks in Galicia .

An arrangement that has been used in recent years

The flow of drugs through the international trading system, by means of container transport is a mode that has been used in recent years. Among the most used tricks in the shipping figure one of the respondents called "hook-blind", which involves the transport of drugs in places that allow their introduction in the last minute withdrawal of export and on arrival in port unlike this case, in which the drug substance is hidden somewhere between the imported goods, although simulated fruit items.

The operation was conducted by officers from the Provincial Public Security of A Coruña and Drugs Unit and Organized Crime in Galicia (UDYCO).
Added on 11/03/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
25 kg of cannabis into the tire
25 kg of cannabis into the tire
25 kg of cannabis into the tire

March 2, 2011

Saint-Paul-lès-Dax

Late Monday afternoon, police in St. Paul les Dax have been lucky.

Traveling in an unmarked car in the avenue Saint-Vincent de Paul, they wanted to control the driver of a Golf registered in the Dordogne. Except that when they arrived at its height, it suddenly started up and fled.

Arrested a few minutes later on the town of Herm, about ten miles away, it will indicate spontaneously police she fled because he was carrying drugs. Show good faith, it will give them a bag containing a little over 9 kilos of cannabis resin.

No identity documents

Problem, when the police inspect the vehicle closely, they will find a spare more than suspicious. Intrigued by the sounds inside the tire, they will discover, after cut, another 14 kilos of cannabis resin carefully packaged. A total of almost 25 pounds.

The young man had no identification papers on him, was remanded in custody in Bayonne. It would be 29 years old and living in Gironde. It remains to be determined at the investigators because of its presence in Dax. Was he came to deliver a customer? Did he take possession of its cargo? Or, more simply, he sought to avoid the main roads in order to win, more quietly, its terminus?

25 kg de cannabis dans le pneu

2 mars 2011

Saint-Paul-lès-Dax

Lundi, en fin d'après-midi, les policiers de Saint-Paul-lès-Dax ont eu la main heureuse.

Circulant à bord d'une voiture banalisée dans l'avenue Saint-Vincent-de-Paul, ils ont souhaité contrôler le conducteur d'une Golf immatriculée en Dordogne. Sauf que lorsqu'ils se sont présentés à sa hauteur, celui-ci a soudainement démarré et pris la fuite.

Interpellé quelques minutes plus tard sur la commune d'Herm, à une dizaine de kilomètres de là, il indiquera spontanément aux policiers avoir pris la fuite parce qu'il transportait de la drogue. Preuve de sa bonne foi, il leur donnera un sac contenant un peu plus de 9 kilos de résine de cannabis.

Pas de papiers d'identité

Problème, lorsque les policiers inspecteront de près le véhicule, ils trouveront une roue de secours plus que suspecte. Intrigués par des bruits à l'intérieur du pneu, ils découvriront, après l'avoir découpé, 14 autres kilos de résine de cannabis soigneusement empaquetés. Soit un total de presque 25 kilos.

Le jeune homme, qui n'avait aucun papier d'identité sur lui, a été placé en garde à vue à Bayonne. Il serait âgé de 29 ans et domicilié en Gironde. Reste maintenant à déterminer aux enquêteurs la raison de sa présence à Dax. Était-il venu livrer un client ? Venait-il de prendre possession de sa cargaison ? Ou, plus simplement, cherchait-il à éviter les grands axes afin de gagner, plus tranquillement, son terminus ?

http://www.sudouest.fr/2011/03/02/25-kg-de-cannabis-dans-le-pneu-330322-3534.php#xtor=RSS-10521769
Added on 11/03/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
3 Dutchman jailed
3 Dutchman jailed
3 Dutchman jailed

28/02/2011

Three Dutch Road, aged 40 to 45, were indicted and jailed in Marseille tonight by J. Philippe Dorcet the Court interregional specialized (Jirsa), it was learned from sources close to the investigation. The trio was arrested last Thursday by Customs at the exit of the Viaduct of Millau (Aveyron) with 1.5 tonnes of cannabis resin.

The manager of the company "Emar" based Made in the Rotterdam region opened the road in a BMW and two employees were on board a lorry which was unearthed hidden the drugs through customs flair. Placed in custody at SRPJ Toulouse, traffickers have admitted responsibility in a first time 300 kg of drugs in Malaga and the rest in Barcelona, the source said.

They also admitted that he made several other trips leading to referral to the Central Office for combating illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs (OCRTIS) to determine the exact height of traffic, said the source close to the investigation. Marseille has the same judge also indicted four individuals from Trappes (Yvelines) after seizure on Feb. 2 1.3 tons of hashish always Millau viaduct. The GIGN had reconstructed an accident to stop traffickers and smooth the investigation was entrusted to the research section of the police in Toulouse.

Drogues/trafic : 3 Hollandais écroués

28/02/2011

Trois routiers hollandais, âgés de 40 à 45 ans, ont été mis en examen et écroués ce soir à Marseille par le juge Philippe Dorcet de la Juridiction interrégionale spécialisée (Jirs), a-t-on appris de source proche de l'enquête. Le trio avait été interpellé jeudi dernier par les douaniers au péage du Viaduc de Millau (Aveyron) avec 1,5 tonne de résine de cannabis.

Le gérant de la société "Emar" basée à Made dans la région de Rotterdam ouvrait la route à bord d'une BMW et ses deux employés suivaient à bord d'un poids-lourd dans lequel était caché la drogue dénichée grâce au flair douanier. Placés en garde à vue au SRPJ de Toulouse, les trafiquants ont reconnu avoir chargé dans un premier temps 300 kg de drogue à Malaga puis le reste à Barcelone, selon la même source.

Ils ont également admis avoir effectué plusieurs autres voyages ce qui a entraîné la saisine de l'office central de répression du trafic illicite de stupéfiants (OCRTIS) pour déterminer la hauteur exacte du trafic, a précisé la source proche de l'enquête. Le même magistrat marseillais a également mis en examen quatre personnes originaires de Trappes (Yvelines) après la saisie le 2 février de 1,3 tonne de haschich toujours au viaduc de Millau. Le GIGN avait reconstitué un accident pour arrêter en douceur les trafiquants et l'enquête a été confiée à la section de recherches de la gendarmerie de Toulouse.
Added on 11/03/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Designer drugs are escalating out of control, according to INCB
Designer drugs are escalating out of control, according to INCB
Designer drugs are escalating out of control, according to INCB
2 March 2011 - Designer drugs are being produced faster and in growing numbers, the Vienna-based International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) says in its Annual Report 2010, launched today in Vienna.

In Europe, sixteen new designer drugs are being monitored, in Japan the number is as high as fifty one. "Given the health risks posed by the abuse of designer drugs, we urge Governments to adopt national control measures to prevent the manufacture, trafficking in and abuse of these substances," says Hamid Ghodse, President of the Board.

The report also explores how corruption undermines the fight against drug trafficking. "The very authorities established to control and repress drug trafficking are then themselves compromised by corruption. Police and justice officials often face tremendous pressure from organized crime when working to stop drug trafficking. Preventing corruption must be a higher priority", INCB says.

On the other hand, licit drugs needed for medical treatment are not readily available in all parts of the world. More than 80 per cent of the world's population has no or insufficient access to pain relief drugs and are suffering unnecessary pain because of it, according to a special supplement to the INCB Report. The Board urges Governments to take action, for example, to collect statistical data on licit drug requirements, adapt legislation and improve education and training.

The report further gives a breakdown of drug production, trafficking and abuse patterns in regions of the world. Western Europe is the world's largest market for heroin, with approximately 60 per cent of regional consumption being accounted for by four countries (United Kingdom, Italy, France and Germany). The report states that cocaine smuggling through Africa to Europe is on the rise again. After a decline in cocaine trafficking in the region in the past two years, trafficking has resumed as indicated by several large-scale seizures in 2010.

The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) is the independent monitoring body for the implementation of the United Nations international drug control conventions. It was established in 1968 in accordance with the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961. Based on its activities, INCB publishes this annual report that provides a comprehensive review of the drug control situation in various parts of the world. As an impartial body, INCB tries to identify and predict dangerous trends and suggests necessary measures to be taken.
http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/frontpage/2011/March/designer-drugs-are-escalating-out-of-control-according-to-incb.html?ref=fs1

INCB Annual Report 2010 launched today

The 2010 Annual Report of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) was launched today in various locations around the world. In Vienna, Professor Hamid Ghodse, President of the Board, presented the report to the press.

This year, one of the central themes of the report is the role of corruption in drug trafficking. The report highlights the Board's concerns about issues such as designer drugs, synthetic cannabinoids and precursor chemicals and also presents regional developments and recommendations for Governments. This year the Board has issued a special supplement to the report on the topic of ensuring availability of controlled drugs for medical and scientific purposes.

( INCB Annual Report 2010 )

( Presentation of INCB Annual Report 2010 )

http://www.incb.org/incb/en/report_launch_2011.html

Per e-mail the files are 3,5 Mb, so please download yourself or ask me to send you a copy.

***********************************************************************
Added on 11/03/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
The Civil Guard intercepts a helicopter with a stash of drugs in La Janda (Cadiz)
The Civil Guard intercepts a helicopter with a stash of drugs in La Janda (Cadiz)
The Civil Guard intercepts a helicopter with a stash of drugs in La Janda (Cadiz)

The aircraft carried out their journeys from and back to Morocco without a flight plan or light signals, with the corresponding risk for air navigation

Se han detenido a cinco personas e incautado 400 kilogramos de hachís de gran pureza, un helicóptero y cinco vehículos They have arrested five people and seized 400 kilograms of hashish of great purity, a helicopter and five vehicles

La Guardia Civil de Cádiz has dismantled an organization devoted to international drug trafficking, arresting five people and seizing 400 kilograms of hashish of high purity, a helicopter and five vehicles, some of high range as a Hummer.




The incident took place when components of the Civil Guard of the commandery of Cadiz, had established a monitoring device on aircraft that could be devoted to trafficking in hashish between Morocco and Spain. According to early investigations were without any administrative control and without the relevant authorisations of flight aircraft.




Within the framework of this device it was detected that an aircraft that was controlling took headed south to an untimely time and to check their flight plan with the Central military Pegasus, responsible for national air traffic control, reported that it lacked the same.




For this reason, the Center operating complex of the command (COC) coordinated a device of surveillance and control on the ground, backed by two helicopters of the Civil Guard.




Hours later, the helicopters of the Civil Guard, see the suspicious aircraft making landfall, moment in which the interception of the helicopter, is found in the interior of the same 8 bundles of hashish, which threw a weight of 400 kg, by which ordered the arrest of the two German nationals who tripulaban the aircraft.




Simultaneously were arrested two others waiting hidden to the download of the drug and which had been marked with flashlights landing of the helicopter, having prepared two vehicles to remove the drug from the landing area.




The helicopter seized by the Guardia Civil is a single Robinson, R 44 Raven II model of American-made, designed to work for recognition and attention, in addition to carrying out a very quiet flight.




It can carry up to 400 Kg. loading and has a range of 400 miles, reaches the 208 km/h cruise speed and it can fly at a maximum altitude of 14,000 feet, features which makes it ideal for the type of operation aborted by the Guardia Civil.




The detainees once identified, turned out to be r. T. and g. j. D., German citizens, and crew of the aircraft, as well as I.F.G. and M.T.R., Spanish citizens, which were detained hidden in the area of the cache on Board of vehicles operated with useful security zonewith the Mission of discharge and nursery of the drug.


F.J.F.G., also Spanish for his involvement in the facts, was also arrested which together with the seized effects were available to the magistrate No. 1 of the Barbate.




There are video images available to media wishing to do in the Cabinet of press of the Civil Guard, tlf. 91 514 60 10.


For more information please contact the Press Office of the Civil Guard of Cádiz, 956 phone 293 ext 408. 4546.

La Guardia Civil intercepta un helicóptero con un alijo de droga en La Janda (Cádiz)


La aeronave realizaba sus trayectos de ida y vuelta a Marruecos sin plan de vuelo ni señales luminosas, con el correspondiente riesgo para la navegación aérea

Se han detenido a cinco personas e incautado 400 kilogramos de hachís de gran pureza, un helicóptero y cinco vehículos

La Guardia Civil de Cádiz ha desmantelado una organización dedicada al tráfico internacional de estupefacientes, deteniendo a cinco personas e incautando 400 kilogramos de hachís de gran pureza, un helicóptero y cinco vehículos, algunos de alta gama como un Hummer.




Los hechos tuvieron lugar cuando componentes de la Guardia Civil de la Comandancia de Cádiz, tenían establecido un dispositivo de control sobre aeronaves que se podrían estar dedicando al tráfico de hachís entre Marruecos y España. Según las primeras investigaciones realizadas se trataba de aeronaves sin ningún tipo de control administrativo y sin las autorizaciones de vuelo pertinentes.




En el marco de este dispositivo, se detectó que una aeronave que se estaba controlando tomaba rumbo sur a una hora intempestiva y al consultarse su plan de vuelo con la Central Militar Pegaso, encargada del control aéreo nacional, informó que carecía del mismo.




Por tal motivo, el Centro Operativo Complejo de la Comandancia (COC) coordinó un dispositivo de vigilancia y control en tierra, con el apoyo de dos helicópteros de la Guardia Civil.




Horas después, los helicópteros de la Guardia Civil, ven la aeronave sospechosa tomar tierra, momento en el que se procede a la interceptación del helicóptero, encontrando en el interior del mismo 8 fardos de hachís, que arrojaron un peso de 400 kilogramos, por lo que se procedió a la detención de los dos súbditos alemanes que tripulaban la aeronave.




De forma simultánea se detuvo a otras dos personas que esperaban ocultas para la descarga de la droga y que habían señalizado con linternas el aterrizaje del helicóptero, teniendo preparados dos vehículos para sacar la droga de la zona de aterrizaje.




El helicóptero incautado por la Guardia Civil es un monoturbina Robinson, modelo R 44 Raven II, de fabricación estadounidense, ideados para trabajos de reconocimiento y atención, además de llevar a cabo un vuelo muy silencioso.




Puede transportar hasta 400 Kg. de carga y dispone de una autonomía de 400 millas, alcanza los 208 km/h de velocidad de crucero y puede volar a una altitud máxima de 14.000 pies, características que lo hace idóneo para el tipo de operación abortada por la Guardia Civil.




Los detenidos una vez identificados, resultaron ser R. T. y G. J. D., ciudadanos alemanes, y tripulantes de la aeronave, así como I.F.G. y M.T.R., ciudadanos españoles, los cuales fueron detenidos ocultos en la zona del alijo a bordo de los vehículos intervenidos con útiles de balizar la zona, teniendo la misión de descarga y guardería de la droga.


Asimismo fue detenido F.J.F.G., también español por su participación en los hechos, por lo que junto con los efectos intervenidos quedaron a disposición del Juzgado de Instrucción nº 1 de los de Barbate.




Existen imágenes de vídeo a disposición de los medios que lo deseen en el Gabinete de Prensa de la Guardia Civil, tlf. 91 514 60 10.


Para más información pueden contactar con el Gabinete de Prensa de la Guardia Civil de Cádiz, en el teléfono 956 293 408 ext. 4546.


http://www.guardiacivil.org/prensa/notas/noticia.jsp?idnoticia=3037
Added on 11/03/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Undetectable synthetic marijuana in wide use at U.S. Naval Academy
Undetectable synthetic marijuana in wide use at U.S. Naval Academy
Undetectable synthetic marijuana in wide use at U.S. Naval Academy
By IBTimes Staff Reporter | March 3, 2011 10:19 PM GMT

"Synthetic marijuana" or "Spice" - a herbal potpourri sprayed with chemicals to induce cannabis-like effects - appears to have been used widely and often by midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy according to a recent report from The Washington Post.

Several former midshipmen have admitted to the frequent use on campus of the drug, which is banned by the U.S. military and even in its service academies plus in around 18 states, though Maryland is yet to join that list. Several countries also have a blanket ban on smoking of the drug.
Sold as expensive herbal incense or bath salts at gas stations and head shops, Spice, also called K2, is not difficult to obtain and is technically considered "legal" in many states. However, the federal Drug Enforcement Administration has banned five variations and added them to its list of illegal drugs in the most restrictive category; some states are moving fast and steadily to outlaw it because of its growing popularity and the resulting hazards to public health.The Denver Post quoted Michele Leonhart, Administrator at the DEA, as saying, "Young people are being harmed when they smoke these dangerous 'fake pot' products and wrongly equate the products' 'legal' retail availability with being 'safe.'"

The Naval Academy's policy on alcohol and drug use clearly lays down that "The use of illegal drugs is strictly forbidden and results in expulsion from the Academy. As a midshipman, you are subject to random drug testing through urinalysis, consistent with Navy-wide policies and procedures." However the frequent use of Spice on campus has probably gained ground as the chemicals in this concoction can escape detection in random urine tests.
Midshipmen in conversation with The Post (on conditions of anonymity) have said that it takes the stress away from the Academy life and ever since its introduction by one senior student in 2010 has found a good number of adopters, who either ordered it online or arranged shipments from friends, masked in hollowed-out books, chips cans or water bottles with removable bases.

The matter came to light when one smoker on campus went into seizures following smoking of Spice a few months back and a fellow midshipman in panic revealed the use of the drug to the rescuers. Since then, detailed investigations into suspected use of the drug have led to the expulsion of eight midshipmen. Sources expect the number to rise as investigations proceed.

http://uk.ibtimes.com/articles/118214/20110303/synthetic-marijuana-spice-k2-us-naval-academy-drug-use-midshipman-expulsion-investigation.htm
Added on 11/03/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Container with guns and drugs seized at Maputo
Container with guns and drugs seized at Maputo
03 March 2011


Container with guns and drugs seized at Maputo

A container in which an unspecified amount of guns and drugs was found has been seized by the Customs authorities in the port of Maputo, according to the daily O Pais.

The daily said that the police and Customs had been alerted to the contents of the container about a fortnight ago. They had allowed the container to be unloaded, and then waited, hoping that the owner would turn up to collect it, and could be caught red-handed.

However, either somebody tipped the owner off, or when he arrived at the port he noticed that the container was under surveillance. In any case, up until now nobody has claimed the container.

The use of Mozambique as a corridor for drug traffickers is a matter of concern for the authorities, and last year an investigation was launched into the affairs of one of the country's richest men, Mohamed Bachir Suleman, after US President Barack Obama named him as a drugs baron.
http://www.cargonewsasia.com/secured/article.aspx?id=3&article=25104
Added on 11/03/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Heroin recovered from parcel bound for netherlands
Heroin recovered from parcel bound for netherlands
Heroin recovered from parcel bound for netherlands

our correspondent
Friday, March 04, 2011

Personnel of the Karachi Airport Unit of the Pakistan Customs’ Drug Enforcement Cell (DEC) seized 150 grams of heroin concealed in the plastic casing of an electric distribution box.

Qamar Thalho of the Pakistan Customs said the DEC staff were clearing outgoing international courier consignments when they intercepted a consignment booked from Islamabad for an address in the Netherlands.

The sender has declared the contents of the package as ‘Plastic Box Sample’. An examination showed the package to be containing a plastic casing for an electric distribution box. A thorough examination of the plastic casing led to the recovery of 150 grams of fine quality heroin concealed inside the upper lid of the box.

A case has been registered under the Control of Narcotics Substances Act, 1997 and further investigations are in progress.


http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=34166&Cat=4&dt=3/4/2011
Added on 11/03/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Bulgaria to Fight Drug Trafficking with New Customs Unit
Bulgaria to Fight Drug Trafficking with New Customs Unit
Bulgaria to Fight Drug Trafficking with New Customs Unit
March 5, 2011, Saturday

A new unit will be created in the Bulgarian Customs Agency which will aim to cope with the drug trafficking issue, the country's Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, has announced.

The new unit will work in close collaboration with the special unit for fighting organized crime in the Bulgarian Interior Ministry, as well as with the US drug fighting authorities.

On Saturday, Borisov gave a special press conference together with Deputy PM and Interior Minister, Tsvetan Tsvetanov, the US Ambassador to Sofia, James Warlick, Foreign Affairs Minister, Nikolay Mladenov, and the Director of the Customs Agency, Vanyo Tanov, in connection with the annual report of the US State Department.

The report, published on Friday, criticized the Customs Agency for the decline in drug seizures."As evidenced by its declining drug seizures, the Customs Agency's institutional capability to combat drugs weakened this year due to structural changes that prioritize countering other contraband over combating narcotics," it said. It further stated that Bulgaria faces several significant challenges in its fight against narcotics trafficking and related crimes.

However, the US Department of State also praised the efforts of the Bulgarian government, and specifically the Interior Ministry, to combat the international drug trafficking.

On Wednesday, it was made clear that Bulgaria was the country which received the second highest heroin shipments in Europe, according to a report by the International Narcotics Control Board's annual report for 2010.

http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=125898


March 5, 2011, Saturday

A new unit will be created in the Bulgarian Customs Agency which will aim to cope with the drug trafficking issue, the country's Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, has announced.

The new unit will work in close collaboration with the special unit for fighting organized crime in the Bulgarian Interior Ministry, as well as with the US drug fighting authorities.

On Saturday, Borisov gave a special press conference together with Deputy PM and Interior Minister, Tsvetan Tsvetanov, the US Ambassador to Sofia, James Warlick, Foreign Affairs Minister, Nikolay Mladenov, and the Director of the Customs Agency, Vanyo Tanov, in connection with the annual report of the US State Department.

The report, published on Friday, criticized the Customs Agency for the decline in drug seizures."As evidenced by its declining drug seizures, the Customs Agency's institutional capability to combat drugs weakened this year due to structural changes that prioritize countering other contraband over combating narcotics," it said. It further stated that Bulgaria faces several significant challenges in its fight against narcotics trafficking and related crimes.

However, the US Department of State also praised the efforts of the Bulgarian government, and specifically the Interior Ministry, to combat the international drug trafficking.

On Wednesday, it was made clear that Bulgaria was the country which received the second highest heroin shipments in Europe, according to a report by the International Narcotics Control Board's annual report for 2010.

http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=125898
Added on 11/03/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
60 kilos of cocaine seized in the North-Vaucluse
60 kilos of cocaine seized in the North-Vaucluse
60 kilos of cocaine seized in the North-Vaucluse
Posted Sunday, March 6, 2011 at 12:54

Some 60 kilos of cocaine were seized Friday morning in northern Vaucluse, the village of Visan. Constables Valréas intercepted a truck carrying European license plates, carrying container from the United States. Before ending his run in the Vaucluse, the goods have passed through the Netherlands. The truck driver who was stopped on the highway, was remanded in custody.

The cocaine was concealed in the container, among other goods. The carrier's nationality was not specified.

According to our information, it is 46 years old. Where the drug should it be delivered? At 40 or 50 euros a gram of cocaine, the value of the cargo seized is estimated, according to the customs service to over 2.5 million euros on the illicit market for resale. Spot investigation was opened. The floor of Carpentras was divested in favor of the Court interregional specialized (Jirsa) and the prosecutor of Marseilles.



Saisie record à Visan : 60 kilos de cocaïne

05/03/2011

60 000 doses de cocaïne d’une rare qualité ont été découverts par les gendarmes sur le site d'une entreprise de Visan.

C’est une saisie qui va marquer l’histoire de la lutte contre le banditisme en Vaucluse.

Selon nos renseignements, 60 kilos de cocaïne d’une rare qualité ont été découverts vendredi matin par les gendarmes sur le site d'une entreprise de Visan. Une opération qui a été déclenchée après plusieurs semaines d’enquête

Valeur estimée du produit stupéfiant?: environ 2 millions d’euros. Actuellement la drogue a été mise sous bonne garde dans un endroit tenu secret.Plusieurs personnes ont été placées en garde à vue lorsque la drogue a été découverte. «?Il n’en reste plus qu’une seule », confie un proche de l’enquête.

Samedi à 15 heures, des effectifs de gendarmeries se sont rendus sur le site de cette entreprise. les militaires ont fait déplacer un camion immatriculé en Belgique.

Seule certitude pour l’instant, c’est que les gendarmes ont mis le doigt sur ce qui s’apparente à une organisation criminelle d’envergure internationale.Les enquêteurs spécialisés de la SR (section de recherches) de Marseille aidés des militaires locaux sont chargés de mener à bien les investigations.

http://www.ledauphine.com/vaucluse/2011/03/05/60-kilos-de-cocaine?image=27EED99D-C226-495E-B4EF-E6841394CA4D#galery



Seizure record Visan: 60 kilos of cocaine

on 05/03/2011



60 000 doses of cocaine from a rare quality were discovered by the police at the site of an enterprise of Visan.
It's a seizure that will mark the history of the struggle against banditry in Vaucluse.

According to our information, 60 kilos of cocaine from a rare quality were discovered Friday morning by police at the site of an enterprise of Visan. A transaction that was initiated after several weeks of investigation

Assessed value of narcotic?: About 2 million. Currently the drug has been under guard in a light secret.Plusieurs people were remanded in custody when the drug was discovered. "? However only one," says one close to the investigation.

Saturday at 3:00 p.m., staffing of police stations visited on the site of this company. the military is moving a truck registered in Belgium.

The only certainty for now is that the police have put your finger on what amounts to a criminal organization-wide internationale.Les investigators SR (research section) Marseille are aided by the local military responsible for carrying out the investigations.
Added on 11/03/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Venezuelan police seized a cache of 1,176 kilos of cocaine
Venezuelan police seized a cache of 1,176 kilos of cocaine
Venezuelan police seized a cache of 1,176 kilos of cocaine

VENEZUELA) JUSTICE-INTERIOR-EVENTS, EVENTS | > AREA: Justice and Home Affairs
07.03.2011 / 18:40 h

Caracas, March 7 (EFE) .- Venezuelan police today reported the seizure of 1,176 kilos of cocaine in an operation conducted in a private estate in the state of Anzoátegui, in the east, where they were detained four Venezuelans and a Colombia.

The commanding general of the National Guard, Luis Motta said at a press conference that the drug was in a cache of stone equipped to evade tracking equipment.

"We were able to detect the cylinder made of lead and deduce that used this material to avoid X-ray machines," said Mott, who said he also seized several firearms.

The National Anti-Drug Office (ONA) reported this week that so far this year, Venezuela's security agencies have seized 7.9 tons of various drugs, 5.8 of them for cocaine, which joins the stash seized in this operation. EFE

La Policía venezolana se incauta de un alijo de 1.176 kilos de cocaína

(VENEZUELA) JUSTICIA-INTERIOR-SUCESOS,SUCESOS | > AREA: Justicia e Interior
07-03-2011 / 18:40 h

Caracas, 7 mar (EFE).- La Policía venezolana informó hoy de la incautación de 1.176 kilos de cocaína en un operativo efectuado en una hacienda particular en el estado Anzoátegui, en el este del país, en el que fueron detenidos cuatro venezolanos y un colombiano.

El comandante general de la Guardia Nacional, Luis Motta, indicó en una rueda de prensa que la droga estaba en un escondite de piedra equipado para evadir equipos de rastreo.

"Se pudieron detectar los cilindros, confeccionados con plomo y deducimos que usaron este material para evadir los rayos X de las máquinas", apuntó Motta, quien señaló que también se incautaron de varias armas de fuego.

La Oficina Nacional Antidrogas (ONA) informó esta semana de que en lo que va de año los organismos de seguridad de Venezuela han decomisado 7,9 toneladas de diferentes drogas, 5,8 de ellas de cocaína, a las que se suma el alijo incautado en esta operación. EFE


http://www.abc.es/agencias/noticia.asp?noticia=720937

GNB seized more than a thousand kilos of cocaine in farm Anzoátegui
March 7, 2011 - 12:25 (atovar)

The drug was hidden inside a piece of stone / In operating a number of weapons seized and the truck which transported the substance / 5 people were arrested a Venezuelan national

The National Guard seized at a farm located in the southern state of Anzoategui, 1,176 kilos of suspected cocaine inside a piece of stone, said the military corps commander Motta Luis Dominguez.

The cylinders were made of lead, which allowed "to avoid X-ray machines through which trucks pass certain checkpoints that different bodies of state security," said the official.

Specified that during the operation, were seized a number of arms and the truck which carried the drug, also were arrested 4 people and a Venezuelan national in Puerto La Cruz, Anzoátegui state.

Motta said that with this seizure, the highest made by the body, it reaches 3 000 413 kilos of illegal drugs seized so far this year by the GNB. He said that at the national level has been the retention of 9 thousand 156 kilos.

More than 3 000 kilos of drugs account for 37% of the drug seized by the military body, he said.

Strengthen supervision

To give effect to the order issued by the Government on the prohibition of the practice race function, Motta said they were willing helicopters that fly over the large area of Canaima National Park to verify compliance with the measure.

He said that it will be available to personally fly over the countryside.
He reported that two citizens were arrested yesterday in Arapana sector, where they performed the activity. They retained the rustic vehicles and the case was transferred to the prosecutor based in Bolivar.

GNB commander said that for the month of January, before the order issued by the Venezuelan authorities were reported 21 cases of people who were destroying the environment.

Carnival day off

To ensure the security in the state, Motta said 980 troops of the GNB were activated to assist with the 6 000 800 employees who are deployed throughout the state of Bolivar.

Reported that there has been accidents and that has strengthened the Bicentennial Device Security. He also assured that it has reduced crime and increased seizures compared with figures obtained last year.

GNB incautó más de mil kilos de cocaína en finca de Anzoátegui
Marzo 7, 2011 - 12:25 (atovar)

La droga se encontraba oculta dentro de un segmento de piedra / En el operativo se decomisó una serie de armamentos y el camión donde transportaban la sustancia / Fueron detenidas 5 personas de nacionalidad venezolana

La Guardia Nacional incautó en una finca ubicada en el sur del estado Anzoátegui, 1.176 kilos de presunta cocaína dentro de un segmento de piedra, informó el comandante del cuerpo castrense Luis Motta Domínguez.

Los cilindros fueron confeccionados con plomo, lo que permitía "evadir los rayos X de las máquinas a través de las cuales pasan los camiones en ciertos puntos de control que tienen los diferentes cuerpos de seguridad del Estado", explicó el funcionario.

Especificó que durante el operativo, se decomisó una serie de armamentos y el camión donde transportaban la droga, además fueron detenidas 4 personas de nacionalidad venezolana y otra en Puerto La Cruz, estado Anzoátegui.

Motta afirmó que con esta incautación, la más alta que ha hecho el organismo, se llega a 3 mil 413 kilos de sustancias ilícitas decomisadas en lo que va de año por parte de la GNB. Precisó que a escala nacional se ha logrado la retención de 9 mil 156 kilos.

Los más de 3 mil kilos de estupefacientes representan 37% de la droga incautada por parte del cuerpo castrense, detalló.

Refuerzan supervisión

Para darle cumplimiento a la orden emanada por el Gobierno Nacional respecto a la prohibición de la práctica fun race, Motta informó que fueron dispuestos helicópteros que sobrevuelan la extensa superficie del Parque Nacional Canaima para verificar que el acatamiento de la medida.

Dijo que el mismo se dispondra a sobrevolar personalmente el espacio natural.
Asimismo, informó que ayer fueron detenidos dos ciudadanos en el sector Arapana, donde realizaban la actividad. Se les retuvo los vehículos rústicos y dicho caso fue transferido a la fiscalía con sede en Bolívar.

El comandante de la GNB indicó que para el mes de enero, antes de la orden emitida por las autoridades venezolanas, fueron reportados 21 casos de personas que estaban destruyendo el medio ambiente.

Asueto de carnaval

Para resguardar la seguridad en la entidad, Motta señaló que 980 efectivos de la GNB fueron activados para colaborar con los 6 mil 800 funcionarios que están desplegados en todo el estado Bolívar.

Informó que no se ha registrado accidentes y que se ha reforzado el Dispositivo Bicentenario de Seguridad. Además aseguró que se ha reducido el delito y se ha incrementado las incautaciones en comparación con las cifras obtenidas el año pasado.

http://www.vtv.gov.ve/noticias-nacionales/56625

http://nuevaprensa.com.ve/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5983:guardia-nacional-incauto-una-tonelada-de-cocaina-&catid=103:sucesos&Itemid=341

***********************************************************************
Added on 11/03/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Precursors and chemicals frequently used in the illicit manufacture of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances
Precursors and chemicals frequently used in the illicit manufacture of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances
Precursors and chemicals frequently used in the illicit manufacture of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances
02-03-2011

Please download the file yourself or ask me to send you a copy. It's 3,5 Mb per e-mail
http://www.incb.org/pdf/precursors-report/2010/en/PrecursorsReport2010_E_V10579291.pdf

Report of the International Narcotics Control Board for 2010 on the Implementation of Article 12 of the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 1988
Foreword by the INCB President

Contents

Introduction
Action taken by Governments and by the Board
Scope of control
Adherence to the 1988 Convention
Reporting to the Board pursuant to article 12 of the 1988 Convention
Legislation and control measures
Legitimate requirements for precursors of amphetamine-type stimulants
Pre-export notifications
Submission of data on licit trade in, uses of and requirements for precursors
Results of other action taken
Activities under Project Prism, the international initiative to address the diversion of chemicals used in the illicit manufacture of amphetaminetype stimulants
Activities under Project Cohesion, the international initiative to address the diversion of chemicals used in the illicit manufacture of cocaine and heroin
Extent of licit trade and latest trends in trafficking in precursors
Substances used in the illicit manufacture of amphetamine-type stimulants
Ephedrine and pseudoephedrine
Norephedrine and Ephedra
3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl-2-propanone, 1-phenyl-2-propanone and phenylacetic acid
Safrole and safrole-rich oils
Non-scheduled substances and trends in illicit manufacture
Substances used in the illicit manufacture of cocaine
Substances used in the illicit manufacture of heroin
Substances used in the illicit manufacture of other narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances
Conclusions
Annexes

Parties and non-parties to the 1988 Convention, by region, as at 31 October 2010
Submission of information by Governments pursuant to article 12 of the 1988 Convention (form D) for the years 2005-2009
Seizures of substances in Tables I and II of the 1988 Convention as reported to the International Narcotics Control Board
Submission of information by Governments on licit trade in and legitimate uses of and requirements for substances in Tables I and II of the 1988 Convention for the years 2005-2009
Annual legitimate requirements for ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, 3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl-2-propanone and 1-phenyl-2-propanone, substances frequently used in the manufacture of amphetamine-type stimulants
Governments that have requested pre-export notifications pursuant to article 12, paragraph 10 (a), of the 1988 Convention
Substances in Tables I and II of the 1988 Convention
Licit uses of the substances in Tables I and II of the 1988 Convention
Use of scheduled substances in the illicit manufacture of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances
Treaty provisions for the control of substances frequently used in the illicit manufacture of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
Added on 11/03/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Dutch drug smuggler jailed for over 5 years
Dutch drug smuggler jailed for over 5 years
Dutch drug smuggler jailed for over 5 years


08 March 2011

A Dutch man who attempted to smuggle £1million worth of cannabis into UK through Killingholme was jailed for a total of 5 years and ten months on 4 March 2011.

Gerard Van Den Berg, aged 52, tried to smuggle 331 kg of herbal and resin cannabis through the Humber Sea Terminal at Killingholme Dock on 30 November 2010.

The significant haul was discovered concealed in his trailer by our officers during a search of vehicles as they disembarked. The drugs were found in unmarked cardboard boxes alongside commercial parcels. Inside these unmarked boxes, officers uncovered the drugs haul.

As a result of the find, Van Den Berg was arrested and questioned. Specially trained investigators from the UK Border Agency's criminal and financial investigation team launched an inquiry to identify who was behind the smuggling enterprise.

Investigators established that Van Den Berg himself was behind the smuggling attempt. At his plea and case management hearing, Van Den Berg entered a plea of guilty to one count of knowingly concerned with the fraudulent evasion of the prohibition on importation of a Class B drug namely cannabis.

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2011/march/297238
Added on 11/03/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
DNCD seized by Colombian meant to bring 40 packets of cocaine to the Netherlands
DNCD seized by Colombian meant to bring 40 packets of cocaine to the Netherlands
DNCD seized by Colombian meant to bring 40 packets of cocaine to the Netherlands


HIGUEY .- The National Drugs Control (DNCD) prevented a woman last night that contraband transported to Holland four and a half kilos of cocaine, from the Punta Cana International Airport
Thus, the agency under the command of Maj. Gen. Rolando Rosado another attempt aborted drug trafficking in the range of double-bottom suitcases to take drugs for the country's airports.
Carmenza Sequeda Ruth Velasquez, Colombia nationalized Dutch, was detected by members of the DNCD times as he was boarding the flight the airline Jetairfly TB104, bound for Holland.
European, 46, sought out the drug in 40 packs in two false-bottomed suitcases, states a release from the drug agency.

The dealer, who would travel in the company of a minor, was registered with his luggage counternarcotics official in the presence of a Deputy Prosecutor and other leading authorities in the Higuey Airport, between the Specialized Center and Airport Security Directorate General of Customs.

Both were taken prisoners to the East Regional Inspectorate in Higuey, for legal purposes related.

http://www.dncd.mil.do/index.php/component/content/article/1-latest-news/389-colombiana-apresada-por-dncd-pretendia-llevar-40-paquetes-de-cocaina-a-holanda.html?ea97e10c5f91b275ce8431a1bdaaf84c=962049e0819881b09ab49b3614378e5e

Colombiana apresada por DNCD pretendía llevar 40 paquetes de cocaína a Holanda

HIGUEY.- La Dirección Nacional de Control de Drogas (DNCD) impidió anoche que una mujer transportara a Holanda un contrabando de cuatro y medio kilos de cocaína, desde el Aeropuerto Internacional de Punta Cana.

De esta manera, la agencia al mando del mayor general Rolando Rosado Mateo aborta otro intento del narcotráfico en la variedad de maletas de doble fondo para sacar drogas por los aeropuertos del país.

Ruth Carmenza Sequeda Velásquez, colombiana nacionalizada holandesa, fue detectada por miembros de la DNCD momentos en que se disponía abordar el vuelo TB104 de la aerolínea Jetairfly, con destino a Holanda.
La europea, de 46 años, pretendía sacar la droga en 40 paquetes dentro de dos maletas de doble fondo, precisa un comunicado de la agencia antinarcóticos.

La traficante, que viajaría en compañía de un menor de edad, fue registrada junto a su equipaje por oficiales antinarcóticos, en presencia de un fiscal adjunto y otras autoridades destacadas en el Aeropuerto de Higuey, entre estas del Centro Especializado de Seguridad Aeroportuaria y de la Dirección General de Aduanas.

Ambos fueron conducidos presos a la Inspectoría Regional Este, en Higuey, para los fines legales correspondientes.
Added on 11/03/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
400 kilos of cocaine found on ship in Venezuela
400 kilos of cocaine found on ship in Venezuela
400 kilos of cocaine found on ship in Venezuela

The drug was discovered during an underwater inspection of the hull of the boat that had a fuel shipment to the Netherlands, arresting 20 people

Caracas | Wednesday March 9, 2011 AP | The Universal 15:08

The authorities seized 417.6 kilos of cocaine that were hidden in the hull of a Greek-flagged vessel was anchored on the eastern coast of Venezuela , whose crew was detained.

A committee of the National Guard and the National Anti-Drug (ONA) on Wednesday seized the cache was hidden in 11 bags inside the hull of the boat that was parked at a dock in Anzoátegui, some 400 km east of Caracas , said the Ministry of Home Affairs in a statement.

The drug was discovered during an underwater inspection of the hull of the ship had a cargo of coke fuel to the Netherlands.

In the operation were arrested 20 people who formed the crew referred to the letter.

The authorities did not specify the nationality of the detainees.

http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/750506.html

Hallan 400 kilos de cocaína en barco en Venezuela

La droga fue descubierta durante una inspección submarina al casco del barco que tenía un cargamento del combustible con destino a Holanda; detienen a 20 personas

Caracas | Miércoles 09 de marzo de 2011 AP | El Universal

Las autoridades decomisaron 417.6 kilos de cocaína que estaban ocultos en el casco de un buque de bandera griega que estaba fondeado en la costa oriental de Venezuela y cuya tripulación quedó detenida.

Una comisión de la Guardia Nacional y de la Oficina Nacional Antidrogas (ONA) se incautó el miércoles del alijo que estaba escondido en 11 sacos dentro del casco de la embarcación que estaba estacionada en un muelle de Anzoátegui, a unos 400 kilómetros al este de Caracas, indicó el Ministerio de Relaciones Interiores en un comunicado.

La droga fue descubierta durante una inspección submarina al casco del barco que tenía un cargamento del combustible de coque con destino a Holanda.

En la operación fueron detenidas 20 personas que conformaban la tripulación, refiere el escrito.

Las autoridades no precisaron la nacionalidad de los detenidos.



Fiscalía investiga origen de cocaína en nave petrolera
10.03.2011 05:15 AM 417, 6 kilos de presunto alcaloide ocultos en 11 sacos, llevaba el carguero de bandera griega María L. El alijo fue hallado por efectivos de la GN

Puerto La Cruz.- El Ministerio Público de Anzoátegui, al iniciar las averiguaciones por el alijo de cocaína hallado en un carguero petrolero en el muelle de Pequiven en Jose, no descarta averiguar al personal que tiene acceso al terminal marítimo.

La información que se conoció de manera extraoficial, indica que el fiscal IX, Pedro Bastardo, a quien le correspondió conocer del procedimiento, trata de establecer la procedencia de los 417 kilos de presunta coca que transportaba el tanquero petrolero.

El carguero María L, de bandera griega procedía del puerto de Frankfurt, Alemania, llegó directamente a Jose, en Anzoátegui.

El capitán de la nave junto con el resto de la tripulación detenidos durante el procedimiento del Comando Antidroga de la Guardia Nacional, serán presentados hoy por el doctor Pedro Bastardo en los tribunales de Barcelona .

Se desconoce qué medida pedirá el fiscal.

Carga oculta

Cuando se disponía a zarpar hacia Holanda con una carga de coque, efectivos del Comando Antidroga de la Guardia Nacional, con sede en Guanta, localizaron en el carguero María L 417,6 kilos de presunta cocaína.

El alijo se encontraba oculto en 11 sacos dentro del casco del buque que se disponía a salir del muelle de Jose.

La inspección se hizo pasadas las 8:00 pm de este martes. Inicialmente, los militares detectaron 100 kilos del alcaloide. Posteriormente, con la ayuda de buzos encontraron el resto.

Los guardias nacionales detuvieron a 20 personas que conformaban la tripulación de la embarcación, incluyendo al capitán de nombre Athanasios.

El comandante general de la Guardia Nacional, general Luis Motta Domínguez, ofrecerá hoy a las 11:00 am una rueda de prensa en Jose, donde informará ampliamente sobre el procedimiento.

En una nota de prensa enviada a la redacción de El Tiempo, se precisó que la Guardia Nacional incautó este lunes 1.176 kilos de presunta cocaína en el sur del estado Anzoátegui. La droga se encontraba dentro de unos cilindros de plomo para evadir los rayos X de los puntos de control de los organismos de seguridad.

Motta Domínguez, destacó que el decomiso realizado en el sur de Anzoátegui, ha sido el más cuantioso que se ha producido en lo que va de 2011.

http://eltiempo.com.ve/sucesos/drogas/fiscalia-investiga-origen-de-cocaina-en-nave-petrolera/15312

Prosecutor investigates origin of cocaine by ship oil
03/10/2011 5:15 a.m. 417, 6 kilos of suspected alkaloid hidden in 11 bags, carried the Greek flag freighter Mary L. The cache was found by members of the GN

Puerto La Cruz .- The Attorney General of Anzoátegui, in initiating the investigation by the stash of cocaine found in a cargo tanker at berth in Pequiven Jose, does not rule out personnel who have access to the sea terminal.

The information that was known informally indicates that the fiscal IX, Pedro Bastardo, who heard the application of the procedure is to establish the provenance of the 417 kilos of cocaine allegedly transporting the oil tanker.

The freighter Mary L, flag Greek port came from Frankfurt, Germany, went directly to Jose, in Anzoategui.

The captain of the ship along with the rest of the crew detained during the proceedings of Narcotics Command National Guard, will be presented today by Dr. Peter Bastardo in the courts of Barcelona.

It is not known to what extent the prosecutor asked.

Hidden burden

As he prepared to sail to Holland with a load of coke, members of the Narcotics Command of the National Guard, based in Guanta, located on the freighter Mary L 417.6 kilos of suspected cocaine.

The cache was hidden in 11 bags inside the hull of the ship was preparing to leave the port of Jose.

The inspection was made just after 8:00 pm on Tuesday. Initially, the soldiers found 100 kilos of the alkaloid. Later, with the help of divers found the rest.

The National Guards arrested 20 people who formed the crew of the ship, including Captain Athanasios name.

The commanding general of the National Guard, Gen. Luis Motta Dominguez, offered today at 11:00 am a press conference in Jose, where fully informed about the procedure.

In a press release sent to the editor of El Tiempo, it was stated that the National Guard on Monday seized 1,176 kilos of suspected cocaine in the southern state of Anzoategui. The drug was inside a lead cylinder to avoid X-rays of the control points of the security agencies.

Motta Dominguez, said the seizure made in the south of Anzoategui, has been the most substantial that has occurred so far in 2011.
Added on 11/03/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
700 kilos of cocaine in a container
700 kilos of cocaine in a container
700 kilos of cocaine in a container
February 26, 2011 | Updated February 27, 2011

Never had such a quantity of drugs was identified in a French port. Customs officials have squandered in Belgium to better track sponsors.
The secret was well kept. More than a month of silence to allow police officers, French and Belgian investigate discreetly. And 700 kg of cocaine ... The decision, in January, however, was beautiful. But investigators Havre, then no question of staying with a "seizure dry. Especially since the circumstances were favorable, with the dock strike, the Belgian sponsors were not unduly concerned about the delay in the delivery of their containers. Result: last Tuesday, a suburb of Brussels, a very bad surprise for the sponsors, their delivery was "monitored".

Celtic, for cell studies and fight against illegal trafficking in container. It is to this team of customs specialists in "targeting" of the goods to check that the merit of the seizure on Monday 10 January. Three weeks earlier, three containers were loaded at Manzanillo (Panama), flights to Belgium via the port of Le Havre. The cargo manifest-commercial document accompanying the charging-reads 180 boxes full of blankets, with a total weight of 8 tons.

The freight traffic requires a major logistical
Counterfeit, contraband cigarettes ... Once in four on average, targeting proves relevant customs despite figures are staggering: over 2.3 million containers were handled last year by Le Havre, the first French port with 60% of national container traffic. The three "boxes" are identified in past Sycoscan, allowing containers to X-ray X-ray Of "suspicious masses" appear in the content of the third. However, the documents do not lie. On examination, the boxes contain many soft blankets bearing the image of two white rabbits. But not only ...

Two loaves about 1 kg of cocaine are inserted into each bag covers, carefully packed in a plastic decorated with the image of Pucca, the character darling girls. Six hundred and five packages for a total of 700 kg of cocaine. The never-seen in a French commercial port ... Because if the export of cocaine by sea freight to Europe is not new, traffickers hitherto favored ports Belgium (Antwerp) or Netherlands (Rotterdam). Two giants in traffic three to five times greater than that of Le Havre, where border controls are considered less stringent.

Two people at the head of import-export companies arrested Tuesday
Unlike drug shipments made on sailboats, the freight traffic requires a heavy logistics. "We must create a society at the start, another at the finish and find a freight forwarder who do you trust," says Thierry François, head of the Central Office for the Suppression of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs (OCRTIS). "It is fundamental to find a business justification that is credible to evade controls. But, once assembled, these structures are the safest, most discreet and those that allow the sending of very large quantities of drugs."

Colombian coke (and blankets) is provided for a Belgian company, the French investigators warn their colleagues immediately Quiévrain overseas. The judges of the Court interregional specialized (Jirsa) Lille do the same with the court in Brussels. Investigations, wiretaps ... Two Belgians alleged organizers of trafficking are identified near Brussels and in the small town of Meldert. Already known to local authorities, Willy H ..., 67, and Hassan S ... 28 years at the head of at least five companies import and export, were arrested on Tuesday and Wednesday after the arrival of the truck carrying the container in the yard of a Brussels-based company. Investigators believe the smugglers could expect a profit of around 2 million euros in the operation. Investigations are underway in France and Belgium to try to identify the "clients" of the two importers, scattered throughout Europe and especially in France.
Added on 01/03/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
ICE dive unit in Miami targets drug smuggler ships
ICE dive unit in Miami targets drug smuggler ships
ICE dive unit in Miami targets drug smuggler ships

28-02-2011

By CURT ANDERSON
(AP)

A team of elite divers donned wetsuits and air tanks and descended into the murky waters beneath the 498-foot container ship M/V Seaboard Pride, on a mission in the dark to search for an unusual stowaway: drugs.



The seven members of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement dive team, formed in 2004 and the only one of its kind in the U.S., were searching for large metal boxes that Latin American cocaine traffickers sometimes weld or clamp onto freighters and even cruise ships to smuggle drugs. The boxes also could be used to hide terrorist bombs or weapons.

Once in this country, the boxes can be opened by divers working with the drug organizations. Sometimes they are detached and later opened at another location. The so-called parasitic devices have been found on vessels in Miami, West Palm Beach and elsewhere containing bricks of cocaine and other illegal drugs _ although, so far, no bombs or weapons.

ICE agent Dean Lang, assistant chief of the dive team, said the intense law enforcement focus on drug trafficking through Mexico could push some cocaine smuggling operations to U.S. coasts and ports. Miami in the 1980s was a main avenue for cocaine, and U.S. officials don't want a return to the violent "cocaine cowboy" days, when rival drug traffickers battled in South Florida for control.

"If you cut off one way for drugs to get in, they will find another way," Lang said.

When agents first boarded the white-and-green Seaboard Pride, they informed its captain of the random check and secured all machinery so none of the 13 mainly Filipino crew members would inadvertently start a propeller or pump. The captain, Dariusz Karbowiak, said he had just unloaded a dozen 40-foot containers of fruit and seafood and did not suspect anything illegal.

"It's no problem. We have no problem," said Karbowiak, 42, who is from Koszalin, Poland. "I don't have any events where I suspect something wrong."

The ICE agents quickly obtained blueprints of the ship's hull. With two agents staying aboard, the divers jumped feet-first off a sea wall into Biscayne Bay to execute a search known as a "half-necklace" _ meaning they would swim underneath one side, circle the ship's stern by the massive propeller and then inspect the other side. They held a length of rope to communicate with various hand tugs and pulls.

"Don't squeeze too tight," the ICE dive team leader, agent Joseph Skidmore, told the men. "Just keep a loose grip."

It's not as easy as it seems. The water was dark green, even on a sunny February morning. Currents are treacherous and unpredictable in the relatively shallow water about 15 feet below the surface. The divers sometimes encounter sharks, barracuda and eels, and they can feel strong vibrations from the ship inches above.

It's extremely dark, and the divers can only see about four to seven feet ahead, said Alan Vega, a team member who has done about 100 dives over the past three years.

"You have a flashlight and it's like very burgundy red, which is the paint they put on the ship," Vega said. "And you're just kind of scanning along ... to see if there is anything unusual. It's not a nice scenic Caribbean dive."

A few yards away from the ship, a police boat motors slowly back and forth to prevent other craft from approaching _ and just in case there's a problem.

Sometimes a ship is targeted because it spent time in a drug-source country such as Colombia. Other times, tips are received about ships that may have had boxes attached during repairs or maintenance when they are taken out of the water.

Other dives are random, said Anthony Mangione, chief of the ICE field office in Miami.

Back on the bay, the ICE team found nothing amiss on the Seaboard Pride during a 20-minute search.

"Everything looks good, but it needs cleaning," Skidmore told the captain, Karbowiak.

With that, Karbowiak and his ship were cleared for their next trip to the Caribbean island of St. Thomas. Although the divers came up empty, each dive is invaluable training for other missions, including possible attempts by al-Qaida or other terrorist groups to use ports like Miami to bring in explosive devices or blow up the ships themselves.

"Smugglers, terrorists, you know, they adapt," Vega said. "So it could be a ship coming in from London, who is an ally of the U.S. We'll search it, because you never know where that wild card is going to be."

When they aren't scanning the cargo vessels, the divers also scour waterways when presidents and dignitaries visit. Sometimes they have kept watch while investigating drug trafficking and other crimes, or helped local police locate guns and stolen cars from lakes and quarries. In January, for instance, the team made a grisly find in a canal: a still-unidentified human skull.

It's even more difficult to see during those forays into fresh water, the agents said _ and tougher to watch for alligators, crocodiles and poisonous snakes.

"South Florida has lots of different kinds of threats," Mangione said. "This is a challenging environment to work in."
http://www.onlinesentinel.com/news/ap?articleID=6614257
Added on 01/03/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
3 Dutchman jailed
3 Dutchman jailed
Dutchman jailed

28/02/2011

Three Dutch Road, aged 40 to 45, were indicted and jailed in Marseille tonight by J. Philippe Dorcet the Court interregional specialized (Jirsa), it was learned from sources close to the investigation. The trio was arrested last Thursday by Customs at the exit of the Viaduct of Millau (Aveyron) with 1.5 tonnes of cannabis resin.

The manager of the company "Emar" based Made in the Rotterdam region opened the road in a BMW and two employees were on board a lorry which was unearthed hidden the drugs through customs flair. Placed in custody at SRPJ Toulouse, traffickers have admitted responsibility in a first time 300 kg of drugs in Malaga and the rest in Barcelona, the source said.

They also admitted that he made several other trips leading to referral to the Central Office for combating illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs (OCRTIS) to determine the exact height of traffic, said the source close to the investigation. Marseille has the same judge also indicted four individuals from Trappes (Yvelines) after seizure on Feb. 2 1.3 tons of hashish always Millau viaduct. The GIGN had reconstructed an accident to stop traffickers and smooth the investigation was entrusted to the research section of the police in Toulouse.

Drogues/trafic : 3 Hollandais écroués

28/02/2011

Trois routiers hollandais, âgés de 40 à 45 ans, ont été mis en examen et écroués ce soir à Marseille par le juge Philippe Dorcet de la Juridiction interrégionale spécialisée (Jirs), a-t-on appris de source proche de l'enquête. Le trio avait été interpellé jeudi dernier par les douaniers au péage du Viaduc de Millau (Aveyron) avec 1,5 tonne de résine de cannabis.

Le gérant de la société "Emar" basée à Made dans la région de Rotterdam ouvrait la route à bord d'une BMW et ses deux employés suivaient à bord d'un poids-lourd dans lequel était caché la drogue dénichée grâce au flair douanier. Placés en garde à vue au SRPJ de Toulouse, les trafiquants ont reconnu avoir chargé dans un premier temps 300 kg de drogue à Malaga puis le reste à Barcelone, selon la même source.

Ils ont également admis avoir effectué plusieurs autres voyages ce qui a entraîné la saisine de l'office central de répression du trafic illicite de stupéfiants (OCRTIS) pour déterminer la hauteur exacte du trafic, a précisé la source proche de l'enquête. Le même magistrat marseillais a également mis en examen quatre personnes originaires de Trappes (Yvelines) après la saisie le 2 février de 1,3 tonne
Added on 01/03/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
1,000 pounds of ganja seized on way to China
1,000 pounds of ganja seized on way to China
1,000 pounds of ganja seized on way to China

Found in container with motor vehicle parts

Jamaica Observer

Friday, February 25, 2011

MEMBERS of the Trans-National Crime and Narcotics Division (TCND) working with the Customs Enforcement Unit seized approximately 1030.7 lbs of Cannabis in a container on Port Bustamante yesterday.

The container, which was stocked with motor vehicle parts was en route to Trinidad and Tobago from China.

Reports from the TCND are that at approximately 3:30 pm the contained was searched and the illegal drug was discovered wrapped in masking tape.

Investigations are continuing.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/1-000-pounds-of-ganja-seized-on-way-to-China
Added on 28/02/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Police seek second crew member in cruise ship drug bust
Police seek second crew member in cruise ship drug bust
Police seek second crew member in cruise ship drug bust

HORACE HINES Observer staff reporter hinesh@jamaicaobserver.com

Friday, February 25, 2011



MONTEGO BAY, St James — The Montego Bay police are questioning a Jamaican crew member of cruise vessel Grandeur of the Seas in connection with Wednesday's massive cocaine seizure aboard the ship.

Yesterday a source close to the investigation told the Observer that the police were on the hunt for a second crew member who is believed to have knowledge of the more than 50 pounds of cocaine -- valued at $100 million -- that was seized.


The Grandeur of the Seas docked at the Freeport cruise shipping pier in Montego Bay, St James, on Wednesday.

The detainee was reportedly searched shortly after he disembarked the ship during a call at the Montego Bay port, and a portion of the drug was found strapped to his body.
During a subsequent search of the other crew member's cabin, another large portion of the drug was allegedly discovered hidden in a suitcase.

It is understood that the cruise ship, belonging to Royal Caribbean, homeported in Cartagena, Colombia before calling at the Montego Bay port yesterday morning.

Meanwhile, John Byles, president of the National Cruise Council of Jamaica, praised the police for seizing the drug. He said that the use of the cruise ship to further the drug trade would not only damage the image of the country, but the cruise shipping industry as well.

"It is unfortunate that any individual should be doing something to tarnish Jamaica and the cruise reputation like that. But I am glad that the police have been able to deal with it," Byles told the Observer during a telephone interview.

Only last Wednesday, Indian native Roshan Andranky was arrested by the Falmouth police after he was found with a small quantity of cocaine. Andranky was a passenger on the Voyager of the Seas that made its maiden call at the newly built Falmouth cruise shipping port in Trelawny.

The following day Andranky was escorted to the Falmouth Resident Magistrate's Court by immigration officers. He was found guilty and fined $2,000 or seven days in prison. He paid the fine and has since left the island.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Police-seek-second-crew-member-in-cruise-ship-drug-bust_8427181
Added on 28/02/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
2 arrested with 3.3kg of cocaine
2 arrested with 3.3kg of cocaine
2 arrested with 3.3kg of cocaine
Feb 25, 2011

By Daniel Eteghe & Ifeanyi Okolie
ABUJA—National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, yesterday, apprehended two suspected drug traffickers over unlawful exportation of 3.250 kilogrammes of cocaine to Europe at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, NAIA, Abuja.

One of the suspects (names withheld), aged 46, in possession of a Netherland’s international passport with number RRFCOPC24, was found to have ingested 1.650kg of cocaine.

The suspect was to board a KLM flight on his way to Amsterdam. The other suspect (names withheld), aged 48, ingested 1.600kg of cocaine and was to board a British Airways flight to London Heathrow, when he was apprehended.

According the NDLEA Commander at the Abuja Airport, Alhaji Hamisu Lawan, the suspects were nabbed with the aid of the scanning machines at the central screening area of the airport.

He said: “It was easy to intercept the suspects because of the NDLEA scanning machine. Their timely arrest here is good for the country’s image.”

He assured that the Command would remain vigilant in preventing the use of the Abuja airport for drug trafficking purposes.

While warning drug traffickers that the agency would frustrate their efforts of raising money from illicit drug trade, Chairmana and Chief Executive of NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, pointed out that the nation’s entry and exit points would remain impregnable to drug barons, stressing that the use of foreign passports and other strategies by drug traffickers will not help them.

He said: “The days of drug barons are numbered. We shall leave no stone unturned in bringing drug barons to book. Whoever is hoping to make money from drug trafficking is dreaming.”

Giade cautioned.
He however stressed that both suspects had in their confessional statements admitted that they were in financial difficulty and needed money to settle their domestic bills adding they would soon be charged to court in line with the relevant sections of the NDLEA Act

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/02/2-arrested-with-3-3kg-of-cocaine/
Added on 28/02/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Millau customs seized more than 1.5 tons of cannabis
Millau customs seized more than 1.5 tons of cannabis
Millau customs seized more than 1.5 tons of cannabis

PARIS (AP) - More than 1.5 tonnes of cannabis was seized Thursday by the Customs Surveillance Brigade Millau (Aveyron) on the A75 motorway, announced Friday the Directorate General of Customs and Excise.

Customs officers checked Thursday a passenger vehicle near the Millau viaduct, then saw a truck back to Clermont-Ferrand and belonging to a company related to the controlled person. Suspecting a possible convoy transporting drugs, they followed and stopped the truck.

The search of the vehicle and its trailer has uncovered more than 1.5 tonnes of cannabis resin concealed at the bottom of the truck behind stacks of wooden pallets.

Customs officers will then take 41 "Moroccan bags" of marijuana and transporting heat sealed bags of five kilograms each. They also arrested three people.

This case follows a recent finding that Customs already done on the viaduct of Millau, which included over 1, 2 tonnes of cannabis. In 2010, Customs has seized over 36 tons of various narcotics worth nearly 520 million euros.


video with official interview: http://languedoc-roussillon.france3.fr/info/saisie-d--15-t-de-cannabis-au-viaduc-de-millau-67544669.html?onglet=videos&id-video=000227120_CAPP_MillauUnetonneetdemiedecannabissaisie_250220112042_F3
Added on 28/02/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Ecstasy-like Chinese drug seized for first time in France
Ecstasy-like Chinese drug seized for first time in France
Ecstasy-like Chinese drug seized for first time in France
25-02-2011

French customs have smashed a ring smuggling the new 4-MEC synthetic drug and seized 52 kilos (115 pounds) of the Ecstasy-like stimulant sent from China, officials said Friday.

"This is the first time this kind of product has been seized in France," customs spokesman David Cugnetti told journalists in the eastern city of Lyon of the drug that is so new it is not yet illegal.

The drug, full name 4-Methylethcathinone, was to be prepared in France and sold on to eastern Europe and "English-speaking" countries for 10 euros (14 dollars) a gramme, Cugnetti said.

He pointed out that there were as yet no reports of the amphetamine being consumed in French night clubs.

French customs intercepted two packages at Lyon airport on February 5 following a tip-off from their Belgian colleagues. Further quantities of the drug, also from China, were seized in subsequent raids.

Five people considered bit players in the operation were briefly detained pending an investigation.

Cugnetti said that prosecutions involving the drug, which he said is to be made illegal in coming months, could be made based on the fact that it has not been approved by French health authorities.

Distributing unapproved drugs can carry a 10-year jail sentence and a heavy fine.

http://www.expatica.com/fr/news/french-news/ecstasy-like-chinese-drug-seized-for-first-time-in-france_132417.html
Added on 28/02/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Dutchman set up fake drug centre in London
Dutchman set up fake drug centre in London
Dutchman set up fake drug centre in London

Saturday 26th of February 2011
February 26th, 2011 by Robert Bergerson
A Dutch national has been jailed for conspiring to set up a fake sex-enhancing drugs production facility. Chemist Chistiaan Winkel, 32, who was based in Fulham, established a laboratory in a flat in east London from which he planned to make counterfeit Cialis C20 erectile dysfunction tablets and ecstasy pills.

In preparation for his scheme to flood the UK market with the drugs, Winkel resigned from his job as a lecturer at University College London and imported precursor chemicals and a tablet producing machine from China. He then produced samples to show dealers who he hoped would market his creations, which turned out be his undoing.

While he was looking for dealers on an internet website, Winkel inadvertently contacted investigators and undercover police officers. He offered to provide them with Cialis C20, legally produced here by Lilly UK, for impotency problems.

A search of Winkel’s home unearthed legal substances as well as ingredients used in the illicit manufacture of ecstasy. At the Old Bailey Winkel confessed to planning to defraud Lilly UK as well as conspiracy in the production of ecstasy.

Sentencing the would-be drug mogul to 40 months jail, judge Douglas Day QC told him he was a talented man and it was a shame to see him standing in court and convicted of these crimes.

Safa Ba Seidi, Winkel’s courier, pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply ecstasy and conspiring to defraud and got a 21-month jail sentence. After admitting conspiracy to defraud, Yuly Sandoval Mora, Winkel’s girlfriend, received a suspended sentence of eight months.

http://news.carrentals.co.uk/dutchman-set-up-fake-drug-centre-in-london-34240430.html
Added on 28/02/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Big Cruise Ship Cocaine Bust in Jamaica
Big Cruise Ship Cocaine Bust in Jamaica
Big Cruise Ship Cocaine Bust in Jamaica

25-02-2011

Royal Caribbean says two crew members were busted in Jamaica, in a drug smuggling plot that involved 33 kilos (about 73 pounds) of cocaine.

Cruise line spokeswoman Cynthia Martinez tells AOL Travel News authorities boarded the 1,950-passenger Grandeur of the Seas while the ship was docked in Montego Bay, Jamaica on Wednesday and "detained a crew member and found that he was in possession of 18 kilos of cocaine."

A short time later, authorities came back onboard the cruise ship and found an additional 15 kilos of cocaine in the cabin of another crew member, Martinez says.

Customs Department authorities in Jamaica estimate the street value of the cocaine at $1.1 million, according to the Jamaica Observer.

The newspaper says some of the cocaine was found strapped to the body of a crew member, while the rest was in a suitcase.

Both of the crew members are Jamaican.

The ship had visited Cartagena, Colombia before arriving in Montego Bay, on a seven-day cruise from Colon, Panama, that also includes stops in Grand Cayman and Roatan, Honduras.

"Royal Caribbean is cooperating fully with authorities during this investigation and will continue providing any assistance necessary to prosecute these individuals to the fullest extent of the law," Martinez says.

This is not the only recent large-scale bust involving a Royal Caribbean ship. In December, three crew members on the line's Enchantment of the Seas were busted on shore in Baltimore for possession of $65,000 in cocaine. A few weeks law enforcement authorities found another $94,000 worth of heroin and cocaine was found on the ship.

In another recent case, a Jamaican waiter on Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas was found guilty in Bermuda of conspiring to import more than $425,000 worth of cocaine onto the island. A sizeable stash was found hidden under a chair in the ship's disco.

There have been a bunch of smaller busts too. Just last week, In Jamaica, a passenger on the line's Voyager of the Seas was arrested with a small amount of cocaine as the ship made the maiden call at the brand new Jamaican port of Falmouth. The passenger was fined $2,000 and spent seven days in prison.

In a recent interview with AOL Travel News, Gary Bald, who heads Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.'s global security department, and formerly held the third most senior ports in the FBI, says the cruise company is focused on keeping drugs off its ships.

"What we see is occasional successes by our joint team, our security folks and our law enforcement partners," he says. "It doesn't happen often for us, but it happens enough to keep us focused on it."
http://www.cruise-addicts.com/forums/f43/big-cruise-ship-cocaine-bust-jamaica-164352/#post1479094


Are Drugs on Cruise Ships on the Rise?
by Fran Golden Posted Feb 17th 2011 01:00 PM
A cruise passenger was arrested in St. Thomas last week after federal agents found a load of party drugs he was allegedly dealing from his cabin on a gay charter cruise on the 5,400-passenger Allure of the Seas. The bust on the world's largest ship was the latest in a series of recent high-profile incidents, begging the question, are illicit drugs on cruise ships increasing?

"What you might be looking at is an increase in passenger numbers," Migdalia Travis, spokeswoman for the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) field office in Miami, told AOL Travel News. "The amount of cruise passengers has increased and of course will account for an increase in contraband finds."

Travis notes both Miami and Fort Lauderdale, the world's two largest cruise ports, have experienced a substantial increase in traffic, with more and bigger ships – Fort Lauderdale saw cruise traffic rise 17% in the last fiscal year to more than 3.3 million passengers.

"You have millions of people arriving and only an extremely small percentage of them are subject to an enforcement action," Travis said.

While exact numbers are hard to come by, one major cruise line that asked not to be named, told AOL Travel News that out of its million-plus guests last year there were 127 instances of passengers found with illegal drugs onboard its ships, in most cases marijuana. The cruise line also recorded 36 instances of drugs found when passengers were trying to board – again, most marijuana for recreational use.

CBP uses drug-searching "dogs, technology and man-power" to find drugs on ships at U.S. ports, Travis said.

But the cruise lines also have their own efforts in place to keep drugs off their ships and find any drugs that do make their way onboard.

"While we are not in a position to comment on the specific operations of other cruise lines, we believe the recent drug-related arrests are the result of continued and ongoing cooperation between the cruise lines and law enforcement agencies," Carnival Cruise Lines spokesman Vance Gulliksen told AOL Travel News.

It was the security team on Royal Caribbean's Enchantment of the Seas that actually uncovered a big recent shipboard drug plot – an effort to use a ship to import drugs.

Three crew members of the Enchantment were busted on shore in Baltimore in December, for possession of $65,000 in cocaine. A few weeks later, federal authorities came on the ship with drug-sniffing dogs and found another $94,000 worth of heroin and cocaine, the drugs hidden in an employee locker, wrapped in silver duct tape.

The three men had allegedly picked up the drugs in the Dominican Republic with plans to sell the heroin and cocaine in Baltimore. They were indicted on charges of conspiring to import drugs.

In another recent case, Bermuda's Royal Gazette reported this month that a waiter on Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas was found guilty of conspiring to import more than $425,000 worth of cocaine onto the island. Officials said Ricardo Stewart, 32, from Jamaica, was behind a plot that also involved other crew and passengers serving as mules to take the drugs off the ship. A sizeable stash was found hidden under a chair in the ship's disco.

But crew aren't the only ones who have been nabbed recently trying to use cruise ships to import drugs. In October, customs police in San Juan found about 6.48 kilograms of heroin, worth $324,000, in 15 pairs of shoes belonging to a 32-year-old woman disembarking Royal Caribbean's Serenade of the Seas, after a seven-day cruise. It's believed the drugs were picked up in the Dominican Republic.

"It just did not seem right that a stylish woman of that age would be taking a cruise with 15 pairs of 20- or 30-year-old men's shoes," said Jeffrey Quinones of the CBP office in San Juan.

Improved Search Efforts

That Royal Caribbean appears to have taken the lead in drug enforcement is perhaps not surprising when you consider the global security department at parent company Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is headed by Gary Bald, who previously held the third most senior post at the FBI.

In an interview with AOL Travel News, Bald opined that drugs on cruise ships are not on the rise.

"What we see is occasional successes by our joint team, our security folks and our law enforcement partners," he said. "It doesn't happen often for us, but it happens enough to keep us focused on it."

Royal Caribbean has "a pretty good track record of detecting if a crew member or guest is bringing drugs on our ships," Bald added. "It is not an issue but a focus because we don't want it to be a problem."

Drugs on cruise ships are, of course, nothing new.

"Back in the early '80s, people would walk down the hall and practically sell the stuff," said Michelle Fee, co-founder and CEO of national cruise travel agency Cruise Planners. "I've been onboard ships (recently) and seen dogs walking the corridors. There is much, much tighter security today than I witnessed 30 years ago."

Eddie Segev, director of fleet security for Royal Caribbean, says cruise lines in general have made "leaps and bounds" in security including in drug detection in the 16 years he's been in the cruise business.

Drug enforcement, Segev says, starts with training, and he says every shipboard employee from entry level to the ships' captains, "are trained in a general awareness of drugs."

A new Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act was signed by President Obama last summer, requiring cruise lines to tighten security measures and report alleged crimes. But Bald says Royal Caribbean already had required programs in place.

In the Baltimore case, the ship's security team notified law enforcement "that these folks were involved in drug trafficking," Bald said. "Baltimore was a success story. We were unsuccessful as we would have preferred to detect it before it got on the ship, but we did deter it before it went off the ship."

Catching Offenders

When it comes to cruise passengers bringing drugs on ships for recreational use, CBP's Travis says some passengers may naively think they won't get into trouble at sea. They also might not realize the gravity of the situation if they get caught onboard, especially if they try to bring an illegal substance back into the U.S.

"If you are carrying it is a violation of law. If you bring it back it would be trafficking," Travis warns. She says cruise passengers also forget the ports of St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Island, and San Juan, Puerto Rico, fall under U.S. jurisdiction.

"I can tell you we inspect every ship that arrives in the U.S." Travis said. "We have many tools at our service and everyone is subject to inspection."

Cruise ships are also subject to inspection at foreign ports.

There have been several marijuana busts involving cruise passengers recently in Bermuda, which has stepped up its security efforts including more frequently bringing dogs on ships. The typical scenario, as experienced by a passenger on a Norwegian Cruise Line ship in July, is the passenger is hauled off the ship to jail, pleads guilty, is fined $1,500 and released.

Bald says Royal Caribbean uses a number of security measures to detect drugs including X-raying all luggage. The cruise line also sometimes calls in dogs, separate from CBP.

"We do have tools that people don't see, other methods to detect marijuana and other drugs," Bald said.

Guests too have a responsibility to report any illegal activity they encounter, he says.

Get Caught, Get Reported

When a passenger is caught with illegal drugs on a Royal Caribbean ship, "The gentleman or lady would be interviewed by the staff captain and security officer and we make a notification to law enforcement – and they would determine if an arrest would be made," Segev said.

"If a guest was smoking Mary Jane we would interact with them – and they would be kicked off the ship at the next port," Bald added.

Other cruise lines also operate with a similar "no tolerance" policy.

Bald says some cruises "may attract more attention from law enforcement than others."

In January, an annual "Jam Cruise" with acts including American Idol winner Taylor Hicks and Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead, was raided at the pier in Fort Lauderdale. CBP officials made 15 seizures on the MSC Poesia cruise including marijuana, LSD, mushrooms, hash oil, Ecstasy, prescription drugs and drug paraphernalia in mostly small quantities.

In the case of the Allure bust, the cabin of the accused seller was raided by federal agents in St. Thomas after a passenger was found with drugs and told investigators where he had purchased them.

In addition to drug enforcement efforts, cruise lines say they are getting requests to bring medical marijuana onboard of late.

Carnival's blogger John Heald wrote on Facebook in January, "It is not allowed, by the way, but that's now three requests in the last month or so."

Travel agency owner Fee says the real shocker is the "stupidity" of passengers who do bring drugs on cruise ships.

"You're hearing of people busted more often and it is shocking, people thinking they can do it," Fee said.

http://news.travel.aol.com/2011/02/17/are-drugs-on-cruise-ships-on-the-rise/
Added on 28/02/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Shipping institute tasks agencies to secure seaports from cocaine traffickers
Shipping institute tasks agencies to secure seaports from cocaine traffickers
Shipping institute tasks agencies to secure seaports from cocaine traffickers

Monday, 07 February 2011 04:00 Bayo Akomolafe
Bayo Akomolafe

The Certified Institute of Shipping of Nigeria has challenged the security agencies at the seaports to secure the seaports from the drug traffickers.

It added that they should discharge their duties properly in order to check the influx cocaine from South America to the nation’s seaports.

Also the institute stressed the need to understand the working of the Maritime Domain Awareness which requires integration of information, environmental and security issues.

Its Rector, Dr Alex Okwuashi in a interview with Nigerian Compass explained that government cannot afford to let the seaports be used by unscrupulous individuals as hub for drug trafficking.

He noted Nigerian Customs Service and other security agencies should understand the implication of allowing the seaports to be used for illegal activities.

The rector said that leaders who believed that they can carry out their illegal activities by virtues of their position should be exposed byb the security.

Okwuashi said that there should be cooperation among the government agencies at ports.

He noted if there was cooperation among the agencies it would be practically impossible for anybody to get away with shady deal at the ports.

Okwuashi added: “Before any vessel is allowed to discharge its cargo, there is what is called rummaging. It has to do with inward clearance of vessel. All government agencies such as Nigeria Customs, State Security Service, Nigeria Immigration, National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency among other will board the vessels to ensure that the good and crew are properly manifested and that no illegal activity is perpetrated in line with the Word trade Organisation rules.

“What may be difficult to identify before a ship is berth are sealed containers but they can be examined by Customs and other agencies during clearance and examination.
“If at any point drugs and any contraband are not detected by these agencies, then there is a large scale fraud.”

The Nigeria Customs Service, Tincan Island command last week warned cocaine traffickers to keep off from the Tin can Port.

Its Area Comptroller, Mr Austen Warikoru said that those who think that they can use the port as a transit route for hard drug peddling were living in the past.
He declared that a structure had been put in place to intercept any illegal consignment coming through the port.

The comptroller said: “Customs will not let the country ports and borders be used illegal activities.”

Warikoru who was reacting to a recent seizure of 165 kilogrammes of cocaine at the port was ferried from Bolivia in November through MV Aldebaran and was concealed in a container marked MSCU 128723/1 added that when the container arrived at the port, he personally alerted the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

He stressed that the command got strong information from a United State agency about the illegal imports and “we informed the NDLEA in order to ensure that illicit trade is eliminated in our port.”

Warikoru also explained that the hard drug was valued at N1.6billion. He said that 38 packets were discovered in boxes of tiles, saying each carton contained four wraps or less.

He noted: “By the time we put the wraps together, we have 150. What we can say here is that the drugs we have seized so far came from South America.
Before now, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) had sounded alarm of an exploding cocaine trade in the West African coastal countries but no concrete measure was taken by the government to prevent it.

The UNODC’s 2008 World Drug report, had explained that the majority of air couriers come from Guinea, Mali, Nigeria, and Senegal. Guinea was the embarkation point for 221 couriers detected since 2006.

But today, the lure of lucrative cocaine profits is gradually posing a grave threat to security of the Nigerian seaports.

In 2006, the Tin can Island Port recorded Nigeria’s largest cocaine seizure 14.2 tonnes.

Just last year, the lucrative cocaine trade quietly made its way into one of the port terminals in Lagos, turning the Tin can Island Port into a key transit hub for drug shipments.

No fewer than 450.4kilogrammes of high grade cocaine valued at N4billion was confiscated by officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). The substance was ferried from the South American country of Chile to Lagos. Nigerian businessman and two Chinese industrialists connected with unlawful act are helping the NDLEA to unravel the source of the illegal trade.

Before now, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in 2008 adopted a political declaration and regional action plan to combat drug trafficking and organized crime in West Africa. Backed by the UN Office for West Africa, Interpol, and the UN Departments of Political Affairs and Peacekeeping Operations, the ECOWAS regional action plan aims to build national and regional capacities in the areas of law enforcement, forensics, intelligence, border management and money-laundering. But virtually some of the countries were not serious with the declaration.

Coca cultivation in Colombia, Bolivia, and Peru supplies the world’s entire crop of coca leaves for cocaine production.

Half of the world’s cocaine supply is consumed in North America, with the other half now sold in Europe through the West African route, where drug traffickers are increasingly turning as the cocaine market in North America matures.

http://www.compassnewspaper.com/NG/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=74700:shipping-institute-tasks-agencies-to-secure-seaports-from-cocaine-traffickers&catid=650:maritime&Itemid=716
Added on 28/02/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
500 KILOS OF MARIJUANA AND THREE PEOPLE DETAINED
500 KILOS OF MARIJUANA AND THREE PEOPLE DETAINED
500 KILOS OF MARIJUANA AND THREE PEOPLE DETAINED

February 22, 2011
Gacetilla N ° 2861

The total number of drugs seized was 517, 244 pounds and is valued at approximately $ 2,068,976.

It was in two procedures performed at the International Bridge Posadas-Encarnación

The detainees are two Paraguayan and Argentina.

The Federal Administration of Public Revenue (AFIP), through the Directorate General of Customs, 517.244 kilograms of marijuana seized valued at $ 2,068,976, two procedures performed at the International Bridge San Roque Gonzalez de Santa Cruz, which links the border towns Posadas (Misiones) and Encarnacion (Paraguay).

The first was made when customs officials warned that two women wanted to, in a black car Chevrolet Aveo, a national patent, to 125.754 kilograms of marijuana. The drugs were hidden inside the bumper, the hood baffle, rear fenders and below the torpedo.

The second case was when a green Nissan Safari van, driven by a Paraguayan citizen, came to the crossing and the secondary control detected a double bottom on the roof where they hid 391.490 kilograms of marijuana.

Both procedures were reported to the Federal Court in the city of Posadas, which ordered the seizure of drugs, vehicles and the arrest of its occupants, considering, prima facie, participants in the crime of "attempting to import narcotics smuggling" under and penalized by Article 863 and 864 of the Code.
Added on 28/02/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
OPERATION OF GDF LIVE IN HANDCUFFS cocaine dealers (VIDEO)
OPERATION OF GDF LIVE IN HANDCUFFS cocaine dealers (VIDEO)
OPERATION OF GDF LIVE IN HANDCUFFS cocaine dealers (VIDEO)

17-02-2011

He looks around, waiting for the right moment to break, with pliers, a lock of a container. Moments later comes into action, breaking the lock and slips in a container from South America full of coffee. The camera follows him in the flight with a bag, a briefcase full of cocaine. In the next sequence a 36-year-old criminal record, an official of the terminal at the port of Naples, is seen stopped by the Guardia di Finanza and left handcuffed without resistance. The operation was coordinated by prosecutors of the District Anti-Mafia Directorate of Naples. The yellow flame followed the landing of the container without losing sight of even a moment. At the behest of the DDA, the police did not proceed immediately to seize the container monitoring system with satellite tracking and hidden cameras to pick up the goods by an employee of a company operating within the port. This person has been dogged and locked while he was driving a car with a false bottom. Inside the jacket were 15 kilograms of cocaine. The man was arrested and thrown in jail Poggioreale. The 15 kilograms of cocaine once marketed to the Camorra would have earned a profit of several million euro.
http://www.videocomunicazioni.com/notizie/operazione-live-della-gdf-in-manette-spacciatore-di-cocaina-video.html

OPERAZIONE IN DIRETTA DELLA GDF, IN MANETTE SPACCIATORE DI COCAINA (VIDEO)

17-02-2011

Si guarda attorno, aspetta il momento giusto per rompere, con una tenaglia, un lucchetto di un container. Pochi attimi dopo entra in azione, rompe la serratura e si infila in un container proveniente dal Sud America pieno di caffè. La telecamera lo segue nella fuga con una borsa, una ventiquattrore, piena di cocaina. Nella sequenza successiva un 36 enne incensurato, dipendente del terminal del porto di Napoli, si vede fermato dalla guardia di Finanza e si lascia ammanettare senza opporre resistenza. L’operazione è stata coordinata dai pm della Direzione distrettuale antimafia di Napoli. Le Fiamme Gialle hanno seguito lo sbarco del container senza perderlo d’occhio neppure un istante. Su ordine della Dda la polizia giudiziaria non ha proceduto immediatamente al sequestro monitorando il container con sistemi di localizzazione satellitare e con telecamere nascoste fino al prelevamento della merce ad opera di un dipendente di una società che opera all’interno del Porto. Questa persona è stata pedinata e bloccata mentre si trovava alla guida di un’auto dotata di un doppiofondo. All’interno dell’intercapedine c’erano 15 chilogrammi di cocaina. L’uomo è stato arrestato e rinchiuso nel carcere di Poggioreale. I 15 chilogrammi di cocaina una volta immessa sul mercato avrebbe fruttato alla camorra un guadagno di diversi milioni di euro.
Added on 24/02/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Cash, diamonds, drugs, firearms & people smuggled in small airplanes
Cash, diamonds, drugs, firearms & people smuggled in small airplanes
Cash, diamonds, drugs, firearms & people smuggled in small airplanes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Hague - The Netherlands.

As part of its responsibility to monitor developments in the threat from organised crime and terrorism in Europe, Europol has recently identified an expansion in the range of illicit commodities being trafficked using light aircraft.

In the past, organised crime groups have mainly used small airplanes for trafficking drugs into and around the European Union (EU). However, there has been a noted rise in the use of light aircraft for trafficking drugs into the EU (e.g. from North and West Africa), and the number of suspicious flights between EU Member States is also increasing. In addition to drugs, though, light aircraft are also now being used to facilitate illegal immigration, smuggle victims of human trafficking, and to traffic firearms, diamonds and bulk cash shipments for money laundering.

For example, from North Africa, organised crime groups make regular trips (e.g. 50 kg loads) that target small airfields in remote parts of South West Europe. They specialise in ‘low and slow’ flights under radio silence to avoid detection. The commodities are delivered by ‘air drops’ and landings at remote airstrips and agricultural fields. Privately–owned fields are often exploited for logistical purposes

All kinds of small airplanes, from utility aircraft to executive jets, are being used to traffic illicit commodities into Europe and between the EU’s criminal hubs, with helicopters also used in Western Europe. The majority of these aircraft are EU registered, but many are also registered in the US and, in some cases, African countries. EU nationals are also known to acquire pilot licences from non–EU countries. However, more than half of EU countries do not have provisions to withdraw pilot licenses in cases of convictions related to organised crime (e.g. drugs trafficking).

Organised crime groups engaged in these activities tend to have a clear division of tasks (e.g. ground handling, overland transportation, security or asset owners). They usually have strategies to exploit opportunities in non–commercial aviation such as inconsistencies between European flight plan regulations.

A key facilitator for this rise in the use of light aircraft for trafficking is the lack of monitoring and sanctions vis–à–vis the significant volume in light aircraft traffic that impacts on hundreds of small airstrips across the EU.

A call for an EU information network, as mentioned within the framework of Project Avia, with participants from Belgium, France, the Netherlands and the UK, is highly justified (Project Avia is a European network established to combat the use of small airfields for criminal purposes). The network should include partners in civil aviation and the military that can provide access to key resources, like suspicious activity reports, general aviation databases and tracking/surveillance capabilities.

Drawing on the findings and contributions of national experts, the main recommendations are:


Coordinated high–impact operations that target small airfields based on risk profiling and existing initiatives.


A review of the legislation and sanctions that govern general aviation, in particular, to improve the EU–wide requirements governing the submission of flight plans.


The creation of an EU–level coordination capability for reporting, tracking and analysing suspicious light aircraft traffic that draws on existing national initiatives such as the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee’s Intelligence Centre Aviation, which has developed an indicator system to flag suspicious flight plans.


Exchange of best practice between national specialists (e.g. using the Europol Platform of Experts) related, for instance, to the use of military assets such as the Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS) in support of law enforcement operations.


http://www.europol.europa.eu/index.asp?page=news&news=pr110125.htm
Added on 21/02/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
304 kilos of drugs, including bananas
304 kilos of drugs, including bananas
304 kilos of drugs, including bananas

Police yesterday presented the drug shipment that was seized during two operations in the port of Guayaquil, who was bound for Spain. When there is a detainee for research.
18 FEB 2011
Research continues to uniformed

Three hundred and four kilos of cocaine which were destined for Spain and were in banana boxes were seized by the Narcotics Police with two raids on Sunday and Tuesday last in the seaport of Guayaquil.

With the help of dogs and coordination of the Office, the soldiers on Sunday inspected a container belonging to the exporter Hermel Second Mendieta Castro, where they found 148 packages with a weight of 180,781 grams of cocaine, hidden among the fruit.

"The packages were within the proper banana cartons hidden under the fruit and six pallets distributed in different sites of the container, it gives us a pattern of possibly drug was placed in the same place where he put the banana," said Freddy Rodriguez Ramos, head of Counter Narcotics of Guayas.

The packages were wrapped in a rectangular shape, covered with clear plastic packing tape with carbon paper and had a stamp with the initials SOHO 55.

Ramos explained that the way it was wrapped the alkaloid would be to prevent X-rays to detect the drug.

Owner reported that the export was not arrested, nor has approached the unit to answer for this crime.

But he said that Paul was arrested Vanegas Edison Hurtado, who is representing the company and responsible for controlling fruit quality, to assist with investigations.

He reported that on Tuesday carried out an inspection to another container where they found 109 packages with a weight of 123,501 grams of cocaine in four bags of different colors.

"In this case the alkaloid was located hidden in suitcases on the boxes of bananas," said Ramos.

The shipment was from an exporter called Asociación de Productores de Plátano Orgánico Barraganete and was aimed at Valencia, Spain.

Ramos said the drug was wrapped in the same way as above, but with the difference that had other labels like v.5, v.8 TLC and the image of a leaf.

"Usually these organizations put these logos to identify the owner who in turn sent or what organization should deliver the product," said the official.

He added that it is investigating and coordinating with authorities in Spain to determine the target organization in both cases and also to establish whether there are other organizations that are operating in that country.

Narcotics: Confiscation
Alkaloid
The head of the Narcotics Unit of Guayas, Freddy Ramos, said that each packet of cocaine seized $ 50,000 equals. He further explained that for every kilo of drugs out 1,000 doses, which means about three million of them.

304 kilos de droga, entre banano
La Policía presentó ayer el cargamento de droga que fue incautado durante dos operativos en el puerto de Guayaquil y que tenía como destino España. Al momento hay un detenido para investigaciones.

FEB. 18, 2011
Trescientos cuatro kilos de cocaína que tenían como destino España y estaban en cajas de banano fueron decomisados por la Policía de Antinarcóticos mediante dos operativos realizados el domingo y el martes pasados en el Puerto Marítimo de Guayaquil.

Con la ayuda de perros y la coordinación de la Fiscalía, los uniformados inspeccionaron el domingo un contenedor perteneciente al exportador Hermel Segundo Mendieta Castro, en donde encontraron 148 paquetes con un peso de 180.781 gramos de cocaína, camuflados entre la fruta.

“Los paquetes estaban dentro de los cartones de banano adecuadamente escondidos bajo la fruta y en seis palets distribuidos en diferentes sitios del contenedor, eso nos da una pauta de que posiblemente la droga fue puesta en el mismo sitio donde fue puesto el banano”, manifestó Freddy Ramos Rodríguez, jefe de Antinarcóticos del Guayas.

Los paquetes estaban envueltos en forma rectangular, cubiertos de plástico transparente, cinta de embalaje con papel carbón y tenían un sello con las iniciales SOHO 55.

Ramos explicó que la forma como estaba envuelto el alcaloide sería para evitar que los rayos X detecten la droga.

Informó que el propietario de la exportación no fue detenido y que tampoco se ha acercado a la unidad para responder por este ilícito.

Sin embargo, indicó que se detuvo a Paúl Édison Vanegas Hurtado, quien es representante de la empresa y encargado del control de calidad de la fruta, para que colabore con las investigaciones.

Asimismo, informó que el martes se realizó una inspección a otro contenedor donde se encontraron 109 paquetes con un peso de 123.501 gramos de cocaína en cuatro maletas de diferentes colores.

“En este caso el alcaloide estaba camuflado en las maletas ubicadas sobre las cajas de banano”, explicó Ramos.

El embarque era de una exportadora denominada Asociación de Productores de Plátano Orgánico Barraganete y estaba dirigida a Valencia, España.

Ramos indicó que la droga estaba envuelta de la misma manera que la anterior, pero con la diferencia de que tenía otros sellos como v.5, v.8 TLC y la imagen de una hoja.

“Normalmente estas organizaciones ponen estos logos a fin de identificar al propietario que envía o a su vez a qué organización se debe entregar el producto”, aseguró el oficial.

Agregó que se está investigando y coordinando con autoridades de España para determinar la organización de destino en ambos casos y también establecer si existen otras organizaciones que estarían operando en ese país.

Narcotráfico: Decomiso
Alcaloide
El jefe de la Unidad de Antinarcóticos del Guayas, Freddy Ramos, expresó que cada paquete de cocaína decomisado equivale a 50.000 dólares. Además explicó que por cada kilo de droga salen 1.000 dosis, lo que significa alrededor de tres millones de estas.

http://201.234.213.3/2011/02/18/1/1422/304-kilos-droga-bananos.html?p=1422&m=948

Video: http://www.telerama.ec/videos/?video=2eGaBZtU63JCW8Rm4iJe (sportbags at 1:11)
Added on 21/02/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Perfect drug mules
Perfect drug mules
Perfect drug mules


By Randy David
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 00:56:00 02/20/2011
HOW HAVE we become the world’s favorite transshipment point for opium, cocaine and heroin? How have Filipinos become the favorite couriers for such high-value drugs? The reports say that as many as 630 Filipinos are being held today for drug trafficking in various jails all over the world. Of these, 205 are detained in Chinese prisons alone. These are alarming figures by any measure. Who are these Filipinos? How did they get into this criminal trade?

A cursory look at the profile of the three Filipinos currently awaiting execution in China for drug trafficking, and another one detained in a Thai prison, suggests that all of them left the country as part of the exodus of Filipinos seeking work abroad. Whether they knew it or not, they all appear to have been recruited by international drug syndicates run by West Africans.

Ramon Credo, 42, was caught smuggling more than four kilos of heroin into Xiamen in December 2008. Four days earlier, Sally Villanueva, 32, was intercepted in the same city while smuggling more or less the same amount of heroin. Elizabeth Batain was arrested in Shenzhen in May 2008 for possession of almost seven kilograms of heroin. On the other hand, Flory May Talaban, who worked as a tutor for an African couple in China, has been in a Thai prison since her arrest in 2009 for carrying almost three kilograms of heroin inside one of her books. These three Filipino women are not typical drug couriers. They have valid identities as working migrant women. That is what makes them relatively “invisible.”

The world’s biggest producer of opium is Afghanistan, followed by Burma. At once, this suggests a path for drug smuggling. From the poppy fields of Afghanistan, the opiates find their way into Pakistan, and from there to the rest of the world. Or, from the opium farms of Burma, they wind up in Bangkok after being smuggled through the porous borders of Northern Thailand, Vietnam and Laos. The Philippines is neither a producer nor a destination for heroin—but it is a strategic transshipment hub. It appears that the drugs could be quickly off-loaded at any point of the country’s long unpatrolled coastline. They are then repacked and shipped out through our airports with the help of Filipino drug mules, who are increasingly made to use their own bodies as containers.

In the past, Europe and North America were the destinations of this lucrative trade. Today, given the shift in economic fortunes, China—with its new generation of millionaires and rising young middle class—has become the principal market for these illicit and expensive drugs. Once again, our proximity to the giant next door is shaping our circumstances as a people.

My colleague, the late University of the Philippines Professor Ricardo Zarco, who studied patterns of drug use in the Philippines for many years, used to express surprise whenever the police announced a drug bust yielding large amounts of cocaine or heroin. He was certain these were not meant for local consumption. The country’s sluggish economy could not support a steady market for such drugs, he said. These seized drugs could only be meant for re-export. In those days, long before the American financial collapse, the destination was the United States. The US market however radically shrunk following aggressive trans-border crackdowns conducted by American authorities.

Like multinational companies, global drug syndicates ride the tide of changing economic conditions. Yesterday it was the American market, today it is the China market. While China has nurtured an enduring historical antagonism toward narcotics, the opening of its economic borders, which is responsible for its present dynamism, has brought with it all the problems associated with globalization. People from all over the world are pouring into China to help build and to partake of its newfound prosperity. Among them are our own people.

In the last 35 years, Filipinos have joined the ranks of the world’s most mobile and ubiquitous world travelers. The Filipino passport has become the most recognizable symbol of the economic refugee. This document signals to every immigration officer the presence of an intrepid human being who will accept any kind of work for the most miserable pay. In the early years of Filipino overseas labor deployment, the face of the OFW was the male construction worker in the Middle East. With the feminization of migration, it became, not long after, that of the domestic helper and caregiver. Soon it became that of the nurse, the teacher, the office worker, or the young Pinoy information technology professional.

These shifts in the pattern of global travel and migration must surely have been noted by international drug syndicates. In the Filipino overseas workers they have found the perfect mules. Their financial need is great and often desperate. Once they accept the job, they take risks whose dimensions they are not fully aware of. Articulate in English, but projecting the aura of novice travelers, they can talk their way out of difficult situations. Migrants like them are familiar faces at every port, and thus they remain pretty much below the radar screen. So compartmentalized and layered are their dealings with the drug syndicates that when they are caught, no one comes to their rescue. Their arrest does not lead the authorities to the core of the syndicate they serve.

Indeed, they are victims of a system. But, which system? The drug rings that exploit their vulnerability, or the society that pushes them out of their own country to seek work in unfamiliar lands?

* * *

public.lives@gmail.com

http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/columns/view/20110220-321221/Perfect-drug-mules
Added on 21/02/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Drugs: 15 kg cocaine seized in the port of Naples
Drugs: 15 kg cocaine seized in the port of Naples
http://www.ansa.it/web/notizie/regioni/campania/2011/02/16/visualizza_new.html_1586854633.html

Drugs: 15 kg cocaine seized in the port of Naples

They were inside a container that contained coffee '

February 16, 17:59

(ANSA) - Naples, FEBRUARY 16 - About 15 kilos of cocaine were seized at the Port of Naples by the Guardia di Finanza in a container from South America.

The seizure ends a 'investigation of an international drug trafficking. The container, which contained coffee ', concealed drugs internally. The financiers have arrested a person which is not 'name was announced.
Added on 18/02/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Pilot David Lloyd 'part of drug smuggling team'
Pilot David Lloyd 'part of drug smuggling team'
Pilot David Lloyd 'part of drug smuggling team'

17 February 2011 Last updated at 19:48 GMT
A former RAF pilot from Anglesey is one of four men to go on trial accused of conspiring to smuggle cocaine worth £3.5m into Britain.

The drugs were seized when a plane landed at Mona Airfield on Anglesey in July 2009.

David Lloyd, 65, flew the plane but says he did not know drugs were on board.

Three other men also deny conspiracy to smuggle cocaine. The case at Liverpool Crown Court continues.

The trial heard that the drugs were carried in a single engine four-seater plane owned by David Watson, 54, from Prestwich, Manchester.

Michael Taylor, opening the case for the prosecution, said the drugs were picked up in France by former soldier Mathew Lockwood, 29, from Prestwich, who has already pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiring to import the drugs.

“Start Quote
The focus of the trial is likely to be whether the four defendants on trial were members of a cocaine smuggling team.”

End Quote Michael Taylor Prosecuting
Also involved in the plot were Richard McArthur, 45, from Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland, and Paul Roche, 55, from Prestwich, the court heard.

Mr Taylor told the jury that when the smuggling took place, Mr Watson was in the USA but that he "was in control of the operation".

"Mona is near to where Lloyd lives and David Watson's private plane was kept in a hangar there," he said.

"There was a flying club there. Lloyd was a very experienced pilot. He was formerly a pilot with the RAF and was a trainer at the flying club."

Mr Roche and Mr Lockwood were also on the flight, the court heard.

Blocks of cocaine
When it touched down in France, Mr Lockwood went to pick up the drugs from Mr McArthur.

However, the court heard, it is Mr McArthur's case that he did not know the package contained cocaine.

He claims he was told it was cannabis and was acting as a courier.

The same three men then flew back to Mona airfield where the plane was searched by police and the cocaine was found.

Mr Taylor said blocks of cocaine were found neatly packed in the base of a pilot's bag, which Mr Lockwood was using.

Other blocks of cocaine were found stashed in a pillow case and one was found lying loose in the plane, the court heard.

Mr Taylor said: "The focus of the trial is likely to be whether the four defendants on trial were members of a cocaine smuggling team.

"The fact that it was a team effort is unlikely to be disputed. It's obvious it was."

The trial is expected to take between four and six weeks.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-12500194
Added on 18/02/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Customs found 85 kilograms of cocaine in Rotterdam and Amsterdam
Customs found 85 kilograms of cocaine in Rotterdam and Amsterdam
Customs found 85 kilograms of cocaine in Rotterdam and Amsterdam
News item | 02/17/2011

Customs has two cocaine seizures last week. In Rotterdam, 57 kilos of cocaine seized in and in Amsterdam 28 kilos of cocaine.

On February 14 in Rotterdam, 57 kilos of cocaine during the unloading of a container with liquid barrels at a company in Rotterdam. Behind the first row of barrels backpacks were hidden. The employee of the company did not trust it and warned Customs. The backpacks were packages of suspected cocaine. A test confirmed that it was cocaine.

The party cocaine in Amsterdam was intercepted on February 11 . The cocaine was found in a container of cocoa beans from the Dominican Republic. The cocaine was in a sports bag.

In both cases, the cocaine seized and has since been destroyed. The two cases were transferred to the FIOD.
Added on 18/02/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
150 kilograms of liquid cocaine discovered at Zaventem
150 kilograms of liquid cocaine discovered at Zaventem
150 kilograms of liquid cocaine discovered at Zaventem

At the airport Zaventem, the Customs discovered Tuesday 150 kilograms of liquid cocaine . According to Customs, it is a record. The drugs are worth about 10 million euros. The police arreste also two Dutch and a Colombian.

The cocaine came from the Colombian capital Bogota and was hidden by live tropical fish. The plastic bags in which the fish were, had a double bottom.

Cocaine is increasingly being transported liquid, because the drugs are so difficult to trace. The smugglers wanted the liquid process to a powder in a secret lab
Added on 18/02/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
3.640 kg of cocaine seized from Colombia boat
3.640 kg of cocaine seized from Colombia boat
3.640 kg of cocaine seized from Colombia boat

The drug was found after Venezuelan and French authorities intercepted a vessel in international waters Venezuelan flag merchant

Prensa Web RNV

February 16, 2011, 11:34 a.m.

This Tuesday was seized a large shipment of cocaine in a Venezuelan-flagged cargo ship from Colombia, as reported by the Minister of People's Power for Interior Relations and Justice, Tarek El Aissami, from the Yellow House in the city of Caracas.

In a joint process between the Navy of Venezuela and a naval vessel of France, was successfully intercepted in international waters the ship carrying 3 000 640 kilograms of cocaine.

In the proceedings were arrested 7 people, 6 of them Honduran and Colombian nationality, said the minister.

At the moment the ship is being transferred by the Venezuelan authorities to Puerto Cabello, Carabobo state, to commence court proceedings involved.

Venezuela and Colombia

Since the protocol of the Foreign Ministry headquarters, El Aissami said the cooperation agreements between Venezuela and Colombia are intended to strengthen the fight against drugs in both countries.

"All agreements on cooperation in public security, in combating illicit drug trafficking and the kidnapping and extortion have been discussed in working groups," he said.

In his remarks noted that the agreement reached in the meeting held at Canaima, the Minister of Defence of the neighboring country, Rodrigo Granda, will be raised for consideration and approval of presidents Hugo Chavez and Juan Manuel Santos.

"We have entered an operational action plan already in place so it has been important to arrest the leaders of drug trafficking and yesterday's operation was also notified to the Colombian authorities," he said.

Operación en conjunto Venezuela-Francia intercepta barco con 2.640 Kg de cocaine

(Redacción/MPPRIJ/16 de febrero de 2011).- El Ministro del Poder Popular para Relaciones Interiores y Justicia, Tareck El Aissami, anunció desde la Casa Amarilla en Caracas, que durante una operación conjunta entre las autoridades del Gobierno Bolivariano y francesas se interceptó en aguas internacionales un barco de bandera venezolana que zarpó desde un puerto de Colombia con 2.600 Kg. de cocaína.

Dijo el ministro que durante este procedimiento en conjunto, se detuvieron a siete personas, de las cuales seis corresponden a las nacionalidades hondureñas y una colombiana.

Cabe destacar que el día 14 de febrero se recibió un mensaje por fax, por parte de la Agregaduría de Francia en Venezuela, solicitando realizar la revisión al buque de nombre “TITAN”, matricula AJZL-29943 de bandera venezolana, registrado en Maracaibo, el cual zarpó el día 09 de febrero, desde Puerto Bolívar (Colombia), donde estuvo fondeado por tres días y el 15 de febrero se recibió información de la embajada francesa informando que a bordo del buque se detectaron 132 bultos de cocaína, de 20 kilos cada uno.

“En este momento el barco esta siendo trasladado a Puerto Cabello, esperemos que el día de mañana esté en aguas territoriales venezolanas y comenzar el procedimiento judicial correspondiente, la mañana de hoy fue registrado otro tanque del buque y se localizaron 1000kg de cocaína adicionales, es decir, tenía a bordo 3600kg de cocaína” así lo declaró, El Aissami.

Asimismo, el alto funcionario informó que los acuerdos de cooperación que mantiene Venezuela con Colombia están siendo tratados en las respectivas mesas de trabajo, de manera que los presidentes de ambos países los evalúen y aprueben. Por otro lado, aseguró que los resultados que arrojó este procedimiento son muy importantes, pues se ha logrado reconocimiento por parte de las autoridades del mundo.

“Este es un ejemplo palpable de lo que es la cooperación internacional y la responsabilidad compartida de todos los países en este frente batalla contra el narcotráfico” expresó el ministro.

Caso Bomberos de San Crintóbal

De igual manera, El Aissami destacó que anoche se logró esclarecer el caso del atentado al cuerpo bomberil en el estado Táchira, durante el procedimiento se logró la detención de dos jóvenes uno de 24 años de edad y otro de 22, se incautaron dos armas de fuego y se identificaron todos los que participaron en este delito, en este momento se encuentran tras la detención de otra persona comprometida en el hecho que dejó 9 funcionarios heridos.

“Aquí está la respuesta inmediata del CICPC y del Gobierno Bolivariano para esclarecer estos hechos y garantizar la paz de todo nuestro pueblo”. Concluyó.

http://www.mpprij.gob.ve/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4150:operacion-en-conjunto-venezuela-francia-se-intercepta-barco-con-2640kg-de-cocaina&catid=1:ultimas-noticias&Itemid=18

Venezuela joint operation intercepts boat France 2,640 kg of cocaine


Wednesday, February 16, 2011 11:13

(Redacción/MPPRIJ/16 February 2011) .- The Minister of People's Power for Interior Relations and Justice, Tarek El Aissami, announced from the Yellow House in Caracas, during a joint operation between the authorities of the Bolivarian Government and French intercepted in international waters, a Venezuelan-flagged ship that sailed from a port in Colombia with 2,600 kg of cocaine.

The minister said that during this procedure as a whole, is arrested seven people, six of which correspond to the Honduran and Colombian nationality.

It should be noted that on February 14 received a fax message, by the Attaché of France in Venezuela, requesting to perform the review to the vessel named "TITAN", enrolls 29,943 AJZL-Venezuelan flag, registered in Maracaibo, which set sail on 09 February from Puerto Bolivar (Colombia), where she anchored for three days and the February 15 information was received from the French embassy to report on board the vessel were found 132 packages of cocaine, 20 kilos each one.

"Right now the boat is being moved to Puerto Cabello, hopefully tomorrow is in Venezuelan territorial waters and begin legal proceedings for the morning was recorded another tank of the vessel and located additional cocaine 1000kg is ie, had on board 3600kg of cocaine they said, El Aissami.

Also, the senior official said that cooperation agreements with Colombia, Venezuela remains are being treated in the respective working groups, so that the presidents of both countries to assess and approve. On the other hand, said the results showed that this procedure are very important, because it has achieved recognition by the authorities of the world.

"This is a tangible example of what international cooperation and shared responsibility of all countries in the battle against drug trafficking," said the minister.

San Crintóbal Fire Case

Similarly, El Aissami said that last night managed to crack the case of the attack the body Fire Department in Tachira state, during the procedure was accomplished the arrest of two young a 24 years old and one 22, two weapons seized fire and identified all those who participated in this crime, are now following the arrest of another person engaged in the fact that left nine officers injured.

"Here's the immediate response of CICPC and the Bolivarian Government to clarify these facts and ensure peace for all our people." Concluded.




http://www.ona.gob.ve/Noticias/16022011_hc_1.htm
http://www.vtv.gov.ve/noticias-nacionales/55103





The drug was found after Venezuelan and French authorities intercepted a vessel in international waters Venezuelan flag merchant

Prensa Web RNV

February 16, 2011, 11:34 a.m.

This Tuesday was seized a large shipment of cocaine in a Venezuelan-flagged cargo ship from Colombia, as reported by the Minister of People's Power for Interior Relations and Justice, Tarek El Aissami, from the Yellow House in the city of Caracas.

In a joint process between the Navy of Venezuela and a naval vessel of France, was successfully intercepted in international waters the ship carrying 3 000 640 kilograms of cocaine.

In the proceedings were arrested 7 people, 6 of them Honduran and Colombian nationality, said the minister.

At the moment the ship is being transferred by the Venezuelan authorities to Puerto Cabello, Carabobo state, to commence court proceedings involved.

Venezuela and Colombia

Since the protocol of the Foreign Ministry headquarters, El Aissami said the cooperation agreements between Venezuela and Colombia are intended to strengthen the fight against drugs in both countries.

"All agreements on cooperation in public security, in combating illicit drug trafficking and the kidnapping and extortion have been discussed in working groups," he said.

In his remarks noted that the agreement reached in the meeting held at Canaima, the Minister of Defence of the neighboring country, Rodrigo Granda, will be raised for consideration and approval of presidents Hugo Chavez and Juan Manuel Santos.

"We have entered an operational action plan already in place so it has been important to arrest the leaders of drug trafficking and yesterday's operation was also notified to the Colombian authorities," he said.

Operación en conjunto Venezuela-Francia intercepta barco con 2.640 Kg de cocaine

(Redacción/MPPRIJ/16 de febrero de 2011).- El Ministro del Poder Popular para Relaciones Interiores y Justicia, Tareck El Aissami, anunció desde la Casa Amarilla en Caracas, que durante una operación conjunta entre las autoridades del Gobierno Bolivariano y francesas se interceptó en aguas internacionales un barco de bandera venezolana que zarpó desde un puerto de Colombia con 2.600 Kg. de cocaína.

Dijo el ministro que durante este procedimiento en conjunto, se detuvieron a siete personas, de las cuales seis corresponden a las nacionalidades hondureñas y una colombiana.

Cabe destacar que el día 14 de febrero se recibió un mensaje por fax, por parte de la Agregaduría de Francia en Venezuela, solicitando realizar la revisión al buque de nombre “TITAN”, matricula AJZL-29943 de bandera venezolana, registrado en Maracaibo, el cual zarpó el día 09 de febrero, desde Puerto Bolívar (Colombia), donde estuvo fondeado por tres días y el 15 de febrero se recibió información de la embajada francesa informando que a bordo del buque se detectaron 132 bultos de cocaína, de 20 kilos cada uno.

“En este momento el barco esta siendo trasladado a Puerto Cabello, esperemos que el día de mañana esté en aguas territoriales venezolanas y comenzar el procedimiento judicial correspondiente, la mañana de hoy fue registrado otro tanque del buque y se localizaron 1000kg de cocaína adicionales, es decir, tenía a bordo 3600kg de cocaína” así lo declaró, El Aissami.

Asimismo, el alto funcionario informó que los acuerdos de cooperación que mantiene Venezuela con Colombia están siendo tratados en las respectivas mesas de trabajo, de manera que los presidentes de ambos países los evalúen y aprueben. Por otro lado, aseguró que los resultados que arrojó este procedimiento son muy importantes, pues se ha logrado reconocimiento por parte de las autoridades del mundo.

“Este es un ejemplo palpable de lo que es la cooperación internacional y la responsabilidad compartida de todos los países en este frente batalla contra el narcotráfico” expresó el ministro.

Caso Bomberos de San Crintóbal

De igual manera, El Aissami destacó que anoche se logró esclarecer el caso del atentado al cuerpo bomberil en el estado Táchira, durante el procedimiento se logró la detención de dos jóvenes uno de 24 años de edad y otro de 22, se incautaron dos armas de fuego y se identificaron todos los que participaron en este delito, en este momento se encuentran tras la detención de otra persona comprometida en el hecho que dejó 9 funcionarios heridos.

“Aquí está la respuesta inmediata del CICPC y del Gobierno Bolivariano para esclarecer estos hechos y garantizar la paz de todo nuestro pueblo”. Concluyó.

http://www.mpprij.gob.ve/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4150:operacion-en-conjunto-venezuela-francia-se-intercepta-barco-con-2640kg-de-cocaina&catid=1:ultimas-noticias&Itemid=18

Venezuela joint operation intercepts boat France 2,640 kg of cocaine


Wednesday, February 16, 2011 11:13

(Redacción/MPPRIJ/16 February 2011) .- The Minister of People's Power for Interior Relations and Justice, Tarek El Aissami, announced from the Yellow House in Caracas, during a joint operation between the authorities of the Bolivarian Government and French intercepted in international waters, a Venezuelan-flagged ship that sailed from a port in Colombia with 2,600 kg of cocaine.

The minister said that during this procedure as a whole, is arrested seven people, six of which correspond to the Honduran and Colombian nationality.

It should be noted that on February 14 received a fax message, by the Attaché of France in Venezuela, requesting to perform the review to the vessel named "TITAN", enrolls 29,943 AJZL-Venezuelan flag, registered in Maracaibo, which set sail on 09 February from Puerto Bolivar (Colombia), where she anchored for three days and the February 15 information was received from the French embassy to report on board the vessel were found 132 packages of cocaine, 20 kilos each one.

"Right now the boat is being moved to Puerto Cabello, hopefully tomorrow is in Venezuelan territorial waters and begin legal proceedings for the morning was recorded another tank of the vessel and located additional cocaine 1000kg is ie, had on board 3600kg of cocaine they said, El Aissami.

Also, the senior official said that cooperation agreements with Colombia, Venezuela remains are being treated in the respective working groups, so that the presidents of both countries to assess and approve. On the other hand, said the results showed that this procedure are very important, because it has achieved recognition by the authorities of the world.

"This is a tangible example of what international cooperation and shared responsibility of all countries in the battle against drug trafficking," said the minister.

San Crintóbal Fire Case

Similarly, El Aissami said that last night managed to crack the case of the attack the body Fire Department in Tachira state, during the procedure was accomplished the arrest of two young a 24 years old and one 22, two weapons seized fire and identified all those who participated in this crime, are now following the arrest of another person engaged in the fact that left nine officers injured.

"Here's the immediate response of CICPC and the Bolivarian Government to clarify these facts and ensure peace for all our people." Concluded.




http://www.ona.gob.ve/Noticias/16022011_hc_1.htm
http://www.vtv.gov.ve/noticias-nacionales/55103
Added on 17/02/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
SA air hostess held in Brazil over cocaine
SA air hostess held in Brazil over cocaine
SA air hostess held in Brazil over cocaine
16 February 2011 Last updated at 13:29 GMT

A South African air hostess is being held in jail in Brazil after she was allegedly found with 5kg (11lb) of cocaine, her airline says.

A South African Airways (SAA) spokesman said the woman was arrested over the weekend at Sao Paulo airport.

Last year, an SAA employee was sentenced to seven years in jail in the UK after she was found with 3kg of cocaine strapped to her body.

It was said to have had a street value of $180,00 (£120,000).

SAA spokesman Fani Zulu said the employee - who has worked for the company for 12 years - had been due to fly to Johannesburg.

He gave no other details about how the cocaine was found or what charges she may face.

In 2009, SAA said all baggage belonging to its staff would be searched after its crews flying into Heathrow Airport in the UK were found with large quantities of drugs.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12480686
Added on 17/02/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Finistere. The police seized 120 kilograms of pure cocaine
Finistere. The police seized 120 kilograms of pure cocaine
Finistere. The police seized 120 kilograms of pure cocaine
Incidents Thursday, February 17, 2011
The police knew that a drug delivery would take place Wednesday in the port of Brest. Two women were arrested on the road, where a trap had been installed.

13 h 50 yesterday on the expressway between Brest and Quimper. A young motorist, who goes to work Châteaulin must line up under the flashing lights of a big black 4x4 press to fall back. The vehicle, followed by another black car, the double speed.

"The road narrowed at once on a track, tells the Finistère. Further ahead, the two black cars were crushed. Me, I nearly had an accident. Then I saw police everywhere. A helicopter landed in a field next to the expressway. "

A harrow was placed on the floor. Two women who drove the two cars, were arrested. It's the end of the go fast, drug convoy in the jargon of the police. The Judicial Police (PJ) of Rennes had organized this trap. The seizure is of size: 120 kilos of pure cocaine arriving straight from South America aboard a container ship.

6 to 8,000,000 euros

The police knew that the delivery was scheduled for yesterday in the port of Brest. A hundred men were mobilized, including rapid response brigades (BIS) of Nantes and Rouen. A helicopter flew over the convoy since the start. The central office for combating illicit drug trafficking (OCRTIS) flanked the drug squad of the CID.

A mobster Nantes would have sponsored the traffic. He was to deliver cocaine in Loire-Atlantique and in the Paris region. The powder was a party boat in a marina of the West Indies to win the Finistere. The two women arrested were "mules", responsible for transporting the goods, estimated at between 6 and 8 million sold in the street. This is the biggest cocaine seizure ever on the roads of Brittany.

The crackdown continued yesterday in the two regions, where several people were placed in custody.
Added on 17/02/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Operated fifty kilos of cocaine hidden in a shipment of frozen shrimp from South America
Operated fifty kilos of cocaine hidden in a shipment of frozen shrimp from South America
The National Police dismantled an organization of drug traffickers who subcontracted their services to other dealers

MADRID, 16/02/2011

The National Police dismantled an organization of drug traffickers who subcontracted their services to other dealers

MADRID, 16/02/2011

Operated fifty kilos of cocaine hidden in a shipment of frozen shrimp from South America


Manage the receipt of large amounts of cocaine arriving in our country hidden in containers through the procedure of "rip-off"

Offering various pathways through the ports of Algeciras and Marin and the eight arrested was a local police of the municipality of Torrejon de Ardoz Madrid



National Police agents have broken up an organization of drug traffickers who subcontracted their services to other dealers. Were managed in our country receiving large quantities of cocaine from South America sent in containers through the procedure of "rip-off." In the operation have been seized fifty kilos of cocaine that arrived in our country hidden in a shipment of frozen shrimp from South America.

The research, begun in late 2009, focused on a group of Spanish, based in Madrid and in the towns of Torrejón de Ardoz, and Alcalá de Henares, dedicated to South American drug dealers to provide infrastructure for the introduction of cocaine in Spain. The organization offered its services to "clients" by providing multiple pathways through the port of Marin and Algeciras.

The drug would come to our shores camouflaged among legal goods and using the procedure of "blind hook." This form is to fracture the seals of the containers in the ports of origin, place the drug inside and replace the sealing elements with new ones.

A call center operations center

The researchers managed to identify members of the group, each with a very defined role. Among them were the link with Colombian traffickers in Mexico, responsible for facilitating the different routes of entry of the containers, and also a local police Torrejón de Ardoz, which is responsible for ensuring the safety of members of the group ahead a possible police intervention.

The group disbanded in Madrid used a call center as the hub. Not only served as a center of meetings and also used as a base of operations to deliver the narcotic substance.

The arrival of a new shipment of cocaine hidden in a container bound for the Port of Marín forced the group members to intensify preparations to transport the drug. Investigators also learned that the drug delivery was to take place near the parlor with the aim of checking the quality of the goods before handing those responsible for the organization.

The device police deployed in the vicinity of the premises and in the homes of those under investigation culminated with the arrest of eight people. In total, 50 kilos of cocaine involved 150,000 euros in cash, three handguns, 6 vehicles, mobile phones and extensive documentation.

The transaction, which remains open, was conducted by officers from the Central Narcotics Commissioner General of the Judicial Police, who have enjoyed the cooperation of the Special Response Group Organized Crime (GRECO) of Galicia, of the Police Station Alcala de Henares and the tax agency. They have also had the support of the Local Police Station Torrejón de Ardoz and Security Council of the town council.

http://www.mir.es/DGRIS/Notas_Prensa/Ultimos_comunicados/np021601.html




Manage the receipt of large amounts of cocaine arriving in our country hidden in containers through the procedure of "rip-off"

Offering various pathways through the ports of Algeciras and Marin and the eight arrested was a local police of the municipality of Torrejon de Ardoz Madrid



National Police agents have broken up an organization of drug traffickers who subcontracted their services to other dealers. Were managed in our country receiving large quantities of cocaine from South America sent in containers through the procedure of "rip-off." In the operation have been seized fifty kilos of cocaine that arrived in our country hidden in a shipment of frozen shrimp from South America.

The research, begun in late 2009, focused on a group of Spanish, based in Madrid and in the towns of Torrejón de Ardoz, and Alcalá de Henares, dedicated to South American drug dealers to provide infrastructure for the introduction of cocaine in Spain. The organization offered its services to "clients" by providing multiple pathways through the port of Marin and Algeciras.

The drug would come to our shores camouflaged among legal goods and using the procedure of "blind hook." This form is to fracture the seals of the containers in the ports of origin, place the drug inside and replace the sealing elements with new ones.

A call center operations center

The researchers managed to identify members of the group, each with a very defined role. Among them were the link with Colombian traffickers in Mexico, responsible for facilitating the different routes of entry of the containers, and also a local police Torrejón de Ardoz, which is responsible for ensuring the safety of members of the group ahead a possible police intervention.

The group disbanded in Madrid used a call center as the hub. Not only served as a center of meetings and also used as a base of operations to deliver the narcotic substance.

The arrival of a new shipment of cocaine hidden in a container bound for the Port of Marín forced the group members to intensify preparations to transport the drug. Investigators also learned that the drug delivery was to take place near the parlor with the aim of checking the quality of the goods before handing those responsible for the organization.

The device police deployed in the vicinity of the premises and in the homes of those under investigation culminated with the arrest of eight people. In total, 50 kilos of cocaine involved 150,000 euros in cash, three handguns, 6 vehicles, mobile phones and extensive documentation.

The transaction, which remains open, was conducted by officers from the Central Narcotics Commissioner General of the Judicial Police, who have enjoyed the cooperation of the Special Response Group Organized Crime (GRECO) of Galicia, of the Police Station Alcala de Henares and the tax agency. They have also had the support of the Local Police Station Torrejón de Ardoz and Security Council of the town council.

http://www.mir.es/DGRIS/Notas_Prensa/Ultimos_comunicados/np021601.html
Added on 17/02/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Cocaine worth £600,000 seized at Dover
Cocaine worth £600,000 seized at Dover
Cocaine worth £600,000 seized at Dover
14 February 2011

Our officers are investigating after approximately 16 kg of cocaine was seized at Dover's Eastern docks on Thursday 10 February 2011. The drugs have an estimated street value of £600,000.

Officers stopped a British-registered lorry, carrying a load of fruit juice, which had arrived on a ferry from France at 18:00. The cocaine was found following a search of the vehicle.

A 38 year-old man - a UK national - was arrested and has been bailed whilst enquiries by our investigation officers continue.

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2011/february/34cocaine-seized-dover
Added on 16/02/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Customs officers seize 700 kg of Abbeville cannabis hidden in an industrial machine
Customs officers seize 700 kg of Abbeville cannabis hidden in an industrial machine
Customs officers seize 700 kg of Abbeville cannabis hidden in an industrial machine
Montreuil, February 14, 2010

Officers of the Customs Police Abbeville (Picardy) found, February 3, 2011, 612 kg of resin and 86 kg of herbal cannabis in an industrial machine. The drugs were hidden in a cargo truck driven by a Portuguese driver, who was on a trip Spain / Britain. The value of the smuggled goods is estimated at nearly $ 3.7 million on the resale market illegal drugs.

It is late morning, while they were stationed on the A16, the Customs officers intercepted a package for controlling stock in the Portuguese road northbound. At the opening of the trailer, the customs officers have noted the presence of a heterogeneous compound loading pallets of paprika, moisturizers, baby care equipment, barrels of flammable liquid and a machine-tool dilapidated appearance . It is by removing the fan of the latter that agents were able to access a hatch concealing the smuggled goods.

The driver, a man of Portuguese nationality aged 50, was remanded in retaining customs and questioned before being entrusted to the judicial police on instructions from the High Court of Amiens.

In 2011, French customs intercepted more than 36 tons of narcotics

Les douaniers d’Abbeville saisissent 700 kg de cannabis dissimulés dans une machine industrielle
Montreuil, le 14 février 2010


Les agents de la brigade des douanes d’Abbeville (Picardie) ont découvert, le 3 février 2011, 612 kg de résine et 86 kg d’herbe de cannabis dans une machine industrielle. La drogue était dissimulée dans le fret d’un camion conduit par un chauffeur portugais, qui effectuait un trajet Espagne/Grande-Bretagne. La valeur de la marchandise de fraude est estimée à près de 3,7 millions d’euros sur le marché illicite de revente des stupéfiants.

C’est en fin de matinée, alors qu’ils étaient postés sur l’autoroute A16, que les agents des douanes ont intercepté pour contrôle un ensemble routier portugais roulant dans le sens sud-nord. A l’ouverture de la remorque, les douaniers ont pu constater la présence d’un chargement hétéroclite composé de palettes de paprika, crèmes hydratantes, de matériel de puériculture, de fûts de liquide inflammable et d’une machine-outil d’apparence vétuste. C’est en démontant le ventilateur de cette dernière que les agents ont pu accéder à une trappe dissimulant la marchandise de fraude.

Le chauffeur, un homme de nationalité portugaise âgé de 50 ans, a été placé en retenue douanière et auditionné avant d’être confié aux services de police judiciaire sur instruction du Tribunal de grande instance d’Amiens.

En 2011, les services douaniers français ont intercepté plus de 36 tonnes de produits stupéfiants.

Contacts presse :
Julien Coudray, Direction des douanes de Picardie : 03 22 46 85 22
Stéphanie Santolaria, Bureau de l’information et de la communication : 01 57 53 41 03
http://www.douane.gouv.fr/page.asp?type=news&id=4076




***********************************************************************
Added on 16/02/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Colombia navy seize drugs submarine
Colombia navy seize drugs submarine
Colombia navy seize drugs submarine
The Colombian navy has seized a submarine modified by drugs smugglers to carry up to eight tons of cocaine to Mexico.

Members of the Colombian Navy guard a seized submarine built by drug smugglers in a makeshift shipyard in Timbiqui Photo: REUTERS
11:00PM GMT 14 Feb 2011
The ocean-going, submersible vessel was ready to embark on its maiden voyage, and is capable of travelling long distances.

"It is the first submersible to be seized in the country," said General Jaime Herazo.

The raid was made on Sunday in the remote jungle region of Cauca, close to the Pacific coast, where the submarine was hidden on a river.

The captured vessel "can travel up to 9 metres (depth) underwater," Gen Herazo added, and costs an estimated £1.32 million. The vessels can reach speeds of around 11mph.

Made out of fibreglass, the submarine has the capacity to carry four crew members. Narco submarines, as they are known, are designed specifically to be nearly undetectable visually or by radar, sonar and infrared systems because they travel just below the surface of the water.

Gen Herazo believes that the ship belongs to "narco-traffickers coupled with narco-terrorists, who received a heavy blow [due to its capture]".
However, no arrests have been made in connection to the discovery, which resulted from a joint operation by the Colombian navy, air force and the inspector general.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/colombia/8324605/Colombia-navy-seize-drugs-submarine.html
Added on 16/02/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
News Colombia considers legalizing drug consumption
News Colombia considers legalizing drug consumption
News Colombia considers legalizing drug consumption

Sunday, 13 February 2011

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos does not rule out his government will support the legalization of the consumption of illicit drugs if beneficial to the reduction in crime.
"It is a possibility we can discuss. I am not against any formula that is effective. And if the world decides to legalize and believes that this would reduce violence and crime, I could go along with it," Santos told weekly Semana.
The Colombian head of state also expressed his support for Bolivian efforts to decriminalize coca -- the plant used to make cocaine -- for consumption; a common practice among indigenous groups in Bolivia and the south of Colombia.
"I am open to discuss new alternatives, but we can not make the change alone. And we have no alternative to fight the chain of drug trafficking. We support Bolivia because this is established in the constitution: respect the indigenous peoples and their traditions," said Santos.
Colombia banned the carrying of small, "personal" doses of drugs in 2009 after years-long attempts by former President Alvaro Uribe, who claimed allowing consumption of illicit drugs was hampering efforts to combat drug trafficking.
While on presidential campaign, Santos admitted to having smoked pot himself when he was studying in the United States.
Added on 16/02/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Dutch native sentenced in drug trafficking plot
Dutch native sentenced in drug trafficking plot
Dutch native sentenced in drug trafficking plot
Gainesville resident linked to scheme
February 11, 2011

A man from the Netherlands has been sentenced in federal court for crimes related to his distribution of drugs through the U.S. Postal Service and cooperating U.S. citizens, including a Gainesville resident.
L'Houssain Mahdiou, 37, of Amsterdam listened through a translator at times as Senior U.S. District Judge William O'Kelley considered evidence and imposed a sentence of 11 years, three months in prison, along with a $3,000 fine.

Mahdiou, who also agreed to forfeit $70,000, pleaded guilty in October to charges of conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and LSD into the U.S.

O'Kelley's ruling followed testimony from a U.S. Postal Inspection Service inspector who described how a tipster led investigators to Mahdiou and his web-based scheme. The lead ultimately turned federal authorities onto men known as "reshippers" in California, Montana, Kentucky and Georgia.

The tipster called himself "John the Dutchman." His true identity, agents learned, was Mahdiou himself.

"(Mahdiou) felt he was being scammed," said K.L. Henry, a USPS inspector. "It was a threat used often with reshippers ... ‘If you scam me, I'm going to (tell) what you're doing.'"

The Gainesville man implicated in Mahdiou's tip was Nicholas Albano III.

Albano pleaded guilty on Nov. 3, 2009, to charges of possession with intent to distribute ecstasy, using a communication facility to facilitate drug trafficking and receiving child pornography.

He was sentenced on Feb. 12, 2010, to eight years in prison.

During his arrest, Albano tried to kill himself with a single gunshot wound to his head. He survived and later agreed to cooperate with federal authorities.

That's when Mahdiou's role in the scheme became clear, Henry testified.

He sent drugs to his reshipper contacts in the U.S. recruited through a website. They then shipped orders Mahdiou received from clients in the U.S.
When Netherlands authorities arrested Mahdiou in 2009, there were 17,000 hits of LSD in his apartment, 400 tablets of ecstasy and $70,000, according to the U.S. Attorneys office.

"In this case, an extensive international investigation and an extradition was necessary to cut off the flow of LSD, ecstasy and other dangerous drugs to our area," said U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates. "A successful fight against those who import illegal drugs into our country requires cooperation not only at the federal, state and local level, but also with our international law enforcement counterparts."

Mahdiou took the witness stand during the hearing to explain certain aspects of his Netherlands operation. The drugs were subjected to scientific analysis for purity.

"I always tried to get the best, cleanest drugs," he said. "But it was hard to find."

Despite Friday's proceedings, O'Kelley's sentence may be ignored, adopted or amended in the Netherlands. As part of a treaty between the countries, Mahdiou can secure approval to his native country. A judge there can decide on a different sentence, according to court testimony.

"I don't think it's fair to say he'll get a free pass," Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Hulsey told the judge before the sentencing. "I think the best we can do is try to get it right here, what happens there, happens there."

http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/section/6/article/45795/
Added on 14/02/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
International drug smuggling ring uncovered
International drug smuggling ring uncovered
International drug smuggling ring uncovered

Sunday, 13 February 2011

The Norwegian Bureau of Crime Investigation (KRIPOS), in cooperation with police in a number of other countries, has uncovered an international narcotics league in Norway.
The invesstigations started after a Norwegian woman was arrested carrying three kilos of cocaine on an airport in Peru in May last year.

This led to the arrest of 12 other persons, who have been charged or convicted, Oslo newspaper Aftenposten reports.

The police believe the ringleaders in Norway are Nigerian asylum seekers whose applications have been turned down, others who are registered as asylum seekers or who are staying illegally in Norway.

They believe the network has contacts in 20 different countries, and have documented a large number of international money transfers.

(NRK/Aftenposten)


http://www.norwaypost.no/news/international-drug-smuggling-ring-uncovered.html
Added on 14/02/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
VENEZUELAN AUTHORITIES ARRESTED THREE CITIZENS OF COLOMBIA, CANADA AND HOLLAND FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING
VENEZUELAN AUTHORITIES ARRESTED THREE CITIZENS OF COLOMBIA, CANADA AND HOLLAND FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING
VENEZUELAN AUTHORITIES ARRESTED THREE CITIZENS OF COLOMBIA, CANADA AND HOLLAND FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING

16-01-2011

Minister El Aissami, was accompanied by the President of the National Anti-Drug Office G / B Reverol Nestor Torres, national director of Body of Scientific, Penal and Criminal Investigations (CICPC) Commissioner Wilmer Flores Trosel General and Head of Anti-Drug Command GNB G / D Miguel Vivas Landino.

At a press conference gave the Aissami clarify the details of fire at the regional office of the National Land Institute (INTI) in Santa Barbara del Zulia on 08 January and the arrest of nine people have incurred in the crime.

The Minister also informed about the capture on 12 January Colombian citizen Gloria Rojas Valencia, requested through Interpol red notice by the Court for the Southern District of New York, United States, accused of the crime of importation of controlled substances and cocaine and become part of the Mexican cartel Los Zetas. "

Valencia, who was arrested by the Cicpc in Miranda, is romantically linked to the citizen Luis Frank Tello Candelo, aka "Frank Black" deported in July 2010 the United States for drug trafficking. Is required by both authorities in their country of origin and the United States.
"In the coming days will precede the immediate expulsion of the public and place the order of the countries that need it, in this case, United States," said El Aissami.

Similarly reported on the detention of Canadian citizen Robert Stead (42) on 13 January in the state of Nueva Esparta on charges of smuggling heroin into Canada, the United States and Europe. Interpol Red Notice has.

Similarly, in the city of Puerto La Cruz, Anzoátegui State Anti-Drug Command of the National Guard arrested on 14 January to Dutch Herbam Anton Merk, 65, who is accused of smuggling cocaine and heroin from Venezuela to Holland and sending 2,000 kilos of cocaine in a private plane from Colombia to Europe.

With these procedures are 59 people captured in the country for crimes related to drug trafficking in Venezuela since the agreement was finalized with the U.S. Central U.S. Drug Enforcement, known by its initials in English as DEA "ratifying the commitment of Bolivarian government institutions firmly combat trafficking and consumption of drugs in Venezuela "stressed El Aissami.

Finally, the head of the ministry of Interior and Justice issued a call to trust in the authorities in charge of security who is acting firmly and in the coming days will be releasing the plans to be implemented to enhance public safety, as the expansion of staff and equipment Bicentennial Security Device, including new agents for the Cicpc criminology, the regulation of armaments and munitions as well as its use in the streets, among other actions taken in order provide calm to the Venezuelan population.



Autoridades venezolanas detienen a tres ciudadanos de Colombia, CanadÁ y Holanda por tráfico ilícito de drogas

16-01-2011

El ministro El Aissami, estuvo acompañado por el Presidente de la Oficina Nacional Antidrogas G/B Néstor Reverol Torres, el Director Nacional del Cuerpo de Investigaciones Científicas Penales y Criminalísticas (Cicpc) Comisario General Wilmer Flores Trosel y el Jefe del Comando Antidrogas de la GNB G/D Miguel Vivas Landino.

En rueda de prensa El Aissami dio detalles del esclarecimiento del incendio ocurrido en la oficina regional del Instituto Nacional de Tierras (INTI) en Santa Bárbara del Zulia el 08 de enero y la detención de nueve personas incursas en el delito.



El Ministro tambien informó sobre la captura el 12 de enero de la ciudadana colombiana Gloria Rojas Valencia, solicitada a través de Interpol con difusión roja por la Corte del Distrito Sur de Nueva York, Estados Unidos, acusada por el delito de importación de sustancias controladas y cocaína y de formar parte del cartel mexicano “Los Zetas”.

Valencia, quien fue detenida por el Cicpc en el estado Miranda, está relacionada sentimentalmente con el ciudadano Luís Frank Tello Candelo, alias “Negro Frank” deportado el pasado mes de julio del año 2010 a Estados Unidos por tráfico ilícito de drogas. Es requerida por autoridades tanto de su país de origen como de Estados Unidos.

“En los próximos días se precederá a la expulsión inmediata de esta ciudadana y colocarla a la orden de los países que la requieren, en este caso, Estados Unidos” señaló El Aissami.

De igual modo informó sobre la detención del ciudadano canadiense Robert Stead (42 años ) el 13 de enero en el estado Nueva Esparta por el delito de tráfico ilícito de heroína hacia Canadá, Estados Unidos y Europa. Posee difusión roja de Interpol.

De igual manera, en la ciudad de Puerto La Cruz, estado Anzoátegui el Comando Antidrogas de la Guardia Nacional Bolivariana detuvo el día 14 de enero al holandés Anton Herbam Merk, de 65 años, quien es acusado por tráfico ilícito de cocaína y heroína desde Venezuela hacia Holanda y el envío de 2.000 kilos de cocaína en una avioneta privada desde Colombia hacia Europa.

Con estos procedimientos son 59 personas capturadas en el territorio nacional por delitos relacionados al tráfico ilícito de drogas en Venezuela desde que se finalizó el convenio con la Agencia Central de Antinarcóticos de Estados Unidos, conocida por sus siglas en inglés como DEA “ratificando el compromiso de las instituciones del Gobierno Bolivariano de combatir firmemente el tráfico y el consumo de drogas en Venezuela” destacó El Aissami.

Finalmente el titular de la cartera de Relaciones Interiores y Justicia hizo un llamado a confiar en las autoridades que se encargan de la seguridad quienes están actuando firmemente y en los próximos días se estará dando a conocer los planes que se implementarán para fortalecer la seguridad pública, como la ampliación de los funcionarios y el equipamiento del Dispositivo Bicentenario de Seguridad, la inclusión de nuevos agentes criminalísticos para el Cicpc, la regulación del armamento y las municiones, así como su uso en las calles, entre otras acciones que se realizan con la finalidad de brindar tranquila a la población venezolana.

http://www.ona.gob.ve/Noticias/16012011_mf_1.htm
Added on 14/02/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Two men have been sentenced at Wood Green Crown Court for supplying cocaine to areas throughout England
Two men have been sentenced at Wood Green Crown Court for supplying cocaine to areas throughout England
Sentencing for men who swapped airbags for drugs bags
11 February 2011

Two men have been sentenced at Wood Green Crown Court for supplying cocaine to areas throughout England.

Dritan Bullari, 36, and Olger Bullari, 35, were given sentences of 6 years each and now face a financial investigation of their assets. They were part of a distribution gang which obtained high-purity 1kg blocks of cocaine and cut them heavily with Lidocaine, before selling them on in smaller packages to dealers in London, the Home Counties, Nottingham and Brighton.

The men used a number of cars modified to store and transport the drugs. By removing the passenger airbag and adapting the cover with a remotely-activated locking system, the gang effectively created hidden safes capable of holding 4-5kg of drugs in each of the vehicles.


A designated ‘stash’ car would be parked in a leafy area of Enfield, North London, and visited by the men on a regular basis so that drugs could be transferred to other vehicles and supplied to customers.

Following an investigation by SOCA and the Metropolitan Police, the Bullaris were arrested in September 2010. They pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine on 5 January 2011 and will be sentenced on Friday 11 February.


SOCA’s Chris Farrimond said:

“These individuals believed they were operating under the radar of law enforcement and took great care not to draw attention to themselves. They replaced what should have been an important vehicle safety feature with a special compartment for storing Class A drugs, demonstrating the efforts to adapt and innovate constantly being made by serious organised criminals. SOCA and our partners intend to stay one step ahead.”

Detective Inspector Mark Rochester, Enfield Borough, Metropolitan Police, said:

“These men believed they could conduct their drugs operation without the fear of detection, using Enfield as a base for their criminal activities. They thought that by storing their drugs in modified cars they would not be caught, but this case demonstrates that we along with our partners will use every technique at our disposal to bring to justice those who blight our communities. By working together we have successfully dismantled and disrupted a criminal network.”

Download video 1 here and video 2 here

(If you have problems to play the video after downloading, you can view the video on the website, or ask me to send the video, converted to a wmv-file. 6 Mb)

http://www.soca.gov.uk/news/313-sentencing-for-men-who-swapped-airbags-for-drugs-bags
Added on 14/02/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
145 kilos of cocaine in Rotterdam port intercepted
145 kilos of cocaine in Rotterdam port intercepted
145 kilos of cocaine in Rotterdam port intercepted


02/11/2011

Customs and the National Crime Squad in the Rotterdam port 145 kilos of cocaine seized in a container that came from Peru. The drugs were hidden in the reel of a winch. Two sniffer dogs reacted positively to the Customs after a hole was drilled in the reel. The drugs have a value of five million euros.

Hidden in a welded steel pipe in the core of the reel, 47 round and rectangular packages of cocaine discovered. The National Criminal Investigation Service of the National Police (National Police Agency) has followed the container when it was delivered Friday, Feb. 4 in Spijkenisse. The winch is getting out of the container removed and this week on Tuesday at a warehouse in Rucphen charged.

The National Crime Squad has arrested three men Tuesday, February 8 suspected of involvement in the drugstransport. One of them is the tenant of the warehouse in Rucphen, a 54-year-old man from Farmer. The other suspects are a 57-year old Dutchman and a 34-year-old man with a Colombian national.

A58 accident
The Colombian was arrested Tuesday evening on the A58 at Ulvenhout. The car he rode, became very high speed involved in an accident. A co-defendant, a 47-year-old Venezuelan, hit while severely wounded and died overnight in hospital. The driver and passenger quarter disappeared after the accident.

In search of the homes of the suspects and the pilot is in Rucphen seized laptops, cell phones, documents and a car. The car crashed on the A58, an Audi S8 with false number plates, was seized.

The three suspects will be arraigned Friday, February 11 at the judge in Rotterdam. More arrests are not excluded.


***********************************************************************
Added on 14/02/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Container ship turns up 20 pounds of cocaine
Container ship turns up 20 pounds of cocaine
Container ship turns up 20 pounds of cocaine

Posted: 02/11/2011

Baltimore, Md. - A container ship being scanned at the Baltimore Seaport turned out to have 20 pounds of cocaine inside.

The cocaine is worth an estimated 650-thousand dollars.

It was hidden inside a bag...Tucked into a container of steel parts on a ship that came from china and went through the panama canal.

Customs officials say this is just one example of how important it is to be vigilant when searching through the cargo that comes through Baltimore.

No arrests have been made in this case.

http://www.abc2news.com/dpp/news/region/baltimore_city/container-ship-turns-up-20-pounds-of-cocaine

Baltimore CBP Employs Technology to Intercept $650k Cocaine

(Friday, February 11, 2011)

Baltimore – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized more than 20 pounds of cocaine in a shipping container at the Baltimore seaport on Wednesday.

The cocaine, eight bricks in a blue backpack, was found in a container of steel parts that arrived aboard the 950-foot container ship Ital Lunare. The container was reportedly shipped from China through Panama to the U.S. It was one of 50 that CBP officers scanned from the M/V Ital Lunare.

The cocaine has a street value of about $650,000. No arrests were made.

“Customs and Border Protection officers may scan hundreds of containers without detecting a single anomaly. Making this cocaine seizure is both personally rewarding for our officers, and reaffirms our continued vigilance to protect American citizens against things that may do us harm,” said Ricardo Scheller, CBP Port Director for the Port of Baltimore.

CBP officers turned the cocaine over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

CBP officers at our nation’s 327 ports of entry conduct routine inspections on imports and exports to ensure commodities comply with numerous laws and regulations. Previously, that work was labor intensive. Officers had to physically open and devan containers for inspection. High-energy imaging technology allows CBP officers to “see” inside a conveyance and make an immediate decision to release the container or to conduct a more intensive inspection.

“Non-intrusive technology allows CBP officers a quick and clear picture of a conveyance’s contents so that we can expedite release of legitimate commercial goods and detain anomalous containers for a more hands-on inspection,” said Scheller. “Technology allows us to better manage risk and facilitate trade.”

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/local/02112011_6.xml
Added on 14/02/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
300 kilos of cocaine seized in Martinique
300 kilos of cocaine seized in Martinique
300 kilos of cocaine seized in Martinique

12-02-2011

Three hundred two kilos of cocaine were seized Tuesday on board a coastal vessel boarded by Customs in French territorial waters of Martinique, it was learned from the floor of Fort-de-France. This coaster inter-island about twenty feet long, "Miss Cindy R" flag of St Kitts and Nevis was arrested on board with five crew members from Grenada, Trinidad and Cuba, says be the same sources.

It was during a customs control depth of "Miss Cindy R" after its diversion to the port of Saint-Pierre (Martinique), the drug was discovered in a disused fuel tank. This seizure is the result an "interdepartmental operation" involving the central office for combating illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs (OCTRIS), the Customs Department of Martinique, the armed forces in the West Indies and the adviser of the government representative for the action of the State at sea It mobilized for several days for aerial and maritime search and locate suspected in the coaster.

300 kilos de cocaïne saisis en Martinique

AFP
12/02/2011

Trois cents deux kilos de cocaïne ont été saisis mardi à bord d’un caboteur arraisonnés par les Douanes françaises dans les eaux territoriales de la Martinique, a-t-on appris auprès du parquet de Fort-de-France. Ce caboteur inter-îles d’une vingtaine de mètres de long, « Miss Cindy R", battant pavillon de St Kitts et Névis a été arraisonné avec à son bord cinq membres d’équipage originaires de Grenade, Trinidad et Cuba, indique-t-on de mêmes sources.

C’est lors d’un contrôle douanier approfondi du «Miss Cindy R", après son déroutement vers le port de Saint-Pierre (Martinique), que la drogue a été découverte, dans une cuve à gasoil désaffectée. Cette saisie est le fruit d’une « opération interministérielle" associant l’office central de répression du trafic illicite de stupéfiants (OCTRIS), le service des Douanes de la Martinique, les forces armées aux Antilles et le conseiller du délégué du gouvernement pour l’action de l’État en mer. Elle a mobilisé durant plusieurs jours des moyens aériens et maritimes pour rechercher et localiser le caboteur suspec.
http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/2011/02/12/97001-20110212FILWWW00334-300-kilos-de-cocaine-saisis-en-martinique.php

Coup de filet de 300 Kg de cocaïne

Martinique - Vendredi 11 Février 2011 | Dernière mise à jour : 15h00

Mardi un caboteur de 22 mètres battant pavillon de Saint-Kitts et Névis à été arraisonné au large du carbet par les douanes, il transportait plusieurs centaine de kilos de cocaïne, caché dans une cuve à carburant désaffectée.
Le « Miss Cindy R » était déjà défavorablement connu comme étant un navire effectuant du trafic de carburant ente les iles de la Caraïbe et il aurait surement été immobilisé pour ces faits au bout du compte si des stupéfiants n'avaient été découverts a son bord.
C'est aux alentours de 14 heures que la navette des douanes a procédé à l'arraisonnement du caboteur et à son déroutement vers Saint-Pierre afin d'y subir un contrôle douanier approfondi. Après plus de deux heures de fouilles méthodique ce sont plus de 300 kilos de cocaïne qui ont été découverts par les agents des douanes, pour une valeur de plus de 12 millions d'euros. Un beau coup de filet selon le procureur du Parquet de Fort-de-France Claude Bellenger, qui se félicite de la coopération des services de l'armée, des douanes et de l'OCRTIS.
Il semblerait que la marchandise était destinée aux iles du nord, peut être pour un changement de moyen de transport car l'état du Miss Cindy R ne permettait pas une traversée de l'Atlantique pour l'Europe.
Les quatre membres d'équipage du bateau ont été déférés devant un juge d'instruction et seront poursuivis pour importation en bande organisée de stupéfiants, détention de stupéfiants et pour le délit douanier d'importation en contrebande de marchandises prohibées. Ils devraient être placés en détention provisoire.
http://actu.orangecaraibe.com/article.php?p=52176

Haul of 300 kg of cocaine

Martinique - Friday, February 11, 2011 | Last Updated: 15:00

Coaster Tuesday a 22-meter flag of Saint Kitts and Nevis was boarded off the hut by the Customs, he was carrying several hundred kilograms of cocaine hidden in a disused fuel tank.
The "Miss Cindy R" was already unfavorably known as a ship carrying the fuel smuggling between-islands of the Caribbean and would have surely been detained on these charges ultimately if a drug had been discovered on board.
It is around 14 hours that the shuttle Customs conducted the arrest of the coaster and its diversion to St. Pierre to undergo a thorough customs inspection. After more than two hours of methodical excavations are over 300 kilos of cocaine were discovered by customs officers, worth over 12 million. A nice haul by the prosecutor of the Prosecution of Fort-de-France Claude Bellenger, who welcomes the cooperation of the armed services, customs and OCRTIS.
It would appear that the goods were intended for the islands north, perhaps to a change of means of transportation for the state of Miss Cindy R does not allow a crossing of the Atlantic to Europe.
The four crewmembers of the boat were brought before a judge and will be prosecuted for importing an organized gang of narcotics, possession of drugs and for the customs offense of illegally importing prohibited goods. They should be remanded in custody.
Added on 14/02/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
300 kilos of cocaine seized
300 kilos of cocaine seized
300 kilos of cocaine seized
Published: February 12, 2011
EDITORIAL EVENTS, THE UNIVERSAL
Cartagena, Colombia

Intelligence activities conducted by the Police Narcotics and information provided by the network of collaborators, led to a sharp blow to the criminal gangs engaged in a raid narcotráfico.En yesterday, it was possible the seizure of 300 kilos of cocaine were hidden in strips Wood, who were to be shipped in a container to the city of Veracruz (Mexico).

According to authorities, to have the information that a container that was to leave the Sociedad Portuaria de Cartagena was "contaminated" with cocaine, began searching for them to prevent their departure.

Through the expertise of the police narcotics and smell of the dogs, we were able to find the container.

The drugs were camouflaged in a thousand 100 planks of wood with double bottom.

Drugs have reached their final destination in Veracruz (Mexico), police say, traffickers would have meant a profit of over 10 million dollars.

The operation left no captured, but officials say now investigations are aimed at establishing whether there is any responsibility of the exporting company or persons responsible for the transport of cargo.

This is the second time that criminals use this method to try to smuggle cocaine.

In late 2009, the Narcotics Police seized 80 kilos of drugs hidden in wooden slats, which were part of a good that came to a courier company in the City, and was bound for the city of Algeciras (Spain .)

So far in 2011, the Narcotics Police have seized over two tons of cocaine in the various ports of the city
http://www.eluniversal.com.co/cartagena/sucesos/incautan-300-kilos-de-cocaina-8989



Policía incautó 300 kilos de coca en Cartagena



Sábado 12 de Febrero de 2011 01:33

En desarrollo de las actividades de control realizadas por personal del comando Antinarcóticos regional ocho en el puerto de Cartagena, (caso Faisan Iii), logra la incautación de 300 kilos 300 gramos de clorhidrato de cocaína, los cuales eran transportados en una carga que contenía láminas de triplex con destino México.

Gracias a la pericia del personal uniformado de antinarcóticos, se logra la incautación del alijo que seria embarcado en la motonave San Lorenzo la cual tenía como destino, el puerto de Veracruz en México.

Esta sustancia en el exterior podría tener un valor de unos 10 millones de dólares.

La dirección de antinarcóticos de la policía nacional hace una invitación a la ciudadanía para que denuncie, a las personas que integran las bandas criminales y organizaciones dedicadas al trafico, porte, consumo y distribución.

http://www.el-informador.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=11965:policia-incauto-300-kilos-de-coca-en-cartagena&catid=71:judiciales&Itemid=415

Police seized 300 kilos of cocaine in Cartagena

Saturday February 12, 2011 1:33
In developing the control activities carried out by staff of eight regional Narcotics command in the port of Cartagena (Faisan case iii), does the seizure of 300 kilos 300 grams of cocaine hydrochloride, which were transported in a shipment of sheets Mexico bound triplex.
Thanks to the skill of the uniformed personnel of narcotics, is achieved seizure of the cache that would be embarked on the MV San Lorenzo which was bound for the port of Veracruz in Mexico.

The foreign substance could be worth about $ 10 million.

The direction of the national police counternarcotics an invitation to citizens to denounce, to the people who make up the criminal gangs and organizations engaged in trafficking, possession, consumption and distribution.
Added on 14/02/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Apprehend woman wearing liquid cocaine to the Netherlands
Apprehend woman wearing liquid cocaine to the Netherlands
Apprehend woman wearing liquid cocaine to the Netherlands
February 13, 2011, 2:15 PM
SANTO DOMINGO-Agents of the National Drugs Control (DNCD) arrested a woman who wanted to take to Holland liquid cocaine inside eight bottles of rum.

The woman was identified as Benares Lesbia de los Santos, 55, Dominican-born French nationalized, arrested by agents of the narcotics agency featured in the Las Americas International Airport (AILA), as he prepared to board the flight number IB -6502, the airline Iberia, bound for Amsterdam, Netherlands.

At the accused is occupied eight bottles containing a liquid substance thick white, presumably cocaine, drugs that it wanted to take to Holland to make believe it was a brand of rum liquor from the Dominican Republic, according to the report of the body .

DNCD spokesman Col. Ramon Alcides Rodríguez Veras said that the officers accompanied by members of the Special Airport Security Corps (CESA), serving in the X-ray machine from the airport, saw a strange picture within bottles that were inside the suitcase, traveling Santos property Benares, so requisitioned in the presence of a deputy prosecutor of the province of Santo Domingo.

He added that the suspicion of the eight bottles contained liquid cocaine, we proceeded to perform a field test the substance, resulting in a blue positive for cocaine, so the woman was immediately arrested.

It was reported that the accused was transferred together with the evidence to DNCD headquarters in Santo Domingo

Apresan mujer llevaba cocaína liquida a Holanda
13 Febrero 2011, 2:15 PM
SANTO DOMINGO.-Agentes de la Dirección Nacional de Control de Drogas (DNCD) apresaron a una mujer que quiso llevar a Holanda cocaína liquida en el interior de ocho botellas de ron.

La mujer fue identificada como Lesbia de los Santos Benares, de 55 años, de origen dominicano y nacionalizada francesa, arrestada por los agentes del organismo antinarcóticos destacados en el Aeropuerto Internacional de las Américas (AILA), cuando se disponía a abordar el vuelo número IB-6502, de la línea aérea Iberia, con destino a Amsterdam, Holanda.

A la imputada se le ocuparon ocho botellas, conteniendo una sustancia liquida espesa de color blanco, presumiblemente cocaína, droga que la misma quiso llevar a Holanda haciendo creer que era ron de una reconocida marca licorera de la Republica Dominicana, de acuerdo al informe del organismo.

El vocero de la DNCD, coronel Ramón Alcides Rodríguez Veras, señaló que los agentes acompañados por miembros del Cuerpo Especializado de Seguridad Aeroportuaria (CESA), que prestan servicio en la maquina de rayos X de esa terminal aérea, observaron una imagen extraña dentro de las botellas que estaban en el interior de la maleta, propiedad de la viajera Santos Benares, por lo que procedieron a requisarla en presencia de un fiscal adjunto de la Provincia Santo Domingo.

Añadió que al sospecharse que las ocho botellas contenían cocaína liquida, se procedió a realizarle una prueba de campo a dicha sustancia, dando como resultado un color azul, positivo a cocaína, por lo que la mujer fue inmediatamente arrestada.

Se informó que la imputada fue traslada conjuntamente con la evidencia hasta la sede central de la DNCD, en Santo Domingo, donde está siendo interrogada con relación al caso por oficiales del organismo antidrogas.

http://eldia.com.do/nacionales/2011/2/13/45583/Apresan-mujer-llevaba-cocaina-liquida-a-Holanda
Added on 14/02/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Police blow to the tip of the micro-trafficking networks
Police blow to the tip of the micro-trafficking networks
Police blow to the tip of the micro-trafficking networks
ANNP 11-FEB-11. Hunting. Three people arrested and 354 kilos of cocaine base seized, are part of the results of Operation Troy. "

Joint and coordinated operations between the National Police, the Armed Forces and the Department of Administrative Security (DAS), dealt a severe blow to the micro-trafficking networks in charge of the criminal organization "The Urabeños."

In the last hours by operating activities was achieved the following results:

In the town of Planeta Rica, soldiers seized 354 kilos of coca paste, which was transported on a truck bound for Central America International.

At km 17 via a Arboletes, uniforms seized 3,100 gallons of gasoline, which were intended to be marketed in the Department.

On the road from Metro Tierralta Rica were seized 12 tons of gray cement.

In the municipality of Turbo, seized 56 kilos of cocaine hydrochloride to Belgium.

In the municipality of Caucasia, uniforms seized 811 kilos of solid inputs, 135 gallons of liquid and 2,000 sheets of filter paper carried on a bus-ladder.


The items seized in the course of the operation was turned over to the competent authority.
Added on 14/02/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Almere ontdekt meer hennepkwekerijen
Almere ontdekt meer hennepkwekerijen
In Almere zijn vorig jaar ruim honderd hennepkwekerijen ontmanteld. Dat maakte burgemeester Annemarie Jorritsma maandag bekend. De gemeente intensiveerde vijf jaar geleden de jacht op de plantages en pakt kwekers ook bestuursrechtelijk aan.


In samenwerking met de politie, het Openbaar Ministerie, verhuurders en netbeheerders werd in 2006 een convenant opgesteld om hennepteelt tegen te gaan. Zo worden kwekers niet alleen strafrechtelijk vervolgd, maar heeft de burgemeester ook de mogelijkheid om een pand te sluiten of een dwangsom van maximaal 50.000 euro op te leggen. In 2010 werden vijftien panden gesloten en 21 dwangsommen opgelegd.

Het eerste jaar kende de samenwerking nog kinderziektes en stelde volgens Jorritsma niet meer voor dan een „papieren tijger”, maar de laatste jaren neemt het aantal ontdekte plantages toe.
Added on 14/02/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Sofia Airport customs officers seize cookies and candies with cannabis
Sofia Airport customs officers seize cookies and candies with cannabis
Sofia Airport customs officers seize cookies and candies with cannabis

13 February 2011 | 22:24 | FOCUS News Agency

Home / Bulgaria

Sofia. The Bulgarian customs officers at Sofia Airport have seized designer drugs in five different shipments in the past few days, the press center of Customs Agency announced.
The drugs weigh 5,2 kg in total.

In a shipment from China, which contained nearly 1 kg of an anticorrosive detergent according to its papers, the customs officers found the substance 4-METHYL ETHCATYNONE.

Another shipment coming from Belgium contained 1,5 kg of synthetic cannabis, instead of an aromatherapy set.

The customs officers seized two shipments from the Netherlands. One of them contained 2 liters of GBL, instead of liquid soap, while the other one – “stimulating” candies and cookies with cannabis.

0,5 kg of Mephedrone was found in a shipment from Spain to Bulgaria.

After the Bulgarian laws were amended, the customs officers can now confiscate the shipments containing designer drugs and their distributors can be held liable.

http://www.focus-fen.net/index.php?id=n242171
Added on 14/02/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Customs Seize Heroin at Dublin Airport
Customs Seize Heroin at Dublin Airport
Customs Seize Heroin at Dublin Airport
Revenue's Customs Service, yesterday (02/02/2011), in a joint operation with Gardai, seized 140g of heroin with an estimated street value of €21,000, pending forensic analysis.

The drugs were seized from an Irish national female in her thirties, who had arrived from Amsterdam.

She was arrested under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996 and is currently being held at Ballymun Garda Station.

The seizure was as a result of profiling by Revenue's Customs Service, and is the second seizure of heroin to date this year at Dublin Airport.

[Ends 03/02/2011
http://www.revenue.ie/en/press/2011/pr-030211-heroin.html
Added on 14/02/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Doncaster drug smuggling gang jailed
Doncaster drug smuggling gang jailed
Doncaster drug smuggling gang jailed


07 February 2011

Three men from Conisborough and Doncaster in South Yorkshire who attempted to pass off £2million worth of cannabis as machinery parts in a bid to smuggle it into UK were today jailed for a total of 23 years.

Christopher Hodgson, aged 46, his son Sean Hodgson, aged 20 and Justin Organ, aged 36, tried to smuggle almost 430 kg of the herbal cannabis and resin through Hull's King George Docks on 23 October 2008. The seizure is believed to be part of a much bigger enterprise estimated to have been worth £30million over a 12 month period.

The significant haul was discovered by our officers at King George Dock in Hull during a search of crates from Holland that were listed as containing machine parts. As a result of the find, specially trained investigators from our criminal and financial investigation team launched an inquiry to identify who was behind the smuggling enterprise.

The cargo manifest stated the goods were from a company in Holland bound for an address in Barnby Dun, Doncaster. Investigators soon confirmed that neither the businesses sending or receiving the goods actually existed. Using information provided on the manifest documents, investigators were able to obtain phone records to trace the ring-leader of the smuggling enterprise, Christopher Hodgson, a businessman who ran a haulage repair company.

Our officers then conducted a series of co-ordinated raids to Christopher Hodgson's business and home addresses in Consiborough and Doncaster. Investigators seized a number of telephones, computers and documentary evidence which linked Christopher Hodgson to the planned importation of drugs as well as his conspirators - his son, Sean Hodgson and Justin Organ.

Amongst the items seized were a number of mobile phones, including what would turn out to be a 'dirty phone' - a phone used for criminal dealings - and therefore it was hoped would not to incriminate the user. Obtaining telephone records investigators were able to link the use of the dirty phone to Christopher Hodgson. These calls were to co-ordinate the delivery and supply of the drugs with contacts in the Netherlands.

Investigators then travelled to Holland to work with the Dutch Police to establish that Christopher Hodgson had in fact been involved in 19 other deliveries of drugs. Of the 19 other deliveries, 2 had gone directly to Hodgson's business and thereafter to an addresses linked to Justin Organ. All the deliveries were listed as 'parts' or 'machinery' but none turned out to be legitimate.

Justin Organ accepted he had offloaded the deliveries but claimed it was purely stolen machinery. Investigators estimate that the 19 deliveries equated to around 8 tonnes of drugs.

All 3 were arrested and charged with conspiracy to import class B drugs over a year long period from January 2008 until January 2009.

Malcolm Bragg, assistant director, criminal and financial investigation teams, UK Border Agency welcomed the convictions. He said:

'This was a significant seizure that reflects the robust controls we have in place at the UK border backed by dedicated criminal investigation teams who are vital in bringing these criminals to justice.

'Cannabis is an illegal substance that wrecks the lives not only of individual users but also their families and the wider community as a whole. The supply of the drug also fuels organised crime as this case shows.



http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2011/february/25doncaster-drug-jailed
Added on 11/02/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Venezuelan man gets 19 years for cocaine smuggling
Venezuelan man gets 19 years for cocaine smuggling
Venezuelan man gets 19 years for cocaine smuggling

Posted February 4, 2011
By VANESSA C. DEGGINS / AMERICAN PRESS

A Venezuelan man found guilty of smuggling cocaine was sentenced to 19 years and seven months in federal prison Thursday.

During trial, Carlos Hurtado-Valois, 31, claimed he didn’t know what was in the bags he and Felipe Gonzales-Valencia, 47, of Colombia, were carrying when they jumped off a ship docked in Lake Charles.

Gonzales-Valencia pleaded guilty and testified to the contrary. Jurors found Hurtado-Valois guilty in about 30 minutes.

A 911 call on Jan. 16, 2010, led Calcasieu Parish sheriff’s deputies to the two men, who were suffering from hypothermia on an island just west of Greywood golf course, officials said.

Deputies reportedly searched the island the next day and found life jackets, rope and eight duffel bags containing 176 kilograms of cocaine.

Sheriff Tony Mancuso estimated the street value of the drugs to be $6 million.

Federal agents took over the investigation and charged Hurtado-Valois and Gonzales-Valencia with conspiracy to import drugs; importation of drugs; possession with intent to distribute; and improperly entering the country.

Gonzales-Valencia was also charged with illegal re-entry.

http://www.americanpress.com/lc/blogs/wpnewssum/?p=14249
Added on 11/02/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Crime drives trade in developing nations
Crime drives trade in developing nations
Crime drives trade in developing nations
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 08, 2011
International Crime a $650 Billion Business Built on Poverty and Corruption in Developing World
A new report from Global Financial Integrity finds that the drug trade is the single largest component, followed by counterfeiting:

WASHINGTON, DC – Illicit trade in “goods, guns, people, and natural resources” is a $650 billion enterprise, which most negatively impacts the developing world, finds a new report to be released by Global Financial Integrity Tuesday, February 8th. “Transnational Crime in the Developing World,” evaluates the overall size of criminal markets in 12 categories: drugs, humans, wildlife, counterfeit goods and currencies, human organs, small arms, diamonds and other gems, oil, timber, fish, art and cultural property, and gold.

“While this report includes a monetary measure of the cost of these illicit activities, it also stresses that the activities associated with these illicit markets—human rights abuses, corruption, murder— extract a significant toll on the lives of people in these developing countries and undermines economic growth and good governance efforts,” said report author Jeremy Haken.

Of the 12 illicit activities studied, trade in drugs ($320 billion per year) and counterfeiting ($250 billion per year) were ranked first and second in terms of illicit funds generated. Another key finding of the report was that profits from illicit markets are making their way to transnational crime syndicates through vast international trade networks. The report also emphasizes a link between transnational crime and economic “underdevelopment.”

Writes GFI director, Raymond Baker, in the report’s introduction:

The cross-border passage of criminal money is facilitated by the global shadow financial system comprising tax havens, secrecy jurisdictions, disguised corporations, anonymous trust accounts, fake foundations, trade mispricing, and money laundering techniques. This is precisely the same structure that enables the movement of the other two components of illicit proceeds—the corrupt and commercially tax evading money. We cannot succeed in curtailing part of these flows while at the same time facilitating other parts of these flows. The developing countries bear most of the burden of this facilitating global structure, producing impoverishment, violence, and shortened lives for millions of people across the world.

The report rankings for the illicit markets examined are:
1. Drugs $320 billion
2. Counterfeiting $250 billion
3. Humans $31.6 billion
4. Oil $10.8 billion
5. Wildlife $7.8 to $10 billion
6. Timber $7 billion
7. Fish $4.2 to $9.5 billion
8. Art and Cultural Property $3.4 to $6.3 billion
9. Gold $2.3 billion
10. Human Organs $614 million to $1.2 billion
11. Small Arms & Light Weapons $300 million to $1 billion
12. Diamonds & Colored Gemstones $860 million

The report is available for download here (PDF) or here. http://seshippingnews.typepad.com/south_east_shipping_news/2011/02/crime-drives-trade-in-developing-nations.html

http://www.gfip.org/storage/gfip/documents/reports/transcrime/gfi_transnational_crime_web.pdf
Added on 11/02/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
They stop burriers with 23 kilos of cocaine
They stop burriers with 23 kilos of cocaine
They stop burriers with 23 kilos of cocaine
10-02-2011

In the Jorge Chavez. Austrian, French and Spanish arrived as tourists. Iban leaving Peru with hidden drugs of high purity caches in their bags.

Jorge Chávez could not circumvent controls from the international airport. Three foreign burriers was caught yesterday in the first air terminal in Lima by trying to clandestinely remove country 23 kilograms of refined cocaine hydrochloride.

It is the Austrian Anton Kandalf (50), the French Henri Bernard buffet (47) and the 57-year-old Juan Sánchez Fortun, Spanish.
The first had everything ready to travel to Holland. The other two were to go to France, Sao Paulo and Brazil, respectively, told the authorities.

They reported that three detainees entered Peru tourist visas.

Key team

Modern scanning used to review the contents of your luggage without opening them in the Dirandro checkpoint were keys to expose to the European narcos.
Added on 11/02/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
O'Hare customs dog finds opium in wicker baskets
O'Hare customs dog finds opium in wicker baskets
O'Hare customs dog finds opium in wicker baskets
February 9, 2011
Federal agents have seized nearly 9 pounds of opium concealed in wicker baskets headed to Minnesota from Laos via O’Hare International Airport.

Packing information labeled the parcels, found at an O'Hare mail facility, as “handy crafts” and “sticky rice baskets,” according to a release from U.S. Customs and Border Patrol.

A drug-sniffing customs German Shepherd, Allen, drew attention to the two parcels at the facility, and the customs officer who works with the dog found several wicker baskets inside that were “unusually heavy and thick” when he opened the packages on Monday.

X-rays showed that the baskets were unusually dense and had anomalies, according to the release. When the baskets were cut open, officers found a plastic-wrapped, black tar substance that field tests indicated contained opium.

The opium weighed 8.73 pounds, authorities said.

The packages were destined to be delivered to towns in the area of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minn., and the intended recipients are being investigated in the case, customs officials said.

No one has been charged in the case, said customs spokesman Brian Bell.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chibrknews-customs-dog-finds-9-lbs-opium-in-wicker-baskets-20110209,0,3782649.story
Added on 10/02/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Navy forced to drop warship patrols in Caribbean through lack of funds
Navy forced to drop warship patrols in Caribbean through lack of funds
Navy forced to drop warship patrols in Caribbean through lack of funds

Nick Hopkins and Richard Norton-Taylor
guardian.co.uk, Monday 7 February 2011 20.13 GMT


Withdrawal is first time defence chiefs have had to abandon an existing overseas mission because of the budget squeeze
The navy’s Caribbean patrol was originally set up to guard British dependencies in the West Indies, but has more recently been used to counter drug runners and help with humanitarian disasters. Photograph: Rex Features

Britain is to abandon its warship patrols of the Caribbean for the first time since the second world war because of the navy's funding crisis, the Guardian has learned.

The withdrawal means the navy will no longer provide a warship for anti-narcotic operations in the region, and will have to reduce its role in disaster relief work.

The decision to stop the patrols, which is expected to be confirmed on Tuesday, comes at an embarrassing time for the Ministry of Defence – a documentary series on operations undertaken by the destroyer HMS Manchester in the Caribbean is due to start tonight. The programme on Channel Five follows the ship and crew throughout its seven month deployment last year.

The first episode, called Bad Guys Dead Ahead, focuses on drug smuggling off the coast of Montserrat.

All three services are under severe pressure because of the cuts announced in last year's strategic defence and security review. Under the review, the services will lose personnel and equipment, with the navy surface fleet of destroyers and frigates being reduced from 23 to 19. This, however, is the first time defence chiefs have had to abandon an existing overseas mission because of the budget squeeze.

Gisela Stuart, a Labour member of the commons defence committee, condemned the move. "My view is that where we have a national interest, and a historic responsibility and where we can make a difference, we should act.

"Countering drugs smuggling in an area which covers British territories falls into that category. As an island we rely on our navy to ensure national security. It seems to me to be a short term decision that is simply wrong."

The navy's Caribbean patrol was originally set up to guard British dependencies in the West Indies. In recent years, it has taken up a joint role countering drug runners and coping with humanitarian disasters during the June-October hurricane season.

The navy operates with ships from other countries, including the US, the Netherlands and France. Its patrols in the area have made a significant impact on drug trafficking.

Two years ago, the Royal Navy seized its biggest haul of cocaine, with an estimated street value at £240m.

The frigate HMS Iron Duke intercepted a boat carrying more than five and a half tons of the drug in an operation off the coast of South America.

The navy won high praise from the then armed forces minister, Bill Rammell, who said: "Again, the Royal Navy has successfully damaged the trade in this vile substance, which only serves to poison our communities. The crew rightly deserve our praise and thanks for the work they do on our behalf." Prince William also served on Iron Duke when it seized cocaine worth pounds £45million in the Caribbean.Although the Navy can no longer afford to send a destroyer to the Caribbean, it stressed it would not withdraw completely from the region. It will retain a Royal Fleet Auxiliary supply ship with a Lynx helicopter and a detachment of sailors on board.

An MoD spokesman said: "The Royal Navy will continue to provide a permanent presence in the Caribbean, able to respond to the full range of potential events including humanitarian disaster relief operations. During 2011 this will be provided by a Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship, enhanced with a naval party and helicopter during the core hurricane season."

The withdrawal of the Caribbean patrols is unlikely to be the only victim of the squeeze to the defence budget outlined in the SDSR.

The government now admits that those cuts — including a last-minute decision to axe Britain's entire fleet of Harrier jumpjets and the carrier, Ark Royal — has still left a gap between commitments and available expenditure.

That gap, estimated to amount to at least £1bn a year, has to be bridged by the beginning of the coming spending round. The decisions on any further cuts will have to be made before the end of March.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/feb/07/nacy-abandons-caribbean-warship-patrols
Added on 09/02/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Narcotics Police made the seizure of 773 kilos 404 grams of cocaine hydrochloride.
Narcotics Police made the seizure of 773 kilos 404 grams of cocaine hydrochloride.
Narcotics Police made the seizure of 773 kilos 404 grams of cocaine hydrochloride.

February 3, 2011

The National Police through the Anti-Narcotics Directorate, through registration and control activities conducted on the premises of Sociedad Portuaria de Cartagena by personnel from the developing Regional Narcotics Eight of Operation Vision II, "held container port in the "Contecar" of the city cited in the department of Bolivar, achieved the seizure of 773 kilos 404 grams of cocaine hydrochloride (gross weight), which were hidden in packages containing polypropylene stored within a container identified by letters and numbers MSKU 638330-3, which would be exported to Valencia (Spain) in the MV Maersk Rotterdam .




Contundente golpe a Daniel “El Loco Barrera”

ANNP 01-FEB-11. Cartagena. En el operativo se incautaron más 773 kilos de clorhidrato de cocaína

Dando continuidad a la Política del Gobierno Nacional de aumentar las acciones contra todos los factores generadores de violencia en el país, La Dirección de Antinarcóticos en coordinación con La Fiscalía General de La Nación, se incautó de 773.404 kilos de Clorhidrato de Cocaína, los cuales se encontraban ocultos en un contenedor y pretendían ser sacados desde el Puerto de Cartagena hacia el puerto de Valencia en España.



Las primeras investigaciones establecen que el estupefaciente pertenecía a la organización del narcotraficante Daniel “El Loco Barrera” y podría llegar a costar en el mercado Europeo cerca de 23 millones de euros.



Gracias a la información brindada por un integrante de la Red de Cooperantes, la Unidad de Investigación Criminal de La Dirección Antinarcóticos dio inicio a la Operación “Visión II”, con la cual durante el fin de semana se incrementaron las acciones de verificación y requisa de las cargas ubicadas en los contenedores del Puerto de Cartagena.

El desarrollo de estos procedimientos permitieron el hallazgo de la sustancia, la cual se encontraba en bultos de aproximadamente 40 kilos de polipropileno y en cada saco cinco paquetes con el estupefaciente.



Es de resaltar que cada paquete estaba marcado con logos de “corona” o “sirena”, propios de la organización de este sujeto.



http://www.policia.gov.co/portal/pls/portal/JOHN.NOTICIAS_NUEVAS_DETALLADAS.SHOW?p_arg_names=identificador&p_arg_values=272310



Crushing blow to Daniel "El Loco Barrera"

ANNP 01-FEB-11. Cartagena. In the operation seized more than 773 kilos of cocaine hydrochloride.

Continuing the policy of the National Government to increase action against all causes of violence in the country, the Narcotics Division in coordination with the Attorney General's Office, seized 773,404 kilos of cocaine hydrochloride, which were hidden in a container and intended to be removed from the port of Cartagena to the port of Valencia in Spain.

Early research established that the drug belonged to the organization of drug trafficker Daniel "El Loco Barrera" and could cost in the European market about 23 million euros.

Thanks to information provided by a member of the Donor Network, the Criminal Investigation Unit The Narcotics Division began Operation "Vision II", with which over the weekend increased verification actions and seizure of charges located in containers from the Port of Cartagena.

The development of these procedures allowed the discovery of the substance, which was in bundles of approximately 40 kilos of polypropylene and five packs each bag with the drug.

It is noteworthy that each package was marked with logos of "crown" or "siren", typical of the organization of this subject.



Container details

Container no.:
Size:
Type:
Total weight:
Returned:
Customs Status:

MSKU6383303
40'
DRY
19.600,00 kg
Yes
Not Released
Added on 09/02/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Customs retains drug container
Customs retains drug container
Customs retains drug container

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Inspectors of the National Customs Authority were able to detect the Port of Balboa in a container in transit that had been hidden inside 23 packages of drugs.

The 20-foot container coming from the port of Arica in Chile, at the Port of Buenaventura in Colombia and with final destination the port of Naples, Italy.

This detection occurs after the program specialists Global Container Control (PCGC) gave warning of the arrival of the same with allegedly illegal merchandise.

Upon arrival at Puerto proceeded to inspect the container in the presence of officials from the Office of Drug PCGC officials, National Police, representatives of Panama Ports, the owner of the container shipping and customs officials finding that giving the test to make random field is positive.

Once this process is the Office of Drugs as the body responsible for both the drug and research.

The Global Container Control began in March 2009 when the Republic of Panama and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime signed an agreement to establish a Center of Excellence and one regional office in our country.

As part of this Agreement, the National Customs Authority in June 2009 then signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to develop the Global Container Control and be responsible for this institution important project against crime.

Since then Customs in coordination with the Public Ministry, the Judicial Investigation Department, Naval Service, the Council of National Defense and Public Security, the Maritime Authority and the Police Information Management, has trained with the latest technology under the auspices of the Government of Canada, the United States and England.

Aduanas retiene contenedor con droga

Jueves, 03 de Febrero de 2011
Inspectores de la Autoridad Nacional de Aduanas lograron detectar en el Puerto de Balboa un contendor en tránsito que en su interior llevaba escondido 23 paquetes de drogas.

El contenedor de 20 pies provenía del puerto de Arica en Chile, con escala en el Puerto de Buenaventura de Colombia y con destino final el puerto de Nápoles Italia.

Esta detección se da luego que personal especializado del Programa de Control Global de Contenedores (PCGC) diera la alerta sobre la llegada de la misma con mercancía supuestamente ilegal.

Al llegar al Puerto se procedió a inspeccionar el contenedor en presencia de funcionarios de la Fiscalía de Drogas, funcionarios del PCGC, Policía Nacional, representantes de Panamá Ports, la naviera propietaria del contenedor y funcionarios de Aduanas dándose el hallazgo que al hacerle la prueba de campo aleatoria resulto positivo.

Finalizado este proceso la Fiscalía de Droga queda como ente responsable tanto de la droga como de las investigaciones.

El Programa Global de Control de Contenedores inició en marzo de 2009 cuando la República de Panamá y la Oficina de las Naciones Unidas contra la Droga y el Delito firmaron un Acuerdo para establecer un Centro de Excelencia y una Oficina Regional en nuestro país.

Como parte de este Acuerdo, la Autoridad Nacional de Aduanas en junio de 2009 firma entonces un Memorando de Entendimiento con la Oficina de las Naciones Unidas contra la Droga y el Delito para desarrollar el Programa Global de Control de Contenedores y ser la institución responsable de este importante proyecto en contra de la criminalidad.

Desde entonces Aduana en coordinación con el Ministerio Público, la Dirección de Investigación Judicial, el Servicio Aeronaval, el Consejo de Seguridad Pública y Defensa Nacional, la Autoridad Marítima y la Dirección de Información Policial, se han capacitado con tecnología de punta bajo el auspicio de los gobierno de Canadá, los Estados Unidos e Inglaterra.

http://ana.gob.pa/portal/index.php/inicio/decomisos/42-drogas/566-aduanas-retiene-contenedor-con-droga.html
Added on 09/02/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Fewer drug shipments being seized
Fewer drug shipments being seized
Fewer drug shipments being seized
Jesse Phillips
From: The Sunday Telegraph
February 06, 2011 12:00AM
DRUG seizures from shipping containers fell last year after Customs introduced new screening procedures for cargo which reduce searches by 25 per cent.

The new "intelligence led, risk-based" method replaced the previous mass screening and resulted in 35,000 fewer shipping containers being X-rayed or examined last year.

The latest Australian Customs annual report shows that in 2009/10, 1139.83kg of drugs were seized from sea cargo and mail - compared to 5275.14kg in 2008/09 and 2303.08kg in 2007/08.

Figures show that of the 2.813 million shipping containers arriving at Australian ports in 2009/10, just 101,822 or 3.61 per cent were X-rayed or examined - a reduction of approximately 35,000 searches a year compared with the three previous years.

Cocaine seizures fell from 482.11kg in 2008/09 to 350.53kg in 2009/10 and amphetamine-type stimulants dropped from 334.34kg to 54.14kg.

But a senior Customs source told The Sunday Telegraph the new search method was flawed and more drugs were making it through to Australian streets.

"There's not less drugs getting into the country, all the health services will tell you that," the source said.

"If you have less people searching for drugs, more gets in - you can't replace actual searches with computers."

The source said since 2006 Customs had used a computer system to assess risk, which was "an absolute failure".

A Customs spokeswoman said "100 per cent of high-risk consignments" were examined "including those showing anomalies during inspection".

Dean Summers, from the International Transport Workers' Federation, said searching every container was an impossible task but there were "a lot of gaps" in the current measures.

Dr Charlotte Epstein, an expert in risk-based border-protection measures, said the Australian Government was too reliant on technology.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/fewer-drug-shipments-being-seized/story-fn6bm6am-1226000761888
Added on 07/02/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
35 kilos of cocaine seized
35 kilos of cocaine seized
35 kilos of cocaine seized
Provincial Commando Rome-February 1, 2011 at 10: 25
Airport Fiumicino-drugs from South America. Seized 35 Kg of cocaine hidden in the hatch of a plane.
The Provincial military command of the Guardia di Finanza di Roma have reached another huge blow to the international traffic in drugs, with the seizure of 35 kg. pure cocaine and arresting two fake technical airport.

Newly arrived flight from Caracas, in fact, the financiers of Fiumicino, who daily go to the control of passengers and baggage, they noticed the strange behavior of two men who wore business suits to line technicians, which instead of waiting for the landing of the crew have rushed to Board, anticipating the usual times.

The financiers insospettiti from unusual procedure, have followed them and saw one of the two, G.M. of 35 years, leaping circumspectly in a lining of the aircraft and close behind the Panel of the hatch; also this abnormal circumstances, since the security procedures require that the presence of technicians must be reported to the Commander of the border and that the checks are made to vista.

The other apparent mechanical instead of 40 years, A.M., went back to wait for a passenger immediately connects the company car.

Insospettiti from these behaviors, the military has asked for information to the staff of the air, about abnormalities occurred in flight to justify an intervention so urgently, making sure that no failure had been reported.

Promptly blocked, the two airport employees have admitted to not be engaged in the maintenance on board, declaring to infecting the aircraft only for stealing valuables from passengers ' luggage.

Their explanations have not convinced the men of the Fiamme Gialle, considering drug risk flight from Venezuela, have inspected, with the help of dogs, the avionics compartment of the aircraft.

Between the narrow corridors of electronic panels, well hidden behind an Instrumentation Framework, the military have found a package containing 30 rolls of pure cocaine, for a total weight of 35 kilograms.

Unbeknownst to the crew personnel, the Organization had put their suitcases and the amazing within that compartment of the aircraft.

From "precious cargo" seized, traffickers would have obtained, with the addition of substances to be cut, over 400,000 doses from shaking, generating predictable illegal profits, retail, in approximately 15 million euros.

The operation was conducted together with the officials of the Anti-fraud Service Bureau of customs Goods of Rome 2 and further investigations are being coordinated by Dr. G. d. f. Distrettuale della Direzione Roma for more criminal liability.

http://www.gdf.it/GdF__Informa/Notizie_Stampa/Archivio_news/News_anno_2011/Febbraio_2011/info2102925838.html

Sequestrati 35 chilogrammi di cocaina
Comando Provinciale Roma - 1 febbraio 2011 ore 10:25
Aeroporto di Fiumicino - Traffico di droga dal Sud America. Sequestrati 35 Kg. di cocaina nascosti nella botola di un aereo.
I militari del Comando Provinciale della Guardia di Finanza di Roma hanno assestato un altro durissimo colpo al traffico internazionale di sostanze stupefacenti, con il sequestro di 35 kg. di cocaina purissima e l'arresto di due finti tecnici aeroportuali.

Appena giunto il volo da Caracas, infatti, i Finanzieri del Gruppo di Fiumicino, che quotidianamente procedono al controllo dei passeggeri e dei bagagli, hanno notato lo strano comportamento di due uomini che indossavano tute aziendali da tecnici di linea, i quali invece di attendere lo sbarco dell'equipaggio si sono affrettati a salire a bordo, anticipando i consueti tempi di intervento.

I finanzieri insospettiti dall'insolita procedura, li hanno seguiti e hanno visto uno dei due, G.M. di anni 35, calarsi con circospezione in un vano tecnico dell'aereo e chiudersi alle spalle il pannello della botola; circostanza anomala anche questa, in quanto le procedure di sicurezza prevedono che la presenza dei tecnici debba essere segnalata al comandante di bordo e che le operazioni di controllo avvengano a vista.

L'altro apparente meccanico invece, A.M. di anni 40, è tornato subito sottobordo ad attendere il collega sull'auto aziendale.

Insospettiti da tali comportamenti, i militari hanno chiesto informazioni al personale dell'aereo, circa eventuali anomalie occorse in volo per giustificare un intervento così urgente, appurando invece che nessun guasto era stato segnalato.

Prontamente bloccati, i due dipendenti aeroportuali hanno ammesso di non essere addetti alle operazioni di manutenzione a bordo, dichiarando di essersi intrufolati sul velivolo soltanto per rubare oggetti di valore dai bagagli dei passeggeri.

Le loro giustificazioni non hanno però convinto gli uomini delle Fiamme Gialle che, considerando a rischio droga il volo proveniente dal Venezuela, hanno ispezionato, con l'ausilio delle unità cinofile, il vano avionico dell'aereo.

Tra gli stretti corridoi delle pannellature elettroniche, ben nascosto dietro un quadro di strumentazione, i militari hanno rinvenuto un collo contenente 30 panetti di cocaina purissima, per un peso complessivo di 35 chilogrammi.

All'insaputa del personale dell'equipaggio, l'organizzazione narcotrafficante aveva inserito lo stupefacente all'interno di quel vano dell'aereo.

Dal "prezioso carico" sequestrato, i trafficanti avrebbero ottenuto, con l'aggiunta di sostanze da taglio, oltre 400.000 dosi da spacciare, generando profitti illeciti stimabili, al dettaglio, in circa 15 milioni di euro.

L'operazione è stata condotta unitamente ai funzionari del Servizio Antifrode Merci dell'Ufficio delle Dogane di Roma 2 e sono in corso ulteriori indagini coordinate dal Dott. G. D. F. della Direzione Distrettuale Antimafia di Roma per accertare ulteriori responsabilità penali.
Added on 07/02/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Italian police dismantle drug ring involving clothes from Dominican Republic
Italian police dismantle drug ring involving clothes from Dominican Republic
Italian police dismantle drug ring involving clothes from Dominican Republic

5 February 2011
Rome.– A drug trafficking ring that used clothes dipped in liquid cocaine to smuggle the drug into Italy from the Dominican Republic has been busted by the Italian police.

According to press reports, jumpers and jackets coated in cocaine were smuggled in regular suitcases through Rome's Fiumicino airport, and the customs police also seized 165 pounds of cocaine.

Italian customs said that 37 people were arrested in the raid, and confirmed it had busted an international criminal organization operating in Britain, France, Italy, The Netherlands and Spain.

The organization was divided into 15 criminal groups that operated autonomously, the Guardia di Finanza police force said in a statement. Those arrested included 14 Italian nationals and four citizens of the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland and the United States.

http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/world/2011/2/5/38507/Italian-police-dismantle-drug-ring-involving-clothes-from-Dominican

Anti-drug operation Alejandro
Provincial Commando Palermo-4 February 2011-08: 51
Anti-drug operation of G.I.C.O. of the Guardia di Finanza di Palermo
A massive drug operation, with tens of detentions, has been performed throughout the national territory, by the Financiers of the Provincial Command of Palermo, in respect of a transnational criminal organization, dedicated to cocaine trafficking.

Judicial police investigations, coordinates from the direction of Palermo, Distrettuale performed by G.I.C.O. of the nucleus of the tax Police, assisted by a number of other departments of the body, have allowed the execution of decrees issued by the same firm-D.D.A.-to nr. 72 people.

The military is engaged in the operation amounted to more than 400 units.

The complex and comprehensive survey, conventionally named "Alejandro", originated from a controlled delivery, air consignment from Fiumicino, postal, parcel, containing cocaine destined to two individuals of South American origin, hosted in a Temporary Reception Centre of Trapani.

The subsequent investigative insights have led to the identification of a branched and fierce racketeering, dedicated permanently to the international traffic in cocaine.

By monitoring more than 1,400 national and foreign users, and by constant and repeated feedback activities on the territory, was reconstructed the organisation chart of criminal association, and has identified the various areas of the territory that was operational.

In particular, investigations have led to ascertain that your organization:

was divided into 15 criminal groups, apparently self-employed, but-in fact-sharing specific distinctive elements, such as ethnic American Center array, the flexibility of its members, operational strategies, etc.;
consisted-mostly-by entities originating in Central and South America and from Italians able to import cocaine illegally huge batches of using couriers from Dominican Republic;
was active not only in different provinces of our territory, such as Milan, Varese, Bergamo, Macerata, Pesaro/Urbino, Ancona, Genoa, Rome, Treviso, Italy, La Spezia, Naples, Reggio Calabria, but also in other EU countries such as Spain, Holland, France and England.
During investigative activities were also achieved the following results so far were not disclosed to avoid compromising the outcome of investigations:

seized more than 75 kg. cocaine;
identified and seized 2 refining laboratories;
dangerous fugitives caught 2;
arrested 37 individuals in committing the offence;
Among the recipients of detention measures, almost all are Dominican citizens, or coming from Central and South America and 14 are Italian nationals.

There are also a Swiss citizen, a Spaniard, a Dutch and a musician.

http://www.gdf.gov.it/GdF__Informa/Notizie_Stampa/Archivio_news/News_anno_2011/Febbraio_2011/info2102929652.html

Operazione antidroga Alejandro
Comando Provinciale Palermo - 4 febbraio 2011 - ore 08:51
Operazione antidroga del G.I.C.O. della Guardia di Finanza di Palermo
Una imponente operazione antidroga, con decine di fermi, è stata eseguita su tutto il territorio nazionale, da parte dei Finanzieri del Comando Provinciale di Palermo, nei confronti di un'organizzazione criminale transnazionale, dedita al traffico di cocaina.

Le indagini di polizia giudiziaria, coordinate dalla Direzione Distrettuale Antimafia di Palermo, eseguite dal G.I.C.O. del Nucleo di Polizia Tributaria, coadiuvato da numerosi altri Reparti del Corpo, hanno consentito l'esecuzione di decreti di fermo - emessi dalla stessa D.D.A. - nei confronti di nr.72 persone.

I militari impegnati nell'operazione ammontano ad oltre 400 unità.

La complessa ed articolata indagine, denominata convenzionalmente "Alejandro", ha avuto origine da una consegna controllata, partita dallo scalo aereo di Fiumicino, di un plico postale, contenente cocaina, destinato a due individui di origine sud-americana, ospitati in un Centro di Temporanea Accoglienza di Trapani.

I successivi approfondimenti investigativi hanno consentito di individuare una ramificata ed agguerrita associazione a delinquere, dedita stabilmente al traffico internazionale di cocaina.

Monitorando oltre 1.400 utenze nazionali ed estere ed eseguendo costanti e ripetute attività di riscontro sul territorio, è stato ricostruito l'organigramma del sodalizio criminale, e sono state individuate le varie aree del territorio nazionale in cui era operativo.

In particolare, le indagini hanno consentito di appurare che l'organizzazione:

era articolata in 15 gruppi criminali, apparentemente autonomi, ma - in realtà - accomunati da precisi elementi distintivi, come la matrice etnica centro americana, la flessibilità di impiego dei suoi membri, le strategie operative, etc.;
era costituita - per lo più - da soggetti originari del centro e sud America e da italiani, in grado di importare clandestinamente ingentissime partite di cocaina, avvalendosi di corrieri provenienti dalla Repubblica Dominicana;
era attiva non solo in diverse province del nostro territorio, quali Milano, Varese, Bergamo, Macerata, Ancona, Pesaro/Urbino, Genova, Roma, Treviso, Modena, La Spezia, Napoli, Reggio Calabria, ma anche in altri Paesi dell'Unione Europea, quali Spagna, Olanda, Francia ed Inghilterra.
Nel corso delle attività investigative sono stati inoltre raggiunti i seguenti risultati, sinora non divulgati per non compromettere l'esito delle indagini:

sequestrati oltre 75 kg. di cocaina;
individuati e sequestrati 2 laboratori di raffinazione;
catturati 2 pericolosi latitanti;
arrestati 37 individui nella flagranza del reato;
Tra i destinatari dei provvedimenti di fermo, quasi tutti sono cittadini dominicani, o comunque provenienti dal centro e sud America e 14 sono cittadini italiani.

Vi sono poi un cittadino svizzero, uno spagnolo, un olandese ed uno statunitense.
Added on 07/02/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
DNCD seizes Spanish and Dominican Holland tried to carry 34 packs of cocaine
DNCD seizes Spanish and Dominican Holland tried to carry 34 packs of cocaine
DNCD seizes Spanish and Dominican Holland tried to carry 34 packs of cocaine
February 5, 2011

SANTO DOMINGO .- Agents of the National Drug Control (DNCD), outlined in the Punta Cana International Airport seized two men, one of them Spanish, when they tried to board a flight to Holland, carrying in his luggage 34 packs of a white substance presumed to be cocaine, while the Las Americas International Airport (AILA), the agents arrested two Peruvians who entered the country with their stomachs full of bags of narcotics, the Drug Enforcement Administration said today.
A note issued by the DNCD spokesman Col. Ramon Alcides Rodríguez Veras, said that agency officials caught in the Punta Cana International Airport to the named Leonardo Mota Rodriguez, Dominican, Dutch citizen, and John Rei Bermúdez, Spanish, resident in the Dominican Republic, who took 26 packages of a white substance presumed to be cocaine, at first, and 8 packets of the same substance, the second, for a total of 34 packages, which tried to bring them within their luggage to the city of Amsterdam, capital of the Netherlands, on board Flight No. TB524 of the airline Jet Air Fly.
Rodriguez Veras said the 34 packages of the substance were detected in their suitcases, content was confirmed by X-rays of the terminal, so the agents proceeded to move them along with their owners at the satellite office of the Information Center and Joint Coordination (CICC), which were seized in the presence of a deputy prosecutor of the province of La Altagracia, representatives of the airline in Jet Air Fly and members of the Special Airport Security Corps (CESA) and Customs.
The four had a false bottom suitcases prepared carefully manufactured with glass fiber, and 34 packages of the substance in question have a weight of 11.71 kilograms, said the spokesman.
In the two suitcases Dominican owned Leonardo Mota Rodriguez, one of them, mark Sansonite black and the other brand Dalsey, blue, labeled with the numbers 109302 and 109303, were found in the first, 24 small packages of a substance White presumed to be cocaine, in the form of tablets, with an approximate weight of 3.19 kilograms, while the second, they found 2 large packages, also in the form of tablets, with a weight of 2.6 kilos, for a total of 26 packages, occupied the Creole.
While in the boxes of black and gray, Wilson brand, labeled with the numbers 109267 and 109268, owned by Spanish Rei Juan Bermudez, occupied the first, four large packages of the same substance, weighing 3.76 kilograms, while in the second luggage were discovered four large packages with an approximate weight of 2.70 kilos, for a total of 8 packets filled into Spanish.
On the other hand, DNCD agents who serve in the Las Americas International Airport (AILA), Peruvians arrested Miguel Angel Benavides Pinchi and Galita del Pilar Díaz Valles, after they enter the country with their stomachs full of bags of drugs.
Both Peruvians were arrested in the parking lot of the airport as they prepared to board a taxi after arriving in the country aboard Flight No.074 from TACA airlines from Lima, Peru.
Foreigners were discovered through intelligence mechanisms implemented by the DNCD and the same is abdominal radiographs confirmed that foreign bodies in their digestive tract, so both were taken into custody, first DNCD headquarters in Santo Domingo, and then to the Central Hospital of the Armed Forces, in order to initiate the process of removal of the bags.
It was reported that so far, in the first expulsion, the Peruvian Miguel Angel Benavides Pinchi evacuated 76 bags of a white substance presumed to be cocaine, while his compatriot, Galita del Pilar Díaz Valles, excreted 53 bags of the same substance and is waiting for more bags expel both drugs.
The DNCD added that both Spanish and Dominican, arrested with 34 packages in Punta Cana, were supplied with their belongings to the Prosecutor's Office Deputy Judicial District of the Province of La Altagracia and members of the East Regional Inspectorate DNCD in Higuey, and found themselves prisoners in preventive cells to determine their links with international drug trafficking networks.
Added on 07/02/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
update cocaine in Turkey
update cocaine in Turkey
Record Cocaine Ship Poison
28-01-2011

Of cocaine were seized in a search on a ship in Istanbul kliogram 281.5.

Istanbul Police, which lasted approximately 1 year follow-up operation, then held on a ship bringing wood from Bolivia Ambarli port.
Hardwood container installed on the 281.5 kilograms of cocaine were seized in a search.

This figure is the highest amount of cocaine seized in Istanbul, as the records at a time has passed.

In operation, among them 15 people were arrested, including Abdul Baybaþin and his son.

Drugs, via Turkey, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands were asked to be taken.

Prompt trial on charges of drug trafficking in the UK for 22 years in prison, was released in Turkey Abdullah Baybaþin 2 months ago.

Abdullah condemned the attack as a result of an armed Baybaþin wheelchair seats, are still in custody in the Netherlands Baybaþin'in famous drug smuggler's brother Hussein.

Moment of the operation, police also viewed by webcam



http://www.iem.gov.tr/iem/index.php?menu_id=1&detay_id=1168

Container
TGHU2321100


Type
20' DRY VAN


Shipped On
06/12/2010


Shipped To
ISTANBUL, TR


Location
Description
Date
Vessel
Voyage

ISTANBUL, 34, TR
Discharged
13/01/2011

GIOIA TAURO, IT
Loaded
07/01/2011
FRISIA WISMAR
14A

GIOIA TAURO, IT
Discharged
03/01/2011

CRISTOBAL, 3, PA
Loaded
23/12/2010
MSC LORENA
28R

CRISTOBAL, 3, PA
Discharged
17/12/2010

ARICA, TA, CL
Loaded
06/12/2010
SANTA CAROLINA
08R

ARICA, TA, CL
Gate In Full
30/11/2010
Zehir Gemisinde Rekor Kokain
28-01-2011

Ýstanbul'da bir gemide yapýlan aramada 281,5 kliogram kokain ele geçirildi.

Ýstanbul Polisi, yaklaþýk 1 yýl süren takibin ardýndan Bolivya’dan Ambarlý Limaný’na parke getiren bir gemiye operasyon düzenledi.
Parke yüklü konteynerde yapýlan aramada 281,5 kilogram kokain ele geçirildi.

Bu rakam Ýstanbul’da bir seferde ele geçirilen en yüksek miktarda kokain olarak kayýtlara geçti.

Operasyonda, aralarýnda Abdullah Baybaþin ve oðlunun da bulunduðu 15 kiþi gözaltýna alýndý.

Uyuþturucunun, Türkiye üzerinden Ýngiltere ve Hollanda’ya götürülmek istendiði belirlendi.

Ýngiltere’de uyuþturucu kaçakçýlýðý suçundan 22 yýl hapis cezasý istemiyle yargýlanýrken, serbest býrakýlan Abdullah Baybaþin 2 ay önce Türkiye’ye gelmiþti.

Silahlý bir saldýrý sonucu tekerlikli sandalyeye mahkum olan Abdullah Baybaþin, halen Hollanda’da tutuklu bulunan ünlü uyuþturucu kaçakçýsý Hüseyin Baybaþin’in kardeþi.

Operasyon aný, polis kamerasý tarafýndan da görüntülendi

video: http://www.trt.gov.tr/haber/HaberDetay.aspx?HaberKodu=437c4bc1-1254-4a0b-8b7c-55f597553639
Added on 03/02/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
22 kilograms of cocaine in the port of Santa Marta
22 kilograms of cocaine in the port of Santa Marta
22 kilograms of cocaine in the port of Santa Marta

28-01-2011
Accurate blow dealt in the last hours the anti-narcotics police to drug traffickers to seize in the port of Santa Marta 22 kilograms of cocaine.

Developing the regional anti-drug police 8 operation 'Vision I' personal rectangular packages hidden in the cooling system of a container to be embarked on the MV 'Summer Flower' as destination Antwerp, Belgium found in society port 18 installations.

Commander of regional anti-drug company 8, Lieutenant Colonel Pedro Rafael Rodelo Asfora, stated that "this seizure police avoids criminal gangs to generate dividends for strengthening your organization its and strengthen its criminal task".

Said the officer that the stash is Europe's market cost approximately one million 250 thousand dollars.

Cayeron 22 kilos de cocaína en el puerto de Santa Marta
28 de Enero de 2011

Un certero golpe asestó en las últimas horas la Policía Antinarcóticos a los traficantes de drogas al incautar en el puerto de Santa Marta 22 kilos de cocaína.

En desarrollo de la operación ‘Visión I’ personal de la regional 8 de la policía antidrogas halló en las instalaciones de la Sociedad Portuaria 18 paquetes rectangulares ocultos en el sistema de refrigeración de un contenedor que iba a ser embarcado en la motonave ‘Summer Flower’ que tenía como destino Amberes, Bélgica.

El comandante de la compañía antinarcóticos regional 8, teniente coronel Pedro Rafael Rodelo Asfora, manifestó que “con esta incautación la policía evita que las bandas criminales generen para su organización dividendos que les permitan fortalecer su y afianzar su tarea delictiva”.

Indicó el oficial que el alijo tiene en el mercado de Europa un costo aproximado a un millón 250 mil dólares.

http://www.elheraldo.co/region/cayeron-22-kilos-de-cocaina-en-el-puerto-de-santa-marta

Authorities discover drug shipment that was destined for Belgium

Saturday January 29, 2011
By registering and monitoring activities conducted on the premises of Sociedad Portuaria de Santa Marta by regional staff of eight narcotics in the development of "if I view", the authorities in this area of the country achieved the seizure of 18 On physical rectangular packages pretest Pipher, tested positive for cocaine hydrochloride.

The drug was hidden inside a compartment of the container cooling system GESU 932311-7, which was to be embarked on the MV summer flower and was bound for Antwerp in Belgium, a country located in northern Europe .

Officials said the discovery of cache information is produced by human. During the operation of the Narcotics Police did not detain anyone, but since the probes and rigor to determine who was responsible for camouflaging the drug to move abroad.

With this seizure National Police prevent criminal gangs for criminal organization generate the amount of U.S.. $ 1,250,000 dollars, what it costs the drug in Europe and was intended to be marketed in different nations.


Autoridades descubren cargamento de droga que iba con destino a Bélgica .

Sábado 29 de Enero de 2011
Mediante actividades de registro y control llevadas a cabo en las instalaciones de la Sociedad Portuaria de la ciudad de Santa Marta por personal de la regional ocho antinarcóticos en desarrollo del "caso visión I", las autoridades de esta zona del país lograron la incautación de 18 paquetes rectangulares que al realizárseles prueba preliminar piph, dio positivo para clorhidrato de cocaína.

El estupefaciente se encontraba oculto al interior de un compartimiento del sistema de refrigeración del contenedor gesu 932311-7, el cual iba a ser embarcado en la motonave summer flower y tenía como destino la ciudad de Amberes en Bélgica, país ubicado al norte del continente europeo.

Las autoridades informaron que el hallazgo del alijo se produjo por información humana. Durante el operativo de la Policía Antinarcóticos no detuvo a ninguna persona, pero desde ya se adelantan las pesquisas de rigor que permitan determinar quiénes eran los responsables de camuflarla la droga para trasladarla al exterior.

Con esta incautación la Policía Nacional evita que las bandas criminales generen para su organización delictiva la suma de US. $ 1.250.000 dólares, precio que cuesta esta droga en Europa y que pretendía ser comercializada en distintas naciones.

http://www.el-informador.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=11093:autoridades-descubren-cargamento-de-droga-que-iba-con-destino-a-belgica&catid=72:sucesos&Itemid=416
Added on 03/02/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Sophisticated Smuggling Attempt by Tempe Man At the Douglas Port of Entry
Sophisticated Smuggling Attempt by Tempe Man At the Douglas Port of Entry
Sophisticated Smuggling Attempt by Tempe Man At the Douglas Port of Entry

(Tuesday, January 25, 2011)
Douglas, Ariz. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers stopped a sophisticated smuggling attempt when they seized 28 pounds of marijuana concealed inside special made metal cylinders concealed in a gas tank.

On Jan. 23 at approximately 2 p.m. CBP officers were screening traffic coming from Mexico. The officers selected a 2004 PT Cruiser for inspection. The vehicle was driven by a 21-year-old man who was identified as a U.S. citizen and resident of Tempe. With the assistance of a narcotics detection K-9 team the CBP officers discovered that the gas tank of the PT Cruiser contained 25 metal cylinders. Each cylinder contained marijuana that had been loaded by means of a hydraulic press and then capped off so as not to be contaminated by the gasoline. The total weight of marijuana was 28 pounds with an estimated value of $13,000.

CBP officers seized the vehicle and the marijuana. The man was turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for further investigation and prosecution.

A criminal complaint is simply the method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt


The Office of Field Operations is responsible for securing our borders at the ports of entry. U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers’ primary mission is anti-terrorism; they screen all people, vehicles, and goods entering the United States, while facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel into and out of the United States. Their mission also includes carrying out traditional border-related responsibilities, including narcotics interdiction, enforcing immigration law, protecting the nation’s food supply and agriculture industry from pests and diseases, and enforcing trade laws.

While anti-terrorism is the primary mission of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the inspection process at the ports of entry associated with this mission results in impressive numbers of enforcement actions in all categories.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/local/01252011_6.xml
Added on 02/02/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Bolivia sent 1.8 tons of cocaine into Asia, Europe and Africa
Bolivia sent 1.8 tons of cocaine into Asia, Europe and Africa
Bolivia sent 1.8 tons of cocaine into Asia, Europe and Africa


31-01-2011

Between 2010 and January this year, police in Chile, Brazil, Macedonia and Spain (Europe), Nigeria (Africa) and China (Asia) found in their countries about 1.8 tons of cocaine from Bolivia, according to of the press releases of these countries and international agencies.

Of the six major findings of cocaine hydrochloride overseas, most importantly, the quantity of drugs, occurred on June 30 last year at the port of Arica, Chile.

According to the newspaper La Estrella, members of the Narcotics Brigade (Briant), Police Investigations (PDI) of Chile, seized 835 kilos of cocaine hydrochloride were hidden in the form of bricks within the double bottom of a Bolivian-registered truck . The drug would be sent by ship to Spain.

So far in 2011, there were three major seizures abroad. The first occurred on January 13, in Nigeria, Africa where the country's drug agency seized 110 kilos of cocaine hydrochloride, worth seven million dollars.

In Macedonia, Europe was the second discovery. On 19 January, two kilos of cocaine were confiscated quality by police. The package was valued at $ 660,000.

In Valladolid, Spain, the third seizure occurred abroad of management. On 26 January, police broke up a drug ring that ran on Spanish soil Bolivian drug, but did not disclose the figures of the cocaine found.

Over the past year, there were also three large seizures abroad. The first case occurred in Arica, Chile, where they seized 835 kilos of cocaine hydrochloride in the form of bricks hidden inside a truck.

The second case was 21 November in Mato Grosso, Brazil. Brazilian police seized 330 kilograms of cocaine hidden in a truck. In addition, 29 December, an inter-oceanic container was inspected at the port of Hong Kong. There were found 290 kilos of cocaine out of Bolivia and sailed from a port in Chile. The drugs were valued at $ 33 million, as the kilo, high purity, can cost in that city in more than $ 100,000, according to sources consulted by La Prensa.

The most recent case occurred on Wednesday and Thursday, when in Arica 310 kilograms of cocaine seized in Bolivia.

Special Force against Drug Trafficking (FELCN) reported last year, which in 2010 seized 24.5 tons of cocaine base and 3.3 tons of cocaine hydrochloride. Moreover, as explained, 50 percent of the drugs came from Peru.

President Evo Morales, in his address to the Legislature on January 22, informed the country that in the period 2001-2005 were seized 43 tons of drugs (including cocaine base and hydrochloride), and their management 2006-2010 were sequestered 117 tons of cocaine.

The cocaine seized abroad totaling more than $ 100 million

$ U.S. 33 MM in Hong Kong

The 290 kilograms of cocaine hydrochloride of high purity, called crystal, without mixing in Hong Kong was to be sold at $ 33 million.

On 29 December last year, an inter-oceanic container was inspected at the port of Hong Kong, which is administered especially China. There, the country's police found 290 kilos of cocaine out of Bolivia and sailed through a Chilean port, the newspaper La Tercera. High purity cocaine was to be traded in one of the most expensive cities in the world, where square meter, as in Tokyo (Japan), can cost $ 50,000.

U.S. $ 50 MM in Arica, Chile

On 30 June last year, 835 kilos were found in a truck in Arica, Chile. The drug was to be carried by ship to Europe. In Africa, a kilo of cocaine hydrochloride is valued at $ 60,000. The lot would be sold at $ 50 million.

U.S. $ 20 MM in Mato Grosso

On 21 November last year, Brazilian police seized 330 kilograms of cocaine hidden in a lorry arriving from Bolivia who was passing the state of Mato Grosso. The drug was to be sent to Europe and sold for 20 million dollars.

$ U.S. 660,000 in Macedonia

The previous Jan. 19, two kilos of high-quality Bolivian cocaine were seized in Macedonia, Europe. The package was worth $ 660,000, equivalent to half a million euros. Macedonia is one of the European countries where a kilo of cocaine is more expensive.

Exact figure in Spain

On 26 January, Spanish police carried out operations to dismantle a drug gang that ran on Spanish soil Bolivian drug. Three Bolivians were detained. He did not publish the amount of cocaine seized.

U.S. $ 7 MM in Nigeria

On 13 January, the drug agency of Nigeria, Africa, reported the seizure of 110 kilos of cocaine from Bolivia, lot valued at seven million dollars. He did not disclose whether there were detainees.

More operating in Chile

On September 11, 2010, police in Arica Chile seized 98.6 kilos of cocaine hydrochloride was going to Europe. The previous Wednesday and Thursday, police in that country found 310 kilograms of cocaine, in Arica, who were heading to Syria.

The catch of the 4 major drug traffickers in Bolivia

In the last 30 years, were trapped four Bolivian drug traffickers in Peru and the United States in operations led by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Division (DEA). The only one who had the courage to surrender to the police was the famous Roberto Suárez.

The father of Luis A. Pacheco was arrested in Peru

864 kilos of cocaine hydrochloride were seized on June 16, 2006, at the port of Chimbote, Ancash, Peru, Alejandro Pacheco Sotomayor, Luis Amado Pacheco's father, aka "Barbaschocas" were part of the seventh loading that the Bolivian and his accomplices were preparing to take to Mexico. The drug expected to collect six tons of drugs, high purity, before shipping in the port of Chimbote to Aztec lands. The earlier shipments were 1,000 kilos. The arrest operation was frustrated the day before as there were some mistakes made in the investigation.

The DEA caught "Thatched Roof" in Los Angeles

Jorge Roca Suarez, known as "Thatched Roof" and considered the main drug dealer in Bolivia, was arrested by U.S. agents in a town near Los Angeles (California), December 15, 1990. The information secretary of the President, Fernando Aguilar, said at that time that the arrest happened on Roca Suarez San Marino, near Los Angeles. The trafficker was listed as owner of a supermarket, an exclusive equestrian club and a luxury home near the U.S. city. He had ranches in Beni.

Roberto Suarez, "El Rey", surrendered to police

He wrote an autobiography in which he confessed all his sins and had the courage to surrender to police in 1988. Called "The King of Cocaine", Roberto Suarez Gomez, in his autobiography, said the former dictator Luis García Meza (1980-1981) made a pact with him to pull Bolivia out of extreme poverty. He confessed that Garcia Meza and his Interior Minister Luis Arce Gomez, he proposed a plan based on selling cocaine to fund state programs.

"Barbaschocas" fell in Lima in the "Narco Jet"

On September 14, 1995, agents of the National Drug Directorate (Dinandro) of Peru intervened in Lima, a Bolivian company plane Aerobol more than four tons of cocaine hydrochloride belongs, according to police, Luis Amado Pacheco Abraham "Barbaschocas." The merchandise was valued at nearly one hundred million dollars in the U.S. market, where the shipment was headed out from the airport in El Alto.
Luis A. Pacheco's Father Captured in Peru

The 864 kilograms of cocaine hydrochloride were seized on 16 June 2006 in the port of Chimbote, Ancash Department, Peru, from Alejandro Pacheco Sotomayor, the father of Luis Amado Pacheco, aka "Barbaschocas." The drugs were part of the seventh batch that the Bolivian national and his accomplices were getting ready to ship to Mexico. The drug traffickers were hoping to collect six tons of high-purity drugs before loading it at the port of Chimbote for shipment to Mexico. Earlier shipments were 1,000 kilos. The arrest operation had been thwarted the day before because of some mistakes that were made in the investigation.

DEA Caught "Techo de Paja" in Los Angeles

Jorge Roca Suarez, known as "Techo de Paja" ["Thatched Roof"] and considered Bolivia's top drug trafficker, was arrested by US agents in a town near Los Angeles (California) on 15 December 1990. Fernando Aguilar, the Office of the President's information secretary, said at the time that Roca Suarez's was arrested in San Marino, near Los Angeles. The drug lord was registered as the owner of a supermarket, an exclusive equestrian club, and a luxurious residence near this US city. He owned cattle ranches in Beni Department.

Roberto Suarez, "El Rey", Surrendered to the Police

He wrote an autobiography in which he confessed all his sins and had the courage to turn himself in to the police in 1988. Known as "The King of Cocaine", Roberto Suarez Gomez wrote in his autobiography that former dictator Luis Garcia Meza (1980-1981) made a pact with him to lift Bolivia out of extreme poverty. He confessed that Garcia Meza and his Interior Minister, Luis Arce Gomez, proposed that Suarez draw up a plan based on cocaine sales to fund government programs.

"Barbaschocas" Captured in Lima on the "Narcoplane"

In Lima on 14 September 1995, agents from Peru's National Counternarcotics Directorate (Dinandro) raided an airplane from Bolivian company Aerobol with more than four tons of cocaine hydrochloride. According to the police, the drugs belonged to Luis Amado Pacheco Abraham, aka "Barbaschocas." The drugs were valued at almost $100 million on the US market, where the shipment from El Alto Airport was headed.

Bolivia envió 1,8 toneladas de cocaína a Asia, Europa y África

31-01-2011

Entre 2010 y enero de este año, efectivos policiales de Chile , Brasil, Macedonia y España (Europa), Nigeria (África) y China (Asia) hallaron en sus países cerca de 1,8 toneladas de droga procedente de Bolivia, según se desprende de las publicaciones de prensa de esos países y agencias internacionales.

De los seis grandes hallazgos de clorhidrato de cocaína en el extranjero, el más importante, por la cantidad de droga, ocurrió el 30 de junio del año pasado, en el puerto de Arica, Chile.

Según el diario La Estrella, efectivos de la Brigada Antinarcóticos (Briant), de la Policía de Investigaciones (PDI) de Chile, decomisó 835 kilos de clorhidrato de cocaína que estaban ocultos en forma de ladrillos dentro del doble fondo de un camión con matrícula boliviana. La droga iba ser enviada por barco a España.

En lo que va del año 2011, se registraron tres grandes incautaciones en el extranjero. La primera ocurrió el 13 de enero, en Nigeria, África, donde la agencia antinarcóticos de ese país se incautó 110 kilos de clorhidrato de cocaína, valorizada en siete millones de dólares.

En Macedonia, Europa, fue el segundo hallazgo. El 19 de enero, dos kilos de cocaína de alta calidad fueron confiscados por la Policía. El paquete estaba valorizado en 660.000 dólares.

En Valladolid, España, ocurrió la tercera confiscación en el extranjero de esta gestión. El 26 de enero, los agentes policiales desarticularon una banda de narcotraficantes que circulaba droga boliviana en suelo español, pero no dieron a conocer las cifras de la cocaína que encontraron.

Durante el año pasado, también se registraron tres grandes incautaciones en el exterior. El primer caso se registró en Arica, Chile, donde se decomisaron 835 kilos de clorhidrato de cocaína ocultos en forma de ladrillos dentro de un camión.

El segundo caso fue el 21 de noviembre en Mato Grosso, Brasil. La Policía brasileña se incautó de 330 kilogramos de cocaína ocultos en un camión. Además, el 29 de diciembre, un contenedor interoceánico fue inspeccionado en el puerto de Hong Kong. Allí se hallaron 290 kilos de cocaína que salió de Bolivia y se embarcó desde un puerto chileno. La droga estaba valorizada en 33 millones de dólares, ya que el kilo, de alta pureza, llega a costar en esa ciudad en más de 100.000 dólares, según fuentes consultadas por La Prensa.

El más reciente caso acaeció el miércoles y jueves, cuando en Arica se incautaron 310 kilogramos de cocaína boliviana.

La Fuerza Especial de Lucha Contra el Narcotráfico (FELCN) informó, el año pasado, que en el año 2010 se incautaron 24,5 toneladas de pasta base de cocaína y 3,3 toneladas de clorhidrato de cocaína. Además, según la explicación, el 50 por ciento de la droga provenía de Perú.

El presidente Evo Morales, en su discurso en la Asamblea Legislativa el 22 de enero, informó al país que en el periodo de 2001-2005 fueron incautadas 43 toneladas de droga (entre pasta base y clorhidrato), y en su gestión de 2006-2010, fueron secuestradas 117 toneladas de cocaína.

La cocaína incautada en el extranjero suma más de 100 millones de dólares

$US 33 MM en Hong Kong

Los 290 kilogramos de clorhidrato de cocaína de alta pureza, llamada cristal, sin mezclar, en Hong Kong iba a ser vendido en 33 millones de dólares.

El 29 de diciembre del año pasado, un contenedor interoceánico fue inspeccionado en el puerto de Hong Kong, que es administrado de forma especial por China. Allí, los efectivos policiales de ese país hallaron 290 kilos de cocaína que salió de Bolivia y se embarcó a través de un puerto chileno, informó el diario La Tercera. La cocaína de alta pureza iba a ser comerciada en una de las ciudades más caras del mundo, donde el metro cuadrado, al igual que en Tokio (Japón), puede llegar a costar 50.000 dólares.

$US 50 MM en Arica, Chile

El 30 de junio del año pasado, 835 kilos fueron hallados en un camión en Arica, Chile. La droga iba a ser llevada en barco a Europa. En ese continente, el kilo de clorhidrato de cocaína está valorizado en 60.000 dólares. El lote iba a ser vendido en 50 millones de dólares.

$US 20 MM en Mato Grosso

El 21 de noviembre del año pasado, la Policía brasileña se incautó de 330 kilogramos de cocaína ocultos en un camión procedente de Bolivia que transitaba por el estado de Mato Grosso. La droga iba a ser enviada a Europa y vendida por 20 millones de dólares.

$US 660.000 en Macedonia

El anterior 19 de enero, dos kilos de cocaína boliviana de alta calidad se confiscaron en Macedonia, Europa. El paquete valía 660.000 dólares, equivalente a medio millón de euros. Macedonia es uno de los países europeos donde el kilo de cocaína es más caro.

Cifra no exacta en España

El 26 de enero, la Policía española realizó operativos para desarticular una banda de narcotraficantes que circulaba droga boliviana en suelo español. Tres bolivianos quedaron detenidos. No se dio a conocer la cantidad de cocaína incautada.

$US 7 MM en Nigeria

El 13 de enero, la agencia antinarcóticos de Nigeria, África, informó el decomiso 110 kilos de cocaína procedente de Bolivia, lote valorizado en siete millones de dólares. No se dio a conocer si hubo personas detenidas.

Más operativos en Chile

El 11 de septiembre de 2010, la Policía de Chile se incautó en Arica 98,6 kilos de clorhidrato de cocaína que iba a Europa. El anterior miércoles y jueves, la Policía de ese país halló 310 kilogramos de cocaína, en Arica, que tenían rumbo a Siria.

Las capturas de los 4 narcos más importantes de Bolivia

En los anteriores 30 años, fueron atrapados cuatro grandes narcotraficantes bolivianos en Perú y Estados Unidos, en operativos liderados por la Dirección Antinarcóticos de Estados Unidos (DEA). El único que tuvo el valor de entregarse a la Policía fue el famoso Roberto Suárez.

El padre de Luis A. Pacheco fue capturado en Perú

Los 864 kilos de clorhidrato de cocaína que fueron confiscados el 16 de junio de 2006, en el puerto de Chimbote, departamento de Ancash, Perú, a Alejandro Pacheco Sotomayor, padre de Luis Amado Pacheco, alías “Barbaschocas”, eran parte del séptimo cargamento que el boliviano con sus cómplices se aprestaban a sacar a México. Los narcotraficantes esperaban acopiar seis toneladas de la droga, de alta pureza, antes de embarcarla en el puerto de Chimbote hacia tierras aztecas. Los anteriores envíos fueron de 1.000 kilos. El operativo de captura se frustró un día antes ya que hubo algunos errores cometidos en la investigación.

La DEA atrapó a “Techo de Paja” en Los Ángeles

Jorge Roca Suárez, conocido como “Techo de Paja” y considerado como el principal narcotraficante de Bolivia, fue detenido por agentes estadounidenses en un pueblo cercano a Los Ángeles (California) , el 15 de diciembre de 1990. El secretario de informaciones de la Presidencia, Fernando Aguilar, dijo, en esa oportunidad, que la detención de Suárez Roca acaeció en San Marino, cerca de Los Ángeles. El narcotraficante figuraba como propietario de un supermercado, un exclusivo club hípico y una lujosa residencia cerca de esa ciudad norteamericana. Tenía haciendas ganaderas en Beni.

Roberto Suárez, “El Rey”, se entregó a la Policía

Escribió un libro autobiográfico en el que confesó todos sus pecados y tuvo el valor de entregarse en 1988 a la Policía. Llamado “El Rey de la Cocaína”, Roberto Suárez Gómez, en su autobiografía, dijo que el ex dictador Luis García Meza (1980-1981) pactó con él para sacar a Bolivia de la pobreza extrema. Confesó que García Meza y su ministro del Interior, Luis Arce Gómez, le propusieron elaborar un plan a base de la venta de cocaína, para financiar programas estatales.

“Barbaschocas” cayó en Lima en el “narcoavión”

El 14 de septiembre de 1995, agentes de la Dirección Nacional Antidrogas (Dinandro) de Perú intervinieron, en Lima, un avión de la empresa boliviana Aerobol con más de cuatro toneladas de clorhidrato de cocaína perteneciente, según la Policía, a Luis Amado Pacheco Abraham, “Barbaschocas”. La mercancía estaba valorizada en casi cien millones de dólares en el mercado norteamericano, a donde estaba dirigido el cargamento que salió desde el Aeropuerto de El Alto.
http://eju.tv/2011/01/bolivia-envi-18-toneladas-de-cocana-a-asia-europa-y-frica/
Added on 02/02/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
The National Police intercepted 71 kilos of cocaine hidden in boxes of roses
The National Police intercepted 71 kilos of cocaine hidden in boxes of roses
The National Police intercepted 71 kilos of cocaine hidden in boxes of roses

In 2009 Colombia was aborted by sending the organization now disbanded a container bound for the Port of Valencia, loaded with 800 kilos of opium dissolved in polypropylene

Seven arrested in Murcia, Madrid and Valencia and have practiced two records

01-February-2011 .- National Police agents have apprehended in the Madrid-Barajas Airport 71 kilos of cocaine hidden in a shipment of roses. In the operation have been arrested seven people in Madrid, Valencia and Murcia, and have practiced two house searches in the latter province. The now disbanded drug gang and tried to send in 2009 a shipment of 800 kilos of the drug dissolved in polypropylene. The shipment was aborted in Colombia where he managed to stop the driver of the truck carrying the container would be shipped to the Port of Valencia.

Two years of research

In 2009 research began on a drug gang based in Alicante dedicated to bringing large quantities of drugs by means of containers. Then he found on arrival in Spain of a Spanish businessman, who lives in Colombia. The reason for this trip was to meet with the leaders of the network and provide the infrastructure to carry out new drug imports camouflaged among the cargo shipments declared legal.

After sending two truckloads of evidence, the network was forced to switch from exporting company. This led to several members, including the fund manager responsible for operation and infrastructure to provide drug shipments, traveled to Colombia to finalize the details of a new shipment of cocaine. On this trip decided to return to the activity as a cover using a new commercial head office in Murcia.

Intercepted a truck with 800 kilos of cocaine before boarding

Months later, the organization responsible for repeating the same operation under the new shell company, performing two new test items also using containers to check if the route was viable. In November 2009, a truck loaded with sacks of black polyethylene low intensity mixed with 800 kilograms of cocaine hydrochloride wanted to get to the Colombian port of Buenaventura. Once there would rise the container on a freighter bound for the Port of Valencia. The vehicle was intercepted by the police of Colombia and its driver arrested.

After such failed attempt, the researchers found that in late 2010 the Spanish businessman he moved from Colombia to Ecuador with the intention of resuming the activity. After more than a year, in early 2011 the criminal organization conducted further testing imports, establishing regular shipments of goods by air. Finally, he decided to transporting a shipment of cocaine hidden in a shipment of roses for Barajas Airport. An item that increased the twenty boxes of roses initial end of the sixty cases in which cocaine was concealed. The officers intercepted the flowers in the airport cargo terminal and found that packs 71 kilograms of narcotics concealed. All members of the organization have been arrested.

The operation was carried out by agents of the Greco Levante (attached to the Central UDYCO the Commissioner General of the Judicial Police), the UDEV of Alicante and the Group IV drugs in UDYCO of Murcia. In the operation has involved the Interior Attaché, Embassy of Spain in Colombia.
Added on 02/02/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Fight against drugs in Turkey: record cocaine seizure in Istanbul
Fight against drugs in Turkey: record cocaine seizure in Istanbul
Fight against drugs in Turkey: record cocaine seizure in Istanbul

Turkish police seized on Friday in Istanbul province (northwest), 281 kg of cocaine, a record amount ever seized in the history of Turkey, we learn a security source.

The drugs were confiscated from a boat docked in the port of Ambarli, the same source, adding that 15 people were arrested during this operation.

The Turkish security forces often take large amounts of hard drugs in several regions of the country, including Istanbul and the south-east.

The Turkish news agency "Anatolia" recently announced the seizure of 52.5 kg of heroin in the city of Istanbul and more than 100 kg in Hakkari province (southeast).

http://www.casafree.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=55056

http://fotogaleri.hurriyet.com.tr/GaleriDetay.aspx?cid=43959&p=1&rid=2



Alleged 'drug lord' in detention after Turkey's largest ever cocaine bust

Monday, January 31, 2011

ISTANBUL - Daily News with wires

Istanbul police made the biggest cocaine bust in the country’s history Friday in an operation that put an alleged “drug lord” in detention.

The 281.5 kilograms of cocaine confiscated on a ship that arrived in Istanbul on Thursday is reported to be the largest amount ever seized in a single operation in Turkey.

Abdullah Baybaþin and his son, accused of possessing the cocaine, have been taken into custody for questioning, as have a number of other suspects.

Istanbul police reportedly received intelligence about the shipment from Bolivia a year ago, when three empty shipments were made – apparently in order to determine whether police were watching for drug traffic between Bolivia and Turkey, according to reports.

Aware of the fake shipments, police did not raid any of the empty ships, reportedly in order to lull the alleged traffickers into a false sense of security.

The recently seized shipment was surveilled by helicopter as soon as it entered Turkish waters, and the bust began as soon as the ship was docked and started unloading at Ambarlý Port. The ship was searched, and the 975 packages of cocaine were found stuffed into hollowed-out wooden panels in the decking.

Baybaþin, who has been wheelchair-bound since he was shot in a bar in the U.K. in 1980, and son Çaðdaþ were detained at their villa in Ataköy the same night. Police searched the villa on Saturday, finding nothing but a safe, the code for which both Baybaþin and his son said they had forgotten.

A total of 15 people have been detained in the operation, including citizens of Spain, Holland and the United Kingdom.

Istanbul Deputy Police Chief Mehmet Likoðlu said members of a family who were running the narcotics from aboard were apprehended without naming Baybaþins.

Abdullah Baybaþin was imprisoned in the U.K. for heroin trafficking and came to Turkey three months ago after being released. He and his brothers have often been mentioned in the European press as major “drug lord” figures since the early 2000s.

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=biggest-cocaine-bust-ever-in-turkey-alleged-8216druglord8217-in-detainment-2011-01-30
Added on 02/02/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Five Charged, One Million Doses Seized in Largest-Ever Ketamine Bust
Five Charged, One Million Doses Seized in Largest-Ever Ketamine Bust
Five Charged, One Million Doses Seized in Largest-Ever Ketamine Bust

2011-01-26 11:30 PST

The Canada Border Services Agency(CBSA) and the RCMP Drug Enforcement Program have combined forces to charge five people in the largest ketamine seizure in Canadian history.

On December 7, 2010, Canada Border Services officers identified a suspicious shipment onboard a container vessel arriving from Hong Kong. Documentation accompanying the shipment identified the goods as 402 cartons of coffee mugs.

When CBSA officers examined the 20-foot marine container, they noticed discrepancies in the x-ray images and a full examination of the container was conducted. Their examination confirmed 318 cartons of coffee mugs and 84 boxes that contained coffee mugs and vacuum sealed bags containing a white crystalline powder. Tests performed by border services officers indicated that the bags contained ketamine hydrochloride. A total of 1003.9 kilograms of ketamine was seized.

A coordinated effort between the CBSA and the Federal RCMP’s Drug Enforcement Program was immediately established to follow up on the investigation.

On December 11, 2010, the RCMP gathered enough evidence to arrest five men in Richmond. Using a search warrant, the RCMP’s Clandestine Laboratory Team searched two locations in Richmond and discovered a pill press, binding agents and other materials commonly associated with a synthetic drug laboratory.

Three of the accused, including 53-year-old Tak Ming Chan, 58-year-old Yiu Ming Kwok, and 58-year-old Wing Kee Ng, are Chinese nationals and have been remanded until February 8, 2011. All three face charges of Importing a Controlled Substance and Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking. Also in custody and charged with Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking are 54-year-old Hoi Sing Lai and 42-year-old Hin Cheung Lau of Vancouver.

Ketamine is a tranquilizer with hallucinogenic properties. The 1,003.9 kilograms seized in this file represents well over 1,000,000 doses; that’s enough ketamine for every person in the cities of Surrey and Vancouver combined. This seizure represents more than $15,000,000 taken out of the wallets of drug traffickers.

Ketamine causes symptoms including amnesia, depression and long-term memory and cognitive problems. The drug can be used on its own, but it is also commonly cut and mixed into ecstasy (MDMA) pills, or is used as a date-rape drug. Ketamine is in the same category, under schedule 1 of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, as cocaine, opium or heroin and is illegal to import, possess and sell. The maximum penalty for importing or trafficking katamine is life imprisonment.

The Federal Drug Enforcement Program is actively investigating connections to specific organized crime groups from Asia.

http://bc.rcmp.ca/ViewPage.action?siteNodeId=694&languageId=1&contentId=18394&detachmentCategoryId=&title=
Added on 28/01/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Harwich: Heroin uncovered at port
Harwich: Heroin uncovered at port
Harwich: Heroin uncovered at port
6:05pm Wednesday 26th January 2011

A HAUL of heroin with a £400,000 street value has been seized at Harwich port.

Border Agency officers discovered 15kgs of the Class A drug in a lorry arriving on a ferry from the Hook of Holland on Tuesday morning.

The drugs had been placed in 15 individual packages in the lorry’s cab.

Johnny Kruidbos, a 35-year-old Dutch national, was arrested on Wednesday and appeared at Ipswich Magistrates Court charged with attempting to import a Class A drug.

He was remanded in custody until January 31, when he will appear again at the same court.

The lorry was carrying a legitimate load of glass and ceramics heading to Hereford and Cardiff.

Brian Hill, UK Border Agency assistant director at Harwich, said: “Our officers are on constant alert to keep drugs, firearms and other banned substances out of the UK.

“Anyone with information about activity they suspect may be linked to drug smuggling should call our hotline on 0800 59 5000.”

http://www.harwichandmanningtreestandard.co.uk/news/localnews/8814543.Harwich__Heroin_uncovered_at_port/
Added on 28/01/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Drug agents find 368 pounds of cocaine hidden inside of floor tile cartons at Nigerian port
Drug agents find 368 pounds of cocaine hidden inside of floor tile cartons at Nigerian port
Drug agents find 368 pounds of cocaine hidden inside of floor tile cartons at Nigerian port
By: The Associated Press

27/01/2011

ABUJA, Nigeria - Nigeria's drug enforcement agency says it has seized 368 pounds (167 kilograms) of cocaine hidden inside cartons of flooring tiles shipped through the country.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency said in statement Thursday it seized the $11.2 million worth of cocaine at Lagos' Tin Can Island Port in an ongoing undercover operation.

The agency said the tip that led to the seizure of the cartons shipped from Bolivia came from intelligence gathered by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency.

The agency said it seized 242 pounds of cocaine (110 kilograms) on Jan. 13 from a similar shipment from Bolivia.

Nigeria is a known smuggling point for cocaine and heroin heading to European markets.

http://www.brandonsun.com/world/breaking-news/drug-agents-find-368-pounds-of-cocaine-hidden-inside-of-floor-tile-cartons-at-nigerian-port-114733809.html?thx=y

Nigeria Customs seize cocaine declared as building material at TinCan Port

January 27, 2011

WorldStage Newsonline-- The Nigeria Customs on Thursday in Lagos said its Joint Taskforce on Customs 100 per cent Physical Examination of goods has impounded huge substances suspected to be cocaine in TinCan port, Lagos.

The container which was ferried to the terminal by MV Aldebaran according to official sources arrived the Tin Can port en-route Apapa Port on Tuesday with a declaration that it came with building materials, particularly marble.

The cargo which came from Bolivia and was impounded based on tip off to the Customs which notified others.

The JTF consists of officers and men from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and the Nigeria Customs Service.

It was learnt that the container was offloaded at the Port and Cargo Terminals Limited.

Customs spokesman, Mr Wale Adeniyi, an assistant comptroller, said the container was marked MSCU 128723/1 and was mistakenly off-loaded at Tin Can.

He added: “We simply altered arrangements and brought the ‘sentries’ to Tin Can, while we stake out the importers and the agents”

“It consists of 165 kilograms, made up of four wraps in a carton, with each wrap weighing 1.1 kg and in 36 packs; all in all with a street value of about 10.2 million Pounds Sterling” (about N2.55 billion) he explained further.

He noted that the security operatives would have opened up the container last week, but for the fact that the NDLEA operatives were yet to pick up the importers, adding that the operatives actually searched the drugs out, despite the fact that the drugs were perfectly tucked inside the marble import.

Adeniyi stressed that anyone still thinking of bringing in dangerous goods into the country through the ports must be ignorant of the fact that the present day Customs was a seriously motivated body.

http://www.worldstagegroup.com/worldstage/index.php?&id=1813&active=news
Added on 28/01/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Mexico seizes drug ingredient shipped from China
Mexico seizes drug ingredient shipped from China
Mexico seizes drug ingredient shipped from China

26-01-2011

MEXICO CITY — Mexican authorities said they had seized more than 23 tons of a chemical used in the manufacture of synthetic drugs during an inspection of a shipment from China.

The ethyl phenylacetate was declared as a different product on arrival at the Pacific port of Manzanillo, in Colima state, a statement said.

Authorities said they investigated the cargo after it overstayed the port's permitted holding period without being claimed.

Imports of ethyl phenylacetate require prior authorization from the health ministry since the chemical can be used to make drugs such as crystal meth.

The navy seized a record 200 tons of chemicals that could be used in synthetic drugs at the same port -- which is on major drug-trafficking routes to the United States -- in August 2009.


Bron: AFP



EN ACCIÓN CONJUNTA, ASEGURA EL GOBIERNO FEDERAL MÁS DE 23 TONELADAS DE FENIL ACETATO DE ETILO
Comunicado de Prensa 032/2011
México, DF., 25 de enero de 2011.- El Gobierno Federal informa que en acción coordinada entre la Secretaría de Marina-Armada de México, la Procuraduría General de la República y el Servicio de Administración Tributaria, se aseguraron más de 23,000 kilogramos de Fenil Acetato de Etilo en la Aduana de Manzanillo, Colima.

La mercancía, procedente de China, fue declarada como Malonato de Dietilo, pero no fue retirada de la Aduana dentro del periodo estipulado, por lo que al momento de revisar físicamente la mercancía y tomar muestras de la misma, los análisis de laboratorio determinaron que la sustancia que se trataba de introducir al país era Fenil Acetato de Etilo.

Para introducir Fenil Acetato de Etilo al país se requiere de una autorización previa de la Secretaría de Salud, ya que dicha sustancia puede ser utilizada en la fabricación de drogas sintéticas, por lo cual su importación está restringida.

La mercancía fue puesta a disposición del Ministerio Público de la Federación para los fines legales que resulten procedentes, quedando bajo la guarda y custodia de la Sexta Región Naval.

Aseguramientos como este se logran gracias a la coordinación de las instituciones del Gobierno Federal y al reforzamiento de las medidas de seguridad en las aduanas del país que permiten evitar el ingreso ilegal de mercancías a territorio nacional.

http://www.semar.gob.mx/sitio_2/component/content/article/1471-comunicado-de-prensa-032-2011.html

JOINT ACTION ON, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SEIZED OVER 23 TONS OF PHENYL ETHYL ACETATE

Mexico, DF., January 25, 2011 .- The Federal Government reports that coordinated action between the Secretary of the Navy of Mexico, the Attorney General's Office and the Tax Administration Service, secured more than 23,000 kilograms of Ethyl phenyl acetate in the office of Manzanillo, Colima.

The goods from China, was declared as diethyl malonate, but was removed from the Customs within the stipulated period, so that when the goods physically inspecting and taking samples of the same, the laboratory analysis determined that substance was introduced into the country was Phenyl ethyl acetate.

To enter Phenyl ethyl acetate country requires prior authorization from the Ministry of Health, since this substance can be used in the manufacture of synthetic drugs, for which import is restricted.

The goods were made available to the Attorney General of the Federation for legal purposes arising from, being under the custody of the Sixth Naval Region.

Assurances such as this are achieved through the coordination of federal government institutions and the strengthening of security measures at the customs of the country to prevent illegal entry of goods into the country.
Added on 27/01/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Man arrested at LAX for allegedly trying to smuggle opium
Man arrested at LAX for allegedly trying to smuggle opium
Man arrested at LAX for allegedly trying to smuggle opium
By Art Marroquin Staff Writer
Posted: 01/25/2011

A 28-year-old man was arrested for allegedly trying to smuggle nearly nine pounds of opium valued at $52,000 from Amsterdam into Los Angeles International Airport, federal authorities said Tuesday.

Ricardo Rodriguez Jr. was charged with a single count of importing a controlled substance, said Virginia Kice, a spokeswoman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Rodriguez was supposed to make his first appearance in federal court on Monday, but his attorney was granted a one-week extension, Kice said.

It was unknown where Rodriguez was living before he was arrested, but his United States passport said he was born in Granada Hills, Kice said.

Rodriguez was pulled aside for a secondary screening shortly after his flight from Amsterdam arrived Friday at LAX's Terminal 2, said Lee Harty, a spokeswoman for U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Rodriguez's suitcase reportedly felt "unusually heavy" when it was emptied during the inspection, Harty said.

Customs officers dismantled the baggage and found five packages of opium tightly wrapped in carbon paper and cellophane, Harty said.

The discovery marked the second opium seizure this month at LAX. An Iranian national was arrested Jan. 13 for allegedly trying to smuggle 4.6 pounds of opium shortly after arriving from London.

http://www.dailybreeze.com/news/ci_17196707
Added on 27/01/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Cocaine Seized at Bush Intercontinental Airport
Cocaine Seized at Bush Intercontinental Airport
Cocaine Seized at Bush Intercontinental Airport
Suspect was on his way to Amsterdam
Updated: Tuesday, 25 Jan 2011, 4:06 PM CST
JOHN PERERA
Web Producer

HOUSTON - Customs officers seized more than 5 and a half pounds of cocaine from a passenger on his way to Amsterdam at Bush Intercontinental Airport .

What Happened?

Pablo Moreno, 45, was arrested on Monday after officers found a white substance in his personal belongings and baggage, according to a statement from U.S. Customs and Border Protection . That substance later tested positive for cocaine.

Who is Paul Moreno?

Moreno, a Spanish citizen, was traveling from Nicaragua. While he was talking to CPB officers, a search dog alerted to his belongings.

Where is He Now?

He was turned over to the custody of the Houston Police Department. The street value of the seized drugs was not revealed.

http://www.myfoxhouston.com/dpp/news/local/110125-cocaine-seized-at-bush-intercontinental-airport
Added on 27/01/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ship Involved in Drug Smuggling
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ship Involved in Drug Smuggling
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ship Involved in Drug Smuggling
21-1-2011

A Jamaican national failed to prove that he was not involved in the importation of cocaine into Bermuda in the Supreme Court.
Ricardo Stewart who worked as a waiter on the cruise ship

Explorer of the Seas, operated by Royal Caribbean Cruises who provide many cheap Caribbean holidays, was standing trial for conspiracy with Adrian Morris to import cocaine worth up to three quarters of a million Dollars by using his position on the ship.
In the course of the investigation video showed Morris hiding the drugs in the disco on the ship. Morris admitted that he was involved and told investigators that Stewart was behind the scheme. Stewart did not admit his involvement.

Another employee on the same ship also arrested during the investigation stated that it was passengers who would carry the drugs between the ship and shore while crew members would then hide the drugs between ports of call. He said that Stewart was the one who liaised between the passengers and crew.

Even though there was no physical evidence, fingerprints, DNA or other, to link Stewart to the drugs, the prosecutor pointed out that it was Stewart that Morris went to as soon as he knew that the drugs had been discovered.

The defence for Stewart put forward that Morris could have lied to try to play down his involvement to get a shorter prison sentence. The defence also pointed out various differences in statements given by Morris particularly in the amount he said he was going to be paid for his part in the plot.

The jury took two hours to decide by a majority that Stewart was guilty as charged. He will be detained until he is sentenced. Royal Caribbean Cruises have not commented on the case.

http://personalfinancebulletin.com/royal-caribbean-cruises-ship-involved-in-drug-smuggling/5880/
Added on 26/01/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Cash, diamonds, drugs, firearms & people smuggled in small airplanes
Cash, diamonds, drugs, firearms & people smuggled in small airplanes
Cash, diamonds, drugs, firearms & people smuggled in small airplanes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Hague - The Netherlands.

As part of its responsibility to monitor developments in the threat from organised crime and terrorism in Europe, Europol has recently identified an expansion in the range of illicit commodities being trafficked using light aircraft.

In the past, organised crime groups have mainly used small airplanes for trafficking drugs into and around the European Union (EU). However, there has been a noted rise in the use of light aircraft for trafficking drugs into the EU (e.g. from North and West Africa), and the number of suspicious flights between EU Member States is also increasing. In addition to drugs, though, light aircraft are also now being used to facilitate illegal immigration, smuggle victims of human trafficking, and to traffic firearms, diamonds and bulk cash shipments for money laundering.

For example, from North Africa, organised crime groups make regular trips (e.g. 50 kg loads) that target small airfields in remote parts of South West Europe. They specialise in ‘low and slow’ flights under radio silence to avoid detection. The commodities are delivered by ‘air drops’ and landings at remote airstrips and agricultural fields. Privately–owned fields are often exploited for logistical purposes

All kinds of small airplanes, from utility aircraft to executive jets, are being used to traffic illicit commodities into Europe and between the EU’s criminal hubs, with helicopters also used in Western Europe. The majority of these aircraft are EU registered, but many are also registered in the US and, in some cases, African countries. EU nationals are also known to acquire pilot licences from non–EU countries. However, more than half of EU countries do not have provisions to withdraw pilot licenses in cases of convictions related to organised crime (e.g. drugs trafficking).

Organised crime groups engaged in these activities tend to have a clear division of tasks (e.g. ground handling, overland transportation, security or asset owners). They usually have strategies to exploit opportunities in non–commercial aviation such as inconsistencies between European flight plan regulations.

A key facilitator for this rise in the use of light aircraft for trafficking is the lack of monitoring and sanctions vis–à–vis the significant volume in light aircraft traffic that impacts on hundreds of small airstrips across the EU.

A call for an EU information network, as mentioned within the framework of Project Avia, with participants from Belgium, France, the Netherlands and the UK, is highly justified (Project Avia is a European network established to combat the use of small airfields for criminal purposes). The network should include partners in civil aviation and the military that can provide access to key resources, like suspicious activity reports, general aviation databases and tracking/surveillance capabilities.

Drawing on the findings and contributions of national experts, the main recommendations are:


Coordinated high–impact operations that target small airfields based on risk profiling and existing initiatives.


A review of the legislation and sanctions that govern general aviation, in particular, to improve the EU–wide requirements governing the submission of flight plans.


The creation of an EU–level coordination capability for reporting, tracking and analysing suspicious light aircraft traffic that draws on existing national initiatives such as the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee’s Intelligence Centre Aviation, which has developed an indicator system to flag suspicious flight plans.


Exchange of best practice between national specialists (e.g. using the Europol Platform of Experts) related, for instance, to the use of military assets such as the Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS) in support of law enforcement operations.
http://www.europol.europa.eu/index.asp?page=news&news=pr110125.htm
Added on 26/01/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Arrested a false priest connected to a network of 'narcos'
Arrested a false priest connected to a network of 'narcos'
Arrested a false priest connected to a network of 'narcos'
20-01-2011
Vincent's father ran a hostel for immigrants, which exploded in a building owned
TD / PC / IC, VALENCIA / ALICANTE The false priest of Nazareth Vincent AP, promoter of a hostel in the Valencia neighborhood whose purpose was to provide shelter for immigrants, has been arrested by the Guardia Civil in Alicante on suspicion of links with the network drug traffickers moles available in the port of Valencia. Vincent A. part of the twenty arrested in Torrevieja Alicante and other points that formed a parallel organization to the disbanded last October in Valencia.

For now, at least thirteen of the detainees in this second police operation-including the false priest in prison by order of a Magistrate's Court in Torrevieja, and the operation could still new fruits.

As the organization disbanded in Valencia and several municipalities, Alicante network is accused of bringing large quantities of cocaine through the port of Valencia, always with the hook system (= rip-off), the drug travels lost hidden in cargo containers on the backs of legal the importing company. In fact, some of those arrested came to be investigated simultaneously for both operations.

According to sources close to the detainees, the first research on the network responsible for the introduction of at least five large caches of cocaine the team launched the Organized Crime and Drugs (EDOA) of the Guardia Civil in Alicante for nearly two years, to expose a network of Colombian and Spanish, and whose dome was settled in the Vega Baja.

The investigation shifted to Valencia, which began investigating the false cure. Vincent A. allegedly acted as an intermediary between the Colombian importing various items of cocaine and extended family of Nazareth who was responsible for removing the drug from the port with the help of some dock workers and security guards.

Division of the two investigations

That research came across a year and a half ago started the EDOA Civil Guard of Valencia and Drugs Unit and Organized Crime (UDYCO) of the National Police of Valencia. Part of the two organizations, the Alicante and Valencia, was common, which forced division of labor between the various police equipment after several meetings.

Finally, between early April and the morning of October 5, 2010, took out the operational phase of the research Valencia. A joint team of police and Civil Guard detained 18 people, including four dock workers, two security guards, the leaders of the clan of Nazareth, a father and his son, and a Colombian who was considered the importer of last shipment blamed this group: 86 kilos of cocaine found on 30 September in a container.

In addition, they were charged at least three more shipments: one of 286 kilos of March 31 in the port of Valencia, one of 112 kilos at the end of June, confiscated at the port of Tarragona after being diverted from Valencia for technical issues and a third of 132 kilos, detected on July 9 and the two porters who were detained on 10, while collecting backpacks with the drug in the port of Valencia.

But they are not alone. Apparently, there are more containers seized in the Netherlands, Portugal and possibly, Italy. Two and half months later, on 20 December, Alicante EDOA stopped the fake priest and another 17 people, including, apparently, a builder of the Vega Baja. At least thirteen of them have been imprisoned and, in principle, are charged with nearly the same import of cocaine.

Lover of weapons, "priest" and manager of a hostel "beneficial"

Father Vincent, as he was known by everyone in the neighborhood of Nazareth, the image projected for years of selfless priest who helps immigrants without shelter or food. Covered in this supposed condition of cure, is now under arrest for drug trafficking created a shelter for the most vulnerable in Punta Camí a la Mar in Valencia and made thus subsidized by the municipality.

AP Vincent was a member of the religious congregation Apostolic Missionaries of Mary Immaculate, not recognized by the Catholic Church, as confirmed by the Archbishop of Valencia, and related to the so-called Church Palmar de Troya. However, he made everyone believe that was a Catholic priest, as noted the sources consulted by this newspaper. In fact, came to celebrate Masses and other sacraments.

Own shelter workers denounced him in 2008 with the Ministry of Labour and degrading treatment with immigrants housed in these facilities, who was in unsanitary conditions. "I was removed obsolete products and label them so they did not know it," said one witness to these facts.

In addition alleged derogatory treatment to them, Father Vincent was also accused of exploiting the hostel inmates, who allegedly paid two euros an hour for working for a construction of which he was the owner.

A great lover of guns and private security, was named CEO of the Unified Association Escorts (AUNES) in Valencia. "Vincent is not a normal priest, described yesterday a former workers hostel in reference to the paradox of contrasting these hobbies with his religious work advertised.

The drug trafficking charge on this 36 year old is preceded by a history of money laundering, forgery and fraud. In fact, in May 2009 was arrested for a crime related to the sale of vehicles abroad, noted the sources.

Detenido un falso cura vinculado a una red de ´narcos´
El padre Vicente regentaba un albergue para inmigrantes, a los que explotaba en una constructora de su propiedad
T. D./P. C./I. C., VALENCIA/ALICANTE El falso cura de Natzaret Vicente A.P., promotor de un albergue en ese barrio valenciano cuya finalidad era dar cobijo a inmigrantes, ha sido detenido por la Guardia Civil de Alicante por su presunta vinculación con la red de narcotraficantes que disponía de topos en el puerto de Valencia. Vicente A. forma parte de la veintena de arrestados en Torrevieja y otros puntos de Alicante que formaban una organización paralela a la desarticulada en octubre pasado en Valencia.

De momento, al menos trece de los detenidos en esa segunda operación policial -entre ellos el falso sacerdote- están en prisión por orden de un Juzgado de Instrucción de Torrevieja, y la operación aún podría dar nuevos frutos.

Al igual que la organización desmantelada en Valencia y varios municipios más, la red alicantina está acusada de introducir grandes cantidades de cocaína por el puerto de Valencia, siempre con el sistema de gancho perdido -la droga viaja oculta en contenedores con carga legal a espaldas de la empresa importadora-. De hecho, algunos de los arrestados llegaron a ser investigados simultáneamente durante ambas operaciones.

Según fuentes próximas a los detenidos, la primera investigación sobre el entramado responsable de la introducción de al menos cinco grandes alijos de cocaína la puso en marcha el Equipo de Delincuencia Organizada y Antidroga (EDOA) de la Guardia Civil de Alicante hace casi dos años, con el fin de desenmascarar una red integrada por colombianos y españoles, y cuya cúpula estaba asentada en la Vega Baja.

Las pesquisas derivaron hacia Valencia, donde comenzaron a investigar al falso cura. Vicente A. supuestamente actuaba como intermediario entre los colombianos que importaban las distintas partidas de cocaína y el clan familiar de Natzaret que se encargaba de sacar la droga del puerto con la colaboración de algunos estibadores y vigilantes de seguridad.

División de las dos investigaciones

Esa investigación se cruzó con la iniciada hace año y medio por el EDOA de la Guardia Civil de Valencia y por la Unidad de Drogas y Crimen Organizado (Udyco) de la policía nacional de Valencia. Parte de las dos organizaciones, la alicantina y la valenciana, era común, lo que obligó a dividir el trabajo entre los distintos equipos policiales tras varias reuniones.

Finalmente, entre la madrugada del 4 y la mañana del 5 de octubre de 2010, se llevó a cabo la fase de explotación de la investigación valenciana. Un equipo conjunto de policías y guardias civiles detenía a 18 personas, entre ellas a cuatro estibadores, dos vigilantes de seguridad, los cabecillas del clan de Natzaret -un padre y su hijo- y un colombiano al que se consideraba importador del último envío achacado a este grupo: 86 kilos de cocaína hallados el 30 de septiembre en un contenedor.

Además, les imputaban al menos tres envíos más: uno de 286 kilos del 31 de marzo en el puerto de Valencia, otro de 112 kilos a finales de junio, confiscado en el puerto de Tarragona tras ser desviado desde el de Valencia por cuestiones técnicas; y un tercero de 132 kilos, detectado el 9 de julio y por el que fueron detenidos dos porteadores el día 10, cuando recogían las mochilas con la droga en el recinto portuario valenciano.

Pero no son los únicos. Al parecer, hay más contenedores confiscados en los Países Bajos, en Portugal y, posiblemente, en Italia. Dos meses y medio después, el 20 de diciembre, el EDOA de Alicante detenía al falso cura y otras 17 personas más, entre ellas, al parecer, un constructor de la Vega Baja. Al menos trece de ellos han ingresado en prisión y, en principio, se les imputan prácticamente las mismas importaciones de cocaína.

Amante de las armas, "sacerdote" y gestor de un albergue "benéfico"

El padre Vicente, como era conocido por todos en el barrio de Natzaret, proyectó durante años la imagen del sacerdote altruista que ayuda a inmigrantes sin techo ni comida. Amparado en esta supuesta condición de cura, el ahora detenido por tráfico de drogas creó un albergue para los más desprotegidos en el Camí Punta a la Mar de Valencia y logró así una subvención por parte del Ayuntamiento.

Vicente A. P. era miembro de la congregación religiosa Misioneros Apostólicos de María Inmaculada, no reconocida por la Iglesia católica, según confirmó el Arzobispado de Valencia, y relacionada con la llamada iglesia del Palmar de Troya. No obstante, hacía creer a todo el mundo que era sacerdote católico, según apuntaron las fuentes consultadas por este periódico. De hecho, llegó a celebrar eucaristías y otros sacramentos.

Trabajadores del propio albergue le denunciaron en 2008 ante el Ministerio de Trabajo por trato degradante con los inmigrantes que acogía en estas instalaciones, a quienes tenía en condiciones insalubres. "Les daba productos caducados y les quitaba la etiqueta para que ellos no lo supieran", relató un testigo de estos hechos.

Además del supuesto trato despectivo para con ellos, el padre Vicente también fue acusado de explotar a los internos del albergue, a quienes al parecer pagaba dos euros la hora por trabajar para una constructora de la que él era el dueño.

Gran amante de las armas y de la seguridad privada, fue nombrado delegado de la Asociación Unificada de Escoltas (Aunes) en la Comunidad Valenciana. "Vicente no es un cura normal", describió ayer un extrabajador del albergue en referencia a la paradoja de contraponer esas aficiones con su publicitada labor religiosa.

La acusación de tráfico de drogas sobre este hombre de 36 años viene precedida por antecedentes por blanqueo de capitales, falsedad documental y estafa. De hecho, en mayo de 2009 fue detenido por un delito relacionado con la compraventa de vehículos en el extranjero, apuntaron las fuentes consultadas.

http://www.lne.es/sucesos/2011/01/20/detenido-falso-cura-vinculado-narcos/1022479.html
Added on 24/01/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
20 kilos of cocaine seized in Frankfurt; 6 arrested
20 kilos of cocaine seized in Frankfurt; 6 arrested
20 kilos of cocaine seized in Frankfurt; 6 arrested
22-1-2011

FRANKFURT/LONDON -- Customs officials at Frankfurt airport intercepted 20 kilograms of pure cocaine, leading to six arrests at the British destination of the freight package, officers announced Friday.
The drug was hidden in a shipment of hydraulic presses from Bolivia, destined for an address in London.
By tracing the progress of the delivery, officers were led to six suspects - four Britons, one Mexican and U.S. citizen — all of whom were arrested.

The cocaine, which was intercepted in December, has a street value of around 4.8 million euros (US$ 6.5 million), Frankfurt customs officials said.

http://www.chinapost.com.tw/international/europe/2011/01/22/288611/20-kilos.htm

20 Kilogramm Kokain sichergestellt
Frankfurt am Main, 21. Januar 2011

Sechs Festnahmen in Großbritannien

Dem sprichwörtlich guten Riecher eines Rauschgiftspürhundes am Frankfurter Flughafen ist es zu verdanken, dass 20 Kilogramm Kokain mit einem sehr hohen Reinheitsgehalt sichergestellt werden konnten. Eine anschließend von Zollfahndern durchgeführte kontrollierte Weiterleitung der Frachtsendung mit dem brisanten Inhalt nach London führte zur Festnahme von sechs Personen: vier Briten, einem Mexikaner und einer US-Amerikanerin.

Am 22. Dezember 2010 wurde die aus Bolivien stammende Frachtsendung durch Beamte des Hauptzollamts Frankfurt am Main-Flughafen kontrolliert. Ein ebenfalls eingesetzter Rauschgiftspürhund zeigte reges Interesse für die 281 Kilogramm schwere Lieferung. Bei der genaueren Prüfung der Sendung fiel den Beamten auf, dass die als "Neue Hydraulikpresse" deklarierte Ware einen Zylinder enthielt, der offensichtlich nicht zu dieser Hydraulikpresse passte.

Ein Drogenwischtest bestätige den Verdacht auf kokainhaltigen Inhalt. Beim anschließenden Anbohren des Zylinders rieselte der "Schnee" aus dem Gehäuse. Mit Zustimmung der Frankfurter Staatsanwaltschaft und den britischen Behörden veranlassten Beamte der Zollfahndung eine kontrollierte Weiterleitung dieser "heißen Sendung" an den Bestimmungsort London.

Wie die britischen Ermittlungsbehörden jetzt mitgeteilt haben, konnten im Verlauf der Ermittlungen sechs Personen festgenommen werden.

"Ein toller Erfolg dank der internationalen Zusammenarbeit von deutschen und britischen Behörden. Nur so lässt sich die weltweite Rauschgiftkriminalität effektiv bekämpfen", sagt Hans-Jürgen Schmidt, Sprecher der Frankfurter Zollfahndung.

Herausgeber:
Zollfahndungsamt Frankfurt am Main
Wilhelm-Fay-Straße 11
65936 Frankfurt am Main

Kontakt:
Hans-Jürgen Schmidt
Tel.: 069/50775-133
Fax: 069/50775-136
E-Mail: Presse-Zoll@zfaf.bfinv.de
Added on 24/01/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Intercepted at the port of Vigo over 60 Kilos of cocaine hidden in a container
Intercepted at the port of Vigo over 60 Kilos of cocaine hidden in a container
Intercepted at the port of Vigo over 60 Kilos of cocaine hidden in a container

22/01/2011
Joint operation of the National Police and Guardia Civil Tax

The drugs, from Colombia, was concealed inside a table that is part of a box of bananas

In Operation Portozás "have been arrested four persons and have arrested more than 600 bundles of 100 grams of cocaine, each weighing over 60 kilograms

Civil Guard, in collaboration with the National Police and the Inland Revenue, in the operation called "Portozás" have intercepted at the port of Vigo a container full of cocaine, have arrested four people and have seized 600 bundles of cocaine with a weighing over 60 kilograms.

The investigations began in late 2009 when the team Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Command of the Guardia Civil de Pontevedra detects a group of people who trafficked in drugs using import fruit and other goods, using container shipping routes and .

Following initial investigations, it is found that is an organized group of Pontevedra and Madrid and companies based in Colombia and Galicia.

The last phase of the operation coincided with indications from both the Response Group Organized Crime (GRECO) Galicia of the National Police and the Deputy Customs Surveillance Directorate (DAVA) of the Tax Agency in Vigo, in relation to illegal content a container.

When the container arrives at the port of Vigo, it is then opened together, finding a total of 60 kilograms of cocaine distributed in more than 600 well plates of cocaine hidden in pallets that were the basis for the different stacks of boxes of fruit.

Method of concealment of drugs

This is the first time you perform a discovery of cocaine in these conditions, since the drug had been concealed within the different boards that were part of the pallets, which had previously been emptied inside and introduced the drug in prepared holes, holding the edge after use for casting with a strip of the same wood as perfectly disguised manipulation carried out in the table.

This formula of concealment, made it difficult to detect drugs as different plates come imbued with a strongly scented substance that hindered the work of drug detection dogs.

Detained

Have been arrested, J.R.C.G. Pontevedra, J.R.R.D. in Vigo, A.M.G. Cambados, as responsible for removing the container and pallet handling to remove narcotics and WMS in Madrid final recipient of the seizures. The detainees have been brought to justice.

The operation is still open, so are not ruled out further arrests.

There are pictures of appeal available to the media as they like at the Press Office of the Civil Guard (C / Guzmán el Bueno 110, Madrid). Also through the following URL: www.guardiacivil.com / opt / opportozas.zip

Also, there www.guardiacivil.es page photographs of the operation.
Added on 24/01/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Civil Guard found 60 kilos of cocaine in a container in Vigo
Civil Guard found 60 kilos of cocaine in a container in Vigo
Civil Guard found 60 kilos of cocaine in a container in Vigo
The cache was hidden in a container with legal goods, probably frozen seafood or fruit, from a port in South America.

Author: VIGO EVP / LA VOZ
Publication Date: 20/1/2011
La Guardia Civil found yesterday about 60 kilos of cocaine hidden in a container that was landed at the port of Vigo. Investigating Court No. 1 of Vigo, acting as guard, opened an investigation that is under wraps. This is the first discovery of drugs after the operation last November Apples heading a Latin American network introducing drug packets through the port of Vigo.

The inquests are conducted with utmost secrecy waiting to identify the true recipient of the shipment. Were likely to use the blind hook method to remove the drug bag container somewhere in transport over land.


Hook


The cache was hidden in a container with legal goods, probably frozen seafood or fruit, from a port in South America. The container arrived several days ago to Vigo and sealed container was placed in the dock Guixa waiting to be picked up by the addressee, a law firm located in Spanish territory.

The shipment of 60 kilos of cocaine is one of the lowest amount detected in the last year in Vigo, since the average between 200 and 400 kilos. The amount is the perfect accomplice to break the seals on the container somewhere on the route and discreetly remove the bags or bags with the stash. Therefore, the location and identification of the recipients will be more difficult. A judicial commission oversaw the withdrawal of the packages, but gave no details pending the investigation progresses.

(The translation "method of lost hook" means "rip-off")

La Guardia Civil halla 60 kilos de cocaína en un contenedor en Vigo
El alijo llegó camuflado en un contenedor con mercancía legal, probablemente productos pesqueros congelados o fruta, procedente de un puerto de Sudamérica.

Autor: E. V. P. VIGO / LA VOZ
Fecha de publicación: 20/1/2011
La Guardia Civil localizó ayer alrededor de 60 kilos de cocaína ocultos en un contenedor que fue desembarcado en el puerto vigués. El Juzgado de Instrucción número 1 de Vigo, en funciones de guardia, abrió una investigación que está bajo secreto. Este es el primer hallazgo de estupefacientes después de que la operación Manzanas descabezase en noviembre pasado una red hispanoamericana que introducía paquetes con droga a través del puerto vigués.

Las pesquisas judiciales se efectúan con el máximo sigilo a la espera de identificar a los auténticos receptores del envío. Probablemente iban a usar el método del gancho ciego para retirar las bolsas con la droga del contenedor en algún lugar de su transporte por tierra.


Gancho


El alijo llegó camuflado en un contenedor con mercancía legal, probablemente productos pesqueros congelados o fruta, procedente de un puerto de Sudamérica. El portacontenedores arribó hace varios días a Vigo y el recipiente sellado quedó depositado en el muelle de Guixar a la espera de ser recogido por su destinatario, una empresa legal radicada en territorio español.

El envío de 60 kilos de cocaína es uno de los de menor cantidad detectados en el último año en Vigo, ya que la media oscila entre 200 y 400 kilos. La cantidad es la idónea para que un cómplice rompa los precintos del contenedor en algún lugar de la ruta y retire discretamente las mochilas o bolsas con el alijo. Por ello, la localización e identificación de los receptores será más difícil. Una comisión judicial supervisó la retirada de los paquetes, pero no dieron detalles a la espera de que avance la investigación.


http://www.lavozdegalicia.es/galicia/2011/01/20/0003_201101G20P14992.htm
Added on 21/01/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
National Police involved 2,200 kilos of hashish hidden in a boat and arrested five drug traffickers
National Police involved 2,200 kilos of hashish hidden in a boat and arrested five drug traffickers
National Police involved 2,200 kilos of hashish hidden in a boat and arrested five drug traffickers
Those arrested were renting luxury yachts large easy to carry substantial quantities of drugs that carried off the coast of Morocco
National Police officers have been involved 2,200 kilos of hashish hidden in a boat on arrival at the Puerto Deportivo Málaga Lock. In the operation have been arrested five people for an alleged crime against public health. Those arrested rented luxury boats to transport large quantities of narcotics that carried off the coast of Morocco.
Specialists in the fight against drug trafficking Police detected the activities of a drug gang, based in the province of Malaga, specializing in the introduction in Spain of large quantities of hashish. To transport the drug they used rented sailboat that carried the drugs from rubber boats off the coast of Larache (Morocco).

The researchers found that the organization under investigation had prepared the impending delivery of an important game of hashish bound for the marina the lock, so place a comprehensive surveillance device in the vicinity to intercept the shipment. The police found one of those investigated as it approached the place at the wheel of a van who, after stopping in front of a boat, the crew contacted.

The officers noticed from the outside to board the boat had an unknown number of bales, usually used for the transportation of hashish, so that they proceeded to the arrest of the three band members present. With judicial permission in the boat was registered, which involved 148 bales of hashish with an approximate weight of 2,200 kilos. Then he stopped two other members of the network in Málaga and in the town of Ronda.

The operation was conducted jointly by agents of the Special Response Group Organized Crime (GRECO) of Cadiz, the Commissioner General of the Judicial Police and UDYCO the Police Headquarters in the Canaries.

La Policía Nacional interviene 2.200 kilos de hachís ocultos en un velero y detiene a cinco narcotraficantes


Los arrestados alquilaban embarcaciones de lujo para trasnportar grandes catidades de droga que cargaban frente a las costas de Marruecos



Agentes de Policía Nacional han intervenido 2.200 kilos de hachís ocultos en un velero a su llegada al Puerto Deportivo el Candado de Málaga. En la operación han sido detenidas cinco personas por un presunto delito contra la salud pública. Los arrestados alquilaban embarcaciones de lujo para transportar grandes cantidades de estupefaciente que cargaban frente a las costas de Marruecos.

Los especialistas en la lucha contra el narcotráfico de la Policía detectaron las actividades de un grupo de narcotraficantes, asentado en la provincia de Málaga, especializado en la introducción en España de importantes cantidades de hachís. Para transportar el estupefaciente se servían de veleros alquilados en los que cargaban la droga desde lanchas neumáticas frente a la costa de Larache (Marruecos).

Los investigadores averiguaron que la organización investigada había preparado el envío inminente de una importante partida de hachís con destino al Puerto Deportivo el Candado, por lo que establecieron un amplio dispositivo de vigilancia en las inmediaciones para interceptar el cargamento. Los policías observaron a uno de los investigados cuando se aproximaba al lugar al volante de una furgoneta quien, tras detenerse frente a una embarcación, contactó con sus tripulantes.

Los agentes observaron desde el exterior que a bordo de la embarcación había un número indeterminado de fardos, de los utilizados habitualmente para el transporte de hachís, por lo que procedieron a la detención de los tres miembros de la banda allí presentes. Con la preceptiva autorización judicial se registró el velero, donde se intervinieron 148 fardos de hachís con un peso aproximado de 2.200 kilos. A continuación se detuvo a otros dos miembros de la red en Málaga y en la localidad de Ronda.

La operación ha sido realizada de forma conjunta por agentes del Grupo de Respuesta Especial al Crimen Organizado (GRECO) de Cádiz, de la Comisaría General de Policía Judicial, y de la UDYCO de la Jefatura Superior de Policía de Canarias.

http://www.mir.es/DGRIS/Notas_Prensa/Ultimos_comunicados/np011501.html
Added on 21/01/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
CBP Officers Seize Over $587,000 in Cocaine and Marijuana and Six Liters of Liquid Methamphetamine
CBP Officers Seize Over $587,000 in Cocaine and Marijuana and Six Liters of Liquid Methamphetamine
CBP Officers Seize Over $587,000 in Cocaine and Marijuana and Six Liters of Liquid Methamphetamine at Brownsville Port of Entry

(Tuesday, January 18, 2011)

Brownsville, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Brownsville port of entry had a busy weekend and effected three significant narcotics seizures. CBP officers discovered alleged cocaine and marijuana valued at approximately $587,600 hidden in two separate vehicles and seized six liters of alleged liquid methamphetamine in beer bottles being brought into the country on a bicycle over the busy Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend.
In the first seizure on Sunday, January 16 at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge, a primary CBP officer’s inspection of a red 1998 Ford Explorer resulted in the vehicle and its driver, a man identified as a 26-year-old United States citizen who resides in Brownsville, Texas, being referred to CBP secondary for further examination. At secondary, CBP officers discovered hidden packages within the tires of the Ford Explorer. CBP officers removed a total of 16 bricks of alleged marijuana from the vehicle with a combined total weight of 53.16 kilograms (117.2 pounds) of alleged marijuana.

The alleged marijuana from this seizure has an estimated street value of approximately $117,200.


The second case also occurred on January 16 at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge. In this case, a primary CBP officer referred a 2006 Mercury Mountaineer driven by a 27-year-old female U. S. citizen who resides in Brownsville, Texas, for a secondary examination. At secondary, CBP officers used their high-tech tools and discovered hidden packages within the floor of the Mercury Mountaineer. CBP officers removed a total of six packages of alleged cocaine from the vehicle with a combined total weight of 6.65 kilograms (14.7 pounds) of alleged cocaine.


The alleged cocaine from this seizure has an estimated street value of approximately $470,400.


In a third case, CBP officers at the Gateway International Bridge on Monday, January 17 intercepted a man on a bicycle carrying a box with five 1.2 liter bottles of beer. He was identified as a 46-year-old Mexico citizen who resides in Brownsville, Texas.


A primary inspection of the bottles revealed discrepancies in the liquid within the bottles. The man was escorted to CBP secondary for further examination. In secondary, CBP officers tested the contents in the bottles which resulted in all five bottles containing alleged liquid methamphetamine. The street value of the alleged liquid methamphetamine would vary depending upon various factors including final weight and purity following laboratory analysis.

In all three cases CBP officers seized the narcotics, vehicles and the bicycle and turned the drivers over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) special agents for further investigation.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/local/01182011_7.xml
Added on 21/01/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Over 100 kilos of dope found in Dutch car
Over 100 kilos of dope found in Dutch car
Over 100 kilos of dope found in car
Published: 20 Jan 11 11:41 CET
German customs officials have announced the discovery of over 100 kilogrammes of hashish and marijuana worth an estimated €620,000 in a car parked at a rest stop near Hannover.

A 42-year-old man from the Netherlands was taken into custody after officers found the enormous stash of drugs in the boot of his vehicle on Monday, according to a statement from the customs office.

The bust netted 98 kilos of hashish and 17 kilos of marijuana following a routine inspection in a parking lot off the A2 motorway between Rehren and Lauenau.

"Customs officials were astonished as they unpacked box after box of narcotics wrapped in plastic foil stuffed in the boot of the vehicle," customs spokesman Christian Wenk said in the statement.

The man's expensive car was impounded while prosecutors continue their investigation into the sensational drug bust.

http://www.thelocal.de/society/20110120-32555.html
Added on 21/01/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Hong Kong Seizes Cocaine Bound for Mainland
Hong Kong Seizes Cocaine Bound for Mainland
Hong Kong Seizes Cocaine Bound for Mainland
By KEITH BRADSHER
Published: January 19, 2011
HONG KONG — Hong Kong Customs announced on Wednesday that it had seized 640 pounds of high-grade cocaine concealed in two shipping containers that arrived from Chile and were scheduled for shipment to mainland China, the latest sign of what experts describe as China’s growing problem with recreational drug use.

China has struggled for years to prevent heroin from entering the country from Myanmar to the south, and sometimes by indirect routes from Pakistan and Afghanistan to the southwest. But experts said that other drugs are becoming a problem as well, although there had been limited evidence until now of large shipments from South America.

“There’s a lot of people with money, particularly in Guangzhou, Shanghai and Beijing, and the recreational drug use has increased,” said Stephen G. Vickers, a former top official in the Hong Kong police who is now the chairman of FTI-International Risk Ltd., a 150-person risk consulting firm based in Hong Kong. “The drug seizure is not a surprise, but the scale of it is.”

Customs officials said that the containers holding the cocaine were labeled as carrying “woodworking products.” Local officials had already stepped up scrutiny of shipments from South America and used drug-sniffing dogs and X-ray scanners to find the cocaine in 88 hollowed-out wood planks. Hong Kong Customs estimated the retail value of the cocaine at $33 million.

The drugs were discovered on Dec. 29, but no arrests have been made so far in Hong Kong or on the mainland, according to a Hong Kong Customs spokeswoman.

John Lee, the head of the Drug Investigation Bureau of the customs office , said in a statement that his staff would continue to work with mainland and overseas drug enforcement agencies.

China detains drug addicts at treatment centers and Human Rights Watch strongly criticized conditions at these centers in a report a year ago.

The seizure was the largest ever of cocaine by Hong Kong Customs, but not the largest ever in Hong Kong. The police found 820 pounds of cocaine of unclear origin on the roof of a three-story suburban house last April.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/20/world/asia/20drugs.html?_r=1

Hong Kong Customs smashes transnational drug trafficking case with seizure of about 290 kg of cocaine
**********************************************************

Hong Kong Customs detected a transnational cocaine trafficking case at Kwai Chung Container Terminal in late December 2010 and seized about 290 kilogrammes of high-grade cocaine, with an estimated value at about $260 million, in a container arriving from South America and destined for the Mainland.

To combat transnational cocaine trafficking activities, Hong Kong Customs, through risk assessment, stepped up inspections against suspicious consignments from South America for examination at Kwai Chung Container Terminal.

On December 29, 2010, Customs officers intercepted two containers declared to contain "wood working products" from a container vessel arriving from Chile, South America, for examination. Following inspection using the X-ray system and drug detector dogs, officers found a batch of cocaine in one of the containers concealed inside 88 pieces of hollowed-out wood planks.

Investigation is continuing. No arrest has been made so far.

The Head of Customs Drug Investigation Bureau, Mr John Lee, said today (January 19) at a press briefing, "Hong Kong Customs will continue to work closely with the Mainland and overseas drug enforcement agencies to combat transnational drug trafficking activities."

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, drug trafficking is a serious offence and the maximum penalty is life imprisonment and a fine of $5 million.



Ends/Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Issued at HKT 17:04
http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201101/19/P201101190247.htm
Added on 20/01/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Customs drugsdogs find cocaine in a shipment of dogfood
Customs drugsdogs find cocaine in a shipment of dogfood
Customs drugsdogs find cocaine in a shipment of dogfood

Customs in Rotterdam found 10 kgs cocaine instead of dogfood in bags inside a parcel supposed to contain dogfood. The container came from Curacao.
Added on 20/01/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
(update) HK seizes biggest cocaine haul worth over US$33m
(update) HK seizes biggest cocaine haul worth over US$33m
Update because of the country of origin Bolivia. In the official press release only Chile was mentioned as country where the vessel came from.


HK seizes biggest cocaine haul worth over US$33m
By Roland Lim | Posted: 19 January 2011 2200 hrs

HONG KONG : Hong Kong customs officials have made their biggest cocaine bust in the territory, with a street value worth more than US$33 million.

Officials had been on heightened alert after noticing a rising trend in drugs being smuggled into the territory.

Under 'Operation Rhino' in December last year, customs officers intercepted two containers declared as containing "wood products" from a container vessel arriving from Chile, South America.

An inspection revealed a haul of 290 kilogrammes of cocaine in one of the containers concealed inside 88 pieces of hollowed-out wood planks.

The container originated from Bolivia and was bound for a trading company in Qingyuan City in Guangdong province, China.

No one has been arrested in connection with the case.

John Lee, Head of Customs Drug Investigation Bureau, said: "In the year 2009, we seized from the months January to November altogether 44 kg of cocaine, as compared to the year 2010, we seized about 66 kg during the same period.

"So we saw that there's a rising trend of smuggling of cocaine into Hong Kong. So we put our focus in - apart from air cargo consignment, passengers, we also saw the need to take some action on container cargo."

The Customs Department said it will continue to work closely with the mainland and overseas drug enforcement agencies.

It is a major bust for Hong Kong Customs, comparable to the record haul of 370 kilogrammes back in April by the Hong Kong police. Officers discovered that stash while investigating a missing persons report in the New Territories.

Drug trafficking in Hong Kong carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of US$644,000.

- CNA/al
Added on 20/01/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Colombia police catch drug-smuggling pigeon
Colombia police catch drug-smuggling pigeon
Colombian police say they have captured a carrier pigeon that was being used to smuggle drugs into a prison.
The bird was trying to fly into a jail in the north-eastern city of Bucaramanga with marijuana and cocaine paste strapped to its back, but did not make it.
Police believe the 45g (1.6 ounce) drug package was too heavy for it.
The bird is now being cared for by the local ecological police unit, officers said.
"We found the bird about a block away from the prison trying to fly over with a package, but due to the excess weight it could not accomplish its mission," said Bucaramanga police commander Jose Angel Mendoza.
"This is a new case of criminal ingenuity."
The pigeon is thought to have been trained by inmates or their accomplices.
Police said carrier pigeons had been used in the past to smuggle mobile phone Sim cards into the jail.
Added on 19/01/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Venezuela Arrests Drug Traffickers Wanted by Interpol
Venezuela Arrests Drug Traffickers Wanted by Interpol
Venezuela Arrests Drug Traffickers Wanted by Interpol

CARACAS – Venezuelan authorities arrested three drug traffickers – a Colombian, a Dutch citizen and a Canadian – all of whom had “red alerts” issued for them by Interpol, and they will be expelled from the country in the coming days, Interior Minister Tareck el Aissami said on Sunday.

The arrests, which were made last week, reflect “the unshakable resolution of the Venezuelan government to fight drug trafficking and the criminal organizations dedicated to that criminal trade,” the interior minister said.

Gloria Rojas, a 56-year-old Colombian citizen wanted by a court in New York for “importation of controlled substances, in this case cocaine,” was arrested in Caracas on Jan. 12, El Aissami said.

Rojas represented Mexico’s Los Zetas drug cartel and was the girlfriend of Colombian Luis Frank Tello, a member of the criminal organization who was turned over to the United States in June 2010 after being arrested in Caracas, the interior minister said.

Robert Stead, a Canadian national accused in his country of sending heroin to the United States, Canada and Europe, was arrested on the Venezuelan island of Margarita on Jan. 13, El Aissami said.

Anton Herbam Merk, a 61-year-old Dutch citizen wanted in his country for “links to different Colombian criminal organizations and for the crime of trafficking narcotics and psychotropic substances,” was arrested on Jan. 14, the interior minister said.

The Dutchman trafficked cocaine, heroin and other drugs to Europe and is accused in Colombia of sending drugs by ship from Venezuela to Amsterdam, El Aissami said.

The suspect is being investigated in The Netherlands for the shipment of 2,000 kilos of cocaine in a private plane from Colombia to Belgium, the interior minister said.

Venezuelan authorities arrested and expelled 17 foreign drug traffickers wanted by Interpol in 2010.

http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=384170&CategoryId=10717
Added on 18/01/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Cocaine stash allegedly dropped off by passing ship
Cocaine stash allegedly dropped off by passing ship
Cocaine stash allegedly dropped off by passing ship
Published in: Legalbrief Today
Date: Mon 17 January 2011
Category: In Court
Issue No: 2717




A huge cocaine shipment worth billions was probably fetched from a passing cargo ship off the Knysna coast, says a Cape Times report.

The first evidence about SA's biggest cocaine bust came to light in Friday's bail hearing for three Chinese men arrested in Knysna. The men claimed in the hearing they were on holiday when police found more than one-and-a-half tons of the drug on a boat moored outside a flat they were renting on the Knysna Waterfront. Applying for bail in the Knysna Regional Court, the three accused claimed they were offered the use of the flat by a friend. Police found 1 716kg of uncut cocaine compressed into 57 bricks on the Toledo cabin cruiser. The report notes the wholesale value of the drug haul has been set at R515m, but once diluted with other substances it would have fetched billions on the streets.


http://www.legalbrief.co.za/article.php?story=20110117075810712

Capetonians not main players in botched coke deal

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

TWO Cape Town marine engineers arrested in South Africa’s biggest ever cocaine bust were last week granted bail of R10 000 each in the Knysna Regional Court.
Magistrate Byron Pedro granted bail to Beverly Jones, 47, of Grassy Park, and Mogamat Adams, 41, of Lotus River, saying neither man posed a flight risk.
Jones and Adams were arrested along with three Asian men after police found about 1600kg of pure cocaine on a 45-foot cabin cruiser moored at the Knysna Waterfront on December 10.
Pedro said it appeared as if Jones and Adams were not the key players in the drug smuggling ring and neither man had a criminal record. Both men had lived in the Cape Peninsula area their entire lives and neither could afford to forfeit bail if they absconded, Pedro said.
The Asian suspects are still in custody. They are Yuwei You, 30, from Hong Kong, and Chen Cuo, 57, and Zhi Liu, 51, both Chinese nationals living in Edenvale, Johannesburg.
Police have placed a street value on the haul at around R450-million, but once “cut” or diluted the cocaine could have been sold for billions of rands to end users. Prosecutor MP Heyns told the court the value “depends on how one does the sum”, but the street value was not usually quoted in court.
Jones is a married father of two who owns a marine engineering firm in Cape Town. His wife Denise earlier told CXPRESS that he and Adams, a divorced father of four, had been called to Mossel Bay to fix an engine problem on the cabin cruiser. She said her husband had regularly worked on the boat before it was sold to Chinese businessmen.
Heyns conceded that the two Capetonians were apparently not the main players. “We are still investigating but it appears at this stage as if the accused accompanied other gentlemen, some of them charged and some not charged in this case. The boat left Knysna on December 5 and came back on December 10 and it appears they were part of the crew when the drugs were delivered into Knysna.
“There are bigger players than them and we are investigating who they are. There is no way they would have been able to organise the whole do and bring the cocaine here from where it was shipped,” Heyns said.
Strict bail conditions were ordered. The two men may not leave the Cape Peninsula or even go within 2km of Cape Town Airport without permission.
http://www.cxpress.co.za/showArticle.asp?aid=6267

Five in court after record coke bust
December 24 2010 at 12:05pm


DAILY VOICE

This is the boat on which police found 1600kg of cocaine, some of which can be seen stacked on the quayside after the bust.

Five men, including two Capetonians, appeared briefly in the Knysna Magistrate’s Court on Thursday in connection with what local police have now confirmed is the biggest cocaine bust in South African history.

The men were arrested two weeks ago after southern Cape police found about 1600kg of pure cocaine stashed in a cabin cruiser moored at the Knysna Waterfront. The haul has been valued at R420 million.

Southern Cape police spokesman Captain Malcolm Pojie said on Thursday: “It’s been confirmed as the biggest drug bust in South Africa.”


The accused are Yuwei You, 30, from Hong Kong, Chen Cuo, 57, and Zhi Liu, 51, both apparently Chinese but living in Johannesburg, and Capetonians Beverley Jones, 47, and Mogamat Adams, 41.

The five, held in custody since their arrest, will remain incarcerated over the festive season, with a bail application expected early in 2011. An exact date is yet to be set.

Prosecutor MP Heyns told the court that advocate Anthony Broadway of London, appointed to defend the three Asian men, had been held up in the air travel congestion caused by the foul weather besieging Europe.

Advocate Faried Stemmet - who’s also the mayor of Eden District - appeared for Adams and Jones and stood in for Broadway at Thursday’s brief hearing. Heyns said the court also had to find a Cantonese interpreter before the legal process could continue.

The massive bust followed a tip-off to police, who found the men at an upmarket Waterfront flat they were renting opposite where the cruiser was moored. Police initially found 48 bags of cocaine compressed into solid bricks and a subsequent more thorough search revealed another nine bags, each containing about 30kg of the drug. Pojie said the R1.5-million cabin cruiser had been confiscated and would be moved to either Mossel Bay or Cape Town for further forensic investigation.

The suspects are being held at an unnamed location for security reasons. The cocaine has been moved and stored at a secret location. Pojie said the bust was linked to international syndicate activity. The Hawks were investigating and further arrests could follow. The cocaine could have fetched about R8 billion on the streets. - Cape Times.

http://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/western-cape/five-in-court-after-record-coke-bust-1.1004981

***********************************************************************
Added on 18/01/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Colombian cocaine trafficking plan for flight to Belgium
Colombian cocaine trafficking plan for flight to Belgium
Colombian cocaine trafficking plan for flight to Belgium


January 14, 2011 - National Office

Colombian drug traffickers in 2010 had the plan to take a big airliner to smuggle 2000 kilo of cocaine to Western Europe. The plan was well advanced. The destination of the drugs with an airplane DC-8 could have an airport in Belgium.

The plan, which is not known is run, emerged in a study by the National Crime Squad. This research on major international cocaine trafficking Monday and Tuesday led to the arrest of four men and two women in Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Maastricht.

The suspects are believed involved in the smuggling of two discoverd sports bags with 56 kilos of cocaine in October last year in the port of Antwerp. The bags of drugs were hidden in a container with pineapples from South America.

In the study by the National Criminal Investigation Service of the National Police (National Police Agency) is performed in close collaboration with the Belgian Federal Judicial Police, in November 2010 a party of 112.5 kilograms of cocaine intercepted. In addition, four suspects were arrested.

The suspects were arrested this week are now brought before the judge in Rotterdam. In search of their homes was seized mobile phones, laptops, USB sticks, administration and two pulse weapons.
Added on 17/01/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
NDLEA uncovers cocaine at Lagos port
NDLEA uncovers cocaine at Lagos port
Kelvin Osa-Okunbo
14/01/2011

A LARGE consignment of concentrated cocaine has been uncovered by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Tin Can Island Port, Lagos.

The discovery was made with the assistance of the United States Drug Administration (USDEA) during the examination of a 20-feet container from Bolivia.

The cocaine was concealed in 25 packs of floor tiles.

One hundred parcels, weighing 110kilogrammes, with an estimated street value of N1.1 billion, were found in the container.

NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Alhaji Ahmadu Giade thanked the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) for its support during the operation.

Giade, who described the seizure as a positive start this year, praised the USDEA for supplying the intelligence report which led to the discovery.

He said: "This is a good start for the agency. Drug barons do not need any other warning that the clime is unsafe for their criminal act. I appreciate the role of the USDEA and the Nigerian Customs Service.

"This spirit of cooperation is good for our collective security interest."

The NDLEA chief said the suspected importer was being interrogated by narcotic detectives.

Giade said: "This search operation is a continuation of an undercover work that commenced since November.

"Investigation is in progress. Already, the suspected consignee is being interrogated and more arrests are in the offing. Together we shall make the country drug-free as no drug baron will go unpunished."

http://thenationonlineng.net/web3/news/24634.html

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/another-cocaine-haul-uncovered-in-lagos-port/84830/
Added on 17/01/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Sailor gets 10 years in cocaine smuggling
Sailor gets 10 years in cocaine smuggling
Sailor gets 10 years in cocaine smuggling
By DALE LEZON HOUSTON CHRONICLE
Jan. 14, 2011, 8:36AM
An El Salvadorian man was sent to federal prison earlier this week for his role in trying to smuggle cocaine into Houston aboard a cargo ship that docked at the Ship Channel last year, federal officials announced Thursday.

Edwin Quintanilla, 41, an El Salvadorian citizen and legal permanent resident of the United States, was sentenced Jan. 11 to 10 years and 1 month in prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms (11 pounds) of cocaine, federal officials said.

Federal officials said Quintanilla was among three men convicted in the smuggling operation. He was arrested April 18, 2010 along with Ricardo Castillo, 46, a Colombian citizen and legal permanent resident of the U.S., and Filipino Eduardo Villar, 40.

The trio was indicted May 17.

Villar, who pleaded guilty and testified against his co-defendants, was sentenced on Nov. 19, to time served and was deported to the Philippines. Quintanilla and Castillo were convicted Aug. 27. Castillo was sentenced Nov. 29 to 12 years and seven months in federal prison.

Federal officials said Villar was a crewman aboard the cargo ship "Stolt Basutto" when he told the captain that a man known to him only as "Calvo" brought 33 pounds of cocaine aboard in Colombia.

Villar said that Calvo asked him to deliver the cocaine to someone named "Flaco" when the ship docked in Houston, federal officials said. He would be paid $10,000 upon delivery.

The ship's captain contacted U.S. authorities about the plan.

Agents with the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection and the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement boarded the ship when it reached Galveston Bay, arrested Villar and confiscated the cocaine, federal officials said.

Federal officials said Villar cooperated with authorities in a sting to catch the others. He called the phone numbers he had been given to contact the person who was to receive the cocaine in Houston.

The phone calls resulted in Villar meeting Quintanilla at a WalMart in Pasadena to exchange the cocaine for the money that Villar had been promised if he made the delivery, federal officials said.

Quintanilla only had $7,500, but Villar demanded $10,000.

Federal officials said Quintanilla then made several phone calls, met with Castillo and returned to Villar and gave him $9,800.

Villar gave Quintanilla a suitcase that contained two backpacks which held the cocaine, federal officials said.

Federal agents then arrested Quintanilla and Castillo. Federal officials said a cell phone found on Castillo was the phone Villar had called to arrange the drug delivery.

dale.lezon@chron.com

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7381446.html
Added on 17/01/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
The National Police and the Tax Office discovered an innovative method of concealing the drug
The National Police and the Tax Office discovered an innovative method of concealing the drug
The National Police and the Tax Office discovered an innovative method of concealing the drug

Intercepted a shipment of plantains stuffed with cocaine

Hidden in a shipment of real fruit were plastic imitations, endowed with great similarity, which contained a total of 162 kilos of narcotics inside

The leader of the drug, has been arrested with three others, traveled to the jungles of Colombia to prepare the drug delivery

Real bananas and fake parts containing the drugs were shipped from Ecuador, sea, bound for Puerto de Algeciras

In another operation conducted in Barcelona has involved half a kilo of cocaine camouflaged by another striking case: in the ten punches metal handle

13-Jan-2011 .- An operation of the National Police and the Inland Revenue has allowed the seizure of 162 kilograms of cocaine hidden by an unpublished procedure inside plastic bananas. In fact, imitation with the drug, similar to the actual pieces, were concealed among a shipment of real fruit. Four people have been arrested, including the alleged ringleader, who personally traveled to the Colombian jungle to prepare the shipment. Real bananas and fake parts containing the drug were shipped from Ecuador, sea, bound for the Port of Algeciras.

The operation began in early 2010 after locating in the Costa del Sol to several members of a drug gang that trafficked in large consignments of cocaine in the towns of Malaga, Benalmádena, Torremolinos, Fuengirola and Marbella. Since the beginning of the investigation was established linking these people with two businessmen from Madrid who allegedly facilitated the necessary infrastructure for the introduction of the narcotic substance in our country.

Related to the main agents responsible for the group, based in Benalmádena, with both employers. In addition, they found that this individual was responsible for maintaining direct contacts with the Colombian cartels. Contacts that led him to move into the Colombian jungle to personally oversee the quality and quantity, and delivery of cocaine.

Unpublished stealth system

The investigation sent at least ten containers loaded test mode only legal goods. Through the research of the National Police and the Tax Office could find that had completed the details to make a new post that on this occasion, hide an important part of drug.

Finally, the container with the illegal shipment arrived at the port of Algeciras from Guayaquil. Inside of twenty tons of plantains, were found 162 kilos of cocaine had been concealed with unprecedented stealth system. Drug traffickers in an attempt to circumvent the roadblocks to a possible inspection, plastic bananas filled with narcotic and distributed real fruit pieces in boxes of different pallets. After the cocaine involved proceeded to the arrest of the leading researchers in Madrid (3) and in the town of Benalmadena Malaga.

The transaction, which remains open, was conducted by agents of the Drug Unit and Organized Crime (UDYCO) of the Commissioner of Marbella and tax.

Another new stealth system detected in Barcelona

On the other hand, in another action carried out by agents of the police station of Mataró in Barcelona have been seized half a kilo of high purity cocaine hidden in the metal handle ten punches. The complexity of the novel method of concealment used at this time necessitated the collaboration of a metal to discover the hideout used by drug traffickers. Once open the handles of the utensils were located inside a substance pressed white powder that turned out to be half a kilo of narcotics. On these facts the agents have arrested a person who imported the drugs from South America, the "cut"-adulterated-at home and then distributed to consumers in different localities of the Maresme.

Drogenhändler schmuggeln Kokain in Plastikbananen
13.01.2011
Ungewöhnlicher Drogenfund in Spanien: In einer Schiffsladung aus Ecuador entdeckten Fahnder 162 Kilogramm Kokain - versteckt in Plastikbananen. Allerdings ließen die Kopien zu wünschen übrig.

Madrid - Im Hafen der südspanischen Stadt Algeciras beschlagnahmten Ermittler eine große Menge Rauschgift. In einer Schiffsladung aus Ecuador entdeckten Fahnder 162 Kilogramm Kokain - versteckt in grünen Plastikbananen. Die künstlichen Früchte waren ebenso wie die echten in Kisten verpackt und sollen Bananen zum Verwechseln ähnlich gewesen sein. Auf Fotos sehen die Plastikfrüchte jedoch alles andere als echt aus.

Vier Verdächtige wurden festgenommen, darunter der mutmaßliche Chef des Drogenhändlerrings, wie das spanische Innenministerium am Donnerstag mitteilte. Die Drogen kamen demnach aus der ecuadorianischen Millionenstadt Guayaquil.

Wegen der Nähe zu Marokko - einer Hauptquelle für Haschisch - und der engen Verbindungen zu den ehemaligen spanischen Kolonien in Lateinamerika gilt Spanien in Europa als ein Haupteinfallstor für Drogen.

siu/AFP

http://www.spiegel.de/panorama/justiz/0,1518,739366,00.html

Video: http://www.policia.es/videos/wmv/20110113_1.wmv

La Policía Nacional y la Agencia Tributaria descubren un método inédito de ocultación de los narcotraficantes

Interceptado un cargamento de plátanos rellenos de cocaína

Escondidas entre un envío de fruta real se encontraban imitaciones de plástico, dotadas de gran similitud, que contenían un total de 162 kilos de estupefaciente en su interior

El líder de la organización de narcotraficantes, que ha sido detenido junto a otras tres personas, viajó a la selva colombiana para preparar el envío de la droga

Los plátanos reales y las piezas falsas que contenían la droga fueron enviadas desde Ecuador, vía marítima, con destino al Puerto de Algeciras

En otra operación desarrollada en Barcelona se ha intervenido medio kilo de cocaína camuflado mediante otro sorprendente procedimiento: en el mango de diez punzones metálicos

13-enero-2011.- Una operación de la Policía Nacional y de la Agencia Tributaria ha permitido la incautación de 162 kilogramos de cocaína ocultos mediante un inédito procedimiento en el interior de plátanos de plástico. De hecho, las imitaciones con la droga, muy similares a las piezas reales, se encontraban disimuladas entre un cargamento de fruta auténtica. Han sido detenidas cuatro personas, entre ellas el presunto líder de la organización, quien viajó personalmente a la selva colombiana para preparar el envío. Los plátanos reales y las piezas falsas que contenían el estupefaciente fueron enviadas desde Ecuador, vía marítima, con destino al Puerto de Algeciras.

La operación se inició a principios de 2010 tras localizar en la Costa del Sol a varios miembros de un grupo de narcotraficantes que traficaban con grandes partidas de cocaína en las localidades malagueñas de Benalmádena, Torremolinos, Fuengirola y Marbella. Desde el principio de la investigación se estableció la vinculación de estas personas con dos empresarios de Madrid quienes, presuntamente, facilitaban la infraestructura necesaria para la introducción de la sustancia estupefaciente en nuestro país.

Los agentes relacionaron al principal responsable del grupo, asentado en Benalmádena, con ambos empresarios. Además, averiguaron que este individuo era el responsable de mantener los contactos directos con los carteles colombianos. Contactos que le llevaron a desplazarse al interior de la selva colombiana para supervisar personalmente la cantidad y calidad, así como el envío de la cocaína.

Inédito sistema de ocultación

Los investigados remitieron al menos diez contenedores a modo de prueba cargados únicamente con mercancía legal. Gracias a las investigaciones de la Policía Nacional y la Agencia Tributaria se pudo averiguar que habían ultimado los detalles para efectuar un nuevo envío que, en esta ocasión, ocultaría una importante partida de droga.

Finalmente, el contenedor con el cargamento ilícito llegó al Puerto de Algeciras procedente de Guayaquil. En su interior, entre veinte toneladas de plátanos macho, se localizaron 162 kilos de cocaína que habían sido disimulados con un inédito sistema de ocultación. Los narcotraficantes, para tratar de burlar los controles policiales ante una eventual inspección, rellenaron plátanos de plástico con la sustancia estupefaciente y los distribuyeron entre las piezas de fruta auténticas en cajas de diferentes palés. Tras intervenir la cocaína se procedió a la detención de los principales investigados en Madrid (3) y en la localidad malagueña de Benalmádena.

La operación, que continúa abierta, ha sido realizada por agentes de la Unidad de Drogas y Crimen Organizado (UDYCO) de la Comisaría de Marbella y la Agencia Tributaria.

Otro novedoso sistema de ocultación detectado en Barcelona

Por otro lado, en otra actuación llevada a cabo por agentes de la Comisaría de Mataró se han intervenido en Barcelona medio kilo de cocaína de gran pureza camuflada en el mango de diez punzones metálicos. La complejidad del novedoso método de ocultación empleado en esta ocasión hizo necesaria la colaboración de un metalista para descubrir el escondite empleado por los narcotraficantes. Una vez abiertas las empuñaduras de los utensilios se localizó en su interior una sustancia pulverulenta prensada de color blanco, que resultó ser medio kilo de estupefaciente. Por estos hechos los agentes han arrestado a una persona que importaba la droga desde Sudamérica, la “cortaba” –adulteraba- en su domicilio y posteriormente distribuía a consumidores de diferentes localidades del Maresme.

http://www.policia.es/prensa/20110113_2.html
Added on 14/01/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
National Police involved half a kilo of high purity cocaine hidden in the handle of metal punches
National Police involved half a kilo of high purity cocaine hidden in the handle of metal punches
National Police involved half a kilo of high purity cocaine hidden in the handle of metal punches
She has been detained a person who imported the drugs from South America, the "cut" at home and then distributed to consumers in different parts of Maresme

13-Jan-2011 .- Agents of the National Police in Barcelona have spoken half a kilo of high purity cocaine hidden in the handle of metal punches. The complexity of the method of concealment used necessitated the collaboration of a metal to discover the new hideout used by drug traffickers. She has been detained a person who imported the drugs from South America, the "cut"-adulterated-at home and then distributed to consumers in different localities of the Maresme.

The operation began in different information obtained by the Local Brigade of the Judicial Police Station Mataró (Barcelona) relating to an individual who was dealing with drug trafficking in that region of Catalonia.

Unpublished method of concealment

Once located, the suspected drug dealer was arrested in the city of Barcelona. Carrying a cardboard box containing ten small stainless steel punches, apparently solid, employees in carpentry of wood. At the incongruity of his contradictory statements in reference to the origin, destination and property of those tools, he was taken into custody. Once open the handles of tools, with the help of a metal, was located inside a substance pressed white powder, which turned out be a half kilo of cocaine of high purity.

Then we proceeded to the registration of his home in the town of Arenys de Mar, which involved precision digital scales, different types of jars for the "cut" of drugs, different tools and cash.

The research was carried out by officers from the Judicial Police Local Police Station Mataró (Barcelona). The detainee was brought before the appropriate judicial authority, who issued an order for imprisonment.

La Policía Nacional interviene medio kilo de cocaína de gran pureza camuflada en el mango de punzones metálicos
Ha sido detenida una persona que importaba la droga desde Sudamérica, la “cortaba” en su domicilio y posteriormente distribuía a consumidores de diferentes localidades del Maresme

13-enero-2011.- Agentes de la Policía Nacional han intervenido en Barcelona medio kilo de cocaína de gran pureza camuflada en el mango de punzones metálicos. La complejidad del método de ocultación empleado hizo necesaria la colaboración de un metalista para descubrir el novedoso escondite empleado por los narcotraficantes. Ha sido detenida una persona que importaba la droga desde Sudamérica, la “cortaba” –adulteraba- en su domicilio y posteriormente distribuía a consumidores de diferentes localidades del Maresme.

La operación tuvo su inicio en diferentes informaciones obtenidas por la Brigada Local de Policía Judicial de la Comisaría de Mataró (Barcelona) referentes a un individuo que se estaba dedicando al tráfico de estupefacientes en la citada comarca catalana.

Inédito método de ocultación

Una vez localizado, el presunto narcotraficante fue detenido en la ciudad de Barcelona. Portaba una caja de cartón de pequeñas dimensiones que contenía diez punzones de acero inoxidable, aparentemente macizos, de los empleados en carpintería de la madera. Ante la incongruencia de sus contradictorias manifestaciones en referencia al origen, destino y propiedad de las citadas herramientas, fue trasladado a dependencias policiales. Una vez abiertas las empuñaduras de los utensilios, con el auxilio de un metalista, se localizó en su interior una sustancia pulverulenta prensada de color blanco, que resultó tratarse de medio kilo de cocaína de gran pureza.

Posteriormente se procedió al registro de su domicilio, en la localidad de Arenys de Mar, donde se intervinieron básculas digitales de precisión, diferentes tipos de percusores para el “corte” de sustancias estupefacientes, utillaje diverso y dinero en efectivo.

La investigación ha sido desarrollada por agentes de la Brigada Local de Policía Judicial de la Comisaría de Mataró (Barcelona). El detenido fue puesto a disposición de la autoridad judicial correspondiente, quien dictó auto de ingreso en prisión.

http://www.policia.es/prensa/20110113_1.html

Video: http://www.policia.es/videos/wmv/20110113_2.wmv
Added on 14/01/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Six tons of marijuana found in a container in the port of Valencia
Six tons of marijuana found in a container in the port of Valencia
Six tons of marijuana found in a container in the port of Valencia

12/01/2011

Customs Enforcement Agency seized earlier this week about six tons of marijuana inside a container at the port of Valencia from Thailand. The drug, according to research, would be distributed throughout the European continent.

The officials, after reviewing the container, they found the cargo, partly compressed and partly in buds. During the operation there have been no arrests, although the operation is still open, as the newspaper ABC reported on its website.

http://www.veintepies.com/secciones/puerto_more.php?id=60622_0_13_0_M



Marijuana seized in the port was to be sent to the Netherlands

12-01-2011

The company was receiving Valencia, but the drug would be sold on the black market Dutch

DOMINGUEZ TERESA VALENCIA
The six tons of marijuana on Monday found the tax office in a container in the port of Valencia, as the exclusive advanced Levante-EMV, were destined, almost certainly the market of the Netherlands. As this newspaper has learned from all credit sources, although the company target of the drug is based in Valencia, there are serious suspicions that he was just a cover to give semblance of legality to import.
Once there, it is believed the traffickers would have managed his road to Holland, where he was distributed on the black market.
This is the first time that drug dealers use this method with marijuana, a drug that does not usually handle large-scale, reinforcing the view that the network was seeking a new route of entry of this drug in the Netherlands. In this country, are allowed both sale and consumption, but only in certain bars licensed.
According to sources consulted by this newspaper, one of six tons were pressed, and the other half in buds.

http://www.levante-emv.com/sucesos/2011/01/12/marihuana-confiscada-puerto-iba-enviada-paises-bajos/772935.html



Confiscan casi seis toneladas de marihuana en el puerto

Es el primer cargamento de esta droga que llega a Valencia a bordo de un buque mercante La Agencia Tributaria sospecha que iba a Europa

11-1-2011

TERESA DOMÍNGUEZ VALENCIA
Funcionarios de Aduanas de la Agencia Tributaria se incautaron ayer del primer gran cargamento de marihuana -cerca de seis toneladas- que llega a Valencia a bordo de un contenedor de barco, en lo que parece la apertura de una nueva vía de entrada de droga. Durante la operación desarrollada por la Dirección Adjunta de Vigilancia Aduanera (DAVA) no se han producido detenciones ni está previsto, de momento, que las haya, ya que todo apunta a que es un envío aislado y no se esperan nuevos cargamentos.
Según la información a la que ha tenido acceso Levante-EMV, el contenedor llegó a los muelles de descarga del recinto portuario valenciano a finales de la semana pasada y ayer fue inspeccionado bajo la tutela del Juzgado de Instrucción número 9 de Valencia, que se encontraba en funciones de guardia.
Los agentes de Aduanas revisaron la carga de manera aleatoria, como se hace diariamente con un elevado número de contenedores de los miles que se mueven en el puerto de Valencia.
El hallazgo de la droga ha sido comunicado al juzgado y a la Fiscalía Especial Antidroga, ya que supone toda una novedad en la introducción de esta droga en España.
Según ha podido saber este diario, la droga iba camuflada entre la carga legal declarada que iba dirigida a una empresa española y procedía de Tailandia.
Al tratarse de una cantidad tan elevada, los investigadores sospechan que los responsables de la importación iban a enviarle, posiblemente por carretera, a otros países de Europa. De todos modos, la investigación de Aduanas deberá determinar quiénes son los destinatarios finales de la mercancía y dónde iba a ser comercializada.

Un método reservado a la cocaína
Hasta ahora, la entrada de droga al por mayor a través del puerto estaba reservada, casi en exclusiva, a la cocaína. De hecho, Valencia continúa liderando las aprehensiones de este tipo de alijos detectados tanto en las revisiones diarias que realizan las unidades de análisis de Aduanas y la Guardia Civil, como a partir de las investigaciones de las distintas unidades antidroga.
De manera excepcional, sí se han descubierto cargamentos de hachís dentro de contenedores de buques mercantes. El 27 de diciembre de 2004, la policía nacional se incautaba del primero de ellos. Los narcos habían hecho llegar en un contenedor procedente de Marruecos seis toneladas de hachís empaquetado en cajas y oculto entre vasijas y sillas de forja. De hecho, la carga legal declarada eran objetos decorativos y mobiliario.
En esa ocasión, la policía detuvo a los receptores de la mercancía, dos empresarios de Cartagena, uno de los cuales tenía antecedentes por tráfico de drogas.

Seized nearly six tons of marijuana in the port
It is the first shipment of the drug that reaches Valencia on board a merchant vessel suspected of The Tax Office was going to Europe

11-1-2011

DOMINGUEZ TERESA VALENCIA
Customs officials seized the tax office yesterday the first large shipment of marijuana, nearly six tons, which arrives in Valencia on board a container ship, in what appears to open a new gateway drug. During the operation conducted by the Associate Director of Customs Surveillance (DAVA) there have been no arrests or planned, for now, that there are, because everything indicates that a shipment is isolated and does not expect new shipments.
According to the information they had access Levante-EMV, the container arrived at the loading docks of the port of Valencia late last week and yesterday was inspected under the supervision of the Court of Instruction No. 9, Valencia, which was on guard duty.
Customs agents searched the cargo at random, as is done daily with a large number of containers of the thousands who move in the port of Valencia.
The discovery of the drug has been brought to the court and the Special Narcotics Prosecutor, as it represents a novelty in the introduction of this drug in Spain.
Has been told this newspaper, the drug was camouflaged among the legitimate cargo declared it was addressed to a Spanish company and came from Thailand.
Being such a large amount, the researchers suspect that those responsible for the importation were to send, possibly by road to other countries in Europe. However, the investigation of Customs shall determine who are the recipients of the goods and where I was going to be sold.

A method cocaine reserved
So far, the flow of drugs wholesale through the port was reserved almost exclusively to cocaine. In fact, Valencia continues to lead the apprehensions of such caches detected in both daily checks carried out by units of analysis of Customs and the Guardia Civil, as from investigations of various anti-drug units.
Exceptionally, they have been discovered hashish shipments in containers of merchant ships. On December 27, 2004, the National Police seized the former. The traffickers had been sent in a container from Morocco six tons of hashish packed in boxes and hidden in pots and wrought iron chairs. In fact, the legal burden was declared decorative objects and furniture.
On that occasion, police arrested the recipient of the goods, two entrepreneurs from Cartagena, one of whom had a history of drug trafficking.

http://www.levante-emv.com/sucesos/2011/01/11/confiscan-seis-toneladas-marihuana-pu
Added on 13/01/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Detained three "drug dealers" who used air conditioners to transport large quantities of hashish
Detained three "drug dealers" who used air conditioners to transport large quantities of hashish
Detained three "drug dealers" who used air conditioners to transport large quantities of hashish

Wednesday January 12, 2011

The National Police has been involved half a tonne of opium and practiced two records

Drug stored in a warehouse in Alicante where the subsequently sent to UK
Those arrested protecting their criminal activities in a company whose business was alleged storage and wholesale of cooling systems and accessories

AgentsNational Policehave arrested three drug traffickers who used air conditioners to hide and transport large quantities of hashish. Those arrested, the drug stored in a warehouse in Alicante where the subsequently sent to the UK. In the operation have been carried out two records and involved half a tonne of opium.

The investigation began several months ago by UDYCO agents of the Judicial Police Brigade Provincial de Alicante, knowing of the existence of a group of "narcos" composed of citizens of British and Irish citizenship, dedicated to buying large consignments of hashish from North African citizens.

A front company to export the drug

The criminals created their arrival in Spain a company, located in the Circle of The Watchtowers of Alicante, as alleged was the storage business and wholesale systems and accessories for refrigeration, air conditioning and indoor and outdoor gardening.

This commercial was used as "cover" to draw in Spain drug hidden inside the air conditioning units and splits , which had previously removed the motor and electronics. This mode enables an ideal space for the transport of narcotic substances without arousing suspicion.

Half a ton of hashish hidden inside electronic equipment

After obtaining the identification of the main culprit, the researchers set up a device that achieved the arrest of three drug dealers when they were inside an industrial warehouse in the industrial area of The Watchtowers of Alicante. They seized 20 boxes, tightly packed, which contained air conditioners. After a thorough search researchers found inside approximately500 kgof hashish.

Those arrested have been released to the Magistrate's Court Guard Denia.

Detenidos tres “narcos” que utilizaban aparatos de aire acondicionado para transportar grandes cantidades de hachís

11-01-2011

La Policía Nacional ha intervenido media tonelada de este estupefaciente y practicado dos registros

Los arrestados amparaban sus actividades delictivas en una empresa cuya supuesta actividad comercial era el almacenaje y venta al por mayor de sistemas y complementos de refrigeración

Agentes de la Policía Nacional han detenido a tres narcotraficantes que utilizaban aparatos de aire acondicionado para ocultar y transportar grandes cantidades de hachís. Los arrestados, almacenaban la droga en una nave industrial de Alicante desde donde la enviaban posteriormente a Reino Unido. En la operación se han practicado dos registros e intervenido media tonelada de este estupefaciente.

La investigación se inició hace varios meses por agentes de la UDYCO de la Brigada Provincial de Policía Judicial de Alicante, al tener conocimiento de la existencia de un grupo de “narcos”, compuesto por ciudadanos de nacionalidad británica e irlandesa, dedicados a la compra de grandes partidas de hachís a ciudadanos magrebíes.

Una empresa tapadera para exportar la droga

Los delincuentes crearon a su llegada a España una empresa, ubicada en el Polígono de Las Atalayas de Alicante, cuya supuesta actividad comercial era el almacenaje y venta al por mayor de sistemas y complementos de refrigeración, aire acondicionado y jardinería interior y exterior.

Esta mercantil era utilizada como “tapadera” para sacar de España la droga oculta en el interior de los aparatos de aire acondicionado y splits, a los que previamente habían extraído el motor y elementos electrónicos. De este modo habilitaban un espacio idóneo para el transporte de las sustancias estupefacientes sin levantar sospechas.

Media tonelada de hachís oculta en el interior de aparatos electrónicos

Tras conseguir la identificación del principal responsable, los investigadores establecieron un dispositivo en el que lograron la detención de los tres narcotraficantes cuando se encontraban en el interior de una nave industrial en el Polígono de Las Atalayas de Alicante. Allí se incautaron de 20 cajas, perfectamente empaquetadas, que contenían aparatos de aire acondicionado. Tras un registro minucioso los investigadores localizaron en su interior aproximadamente 500 kilogramos de hachís.

Los arrestados, han sido puestos a disposición del Juzgado de Instrucción de Guardia de Denia.

http://www.policia.es/prensa/20110111_1.html
Added on 13/01/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
US. Border Patrol Discovers Marijuana Stashed in Tires
US. Border Patrol Discovers Marijuana Stashed in Tires
US. Border Patrol Discovers Marijuana Stashed in Tires

(Monday, January 10, 2011)



Pine Valley, Calif. - On Saturday, U.S. Border Patrol agents working at the Border Patrol checkpoint in Pine Valley arrested a 19-year-old male United States citizen from Calexico, Calif., for smuggling more than 140 pounds of marijuana concealed inside the tires of an SUV.

Agents encountered the man as he arrived to the checkpoint at about 6:45 a.m., driving a 1988 Nissan Pathfinder. As agents questioned the suspect, his inconsistent answers and nervous demeanor prompted agents to refer him to a secondary inspection area.

A Border Patrol K-9 team performed a cursory inspection of the Pathfinder, resulting in a positive alert to the rear of the vehicle. Agents inspected the vehicle’s interior and noticed a spare tire in the cargo area appeared to be heavier than normal.

Agents then utilized non-intrusive inspection technology which detected anomalies in the rear tires and the driver-side front tire, leading agents to inspect further. Agents opened four tires, including the spare and discovered that each held a round, metal enclosure containing bundles of marijuana.


Agents extracted a total of 24 bundles of marijuana, which had a weight of more than 142 pounds and an estimated street value of $71,000.


The suspected smuggler was arrested and turned over to a multi-agency, anti-drug task force, along with the narcotics. The Nissan Pathfinder was seized by the Border Patrol.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/local/01102011_2.xml
Added on 13/01/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Joint CBP, ICE Inspection Nets Cruise Ship Heroin, Cocaine
Joint CBP, ICE Inspection Nets Cruise Ship Heroin, Cocaine
Joint CBP, ICE Inspection Nets Cruise Ship Heroin, Cocaine
CBP K-9 Sniffs out Nearly $100k in Dangerous Drugs on Enchantment of the Seas

(Monday, January 10, 2011)



Baltimore – A U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) K-9, during a joint CBP and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations inspection, discovered more than two pounds of cocaine and heroin stored in a locker aboard the cruise ship Enchantment of the Seas in Baltimore on Saturday.

Bak, a narcotics detector dog, sniffed out two packages of heroin that weighed a combined one pound, eight ounces and a third package that contained more than 14 ounces of cocaine. Combined street value is estimated at about $94,000.

The narcotics were discovered in an equipment locker. No arrests were made.


“The recent drug arrests of cruise ship crewmen illustrate the measures nefarious narcotics networks will take to transport their deadly poison into the United States,” said CBP Baltimore Port Director Ricardo Scheller. “International passenger vessels are a prime target of opportunity. CBP remains committed to working with ICE and our other law enforcement partners to sniff out potential narcotics highways and to keep Americans safe.”


CBP routinely conducts K-9 enforcement inspections aboard passenger cruise ships as one deterrent to narcotics smuggling.


“CBP continues to work with cruise line security officers to implement security measures and to help identify high-risk crewmen and passengers,” Scheller said.


CBP identifies high-risk passengers and crewman similarly to how the agency identifies high-risk international airline passengers and crew. CBP conducts arrivals inspections of all landed citizens and non-citizens arriving from international destinations to enforce customs, immigration and agriculture laws.


Sometimes CBP discovers a passenger with an outstanding arrest warrant or who possesses illegal narcotics.


On Sunday, CBP officers fined a cruise ship Carnival Pride passenger a $500 Zero Tolerance penalty for possessing marijuana. The passenger paid the fine and was released.
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/local/01102011_4.xml
Added on 13/01/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Drug Runners
Drug Runners
Drug Runners

January 11th, 2011
Weeks after three Royal Caribbean employees were charged with trying to smuggle cocaine and heroin on board a Baltimore-bound cruise ship, officials found more drugs hidden on the same vessel.

More heroin and cocaine — worth around $94,000 — were found on Saturday in a locker in an area largely limited to employees of the luxury cruise ship Enchantment of the Seas, said Steve Sapp, a spokesman for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which carried out the inspection with immigration and customs officials.

The ship had returned that day from a 12-night trip to ports in the Caribbean, including Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and the British Virgin Islands, the cruise company said in a statement.

Less than a month ago, on Dec. 18, customs agents received a tip from the Enchantment’s security officer that one of the ship’s employees possessed drugs. Agents searched Gavin Excell, 35, when the ship docked in Baltimore, and found heroin and cocaine hidden in his waistband and shoes, according to an affidavit filed in federal court.

Two other cruise ship employees — John Swart Garth and Kishurn Neptune, both 27 — were also arrested, and the three face charges of conspiring to import drugs into the country.

That incident, Sapp said, led to greater scrutiny of the Enchantment, which travels between Baltimore and locations in the Caribbean.

“If we already encountered an incident where drugs were discovered on the ship, we’re more than likely going to take another look at the vessel further down the road,” Sapp said.

The drugs found Saturday were sniffed out by a dog trained to detect narcotics, and were found hidden in a room accessible to any of the ship’s hundreds of employees, Sapp said. No arrests have been made in connection with the latest find.

“It could be just about anybody,” Sapp said. “It would be really difficult for us to bring in everyone for an interview.”

The drugs were found wrapped in silver duct tape, similar in appearance to the packages of drugs found in December. While officials will not run checks on all of the cruise ship’s employees to determine who was responsible for the drugs, Sapp said the customs agency will help Royal Caribbean determine which employees fit the profile of someone likely to smuggle drugs.

“We know that there’s got to be someone on that crew who is bringing drugs on board for someone,” Sapp said. “They might be coming from a source nation, they might have relatives or relations with someone who may be involved in narcotics smuggling.”

Officials from Royal Caribbean said in a statement that the company is cooperating with the investigation and has a “strict zero tolerance policy regarding illegal drugs on its ships.”

The latest Baltimore drug find comes on the heels of a Jan. 4 search by customs officials of an MSC Cruises ship docked in Fort Lauderdale. In that case, officials found small quantities of prescription drugs, marijuana, LSD, and other drugs, according to a news report in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Last summer, President Barack Obama signed a law requiring cruise lines to report certain crimes occurring onboard their ships to federal authorities, as well as train some employees in evidence preservation and crime prevention.

The new provisions and recent drug finds indicate a greater federal emphasis on ensuring cruise lines are maintaining safety and operating legally, said Carolyn Spencer Brown, editor-in-chief of Cruise Critic, an industry publication.

“It does seem like there is a newly aggressive policy to really keep an eye on the cruise ships,” Brown said. The recent drug finds, she said, are “a black eye for the cruise industry and I will be very confident that the cruise lines are going to crack way down.

http://www.shiptalk.com/?p=7329
Added on 12/01/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Drug traffickers are targeting cruise liners, Soca says
Drug traffickers are targeting cruise liners, Soca says
Drug traffickers are targeting cruise liners, Soca says

7 January 2011 Last updated at 03:28 GMT

Drug traffickers are targeting cruise liners to smuggle cocaine from the Caribbean and South America to Europe, the Serious Organised Crime Agency and the UK Border Agency have warned.
They claim there is growing evidence criminals are placing drug couriers on board and attempting to corrupt crew.

Staff and travel agents have been given a list of tell-tale signs, they added.

The warning comes as four Bulgarians and four Lithuanians are due to be sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court.

UKBA officers found 35kg of cocaine sewn into body suits in cabins occupied by those being sentenced when they searched the MSC Orchestra - which had docked at Dover en-route to Amsterdam from Brazil - on 6 May 2010.

Soca and the UKBA said couriers placed on board by organised criminals have the potential to "smuggle multi-kilo loads of cocaine or heroin".

'Popular'
Soca executive director Brad Jones said: "Organised crime groups will always attempt to take advantage of legitimate business for their own ends, so Soca works closely with industry to restrict the opportunities available to them.

"By warning the cruise and travel industries of potential signs of criminal exploitation, we can stop ships from being an attractive form of ready-made transportation for drug traffickers ."

Cruises have become increasingly popular with UK holiday makers over recent years, now accounting for one-in-10 package holidays.

Advice offered to the industry includes paying close attention to passengers who book last minute and pay in cash.

Those that choose not to engage in on-board activity, or do not appear to fit in with the other passengers - such as younger passengers on a cruise targeted at the over-50s - should also be scrutinised, they said.

They have have also advised staff to be on the look out for crew who attempt to access areas of the ship not associated with their job.

In May 2010, two unemployed Spanish men were jailed for 12 years each following a failed attempt to smuggle 33kg of cocaine through Southampton.

Tanasu De Jesus Quevedo-Ojeda, 28, and Oliver Vidal Hernandez, 27, had boarded the Black Watch cruise liner in Peru and were due to remain with the ship as it travelled to the Canary Islands via Southampton.

They were arrested as they disembarked the ship at Southampton on 27 March.

The cocaine was concealed inside leggings worn beneath their trousers and they had been paid to deliver to the UK, Gran Canaria and Tenerife.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12126399
Added on 10/01/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Big cocaine haul at Barcelona airport
Big cocaine haul at Barcelona airport
Big cocaine haul at Barcelona airport

By m.p. - Jan 6, 2011 - 7:00 PM
The two pilots of the private medevac plane which transported the 900 kilos have been arrested

Civil Guard officers based at Barcelona’s El Prat Airport have seized almost one ton of cocaine from a private medevac plane which recently landed at the airport, on a flight from Cabo Verde.

The plane was found to be carrying a cargo of more than 900 kilos of cocaine, which is believed to have been loaded on board the aircraft in Cabo Verde itself. The plane is owned by the Argentinean company ‘Medical Jet’.

Three suspects have been taken into custody: the two pilots and a third person who was travelling with them on the flight.

It’s understood from the EFE news agency that both of the pilots are Argentinean and that one is one of the main shareholders in Medical Jet. He is named by the press in Argentina as Gustavo Juliá and his co-pilot as Gastón Miret.

Gustavo Juliá is the son of the former chief of the Argentinean Air Force, retired Brigadier José Juliá.
http://www.typicallyspanish.com/news/publish/article_28623.shtml?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+typicallyspanish%2FBbwu+%28Spanish+News%29

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Reports: Tonne of cocaine seized in Spain, 3 arrested

06-01-2011

Buenos Aires/Barcelona - Spanish authorities seized close to 1 tonne of cocaine in a raid in which three Argentinians, two of them pilots, were arrested, media from both countries reported Thursday.

The arrests took place Sunday at Barcelona's El Prat airport. Two pilots for the private-plane company Medical Jet were arrested when they landed carrying "more than 900 kilogrammes of cocaine of great purity," the Argentine daily Clarin said in its online edition.

The identity of the third suspect arrested remained unknown.

According to Clarin, one of the pilots arrested is the son of retired brigadier general Jose Julia, commander of the Argentine Air Force from 1989-93.

The plane, a Challenge 04 model used to fly medical transfers, had arrived in Barcelona from the Atlantic archipelago of Cape Verde.

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/news/361078,cocaine-seized-spain-arrested.html

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Pilots detained Argentine aircraft with 900 kilos of cocaine

Those arrested are sons of military officers linked to the Mafia and drug trafficking

S. GALLEGO-DIAZ - Buenos Aires - 07/01/2011

The Civil Guard has arrested at the airport of El Prat to the two pilots of an Argentine airline private medical transportation in the hold carrying a large shipment of 900 kilos of cocaine. The device, which flew for the company shuttle Argentina Jet Medical doctors, came to Barcelona a few days ago from Cape Verde, an archipelago off the African coast in which, by all indications, the plane carried the drug.

The flying apparatus for medical transportation company Medical Jet

Besides the two pilots, both national of Argentina, the armed agents have also arrested a third person who was on the plane and he has not transcended his identity. Both drivers are arrested Gustavo Julia, one of the main shareholders of the company, and co-driver Gaston Miret. Both are sons of two soldiers who occupied important positions for years in the Air Force in Argentina and who were also allegedly linked to criminal acts.

Gustavo Julia is the son of retired brigadier José Juliá, Air Force chief of Argentina from 1989 to 1993, during the presidency of the Peronist Carlos Menem, and Miret Gaston is the son of José Miret brigadier who served as Secretary of Planning during the terrible military dictatorship.

José Juliá was convened in 1998 to the anti-Mafia Commission of the Chamber of Deputies of Argentina for his alleged relationship with one of the biggest criminals in the recent history of Argentina, Alfredo Yabran. Congress was particularly interested in linking with a company Brig Julia Yabrán airport that had recognized as their own and from which many operations were performed mafia.

Yabrán, denounced even by some ministers as an "untouchable" during the Menem as head of government, with Syrian origins who shared, committed suicide with a bullet in the mouth in 1998 when he was to be arrested by police for the murder of photographer José Luis Cabezas. Many Argentines believe, however, is still alive and hiding, running their criminal enterprises.

Brig Julia, who died four years ago, was also investigated for alleged fraud in the social work of the retirees (PAMI), where he held an important position after his military retirement. The social work was taken over by the Peronist government of Nestor Kirchner also to end a scandal of theft and embezzlement.

Brigadier Jose Miret, Miret's father Gaston, co-pilot arrested in Barcelona by the Guardia Civil, was also related to the coup Paraguayan general Lino Oviedo, researched for years by the DEA (drugs police in the United States) for its possible links with narcotics trafficking.

Air Force spokesmen said yesterday Argentina to this day that neither Julia nor Gaston Gustavo Miret had obtained their drivers' title in his military academy.

Detenidos los pilotos de un avión argentino con 900 kilos de cocaína

Los arrestados son hijos de militares vinculados con la mafia y el narcotráfico

S. GALLEGO-DÍAZ - Buenos Aires - 07/01/2011

La Guardia Civil ha detenido en el aeropuerto de El Prat a los dos pilotos de un avión argentino de transporte médico privado en cuyas bodegas viajaba un gran cargamento de más de 900 kilos de cocaína. El aparato, que volaba para la compañía argentina de traslados médicos Medical Jet, llegó hace días a Barcelona procedente de Cabo Verde, archipiélago de la costa africana en el que, según todos los indicios, el avión cargó la droga.

El aparato volaba para la compañía de traslados médicos Medical Jet

Además de los dos pilotos, ambos de nacionalidad argentina, los agentes del instituto armado han arrestado también a una tercera persona que viajaba en el avión y de la que no ha trascendido su identidad. Los dos pilotos detenidos son Gustavo Juliá, uno de los principales accionistas de la compañía, y su copiloto Gastón Miret. Los dos son hijos de dos militares que ocuparon hace años relevantes cargos en la Fuerza Aérea argentina y que estuvieron también vinculados presuntamente a hechos delictivos.

Gustavo Juliá es hijo del brigadier retirado José Juliá, jefe de la Fuerza Aérea argentina de 1989 a 1993, durante la presidencia del peronista Carlos Menem, y Gaston Miret es hijo del también brigadier José Miret que ocupó el cargo de secretario de Planeamiento durante la terrible dictadura militar.

José Juliá fue convocado en 1998 ante la Comisión anti-mafia de la Cámara de los Diputados de Argentina por su presunta relación con uno de los mayores delincuentes de la historia reciente argentina, Alfredo Yabrán. El Congreso se interesó especialmente por la vinculación del brigadier Juliá con una empresa aeroportuaria que Yabrán había reconocido como suya y desde la que se realizaron numerosas operaciones mafiosas.

Yabrán, denunciado incluso por algunos ministros como un "intocable" durante la etapa de Menem al frente del Gobierno, con quien compartía orígenes sirios, se suicidó de un tiro en la boca en 1998 cuando iba a ser detenido por la policía por el asesinato del fotógrafo José Luis Cabezas. Muchos argentinos creen, sin embargo, que sigue vivo y escondido, dirigiendo sus negocios criminales.

El brigadier Juliá, que falleció hace cuatro años, fue también investigado por un presunto fraude en la obra social de los jubilados (PAMI), en la que ocupó un cargo importante tras su retiro militar. La obra social fue intervenida por el gobierno del también peronista Néstor Kirchner para poner fin a un verdadero escándalo de robo y desfalco.

El brigadier José Miret, padre de Gaston Miret, el copiloto detenido en Barcelona por la Guardia Civil, estuvo también relacionado con el general golpista paraguayo Lino Oviedo, investigado hace años por la DEA norteamericana (policía antidroga de los Estados Unidos) por su posible vinculación con el tráfico de narcóticos.

Portavoces de la Fuerza Aérea argentina aseguraron ayer a este diario que ni Gustavo Juliá ni Gastón Miret habían obtenido sus títulos de piloto en su academia militar.

http://www.elpais.com/articulo/espana/Detenidos/pilotos/avion/argentino/900/kilos/cocaina/elpepiesp/20110107elpepinac_12/Tes



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Dos pilotos argentinos detenidos en España con 800 kilos de cocaína

Fueron apresados por la Guardia Civil en el aeropuerto de Barcelona. Llevaban la droga en un avión sanitario.

06/01/2011

Dos pilotos argentinos fueron detenidos por la Guardia Civil en el aeropuerto de Barcelona, España, al arribar a esa estación aérea transportando 800 kilos de cocaína en un avión sanitario.

Así lo aseguraron desde España fuentes del caso consultadas por la agencia DyN, que precisaron que la captura se produjo "hace un par de días" en el aeropuerto "El Prat" de la capital de Cataluña.

La Guardia Civil, con jurisdicción en los aeropuertos de todo el país, emitiría esta tarde un comunicado sobre el caso, que tramita en la Justicia ibérica bajo secreto de sumario.

Según trascendió, aunque no se pudo confirmar, los detenidos supuestamente serían el piloto y copiloto de una aeronave Challenger 604, de la empresa de vuelos sanitarios Medical Jet.

Two Argentine pilots detained in Spain with 800 kilos of cocaine
Were arrested by the Guardia Civil at the airport in Barcelona. They had the drug on an airplane toilet.
06/01/2011
Two Argentine pilots were arrested by the Guardia Civil at the airport in Barcelona, Spain, to arrive at the air station carrying 800 kilos of cocaine in an airplane toilet.
This was secured from Spain Case sources consulted by the DyN agency, which stated that the capture took place "a couple of days" at the airport "El Prat" the capital of Catalonia.

La Guardia Civil, with jurisdiction over airports around the country, would issue a statement this afternoon about the case, being debated in the Iberian Justice under a gag order.

According to reports, but could not be confirmed, the prisoners were supposed to be the pilot and copilot of a Challenger 604 aircraft, the company medical flights Medical Jet



http://www.diaadia.com.ar/?q=content/dos-pilotos-argentinos-detenidos-en-espana-con-800-kilos-de-cocaina-0

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Tenían 900 kilos de cocaína en el avión

Tres ciudadanos argentinos fueron arrestados en España cuando aterrizaron un jet privado cargado con droga que traían desde África.

07/01/2011

El avión es de Medical Jet, una compañía aérea privada de traslado médico.

La Guardia Civil española detuvo a tres ciudadanos argentinos en el aeropuerto internacional de El Prat, en Barcelona, con un cargamento de 900 kilogramos de cocaína, al que transportaban desde Cabo Verde, país de la costa africana en el que habían embarcado la droga.

Dos de los detenidos son Gustavo Juliá, piloto del avión y principal accionista de Medical Jet, la compañía aérea privada de traslados médicos a la que pertenece la aeronave, y el copiloto, también argentino, Gastón Miret.

Una tercera persona, cuya identidad no ha sido revelada, también fue arrestada. El piloto es hijo del ex brigadier José Juliá, quien se desempeñó en la Fuerza Aérea Argentina en la época menemista.

El jet Challenge 04 pasó por la costa africana, que es un importante centro de distribución de droga que llega en barcos y a veces en aviones desde Colombia, y aterrizó en España el 2 de enero pasado, aunque la información se conoció recién ayer.

Se trata de una “gran operación”, de las mayores contra el narcotráfico, aseguró una alta fuente de la investigación. Agentes de la Guardia Civil española estaban esperando el avión, que aterrizó a las 15 hora local del domingo pasado, y de forma inmediata procedieron a efectuar las detenciones por orden del juzgado de instrucción de El Prat.

La investigación está a cargo de un juzgado penal de Barcelona, cuyo juez decretó el secreto de sumario. “Esta es una operación de alto vuelo y no puede trascender nada que ayude a los delincuentes”, señaló un funcionario.

En tanto, el consulado argentino de Barcelona ofreció a los detenidos asistencia consultar, pero estos la rechazaron.

El piloto. Juliá estuvo involucrado en la causa que se llevó adelante a mediados de 2003 para investigar el supuesto pago de coimas en el PAMI, donde se desempeñó como gerente Económico Financiero.

En ese entonces, Juliá afrontó denuncias por “cohecho, administración fraudulenta en perjuicio de la administración pública y negociaciones incompatibles con el ejercicio de la función pública”.

El coordinador del Movimiento de Argentinos en el Exterior, Luis Pérez Leira, se refirió a la situación y denunció que los dos detenidos en Barcelona podrían integrar una organización de narcotraficantes radicada en la Argentina.

They had 900 kilos of cocaine in the plane
Three Argentine nationals were arrested in Spain when he landed a private jet loaded with drug brought from Africa.
07/01/2011
The plane is Medical Jet, a private airline medical transportation.
The Spanish Civil Guard detained three Argentine citizens at the international airport of El Prat in Barcelona, with a cargo of 900 kilograms of cocaine, transporting from Cape Verde, a country on the African coast where they had shipped the drug.

Two of those arrested are Gustavo Juliá, airplane pilot and main shareholder of Medical Jet, the private airline medical shuttle that owns the aircraft and the passenger, also an Argentine, Gaston Miret.

A third person, whose identity was not released, was also arrested. The pilot is the son of former brigadier José Juliá, who served in the Air Force Argentina in the Menem era.

Challenge 04 The jet passed through the coast of Africa, which is a major drug distribution center ships arriving in and sometimes in aircraft from Colombia, and landed in Spain on 2 January, but information became known only yesterday.

This is a "big operation" of the largest drug trafficking, said a senior source in the investigation. Agents of the Spanish Civil Guard were waiting for the plane, which landed at 15 local time last Sunday, and immediately proceeded to make arrests on the orders of the magistrate court of El Prat.

The investigation is being conducted by a criminal court of Barcelona, where the judge imposed a gag. "This is a top-flight operation and can not transcend anything that helps the criminals," said an official.

Meanwhile, the Argentine consulate in Barcelona gave consular assistance to detainees, but they refused.

The pilot. Julia was involved in the cause which was carried out in mid-2003 to investigate the alleged payment of bribes in the PAMI, where he served as Managing Financial Officer.

At that time, Julia faced allegations of "corruption, mismanagement at the expense of public administration and negotiations are incompatible with the exercise of public office."

The coordinator of the Movement Argentinos Abroad, Luis Pérez Leira, referred to the situation and reported that the two arrested in Barcelona could make up a drug trafficking organization based in Argentina.
http://www.diaadia.com.ar/?q=content/tenian-900-kilos-de-cocaina-en-el-avion-0

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Meet Julia, stars of historical drug arrest in Spain

Gustavo, formerly of PAMI, and his brother were arrested with 900 kilos of cocaine. The military father had hired the jet Kirchner.

Julia's family is now complicated by moving 900 kilos of cocaine to Spain

06.01.2011 | 21:33

Julia is an Argentine name of Catalan origin and the fate of two members of that family was coincidental: Gustavo, formerly of the

PAMI driven by Nestor Kirchner , and his brother Ricardo were arrested at the airport in Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, 900 kilos of cocaine .

Aboard a private jet sanitary control of the firm that the same Julia, Medical Jet . His father, José Juliá, was brigadier and chief of the Air Force in '90, and then accused of corruption and to benefit the Postal powerful businessman Alfredo Yabran.

According to researchers from the Spanish Civil Guard, Gustavo Julia led the aircraft Challenger 604 patent 600 AM November along with another pilot, Gaston Miret, also the son of a brigadier. Ricardo Julia was also arrested, but the Iberian authorities did not provide his name for being the case under a gag order. There was a delayed fourth person who was aboard the private jet, but was released after it was determined that he had no connection whatsoever with the maneuver.

Perfil.com consulted the Association of Airline Pilots (APLA) and there is no record of Julia and Miret as pilots.

According to early versions, the Spanish Civil Guard had intelligence reports indicating that the Medical Jet aircraft arrived in Barcelona with the drug collected from the island of Cape Verde (Portugal).

On Sunday at 15, Spain (11 from Argentina) the ship landed and were immediately detained by order of a Julia Judge El Prat Airport. The route was El Palomar , Ezeiza, Cabo Verde and Barcelona . But the final destination was Madrid.

Tonight, the head of the Communications Department of the Guardia Civil de Catalunya, Alberto Garcia, said that "from tomorrow we will probably have instructions on the information you can provide, but for now we can not confirm" details of the case as DyN agency reported.

The drugs were transported in an airplane manufactured in the U.S. with which Jet Medical not only the sick or wounded transferred to provincial governments or social work, but also political . When I was a senator, the unionist Luis Barrionuevo was a regular customer of the firm. Asked by such luxuries, gourmet revealed that Nestor Kirchner had also hired during the 2003 campaign led the company to the 900 kilos of cocaine.

The aircraft has seating for seven people and a space for stretchers , so that they could spare the space Juliá to load the drugs.

The owner of Movement Argentinos Abroad, Luis Pérez Leira, estimated at Radio 10 that siblings Julia and Miret could form a "drug trafficking organization" based in Argentina. "It was a high level operation," he said. In fact, in Europe one gram of cocaine of high quality made in Colombia, Peru and Bolivia retails at 100 euros a gram . Result: Julia drug carried a 90 million sales price.

In the name of the father. In 2003, Gustavo Julia was investigated by the alleged payment of bribes in the PAMI, where he served as Managing Financial Officer until Néstor Kirchner social work intervened and threw it. Gustavo is a shareholder of Jet Medical SA and Federal Aviation SA , two companies that hired PAMI.

According could verify Perfil.com , the two companies are located in the same household, Hipólito Yrigoyen to 700 of the Capital, and the second signature is a customs broker "testimonial" inthe past three years, traded only 82,000 pesos.

Brigadier suspect. Juliá father occupied the headquarters of the Air Force between 1989 and 1993 , the first presidency of Carlos Menem . Then he said "friend" of Goonzález Erman, Minister of Economy during those years. His contacts were "high-flying" and Justice for illegal enrichment was investigated by: José Juliá was unable to explain how acquired p roperties and luxury cars.

Neither could justify why 20 years prorrogró a millionaire contract with Edcadassa, which controlled the tax warehouse in Ezeiza and drove Alfredo Yabrán by proxy.

In 1994, Julia created Federal Medical and Jet Aviation. Quickly signed contracts opulent with the Menem administration in Aeroparque. The transport of politicians and celebrities made the company take off. To change Sigli expanded the fleet and in 2007 he sold a private jet to the employer K Lazaro Baez.

Conozca a los Juliá, protagonistas del histórico arresto por drogas en España

Gustavo, ex funcionario de PAMI, y su hermano fueron apresados con 900 kilos de cocaína. El padre militar y el jet que habría contratado Kirchner.

06-01-2011

Juliá es un apellido argentino de origen catalán y el destino de dos miembros de esa familia fue coincidente: Gustavo, ex funcionario del PAMI echado por Néstor Kirchner, y su hermano Ricardo fueron detenidos en el aeropuerto de Barcelona, la capital de Cataluña, con 900 kilos de cocaína.

Viajaban a bordo de un jet privado de uso sanitario de la firma que controlan los mismo Juliá, Medical Jet. Su padre, José Juliá, fue brigadier y jefe de la Fuerza Aérea en los '90, y luego acusado de corrupción y de beneficiar al poderoso empresario postal Alfredo Yabrán.

Según los investigadores de la Guardia Civil española, Gustavo Juliá conducía la aeronave Challenger 604 patente November 600 AM junto a otro piloto, Gastón Miret, también hijo de un brigadier. Ricardo Juliá también fue apresado, pero las autoridades ibéricas no suministraron su nombre por estar la causa bajo secreto de sumario. Hubo una cuarta persona demorada que viajaba en el jet privado, pero fue liberada luego que se determinara que no tenía vinculación alguna con la maniobra.

Perfil.com consultó a la Asociación de Pilotos de Líneas Aéreas (APLA) y allí no hay registro alguno sobre Juliá ni Miret como pilotos.

Según las primeras versiones, la Guardia Civil española tenía informes de inteligencia que indicaban que el avión de Medical Jet llegaba a Barcelona con la droga recogida desde la Isla de Cabo Verde (Portugal).

El domingo a las 15 de España (11 de la Argentina) la nave aterrizó e inmediatmente fueron detenidos los Juliá por orden de un juez del Aeropuerto de El Prat. La ruta fue El Palomar, Ezeiza, Cabo Verde y Barcelona. Pero el destino final era Madrid.

Esta noche, el jefe del área de Comunicación de la Guardia Civil de Cataluña, Alberto García, dijo que "a partir de mañana probablemente tendremos instrucciones de la información que se pueda brindar, pero por el momento no podemos confirmar" detalles del caso, según informó la agencia DyN.

Los estupefacientes fueron transportados en una avión fabricado en Estados Unidos con el que Medical Jet no sólo trasladaba a enfermos o heridos para gobiernos provinciales u obras sociales, sino también a políticos. Cuando era senador, el gremialista Luis Barrionuevo era cliente habitual de la firma. Cuestionado por esos lujos, el gastronómico reveló que Néstor Kirchner también había contratado durante la campaña de 2003 a la empresa que llevó los 900 kilos de cocaína.

La aeronave tiene capacidad para siete personas y un espacio para camillas, de modo que a los Juliá les sobraba el espacio para cargar los estupefacientes.

El titular del Movimiento de Argentinos en el Exterior, Luis Pérez Leira, estimó en Radio 10 que los hermanos Juliá y Miret podrían integrar una "organización de narcotraficantes" con base en la Argentina. "Se trató de una operación de alto nivel", opinó. De hecho, en Europa un gramo de cocaína de alta calidad fabricada en Colombia, Perú o Bolivia se vende al público a 100 euros el gramo. Resultado: los Juliá cargaban una droga de 90 millones de euros a precio de venta.

En el nombre del padre. En 2003, Gustavo Juliá fue investigado por el supuesto pago de coimas en el PAMI, donde se desempeñó como gerente Económico Financiero hasta que Néstor Kirchner intervino la obra social y lo echó. Gustavo es accionista de Medical Jet S.A. y de Federal Aviation S.A, dos firmas que el PAMI contrataba.

Según pudo constatar Perfil.com, las dos empresas están radicadas en el mismo domicilio, Hipólito Yrigoyen al 700 de la Capital, y la segunda firma es una despachante de aduana "testimonial": enlos últimos tres años sólo comerció 82.000 pesos.

Brigadier bajo sospecha. Juliá padre ocupó la jefatura de la Fuerza Aérea entre 1989 y 1993, en la primera presidencia de Carlos Menem. Entonces se declaró "amigo" de Erman Goonzález, ministro de Economía en esos años. Sus contactos tuvieron "alto vuelo" y la Justicia lo investigó por enriquecimiento ilícito: José Juliá no supo explicar como adquirió propiedades y coches de lujo.

Tampoco pudo justificar porqué prorrogró durante 20 años un millonario contrato con la empresa Edcadassa, que controlaba el depósito fiscal en Ezeiza y que manejaba Alfredo Yabrán a través de testaferros.

En 1994, Juliá creó Medical Jet y Federal Aviation. Rápidamente suscribió contratos opulentos con la administración de Menem en Aeroparque. El transporte de políticos y famosos hizo que la empresa despegara. Para el cambio de siglio amplió la flota y en 2007 le vendió un avión privado al empresario K Lázaro Báez.

http://www.perfil.com/contenidos/2011/01/06/noticia_0025.html
Added on 10/01/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Seized more than 1,000 KILOS OF MARIJUANA IN CONCORD
Seized more than 1,000 KILOS OF MARIJUANA IN CONCORD
Seized more than 1,000 KILOS OF MARIJUANA IN CONCORD

05-1-2011

Gacetilla N ° 2816

AFIP, through the Office of Concordia, found the drug was transported in the false bottom of the chassis of a truck route from Paraguay to Uruguay, and was declared in transit, without charge, by Argentina.

The procedure is the result of the second day of execution of a plan to strengthen customs officers at border crossings ordered by the AFIP.

Another truck stopped not yet been reviewed

The approximate value of the drug is $ 3,000,000

Following the decision to strengthen controls and customs staff at border guards, the AFIP-through Customs Concordia
being inspected, at the moment, a truck coming from Paraguay were detected in more than 1,000 kilos of marijuana pressed bread. It remains to review another truck of the same company.

The drug, with an approximate value of 3 million pesos, was hidden in a false bottom of a semi from the city of Encarnación, Paraguay and Uruguay had a final destination. The truck had a 40 foot gap.

A Customs officers were struck by a semitrailer sector presented a different picture than the rest. You worked on previously established risk profiles by Customs and the active presence of the guide and the narcotics detector dog, which identified a truck chassis on which Customs officers applied the tools non-intrusive monitoring (fiberscope and density meter or buster), which allowed to detect the drug.

So far, the driver, born in Paraguay is being held at the disposal of Federal Judge of the City of Concepción del Uruguay.

In the AFIP planning envisaged the strengthening of human resources at the borders, which is to provide expertise from the different regional offices to the border guards considered critical by the flow of tourism summer recorded in these periods.

In this context, the Office of Concordia is reinforced by a weekly allotment of four agents. In the process of speaking today of the Customs staff at Concordia that was assisted by agents of the Regional Customs La Plata.
Added on 10/01/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Wooden baskets, vegetables and their own bodies: The unusual - and failed - methods of bungling drug smugglers
Wooden baskets, vegetables and their own bodies: The unusual - and failed - methods of bungling drug smugglers
Wooden baskets, vegetables and their own bodies: The unusual - and failed - methods of bungling drug smugglers

By Lewis Bazley
Last updated at 7:51 AM on 6th January 2011

A recent security blunder at Heathrow allowed drug smugglers to stroll through unchecked but new pictures show most ploys were intercepted in 2010 - whatever bizarre lengths the criminals went to.

Customs officers were ordered not to look for drug smugglers at Heathrow over Christmas because of staff shortages.

But photographs released by the UK Border Agency confirm that even the most brazen smuggling attempts were foiled last year.


Concealed cocaine: A UK Border Agency officer opens up a yam with Class A drugs hidden inside, discovered at Kent International Airport in August

One smuggler, intercepted at Kent International Airport last year, had hidden 10 kilos of cocaine - around £500,000 worth - into cases of yams.


The vegetables, which came from Ghana, had been cut open to conceal the Class A drugs and glued back together.


These yams taste strange: Cases of the vegetable were found to house hidden cocaine by border staff at Kent International Airport

Two other drug mules, whose attempt certainly blurs the line between bravery and stupidity, simply strapped kilos of heroin to their bodies as they tried to drive into the UK.

Nearly 80 kilos of heroin, worth more than £5m on the street, was discovered in a lorry at Humber Sea Terminal, South Killingholme.

The Dutch driver and passenger were jailed for up to 20 years after the drugs were found strapped to their bodies and hidden in the fridge motor and cabin roof.


Wide load: This drug smuggler was halted at Humber Sea Terminal with packets of heroin strapped to his body

Drug cartels even resorted to using the elderly to smuggle their wares into Britain, with one 72-year-old man arrested last year at Heathrow.

David Pryor, of Wellingborough, was arrested at Terminal 5 in September after arriving on a flight from Tanzania.


His luggage was searched and when officers cut into three woven baskets they found four kilos of heroin worth around £100,000.

Pryor has admitted the offence and will be sentenced next week at Isleworth Crown Court.


Appearances can be deceptive: These woven baskets, smuggled by a 72-year-old man, may look charming but they were found to contain heroin at Heathrow last year


Hidden heroin: This tube was weaved inside baskets carried by 72-year-old David Pryor

Another substantial consignment of cocaine, worth around £70,000, was discovered inside glass ornaments at Coventry International Postal Hub in August.

The drug was concealed in air pockets inside the decorative objects, which included love hearts, chickens and miniature bottles.

The parcel was sent from Peru and was destined for an address in St Paul's, Bristol. No-one has been arrested.



Vital sting: Postal staff in Coventry discovered around a kilo of cocaine - worth about £70,000 - within these glass ornaments

And in one of the UK Border Agency's biggest success stories last year, metal drums containing powdered nuts were also found to conceal 33 kilos of cocaine, with a street value of £6.7m, in May.

The air freight consignment was examined in transit while at Heathrow, heading from Mexico to Melbourne, Australia.


A dummy shipment was substituted for the drugs and four Americans and one Australian were arrested once it arrived.




£6.7m seizure: Metal drums containing powdered nuts also held an incredible 33 kilos of cocaine

The agency also revealed today that smugglers attempted to transport a kilo of cannabis within a wooden-framed portrait of Manchester City player Emmanuel Adebayor.

The painting had been sent from Adebayor's native Togo and was intercepted at a Coventry postal hub en route to Tottenham in north London.

Other finds included:

1.1 kilos of cocaine, worth £270,000 on the street, was found concealed in packets of peanuts and cashew nuts in freight at Gatwick Airport in March. The drugs had been sent from Jamaica and led to the arrest of 50-year-old Neville Emmanuel Williams of Cecil Street, Stourbridge. He admitted drug smuggling and was jailed for seven years.
A package of cocaine weighing around 110g and worth up to £40,000 was found hidden in a birthday card destined for an address in Belfast in November.
In December, a British man and woman arrived in Britain from Amsterdam after swallowing and stuffing around 500g of heroin. The woman required surgery to remove the drugs after eight days.
A 45-year-old self-employed mechanic from Trinidad and Tobago was arrested shortly after he arrived at Gatwick Airport last month when one kilo of liquid cocaine was found inside two bottles of Baileys he was carrying.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1344542/UK-Border-Agency-staff-reveal-unusual--failed--methods-bungling-drug-smugglers.html?ITO=1490
Added on 07/01/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Washington Couple Charged For Cocaine in “Stow ‘n Go” Minivan
Washington Couple Charged For Cocaine in “Stow ‘n Go” Minivan
Washington Couple Charged For Cocaine in “Stow ‘n Go” Minivan

2011-01-06 12:00 PST
Officers with the Canada Border Services Agency know their vehicles- and they know to call in RCMP Federal Drug Enforcement when 83 kilograms of cocaine are stashed in “Stow ‘n Go” seating.

A Washington State couple is facing severe criminal consequences after failing to fool law enforcement at the Carson Port of Entry into Grand Forks, BC.

It was just before 10:00am on December 16, 2010, that 49-year-old Scott Fleming Powers and 55-year-old Diane Marie Green Powers arrived to cross into Canada. CBSA officers who spoke to the couple did not believe they were telling the truth about their journey. A secondary search by the alert CBSA officers turned up small amounts of marihuana and two hidden compartments containing 83 one-kilogram packages of suspected cocaine.

Thanks to the good work of the CBSA, the Grand Forks RCMP and the Southeast District Federal Drug Section were called in to lead the criminal investigation. A comprehensive search of the minivan, a 2007 Dodge Caravan, revealed that two sophisticated, electronically-operated compartments had been placed in an area that used to contain “Stow ‘n Go” seats. The one-kilogram packages are consistent with drug trafficking, and the total dollar value of the drugs is about $3,500,000 Canadian. That’s about 83,000 doses of cocaine that will never contribute to the physical and emotional toll of addiction, and will take profit out of the hands of drug dealers.

The Federal Drug Enforcement Branch is actively investigating all specific ties to organized criminal groups. As with all border seizures, the RCMP is also working with international partners like the US Drug Enforcement Agency. When this amount of drugs is seized by law enforcement, it’s reasonable to believe that it is not just destined for one location. Large amounts of controlled substances like cocaine can touch every community, big or small.

Upon their arrest, both Diane and Scott Powers were taken to court on December 17, 2010, and are detained until trial. Their next court appearance is on January 13, 2011. They each face one count of Importation of a Controlled Substance, Section 6(1) CDSA, and Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking s. 5(2) CDSA.

Released by:
Cst. Michael McLaughlin
Federal Operations Media Relations Officer
604-807-5131

http://www.bc.rcmp.ca/ViewPage.action?siteNodeId=50&languageId=1&contentId=18133
Added on 07/01/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Cocaine worth nearly BGN 0,5 million seized on Bulgarian-Turkish border
Cocaine worth nearly BGN 0,5 million seized on Bulgarian-Turkish border
Cocaine worth nearly BGN 0,5 million seized on Bulgarian-Turkish border
2011-01-04
The customs officers at Malko Tarnovo checkpoint on the Bulgarian-Turkish border have found 1,737 kg of cocaine in the patrol tank of a car with a Bulgarian license plate, Customs Agency announced.
The vehicle was traveling from Turkey to Bulgaria during the night. The drug was hidden in one plastic and two glass bottles in the petrol tank. The cocaine is estimated at approximately BGN 470,000.
A statement of violation was drawn to the 44-year-old car driver. The case is referred to the competent authorities.


http://www.customs.bg/en/pubs/3466
Added on 06/01/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
New police blow to the cocaine trade in containers at the port of Algeciras
New police blow to the cocaine trade in containers at the port of Algeciras
New police blow to the cocaine trade in containers at the port of Algeciras

05/01 · 1:05 · Juanlu Reyes

The National Police and the Customs Surveillance Service (VAS) are closing in recent days a new operation against drug trafficking developed in part at the Port of Algeciras Bay.

According to this newspaper was informed, the agents intercepted a new container from South America, inside which was an amount greater than 100 kilograms of cocaine mixed with an unspecified type of fruit.

This operation has the peculiarity that the traffickers used a method considered "new" within those observed in the port of Algeciras. Specifically, the drug would have found camouflaged thereby simulating the shape and size of the fruit stated on the containers, which made it very difficult to detect by the National Police and agents of the VWA Algeciras, the sources consulted . In fact, researchers had to analyze the charge practically fruit fruit to detect narcotics.

The operation is still open and if it has been confirmed that there were arrests in other towns, could be still some outstanding criminal arrest.

The operation practically coincided with the time that was announced officially this week, and threw the figure of 546 kilograms of cocaine concealed in boxes of plantains inside a container from Ecuador. Thanks to this operation, to disrupt a gang operating in Sanlúcar, by a fruit company that operated as a cover, and Barcelona.

Sherry Greco agents with the SVA collaborated in the arrest of an employee of one of the companies involved in container movement.
Added on 06/01/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
The National Police continues dealt hard blows against criminal gangs
The National Police continues dealt hard blows against criminal gangs
ANNP 03-JAN-11. Cartagena. The Director of the National Police, General Oscar Naranjo Trujillo confirmed that the Narcotics Division seized 1,500 kilos of cocaine hydrochloride belongs to the criminal gang "Los Urabeños" which is led by brothers Antonio and Juan Dario Usuga God David.

The drugs were hidden in the roof of a container carrying food for dogs (concentrate), and Forest was leaving the dock in Cartagena, was Honduras, with transit in the Dominican Republic, and from there to the United States.

The units of the Narcotics Division placed a ton and a half of substance, thanks to information provided by human sources, after prior verification of the same.

Notably, the seizure becomes a blow to the finances of this criminal gang, as the drug in Colombia would approximate retail value of 7,200 million U.S. dollars and can cost about $ 45 million.

The hallucinogen was packed in 753 boxes (panels) with an approximate weight of two kilos each, with the seal of the brothers Usuga David, ie, the symbol of a scorpion and initials, LR.

Within eight days, the National Police and Narcotics Division have dealt two heavy blows to criminal gangs, with the seizure of six tons 424 kilos of cocaine hydrochloride, which belongs to Daniel "El Loco" Barrera "and the seizure made today.
Added on 05/01/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Myanmar major source and user of amphetamine drugs, says UN report
Myanmar major source and user of amphetamine drugs, says UN report
Myanmar major source and user of amphetamine drugs, says UN report
21 December 2010 – The manufacture, trafficking and consumption of synthetic drugs in Myanmar is worsening, with methamphetamine and other amphetamine-type stimulants smuggled from the country affecting neighbouring States and other parts of East and South-East Asia, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNDOC) says in a new report.
According to the “Myanmar Situation Assessment on Amphetamine-Type Stimulants (ATS),” which was released yesterday in Bangkok, seizures of ATS pills in Myanmar and countries bordering the country’s Shan state in 2009 tripled compared to the previous year, a trend which has continued this year.

“In 2009, large seizures of high purity crystalline methamphetamine were made in Myanmar,” said Deepika Naruka, the UNODC Coordinator of the Global Synthetics Monitor, Analyses, Reporting and Trends (SMART) programme in East Asia and the Pacific region.

“Authorities in both Myanmar and Thailand confirm that the manufacture of crystalline methamphetamine is now occurring in the Golden Triangle [opium-producing Asian region],” she said.

Between January and September this year, more than 44 million pills were seized in Thailand alone, while over 22 million pills were confiscated in Laos.

Home to between 50 and 80 per cent of the estimated total number of ATS users in the whole of Asia, the issue of amphetamine-type stimulants in the East and South-East Asian region is a major concern, UNDOC says in the report.

While most of the drugs produced in Myanmar – both opiates and methamphetamines – are mainly destined for the international market, domestic use of ATS in the country is increasing, the agency notes, adding that the trend has been exacerbated by the lack of resources for drug treatment facilities.

“This Situation Assessment is the first of its kind. It aims to provide a clearer understanding of the ATS situation in Myanmar, in order to design effective and evidence-informed responses,” said Gary Lewis, UNODC Regional Representative for East Asia and the Pacific.

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=37131&Cr=unodc&Cr1=
Added on 05/01/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Operated 645 kilos of cocaine that traveled from Ecuador between plantains
Operated 645 kilos of cocaine that traveled from Ecuador between plantains
Operated 645 kilos of cocaine that traveled from Ecuador between plantains

An operation of the National Police and the Inland Revenue

The drug bound sea departed Cadiz on the screen of a fruit import company

Arrested eight people in Sanlúcar de Barrameda and Barcelona

03-Jan-2011 .- A joint venture of the National Police and the Inland Revenue has allowed the seizure of 645 kilos of cocaine hidden in containers that also carried plantains. A company importing fruit products served as a smokescreen to try to make the drug go unnoticed and make their entry into Spain. Bananas with cocaine from Ecuador by sea to reach Cadiz. Eight people have been arrested in Sanlucar de Barrameda and Barcelona.

The researchers found last November that a drug trafficking organization was preparing a shipment of cocaine from Ecuador. The point of entry into Spain is the port of Algeciras, to deliver the cargo to its final destination, a company of Sanlucar de Barrameda.

The officers established a control device and container inspection which has culminated in the seizure of a total of 645 kilograms of cocaine. The drug was distributed in packages weighing about a kilo, hidden in boxes of plantains.

Parallel device

In parallel, researchers deployed another device to the location and arrest of members of the organization responsible for sending the drug, based in Cadiz and Barcelona. This device has allowed the dismantling of the drug trafficking organization, with the arrest of eight people in the towns of Sanlúcar de Barrameda and Barcelona.

The operation was carried out by members of the GRECO Levante Cádiz and the Commissioner General of the Judicial Police and the Tax Office, and directed by the Magistrate's Court No 1 of Sanlucar de Barrameda and Jerez Narcotics Prosecutor.
Added on 04/01/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
Libyan Police Seize 70 Kg of Raw Heroin
Libyan Police Seize 70 Kg of Raw Heroin
Libyan Police Seize 70 Kg of Raw Heroin
27/12/2010 22:53:00

A Libyan anti narcotics task force authorities announced on Wednesday that it seized 70 Kilogram of pure raw heroin and arrested a number of drug dealers people related to the case.

The huge amount of raw heroin arrived from Pakistan, according to Dr. Mohammed Faitouri, the General Coordinator of National Awareness Program at the Anti Narcotics Authority, who spoke to Al-Jamahiriya daily on Wednesday.

The amount of heroin was hidden in silicone sealant tubes and the man arrested with the drugs told the police that he bought it very cheap at an auction. He claimed that he tried to sell the tubes to various shops as construction materials and then he found out that it was raw heroin.

But he later confessed that he knew it was drugs and indeed bought at an auction. Libyan authorities believe that there must have been more huge amounts of these dangerous materials already in the market.

The authorities also said the seized drugs could be processed to over 700 kilograms and could reach millions of people. It is enough for the killing 700,000 people and for causing 70,000 people to get infected with AIDS.

Faitouri said in light of the sheer size of seized heroin, the drug could have been meant to be using Libya as transit point as the market would not take the whole quantity. The amount also did not reflect the consumption levels in the country.

Raw heroin has been known as a snortable form of a potent drug.

Police and health officials in other countries have warned that the influx of pure, raw heroin is part of an attempt by international drug dealers to attract a new class of users.

Snortable heroin is seen as a preferable alternative to injecting the narcotic because of the strong possibility of contracting AIDS through use of hypodermic needles.

The problem is that suppliers usually cut the purity of the addictive drug to users once they are hooked and reap windfall profits as users are forced to inject a weaker, inferior heroin to get a comparable high.

http://www.tripolipost.com/articledetail.asp?c=1&i=5269
Added on 03/01/2011 : Added by: END project team
European news
360 kilos of cocaine seized at Valencia Port
360 kilos of cocaine seized at Valencia Port
360 kilos of cocaine seized at Valencia Port
By m.p. - Dec 30, 2010 - 4:03 PM
Six people have been taken into custody

A joint operation by the Agencia Tributaria Tax Authority and the National Police has recovered 360 kilos of cocaine which had been brought into Spain in two separate cargoes of wooden planks.
Each of the two consignments was sent from Paraguay.

The initial cargo, of 260 kg, was seized from two containers which arrived at the port in November, leading investigators to the company which had imported the goods. Detectives then discovered that a second consignment was due to arrive in December, and also learnt that a member of the drugs organisation had arrived in Spain.

A further 100 kilos of cocaine were seized when the container was inspected and six people were taken into custody. The Interior Ministry gives their nationalities as Colombian and Paraguayan.

http://www.typicallyspanish.com/news/publish/article_28519.shtml

video: http://www.policia.es/videos/wmv/20101230_1.wmv
Added on 31/12/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Customs ass: Let the drugs mules in
Customs ass: Let the drugs mules in
Customs ass: Let the drugs mules in
29-12-2010

CUSTOMS officers were ordered not to look for drug smugglers at Heathrow over Christmas because of staff shortages, The Sun can reveal.
The extraordinary edict left the UK border at the airport open for THREE DAYS - allowing possibly "scores" of drug mules to get in, said a whistleblower.

An email - seen by The Sun - sent to all officers at Heathrow Airport on December 23 said they should "not actively seek to identify any passenger with internal concealments".


Mark Kennedy, the UK Border Agency's senior detection manager, blamed staff shortages for his barmy command. He said it should be in force for 72 hours up to and including Christmas Day.

It means smugglers with hauls of cocaine, heroin and cannabis in their stomachs would have been WAVED THROUGH at the airport, which handles 70 million passengers a year.

The email also warned officers that if they did arrest smugglers, they would have to work a 24-HOUR SHIFT guarding prisoners.

When the edict started, 90 per cent of flights had resumed following days of snow chaos at the West London airport.

Mr Kennedy - who could be sacked over the incident - said staffing levels were "very low" on Christmas Day, making it impossible to transport "swallowers" to hospital or guard them until they passed packages in a loo.

At any one time, four or five are in custody at the airport, a Commons Home Affairs committee heard this year.

Gangs try to smuggle drugs through UK airports at Christmas already, as they know officers are in short supply.

UK Border Agency head Lin Homer was said to be "incandescent with rage" last night.

An officer added: "We're waving the white flag because we haven't got enough staff to cope. Officers are angry."

UKBA deputy chief executive Jonathan Sedgwick said: "This email should never have been sent." He insisted such a policy "would not arise in the future".

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3321489/Let-drugs-mules-in-says-Heathrow-customs-ass.html

***********************************************************************
Added on 30/12/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
South American drug gangs funding al-Qaeda terrorists
South American drug gangs funding al-Qaeda terrorists
South American drug gangs funding al-Qaeda terrorists
South American drugs gangs are providing millions of pounds of funding for al-Qaeda terrorists by paying them to ensure the safe passage of cocaine across north Africa and towards Europe.
By Robin Yapp in Sao Paulo 4:31PM GMT 29 Dec 2010
Islamic rebels familiar with the barren terrain of the Sahara have struck deals under which they provide armed security escorts for drug traffickers in return for a slice of their profits.

Counter-terrorism experts said that the terrorists belong to the Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) group, which has kidnapped a series of Westerners and killed a British tourist last year.

They warned that the money they receive from drugs gangs could be used to attract new recruits and plan terrorist attacks on European cities.

Olivier Guitta, a counter-terrorism and foreign affairs consultant, said that the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the Marxist rebel group, was the "force behind the agreement with AQIM".

In the past drugs were flown or shipped from South America straight to Spain or Portugal but the introduction of more rigorous controls in those countries led FARC to change its way of operating.

" Since the routes going through Europe became much more difficult to use, FARC saw an opportunity to use the Sahel and North Africa as its new drug route," said Mr Guitta.

"And since AQIM has a hold over the area and was already involved in major smuggling operations it made sense to offer them a deal.

"AQIM is an independent unit of al-Qaeda and does not share the monies with al-Qaeda central but is looking to pull off terror attacks on its own in Europe."

Terrorists linked to al-Qaeda in north Africa have made $130m (£84m) from helping drugs gangs and kidnap ransoms since 2007, according to one report citing an investigation by the Algerian government.

AQIM first emerged under a different name as an Islamic resistance group opposed to Algeria's secular government in the early 1990s and was behind numerous suicide bombings and ambushes.

It declared allegiance to al-Qaeda as early as 2003 and Ayman al-Zawahiri, the terrorist network's second in command, officially approved the 'merger' in 2006.

AQIM has since spread it's operations further south to the Sahara and the borders with Mali, Niger and Mauritania.

Algeria's paramilitary police have reported dozens of clashes with AQIM rebels carrying Kalashnikovs and providing armed escorts for drug smugglers since 2008.

In 2009 AQIM kidnapped Edwin Dyer, a British tourist who had attended a festival of Tuareg culture, and executed him after their demands for the release of Abu Qatada, the Jordanian extremist, by the UK were not met.

The group also claimed responsibility for shooting dead a US aid worker in Mauritania in June last year and for a suicide bombing on the French embassy there two months later which injured three people.

Counter-terrorism officials in Europe and the United States fear that the Sahara is fast becoming a safe haven for the activities of Islamic terrorists, along the lines of Somalia and Yemen.

But Mr Guitta said attempts by Europe, the US and some north African states such as Morocco to tackle the growing links between terrorism and drug trafficking are hampered by the attitudes of other governments.

"In South America, only Colombia really helps. In Africa, most other countries do not co-operate very much and a few allegedly actually profit from the drug trafficking," he said.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/colombia/8230134/South-American-drug-gangs-funding-al-Qaeda-terrorists.html

***********************************************************************
Added on 30/12/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Royal Caribbean crew tried to smuggle heroin, cocaine into city, officials say
Royal Caribbean crew tried to smuggle heroin, cocaine into city, officials say
Royal Caribbean crew tried to smuggle heroin, cocaine into city, officials say
Three cruise line employees named in criminal complaint
By Yeganeh June Torbati, The Baltimore Sun
1:21 p.m. EST, December 29, 2010

Crew members on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship attempted to smuggle heroin and cocaine into Baltimore from the Dominican Republic, according to criminal complaints filed by U.S. officials on Tuesday.

According to accounts by agents of the Department of Homeland Security filed in federal court, three employees of the cruise line — 35-year-old Gavin Excell and 27-year-olds John Swart Garth and Kishurn Neptune — obtained narcotics in the Dominican Republic during a stop of the Royal Caribbean's "Enchantment of the Seas" trip in mid-December.

When the ship arrived in Baltimore on Dec. 18, the documents state, the three men had planned to deliver those drugs at the Port Covington Wal-Mart, near the cruise terminal, to Loxly Johnson and Shenika Nicole Graves, who appear to have driven to Baltimore from Virginia.

Johnson, also known as Desmond Williams, is a Jamaican citizen and a legal permanent resident of the United States, according to the documents. He, Excell and Graves were indicted by a grand jury on charges of conspiring to import drugs into the country.

Customs officials were tipped off by Elhadad David, a ship security officer for Royal Caribbean.

Agents searched Excell when the cruise ship arrived in Baltimore on Dec. 18. According to the documents, agents said they found 700 grams of heroin and 300 grams of cocaine hidden in his waistband and shoes. The documents state that Excell told agents he had picked up the drugs from a Jamaican man in the Dominican Republic with Garth and a man later identified as Neptune, who both worked in the galley of the cruise ship.

That same day, agents said they saw Johnson and Graves in a black GMC Envoy with Virginia plates outside the Wal-Mart, and saw Garth entering and exiting the vehicle. When questioned later, Garth told officers that he had been paid $4,000 to deliver three packages of narcotics to Graves and Johnson, the documents state.

Shortly after Johnson left the Walmart, customs agents stopped him on the 1300 block of Hanover St. in Baltimore and searched the Envoy and found $8,000 in cash. Other agents approached Graves, who was still inside the Wal-Mart, and found 700 grams of heroin and 300 grams of cocaine in her purse, according to documents.

Johnson is being represented by a federal public defender.

Thomas L. Crowe, Graves' attorney, said his client is a "solid citizen" and pleaded not guilty to the charges last week.

"She has absolutely no criminal record," Crowe said. "She's never been accused of being involved in anything like this. She maintains her innocence."

Graves was released and promised to appear later to answer the charges, Crowe said, and is now back home with family in Virginia.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-city/bs-md-ci-drug-smuggling-20101229,0,8022.story
Added on 30/12/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Punta Cana DNCD seizes 10 kilos of cocaine into Canada plane
Punta Cana DNCD seizes 10 kilos of cocaine into Canada plane
Punta Cana DNCD seizes 10 kilos of cocaine into Canada plane

December 26, 2010
HIGUEY.-Agents of the National Drug Control Policy (DCND) seized in the Punta Cana International Airport 9 packages of a white substance presumed to be cocaine with an approximate weight of 10.81 kilos, discovered inside a wooden box inside a package found in a plane that would travel to the city of Toronto, Canada, said the drug agency.
The nine packages of drugs were found after the DNCD agents stationed in the International Airport of Punta retained Proal mark a lump of black, so that suspicious was found inside the airline's B737 aircraft performing Canjet scheduled flights to Toronto, Canada.

The bulk occupied by those with the flight number CJA787 was immediately transferred to room checking baggage of that terminal and when it was verified by X-ray machine it showed an image suspicious, so the agents proceeded to remove a satellite office of the Center for Information and Joint Coordination (CICC) in said air terminal, where he was seized in the presence of a deputy prosecutor, found inside an unpainted wooden box with the amount of 9 packages of a white substance presumed to be cocaine with an approximate weight of 10.81 kilograms, which were wrapped in carbon paper, black and blue. Inside the box was also found a white pillow and was informed that the package containing the drug had no ticket billing party.

DNCD agents made the seizure of cocaine in the presence of members of the Special Airport Security Corps (CESA), J2, ID and officers of the Corporation East Airport (CAE), a company that manages the operations of the International Airport of Punta Cana

With regard to drug discovery was not arrested anyone, but further research for the purpose of giving the owners of the substance that had as its destination the city of Toronto, Canada.
Added on 29/12/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Customs seize 200g heroin at Karachi airport
Customs seize 200g heroin at Karachi airport
Customs seize 200g heroin at Karachi airport

Saturday, December 25, 2010

KARACHI: The Drug Enforcement Cell (DEC), Pakistan Customs, on Friday seized 200 grams of heroin from an outbound courier parcel at Karachi airport.

According to details, DEC staff received a tip-off that contraband heroin would be smuggled in courier parcels taking advantage of extra-ordinary bigger volume of outgoing greeting mails and gift parcels on the eve of the Christmas.

The customs staff carried out strict surveillance in the clearance process of outward mails and parcels and intercepted a courier parcel at Karachi airport that was actually booked at Lahore kiosk of a local courier company for Australia. The customs staff thoroughly searched the parcel and recovered 200 grams of fine quality white heroin from it, which was artfully concealed inside five pairs of sports gloves.

It may be recalled here that underground mafia involved in the heinous trade always tries to take advantage of abnormal working conditions during festival holidays to smuggle contraband heroin out of Pakistan.

After seizure of the heroin, a prosecution case under Control of Narcotics Substances Act 1997 has been registered and search started to nab the culprits involved in this smuggling case. staff report.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010%5C12%5C25%5Cstory_25-12-2010_pg12_3
Added on 27/12/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Morocco Aborted Smuggling of 15 kg of Cocaine
Morocco Aborted Smuggling of 15 kg of Cocaine
Morocco Aborted Smuggling of 15 kg of Cocaine

Article Date: 14:35 2010/12/24


Rabat, December 24 (QNA) - Moroccan authorities have aborted an attempt to smuggle 15 kg of cocaine via the Mediterranean port city of Tangiers found hidden in car heading to France. Customs authorities seized 9 kg of cocaine before finding the remainder of the haul hidden in the car''s spare tyre. The car driver, a French national accompanied by his Senegalese wife and their son, entered Morocco yesterday coming form Mauritania. The coupe were arrested and referred to police for investigation.
http://www.qnaol.net/QNAEn/News_Bulletin/News/Pages/10-12-24-1435_712_0031.aspx
Added on 27/12/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
U.S. agents seize cocaine, heroin in container from Dominican Republic
U.S. agents seize cocaine, heroin in container from Dominican Republic
U.S. agents seize cocaine, heroin in container from Dominican Republic
SAN JUAN.– Late yesterday afternoon, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers seized 25.35 Kilos (55.89 pounds) of cocaine and 4.57 Kilos (10.08 pounds) of heroin found inside a cargo container arriving from the Dominican Republic.

During the random inspection of containers from vessel UNI-CHART arriving from Caucedo, Dominican Republic, a container was selected for further inspection after scanning imaging revealed an anomaly.

Inside the container a black canvass bag was found that contained 28 bricks of suspected narcotics, which field tested positive to heroin and cocaine.

CBP contacted Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for further investigation and proceedings.

The estimated street value of the heroin is $483,000 and the estimated value of the seized cocaine is $270,000.

http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/world/2010/12/23/38073/US-agents-seize-cocaine-heroin-in-container-from-Dominican-Republic
Added on 27/12/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
U.S. agents seize cocaine, heroin in container from Dominican Republic
U.S. agents seize cocaine, heroin in container from Dominican Republic
U.S. agents seize cocaine, heroin in container from Dominican Republic
SAN JUAN.– Late yesterday afternoon, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers seized 25.35 Kilos (55.89 pounds) of cocaine and 4.57 Kilos (10.08 pounds) of heroin found inside a cargo container arriving from the Dominican Republic.

During the random inspection of containers from vessel UNI-CHART arriving from Caucedo, Dominican Republic, a container was selected for further inspection after scanning imaging revealed an anomaly.

Inside the container a black canvass bag was found that contained 28 bricks of suspected narcotics, which field tested positive to heroin and cocaine.

CBP contacted Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for further investigation and proceedings.

The estimated street value of the heroin is $483,000 and the estimated value of the seized cocaine is $270,000.

http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/world/2010/12/23/38073/US-agents-seize-cocaine-heroin-in-container-from-Dominican-Republic
Added on 27/12/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
64 kilos of cocaine seized at the Port of Tarragona hidden in backpacks
64 kilos of cocaine seized at the Port of Tarragona hidden in backpacks
64 kilos of cocaine seized at the Port of Tarragona hidden in backpacks
TARRAGONA, December 23 (EUROPA PRESS) -

The Civil Guard has seized 64 kilos of cocaine that was hidden in three bags in a container of fruit from the Port of Tarragona, as reported to police.

Officers found the drug, a high purity, on December 12 in 58 tablets in a container, which had been unloaded from a ship coming from Costa Rica and whose goods declared were bananas.

The proceedings have been referred to the Court of First Instance and Instruction No. 1 of Tarragona.
Added on 24/12/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
DIJ BEATS INTERNATIONAL DRUG TRAFFICKING
DIJ BEATS INTERNATIONAL DRUG TRAFFICKING
DIJ BEATS INTERNATIONAL DRUG TRAFFICKING
At Tocumen International Airport
The National Police, through the units of the Directorate of Judicial Investigation (DIJ), dealt another blow to the international trafficking of illicit substances, to the seizure yesterday at the Tocumen International Airport, a certain amount of the drug known as cocaine.
It is 12 packages of one kilo each, and 6 bottles of liquid, which were distributed in 2 bags of dark gray, all at the field carry out the test, tested positive for cocaine.
I seized bags arrived as from Lima, Peru, with final destination the European City of Amterdam, Netherlands.
The DIJ referred the case to the Special Prosecutor for Crimes Related to Drugs, where they will continue with investigations.
Added on 24/12/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
80kg of cocaine worth LVL 4 million found at Riga Port
80kg of cocaine worth LVL 4 million found at Riga Port
80kg of cocaine worth LVL 4 million found at Riga Port
Alla Petrova, BC, Riga, 22.12.2010

In mid-December 2010, Latvian authorities, in cooperation with foreign law enforcement agencies, were able to discover a shipment of 80 kilograms of cocaine, with a street value of LVL 4 million, at the Port of Riga, LETA was informed by the State Revenue Service's (SRS) communications department.
The SRS points out that on December 14 officers from the Customs Criminal Board, in cooperation with the State Police's Organized Crime Department and foreign colleagues, carried out an inspection of containers at the Port of Riga, which were unloaded at the port to be transported further to Uzbekistan.

Officers were able to find three bags with a total of 80.1 kilograms of compresses cocaine in them.

A criminal process has been started.

This was the second largest cocaine haul in Latvia's history, the previous being 200 kilograms of cocaine discovered at the Port of Riga this past April.

http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/transport/?doc=35299

In the port of Riga found cocaine on 4 million lats

Igor ISCHUK13: 40 22/12/2010

Employees of criminal management of customs State Revenue Service in Freeport discovered more than 80 kilograms of cocaine.

Shipment of drugs, which cost on the black market is about 4 million lats, was discovered on December 14. The operation involved officers of the state police organized crime, and foreign law enforcement agencies.

During the inspection in one of the containers were found three sports bags without the accompanying documents. In the bags are 70 packages of white powder. Container, according to the documentation had to follow through the port of Riga in Uzbekistan.

Examination showed that in the bags was cocaine, the total cargo weight was 80.1 kg. Information about the detainees and other data in the interests of the investigation were not disclosed.

This is the second largest in Latvia intercepted shipment of cocaine in history. Record shipment weighed 200 kg.

SRS and VP staff prevents criminals and drug addicts white "snow-capped" festival of four million lats

22.12.2010

December 14, 2010, the State Revenue Service (hereinafter - SRS) Customs Criminal Board in collaboration with the State Police Central Criminal Police Department Organized Crime Bureau officers and foreign law enforcement authorities in Riga Free Port was opened more than 80 kilograms of cocaine, the estimated value of the 'black market "There are four million.

Revenue Service, in cooperation with other law enforcement colleagues in Freeport, the customs control point 0210 is controlled. Events was examined a container, which, judging from documents accompanying the consignment, had landed in Freeport and for onward transmission to Uzbekistan. Container found in three sports bags, in addition to its document, loads were placed in 70 plastic packages with the shape of a square compact white powdery substance.

After the powders ekspresanalîzes, it was found that the bag was 80.1 kilogram particularly dangerous narcotic, cocaine. "Black market" of such a quantity of cocaine value at retail prices are around four million. The exact percentage of cocaine will be determined during a chemical expert.

In other news, including detainees, container routing and load the content of investigative interest, will not be provided.

Of the fact been prosecuted for criminal law 1901.pantâ second part of the offense for signs of drug movement across the Latvian border in large quantities.

This is the largest cocaine discovery in the history of the SRS and the second largest, has ever discovered the Latvian law enforcement agencies of their life cycle. The largest cocaine shipment in the history of Latvian-200 kilograms of cocaine, was discovered thanks to the vigilance of SRS staff and professionalism.

VID un VP darbinieki liedz noziedzniekiem un narkomâniem balti „sniegotus” svçtkus èetru miljonu latu vçrtîbâ

22.12.2010

2010.gada 14.decembrî, Valsts ieòçmumu dienesta (turpmâk – VID) Muitas kriminâlpârvaldes darbinieki sadarbîbâ ar Valsts policijas Galvenâs kriminâlpolicijas pârvaldes Organizçtâs noziedzîbas apkaroðanas pârvaldes darbiniekiem un ârvalstu tiesîbaizsardzîbas iestâdçm Rîgas Brîvostas teritorijâ atklâja vairâk kâ 80 kilogramus kokaîna, kuru aptuvenâ vçrtîba „melnajâ tirgû” ir èetri miljoni latu.

VID sadarbîbâ ar citu tiesîbsargâjoðo iestâþu kolçìiem Rîgas Brîvostâ, muitas kontroles punktâ 0210 veica kontroles pasâkumus. Pasâkumu laikâ tika pârbaudîts kâds konteiners, kurð, pçc kravas pavaddokumentiem sprieþot, bija izkrauts Rîgas Brîvostâ un paredzçts tâlâkai nosûtîðanai uz Uzbekistânu. Konteinerâ atrada trîs sporta somas, kurâs bez dokumentos deklarçtâs kravas bija ievietoti arî 70 polietilçna iepakojumi ar èetrstûra formâ sapresçtu baltu pulverveida vielu.

Pçc pulverveida vielas ekspresanalîzes, tika noskaidrots, ka somâs atradâs 80,1 kilograms îpaði bîstamas narkotiskas vielas- kokaîna. „Melnajâ tirgû” ðâda apjoma kokaîna vçrtîba pçc mazumtirdzniecîbas cenâm ir aptuveni èetri miljoni latu. Precîzs kokaîna procentuâlais sastâvs tiks noteikts íîmiskâs ekspertîzes laikâ.

Citas ziòas, tai skaitâ par aizturçtajâm personâm, konteinera marðrutu un kravas saturu izmeklçðanas interesçs pagaidâm netiek sniegtas.

Par minçto faktu uzsâkts kriminâlprocess pçc kriminâllikuma 1901.pantâ otrajâ daïâ paredzçtâ noziedzîgâ nodarîjuma pazîmçm par narkotisko vielu pârvietoðanu pâri Latvijas robeþai lielos apmçros.

Ðis ir lielâkais kokaîna atklâjums VID vçsturç un otrs lielâkais, ko jebkad atklâjuðas Latvijas tiesîbu aizsardzîbas iestâdes to pastâvçðanas laikâ. Lielâkâ kokaîna krava Latvijas vçsturç- 200 kilogrami kokaîna, tika atklâta pateicoties arî VID darbinieku modrîbai un profesionalitâtei.

22.12.2010.

VID Komunikâcijas daïa
(tel. 67028691, 67028695, 29350642, 26558389)

http://www.vid.gov.lv/default.aspx?tabid=7&id=15&hl=1&lidz=2000.1.1&no=2011.12.22&oid=51453
Added on 23/12/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
CONFISCATION DIJ 202 KILOS OF DRUGS
CONFISCATION DIJ 202 KILOS OF DRUGS
CONFISCATION DIJ 202 KILOS OF DRUGS

PR 17/de diciembre/20

Another blow struck the National Police to the traffic of illicit substances, to seize 202 kilos of suspected cocaine, the "Y " Chilibre, in a Ford Ranger pickup, white, driven by a Panamanian 29 years of age, which was seized by agents of the Directorate of Judicial Investigation (DIJ).
The seizure took place through a checkpoint at 6 pm on Thursday 16 December, when a "Guide Dog", an illicit substance found in the car of the car.
DIJ units to check, they realized they had a double bottom in the car, and found the 202 open packages of drugs.
The substance seized and detained, were transferred to facilities in Ancon DIJ, later referral to the Special Prosecutor for Crimes Related to Drugs.

DIJ DECOMISA 202 KILOS DE DROGA
RR.PP. 17/de diciembre/2010

Otro duro golpe propinó la Policía Nacional al tráfico de sustancias ilícitas, al incautar 202 kilos de presunta cocaína, en la “Y” de Chilibre, en un pick up Ranger Ford, color blanco, conducido por un panameño de 29 años de edad, el cual fue aprehendido por agentes de la Dirección de Investigación Judicial (DIJ).
La incautación se dio a través de un retén a las 6 de la tarde del jueves 16 de diciembre, cuando un “Guía Canino”, detectó una sustancia ilícita en el vagón del automóvil.
Las unidades de la DIJ al verificar, se percataron que había un doble fondo en el vagón, y al abrirlo encontraron los 202 paquetes de droga.
La sustancia decomisada y el retenido, fueron trasladados a las instalaciones de la DIJ en Ancón, para posteriormente remitir el caso a la Fiscalía Especializada en Delitos Relacionados con Droga.
http://www.policia.gob.pa/noticias/2010/Diciembre/17-12-10-2.html
Added on 22/12/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Sailors use Navy ships to 'import cocaine, heroin'
Sailors use Navy ships to 'import cocaine, heroin'
Sailors use Navy ships to 'import cocaine, heroin'
21-12-2010

Navy insider has told the ABC sailors have been stashing drugs onboard vessels.

The Navy has been rocked by allegations of an organised drug ring, with claims that kilos of cocaine and heroin have been brought into the country on naval ships.

An anonymous source inside the Navy has told the ABC that sailors have been stashing the drugs onboard Navy vessels to get them into Australia.

The Federal Government and the Defence Force has confirmed Navy personnel are being investigated over the alleged use and supply of illegal drugs at the Garden Island Naval Base in Sydney.

Steroids and other unidentified substances were seized during a recent raid at the base.

The source alleges it has been going on for years.

"[For] 99.9 per cent of the time, Customs don't bring [sniffer] dogs onto the ship ... and dogs can't get down into certain parts of the ships," the source said.

The source says naval ships recently returned from Pacific Rim war games in Hawaii with packages of drugs onboard that were bound for Sydney's red light district.

The sailor says more than 30 people on one ship alone have tested positive to using drugs.

They claim the drug ring infiltrates all ranks of the Navy's sailors.

"It's junior sailors, it's senior sailors. That's why no-one will talk to you," the source said.

Defence says it is too early to confirm the nature of all substances seized in the raids.

Reports today suggest a number of personnel are being investigated over claims they sold illicit substances to backpackers in Sydney.

Home Affairs and Justice Minister Brendan O'Connor says if Defence staff are found to be dealing drugs, they will be getting no special treatment from authorities.

Figures released in June showed Defence had caught almost 600 servicemen and women taking illegal drugs and steroids in the past five years.

Despite the latest revelations the Government says Australians can still have confidence in the Navy.

Authorities say they are taking a strict zero-tolerance approach to drug use.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/12/21/3098777.htm
Added on 22/12/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Temecula: Heroin found in car battery
Temecula: Heroin found in car battery
Temecula: Heroin found in car battery

09:25 AM PST on Friday, December 17, 2010

By SARAH BURGE
The Press-Enterprise

A 19-year-old man was arrested Thursday in Temecula after Border Patrol agents discovered more than two pounds of heroin in bags -- mixed with a concoction of grease, detergent and potatoes -- in the battery of the car he was driving, authorities said.

Agents stopped a Volkswagen Jetta near the Border Patrol checkpoint on Interstate 15 about 11:30 a.m. after noticing it was driving erratically, a Border Patrol news release said. The driver appeared nervous and gave inconsistent answers. A sniffer dog "alerted" to drugs in the car, the release said.

Agents noticed the battery showed signs of tampering. Inside, they found 2.3 pounds of heroin.

The potatoes, grease and detergent were apparently intended to mask the odors of the drugs.

The heroin and the driver, a Mexican national whose name was not disclosed, were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Reach Sarah Burge at 951-375-3736 or sburge@PE.com

http://www.pe.com/localnews/stories/PE_News_Local_D_heroin17.3c40ace.html
Added on 21/12/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Cocaine worth 500 000 leva seized by Bulgarian customs police
Cocaine worth 500 000 leva seized by Bulgarian customs police
Cocaine worth 500 000 leva seized by Bulgarian customs police
Mon, Dec 20 2010 11:59 CET

Bulgarian customs police have seized cocaine worth almost 500 000 leva at the Malko Tarnovo checkpoint on the Bulgarian-Turkish border, the private Bulgarian television channel bTV reported on December 20.

The police discovered a package containing 1737 kg of cocaine, concealed in the patrol tank of a car with a Bulgarian licence plate, the customs police said.

According to the report, the vehicle was trying to enter Bulgaria from Turkey overnight. The police were suspicious of the driver and the car was searched. One plastic bottle and two glass bottles were found in the petrol tank, while the cocaine is evaluated at more than 470 000 leva.

The driver, a 44-year-old native of Sofia has been arrested. The case continues.
http://sofiaecho.com/2010/12/20/1014225_cocaine-worth-500-000-leva-seized-by-bulgarian-customs-police?ref=rss

Cocaine for nearly half a million euro customs officers found in bottles of Malko Tarnovo
2010-12-20
1 737 kg. cocaine in the tank of a car registration with the Sofia customs inspectors seized Malko Tarnovo.
The car brand Seat Arosa, crossed the border customs office in the dark hours last night in the direction from Turkey to Bulgaria. Selected is a thorough customs inspection method for risk analysis. During the inspection of the tank car, customs officers found a plastic and two glass cylinders according to the results of the on-site field narkotest themselves full of cocaine. The prices for the purposes of litigation cocaine is worth about 470 000 leva.
Against 44-year-old driver of the car - P.M. from Sofia, is a charge for violation of the Customs Act and the case is forwarded to the competent authorities.

Êîêàèí çà áëèçî ïîëîâèí ìèëèîí ëåâà îòêðèõà â áóòèëêè ìèòíè÷àðèòå îò Ìàëêî Òúðíîâî
2010-12-20
1, 737 êã. êîêàèí â ðåçåðâîàðà íà ëåêà êîëà ñúñ ñîôèéñêà ðåãèñòðàöèÿ çàëîâèõà ìèòíè÷åñêèòå èíñïåêòîðè íà Ìàëêî Òúðíîâî.
Àâòîìîáèëúò, ìàðêà „Ñåàò Àðîñà", å ïðåñè÷àë ãðàíè÷íèÿ ìèòíè÷åñêè ïóíêò â òúìíèòå ÷àñîâå ñíîùè â ïîñîêà îò Òóðöèÿ çà Áúëãàðèÿ. Ñåëåêòèðàí å çà ùàòåëíà ìèòíè÷åñêà ïðîâåðêà ïî ìåòîäà çà àíàëèç íà ðèñêà. Ïðè îãëåäà â ðåçåðâîàðà íà êîëàòà ìèòíè÷àðèòå îòêðèâàò åäíà ïëàñòìàñîâà è äâå ñòúêëåíè áóòèëêè, êîèòî ñïîðåä ðåçóëòàòèòå îò èçâúðøåíèÿ íà ìÿñòî ïîëåâè íàðêîòåñò ñå îêàçâàò ïúëíè ñ êîêàèí. Ïî öåíè çà íóæäèòå íà ñúäîïðîèçâîäñòâîòî êîêàèíúò å íà ñòîéíîñò îêîëî 470 000 ëåâà.
Ñðåùó 44-ãîäèøíèÿ øîôüîð íà êîëàòà - Ï.Ì. îò ãð. Ñîôèÿ, å ñúñòàâåí àêò çà íàðóøåíèå íà Çàêîíà çà ìèòíèöèòå è ñëó÷àÿò å ïðåäàäåí íà êîìïåòåíòíèòå îðãàíè.

http://www.customs.bg/bg/pubs/3442
Added on 21/12/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
UN and international partners to combat trafficking and promote security in West Africa
UN and international partners to combat trafficking and promote security in West Africa
UN and international partners to combat trafficking and promote security in West Africa
New York/Vienna 16 December 2010 - (UNODC) - A multi-agency programme launched today in New York will help curb drug trafficking and organized crime in West Africa, a hub for cocaine trafficking from Latin America to Europe. As narco-traffickers adjust their tactics to evade counter-narcotic efforts, West Africa is witnessing new criminal methods, which call for stepped-up and coordinated international responses.

International cooperation gathered greater momentum today with the new United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Regional Programme for West Africa 2010-2014. At a high-level session co-chaired by UNODC, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the United Nations Office for West Africa (UNOWA), in cooperation with the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), the UN Department of Political Affairs (DPA) and the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), parties voiced their commitment to the Programme, which is designed to address new drug and crime trends in a comprehensive and integrated way.

Yury Fedotov, Executive Director of UNODC, said that the Regional Programme for West Africa "represents an opportunity to support the ECOWAS regional framework through effective collaboration among all international stakeholders involved in fighting drugs and transnational organized crime in West Africa".

Underlining the threat to security and development, Mr. Said Djinnit, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa, said that "the fight against drug trafficking and organized crime was an essential pillar for any conflict prevention and peace building strategy in West Africa. The UNODC Regional Programme will be key to streamlining support for the ECOWAS regional plan of action and efforts at combating this global threat to peace and security."

Covering 16 countries, the Regional Programme will respond to the needs of ECOWAS States based on the principle of shared responsibility. It will address the transcontinental nature of the challenge, in particular, the transatlantic route. It will focus on peace building, security sector reform, and national and regional institution- and capacity-building. The partners and States will work to strengthen action in the areas of organized crime, trafficking and terrorism, justice and integrity, drug prevention and health as well as awareness raising and research.

Ms. Carmelita Pires, Special Advisor to the President of the ECOWAS Commission, cautioned that adequate resources, political will and robust partnership between the sub-region and the international community would be crucial. "Ending the culture of impunity and taking appropriate measures in criminal justice reforms with the assistance of UNODC and partners of the programme, is a priority, in line with the decisions of the July 2010 ECOWAS Summit," she added.

Mr. Dmitry Titov, Assistant Secretary-General of DPKO, said: "The Security Council continues to recognize transnational organized crime as a critical global threat. We must consolidate our efforts and expertise with those of our national and international partners, for none of us can win this fight alone. The Department of Peacekeeping Operations deeply values the commitment and energy of each one of you in this endeavour."

INTERPOL Special Representative Michael Olmsted said that his agency "would support enhanced communications among law enforcement bodies in the region, advanced criminal data services, and police training and capacity-building."

"The added value of UNODC facilitating the entire process will certainly lie in its particular mandate and experience, as well as in its role within the UN system as the main international forum to address crime and drug trafficking as a threat to international security at the global level," said Mr. Fedotov.

Background information
In 2008, ECOWAS held a ministerial conference in Cape Verde, which resulted in a political declaration and regional action plan to combat drug trafficking and organized crime in West Africa. That meeting, followed by the multi-agency West Africa Coast Initiative, gave the impetus to create the current Regional Programme.

UNODC has long been warning about narco-trafficking in West Africa compounded by widespread corruption and money-laundering. The 2009 UNODC report Transnational Trafficking and the Rule of Law in West Africa: A Threat Assessment estimated that up to 100 tons of cocaine might have transited through West Africa. Also, more large seizures are again being made, with 2.3 tons of cocaine intercepted in Gambia. In some cases, the value of trafficking flows through the region surpasses the GDPs of the West African States, which are among the world's poorest countries.



For more information please contact:

In New York

Shashi Kara

Programme Management Officer

UNODC Office

+1 (212) 963 7227

karas@un.org



In Vienna

Preeta Bannerjee

Public Information Officer

(+43-699) 1459-5764

preeta.bannerjee@unodc.org

http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/press/releases/2010/December/un-and-international-partners-to-combat-trafficking-and-promote-security-in-west-africa.html
Added on 20/12/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
$20m of ecstasy found in van, say police - Australia
$20m of ecstasy found in van, say police - Australia
$20m of ecstasy found in van, say police
December 20, 2010 - 12:58PM

Almost $20 million worth of the drug ecstasy has been uncovered inside a van in northern NSW.

The van was stopped on the Kamilaroi Highway at Quirindi for a random breath test about 2pm (AEDT) last Wednesday.

A search of the van allegedly uncovered seven cardboard boxes of chemical glassware used to make drugs.

Advertisement: Story continues below

Two Sydney men, both aged 27, were charged with possessing drug manufacturing apparatus. They appeared in court later that day and were granted conditional bail.

Meanwhile, the van was forensically examined by police attached to the Chemical Operations Unit.

They allegedly located 19.5kg of MDMA, otherwise known as ecstasy, hidden in the van and a search was immediately launched for the two men.

One of them was tracked down at Tamworth airport, where he was awaiting a flight to Sydney.

He has since been charged with manufacturing a large commercial quantity of MDMA and supplying a prohibited drug. The man was refused bail to reappear in court on February 14.

The second man, who had already left Tamworth, turned himself in at Cronulla Police Station last Friday.

He has also been charged with manufacturing a commercial quantity of MDMA and supplying a prohibited drug, and was refused bail to also appear in court on February 14.
Added on 20/12/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Three arrests after intercepting 316 pounds of cocaine in South Africa
Three arrests after intercepting 316 pounds of cocaine in South Africa
Three arrests after intercepting 316 pounds of cocaine in South Africa
December 16, 2010 - National Office

The National Crime Squad has arrested three men suspected of involvement in an international drug and money laundering organization.

The arrests were made one week ago, after South Africa, a party of 316 kilos of cocaine was seized. Here are seven suspects arrested in Johannesburg when unloading a container of rice from Suriname.

In Dubai this week arrested a 38-year-old Pakistani, who is suspected of organizing major cocaine shipments. These transports were from Suriname to the Netherlands have gone through Mozambique.

The study by the National Investigation focused on a 48-year-old importer of furniture, textiles and antiques from Amsterdam. His co-accused two men of 55 and 42 years of Purmerend and Amsterdam. In search of the homes of the suspects, seized more than 110,000 euros in cash, a money counter, a loaded firearm and 43 mobile phones. Moreover, the detectives found in the homes of the accused from Purmerend two batches of hundreds of kilograms of soft drugs: 637 kilos of hashish and 524 kilos of hemp with a total value of around three million euros.

The drug organization smuggled probably both soft and hard drugs to destinations within and outside Europe. It would also be laundered dirty money, including using underground banking. The working of the criminal organization stretched from South America, South Africa, Canada and the Middle East to Europe. The suspects spoke a veiled language, using code names, changed many of telephones and put encrypted messages on the Internet. The three suspects Wednesday by the Dutch judge in Rotterdam for two weeks in custody.

International cooperation
In the study by the National Criminal Investigation Service of the National Police (National Police Agency) has worked with police forces in England, Dubai and South Africa. In Dubai, the National Crime Squad has worked closely with the Dubai Police and the Ministry of Interior of the United Arab Emirates.
Added on 17/12/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
More than $ 200 million in cocaine hidden in the port of San Antonio
More than $ 200 million in cocaine hidden in the port of San Antonio
More than $ 200 million in cocaine hidden in the port of San Antonio

The packages were hidden in the ventilation duct of a container.

By Francis Eagle, Emol



SANTIAGO .- A shipment of highly pure cocaine, worth over 200 million pesos, was found yesterday afternoon inside a container at the port of San Antonio.

It was after 17.00 hours when maintenance personnel of a company that stores empty containers, a suspicious package found in the ventilation duct of one of them.

Given this, the officers called police, whose troops discovered 17 bundles for a total of 17 kilos 235 grams of cocaine.

The captain of the OS-7, San Antonio, Mauricio Gajardo, Emol told that the container came from England and now it examines how the drug came to that place, who should receive and what its final destination.

According to the calculations of the police chief, found the cargo equivalent of more than 180 000 doses of cocaine, although this depends on the "reduction" is made of it.

After the discovery, along with drug-sniffing dogs and other tools were reviewed to other containers, but no positive results.

The investigation of the case, for which no arrests yet, took charge of the Chief Prosecutor of San Antonio, Juan Carlos Rivera.

Hallan más de $200 millones en cocaína oculta en el puerto de San Antonio

Los paquetes estaban escondidos en el ducto de ventilación de un contenedor.

Por Francisco Águila, Emol

SANTIAGO.- Un cargamento de cocaína de alta pureza, avaluado en más de 200 millones de pesos, fue encontrado en la tarde de ayer al interior de un contenedor del puerto de San Antonio.

Eran pasadas las 17.00 horas cuando personal de mantención de una empresa que almacena contenedores vacíos, halló un paquete sospechoso en el ducto de ventilación de uno de ellos.

Ante esto, los funcionarios llamaron a Carabineros, cuyos efectivos descubrieron 17 envoltorios con un total de 17 kilos 235 gramos de cocaína.

El capitán del OS-7 de San Antonio, Mauricio Gajardo, explicó a Emol que el contenedor venía desde Inglaterra y ahora se indaga cómo llegó la droga a ese lugar, quién debía recibirla y cuál era su destino final.

Según los cálculos del jefe policial, el cargamento encontrado equivale a más de 180 mil dosis de cocaína, aunque eso depende de la "reduccion" que se haga de la misma.

Después del hallazgo, junto a perros detectores de drogas y otras herramientas fueron revisados los demás contenedores, pero no hubo resultados positivos.

La investigación del caso -por el que aún no hay detenidos- quedó a cargo del fiscal jefe de San Antonio, Juan Carlos

http://www.emol.com/noticias/nacional/detalle/detallenoticias.asp?idnoticia=452786
Added on 16/12/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Modern port becomes a drugs highway
Modern port becomes a drugs highway
Modern port becomes a drugs highway

14-12-2010

Santo Domingo. – The modern Caucedo Multimodal Port, through where a large amount of merchandise passes from South America to Europe in transit, has become one of the most likely embarking and disembarking points for trafficking drugs in containers, some from Venezuela, where the cocaine shipments are prepared, and keeps the Dominican antinarcotics authorities on “maximum alert.”
The traffic has forced the Drugs Control Agency (DNCD) to bolster its relations with its pars in Colombia, Venezuela and the United States, which has led to the confiscation of thousands of kilos of cocaine.

The latest bust, 80 packages of cocaine, came Thursday with the arrest of two people, revealed DNCD chief Rolando Rosado. “It’s a combined work that we realized with those friendly agencies, which has allowed us to seize important shipments that originally didn’t come consigned for the country.”

The confiscations in that port began in September 2006, during the tenure of Rafael Ramirez Ferreira, with around 2,250 kilos of cocaine. Since then an X ray system was installed, and more than 6,000 headed to Cadiz, in Spain, from Venezuela.

Later, on December 3, 2007, 548 packages were seized also headed to Spain and 935 packages in November, 2009, allegedly owned by the Spaniard Arturo del Tiempo, who was later arrested in that country with 1,200 kilos, shipped from Santo Domingo.

Although there were no arrests in the previous cases, they were allegedly linked to del Tiempo and the Colombian arrested, German Eduardo Duke Garcia, who after obtaining his release on bond, jumped bail and presumably fled the country.

Rosado said the containers that pass through the country on ships leave Colombia and stop in Venezuela, “where they are impregnated with cocaine.”

http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/local/2010/12/14/37959/Modern-port-becomes-a-drugs-highway
Added on 15/12/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Customs makes “significant” drug seizure in Trivandrum shipment
Customs makes “significant” drug seizure in Trivandrum shipment
Customs makes “significant” drug seizure in Trivandrum shipment
By Neil Merrett | December 14th, 2010
Customs authorities have seized what they are calling a major shipment of hash oil during a routine search of perishable products that arrived at Male’ International Airport yesterday from Trivandrum, India.

Mohamed Ibrahim of the Maldives Customs Service confirmed that 1.07 kg of hash oil was found hidden in false compartments within cardboard boxes of perishable goods, a technique he said has been used by smugglers before to try and get drugs past border controls.

The seizure is the latest in a number of drug seizures made by Maldives customs coming from Trivandrumin southwest India over the last 16 months, which Ibrahim claimed reflected concerns among customs officials in the country about a “high level risk” for smuggling.

“This is a big seizure and we have been collaborating with Indian police following routine searches based on a number of risk management factors,” he said.

“These risk management factors are based on a number of concerns, such of the origin of shipments and sometimes the company involved in sending the goods.”

In collaboration with local and regional police services, Ibrahim added that Customs authorities were continuing investigations into both parties suspected of sending and receiving the seized perishable goods, but could not comment any further at this time.

Just last month, Minivan News reported that two Maldivian nationals have been arrested in Trivandrum Airport for allegedly trying to traffic drugs to the Maldives smuggled into the baggage of a 14 year-old passenger.

In September, police said they had arrested 23 people suspected of having links with the country’s drug trade that lead to 36 separate cases being sent to the Prosecutor General’s office.

These allegations follow a number of high profile drug seizures made by Maldives Customs Services during the last two years from areas such as Trivandrum that saw 12 separate attempts at illegal narcotics transportation – totaling 12.56 kilograms with a street value of Rf 11 million – uncovered during 2009 alone.


http://minivannews.com/politics/customs-makes-significant-drug-seizure-in-trivandrum-shipment-14311
Added on 15/12/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
According to two men for seizure of 1,734 kilos of cocaine in Carabobo
According to two men for seizure of 1,734 kilos of cocaine in Carabobo
According to two men for seizure of 1,734 kilos of cocaine in Carabobo

Caracas , Friday, December 10, 2010
In the indictment filed by the Attorney General, ordered the trial of a customs broker and a trader, for his alleged involvement in the trafficking of 1,734 kg of cocaine, located in two asphalt machines, located on a pier of Puerto Cabello in March 2010.

At the preliminary hearing, prosecutors jurisdiction 25 °, 7, national and his assistant, Johenna Flores, Alfredo Pérez Marcano Yemina respectively Customs agent accused Joshua Martial Gilberto Alejo and merchant Pedro Antonio Velasquez Zabala, for allegedly incurring the crimes of trafficking narcotics and psychotropic substances, conspiracy and money laundering.
These crimes are defined and penalized in the former Organic Law Against Illicit Traffic and Consumption of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances and the Organic Law Against Organized Crime.

The Court Control 3 of Carabobo, where the preliminary hearing, after considering the arguments presented by the prosecution, admitted the charges and evidence presented. Consequently, it ordered the prosecution of two men who remain detained in the detention center Carabobo (Tocuyito).

The defendants were arrested today in the port's facilities, on 13 March during the seizure of the amount of drugs cited above, made by officials of the National Guard and the Scientific, Penal and Criminal Investigations.

After an exhaustive review, several panels of drugs were found covered with sand inside one of the machines, so that the X-ray equipment not detected. The rest of the stash was found in a false bottom of the other machine, whose destination was the city of Amsterdam.

Currently, the prosecutors assigned to the case made the appropriate steps to try to determine the alleged responsibility of others in this.

http://www.mp.gob.ve/web/guest/drogas;jsessionid=061A4C48DFB50246E70511D7680DF408?p_p_id=101_INSTANCE_rDX4&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=maximized&p_p_mode=view&p_p_col_id=column-2&p_p_col_pos=1&p_p_col_count=2&_101_INSTANCE_rDX4_struts_action=%2Fasset_publisher%2Fview_content&_101_INSTANCE_rDX4_urlTitle=a-juicio-dos-hombres-por-decomiso-de-1-734-kilos-de-cocaina-en-carabobo&_101_INSTANCE_rDX4_type=content&redirect=%2Fweb%2Fguest%2Fdrogas
Added on 13/12/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
The biggest stash involved in the Madrid airport
The biggest stash involved in the Madrid airport
The biggest stash involved in the Madrid airport
10-12-2010

The National Police seized 140 kilos of cocaine in the luggage of three flight attendants for an airline in Barajas

The drug arrived on a flight from Mexico

The detainees used their work in the airline to enter the narcotic substance in Spain

09-December-2010 .- National Police agents have seized 140 kilos of cocaine in the luggage of three Mexican airline surcharges at the airport Barajas. It is the largest cache intercepted at the airport in Madrid. The detainees, Gerardo Z. A., Luis A. G. and Edward P. A., 27, 28 and 40 years respectively, used their work in the airline to enter the narcotic substance in Spain.

The drug was stopped when the Group of Narcotics Police of Madrid-Barajas airport controlled the passage of a flight from Mexico. The officers noticed that among the passengers were three individuals carrying identical bags, and suspected that they might contain drugs inside, we proceeded to check your luggage.

Fruit of the search conducted, researchers found 132 brick-shaped packages containing a white substance that, when subjected to the reagent narcotest, proved to be cocaine. In total seized nearly 140 kg of narcotic substance.

Those arrested wanted go unnoticed corporate documentation airline workers

The arrested employees of a Mexican carrier, carrying the appropriate corporate documents that identified them as employees of the airline. The officials confirmed such an extent with that company and found they used their work as attendants for the airline to try to introduce the drug in our country.

The operation was conducted by the Narcotics Task Force Police Station Madrid-Barajas of the Police Headquarters in Madrid.

http://www.policia.es/prensa/20101209_1.html
Added on 13/12/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
DNCD seizes 80 kilos of cocaine from Peru
DNCD seizes 80 kilos of cocaine from Peru
DNCD seizes 80 kilos of cocaine from Peru

December 9, 2010

Punta Caucedo .- The National Drug Control held today at 3:00 pm, 80 kilos of white powder cocaine that is presumed not yet determined by the National Institute of Forensic Sciences (INACIF), inside a van in Puerto Multimodal Caucedo, who arrived from Peru.
The drug was contained in eighty (80) packages wrapped in gray tape, which were discovered in two (2) Blue packages that had been placed inside one of several vans to the port of Punta Caucedo.

Colonel Ramon Alcides Rodríguez Veras, a spokesman for the institution, said the drug was detected in the rigorous checks carried out by the DNCD established procedure for reviewing the trucks entering the country through different ports.

The aforementioned package arrived in the country on board the vessel MSC BALI 041, from the port Callao, Peru. We investigate the origin of the drug and those who would draw the same of that van before being requisitioned by the DNCD
Added on 13/12/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
At Horgoš 2 kg of Heroin Discovered
At Horgoš 2 kg of Heroin Discovered
At Horgoš 2 kg of Heroin Discovered
Wednesday, December 08, 2010
At Horgoš border crossing, the customs officers in cooperation with the police prevented the attempt of smuggling about 2 kg of a substance believed to be heroin.

The attempt was made by a Macedonian national, S.S., travelling on a Bulgarian bus on the Varna – Innsbruck line, who tried to smuggle the illegal drug in four half-kilo packs concealed in a therapeutic back belt. A customs officer, relying on local passenger risk profile and his experience, decided on detailed search, and after the so-called “bricks” of a narcotic drug were found around his waist the traveller admitted that he was acting only as a courier, and had been given EUR 3,800 for this service.

The passenger will be handed over to relevant investigative authorities.


http://www.carina.rs/en/Pages/SingleNews.aspx?ListItemID=38
Added on 13/12/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
55 Kilos of heroin in ‘potatoes’
55 Kilos of heroin in ‘potatoes’
55 Kilos of heroin in ‘potatoes’

Saturday, 11 December 2010

By Supun Dias

The largest haul of heroin weighing 55 kilograms concealed inside fake potatoes and imported from Pakistan was seized at the Colombo Port yesterday by the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB). Police Chief Mahinda Balasuriya said three suspects including a foreigner were also arrested after the container load of heroin packed inside 943 sacks of ‘potatoes’ was taken into custody.

The minimum street value of the heroin is estimated at Rs.275 million but has a possibility of increasing up to Rs.375 million when taking into account the price tag of one kilo of heroin which is about Rs.4.5 million.

The raid was carried out after the police received a tip off that preparations were being made to import a massive quantity of heroin.

“We have already identified the foreign network that sends heroin to Sri Lanka”, the Police Chief said and added that a highly organized network which includes Sri Lankans and Pakistanis were believed to be responsible for operating the highly lucrative trade.

Afghanistan is the leading hub for the flourishing industry with a wider global network. The nexus revolves around Afghanistan, Pakistan and India known as the 'Golden Crescent' and transported to Sri Lanka.

Reports say that there are currently about 55,000 regular heroin addicts in the country. Sri Lanka serves as a transshipment hub for heroine trading especially by heroin dealers in countries like India and Pakistan.

http://print.dailymirror.lk/news/front-image/29656.html

Police seize 50 kg heroin
11-12-2010

Chandrika Perera and Prarthana Weerasinghe

*Valued at over Rs 300 m
*Four including foreigner in custody
A container with a stock of over 50 kgs of heroin valued at over Rs 300 million was seized by Anti Narcotics Bureau sleuths at the Colombo Port premises yesterday morning.

They also arrested four suspects including a foreign national in this connection. The heroin had been smuggled in on the pretext of importing 13,000 kg of potatoes from Pakistan.

The container had balls made of plaster of paris resembling potatoes and the heroin was neatly packed inside them. (NL: plaster of paris = gips)

The plaster of paris balls containing heroin were packed inside gunny bags used to import potatoes.

Officers who believe that the entire stock weighted over 50 kilos were still busy separating the heroin after breaking open the plastered balls upto noon yesterday.

The detection was made following a tip off received by the Police.

The raid was conducted by a team led by Anti Narcotics Bureau Director SSP Sarath Beddewela under the directions of DIG Sisira Mendis. ‘This is a huge achievement by the police said IGP Mahinda Balasuriya at a press conference held yesterday.

The IGP said the heroine haul which falls into the brown sugar category has a street value of Rs 6 million per kilo. Police are conducting further investigations to arrest the other suspects. He said a dummy container had been used for the raid. One of the arrested suspects was a well-known Colombo businessman.

http://www.dailynews.lk/2010/12/11/sec01.asp

==========================

NB: The photo 'heroine' belongs to the news from June 2009 (see below).

Potato heroin

25-06-2009

Colombo Lankapuvath June 25) The Sri Lanka Customs Narcotic Control Division seized a large stock of heroin this morning (25).
The stock of heroine weighing 2.5 kg was neatly packed inside sacks of potatoes concealed in artificial containers which appear to look like potatoes. The stocks were imported from Karachchi in Pakistan.

The heroin valued over Rs.12 million was found in a 40 feet container at the Orugodawatte RSK Yard said Superintendent of Customs Dayawansa Senarath.

Investigations in this regard are being conducted by the Customs Authorities.

http://www.lankapuwath.lk/index.php/latest-news/general/2083-potato-heroin

Customs nabs 2 kg heroin from potato container
Thursday, 25 June 2009 14:16

Customs officials have nabbed two kilos of heroin smuggled into the country hidden in a container load of potatoes at Orugodawatte in Colombo today (June 25).


The container from Karachi, Pakistan, had 30,000 kgs of potatoes, including 46 made of plastic in which the narcotic drug had been concealed.


The value of the find is estimated around 12.6 million rupees.


A suspect has also been arrested.


According to Customs officials, it had taken them more than 10 hours to check each and every potato in the container.
http://www.thecolombotimes.com/component/content/article/5729-customs-nabs-2-kg-heroin-from-potato-container
Added on 13/12/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Hawks seize R300m in drug haul
Hawks seize R300m in drug haul
Hawks seize R300m in drug haul
2010-12-10 22:42

Johannesburg - The Hawks said on Friday that police seized a consignment of cocaine and Mandrax with a street value of over R300m.

Spokesperson McIntosh Polela said police had seized 316kg of pure cocaine and 100 000 Mandrax tablets. Seven people had been arrested.

They were identified as a UK national, three Mozambicans, a dual Sri Lankan/South African national as well as two South Africans.

Polela said the joint operation, codenamed Operation Phoenix, had begun on November 17 when police received information about a container that had arrived in the port of Durban.

"The container was moved from Durban to its destination in Johannesburg."

The Hawks and Crime Intelligence waited for the opportune moment to arrest the suspects and in a sting operation on Thursday night, a team raided a warehouse in Isando.

They found members of a syndicate unpacking the container and arrested them. The last suspect was picked up a short while ago, he said.

"The team afterwards opened a luxury car belonging to the suspects and found 100 000 Mandrax tablets."

An investigation by the Hawks to discover the origin of the container and its final destination was still underway.

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Hawks-seize-R300m-in-drug-haul-20101210
Added on 13/12/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
840 kg of hashish seized at the port of Casablanca
840 kg of hashish seized at the port of Casablanca
840 kg of hashish seized at the port of Casablanca
December 11, 2010 - Page 8

In total, 840 kg of cannabis resin (Chira) powder concealed in a container of handicrafts from Marrakech and to Switzerland were seized Wednesday at the port of Casablanca, it was officially announced Friday. The drugs were hidden in small bags of 15 kg each, said the Customs Service, adding that "it was the first time we seized cannabis resin powder.

This operation is the fourth of its kind in the metropolis. Customs services at the port of Casablanca seized since the beginning of 2010, more than 28 tonnes of cannabis resin equivalent to over 66 million dirhams (about 8 million U.S. dollars). These different seizures were made thanks to the performance of sophisticated equipment, including X-ray scanner which allows, without opening the container, to probe the contents.
Of the 1,000 containers that pass daily through the port of Casablanca, only an average of 120 to 160 is scanned, said the Customs Service, which state that it was "difficult to move all cargoes to the scanner. Nationally, about 9,400 ha of cannabis cultivation were destroyed and more than 118 tons were seized during the first ten months of 2010, announced last Wednesday in Rabat, the Moroccan Interior Minister, Mr. Taib Cherkaoui on the sidelines of a meeting at the House of Councillors (upper house). The current level of cannabis cultivation in Morocco is estimated at 50,000 hectares. The authorities intend, in the fight against drug trafficking, reduce that level to 12,000 ha by 2012. Approximately 136,000 people are directly affected by the cultivation of cannabis. The potential gross income for farmers is estimated at around 3 billion dirhams, a figure equivalent to 0.7% of GDP, estimated at 424.6 billion DH. The population benefiting from the cultivation of cannabis, says it is estimated that approximately 96,600 families in the Rif, it represents a gross income of about 3600 dirhams per person, compared with a GDP per capita of 14,106 DH for the entire country.
Added on 13/12/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Huge cache of drugs seized
Huge cache of drugs seized
Huge cache of drugs seized
By MUHAMMAD AL-SULAMI | ARAB NEWS

Published: Dec 11, 2010 22:20

JEDDAH: Customs officials recently seized 165,000 captagon pills at the Al-Darrah crossing point situated on the Kingdom’s border with Jordan.

“We discovered methamphetamine pills hidden amidst vegetables and food items such as pumpkin seeds, cheese and melons in a car passing the checkpoint. The smuggler had his wife and children with him,” said Director of Al-Darrah Customs House Rahim Al-Hafi.

The Interior Ministry announced in April, that it had seized some eight million Captagon tablets, 2.727 tons of hashish and 20 kilograms of pure heroin. During that operation 108 Saudis, 29 Pakistanis, 17 Yemenis, nine Syrians, a Turk, a Sudanese, an Egyptian, an Indian, and 28 people without identity documents, were arrested.

In August 2009, the authorities announced the arrest of 113 smugglers who were attempting to bring in three tons of hashish, three million stimulant pills and 10 kilograms of heroin into the Kingdom.

http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article213467.ece
Added on 13/12/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Smugglers Get Caught Trying Crafty Way to Smuggle Drugs
Smugglers Get Caught Trying Crafty Way to Smuggle Drugs
Smugglers Get Caught Trying Crafty Way to Smuggle Drugs

Posted on 12/11/2010

RIO GRANDE CITY–It may have been a small load of drugs, but Border Patrol Agents in the Rio Grande Valley found a unsuual way drug smugglers are smuggling their drugs.


On Thursday night, agents near La Grulla in Starr County, came up on a fresh foot of tracks from the Rio Grande River. It led them to a hay bale that stood out-of-place for this area.

Marijuana Glued to Bottom of Hay Stack
After looking around, they found about $26,000 worth of glued upon a layer of the hay. Agents suspect the drug smugglers abandoned the drugs when they heard authorities approaching them.

The marijuana weighed about 30 pounds. It was turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

http://mannydelarosa40.wordpress.com/
Added on 13/12/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Cincinnati CBP Seize 80 Pounds of Opium Woodchips
Cincinnati CBP Seize 80 Pounds of Opium Woodchips
Cincinnati CBP Seize 80 Pounds of Opium Woodchips

(Thursday, December 02, 2010)
Cincinnati — Cincinnati Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the DHL Express Consignment Facility recently seized almost 80 pounds of opium saturated woodchips inside two international shipments destined for Minnesota.

On Nov. 11, CBP alerted to x-rays of two parcels containing plastic wrapped bundles woodchips that tested positive for opium. The parcels were manifested as “dried homemade herbal” and were valued at $114 each. Both packages were shipped from Laos to an address in Minneapolis, MN and had a total weight of 36.15 kilograms. The investigation continues regarding these seizures as no arrests have been made at this time.

“Our express consignment CBP officers are experts in finding illegal drugs including opium that has been found saturated in pieces of cloth, soaked into small twigs and now in this case, saturated in woodchips,” said David Murphy, Chicago CBP director of Field Operations. “Everyday presents a new challenge and opportunity for CBP to constantly outsmart drug smugglers and keep our country safe.”

CBP officers routinely discover and seize drugs such as marijuana, opium, heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine, concealed in ingenious methods, arriving from origins throughout the world in foreign mail.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/local/12022010_3.xml
Added on 09/12/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Cannabis in olive oil
Cannabis in olive oil
Cannabis in olive oil
December 7, 2010 12:15

A Dutch truck driver was indicted Monday in Bordeaux after being arrested at the Spanish border in possession of 767 kg of cannabis concealed in cans of olive oil.

A young Dutch was presented Monday to a judge of the Court interregional intruction specialty (Jirsa) Bordeaux that indicted for importation of narcotics by an organized gang, then placed in custody, the source said.
The man in his twenties, who went to the Netherlands, had loaded its cargo of several drums of olive oil, some of which contained cannabis, they added.

He was arrested by Customs at the wheel of his truck Thursday at the toll Birriatou (Pyrénées-Atlantiques) just after crossing the border between France and Spain.

http://www.20min.ch/ro/news/faits_divers/story/Du-cannabis-dans-de-l-huile-d-olive-17974053

Un routier néerlandais a été mis en examen lundi à Bordeaux après avoir été interpellé à la frontière espagnole en possession de 767 kg de cannabis dissimulé dans des bidons d'huile d'olive.
Un jeune néerlandais a été présenté lundi à une juge d'intruction de la Juridiction interrégionale spécialisée (JIRS) de Bordeaux qui l'a mis en examen pour importation de stupéfiants en bande organisée, puis placé en détention provisoire, selon la même source.

L'homme âgé d'une vingtaine d'années, qui se rendait aux Pays-Bas, avait chargé sa cargaison de plusieurs fûts d'huile d'olive dont certains contenaient du cannabis, a-t-on ajouté.

Il a été interpellé par la douane au volant de son camion jeudi au péage de Birriatou (Pyrénées-Atlantiques) juste après avoir franchi la frontière entre la France et l'Espagne.
Added on 09/12/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Dubai Customs foils bid an attempt of smuggling 113 kg of 'crystal' heading to Malaysia
Dubai Customs foils bid an attempt of smuggling 113 kg of 'crystal' heading to Malaysia
Dubai Customs foils bid an attempt of smuggling 113 kg of 'crystal' heading to Malaysia
08-12-2010
Dubai Customs learnt about an aborted operation to smuggle a large quantity of drugs carefully hidden into a cargo shipment originated from Iran to Malaysia via Dubai and Singapore.
In a press conference held on Wednesday - 8th December 2010, attended by H.E. Ahmed Fadil Shamsuddin, the Malaysian Consul General to Dubai and Mr. Boris Znamenski, Program Coordinator of UNODC, His Excellency Ahmed Butti, the Executive Chairman of Ports, Free Zone and Customs Corporation revealed that the team of inspectors at Dubai Customs at the Cargo Village successfully managed to detect 113 kg of the crystal "the internationally prohibited substance" hidden into plastic reels in shipment in transit. The team foiled bid transportation of this psychotropic substance to the local market in Malaysia.

His Excellency Ahmed Butti, in the press conference held in the main building of Dubai Customs at the presence of the media representatives, revealed the details of the seized goods operation saying that customs inspectors suspected in a parcel when they examined information of the bill of landing and then they manually searched the contents and found the drugs.

While applying the manual search and entirely opening the plastic reels, the team detected a white substance, at the bottom, wrapped into small transparent bags "used cunningly to transport the contents". The Mobile Lab team at Dubai Customs was called to examine and analyze a sample of the detected item and the examination results positively proved to identify the suspected item of the eight reels substance as the crystal - narcotics weighing 113 kg

His Excellency Ahmed Butti added that: "within the framework of coordination with the General Department of Anti-Narcotics of Dubai Police, information about the seized shipment were exchanged with the concerned authorities in Malaysia "the final destination" and Singapore where the shipment was planned to pass by transit after moving from Dubai. An inspector was appointed to monitor the suspected shipment. These efforts and joint cooperation between Dubai and the related authorities of the two countries led to confiscate the shipment in Cola-Lumpur Airport and the receiver of the shipment was caught after closely inspection operation"

The Malaysian official authorities thanked Dubai Customs for their efforts in detecting the parcel hidden dugs and for feeding back information about the contents of the shipment.

The Director General of Dubai Customs re-affirmed keenness of the Dept to realize vision of becoming the leading Customs administration in the world and supporting legitimate trade. He added that the protection of the community from infiltrated prohibited and restricted substances is a strategic objective for Dubai Customs which goes in line with the objective of supporting the economy. The latter objective is equally important bearing in mind that individuals whether local or international are valued resources that ought to be preserved. Therefore, Dubai Customs always remains a vigilant eye monitoring any attempt of illegitimate movement of illicit transit goods via Dubai.

His Excellency Ahmed Butti reiterated that: "the professional human efficiencies in Dubai Customs and the highly qualified skills of the Customs inspectors and their experience in identifying ways of smuggling used by transporters are objectively focused in the training courses joined by our inspectors with the aim of developing their abilities and skills. Besides, we adopt the most world advanced technical inspection and search systems deployed at all customs ports"

His Excellency praised the mutual continuous cooperation between Dubai Customs and Dubai Police Headquarters and all different related government departments with the aim of serving the interests of the country and enhancing the position of the UAE in the world. He also thanked Dubai Customs cadres and the inspection team who seized the drug shipment and their vigilance in aborting any planned ways for smuggling goods highlighting that drugs are of the most risky substances that undermine human abilities and negatively affect human health and wellbeing.

His Excellency emphasized that Dubai managed to make use of its strategically situated position in forming a solid ground in the world trade map. This in turn made others depend on it as central bridge between the east and west and in the movement of re-exports activities. Within these challengeable factors, we managed to successfully keep balance between facilitating procedures from one hand, and from the other hand, ensure legitimate movement of shipments whether incoming to the local market or transit via Dubai by enabling the policy of compliance and facilitation.

It is worth mentioning that the Crystal substance contains the methamphetamines which are stimulants that speed up the brain and gradually damage its cells. It is produced into forms of ice or crystal meth. The base is wrapped in paper or stuffed into the pipes snorted, inhaled or smoked. Also it can be mixed in a drink melted and used in needles or swallowed (a practice called "bumbing") methamphetamines. Some of the pharmaceuticals companies use the methamphetamine substance in some medications; however, some people illegally produce this substance by adding chemical detergent substances.
http://www.ameinfo.com/251001.html
Added on 09/12/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Criminal action was brought against a person who sought to travel with almost half a kilo of cocaine
Criminal action was brought against a person who sought to travel with almost half a kilo of cocaine
Criminal action was brought against a person who sought to travel with almost half a kilo of cocaine
Saturday, December 4, 2010 > Bulletin 1399/10

As a result of legal work, criminal prosecutor assigned to the Federation's delegation of the Attorney General's Office in the Federal District was determined criminal action against Jesus Emmanuel León Vargas for his alleged responsibility in the crime against health in the form of transport of the drug called cocaine hydrochloride.

Leon Vargas was arrested by Federal Police at Terminal One International Airport of Mexico City, where he was assured 462.6 grams of cocaine concealed in the inside of your abdomen through wrappers made of latex.

At the time of his arrest, also was found a check for a flight from Guadalajara to Mexico, a boarding pass for a Mexico-Amsterdam flight and a boarding pass Amsterdam, Copenhagen, and the amount of 250 euros and $ 150 Bank of Jamaica.

In light of the facts, the likely culprit was brought before the Social Representative of the Federation affiliated to the Sub Area East (Agency Command Center Federal Police), who opened a preliminary investigation PGR/DDF/SZO/CMI/091 / 2010 and after completing the formalities of law, criminal action against the prisoner, who was admitted to the North Male Detention available to the First District Court Federal Criminal Proceedings in the Federal District seat in that detention center .

This work is part of the Federal Government to restore confidence in the institutions responsible for ensure the security and justice, and peace of the citizenry.
Added on 08/12/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Criminal action was brought against a person who sought to travel with almost half a kilo of cocaine
Criminal action was brought against a person who sought to travel with almost half a kilo of cocaine
Criminal action was brought against a person who sought to travel with almost half a kilo of cocaine
Saturday, December 4, 2010 > Bulletin 1399/10

As a result of legal work, criminal prosecutor assigned to the Federation's delegation of the Attorney General's Office in the Federal District was determined criminal action against Jesus Emmanuel León Vargas for his alleged responsibility in the crime against health in the form of transport of the drug called cocaine hydrochloride.

Leon Vargas was arrested by Federal Police at Terminal One International Airport of Mexico City, where he was assured 462.6 grams of cocaine concealed in the inside of your abdomen through wrappers made of latex.

At the time of his arrest, also was found a check for a flight from Guadalajara to Mexico, a boarding pass for a Mexico-Amsterdam flight and a boarding pass Amsterdam, Copenhagen, and the amount of 250 euros and $ 150 Bank of Jamaica.

In light of the facts, the likely culprit was brought before the Social Representative of the Federation affiliated to the Sub Area East (Agency Command Center Federal Police), who opened a preliminary investigation PGR/DDF/SZO/CMI/091 / 2010 and after completing the formalities of law, criminal action against the prisoner, who was admitted to the North Male Detention available to the First District Court Federal Criminal Proceedings in the Federal District seat in that detention center .

This work is part of the Federal Government to restore confidence in the institutions responsible for ensure the security and justice, and peace of the citizenry.
Added on 08/12/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Albuquerque Man Arrested After Finding Drugs Hidden In Gas Tank
Albuquerque Man Arrested After Finding Drugs Hidden In Gas Tank
Albuquerque Man Arrested After Finding Drugs Hidden In Gas Tank
Posted: 3:15 pm MST December 6, 2010

EL PASO, Texas -- Over 200 pounds of marijuana were found hidden inside a fuel tank Friday evening.

Chad Lee McKinney of Albuquerque, New Mexico was arrested after Custom and Border Protection officers found 248 pounds of marijuana inside metal containers within a fuel tank of a Chevrolet Suburban when he entered the Bridge of the Americas.

CBP officers working at area ports over the weekend made 10 marijuana seizures totaling 981 pounds of the drug.

McKinney, 23, was turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) special agents and faces federal charges including importation of a controlled substance and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.

He is currently detained at the El Paso County Jail.

http://www.kfoxtv.com/news/26038696/detail.html
Added on 08/12/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Massive drug shipment seized on border
Massive drug shipment seized on border
Massive drug shipment seized on border
By: Hungary Around the Clock

2010-12-06 09:50
Customs authorities seized 312kg of marijuana worth an estimated Ft 630 million at Röszke on the Serbian border at the weekend.

Customs guard spokesman Jen Sipos said the shipment, one of the largest drug hauls in Hungary in recent times, was detected by an x-ray of a Serbian truck carrying metal scaffolding.

The driver tried to escape but was caught on the Serb side of the border.

http://www.caboodle.hu/nc/news/news_archive/single_page/?tx_ttnews%5btt_news%5d=8515

Record drug haul on Serbian border
Sunday December 5 2010

Budapest, December 5 (MTI) - The Hungarian customs officials found 312 kilograms of marijuana, the largest drug haul Hungary's seen for a while, in a Serbian truck at the Roszke border station on Saturday, a Customs and Finance Guard spokesman told MTI on Sunday.

The Serbian driver said he was delivering metal scaffolding to Italy. The customs officials, however, X-rayed the vehicle to find a hidden compartment in its front wall that contained the drug with an estimated market value of 630 million forints (EUR 2.26m), said Jeno Sipos.

Once exposed, the driver fled to the other side of the border where he was arrested by the Serbian authorities. The consignment was seized.

Investigation into the origin and destination of the marijuana as well as the Hungarian links of the driver are under way, the spokesman said.

http://mti.hu/english/article-print/517733/
Added on 07/12/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Party drug mephedrone banned across EU
Party drug mephedrone banned across EU
Party drug mephedrone banned across EU
03 December 2010 | 09:19:03 PM | Source: AAP


The European Union on Friday banned suspected killer drug mephedrone, a popular ecstasy-like party drug sometimes known as "meow meow" that is sold on the internet and available in 12 EU nations.



Mephedrone, already illegal in 15 EU nations, has been linked to 37 deaths in Britain and Ireland alone and appears to be the sole cause of two deaths in the EU.

"It is good to see that EU governments are prepared to take swift action to ban this dangerous drug," said EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding after the 27-nation bloc agreed on the ban.

"This drug is sold over the internet, often behind innocent names like plant food or bath salts. Young people should not be fooled. These drugs are harmful."

The decision bans the manufacturing and the marketing of mephedrone, submitting it to criminal sanctions all over Europe.

Sold in powder form, capsules or tablets by street dealers, or over the web posing as salts or plant fertiliser, its effects are comparable with ecstasy or cocaine - but at only 10 to 15 euros a gram.

Also known as "bubble" or "neodove", it has been banned in Austria, Belgium, Britain, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Romania and Sweden.

A scientific risk assessment carried out by the Lisbon-based European Monitoring Centre on Drugs and Drug Addiction showed that mephedrone can cause acute health problems and lead to dependency.

It has no established medical value or other known legitimate purpose.

http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1431896/Party-drug-mephedrone-banned-across-EU
Added on 06/12/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Swindon man charged with cannabis smuggling at Newhaven
Swindon man charged with cannabis smuggling at Newhaven
Swindon man charged with cannabis smuggling at Newhaven


02 December 2010

A 29-year-old Polish man has appeared in court this morning charged with attempting to smuggle 17kgs of cannabis through the port of Newhaven on Monday 29 November.

Tomasz Budzinski, of Kingshill Road, Swindon, was stopped by officers from the UK Border Agency after he disembarked a Dieppe-Newhaven ferry.

With the help of a sniffer dog, officers searched the Liquefied Petroleum Gas tank, which was fitted to the VW Bora Mr Budzinski was driving.

An x-ray of the tank revealed suspicious contents and it was taken to Dover for a full search, after the fuel had been safely drained.

Approximately 17kgs of cannabis were discovered with a street value of £50,000.

Mr Budzinski was subsequently charged, on Tuesday 30 November, with attempting to smuggle a Class B drug into the UK.

He appeared at Brighton Magistrates' Court this morning and was remanded in custody until Monday 6 December for a remand hearing. The committal hearing is scheduled for January 5 2011.
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2010/dec/04-swindon-cannabis-newhaven
Added on 06/12/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
The Colombian Coke Sub
The Colombian Coke Sub
The Colombian Coke Sub
Former Drug Smuggler Tells His Story
12/02/2010
By Alexander Bühler

The South American drug-smuggling business is becoming increasingly sophisticated as Colombian gangs use home-made submarines to get cocaine to Mexico. The crews have to put up with incredible heat, insanitary conditions and a lack of space. One former submersible captain told SPIEGEL about his experiences.

The day Gustavo Alonso's life as a drug courier ended began with the muffled roar of a helicopter. It was flying directly overhead, and Alonso could hear it approaching rapidly. Suddenly the helicopter came to a stop and began hovering in the air above.


Alonso, three other crew members and a guard from the Colombian drug mafia were crammed together in a space of about 15 square meters (161 square feet) in the hold of a semi-submersible 600 nautical miles off the Mexican coast. The vessel was also carrying 3.5 tons of cocaine, with a wholesale price of about $8 million (€6.1 million), worth more than $60 million on the streets of Miami or Washington.


The Mexican contacts who were supposed to take delivery of the cocaine were already four days late. They had reported that their ship was having engine problems. The crew had already been traveling for 12 days in the small submarine, with barely enough space to stand up or walk around. Waves constantly washed over the glass dome which provided their only visual contact with the outside world. The men had to continually squeeze past each other and spent most of their time playing cards or dozing.

At about 10 a.m., they suddenly heard a muffled bang. The helicopter gunner had shot a steel net at the vessel. It wrapped itself around the propellers and prevented the submersible from moving forward.

They heard someone talking through a megaphone. They knew that heavy weapons were pointed at them and that they didn't stand a chance. They shut off the engines, went outside and surrendered to the US Coast Guard.

Escaping the Narcos

"At first I wanted to kill myself," says Alonso, "but then I realized that now I could finally escape the narcos, the drug dealers." If he were in a US prison, they would no longer have any power over him and wouldn't be able to pick him up for the next transport, as they had been doing for years.

Alonso was convicted of drug trafficking and spent years in prison, the first two of them in solitary confinement. He returned to his hometown after his release, but he has since left his old life behind. The people with whom he used to interact in the drug trade are now either dead or behind bars.

Alonso, 53, a short, stocky man, is standing on the terrace of the Hotel Estación in the Colombian port city of Buenaventura. He is looking out at the bay in front of him, a labyrinth of islands, twisted mangrove forests and estuaries.

Alonso isn't his real name. The drug mafia doesn't like it when former employees start talking. And here in Buenaventura, the hub for drug dealers on the Pacific coast, talking is especially dangerous. For years, drug gangs like the Rastrojos and the Aguilas Negras have been waging a war in the city for control of the transport routes.

The drug gangs do their recruiting in the poor neighborhoods of Buenaventura, where people live in shabby wooden huts. In those neighborhoods, there is little work and only sporadic electricity and running water. The drug mafia controls such areas and finds its foot soldiers there.

A woman was murdered there a few weeks ago, and two others disappeared without a trace -- an act of revenge committed by the narcos after a botched transport. The crew of a smuggling boat had thrown some of its cargo overboard while fleeing from the coast guard. A few days later, the police proudly displayed the confiscated cargo. For the narcos, the incident was an act of betrayal, which has to be followed by retaliation.

Unable to Say No

There are two ways to get into the drug trade, Alfonso explains. Some do it to make fast money, the coup of a lifetime, enough money to pay for a house or the children's education. Others do it because they are blackmailed after previously receiving help from the drug mafia, as in Alonso's case.

Alonso, a licensed sea captain, worked for years on large fishing ships before piloting the cocaine boats through the ocean. He was living in Buenaventura with his wife and their three daughters when his wife got seriously ill. "The doctors said that she urgently needed surgery, but the operation was going to cost $40,000 (€30,500)," he recalls.

He didn't have the money. He says that an acquaintance assured him that everything would be taken care of and that he had nothing to worry about. After the operation, the supposed friend approached Alonso and asked him for a favor in return. Alonso agreed to help the man, even though he sensed what the request would be. Could he have said no? "If I had, I wouldn't be standing here today," he says.

He began a two-year career as a drug smuggler, during which he completed a total of four trips. He made the first trip in a cutter provided by the drug dealers, with five tons of cocaine hidden under a load of fish. Alonso, a well-known captain, made his way past the coast guard without incident. He turned over the drugs at an arranged meeting point off the Mexican coast and returned home.

Picked Up at Night

He still hoped that the narcos would leave him alone. But they were already waiting for him when he arrived in the harbor. "They never leave you alone, unless the police get you or you're killed during a transport." They pressed some money into his hands and took him home. Then they told him to wait for the next mission, and not to leave the house. For weeks, he was afraid to go outside.


He felt almost relieved when he was picked up one night. At dawn, after traveling for several hours by car and motorboat, the group reached its destination: an island in the coastal mangrove thicket. From the boat, Alonso could see one of the shipyards people had always gossiped about in Buenaventura, where submersibles are built out of fiberglass in the jungle, out in the open, to be used for transporting cocaine.


The narcos had developed a reliable system. The boats are almost invisible from the water, and they don't appear on radar. The only way to reliably locate the vessels is through thermal imaging performed by air surveillance crews. But the drug gangs quickly found a way to overcome this problem. They attached thick pipes to the hulls of the submersibles, allowing exhaust gases to be fed into the water, which cools the gases. A third of the cocaine bound for the US market is now transported with submersibles.

"I was afraid when they showed me the boat," says Alonso. He knew his way around ships. On a ship, you could always go on deck and look at the sea. But now he was looking at a tiny, fragile submersible, and he could see how tight it would be inside. Ten tons of fuel, canned food and water in canisters were already stored in the hull -- and three-and-a-half tons of pure cocaine. The entire crew was ordered to get on board at nightfall.

The boat was divided into three sections. A hatch in the bow led to the cargo hold, which was barely a meter (3 feet) high. The crew had to crawl through the cargo hold on hands and knees, passing the packages of drugs, to reach the control station and the sleeping berths. Alonso positioned himself at the wheel, next to a GPS device for navigation and a radio. The diesel tanks were underneath the berths. The engine room, containing two turbo diesel engines, was behind Alonso. There was no light, there were no toilets, and there was barely enough room to stand up or lie down to sleep.

At around 8 p.m., the tide was high and the night sufficiently dark as the ocean water tugged at the submersible. A speedboat pulled the vessel out to sea, where the crew started the engines. They accelerated to 12 knots and set off on a 270-degree course heading west, toward the open ocean. The guard provided by the drug mafia for each transport, armed with a revolver and an assault rifle, stood at the door to the engine room. It was incredibly hot in the submersible, where the engines remove oxygen from the air and enrich it with carbon monoxide, despite ventilation pipes. "You constantly feel like you're suffocating," says Alonso. "Every four hours, we reduced the speed from 12 to six knots. Then we opened the hatch in the front for exactly one minute, let some fresh air in and accelerated again."

The four-man team worked in shifts, while Alonso kept monitoring the route. Once they were in the open ocean, the man with the assault rifle gave him a piece of paper showing the target position. Their instructions were to arrive there on a specific day and at a specific time.

Each of the men tried to sleep after his shift, but the stench and the noise on board made this impossible. They had to drink copious amounts of water to make up for the buckets of sweat constantly running off their bodies. Their main source of nourishment was condensed milk, the Peruvian "Leche Gloria" brand. The stench from fecal matter, which couldn't be disposed of during the trip, soon became almost unbearable.

A Dangerous Mission

The Colombian drug mafia has had hundreds of similar boats built in the last few years. The police have only managed to capture 53 of them, 20 in the last year alone. The drug transport business is extremely lucrative. It costs about half a million dollars to build a submersible, but the market value of the cargo can be more than 100 times that. The drug smugglers often sink their boats once the delivery has been made. Dozens of the one-way vessels are believed to be lying on the sea floor off the Mexican coast.

Authorities are now imposing steep fines on anyone caught building or using the boats. If the coast guard also finds drugs on board, the smugglers can expect to spend eight to 14 years in prison. Nevertheless, it isn't difficult to find smugglers to work on the boats.

Those who do so are signing up for a dangerous mission. The tiniest design flaw can be deadly in a boat that spends much of its journey 1,500 kilometers away from the coast. If the thin hull breaks, it's all over, says Alonso. He has heard of several crews of drug couriers that drowned. "Even if you make it through the hatch to the surface, you're out in the middle of the ocean, without a life vest or a rescue boat."

Alonso's first trip in a submersible lasted 10 days, and he reached the destination without incident, slipping under the Colombian coast guard's radar and past its sonar. Alonso knew where to find the gaps in surveillance. They reached the destination off the Mexican coast, where they transmitted code words on a prearranged frequency. When the Mexican narcos' yacht arrived, the crew opened the hatch and jumped into the water to rid themselves of the stench of the last few days.

Huge Sums Involved

They spent four hours loading the cocaine packets, each weighing 20 to 40 kilograms, onto the other boat. In return, they received 20 packages of banknotes, for a total of $8 million in $20 bills, money they had to turn over to their Colombian bosses.

The normal rate for the voyage ranges between $30,000 and $100,000. Alonso was paid much less, because the drug gangs were still deducting his old debts. For him, the transports were never lucrative.

Money is what drives this business, a lot of money. A kilo of cocaine costs about $2,500 in Colombia, but in Europe it sells for $30,000. A few months ago, authorities found sums of $29 million and €17 million when they searched only one of the locations where the drug boss "El Loco" Barrera had been hiding his money.

An estimated 5 million Colombians are believed to be directly or indirectly involved in the drug trade. This is why the government is fighting on such a broad front against the FARC rebels, who are not just the government's political adversaries, but are also the country's biggest drug suppliers. The fight includes the use of police helicopters that burn down cocaine laboratories in the jungle, as well as aircraft that spray the herbicide glyphosate in blue clouds over the coca fields. With this method, the Colombians have already destroyed 7,500 hectares (18,525 acres) of coca fields in a FARC-controlled area since November 2009.

For years, the government has cooperated with the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). In return, the Americans have provided the country with billions in administrative and financial aid. Immense progress has been made in the fight against the drug trade in Colombia, says one high-ranking DEA official. In fact, he says, the Colombians have become so effective that the drug mafia will probably shift its production to Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador soon. "The authorities in those countries don't have enough experience yet with the drug smugglers' methods, technical equipment and level of sophistication," the official says.

Taking It to the Next Level

A recent raid in neighboring Ecuador confirmed the official's predictions. In July, the Ecuadorian police found a real submarine near the Colombian border. It was 30 meters long, equipped with a periscope and electric motors and apparently capable of diving to a depth of 20 meters. Unlike the submersibles Alonso had used, this vessel was built by engineers and could only be piloted by experienced submarine captains. The estimated construction cost was $4 million.

He has lost everything, his entire existence, because of drug smuggling, Alonso says today. Now he survives on the pension of his 80-year-old father. The roof trusses in his house in Buenaventura are rotten and need to be replaced, but Alonso can't afford it. He is making nets now and wants to become a fisherman. It would be his third life, following his careers as a captain and then as an underwater drug courier.

He has no faith in the supposed successes of his country's anti-drug units. "As long as someone consumes it, there will be someone who produces cocaine, someone who transports it, and someone who sells it," he says. "And idiots like me, who are stupid enough to do this."

http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,732292,00.html

***********************************************************************
Added on 06/12/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Turkish security forces seize 160 kg of heroin in Edirne
Turkish security forces seize 160 kg of heroin in Edirne
Turkish security forces seize 160 kg of heroin in Edirne

04 December 2010 | 16:23 | FOCUS News Agency
Home / Southeast Europe and Balkans

Ankara. The Turkish security services have seized 160 kg of heroin in an operation in the province of Edirne on Saturday, the Anatolian Agency reported.
The drug was found in a truck traveling to the Netherlands. The truck driver is wanted.

http://www.focus-fen.net/?id=n236550
Added on 06/12/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Turkish security forces confiscated 47 kilograms of heroin
Turkish security forces confiscated 47 kilograms of heroin
ISTANBUL - Turkish security forces confiscated 47 kilograms of heroin in an operation conducted in north-western province of Istanbul on Saturday.

04 Aralýk 2010
The heroin were found hidden in marble blocs that were to be sent to the Netherlands.

Four people were detained in connection with the illicit drugs.
(SOL-UK)

http://www.aa.com.tr/index.php?option=com_haber&popup=hayrinti&haber_id=447735
Added on 06/12/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
133 kilos of heroin seized
133 kilos of heroin seized
133 kilos of heroin seized
01 Dec 2010


Pain Field 133 pounds of heroin were seized in Customs Gürbulak Dogubayazit district.

According to information from the Customs and Housing Baþmüdürlüðü'nden Gürbulak, connection Gürbulak Smuggling Intelligence and Narcotics Directorate of Customs Enforcement teams as a result of the operation, a citizen of Iran who came to Turkey in ICU IR45525 administration TIR'da plate, image, and Bonet's narcotics detector dog Xray devices on the call was made to respond.

Gürbulak Border Gate at night, arriving from Iran to Georgia and Iran with ceramic load the control at the plate cooler TIR'ýn dorsesinin 133 pounds of heroin were seized.

Last 6 months of operation, the largest heroin market value of that feature was reported to be about 3 million 582 thousand TL. Events related to the Iranian national Y.B. his party were arrested.
Added on 06/12/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
DEA Istanbul Office Chief Mark Snyder: Bulgaria, US Outstanding Partners in Fight against Narcotics
DEA Istanbul Office Chief Mark Snyder: Bulgaria, US Outstanding Partners in Fight against Narcotics
DEA Istanbul Office Chief Mark Snyder: Bulgaria, US Outstanding Partners in Fight against Narcotics
Author: Ivan Dikov
November 26, 2010, Friday

Interview with Mark Snyder, Chief of the Office of the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in Istanbul, Turkey, which also covers Bulgaria.

DEA is a law enforcement agency under the US Department of Justice combating drug smuggling and use in the USA and helping coordinate relevant efforts with other nations around the world.

What do you responsibilities entail? What does the DEA office in Istanbul do?

The way the DEA is organized is that we cover regions. Right now one of my responsibilities in Istanbul is to cover Bulgaria. By that we mean to work with our counterparts in the Embassy and also to work with the Bulgarian government against narcotics and money laundering.

Inside the USA the DEA is a police agency and we do federal policy investigations. Outside the United States we partner with the people in the host countries in areas all over the world, and we help them identify and target the organizations that are trafficking drugs, laundering money, and dealing with other types of criminal activity.

The Bulgarian government of Prime Minister Borisov has received a lot of praise by senior US officials. What is your view of the cooperation between American services and the Bulgarian government?

Our cooperation with Bulgaria is outstanding. What we do is work with Ambassador Warlick and with other officials in the Embassy in Sofia, and our job is to assist the Bulgarian government and also to look after United States' interests.

In all of these areas the Bulgarians have been outstanding partners. We actually have an officer based in Sofia to work with GDBOP (the Bulgarian unit for fighting organized crime – editor's note), and what they do is exchange information, identify targets together, and then we attack the organizations that commit the crimes.

We've never made a suggestion, or asked for help that we didn't receive – the Bulgarians have been very good partners.

I think that some of the successes we've seen in Bulgaria recently with the seizures, the arrests show the extent of the partnership. That is not the USA telling the Bulgarian what to do or vice versa. It is the two countries working together as partners.

Sometimes we ask the Bulgarian government about what to do, we ask for their advice and they are very open with that, from the Prime Minister down. Interior Minister Tsvetanov has been a very good partner, obviously Interior Secretary Georgiev, and the entire chain in command in the Bulgarian Interior Ministry all the way through the Prime Minister's office have been very helpful and I think the results of that have been the arrests and the seizures that we've seen so far.

How would you describe the drug trafficking problem through Bulgarian territory? There are announcements all the time that the Bulgarian police and customs capture large drug shipments. But there is also the impression that some of the shipments are caught while others are allowed through.

Obviously, we are very happy when we see the seizures because they show that the men and women in the police and the customs service are doing their job. It is quite probable that there are narcotic shipments that are not being seized and caught but we don't know about those, obviously.

I cannot say what percentage gets through just because we don't know. If we know about a shipment, we help the Bulgarian government to try to seize it and make arrests.

I would say that the narcotics situation in Bulgaria is very similar to the drug problem in other countries in the region – Greece, Romania, Turkey.

Obviously, Bulgaria's position in the European Union is very important, because, as you know, there is a tremendous amount of commercial shipping that goes through Bulgaria en route to the EU – Germany, Holland, the UK, etc. The overwhelming majority of that is legitimate shipping.

However, there is a small percentage that is illegal shipping, narcotics, and the criminal organizations know that if they are able to get narcotics in the EU, it is more difficult to seize them because of the way the EU works on customs rules and laws, and searching containers.

No matter whether it is heroin coming out of Afghanistan, or whether it is cocaine that's from South America through Africa, or amphetamines, illegal money, money from drug sales. All that is a problem in Bulgaria but it is the same kind of problem as in the rest of the region. I don't think Bulgaria's problem is dramatically different from the other countries in the region.

Can you elaborate on each of the more specific drug trafficking schemes – the heroin from Afghanistan, the cocaine from South America – in terms of trends? There have been reports that trafficking from both of these destinations has been increasing.

The proximity of the Balkans to Afghanistan and Pakistan makes the Balkan region very susceptible to having heroin shipped through its territory en route to the larger consumers markets.

Most of the evidence shows that the biggest consumer market for the heroin out of Afghanistan is in Western Europe. So you have heroin that's being shipped in many different ways – trucks, shipping containers, sea vessels, etc. The heroin is being shipped from the source country to the consumer markets.

A certain percentage of the heroin might stay in Bulgaria for use but most would agree that the overwhelming majority continues on to the larger consumer markets in Western Europe or elsewhere.

That is a very big problem that we are concentrating on with our Bulgarian partners and with the Embassy not only we want to help protect Western Europe but also because a lot of information shows that the money from heroin trade is being used to support different kinds of extremist movements around the world – the Taliban, Al Qaeda, the PKK in Turkey, the Islamist movement in Uzbekistan – those organizations traditionally have used narcotics money to help fund their activities.

Those types of organizations are of great concert to all of us in the region – to the Turks, Greeks, Bulgarians, the US. So one of the things we are trying to do is stop the heroin trade and prevent the drug money from making its way back to any criminal organization but especially these extremist groups.

A large percentage of the world's cocaine still comes out of Central and South America. But what we have seen – there is a lot of information about this on the Internet, open source information – that these criminal organizations are now using West Africa as a stop-over point of the cocaine, and as the cocaine is making its way from South America through Africa, and then into Europe.

Again, much for the same reasons as with the heroin – the goals is to get it to the consumer markets in Europe and other places around the world. DEA and the US Embassy in Bulgaria partner with the Bulgarian government to go after these groups that are moving the cocaine.

I would like to stress that in all of these cases partnership is crucial. And while having two people partner is good, having more partners would be better. So another thing we want to show is that the US is very happy the Bulgarians in what's known as the SECI – the Southeast European Cooperative Initiative, which is a regional center for combating trans-border organized crime headquartered in Bucharest.

It is police from all over the Balkan region, and the USA, coming together to identify targets. So in this one center you've got American, Bulgarian, Romanian, Turkish policemen, etc – targeting criminal organizations. That center provides a really great opportunity to exchange information, etc.

So what will happen is that the Bulgarian representative in that center will with work with the offices in Sofia or other parts of Bulgaria. Most of the investigations that we have now are in several countries simultaneously. Using tools such as the SECI center we can get rid of national boundaries for the police. We can attack the same organization together.

The Bulgarians have been very strong supporters of the SECI center, and we have all benefited a lot from having all those countries work together in Bucharest at the center.

In addition to heroin and cocaine trafficking, we also have synthetic drugs which are a huge problem in the USA, in the Balkans. We've been working with Bulgaria not only to go after amphetamines and labs but also to go after the chemicals that they are made of.

One of the things about amphetamines is that the chemicals they are made of can be bought legitimately or they can be bought on the Black market.

Our best successes to date are seizing large quantities of chemicals that can be used for synthetic drugs such as the seizure of silicon hydrate – this is a substance used primarily for processing heroin, although it can be used to make synthetic drugs. With the help of the Bulgarians, the SECI center, we have seized 21 tonnes in the last year of this silicon hydrate. So it is a good opportunity for us to attack the drug problems by going after these chemicals.

Bulgaria has actually been an exporter of amphetamines since the 1960s. How does the situation look today in terms of Bulgaria being a source country in this type of drug trade?

I can tell you that right now the Bulgarians are leading the chart regionally in trying to go after synthetic drugs.

I know that we have a lot of other trends coming in – such as Iran-sourced amphetamines, for example. It is quite possible that there might be synthetic drug labs in Bulgaria, we partner with the Bulgarian police to try to find them.

I have been told by my Bulgarian counterparts that there has been a dramatic decrease in the amount of labs that have been seized, and that would show us that they are doing a better on trying to reduce that problem.

You are also dealing with money laundering. Where do Bulgarian organized crime groups stand in that and drug trafficking activities?

These are global problems, and we have a global approach to them. As part of the work that we are doing with the Bulgarian counterparts we have seen both foreign based criminal organizations, and we've been attacking those very hard, and we've seen Bulgarian organizations, and have also tackled them strongly.

Obviously, the Bulgarian groups have better access to resources in the country. We realize that and we know that the Prime Minister and the Interior Minister have made combating organized crime one of their priorities, and we, the DEA and the US Embassy are ready to help them every step of the way because we know that these illegal activities provide funding for a lot of illegal activities. By seizing the drugs, we protect the people from them, and we also deny those organizations that source of funding.

You have seen with your reporting that Bulgarian criminal organizations also have the ability to commit crimes in part of the world as well.

With respect to Bulgarian mafia groups going international – how strong really are any Bulgarian organized crime outside Bulgaria?

They are strong enough. We are aware of their operations outside of Bulgaria, and we work to try to stop that activity. Whether it is operating in Europe, the US, or South America, any time we get information of a Bulgarian criminal organization we are going to go after it. If we find out, we are going to attack such an organized crime group equally strongly elsewhere – from the top to the bottom – whether it is in the streets of Sofia or in the streets of Miami.

There are Bulgarian organized crime groups working outside of Bulgaria. Again, that's where partnerships such as the SECI center are very important.

Do any drugs trafficked through Bulgaria go to the United States?

The criminal organizations are doing many different types of crime. If I am investigating a group that is dealing with drug trafficking but then I also find out that they are using ATM skimming devices in the US, I can go to our friends from the Secret Service at the Embassy in Sofia and help them target that organization.

So for us, although fighting narcotics trafficking and money laundering are our main responsibilities, we have many different people we can work with. I don't know to what level Bulgarian groups are directly in the USA, but we investigate every single case we learn about.

We've got really great partners there at the Embassy – the Secret Service, the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, all types of different organizations, lawenforcementwise, from the United States.

One of the nicest things for the relationship between the Bulgarian and the US governments is that we are all leading the same fight. Our goal is to help the Bulgarian government attack the organizations they have identified, and to protect the United States. We do it all as one team, as one effort. We get together regularly. There is no difference on the level of help that the Bulgarian government and people will get from the US Embassy.

It has been mentioned that the DEA plans to open an office in Sofia. Is that expected to happen any time soon?

We hope it will happen as soon as possible. It's a very high priority for DEA, for Ambassador Warlick, we know it is a high priority for Prime Minister Borisov and Interior Minister Tsvetanov.

What I promise to the Embassy and the Bulgarians is that DEA is going to support them 110%. Even though I don't have a full-time office in Sofia, I have an officer working and living there. Although he is assigned official to the DEA office in Istanbul, his main responsibility is to support the US Embassy in Sofia and the Bulgarian government on all the things that they are trying to do.

The relationship between DEA and the Bulgarian government is outstanding. We get a tremendous amount of support from the US Embassy, the Interior Ministry, the Prime Minister's office, the Finance Ministry which oversees the customs service.

The partnership that DEA has with our Bulgarian friends is what we would wish to have in many other parts of the world because it has been so successful. And it is a partnership. It is built on trust, on working together as a team for a common goal.

http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=122601
Added on 03/12/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Arrested in Panama alleged cocaine foreign
Arrested in Panama alleged cocaine foreign
Arrested in Panama alleged cocaine foreign
sábado, 27 de noviembre de 2010

27 de noviembre de 2010, 16:44Panama, Nov 27 (Prensa Latina) Panama's law enforcement authorities reported today the arrest of a foreign citizen at the Tocumen International Airport, following a record where suspected illicit substances were detected.

According to sources from the institution, a Venezuelan woman carrying a suitcase with clothes in 13 wooden hangers wrapped with masking tape.

The specialists were suspected material and the thickness of the goods concerned and proceeded to punch, which led to finding two bundles in each of them.

In total, the staff of the Research Division of the National Police took 26 packages inside containing a white powder cocaine could be estimated.

The Foreign intended to leave the country on a KLM flight to Amsterdam, Holland, and ending in Lisbon, Portugal.

The arrest and evidence were seized at the orders of the competent authorities.


http://www.prensa-latina.cu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=241991&Itemid=1
Added on 03/12/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Customs arrested three foreigners who transported cocaine inside chocolates
Customs arrested three foreigners who transported cocaine inside chocolates
Customs arrested three foreigners who transported cocaine inside chocolates
Buenos Aires, November 29, 2010

The young Lithuanian officers stopped carrying in their luggage tablets with more than 8 kilograms of cocaine hydrochloride

By order of the Court, agents of the Federal Administration of Public Revenue (AFIP) and the Regional Customs Directorate Córdoba arrested at the airport in that city, three foreign planned to leave the country with 8 kilos of cocaine -Valued at 315,000 euros, hidden in chocolate bars.

With intervention of the Federal Court No. 2 of the city of Cordoba, by Alejandro Sanchez Freytes, and with the collaboration of the Airport Security Police (PSA), Customs officers arrested two young Lithuanian carrying in his luggage chocolate bars -from a recognized brand, with more than 8 kilograms of cocaine hydrochloride, excellent quality, as the researchers said.

The procedure took place in Cordoba International Airport, and according to which customs officials could confirm the three foreigners were scheduled to make stops in Santiago (Chile) and Madrid (Spain), before arriving in Amsterdam (Netherlands) it was his final destination.

At the same time that carried out the procedure at the airport, other customs agents, together with PSA-troops raided a downtown hotel in Buenos Aires where they found evidence for the investigation and arrest of a third involved in operation: a Colombian citizen who would be responsible for the band.

The three detainees with substance kidnapped and the evidence were made available to the Federal Court No. 2 of Cordoba, where he handled the prosecution for the crime covered by Article 866 of the Customs Code which provides for penalties of up to 16 years in prison.
Added on 03/12/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Holiday Doesn’t Slow Smugglers: Border Patrol Seizes $5 Million in Marijuana
Holiday Doesn’t Slow Smugglers: Border Patrol Seizes $5 Million in Marijuana
Holiday Doesn’t Slow Smugglers: Border Patrol Seizes $5 Million in Marijuana

(Monday, November 29, 2010)

Blythe, Calif. – U.S. Border Patrol agents from Yuma Sector seized approximately 47 pounds of cocaine and arrested one suspected smuggler on Sunday.
Border Patrol agents assigned to the Blythe Station checkpoint on Highway 95 referred a red Chevrolet Blazer to secondary inspection following a canine team alert. While in secondary, the driver, a female Mexican national, consented to a search of the vehicle. Agents searched the vehicle and found cocaine concealed in the interior ceiling of the SUV.


The cocaine, with an estimated street value of $1,504,000, and the subject, were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/local/11292010_2.xml
Added on 03/12/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Four 'burriers' were arrested while trying to travel with drugs to Spain
Four 'burriers' were arrested while trying to travel with drugs to Spain
Four 'burriers' were arrested while trying to travel with drugs to Spain
Saturday November 27, 2010

Out of the country claimed more than 10 kilos of cocaine. Ingested three capsules containing the drug and the other camouflaged in your suitcase

(EFE). A Romanian, a Dutchman and two Peruvians were arrested this week at the Jorge Chavez International Airport for attempting to travel to Madrid with more than ten kilos of cocaine, reported Police Drug (Dirandro).

The alleged smugglers were Romanian Darius Fiorin Gurcan, 29, who was arrested by narcotics officers when he tried to board a flight to the Spanish capital with 1.5 kilos of cocaine ingested in 150 capsules.

During the week, police also arrested the Dutch Steven Swans, 30, and the Peruvian Maximum Igunza, 40, having ingested the same amount of drug capsules.

The Peruvian also Augusto Chapel, 26, was captured when he tried boarding pass checks at the airport with 6.2 kilos of cocaine hidden in the false bottom of a suitcase.
Added on 03/12/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Piura: Found 780 kilos of cocaine that were being sent to Spain
Piura: Found 780 kilos of cocaine that were being sent to Spain
Piura: Found 780 kilos of cocaine that were being sent to Spain
29-11-2010

Piura (Peru.com) .- The National Police (PNP) seized at least 780 kilos of cocaine inside a container located in the storage terminal facilities Alconsa company in the port of Paita.

According to initial reports, the shipment would be sent to Bilbao (Spain) by Pesquera and General Services San Judas Tadeo EIRL, hidden in some 20 tons of squid meal.

Then two police canine dogs confirmed the suspicions of Customs officials Paita, located as close to 800 kilos of the drug.

In response, the Drug Enforcement (DIRANDRO) arrested Andres Baca Channels (58), manager of the export company San Judas Tadeo. It was learned that the drug comes from the Alto Huallaga.
Added on 03/12/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Body Scanners Don't Work On Smugglers
Body Scanners Don't Work On Smugglers
Body Scanners Don't Work On Smugglers
CT Scans Best At Seeing Smugglers' Internal Drugs
LINDSEY TANNER, AP Medical Writer
POSTED: 12:01 am EST December 1, 2010


CHICAGO -- The best method for finding narcotics that smugglers, or drug "mules," hide within their bodies is the same CT medical imaging more commonly used to spot cancer, a small study by Swiss researchers suggests.

CT scans were far more accurate at detecting smuggled drugs than X-rays. But CT scanning machines and the image processing are expensive, too costly to regularly use to catch smugglers, some experts say.

In the study, all 18 CT scans on smugglers correctly detected drugs they had swallowed or stuffed inside bodily cavities. There was only one mistake - one non-smuggler was wrongly identified as hiding drugs.

By comparison, conventional digital X-rays accurately detected smuggled drugs in 21 cases, but missed nine. The X-rays also indicated drugs when there were none in six cases. A type of full-body X-ray was better than that, spotting six correctly and getting three cases wrong, but it wasn't as good as CT scanning.

X-rays are less expensive than CT scans, but also more prone to false readings, said Dr. Patricia Flach, the study's lead researcher. She is a forensic radiologist at University Hospital in Bern, Switzerland, which is especially equipped to handle drug mules.

"On plain X-rays, overlapping structures, intestinal gas and feces very often disguise intestinal packs causing false-positive and false negative read-outs," Flach said.

Her research was being presented Wednesday at the Radiological Society of North America's annual meeting in Chicago.

The study involved 50 suspected drug mules or "body packers," brought by customs officials to the Swiss hospital over a three-year period, or who showed up on their own because of overdose symptoms. Some were scanned with CT machines, some with X-rays and some with both.

The suspects were ages 16 to 45, most of them men; 43 of them were ultimately identified as drug mules, most smuggling cocaine from Africa on airplanes.

The research offers an intriguing glimpse into the world of drug smuggling. Flach said mules often swallow 50 to 100 packets of drugs, sometimes stored in condoms coated with wax to make them easier to gulp down. They sometimes practice by swallowing whole grapes and plums.

The packets may show up as distinct round or oblong-shaped white or dark spots on imaging tests.

Flach said the smugglers sometimes raise suspicion because they often don't drink or eat anything during long flights, to avoid losing their contraband in airplane toilets. Customs agents are then tipped off once the plane lands. Or sometimes the packets rupture during the flight, causing an overdose and the smugglers have to be rushed to the hospital.

In the United States, some major international airports have onsite medical centers with X-ray machines and special toilets, said John Saleh, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer in New York. Sometimes customs contracts with hospitals to run imaging tests on suspects, who must sign consent forms. If they refuse, they're held in custody long enough for any drugs to pass, Saleh said.

Dr. Nageswara Mandava dealt with drug mules for several years at a now-shuttered New York hospital that worked with customs agents at Kennedy International Airport.

His own research shows CT scan images are superior but too expensive and time-consuming to use routinely. X-rays generally are good enough at detecting drugs, costing about $50 each and producing an image in minutes, versus a few hundred dollars for a CT scan, which can take hours. Mandava said CT scans are probably most useful to confirm an inconclusive X-ray.

Dr. Luis Rivas, chief of trauma and emergency radiology at University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, agreed that CT scans produce superior images. But he said cost - more than $1 million per machine - makes them impractical at airports. Plus, they emit much more radiation so pose more health risks.

Rivas said his center used to help identify drug mules but stopped when customs priorities shifted after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Before then, vans with X-ray machines on board were stationed at various airports, including Newark, Houston, and Miami - the busiest. X-ray scans of suspects were transmitted to a computer at his hospital, where doctors evaluated them, Rivas said.

"This method was very cost-effective for the customs department because the agents never had to leave the airport and the results were available to them within minutes," he said.

___

Online:

Radiological Society of North America: http://www.rsna.org

http://www.wmur.com/irresistible/25967508/detail.html
Added on 03/12/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Cocaine found on car carrier Repubblica Argentina, Hamburg
Cocaine found on car carrier Repubblica Argentina, Hamburg
Cocaine found on car carrier Repubblica Argentina, Hamburg
Wednesday, December 01, 2010

German police found 22 kg of cocaine in a cabin’s ceiling on board of Italian car carrier Repubblica Argentina, which arrived to Hamburg on Nov 28 from Buenos Aires Argentine. Two passengers bought a passage on Repubblica Argentina, both Italians, aged 43 and 46. German police acted on a tip from Italian police, phone call from Rome. Street value of found cocaine said to be some 1 mil euro. Repubblica Argentina IMO 9138410, dwt 23882, built 1998, flag Italy, owner Grimaldi.

http://www.odin.tc/eng/articles/919-Cocaine-found-on-car-carrier-Repubblica-Argentina-Hamburg.asp
Added on 03/12/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Gambian Court Sentences Three for Cocaine Trafficking
Gambian Court Sentences Three for Cocaine Trafficking
Gambian Court Sentences Three for Cocaine Trafficking
AFP20101202631004 Paris AFP (World Service) in English 1140 GMT 02 Dec 10

BANJUL, Gambia, Dec 2, 2010 (AFP) - A Gambian court on Wednesday sentenced three people, including a Dutch and two Nigerian nationals, to a year and a half in jail following a two tonne cocaine bust in June.

The arrest of the three, who pleaded guilty to being in possession of three parcels of cocaine, led to the discovery of over two tonnes of cocaine outside Banjul with the aid of Britain's Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA).

Maimuma Sisay who holds both Sierra Leonean and Nigerian citizenship, Fernando Varela, who is half Dutch and half Cape Verdian and Nigerian Michael Ephram Chidduben were also fined 75,000 US dollars each in lieu of an additional five years in prison.

Magistrate Emmannuel Nkea also ordered that a landrover and 18,500 euro found with the accused persons be forfeited to the state.

Nine suspects including two Venezuelans are still on trial. A Ghanaian national Gordon Barsel was acquitted.

Authorities found the stash of cocaine in 85 sacks in an underground bunker concealed behind a false wall in a fishing village about 45 kilometres (30 miles) from the capital.

SOCA deputy director Neil Giles said at the time the drugs were likely destined for Europe.

West Africa has become a key transit point for South American cartels who seek to take advantage of weak governance and corruption which plague many of these states.

Traffickers use these states as warehousing locations for drugs en route from South America to Europe.
Added on 03/12/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
With more than 16 kilos of cocaine, federal police stops at the AICM to a person who sought to travel to Holland
With more than 16 kilos of cocaine, federal police stops at the AICM to a person who sought to travel to Holland
With more than 16 kilos of cocaine, federal police stops at the AICM to a person who sought to travel to Holland


01/12/2010 | Press Release
696 Press
Ministry of Public Security
Mexico City

The arrest occurred at the point called filter 9 international departures from Terminal 1, International Airport of Mexico City, where federal police conducted random checks of passengers of Flight 686, a commercial airliner, bound for the Amsterdam.

In the place had contact with a Mexican citizen whom federal agents conducted a routine check. During this process the person showed marked nervousness about what to inspect your luggage, they found two handbags containing several rectangular-shaped packages made in black plastic and wrapped in transparent tape.

Therefore the passenger identified as Erick Daniel López Romero, 23 years old, who along with his luggage was taken to the facilities of the Federal Police at the airport as outlined above. Once we had the presence of the Agent of the Federal Public Ministry, were extracted from a total of 17 bags that inside packages containing white powder with the characteristics of cocaine.

By applying the reagent for the content of the packages of cocaine led to positive so that the total weight of the insured was 16 kilos 520 grams.

Was arrested immediately López Romero, who reported that attempted to travel to Amsterdam in Holland and then moved to Paris, France.

Erick Daniel López Romero, was made available to the Agent of the Federal Public Ministry, in possession of 950 euros, 740 dollars and a cell phone, and the drug seized.

With these actions, the federal Public Security Secretariat reaffirms its commitment to protect and serve the community.

Source: Social Communication Secretariat of Public Security (SSP).

http://www.presidencia.gob.mx/?DNA=85&page=1&Prensa=15137&Contenido=61808
Added on 03/12/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
ICE initiative snares 10 in Miami port drug ring
ICE initiative snares 10 in Miami port drug ring
ICE initiative snares 10 in Miami port drug ring
Posted: Dec 01, 2010 11:22 PM Updated: Dec 01, 2010 11:22 PM
By CURT ANDERSON
AP Legal Affairs Writer
MIAMI (AP) - A port security initiative has led to the indictment of 10 people in an international drug smuggling ring, including six Miami longshoremen who used their access to unload the cocaine, heroin and marijuana, federal officials said Wednesday.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director John Morton said the case serves to highlight the work of 21 multi-agency task forces around the country, led by ICE, focused on disrupting large-scale criminal activity at seaports and border entry points nationwide.

It's particularly important, he said, to root out corrupt employees and government officials who help smugglers, illicit arms dealers, money launderers and possibly even terrorists move around the world.

"The system must have integrity. Internal corruption of any kind cannot be tolerated," Morton said at a news conference with other South Florida law enforcement officials. "Our ports are open for business, but only for legitimate business."

The Miami indictment unsealed Wednesday charged the longshoremen and their confederates with moving about $6 million worth of cocaine, heroin and marijuana from Costa Rica, Panama and Jamaica between 2007 and 2010. Most of the drugs were hidden inside shipping containers and often hand-carried by the longshoremen out of the port and sold on the street, said U.S. Attorney Willy Ferrer.

Since its inception in October 2009, the ICE task force in South Florida has arrested more than 140 people and seized nearly six tons of cocaine, four tons of marijuana, 16 weapons and $175,000 in cash linked to criminal activity.

"Where there's smuggling, that weakens our border and threatens our security," Ferrer said.

Seven of those named in the new indictment were in custody Wednesday pending bail hearings Friday. Three others remained at large.

Morton said there are now 11 similar task forces along the Southwest border, three along the border with Canada, six at seaports and one in Mexico City. He said four more seaports will be added this year: New York, San Francisco, Honolulu and Norfolk, Va.

http://www.newschannel5.com/story/13598470/ice-initiative-snares-10-in-miami-port-drug-ring
Added on 03/12/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Hefty coke bust at airport
Hefty coke bust at airport
Hefty coke bust at airport

Last Updated: November 28, 2010
Two men face drug charges following the discovery of two suitcases packed with 90 kilograms of cocaine in a bathroom at Pearson International Airport.

Officers said $11-million worth of cocaine was found in the busy washroom located Terminal One’s Customs Hall in suitcases and bodypacks that were attached to smugglers’ bodies.

Using airport security cameras, police spotted two men enter the washroom with suitcases and leave empty handed.

“We believe they got a dose of cold feet and left the drugs behind,” one police officer said. “It happens to the best of them.”

The cameras were used to follow the suspects as they made their way through the terminal, police said.

The suspects had arrived on a flight from Mexico when they were sent for secondary checks by the Canada Border Services Agency, officials said.

They managed to locate the washroom and stash the drugs before returning to customs.

A search of the airport led to the capture of the suspects who were not identified. They were charged with importing a controlled substance and immigration offences.

They will likely be deported to Mexico if they plead guilty, police said.

Airport police said the seizure was the largest made from that washroom, where drugs, travel documents and other contraband are regularly found.

http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2010/11/28/16352921.html
Added on 03/12/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
NDLEA INTERCEPTS 130KG HEROIN WORTH $9.9 MILLION DESTINED FOR EUROPE AS US-NIGERIA RELATIONS IN DRUG CONTROL DEEPENS
NDLEA INTERCEPTS 130KG HEROIN WORTH $9.9 MILLION DESTINED FOR EUROPE AS US-NIGERIA RELATIONS IN DRUG CONTROL DEEPENS
NDLEA INTERCEPTS 130KG HEROIN WORTH $9.9 MILLION DESTINED FOR EUROPE AS US-NIGERIA RELATIONS IN DRUG CONTROL DEEPENS

The Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Ahmadu Giade has said that the large seizure of heroin intercepted by the Agency at theTin Can Island Container Terminal Apapa Lagos was destined for Europe. Giade who described the seizure as exciting stressed that smuggling the drug to Europe would have financially empowered drug criminals with over $9.9 million save for the prompt intervention of the Agency.

The heroin haul was a product of effective collaboration between US and Nigeria. “Available intelligence at the Agency’s disposal indicates that the shipment was meant for Europe. The operation was discreetly executed as Nigeria is poised to incapacitate drug trafficking syndicates. This is a strong warning signal to all drug trafficking cartels that they had better quit the criminal act. Besides denying them the financial gains, they will also be prosecuted” Giade vowed.
He thanked the United States government for the growing relationship noting that it was imperative for the dismantling of drug trafficking syndicates. “We sincerely appreciate the partnership with the US as it is empowering our drug control capacity. The relationship has been mutually beneficial and it will be further consolidated as we plan to vitiate more drug trafficking networks globally. International partnership is crucial in winning the war against narcotics. This is cardinal to the Agency and it explains why we deploy every resource in the execution of all intelligence operations” Giade stated.
The 130kg of concentrated heroin was found in a 40-foot container aboard a vessel, MV Montenegro that originated from the Republic of Iran. The drug was industrially concealed inside auto-parts. It was however jointly examined by all security agencies at the Port in expectation that the Container was carrying explosives. After the initial inspection and when no explosives were found all agencies left for their various offices.
NDLEA operatives remained and insisted on carrying out more comprehensive examination of the container based on the intelligence available to it. Industrial welders invited by the Agency had to cut the equipment open to reveal the drugs. This action finally paid off as the drugs were finally traced to some cylindrical equipment in which the substances were found. Already, some arrests have been made in connection with the unlawful cargo.
“Drug barons will be frustrated out of the illicit drug business through similar undercover operation. We have successfully established links with our foreign collaborators and will maximise every opportunity to dismantle drug trafficking cartels in the country and West Africa” Giade promised. He also stated that the Agency will collaborate with relevant Agencies in its operations. “The Agency will partner with relevant Agencies in line with internationally accepted rules of intelligence gathering” Giade stated.
Meanwhile investigations are ongoing into the heroin laden container from Iran and some arrests have been made. It will be recalled that on July 22, 2010, 450.400kg of cocaine was intercepted after it arrived the country from Chile. A Taiwanese, a Chinese and three Nigerians are currently facing trial over that seizure.

Ofoyeju Mitchell
Head, Public Affairs
08034088136
http://www.ndlea.gov.ng/v1/?q=content/ndlea-intercepts-130kg-heroin-worth-99-million-destined-europe-us-nigeria-relations-drug-con
Added on 30/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Estonia: record quantity of cocaine seized
Estonia: record quantity of cocaine seized
Estonia: record quantity of cocaine seized
By Europe1.fr

Posted November 26, 2010

The Estonian authorities announced Friday they had seized about 48 kilograms of pure cocaine hidden in a shipment of coffee from Venezuela, a record for the Baltic state. Four people suspected in the case, two Estonian citizens and two foreigners, officials said. "If you look at the large amount of cocaine, there is good reason to believe that this cargo was not only intended for the Estonian market", Said Rene Kanniste, head of investigation department within the Office of the Estonian Tax and Customs. The population of Estonia is only 1.3 million inhabitants.

http://www.europe1.fr/International/Estonie-Quantite-record-de-cocaine-saisie-318324/

The largest quantity of cocaine was discovered in Estonia

In early October discovered the Tax and Customs Board, Tallinn, investigators of the consignment, which was approximately 48 kilograms of pure cocaine. Narcotic drug possession and transport of four men suspected of crimes.
Kokaiiniveo men suspected of organizing in Venezuela over the customs territory of the European Community, Estonia.

Public prosecutor says Helga Aadamsoo under examination in the consignment was 47.81 kilograms of pure cocaine, one hundred percent, which would be of narcotic intoxication, has at least 5 million people. "This is the largest quantity of cocaine found in Estonia so far," said state prosecutor.

Two Estonian citizens and two foreigners suspected of Penal Code § 184 subsection 2 clause 1 and § 184 LG 21 p 1, would qualify as a crime, or to use narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances in large quantities of illicit manufacture, acquire, hold, transfer, reduction, transport, or otherwise illegal handling individuals and a large group of material gain. Court conviction of persons can be punished by imprisonment of six to twenty years or life imprisonment.
Also, men are suspected of Penal Code § 392 subsection 2 of 2 p, or qualify as a crime by a group of drug smuggling. Court of conviction may be punished men two to ten years imprisonment.
Three men have been public prosecutor's request by the County court for up to six months in custody.

Tax and Customs Department investigation Rene Seat Kann said that cocaine was hidden at the end of September, the Venezuelan air freight arrived in a consignment of coffee. Given the size of the quantity of cocaine, one can say that certainly was not the narcotic substance for disposal in the Estonian market. Discovered on the street drug sales price would be estimated to reach over 100 million euros.

Criminal proceedings shall be made to gather evidence of close cooperation between the Netherlands, Latvia, Lithuania and other countries, law enforcement agencies. Much assistance has also been with the German Criminal Customs and Europol staff.

Criminal procedure, criminal investigation directed by the State Prosecutor's Office and conducted by the Tax and Customs Board.
Added on 29/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
FOREIGN NATIONAL POLICE TO CATCH A DRUG IN THE AIRPORT
FOREIGN NATIONAL POLICE TO CATCH A DRUG IN THE AIRPORT
FOREIGN NATIONAL POLICE TO CATCH A DRUG IN THE AIRPORT
The National Police captured at the Tocumen International Airport, Israel Antonio Ramirez, 22 years old, of Dominican nationality, as he tried to convey in his stomach 66 tablets of cocaine, on a commercial flight to the city of Holland.
The police action was carried out when the subject is prepared to board his flight, showed nervous behavior as observed by a unit of the Directorate of Judicial Investigation (DIJ), who proceeded to make the respective field review, giving positive tablets kept drugs inside his body.
We proceeded to perform the procedure in rigor, ejecting the 66 tablets of cocaine, while keeping under observation by doctors in a hospital in the country.
The National Police welcomes the cooperation of citizens in timely reporting of criminal activities, which can avoid the entry of an unfortunate and reminds them that their calls are treated confidentially.
PR 24/de noviembre/2010
Added on 29/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Colombians jailed for Tilbury cocaine smuggling
Colombians jailed for Tilbury cocaine smuggling
Colombians jailed for Tilbury cocaine smuggling


25 November 2010

Two Colombian men who stowed away on a ship for 12 days in an attempt to smuggle 50 kg of cocaine across the Atlantic Ocean were jailed for 14 years on 24 November.

Fredy Wilian Paz Preciado, 30, and Murillo James Rudolfo Quinones, 37, had pleaded not guilty to charges of possession of a controlled substance on international waters, but after an 8 day trial the jury at Basildon Crown Court recorded guilty verdicts.

In passing sentence, Judge Graham said,

'This was international drug running on a very substantial scale'.

Preciado and Quinones were arrested by officers from the UK Border Agency when the Ems Trader, the container vessel they had been hiding on over the Christmas period, docked at the Port of Tilbury on 27 December last year.

The ship had set sail from Colombia on 15 December and stopped at the Port of Rotterdam before travelling on to Tilbury.

The men had been discovered shortly after the ship had left Rotterdam, when crew members heard a knocking noise from one of the hatches to the ship's hold.

Both the men had bags with them, as well as a mobile phone with the GPS co-ordinates for the mouth of the River Maas, the entrance to the Port of Rotterdam. For warmth, they were wearing wetsuits under their clothes.

They had spent a total of 12 days confined in the hold.

When the area that the men had been living in was searched, the crew found a series of packages wrapped in adhesive tape that they believed contained drugs. Tests carried out by the UK Border Agency at Tilbury confirmed the contents were cocaine with an estimated street value of £2.5 million.

When questioned, Preciado and Quinones said that they had stowed away on the Ems Trader on 15 December before it set sail from the Port of Cartagena in Colombia.

They said they were fleeing their homeland and denied all knowledge of the cocaine.

However, forensic analysis conducted by the UK Border Agency of the tape in which the cocaine was wrapped matched tape found on Preciado and Quinones' bags.

Jim Jarvie, deputy director of the UK Border Agency's crime directorate, said:

'Our investigation team was able to demonstrate to the court a direct link between the defendants and the drugs. This forensic evidence was absolutely key to getting today's convictions.

'We believe their plan was to stash the drugs in the bags and throw them off the ship when they reached the co-ordinates programmed into the phone, but they got stuck in the hold and were unable to go through with it.

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2010/nov/87-colombians-jailed-for-drugs
Added on 29/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Bananas yield major cocaine haul
Bananas yield major cocaine haul
Bananas yield major cocaine haul
Nov 26, 2010 - 13:15
An apparent slip-up by drug smugglers in the Belgian port of Antwerp has delivered about 100 kilograms of cocaine into the hands of Swiss police.
A worker at a banana ripening facility in canton Bern noticed “suspicious green bags” when checking a crate of the fruit on Tuesday, and the police were called.

The bags were found to contain a total of 70kg of cocaine.

Some of the crates had already been forwarded unopened to customers in cantons Thurgau and Graubünden, who were immediately alerted. On opening them, the police found another 30kg.

The owner of the ripening facility told the 20 Minuten free newspaper that the entire consignment had now been checked, and he did not expect any more drugs to be discovered.

However, police in Germany reported on Friday that they had found eight packages containing a total of 10kg of cocaine in a banana crate in the northern city of Magdeburg. It is thought they could be part of the same delivery.

The bananas had arrived in Antwerp from Colombia. The police presume that whoever was supposed to recover the bags there failed to do so. The shipment had apparently been delayed en route, leading to a mix-up during unloading.

Investigations are continuing to determine the intended destination.

In July this year German police discovered 50kg of cocaine in a banana consignment from Colombia delivered to Cologne.

In February workers in Basel found 70kg of cocaine powder in a container-load of coffee from Guatemala being unloaded at one of the Rhine ports.

The largest ever cocaine haul in Switzerland was in 2007, when 124kg was found in an apartment and garage in Zurich.



swissinfo.ch and agencies

http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss_news/Bananas_yield_major_cocaine_haul.html?cid=28885456
Added on 29/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Smuggled 54 kilograms of cannabis in the truck tire
Smuggled 54 kilograms of cannabis in the truck tire
Smuggled 54 kilograms of cannabis in the truck tire
Two men in their 30s are suspected of having smuggled 54 kilograms of cannabis from Albania in truck tires. Today begins the trial in the District Court of Gothenburg.

One of the men is suspected of having transported drugs through Europe via Frederikshavn to Gothenburg last summer. Through intelligence knew the Customs Administration for delivery in advance and discovered the drugs hidden in the truck's spare tire.
The second man who is based in Gothenburg suspected ringleader and the one who would distribute the drugs on to customers in western Sweden and the surrounding area.

- The quantity of cannabis means that there is no doubt that this is serious organized crime, "said Anette Wiberg-Koffner, prosecutors at the Public Prosecutor's Office in Gothenburg.

The limit for serious drug smuggling cannabis is already at 2.5 kg. The drug is worth about 430 000 per street level.

Criminal law is a serious drug trafficking and serious drug offenses. If convicted the men at risk prison sentences of about six years.

Customs has, from January to October this year have seized 148.5 kilograms of cannabis (marijuana), that is five times more than in the corresponding period in 2009 (29.3 kg). From January to October 2008 seizure of 100 kilograms of cannabis
Added on 29/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Paraguay is arrested in Foz do Iguacu trying to board with cocaine in shoes
Paraguay is arrested in Foz do Iguacu trying to board with cocaine in shoes
Paraguay is arrested in Foz do Iguacu trying to board with cocaine in shoes
Posted on 26/11/2010 at 16:30

SAO PAULO - A Paraguayan 29 years was arrested Thursday at the airport in Foz do Iguacu, Parana, accused of international drug trafficking. According to the Federal Police (PF), he tried to embark for Paris with 1.115 kg of cocaine hidden in his shoes. The drug, according to the Paraguayan would be delivered to dealers in France.

The stranger was sent along with the numbing Federal Police in Foz do Iguacu.
Added on 29/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Couscous wholesale hashish bound for Belgium
Couscous wholesale hashish bound for Belgium
Couscous wholesale hashish bound for Belgium
26-11-2010

5,000 kilos of drugs intercepted in a container of grits • It is the largest stash in the spring of Cadiz

Two weeks ago that three containers that arrived in a ship that covers the regular line between Casablanca and Cadiz remained standing in the dock. The alarm tripped, and suspicions were confirmed: yesterday evening, members of the Risk Analysis Unit (RSU), comprising Customs Enforcement agents and the Guardia Civil, were opened one and hashish.

Officially, the three containers carrying couscous, grits which produces the traditional dish of Morocco. They had arrived on a ship from the Moroccan town, and its final destination was Belgium. But one of them, would not be couscous with vegetables or meat, as is usual, but of hashish. And wholesale. No less than five tons, 5,000 pounds, was estimated at press time, the weight of the drug could reach was found in the first container that was opened last night and whose inspection was completed in the course of yesterday morning.

After this, the agents proceeded to the opening of the second, not finding any drugs. And the same way had to happen on the third. Late yesterday afternoon, had been inspected most of its load, no trace was found of the presence of drugs found behind the couscous.

However, the high amount found in the first container and converted the latter cache intercepted at the dock as the largest ever in the bonded port of Cadiz.

A spring in the last year has become the destination of historical caches, as the last of the 23,500 tonnes of hashish (much, pollen of the highest quality) carrying the Dutch fishing Nancy II, who was accosted on the high seas and Customs Enforcement. In August, in the spring, Civil Guard officers and Customs intercepted a shipment of more than 620 kilos of pollen in a double bottom in a Moroccan truck carrying onions. Intervention was also prominent in 2007, a cargo of cashew under the hashish was hidden.

Now starts the investigation to find those responsible for the shipment of hashish was couscous for Belgium and has not moved from Cadiz.
Added on 29/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Nearly 50 pounds of mephedrone seized by customs of the Upper Rhine
Nearly 50 pounds of mephedrone seized by customs of the Upper Rhine
Nearly 50 pounds of mephedrone seized by customs of the Upper Rhine

Montreuil, November 24, 2010

On 18 November 2010, customs officers of the brigade lookout St. Louis highway has successfully seized over 50 kg mephedrone, making it the largest taking this product ever produced in the region.

The discovery took place on the platform of St. Louis highway, towards the French border.

The drug seizure aboard a passenger vehicle was packaged in foil pouches closing a beige powder which tested positive "methamphetamine / ecstasy." The bags themselves were hidden in industrial drums.

The total weight of mephedrone input is 50.542 kilograms and is worth over 500,000 euros.

The offender, a man in his forties, told the service that the barrels were to be delivered in Brussels.

He also said he had previously been contacted by an Englishman to get these drums in Basel, where they were stored in a warehouse since the beginning of November.

Page updated on 24/11/2010 by Bureau Information and Communication
Added on 26/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
£2 million cannabis seizure at Harwich
£2 million cannabis seizure at Harwich
24 November 2010

Cannabis worth more than £2 million has been seized by the UK Border Agency at Harwich the second substantial detection of the drug at the port this month.

Officers discovered 440kg of herbal cannabis and 250kg of cannabis resin as well as 6kg of amphetamines in a lorry that arrived on a ferry from the Hook of Holland yesterday.

The drugs were hidden within a cover load of heating equipment, heading to a legitimate business address in Corby. There is no suggestion that this business is involved in the drug smuggling.

Discrepancies in the lorry's paperwork prompted officers to stop the vehicle for further checks as it disembarked.

A detailed examination of the vehicle by UK Border Agency officers identified a series of brown taped packages among the boxes. The drugs have been sent away for testing.

Brian Hill, UK Border Agency assistant director at Harwich, said:

'This is the second major haul of cannabis at Harwich in a matter of weeks and it is a credit to the hard work and expertise both of our officers at the port and the investigation team that have taken the case forward.

'With seizures like these we are sending a clear message to the smugglers that the UK's border controls are robust and effective.'

53-year-old Antonius Fredericus Meinders has been charged with the illegal importation of a Class B drug. The Dutch national appeared at Colchester Magistrates' Court on 23 November and was remanded in custody until 14 December for a remand hearing at the same court.

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2010/nov/83-cannabis-at-harwich
Added on 26/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Millions of Dollars in Precursor Chemicals Leads to Arrests
Millions of Dollars in Precursor Chemicals Leads to Arrests
Millions of Dollars in Precursor Chemicals Leads to Arrests

2010-11-24 10:31 PST
More than 6,000 kilograms of the precursor chemical P2P, worth up to 9.8 million dollars, has been seized in the latest joint operation between the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

In early October of this year, the CBSA identified a suspicious shipment coming into the Port of Vancouver from China, and the 20 foot marine container was referred for inspection. The container's documentation identified the shipment as “footwear.” However, during their examination, CBSA officers uncovered 150 boxes hidden within the load that each contained a 22-kilo jug of suspected P2P, or phenyl 2 propanone. P2P is a precursor used primarily in the production of ecstasy (MDMA) as well as methamphetamine.

The rest of the shipment contained suspected counterfeit Nike running shoes.

The RCMP Federal Drug Enforcement Branch (DEB) was called in to lead the criminal investigation, while CBSA and RCMP worked together to investigate violations to the Customs and Excise Acts.

On October 18, 2010, the RCMP Federal Drug Enforcement Branch arranged a controlled delivery to a home in the 13000 block of Gilbert Road in Richmon. On November 4, the DEB arrested two men and a woman and used search warrants to examine two homes in Richmond, a home in Vancouver and another in Burnaby.

The search warrants uncovered another 129 five-gallon containers of P2P, credit card skimmers, a counterfeiting operation, an identity theft operation and small amounts of methamphetamine and ecstasy. Investigators found $50,000 cash and used a police dog to locate another $80,000. The fraud-related portion of this investigation has now been turned over to the RCMP’s Federal Commercial Crime Section.

P2P is a chemical that’s legal to possess in Canada but illegal to import. P2P’s only known pharmaceutical use is in the production of amphetamine or methamphetamine. The total street value of the seized P2P is between $7,300,000 and $9,800,000. The disposal costs alone are estimated at $60,000.

The woman and two men arrested in this file have been released pending charges. They are known to police, and are expected to face charges ranging from Importing a Controlled Substance, to Possession of Instruments for Falsifying Credit Cards, to Unauthorized Use of Credit Card Data.

Together, the CBSA and RCMP have dismantled a significant criminal operation in Metro Vancouver. Drug trafficking, fraud and smuggling cannot be looked at in isolation. High-level crime, and the profit, violence and risk it produces, is all connected. Federal units are just as connected, bringing in resources including Drug Enforcement Branch, Commercial Crime Section and the Integrated Border Enforcement Team on this file. Richmond RCMP also provided valuable support. We also wish to remind people that without the support of law-abiding citizens, agencies like the RCMP and CBSA cannot do their jobs.

Here is a breakdown of this file’s staggering numbers:
-P2P seized by volume: 5281 litres (1395 gallons)
-P2P (liquid) seized by weight: 6128 kilograms (13504 pounds)
-Total Canadian currency seized: $130,000
-Value of chemical seized: $7,300,000 to $9,800,000
-Disposal cost for the chemical (estimated): $60,000


For more information, please contact:
Cst. Michael McLaughlin
Media Relations Officer
Federal Programs, E Division
778-571-7333
http://www.bc.rcmp.ca/ViewPage.action?siteNodeId=694&languageId=1&contentId=17707 (including videoclip)
Added on 26/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Around one ton of cannabis seized in Tangier
Around one ton of cannabis seized in Tangier
Around one ton of cannabis seized in Tangier
Tangier - Customs services seized, on Wednesday at the crossing point of the Tangier Med Passengers port, some 973 kg of cannabis resin, locally known as chira.
The banned substance was concealed inside the bodywork of a German-registered car.

The car's driver, a Moroccan, was arrested by the judicial police for further investigation.

http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/general/around_one_ton_of_ca
Added on 26/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Seizure records: 20 kg of cocaine
Seizure records: 20 kg of cocaine
Seizure records: 20 kg of cocaine

November 25, 2010 14:29
LANDQUART (GR) - The largest seizure of cocaine in the history of our region. "Graubunden Police defines it this way - in a statement - the discovery Wednesday of a series of rolls of green drug, contained in two parcels directed to a separate company Landquart, with a total weight of 20 kilograms and worth a total of "several hundred thousand francs."

Both parcels were from abroad, specifically from South America. For now we do not know who they were addressed. Most likely, specifically the police, have passed through Landquart by mistake. Wednesday that the Bernese Cantonal police had seized a shipment of cocaine even greater, equal to 70 kilograms, while that of Thurgau had seized another 10 pounds. These three seizures may be linked to them, investigators have launched investigations.

Landquart: 20 Kilogramm Kokain sichergestellt
25.11.2010
Die Kantonspolizei Graubünden hat am Mittwoch in Landquart rund 20 Kilogramm Kokain sichergestellt. Die Lieferung kam ursprünglich aus dem Ausland und war nach ersten Erkenntnissen nicht für die Schweiz bestimmt.

Gefunden wurde das Betäubungsmittel in einer Firma in Landquart. Es befand sich versteckt in zwei Paketen einer Sendung aus dem Ausland, die innerhalb der Schweiz hätte weiterverteilt werden sollen. Es handelt sich um die grösste Menge Kokain, die je im Kanton Graubünden sichergestellt werden konnte. Der Wert der Sicherstellung wird auf mehrere hunderttausend Franken geschätzt.

Weitere Funde in der Schweiz
Nach ersten Erkenntnissen handelt es sich um eine Lieferung aus Südamerika, die irrtümlich in der Schweiz gelandet ist. Für wen die Pakete bestimmt waren, ist momentan noch unklar. Bereits am Dienstag wurden im Kanton Bern 70 Kilogramm Kokain gefunden (Medienmitteilung der Kantonspolizei Bern) und auch die Kantonspolizei Thurgau (see below) hat am Mittwoch in einer Lieferung zehn Kilogramm Kokain entdeckt. Zwischen diesen drei Funden dürfte ein Zusammenhang bestehen, entsprechende Abklärungen sind im Gang.

http://www.gr.ch/DE/institutionen/verwaltung/djsg/kapo/aktuelles/medien/2010/Seiten/201011251.aspx

Kokain sichergestellt
FRAUENFELD (kapo) Die Kantonspolizei Thurgau hat am Mittwoch in einem Geschäft im Oberthurgau 10 Kilo Kokain sichergestellt. Es dürfte ein Irrtum der Lieferadresse sein.
Das Kokain befand sich in mehreren Paketen und war versteckt in einer Lieferung. Nach ersten Erkenntnissen handelt es sich bei der Sendung um einen Irrläufer. Die Drogen dürften aus dem Ausland stammen. Der Empfänger, für den die Lieferung bestimmt war, ist derzeit noch unbekannt und Gegenstand von Ermittlungen.

Der Wert der Lieferung beläuft sich auf mehrere hunderttausend Franken. Die polizeilichen Ermittlungen sind noch nicht abgeschlossen.

http://www.kapo.tg.ch/xml_42/internet/de/intro.cfm
Added on 26/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Heroine concealed in a parcel to Uganda seized
Heroine concealed in a parcel to Uganda seized
Heroine concealed in a parcel to Uganda seized
KARACHI: Pakistan Custom team in Karachi seized a parcel containing heroine which was being smuggle to Uganda.

According to details the team of customs drug enforcement cell has seized a parcel containing 200 gm of high quality heroine which was concealed in the buttons of a ladies coat and was intended for Uganda.

In the details provided by the spokesperson it was learned that the heroine was of high quality and a case has been filed against the culprits.

http://www.onlinenews.com.pk/details.php?id=171567
Added on 26/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
French Police Sizes 1.5 tons of Cannabis
French Police Sizes 1.5 tons of Cannabis
French Police Sizes 1.5 tons of Cannabis

2010-11-23

French police had seized 1.5 tons of cannabis and arrested four traffickers in Lyon, south France, in a new move to crack down drug trafficking, local media reported on Tuesday.

Police confiscated the hashish in a convoy of three trucks heading to Italy from Spain after they stopped in Lyon region, the local daily Le Parisien said in its report.

Two men aged 25 and 30 years old were arrested last Friday at wee hours of that morning and a couple were accused of stocking the packages of cannabis.

"It's a huge size. The value of cannabis is estimated at 3 million euros (4 million U.S. dollars)," Le Parisien quoted Marc Desert, Lyon's prosecutor as saying.
http://english.cri.cn/6966/2010/11/23/2743s606648.htm
Added on 26/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
11 kg of cocaine in a machine fitness at Ouistreham
11 kg of cocaine in a machine fitness at Ouistreham
11 kg of cocaine in a machine fitness at Ouistreham
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Aged 64, a British national is tonight still in custody in the premises of the judicial police in Caen. In the port of Ouistreham, customs officials detected Saturday 11 kg of cocaine hidden in the basement of a fitness machine loaded into the van driven by the Briton. Saturday morning to board the car ferry to Portsmouth, customs control the van registered in Great Britain and returning to Spain. Among the many cartons they discovered nine cartons of cigarettes and 1 kg of tobacco. Heterogeneous, the cargo also includes three fitness machines for gyms. One of these machines attracted the attention because of the smell of glue. Pushing their investigations, customs unscrew the base: 11.260 kilograms of cocaine were seized.

http://www.ouest-france.fr/region/normandie_detail_-11-kg-de-cocaine-dans-une-machine-de-remise-en-forme-a-Ouistreham_40780-1596798_actu.Htm
Added on 26/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Nigerian €300,000 drug smugglers caught at VIA
Nigerian €300,000 drug smugglers caught at VIA
Nigerian €300,000 drug smugglers caught at VIA
23. 11. 10. - 16:16

Custom officials have arrested two drug couriers trying to smuggle illegal substances worth 300,000 into Austria.

Police said today (Tues) that two Nigerians were arrested after Vienna International Airport (VIA) officers discovered 2.7 kilograms of heroin and cocaine inside their bodies and weaved into their underwear.

The men aged 37 and 35 arrived at Austria’s biggest airport on flights from the Netherlands last week. One of them lived in London, Great Britain, while the other suspect was identified as a resident of the Hungarian capital Budapest. Police are currently trying to find out whether the men knew each other and if they were part of an internationally operating drug smuggling organisation.

Both men travelled on their own and claimed financial difficulties tempted them to trying to smuggle the illegal substances into Austria. The discovered drugs had a street sale value of around 300,000 Euros, according to police.

X-rays carried out after smear tests on the men’s hands showed that the older trafficker carried five sealed plastic bags containing around 900 grams of heroin and more than 200 grams of cocaine inside his stomach. Police also found small drug capsules hidden in the cloth of a women’s camisole he wore over his underpants.

An officer stressed that the man would have died had just one of the packages burst.

The 35-year-old, who landed in Vienna two days later, had 83 drug capsules containing around 1.5 kilograms of cocaine hidden inside the fabric of his clothes.

Only last May, VIA custom staff caught a 35-year-old Spanish woman, a 25-year-old Spaniard and a 31-year-old man from the USA trying to smuggle an overall 1.7 kilograms of cocaine and 500 grams of heroin worth around 600,000 Euros into Austria.

Meanwhile, the Austrian Institute for Health announced that 26 per cent of Austrians aged between 20 and 24 had tried cannabis, LSD or other drugs at least once.

The authority explained marijuana had the highest consumption rate among young adults since 30 to 40 per cent smoked cannabis at least once in their lives, while fewer than two per cent took heroin.

The institute also announced that 187 people died as a result of taking drugs last year, up from 169 in 2008. It stressed that the actual number of drug deaths might be higher since fewer autopsies have been carried out during the past years than in previous decades for various reasons.
http://austrianindependent.com/news/General_News/2010-11-23/5417/Nigerian_%80300,000_drug_smugglers_caught_at_VIA
Added on 26/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Nigeria: More Heroin Discovered in 'Iran Container,' Importer Declared Wanted
Nigeria: More Heroin Discovered in 'Iran Container,' Importer Declared Wanted
Nigeria: More Heroin Discovered in 'Iran Container,' Importer Declared Wanted
Shehu Abubakar

23 November 2010

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and some of its foreign collaborators comprising United States Drug Enforcement Administration (USDEA) and Serious Organized Crime Agency (SOCA) of Britain have discovered additional heroin inside the container impounded at Tin Can Island Port Lagos last Thursday. The latest discovery was made in 463 pieces of sewing threads packed in cartons in the container. This brought the total weight to 137.73 kilograms.

In a statement signed by the agency's Head of Public Affairs, Mr Mitchell Ofoyeju, the agency stated that the new discovery was consequent upon further search conducted on the container at the agency's headquarters in Lagos.
The agency also declared the alleged importer, one Michael Kenneth Egbuka wanted over the heroin imported from Iran through the Tin Can Island Port.

The intensive search which was witnessed by NDLEA operatives, foreign collaborators and the two suspects arrested in connection with the illegal shipment was at the instance of the Chairman/Chief Executive of the agency, Ahmadu Giade.

Ahmadu Giade said in a telephone interview that, "No stone will be left unturned in ensuring full scale investigation into the case. We are impressed with the success recorded so far in the ongoing investigation. The importer can run but certainly cannot hide. Whatever it will take, we shall get him to face prosecution.

"The heroin haul intercepted by the Agency at the Tin Can Island Container Terminal Apapa Lagos is another remarkable feat by the anti-narcotic agency in ridding the country of illicit drugs. I vow to stop drug barons from the criminal trade and assure Nigerians that the days of drug barons are numbered. The agency has gained strategic advantage through intelligence sharing with foreign collaborators. Unless drug barons quit, our dragnet will catch up with them," he said.
It could be recalled that concentrated heroin was found in a 40-footer container aboard a vessel, MV Montenegro that originated from the Republic of Iran. Meanwhile, investigations are ongoing into the heroin laden container from Iran even as the agency vowed to make more arrests. Similar cargo of 450.400 kilograms of cocaine was intercepted after it arrived the country from Chile on July 22. A Taiwanese, a Chinese and three Nigerians are currently facing trial over that seizure.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201011230669.html
Added on 26/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Four people tried to carry 19.2 kilos of cocaine to Spain
Four people tried to carry 19.2 kilos of cocaine to Spain
Four people tried to carry 19.2 kilos of cocaine to Spain
Lima, November 20

Two Lithuanian nationals, a Dutchman and a Peruvian were arrested during the week at the international airport Jorge Chávez in Lima for trying to carry a total of 19.2 kilos of cocaine hydrochloride to Spain, reported the Peruvian police in the airport terminal.

Lithuanian identified as Bolsakov Levick, 44, was caught with 1.5 kilos of cocaine attached to the body, according to the type known as "mummy", while his compatriot Nikola Filomenco, 45, fell to 2.4 kilos of drugs hidden in envelopes of powdered foods, the source added.

He was also arrested on the Dutch identified as Remy Tampa, 36 years, with 5.9 kilos of the drug hidden in his suitcase in the form of bricks.
Crescencio Peruvian Ricardo Ortiz, 28, was caught with 9.4 kilos of cocaine hidden in the false bottom of his luggage in the form of bricks, said the police report.
Added on 26/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
A man arrested with 26 kilos of cannabis
A man arrested with 26 kilos of cannabis
A man arrested with 26 kilos of cannabis

The 26 kilos of cannabis seized late Monday afternoon, the local search of the Brussels police were hidden in a load of batteries, prosecutors said Tuesday in Brussels. The batteries and the drugs were transported by bus from Morocco. The two individuals who were in possession of drugs were placed under arrest. They deny any involvement.

The police and the justice had suspected for some time that coach travel from and to Morocco were used to channel drugs. A judicial inquiry has since been launched.

Monday afternoon, a bus arrived from Morocco in the Rue de l'Argonne, near the Gare du Midi. Local Search took this opportunity to search the vehicle. In the storage of luggage, the officers seized 26.71 kilos of cannabis hidden in a load of batteries.

The two men who owned the cargo were arrested and interrogated. They deny any involvement, but they were placed under arrest after their hearing.

The judicial inquiry is ongoing to identify possible accomplices.
This is not the first time because of transport from and to Morocco are used by drug traffickers. Last June, the Brussels Criminal Court sentenced 18 people had yet to terms of 2 to 10 years in prison for a large-scale trafficking of cannabis.

Brusselse politie klist twee mannen met 26 kilo cannabis
23/11/10, 16u10
DM UPDATE De 26 kilogram cannabis die de Brusselse lokale recherche maandagavond in beslag heeft genomen, zaten verstopt tussen een lading batterijen. Dat meldt het Brusselse parket. De batterijen en de drugs waren met een bus vanuit Marokko overgebracht. De twee mannen die de drugs bij hadden zijn door onderzoeksrechter Quintin aangehouden, maar ontkennen elke betrokkenheid.

De Brusselse lokale politie en het Brusselse gerecht vermoedden al enige tijd dat de busreizen van en naar Marokko misbruikt werden om drugs te smokkelen. Daarop was een gerechtelijk onderzoek gestart. Maandagnamiddag kwam opnieuw een bus vanuit Marokko aan in de Argonnestraat, bij het Brusselse Zuidstation, en de Brusselse recherche profiteerde ervan om die aan een grondige controle te onderwerpen.

In de laadruimte van de bus vonden de agenten 26,71 kilogram cannabis verstopt tussen een lading batterijen. De twee mannen die de batterijen en de drugs hadden overgebracht, werden vervolgens opgepakt en ondervraagd. Zij ontkennen elke betrokkenheid, maar zijn na verhoor door de onderzoeksrechter aangehouden. Het gerechtelijk onderzoek naar andere betrokkenen gaat ondertussen verder.

Het is niet de eerste maal dat de buslijnen naar Marokko misbruikt worden voor drugsmokkel. In juni van dit jaar veroordeelde de Brusselse correctionele rechtbank nog 18 personen tot celstraffen tussen 2 en 10 jaar voor een grootscheepse cannabissmokkel. Die vond plaats onder de dekmantel van een busmaatschappij aan de Stalingradlaan.
http://www.demorgen.be/dm/nl/989/Binnenland/article/detail/1186523/2010/11/23/Brusselse-politie-klist-twee-mannen-met-26-kilo-cannabis.dhtml
Added on 26/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Peruvian couple is stuck with "black cocaine" at the Capital Airport
Peruvian couple is stuck with "black cocaine" at the Capital Airport
Peruvian couple is stuck with "black cocaine" at the Capital Airport
22-11-2010
Laura Holsback

Federal police stationed at the Police Office of Immigration at the International Airport of Campo Grande, arrested early on Monday (22), a couple caught with cocaine and pure "black cocaine". The substance gained in Bolivia would be flown to Morocco, a country located in the northwest of Africa.

According to information from police officers after the suspicious attitude of the couple were approached Peruvian Cristobal Torres Sandoval, 43, and Vilma Mejia Leiva, 44, who came in during the interview contradictions and showed signs of nervousness, a fact that confirmed the suspicion of federal drug trafficking.

In the magazine staff, were found in his pants pocket of 16 capsules of foreign substance. In his suitcase, were another six kilos of the drug mixed with rubber, identified after tests for staining.

Also according to the PF, the Peruvian confessed that he had swallowed more than 60 capsules. He also said that the 16 found in his pocket had been expelled during the trip.

The two were taken to Santa Casa. The woman to be subjected to X-ray examination, and the alien to be admitted until they expel all the cocaine from the stomach. Disclosure

The cocaine was concealed in sheets of black rubberized

A "black cocaine" was sent to the Sector Skills Scientific Technical PF for analysis and possible separation process.

The couple faces up to 18 years in prison for the crime of international trafficking in drugs.

***********************************************************************
Added on 26/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
PF Araçatuba seizes cocaine
PF Araçatuba seizes cocaine
PF Araçatuba seizes cocaine

Federal police Araçatuba (SP) arrested in the act, for drug dealing, ZSN, 40, and DSMR, 24 years. The feds seized approximately 10.7 kilograms of cocaine base paste. The drug was hidden in the bodywork of the vehicle driven by DSMR Golf Z.S.N. is a resident of Araçatuba Prison and fugitive of Campo Grande (SP), where he was serving time for theft.

With D.S. R officers found $ 900.00 in cash, which was part of £ 3000 would receive the drug transport. According to investigations, narcotics and serve to supply Araçatuba region, and was purchased for $ 8000 the kilo.

Following investigations, JAS, 47, was also apprehended in the act, but only for illegal possession of a firearm.

HIGHWAY - On November 5 the federal police approached outside a motel, located near the Marechal Rondon highway, this. MFG were in the vehicle, 36, and his sister, aged 22, both from the town of Antonio Joao They carried 19 kilograms of cocaine. According to preliminary surveys, the drug would have left the city of Ponta Pora / MS and would like St. Paul destination.
Added on 26/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
The customs of BSI Channel seize over 22 kilos of cocaine at the Gare du Nord
The customs of BSI Channel seize over 22 kilos of cocaine at the Gare du Nord
The customs of BSI Channel seize over 22 kilos of cocaine at the Gare du Nord
Montreuil, November 17, 2010


On 10 November 2010, the Brigade Surveillance Indoor Channel Paris in control at the Gare du Nord train Thalys departure, bound for Rotterdam, has made a seizure of 22.6 kilograms of cocaine on two Dutch nationals.

Rectangular packages were hidden inside bags, carried by two women.

The two young women, after being placed in restraint customs were handed over injunction prosecutors, the drug squad in Paris.

The total value of packets of cocaine is estimated at over one million euros.

Press Contacts:
Office of Information and Communication: 01 57 53 49 84



Page updated on 22/11/2010 by Bureau of Information and Communication
Added on 26/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
18 arrested as 2.2 tons of cocaine intercepted in Valencia Port
18 arrested as 2.2 tons of cocaine intercepted in Valencia Port
18 arrested as 2.2 tons of cocaine intercepted in Valencia Port
By h.b. - Nov 22, 2010 - 12:14 PM
The nationality of those detained has not yet been released

In a joint operation between the Guardia Civil and the National Police, 18 people have been arrested and 2.2 tons of cocaine has been recovered.

The drugs were hidden in containers imported into Valencia port with the complicity of several workers. Each worker was paid as much as 150,000 € per consignment.

A statement from the security forces said the group had a ‘complete infrastructure’ to recover the drugs and then re-seal the containers without arising suspicion.

The organisation had contacts in South America, and the first success against them came in March when 287 kilos of cocaine was intercepted. Total amount now recovered is 2,227 kilos.

The nationality of the 18 people arrested has not been given in reports, but it is understood that most of the arrests were made in Valencia.
http://www.typicallyspanish.com/news/publish/article_27968.shtml?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+typicallyspanish%2FBbwu+%28Spanish+News%29&utm_content=Google+Reader
Added on 26/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
NDLEA seizes N150m cocaine from Brazil
NDLEA seizes N150m cocaine from Brazil
NDLEA seizes N150m cocaine from Brazil

By Oyetunji Abioye

Monday, 22 Nov 2010

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency on Sunday said it had intercepted 17 kilogrammes of cocaine unlawfully imported from Brazil. The NDLEA put the street value of the seized substance at N150m.

A statement by the agency quoted its Chief Executive Officer, Alhaji Ahmadu Giade, as saying that the illicit substance was seized at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

According to the statement, which was signed by the Head, Public Affairs, NDLEA, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, the seized cocaine was hidden in plastic pipes, bed sheets and a pair of shoes.

Giving the breakdown of the seizure, Ofoyeju said that 10.5 kilogrammes was concealed in 18 plastic pipes allegedly imported by one Michael Chukwu, 43, aboard a Qatar Airways flight.

Also six kilogrammes of cocaine concealed in bed sheets was found in the bag of one Ani Michael, 31, while one kilogramme was recovered in a pair of shoes belonging to one Isiwele Hase, 40.

Consequently, the anti-narcotic agency said it had placed the Brazil-Nigeria route on “red alert”

“Several arrests of passengers on the Brazilian route have necessitated the red alert by the NDLEA to cripple illicit drug traffickers. Five suspected drug traffickers are also undergoing interrogation over their alleged roles to smuggle drugs through the Lagos airport. The 10.5 kilogrames of cocaine is the highest single seizure of cocaine made at the airport since January with an estimated street value of N100m,” the statement added

According to Giade, “We have placed the Nigeria-Brazil route on red alert because it is becoming notorious and we are determined to stop them. Several arrests have been made on the route. The red alert is a counter measure to incapacitate drug cartels.”

The NDLEA Airport Commander, Alhaji Hamza Umar, said the suspected traffickers that facilitated the importation of the illicit drugs were being interrogated by narcotic investigators.

Umar said that the 43-year-old suspect, Chukwu, who works in Brazil said he was promised $5,000 to deliver the bag of cocaine in Nigeria.

“I have been working in Brazil for two years but the little money I make is used to settle bills. I met a Nigerian for assistance and he asked me to send the bag to Nigeria for a fee of $5,000. I agreed to do it because of my financial predicament,” the statement quoted Chukwu as saying in his confessional statement.

Meanwhile, two other suspects, Peace Amen, 35, and Agwu Okafor, that ingested 91 wraps of substances suspected to be narcotics have been placed on observation by the anti-narcotic agency.

According to the agency, Amen was travelling with an Italian passport when scanning machine revealed that he had ingested suspected substances.

Okafor ingested 55 wraps in anticipation of 2,800 Euros and was arrested during screening of KLM passengers, the statement said.

Meanwhile, the statement said that investigation into the illegal importation of 130 kilogrammes of drug from Iran through the Tin Can Island Port in Lagos was still on-going.

http://www.punchontheweb.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20101122152368



17.5kg cocaine impounded at Lagos airport

BY OKECHUKWU NNODIM

November 22, 2010 02:49AM

Illicit substances that tested positive for cocaine weighing 17.5kg were, at the weekend, intercepted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

The drugs, which were imported from Brazil into the country, were hidden in plastic pipes, bed sheets and a pair of shoes. Information gathered from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has it that 10.5kg of the substance was concealed in 18 plastic pipes and were allegedly imported into Nigeria by Ntinulu-Ojulu Michael, 43, aboard a Qatar Airways flight. "Also 6kg of cocaine concealed in bed sheets was found in the bag of one Ani Emeka, 31, while 1kg was recovered in a pair of shoes belonging to one Isiwele Gabriel, 40," said Mitchell Ofoyeju, the spokesperson for the agency.

According to the agency, the 100.5kg of cocaine is the highest single seizure of cocaine made at the airport since January with an estimated street value of N100million. Ahmadu Giade, the Chief Executive of the agency, stated that the Brazil-Nigeria route has been placed on strict scrutiny following the continuous arrests of suspects and barons apprehended on the route. "We have placed the Nigeria-Brazil route on red alert because it is becoming notorious and we are determined to stop them," he said. "Several arrests have been made on the route. The red alert is a counter measure to incapacitate drug cartels."

Working as courier

Hamza Umar, the Airport Commander for the agency, explained that unlike the seizure of April, 2010, when 10kg of cocaine imported from Brazil in a Turkish Airways flight was abandoned at the Lagos airport, Mr Michael was nabbed with the bag containing the 10.5kg cocaine on arrival. The suspect, in a statement made available by the agency, said that he was promised $5,000 to deliver the bag of cocaine in Nigeria. "I have been working in Brazil for two years but the little money I make is used to settle bills," he stated. "I met a Nigerian for assistance and he asked me to send the bag to Nigeria for a fee of $5,000. I agreed to do it because of my financial predicament."

The agency, however, assured that the suspects will be prosecuted according to the demands of the law
Added on 26/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Cannabis worth £500,000 seized at Harwich port
Cannabis worth £500,000 seized at Harwich port
Cannabis worth £500,000 seized at Harwich port
19 November 2010

Last updated at 16:28 GMT
Cannabis resin with a street value of £500,000 has been seized by the UK Border Agency at Harwich port in Essex.

Officers found an estimated 188kg of the drug hidden in a cavity under the wooden floor of a lorry's trailer.

The lorry arrived at Harwich on a ferry from the Hook of Holland and was heading to the Midlands.

The lorry driver was arrested on suspicion of the illegal importation of Class B drugs and bailed until 11 February 2011.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-11800557
Added on 26/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
HIDE THE DRUGS in snowboards
HIDE THE DRUGS in snowboards
HIDE THE DRUGS in snowboards

Police arrested two Colombian drug dealers in a housing Beccar and snowboards that made with cocaine.

Two Colombian citizens were arrested on Friday in a house in Beccar party of San Isidro, where they had set up a cocaine laboratory liquid, mixed with resin used to manufacture snowboards for trafficking to Europe.

Police sources reported that the procedure to break up the band started this morning around 1, in a house located in Juan José Díaz 2151, from Beccar, Partido de San Isidro.

Moron of the delegations and San Isidro de la Superintendencia de Investigaciones Illicit Drug Traffic came to the place as a result of information obtained about the existence of a band that is devoted to developing drugs to send to Europe.

To break into the place, supported by troops from the Falcon Group, the narcotics police found a cocaine laboratory liquid with which to build snowboards out of the country undetected.
In the scene were arrested two Colombians of 30 and 40 years, residing in Bogotá, one of whom had been admitted to Argentina for two months and the other for 20 days.

The head of the Superintendency of Investigations of Illegal Drug Trafficking, José Tsuruoka, reported in Friday morning that the place was found a snowboard made entirely with a paste made of resin and approximately three kilos of liquid cocaine, some in process.

Also seized cans with the mixture of drugs to use, various chemical precursors and various ornamental figurines of horses, which were also suspected to place you in order to smuggle liquid cocaine.

The researches believe that an organization leading Colombian cocaine entered Argentina from his country's intentions to traffic after Spain.
In the context of this case, police now performing crossovers of phone calls and various tasks of intelligence to other members of the organization of drug traffickers, while awaiting the required information to the Colombian authorities about the background of the detainees.

Police sources explained that although it broke into the drug lab using the Falcon Group on the presumption that he was to people very violent and armed at the scene found no weapons or any of the men resisted.

The arrested were turned over to the Justice of San Isidro to be investigated.
Added on 26/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Colombia police seize drugs worth $100 mln
Colombia police seize drugs worth $100 mln
Colombia police seize drugs worth $100 mln
Nov 21, 2010
The police in Colombia have seized over three tons of cocaine and 25 kg of heroin during a raid at the port of Barranquilla, 950 km north of the capital Bogota.

The drugs were hidden in a container ready to be shipped to Honduras. The seized cargo is said to be worth over $100 million. Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine producer.

http://english.ruvr.ru/2010/11/21/35358695.html

En Barranquilla, se registra la incautación más grande de clorhidrato de cocaína este año por la Policía Nacional

20-NOV-2010

Barranquilla. Un contundente golpe a la organización de Daniel Barrera Barrera, alias “El Loco Barrera” propino la Dirección de Antinarcóticos en coordinación con la UNAIM de la Fiscalía General de la Nación al lograr la incautación de tres Toneladas 325 kilos de clorhidrato de cocaína y 25 kilos de heroína.

Según investigaciones se estima que la droga tendría como destino final los mercados de Estados Unidos donde podría llegar a costar unos 101 millones de dólares y Europa donde podría costar 149 millones de euros.


A través de La operación “Mesoamérica”, desarrollada por El Grupo de Inteligencia de la Dirección Antinarcóticos, en coordinación con la Compañía Portuaria de Barranquilla y el Grupo de Investigación Criminal, fueron ubicadas las tres toneladas de clorhidrato de cocaína y los 15 kilos de heroína camuflados en la estructura del techo de dos contenedores, en la modalidad de compartimientos ocultos (caleta) que iban hacer enviados a Honduras, a través del Puerto Marítimo de Barranquilla.

Con la entrega a las autoridades de Estados Unidos de Juan Carlos Ramírez Taborda (a quien se le incautaron 1.400 millones de pesos y tres armas de fuego) y quien era socio de “El Loco Barrera” se obtiene información preferente que conlleva a la inspección de los contenedores, que en apariencia no presentaban ninguna irregularidad, pero la pericia e instrucción de los uniformados los llevó a revisar el techo de los mismos, ubicando 2.996 paquetes de clorhidrato de cocaína y cinco paquetes con heroína.
http://www.policia.gov.co/portal/pls/portal/JOHN.NOTICIAS_NUEVAS_DETALLADAS.SHOW?p_arg_names=identificador&p_arg_values=267890
In Barranquilla, recorded the largest seizure of cocaine hydrochloride this year by the National Police

20-NOV-10

Barranquilla. A crushing blow to the organization of Daniel Barrera Barrera, alias "El Loco Barrera" tip the Narcotics Division in coordination with the UNAIM of the Attorney General's Office to make the seizure of three tons 325 kilos of cocaine and 25 kilos of heroin.

According to research estimates that the drug would have the final destination of the U.S. market where it could cost about $ 101 million and Europe where it would cost 149 million euros.

Through Operation "Mesoamerica", developed by The Intelligence Group Counter Narcotics Directorate, in coordination with the Port of Barranquilla Company and the Group of Investigation, were located the three tons of cocaine and 15 kilos of heroin hidden in the roof of two containers, in the form of hidden compartments (creek) that were sent to Honduras, through the seaport of Barranquilla.

With the surrender to U.S. authorities Taborda Juan Carlos Ramirez (who was seized 1,400 million pesos and three firearms) and who was a member of "The Loco Barrera" gives preference information leading to the inspection containers, which apparently did not show any irregularities, but the skill and training of the soldiers took them to revise the ceiling of the same, placing 2,996 packages of cocaine and five packages of heroin.

NB: Caleta is translated as creek. It is unsure what exactly is meant. The concealment can described as false bulkhead or roof?
Added on 26/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Gioia Tauro (RC) - Confiscated in the port 10 tons of pure cocaine
Gioia Tauro (RC) - Confiscated in the port 10 tons of pure cocaine
Gioia Tauro (RC) - Confiscated in the port 10 tons of pure cocaine

Provincial Headquarters in Rome

15/11/2010 at 08:45

The Investigative Unit of the Carabinieri in Rome have seized a cargo of 10 tons of pure cocaine found in a container unloaded in the Calabrian port of Gioia Tauro on a merchant ship from Brazil. The drugs were hidden in trolleys for use in agriculture.

This is the most significant seizure of cocaine made in Italy in the last 15 years. It is believed that the cocaine, with an estimated value is around 200-250 million euros, was intended not only to the Italian market, also at the central and northern Europe.

-------------------------
Translation of the attachment (with photo's).

CUSTOMS OFFICE OF GIOIA TAURO, 1,000 KG OF COCAINE SEIZED
Yesterday 14-11-2010, in the port of Gioia Tauro, ended a major operation that led to the seizure of a very significant amount (about 1,000 kg) of pure cocaine, the largest seizure in the last 15 years, with an estimated value of the canteen is approximately 200-250 million euro.
The operation comes after an international police cooperation thanks to which he was reported to the provincial command of the Carabinieri in Rome the imminent arrival of a shipment of cocaine from South America by sea. Based on this preliminary information, the Customs Service's Anti-Fraud Gioia Tauro has selected, among those present on the vessel, the container to be checked, including the one in which was contained cocaine.
For controls was crucial to use the scanner that comes with the Customs of Gioia Tauro, which helped to identify anomalies in the texture of materials that contained drugs.
Physical checks have participated, in addition to Customs officials, the Investigative Unit of the Carabinieri in Rome, the Provincial Command of the Carabinieri of Reggio Calabria and the local control Guardia di Finanza, with the help of the local command of the Fire Brigade, by the use of grinders and metal plasma cutting machines, allowed to recover within the load shading, consisting of agricultural machinery from Brazil, the 1,000 rolls of cocaine.
http://www.agenziadogane.it/wps/wcm/connect/fd98288044b26775b7d7b7e1e4127231/cre-s-20101115-146565-coca-gioia.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=fd98288044b26775b7d7b7e1e4127231
Added on 21/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
12 kilos of drugs seized on a ship
12 kilos of drugs seized on a ship
12 kilos of drugs seized on a ship
Sunday, November 14, 2010

Camuflaje. Hood Island, the ship may not leave until the completion of investigations into the drugs found inside.
In a routine inspection, Navy personnel of Puerto Bolívar found inside a ship carrying bananas to New York, eight packages of drugs hidden in a black bag.

The discovery became effective at 14:30 yesterday, after the buque'Hood Island 'arrive at port of Puerto Bolivar to ship 110 thousand boxes of bananas.

The case, with the twelve kilos of drugs in disguise, was located in the servo sector of the boat, they said Armando Elizalde, Regional Director of Aquatic, after he was informed of the fact by the marine commission.

We also heard that the boat was flying a Bahamas flag sailed from Guayaquil pretending go unnoticed by Puerto Bolivar and then will fly to the Panama Canal to reach their final destination New York.

Elizalde said the case also when already in the hands of the Prosecutor and the Police Narcotics.

Meanwhile, 22 crew members of different nationalities and may not ship out of Port Bolivar, until it culminates with the investigations.

In a routine inspection, Navy personnel of Puerto Bolívar found inside a ship carrying bananas to New York, eight packages of drugs hidden in a black bag.

The discovery became effective at 14:30 yesterday, after the buque'Hood Island 'arrive at port of Puerto Bolivar to ship 110 thousand boxes of bananas.

The case, with the twelve kilos of drugs in disguise, was located in the servo sector of the boat, they said Armando Elizalde, Regional Director of Aquatic, after he was informed of the fact by the marine commission.

We also heard that the boat was flying a Bahamas flag sailed from Guayaquil pretending go unnoticed by Puerto Bolivar and then will fly to the Panama Canal to reach their final destination New York.

Elizalde said the case also when already in the hands of the Prosecutor and the Police Narcotics.

Meanwhile, 22 crew members of different nationalities and may not ship out of Port Bolivar, until it culminates with the investigations.

The boat seized drugs would reach $ 780 000

Source / Author:

On November 13 at about 15 hours on the pier No. 4 Port Authority of Puerto Bolivar, canine center staff while on narcotics control normal activities within Ship Island Hood
Able to detect it inside a compartment located in the control room of the helix a black nylon bag, it packs containing 8 covered with clear plastic packing tape and a gray color with a whitish substance the same as the perform the respective tests found that it was cocaine hydrochloride with an approximate weight of 12713 grams.
This vessel covers the route Machala-New York-Antwerp, Belgium being the final destination where the drug had reached a value of 780.000 thousand dollars at the rate of dollars per kilo 65.000.mil.
Narcotics headquarters of El Oro, is conducting investigations to establish responsibility in the commission of such lawful activities, as there would be crews in boats used to transport drugs previously recruited by organizations operating in the city of Guayaquil and Puerto Bolivar so far 4 vessels in the last three months have been arrested for illegal transportation of drugs and these all are Fleet Guayaquil businessman Alvaro Noboa
The National Police of Ecuador, urged the public to denounce these lawful activities at no cost by calling the hotline 18000DROGAS, where they maintain absolute secrecy.
Added on 21/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
US: Gangs buy jets for trans-Atlantic coke flights
US: Gangs buy jets for trans-Atlantic coke flights
US: Gangs buy jets for trans-Atlantic coke flights

Posted: Nov 15, 2010 12:12 PM

By CHRIS HAWLEY
Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) - U.S. prosecutors in a series of court cases say they are beginning to unravel the latest innovation in drug smuggling: South American gangs that are buying old jets and other planes, filling them with cocaine and flying them more than 3,000 miles across the ocean to Africa.

At least three gangs have struck deals to fly drugs to West Africa and from there to Europe, according to U.S. indictments.

"The sky's the limit," one Sierra Leone trafficker boasted to a Drug Enforcement Administration informant, according to court documents.

Most of the cocaine flown to Africa is bound for Europe, where demand has been rising over the last decade. South American gangs are turning to airplanes because European navies have been intercepting more boat shipments along the African coast, trafficking experts say.

"We started stopping the maritime traffic, basically, so then they started going to air traffic more and more," said Theodore Leggett, a smuggling expert with the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime in Vienna.

The U.N. agency began warning about trans-Atlantic drug planes after Nov. 2, 2009, when a burned-out Boeing 727 was found in the desert in Mali. Drug smugglers had flown the jet from Venezuela, unloaded it and then torched it, investigators said.

In the last year, arrests in Africa have begun shedding light on how the air routes work. The cases are being prosecuted in a New York federal court because some of the cocaine was supposed to have been sent to the United States.

"The quantity of cocaine distributed and the means employed to distribute it were extraordinary," prosecutors wrote in one case. They warned of a conspiracy to "spread vast quantities of cocaine throughout the world by way of cargo airplanes."

Recent U.S. court cases involving trans-Atlantic flights include:

- The Valencia-Arbelaez Organization, broken up by undercover U.S. agents after it bought a $2 million plane to run monthly flights between Venezuela and Guinea. The group claimed to have six aircraft already flying.

- A ring based in Colombia and Liberia, arrested after one of its planes was seized in May with two tons of cocaine as it prepared to leave Venezuela. Prosecutors say the group was planning to fly shipments twice a month. One defendant claimed to manage five other aircraft making similar hauls.

- Three Sierra Leone men, accused of scouting out airstrips and arranging for a four-ton flight of cocaine from South America in March.

Two other recent cases have involved cocaine and cargo jets, though investigators have not revealed yet whether the flights were going to Africa:

- Francisco Gonzalez Uribe, a Colombian trafficker due to be sentenced this month. He was recorded while trying to purchase large aircraft including a DC-8.

- Walid Makled-Garcia, who prosecutors say controlled airstrips in Venezuela used to launch drug flights. Prosecutors say Makled-Garcia was behind one of the biggest drug plane shipments in recent years: a DC-9 that landed in Mexico in 2006 with more than 12,300 pounds of cocaine on board.

Smugglers are able to fly large planes across the ocean undetected because most of the Atlantic is out of the range of radar, said Scott Decker, a criminology professor at Arizona State University who studies smuggling methods. Even commercial airliners crossing the ocean must periodically update air traffic controllers about their positions because they do not appear on radar screens.

"Going that way, especially from South America, really gets you outside the majority of the security envelope for air traffic," said Decker.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's decision to sever ties with most U.S. law enforcement agencies in 2005 has made it easier to bring cocaine to staging sites on the Venezuelan coast, said Vanda Felbab-Brown, a fellow at The Brookings Institution, a Washington think tank.

"The DEA is not present there, the Venezuelan military is making money off it, and much of the territory is just not controlled by the government," Felbab-Brown said.

The global economic slump also has idled hundreds of aircraft. Ads on websites such as Planemart.com offer DC-8s for as low as $275,000.

The Valencia-Arbelaez gang was caught after it contacted an undercover DEA agent in the aviation business in 2007. The group wanted to buy a plane in Moldova and needed help setting up a front company in Cyprus to complete the deal.

The gang was already running flights across the Atlantic, members told DEA agents. One member, Manuel Silva-Jaramillo, said the group had six aircraft, each worth $1.5 million to $1.8 million, and was delivering cocaine both by air-dropping and unloading it on the ground.

"I sold airplanes to these people so I knew what was going on," Silva-Jaramillo, an American aeronautical engineer, told a New York judge earlier this year. "I knew that they were bringing the drugs to the United States."

A plane seized in Sierra Leone in July 2008 with 600 kilograms (1,323 pounds) of cocaine belonged to the group, the DEA says. The gang's leader, Jesus Eduardo Valencia-Arbalaez, said he was paying pilots $200,000 to $300,000 per trip.

Planning sessions for the newly acquired plane were held in Denmark, Spain, Romania and Virginia and at a Best Western hotel in Manhattan. At one meeting, Valencia-Arbalaez sketched a map of West Africa showing points where the drugs would be delivered. The plane could carry seven tons of cocaine, Valencia-Arbalaez said.

The gang used detailed spreadsheets to compute flight costs and distributed codebooks to conceal their plans.

Fuel and pilots were paid for through wire transfers, suitcases filled with cash and, in one case, a bag with $356,000 in euros left at a hotel bar. The gang hired a Russian crew to move the newly purchased plane from Moldova to Romania, and then to Guinea.

Most of the cocaine was destined for Europe, but part of each shipment was supposed to go on to New York.

The European drug market was hugely profitable. Silva-Jaramillo claimed the gang had as much as $82 million in euros stashed in Spain that it needed to launder, according to court documents.

The gang also discussed setting up a methamphetamine lab in Liberia and exporting the drug to Japan and the United States.

The gang had access to a private airfield in Guinea, was considering buying its own airport and had sent a team to explore whether it could send direct flights from Bolivia to West Africa, Valencia-Arbelaez said in recorded conversations.

Valencia-Arbelaez was arrested in Romania in June 2009. He pleaded guilty to cocaine trafficking in New York court and was sentenced in July to 17 1/2 years in prison. Another conspirator, Javier Caro, received 3 1/2 years. Silva-Jaramillo pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.

Drug trafficking is especially dangerous to West Africa because of the corrupting effect it has on already weak governments, said Felbab-Brown, of The Brookings Institution.

In the Liberia case, traffickers offered bribes to Fumbah Sirleaf, the head of the Liberian security agency and son of the country's president. Sirleaf was secretly coordinating with the DEA. He did not respond to requests for comment about the case.

The flights were to come from Venezuela and Panama. The ring had already sent aircraft into Liberia, Guinea and Guinea-Bissau, one of the traffickers was recorded saying.

The case has attracted attention in Russia because one of the defendants, Russian pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko, says he was tortured by Liberian police before being handed over to the DEA. He and the other five defendants have denied the charges against them.

The Russian foreign ministry accused the United States of "kidnapping" Yaroshenko and failing to tell the Russian government. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin called his arrest an example of the United States overstepping its bounds.

The DEA denies Yaroshenko was abused. The U.S. Department of State said it mistakenly faxed Yaroshenko's arrest notice to the wrong embassy.

Associated Press writer Jonathan Paye-Layleh in Monrovia, Liberia, contributed to this report.

http://www.wrcbtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=13502102
Added on 21/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
New initiative to improve airport intelligence sharing on drug trafficking in West Africa
New initiative to improve airport intelligence sharing on drug trafficking in West Africa
New initiative to improve airport intelligence sharing on drug trafficking in West Africa
15 November 2010 - According to UNODC estimates, between 30 and 100 tons of cocaine transited through West Africa in 2009. The frequency of big drug seizures, such as the recent 2.2 tons of cocaine seized in Gambia, emphasize the seriousness of the problem of drug trafficking in the region. Cocaine mainly transits through West Africa by air and sea, originating from Latin America and heading to Europe.

UNODC recently teamed up with the World Customs Organization and Interpol to start a project that will improve airport intelligence and information sharing between seven West African countries and Brazil.

The project, called Aircop, aims to establish secure, effective communications and exchange of intelligence between Brazil, Cape Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal and Togo during its first phase, while Guinea Conakry and Morocco have been invited to join.

The 3.2 million dollars project, financed by the European Union and Canada, consists of setting up Joint Airport Interdiction Task Forces composed of officers from all law enforcement agencies involved in combating illicit trafficking, operating around the clock at each of the selected international airports.

The task forces are not meant to conduct investigations, but to help increase the number and quality of drug seizures through providing more specialized services. The task forces will be equipped with effective communication equipment with access to Interpol's international databases and to a secured system of communications managed by the World Customs Organization (called CENcomm), allowing real-time exchange of operational information between participating airports. For its first phase, the project will run for 36 months through the coordination of the UNODC Regional Office for West and Central Africa.

Speaking at the launch of the project in Dakar, Senegal, the head of the European Union delegation in Dakar, Gilles Hervio, said, "Aircop will bring together all agencies in charge of fighting trafficking and organized crime at the national level into a unit that can work with regional and trans-regional counterparts". His counterpart from Canada, Ambassador Perry Carlerwood, welcomed the new development, saying "it could also contribute to the fight against illegal movements of persons, goods, and prevent terrorism".

The Aircop project is a product of the ECOWAS Regional Action Plan to address the growing problem of illicit drug trafficking, organized crime and drug abuse in West Africa, and it contributes to the Dakar Initiative to Fight Narcotics. The project will soon be extended to more Latin American and Caribbean countries.

Related Information:
UNODC in West and Central Africa

http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/frontpage/2010/November/new-initiative-to-improve-airport-intelligence-sharing-on-drug-trafficking-in-west-africa.html?ref=fs1
Added on 21/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Austria busts ring smuggled 270K of cocaine with Dominican links
Austria busts ring smuggled 270K of cocaine with Dominican links
Austria busts ring smuggled 270K of cocaine with Dominican links

16-11-2010

VIENNA.- The Austrian authorities have busted a drug trafficking ring which in the last three years smuggled 270 kilos of cocaine worth 60 million euros, said to Efe Erwin Meindlhumer, of the Criminal Investigation Office.

He said the drug from South America arrived in Dominican Republic and from there by air to Amsterdam, for distribution to Austria, Spain, France and Italy. T

The investigation into the Austrian plot began in 2007, when the Police of the city Linz found cocaine distributed by Dominicans, one of which turned out to be a 42 year old Austrian of Dominican origin said to be the ringleader.

As the result of the investigation 77 people have been identified, of which 43 have been detained in Austria and 24 in other European countries.

Meindlhumer added that 10 more suspects are still at large in the operation dubbed "The Teachers," in reference to the three Dominican ringleaders who headed the distribution from Holland. One of them has already been arrested and the other two are still on the loose.

“We had to scratch not into the lower distribution level, but relatively far up the structure,” said Dietmar Gutmayer, of the Linz Office of the Prosecutor.

http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/world/2010/11/16/37647/Austria-busts-ring-smuggled-270K-of-cocaine-with-Dominican-links

http://www.bundespolizei.gv.at/lpdreader/documents/623.pdf
Added on 21/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Head of Sofia Airport Customs Office's Car Blown Off
Head of Sofia Airport Customs Office's Car Blown Off
Head of Sofia Airport Customs Office's Car Blown Off

November 16, 2010, Tuesday
A car owned by Pavel Manchenko, Head of Customs Office at Sofia Airport, has exploded Tuesday morning.

The accident with Manchenko's Audi A4 has occurred early in Tuesday morning on Kalimantsi str in Sofia, where he lives.

No people have been hurt, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The police is still investigating the case.

"Intimidation has probably been the purpose in this case, " Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov commented.

Recently, a total of 320 kg of gold, 20 kg of silver, and 1 kg of platinum were stolen from a storage facility of the Bulgarian Customs Agency located at Terminal 1 of the Sofia International Airport. Subsequently, the Bulgarian police busted six men, including a former senior customs officer, who were believed to be the perpetrators.

http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=122209
Added on 21/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Drug arrests in Serbia, Montenegro, Italy
Drug arrests in Serbia, Montenegro, Italy
Drug arrests in Serbia, Montenegro, Italy
16 November 2010 | 13:56 | Source: B92, Beta, Tanjug
BELGRADE, PODGORICA, ROME -- Four persons were arrested last night in Serbia on suspicion that they trafficked narcotics, acting as part of the Šariæ gang.

Darko Šariæ, a Montenegrin with a Serbian passport, is a fugitive from justice indicted in Serbia as the mastermind behind a failed attempt last year to smuggle over two tons of cocaine from South America to Europe.

In Montenegro, Šariæ's brother Duško was detained by police in the northern Montenegrin town of Pljevlja.

The Serbian raids were conducted by the security agency BIA, said reports. Those arrested have been identified as Zlatko Ðorðeviæ from Belgrade, and three Kragujevac residents: Goran Živanoviæ, Gordana Milivojeviæ-Rakiæ and Božidar Kapetanoviæ.

Belgrade daily Blic writes that the suspects are linked to cocaine shipments that came in via ships docking in Italian ports.

In Montenegro, Podgorica's Dan newspaper writes that the arrest of Duško Šariæ could be connected to a recent visit by Italian Prosceutor Pietro Grasso. The daily says that the Montenegrin Supreme Prosecution "has been informed about the action", and that they will now consult and decide whether to extradite the suspect, described as "businessman from Peljevlja", to Italy.

The Šariæ brothers attorney, Josif Miækoviæ, confirmed that Duško Šariæ was arrested on an Italian warrant and on drug smuggling charges, but unrelated to the indictment against this brother, Darko Šariæ.

This arrest came only days after Montenegro extradited Duško Miæunoviæ, aka Duka, to Italy, where he is wanted on suspicion that he organized an international drug trafficking gang.

In the coastal Montenegrin town of Budva, two more arrests took place last night, when former Serbian Special Operations Unit (JSO) members were detained.

According to media reports, Vitomir Bojiæ and Srpko Klisura worked as security for Darko Šariæ in Belgrade, and were arrested on a Serbian warrant.

However, Podgorica daily Vijesti writes today that the pair were released shortly after midnight on Tuesday, and that Montenegrin police told them they had been detained "because they resembled someone else".

But Dan newspaper reports that Bojiæ and Klisura were arrested in a hotel, and that there were no legal obstacles to their extradition to Serbia.

Meanwhile in Italy, more than 100 suspects were detained in a series of raids, among them a group that is believed to have organized a crime network based in Serbia and Slovenia, with Serbian, Montenegrin and Slovenian citizens among those arrested.

Italy's Ansa news agency reports that the leaders of the international crime group acted out of Serbia and Slovenia, and, according to police, organized the trafficking of huge amounts of cocaine from South America from 2007 until 2009.

The agency also says that the Italian investigation was launched in cooperation with interior ministries in Belgrade and Ljubljana.

http://www.b92.net//eng/news/crimes-article.php?yyyy=2010&mm=11&dd=16&nav_id=70935
Added on 21/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Cocaine in metal pipes could have been worth £500m
Cocaine in metal pipes could have been worth £500m
Cocaine in metal pipes could have been worth £500m
16 November 2010
Five men who acted as shipping agents for drug traffickers have been jailed for a total of 94 years at Manchester Crown Court. They are thought to have imported over half a billion pounds worth of cocaine into the UK hidden inside metal pipes.

The gang was caught after an 80-kilo haul, with a street value of £25m, was discovered by the UK Border Agency at Dover last year.

SOCA officers switched the drugs for flour and allowed the pipes to complete their journey to a warehouse in Manchester. Gang members grew suspicious when the delivery was delayed and broke into the warehouse to retrieve their cocaine. They dumped the pipes after realising they had been duped.

Carl Smith, 40, from Moston, who played a central role in the conspiracy to import cocaine, was jailed for 23 years. Darrol Sedgwick, 43, from Stretford, a lieutenant, was sentenced to 22 years. Darren Lowe, 31, from Moston, a driver and trusted associate, was jailed for 19 years. Craig Loveday, 41, from Rochdale, and Lee Smith, 42, from Middleton, who were also van drivers, were each locked up for 15 years.

Officers uncovered evidence of more than 30 previous deliveries to the warehouse identical to the one that was intercepted. If each contained a similar amount of cocaine then the total amount could have had a street value in excess of £500m.

Matt Burton from SOCA said:

"A first class detection by the UKBA enabled us to take out a well established supply route for crime groups in the North of England.

“Anyone who supports drug traffickers, whether that's organising the shipments or driving the van, is a target for SOCA and we will come after you.”

Two other men, Vincent Martin, 39, from Baguley, and Dean Denton, 31, from Crumpsall, who were hired by the gang to carry out the warehouse raid, were each sentenced to five years for attempted robbery.

Judge Andrew Clarke imposed Travel Restriction Orders on Carl Smith, Lee Smith and Craig Loveday. The orders are designed to reduce re-offending by preventing convicted criminals from travelling abroad on release from prison. For more information see our new approaches page.


http://www.soca.gov.uk/news/293-shipping-agents-for-cocaine-gangs-jailed-for-over-90-years
Behind bars ... Gang who smuggled £500m drugs hidden in pipes
Pete Bainbridge

November 13, 2010

One of the packages of cocaine found hidden in metal pipes in the lorry. The drugs were switched for flour
Five members of a drug gang who smuggled cocaine worth up to £1/2bn into Greater Manchester have been jailed for up to 23 years each.

The gang were locked up for their roles in importing the drug from Spain to a warehouse in Trafford Park. The cocaine was stashed in metal pipes and transported by lorry from Barcelona into the UK.

The massive operation was smashed when one haul, worth £25m, was discovered by UK Border Agency (UKBA) officers. It was then swapped for flour and tracked by the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA).

Jailing the traffickers Judge Andrew Clarke said that cocaine brought ‘untold misery’ to users, and drug smuggling affected ‘every man, woman and child in the country’.

The smuggling ring was discovered on July 20, last year, when the UKBA officers at Dover found 80kg of cocaine in a lorry. SOCA made the flour switch and allowed the lorry to travel on to Trafford Park. SOCA followed it and planned to pounce when the gang came to collect their drugs.

But after the delivery was delayed by 24 hours the gang became suspicious the lorry was being tracked and staged a mock robbery, ‘stealing'’their own cocaine from the warehouse.

When they realised the ‘cocaine’ was actually flour, they dumped it in the River Irk in Middleton.

Mobile phone records linked members of the gang to the crimes and to the scene of the staged robbery and the river where the flour was later dumped.

There were screams from the public gallery at Manchester Crown Court as the defendants were sent down.

Carl Smith, 40, from Moston, who played ‘a central role in the conspiracy’ was jailed for 23 years. Darrol Sedgwick, 43, from Stretford, a ‘crucial lieutenant’ was jailed for 22 years.

Darren Lowe, 31, from Moston, a ‘driver and trusted associate’, was jailed for 19
years.

Craig Loveday, 41, from Rochdale, and Lee Smith, 42, from Middleton, also van drivers, were each locked up for 15 years.

Carl and Lee Smith, and Craig Loveday, must inform SOCA of any plans to travel abroad when finally released from prison.

Vincent Martin, 39, of Oakcliff Road, Baguley, and Dean Denton, 31, of Kearsley Road, Crumpsall, were hired for the raid but did not know what they were stealing. Martin and Denton admitted attempted robbery and were jailed for five years.

Prosecutor Paul Mitchell said there had been more than 30 previous shipments with a suspected overall street value in excess of £500m.

Matt Burton from SOCA said: “This is a great example of what can happen when partners work together. A first class detection by the UKBA enabled us to take out a well established supply route.”

Darrol Sedgwick, 43, of Foxdenton Drive, Stretford, was found guilty of conspiracy to import cocaine, after a three-week trial.

Carl Smith, of St Mary’s Road, Moston; Lee Smith, of Mount Road, Middleton; Darren Lowe, of Woodstock Road, Moston; and Craig Loveday, of Prince Street, Rochdale, all pleaded guilty of conspiracy to import cocaine.

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/crime/s/1371206_behind_bars__gang_who_smuggled_500m_drugs_hidden_in_pipes_

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Added on 21/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Turkish police seizes 15.3 tons of heroin in Istanbul
Turkish police seizes 15.3 tons of heroin in Istanbul
Turkish police seizes 15.3 tons of heroin in Istanbul

13:38, November 17, 2010

Turkish police confiscated 15.3 tons of heroin in their operations in the Turkish largest city of Istanbul in the last 22 months, Turkish police sources said on Tuesday.

Istanbul police impounded 15.3 tons of heroin, 6.7 tons of hashish, 319 kg of cocaine and a number of illicit pills in their almost 70,000 operations in the last 22 months, the sources were quoted as saying by the semi-official Anatolia news agency.

A total of 102,671 people have been detained by the police in those operations, said the sources.

Turkey is a key transit route for smuggling drugs from Asia and the Middle East to markets in western Europe.

http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90777/90854/7202296.html
Added on 21/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
DNCD discovered cocaine hidden in dominoes that would be sent to Italy
DNCD discovered cocaine hidden in dominoes that would be sent to Italy
DNCD discovered cocaine hidden in dominoes that would be sent to Italy

November 16, 2010
SANTO DOMINGO .- The National deDrogas Control (DNCD) and the Instituto Postal Dominicano (INPOSDOM) prevented yesterday, Monday, that "cocaine disguised as dominoes was sent to a town in Italy.

The referral would be made by an unidentified person through a remittance company with the name "Health View" located on the avenue Núñez de Cáceres to corner Avenue Sarasota, the National District.

Dominoes were 28 filled with a presumably white powder cocaine weighing 710 grams, into the corresponding pasteboard box, inside a manila envelope, whose sender was not identified.

Were aimed at an alleged "Alexander Gutara, residing at Via Aurelio Saffi No. 28, Cap. 40100 Bologna, Italy. "

The shipment contained with air certificate number 033216231, and was seized at the headquarters of INPOSDOM by DNCD members stationed there, and inspectors of that institution, accompanied by a deputy prosecutor of the National District.
Added on 21/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Suspects arrested international drug organization
Suspects arrested international drug organization
Suspects arrested international drug organization
November 17, 2010 - Rotterdam District Prosecutor

The Regional Criminal Investigation Department (RRD) of the Rotterdam-Rijnmond police in early November arrested an organization that is suspected of being involved have taken large consignments of cocaine from South America. The drugs were in refrigerated containers at the port of Rotterdam and Antwerp. A total of seventeen suspects were arrested. In connection with the investigation to the arrests not previously disclosed.

In February 2010 RRD started the investigation in cooperation with the Federal Judicial Police in. During the inquiry, both in Antwerp and Rotterdam are a number of drug shipments intercepted hundreds of kilos of cocaine were seized.

Besides the large consignments of cocaine kept the organization active in the local trade. These middlemen took place mainly in the south of Rotterdam. Almost daily pounds of cocaine were sold to a large number of customers include Germany, Belgium and Spain.

Two months ago in Belgium when a shipment of 100 kilograms of cocaine intercepted. While nine suspects were arrested. These are men between 28 and 41 years old. They are stuck in Belgium.

On Monday, November 1 in the Netherlands were a further eight suspects were arrested. The men range in age from 21 to 41 and came from Rotterdam Barendrecht.

There were fourteen searches performed. This has included 70,000 euros, a car and a firearm confiscated. In addition, the contents of two shops on the Steven Hoogendijkstraat and the Weena, seized because the organization had invested money in the pubs.

The chamber of the Rotterdam District Court Tuesday, November 16 the custody of suspects extended 30 days. Expected to start in February the suspects to appear in court. They sued for including participation in a criminal organization and drug smuggling. In a separate proceeding, In a separate procedure the money, earned with criminal activities will be cofiscated.

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Added on 21/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Cocaine found hidden in airport trolleys
Cocaine found hidden in airport trolleys
Cocaine found hidden in airport trolleys
Posted 17-11-2010

Drug traffickers busted in Rome airport had found some ingenious smuggling methods, including hiding cocaine inside baggage trolleys.

"They were hiding the drugs in the handles of the trolleys to evade customs," said Alessio Mauro, a lieutenant in the Guardia di Finanza force.

The police commander said officers also found drugs "hidden inside secret pockets sewn into many pairs of jeans transported in passengers' luggage".

Drugs worth five million euros ($6.9 million) were seized in the operation at Fiumicino airport and six people have been arrested.

The drugs were being smuggled by passengers from Argentina and Brazil.

"We check passenger lists for certain flights every day against other lines of investigation. That's how we found the smugglers," Lieutenant Mauro said.

The people arrested are an Italian man working for an airline, a German woman arriving from Brazil and four people travelling from Argentina.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/11/17/3069393.htm
Added on 21/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
£5 million heroin seizure at Felixstowe
£5 million heroin seizure at Felixstowe
5 million heroin seizure at Felixstowe


17 November 2010

Heroin worth more than £5 million has been seized by the UK Border Agency at the Port of Felixstowe, the biggest detection of the Class A drug in the UK this year.

The estimated 80kg of heroin had been shipped to the UK from Asia in a single container listed as chilli powder.

Attention was drawn to the shipment by a discrepancy in the paperwork and the container was selected for further examination.

When officers opened the doors they found 600 sacks, each containing 20kg of red chilli powder. Initial examination identified an inconsistency in the weight of one of the sacks. Inside the sack officers found 12 packages, each weighing 1kg, of a fawn-coloured powder hidden among the chilli. Tests revealed the powder was heroin.

Six other sacks in the final row of the container were also found to have heroin hidden inside.

Brodie Clark, head of border force for the UK Border Agency, said:

'This is a major seizure that reflects the robust controls we have in place at the UK border.

'Heroin is a dangerous Class A drug that wrecks the lives not only of individual users, but also of their families and the wider community.

'The UK Border Agency is responsible for immigration and customs controls at the border. We will continue to fight the threat that drug smuggling poses to the UK.'

The shipment arrived at Felixstowe on Tuesday 9 November. On Friday 12 November, 5 men were arrested by officers from the Serious Organised Crime Agency at Waymills Industrial Estate in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

Two men were subsequently charged with importation of Class A drugs, and appeared at Telford Magistrates' Court on Monday. Father and son Gulab and Khalid Mohammed, aged 50 and 28 respectively, were remanded in custody to reappear at the same court on 23 November.

The 3 other men, all from Birmingham, have been bailed until 10 January. None of them has been charged.

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2010/nov/54-5-million-heroin-seizure
Added on 21/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Drug smugglers conceal contraband inside hollow rocks
Drug smugglers conceal contraband inside hollow rocks
Drug smugglers conceal contraband inside hollow rocks
10-11-2010

Jade has long flowed from Myanmar into China, but a November 10 drug bust in Kunming has put a new twist on the import of the ornamental stone into Yunnan.

After Panlong District police worked their way up the drug distribution chain, they raided and searched the residence of a suspected heroin dealer. They seized 1.2 kilograms of pure heroin, 2.1 kilograms of high-grade amphetamines and 280,000 yuan in funds.

But they were more intrigued by something else they found inside the dealer's residence: stones of various sizes and shape that had been meticulously hollowed out and lined with carbon paper.

Upon being questioned, the dealer admitted that he had been cooperating with a man in Myanmar who was hollowing out the stones, filling them with between 100 and 300 grams each of drugs and shipping them across the Myanmar-Yunnan border labeled as "unfinished jade." The carbon paper was intended to block x-rays during customs inspections.

The entire police anti-drug operation is reported to have netted 13 suspects.

http://gokunming.com/en/blog/item/1932/drug_smugglers_conceal_contraband_inside_hollow_rocks
Added on 21/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
CBP Officers Arrest Juvenile Attempting to Smuggle Marijuana at the Port of El Paso
CBP Officers Arrest Juvenile Attempting to Smuggle Marijuana at the Port of El Paso
CBP Officers Arrest Juvenile Attempting to Smuggle Marijuana at the Port of El Paso


(Tuesday, November 16, 2010)

contacts for this news release

El Paso, Texas - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the El Paso port of entry yesterday morning stopped a vehicle loaded with marijuana that was being driven by a juvenile.


“Smuggling organizations will use every imaginable method to get narcotics through our international ports of entry including using juveniles,” said Bill Molaski, CBP El Paso Port Director. “Parents need to be alert and always monitor their children’s activities to ensure that they are not involved with any type of criminal element.”

CBP officers at the Bridge of the Americas in the El Paso port of entry confiscated 76.95 pounds of marijuana from a 17-year-old male from El Paso. The seizure was made when a 2002 Ford Mustang was referred for inspection and CBP drug sniffing dog “Hasko” alerted to the vehicle. CBP officers discovered 55 packages concealed in the quarter and rocker panels.

The juvenile was turned over to the El Paso Sheriff’s Department for local prosecution. He was booked into the El Paso County Jail.

CBP Field Operations is responsible for securing our borders at the ports of entry. U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers’ primary mission is anti-terrorism; they screen all people, vehicles, and goods entering the United States, while facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel into and out of the United States. Their mission also includes carrying out traditional border-related responsibilities, including narcotics interdiction, enforcing immigration law, protecting the nation’s food supply and agriculture industry from pests and diseases, and enforcing trade laws.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
Contacts For This News Release
Ruben Jauregui
CBP Public AffairsPhone: (915) 633-7300 Ext: 164

CBP Headquarters
Office of Public Affairs
1300 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Room 3.4A
Washington, DC 20229 Phone: (202) 344-1780 or
(800) 826-1471
Fax: (202) 344-1393


http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/local/11162010_2.xml
Added on 21/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Another Hungarian drug mule arrested at Lima's airport
Another Hungarian drug mule arrested at Lima's airport
Another Hungarian drug mule arrested at Lima's airport

2010.11.19

Authorities have seized five kilos of cocaine at Jorge Chávez International Airport
A 36-year old Hungarian man has been arrested at Lima airport in Peru after five kilograms of cocaine were discovered in the man's luggage. He was due to fly to Sao Paulo when he was arrested.

An initial scan of the passenger's luggage revealed traces of a white powder. When customs examined the man's luggage, they found four separate bags of the drug with a combined weight of five kilograms.

Authorities suspect that the drugs were destined for Brussels, although they are not sure yet where the drugs originated from.

Hungarian consul István Hajóssy says that the usual penalty for drug traficking is a little more than six and a half years detention. However, the period of incarceration depends, in large part, on the quantity of the drugs seized.

Currently there are six Hungarian drug mules behind bars in Lima. This new case would become the seventh.

Lima has become a transit point for the international drug trade and the Hungarian man arrested in not the first to have been caught using the Lima-Sao Paulo-Europe route.

In 2008, Briton Tessa Beetge was arrested in Sao Paulo while carrying 10 kilos of cocaine. Beetge had travelled from Lima and was on her way to Johannesburg when she was arrested.

http://www.dunatv.hu/english/news/outside_hungary/Another_Hungarian_drug_mule_arrested_at_Limas_air.html
Added on 21/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
From Iran: Customs intercept container of heroin at Tin-Can port
From Iran: Customs intercept container of heroin at Tin-Can port
From Iran: Customs intercept container of heroin at Tin-Can port
Nov 19, 2010
By Godwin Oritse & Ifeyinwa Obi
LAGOS—Nigerian Customs Service has intercepted a large quantity of heroin concealed in a 40-foot container, which was believed to have originated from Iran. The container which was brought into the Tin-can Island Port was concealed among machine parts.

According to the Area Comptroller of Customs Mr. Austin Warikoru, the vessel, MD Montenegro, brought the container into the port yesterday evening and was intercepted by his men based on intelligence information.

He said: “We got wind of the container based on advance information and we decided to carry out inspection on the container. We discovered a large quantity of heroin concealed inside it together machine parts made of cog wheel.

“The quantity of the heroin is not yet ascertained as we are still conducting investigations and carrying out inspection.”

He also stated that the importer is not yet known as the container was not yet declared and no documentation had been made on the container.

He said: “We are yet to uncover the person behind this, but I am sure before we conclude investigations, we must unmask the person or persons involved.

“The goods originated from Iran and the last destination port of the vessel is Nigeria. So the question of the container being on transit is ruled out.”

Warikoru further said that the vessel arrived the port last Tuesday.
Also confirming the interception of the large quantity of hard drugs at the Tin-Can Island Port, Customs spokesman, Mr. Wale Adeniyi, said that about ten wraps of heroine each weighing 112kg had been off-loaded from the container.

It was also gathered that CMA-CGM, the shipping company that brought in the 13 containers of arms and ammunition intercepted recently at the Apapa Port, also brought the heroine-laden container.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/11/from-iran-customs-intercept-container-of-heroin-at-tin-can-port/

Customs Intercepts Heroin-Laden Container
Barely one month after a 13 containers loaded with arms and ammunitions were intercepted by operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) at the largest container terminal in Africa, Apapa Container Terminal (ACT), Lagos, another consignment of items suspected to be heroin was yesterday intercepted by men and officers of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) at Tin Can Island Port, Apapa, Lagos.

The interception of the consignment, which followed a joint operation of NCS and operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the second busiest port in the country, followed a tip off from some informants.


The hard drug which current market value is yet to be ascertained as press time were in 10 wraps each weighing 11.2 kilogrammes. Others were in smaller wraps weighing 1.2 kiologrammes.

Customs Area Controller (CAC), NCS, Tin Can Island Port Command, Comptroller Augustine Warikoru who confirmed the development in a chat with THISDAY said the hard drugs were concealed inside big cylinders and propellers tucked inside the container.

The Customs Chief also revealed that the items have all tested positive to heroin. He disclosed that the manifest submitted by the consignee stipulated the hard drugs as building materials and they came aboard a vessel called MV Montenegro.
According to him, the vessel has been placed under surveillance, just as full inspection and counting of the entire consignment is on-going.

He promised to make public the findings of the authorities as soon as the inspection of the vessel is completed.
THISDAY recalls that the dust created by the interception of the 13 containers loaded with arms and ammunitions is yet to settle as one of the suspects behind its importation into Nigeria has fled to Iran earlier in the week.

This is coming on the heels of anxiety of port users as they wait the Federal Government to make public its investigations into the circumstances that led to the long stay of the cargo in ACT before they were intercepted by SSS operatives

http://www.nigeriannewsservice.com/nns-news-archive/news-blocks/customs-intercepts-heroin-laden-container

Ship laden with heroine from Iran intercepted at Lagos port

Friday, 19 November 2010
The current diplomatic row between Nigeria and Iran over arms shipment is set to take a turn following the interception of another ship, last night, suspected to be laden with heroine.

The ship with registration number CLHU 264924/3 arrived at the Tin Can Island Container Terminal yesterday.

Security agencies, apparently acting on a tip-off intercepted the ship as soon as it berthed at the port yesterday and began to off load its content. It was however not until towards evening that the suspected substance to be heroine concealed in car crankshafts, along side floor tiles and toiletries were discovered.

Although the identities of the agents who imported the consignment could not be readily ascertained as at press time, last night, it was however, confirmed that the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) immediately took charge of the shipment and is investigating the issue.

Commenting on the development, one of the security agents said, “We had the information before time that another ship containing arms was coming from Iran and so we were on the lookout. We are happy that it was not a false alarm as substances suspected to be heroine have been found on the ship. NDLEA has taken full charge of the discovery that it is confirmed to be drug.”

It would be recalled that Nigeria has already reported Iran to the UN Security Council following what it termed “violation of international law.”

Nigeria is currently a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. Foreign affairs minister, Odein Ajumogobia, had said concerning the arms shipment last month that “if Nigeria finds in the conclusion of investigations that there has been a breach of any sanctions, as a member of the UN Security Council, we would do what is necessary”.

However, diplomats said yesterday that the drug shipment could put Iran in breach of UN law on hard drugs.

http://www.businessdayonline.com/NG/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=16227:ship-laden-with-heroine-from-iran-intercepted-at-lagos-port&catid=3:newsflash&Itemid=564

Container Tracking - Container CLHU2649243
Added on 21/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
The DNCD identified frustrated "mule" as Juan Francisco García, Dominican-born Dutch citizen.
The DNCD identified frustrated "mule" as Juan Francisco García, Dominican-born Dutch citizen.
The DNCD identified frustrated "mule" as Juan Francisco García, Dominican-born Dutch citizen.

To Belgium

By News Services
DiarioDigitalRD.Com
SANTO DOMINGO .- Agents of the National Drug Control (DNCD) captured in the Punta Cana International Airport, a man who tried to board a flight to Belgium on their way digestivas100 carrying of bags containing a white powder that is presumed is cocaine, the DEA.
The DNCD identified frustrated "mule" as Juan Francisco García, Dominican-born Dutch citizen who was arrested by agents of the narcotics organization for outstanding service in the Customs Hall of the Air Terminal, moments before he boarded the flight No. JAF524, the airline Jetairfly, which would lead to the city of Brussels, capital of Belgium.

Garcia was found and rushed to the X-ray Unit Hospiten Medical Center, in Bavaro, where he underwent a plain abdominal radiograph, which showed positive results in foreign bodies in their digestive tract, according to the medical diagnosis service the health center.

When asked by the officers of the DNCD, the arrested said he had in his stomach the amount of 100 bags in the form of eggs containing a white substance presumed to be cocaine, not determined even by the INACIF.

The detainee was confiscated a suitcase that had as his only luggage, which contained some clothing, and where found nothing incriminating.

Subsequently, the accused along with his luggage was delivered to Deputy Procurator of the Province of La Altagracia, acting in the case who custody DNCD officers took him to the Public Hospital of Higuey, in order that the same be subjected to the process of expulsion of the bags.
Added on 21/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Cannabis worth £500,000 seized at Harwich port
Cannabis worth £500,000 seized at Harwich port
Cannabis worth £500,000 seized at Harwich port
19 November 2010

Last updated at 16:28 GMT
Cannabis resin with a street value of £500,000 has been seized by the UK Border Agency at Harwich port in Essex.

Officers found an estimated 188kg of the drug hidden in a cavity under the wooden floor of a lorry's trailer.

The lorry arrived at Harwich on a ferry from the Hook of Holland and was heading to the Midlands.

The lorry driver was arrested on suspicion of the illegal importation of Class B drugs and bailed until 11 February 2011.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-11800557
Added on 21/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
POLICE DETAINED ALIENS NEAR 15 KILOS OF DRUGS
POLICE DETAINED ALIENS NEAR 15 KILOS OF DRUGS
POLICE DETAINED ALIENS NEAR 15 KILOS OF DRUGS

Thursday, November 11, 2010

At the airport Jorge Chavez

TID in permanent fight against agents of the Drug Enforcement Jorge Chávez International Airport, detained three foreign citizens with about 15 kilos of cocaine alkaloid, hidden in their luggage that wanted out of the country for overseas.

In the area of international departure immigration control, law enforcement officials arrested Cregenzán Ricardo Ortiz (40), a Spanish national, in circumstances in their baggage carrying a bag with six plastic bottles and six bags of different sizes, containing nine kilos 338 grams of cocaine alkaloid, intending to travel to Panama City as their final destination having Lisboa - Portugal.

In similar action, the police arrested Indonesian citizen, identified as Hengky Kurniawam (29), to find a bag in her luggage, a backpack canvas blue-lined rectangular four-pack plastic and paper bag platinum, containing the same substance with a total weight of five kilos 26 grams, which was bound for the city of Ho Chi Minh City - Vietnam via Sao Paulo - Brazil.

At another point, custodians of the order captured Bulgarian citizen identified as Mitko Mitev Andreev (23), when he was acting suspiciously at the counter of the company 'KLM' to travel to the city of Amsterdam - Netherlands. Given this fact was taken to hospital in Callao, where to be submitted for consideration by lightning "x" the medical diagnosis 'images radiopaque upper abdomen resulting positive', so that they proceeded to their placement in the Hospital Nacional Daniel Alcides Carrión of first port for the evacuation of foreign bodies.

These interventions included the participation of the Public Prosecutor, while police continue with investigations into the alleged crime against public health, drug trafficking, "according to law
Added on 15/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
20 tons of hashish seized in the largest operation in ten years
20 tons of hashish seized in the largest operation in ten years
The Tax Office apprehends more than 20,000 kilos of hashish in the largest maritime against drug trafficking in the last 10 years

�� The operation is a consequence of surveillance device aeronavales means that Customs Enforcement takes place in the Spanish coast.
�� It has intercepted a boat with three crew members Dutch nationality, who have been detained.

November 12, 2010.

The Tax Office has seized 20,000 kilograms of hashish in the biggest maritime operation against drug in the last ten years and one of the five most important history in the fight against drug trafficking.

The operation called TELENE, carried out by officials Customs Surveillance of Andalusia and Galicia, started several days ago when it was known in Galicia that a vessel type fishing, flag Dutch and about 40 meters long, could directed toward the Atlantic coast of Morocco with the intention load a large amount of hashish.

In the alert received, established a control and monitoring device aeronavales means, which allowed a plane Department Customs Revenue Agency sighted the target at 13.50 hours day November 11, 2010, about 70 miles off the Moroccan coast and sailing course 270 at a speed of about 11 knots.

This sighting was reported to Patrolboat 'Gerifalte' who proceeded to intercept and deal with the authorization of the Dutch authorities the boat called NANCY-II, which met the characteristics of the target suspect.

After an initial inspection of the suspect vessel is could see a significant number of bales of hashish, which were scattered throughout the ship, being concentrated
Most bales in the hold of it. Subsequently, proceeded and intervene to ensure the boat smuggling and the arrest of its three crew members of Dutch nationality, accused of an alleged smuggling and to public health.

The boat operated has moved to the Port of Cadiz, where robbed the bank at 09.00 pm today. Pending completion registration under the supervision of the judicial authority, is estimated at more than 20,000 kilos of cannabis resin, treated in this operation.

Both the vessel and operated drug and individuals detainees are available to the Magistrate's Court Cadiz on guard duty.

TELENE such a transaction is still open so that no rule out further arrests.

http://www.meh.es/Documentacion/Publico/GabineteMinistro/Notas%20Prensa/2010/AEAT/12-11-10%20NP%20Aprehensión%20Hachís%20en%20Cádiz.pdf

Above you see the google translation of the official press release which you will find as attchment to this mail.

El pesquero interceptado en Cádiz llevaba más de 20 toneladas de hachís
Los agentes de Vigilancia Aduanera de Cádiz abordaron en la tarde noche de este jueves un pesquero holandés cuya bodega estaba cargada de hachís. Fuentes de Aduana han confirmado a ELMUNDO.es de Andalucía que la actuación se llevó a cabo pasadas las siete de la tarde a 120 millas al sur de la costa gaditana, en aguas internacionales.

Previo permiso de las autoridades holandesas, los agentes a bordo de la patrullera 'Gerifalte 1', y con apoyo aéreo, abordaron al pesquero de nombre 'Nancy II'. Una vez dentro, los efectivos de Aduana confirmaron sus sospechas al registrar la bodega, de unos 40 metros de eslora, en la que el barco transportaba más de 20.000 kilos de hachís, lo que hace de ésta la mayor operación marítima contra el narcotráfico de los últimos diez años en las costas españolas.

El pesquero holandés y sus cuatro tripulantes, ahora detenidos, despertaron las sospechas de los efectivos de Vigilancia Aduanera a su paso por Galicia. Desde allí fue rastreado hasta comprobar que se dirigió a la costa marroquí, donde ha estado fondeado tres días, cargó presuntamente la droga y se dirigió de nuevo a la Península.

http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2010/11/12/andalucia/1289551683.html

The fishing boat had stopped at Cadiz over 20 tonnes of hashish
Customs Enforcement agents boarded Cadiz in the late afternoon on Thursday a Dutch fishing whose cellar was full of hashish. Customs sources have confirmed to ELMUNDO.es of Andalusia that the action took place after seven pm to 120 miles south of Cadiz coast, in international waters.

Prior permission of the Dutch authorities, officers aboard the patrol boat 'Gerifalte 1', and air support, boarded the fishing boat named 'Nancy II'. Once inside, the staff of Customs confirmed their suspicions by recording the winery, about 40 meters long, in which the ship was carrying more than 20,000 kilos of hashish, making it the largest maritime drug trafficking operation of last ten years on the Spanish coast.

The Dutch fishing and four crew, currently detained, aroused the suspicions of Customs Surveillance troops passing through Galicia. He was then tracked to see who went to the Moroccan coast, where he has been at anchor three days, allegedly uploaded the drug and went back to the Peninsula.

Incautadas 20 toneladas de hachís en la operación más importante en diez años
12.11.10 - 12:51 -
Funcionarios de Vigilancia Aduanera han interceptado un barco pesquero con bandera holandesa a 120 millas al suroeste de Cádiz, en aguas internacionales, cargado con más de 20 toneladas de hachís , por lo que han sido detenidos sus tres tripulantes, de nacionalidad holandesa. Se trata de la mayor operación marítima contra el narcotráfico de los últimos diez años en las costas españolas.
Según ha informado la Agencia Tributaria, la operación denominada 'Teleno', llevada a cabo por funcionarios de Vigilancia Aduanera de Andalucía y Galicia, fue iniciada hace varios días cuando se tuvo conocimiento en Galicia que una embarcación tipo pesquero, con bandera holandesa y de unos 40 metros de eslora, podría dirigirse hacia las costas atlánticas de Marruecos con la intención de cargar una importante cantidad de hachís .
Así, ante la alerta recibida, se estableció un dispositivo de control y vigilancia con medios aeronavales, lo que permitió que un avión del Departamento de Aduanas de la Agencia Tributaria avistara el barco a las 13,50 horas de este jueves, a unas 70 millas de la costa marroquí y navegando con rumbo 270 a una velocidad de unos once nudos.
Una vez avistada la embarcación sospechosa, fue comunicado al patrullero 'Gerifalte' que procedió a interceptar y abordar, con la autorización de las autoridades holandesas, la embarcación denominada 'Nancy-II', que respondía a las características del objetivo sospechoso.
Según la Agencia Tributaria, tras una primera inspección ocular de la embarcación sospechosa se pudo apreciar una importante cantidad de fardos de hachís , que se encontraban esparcidos a lo largo de todo el buque, concentrándose la mayor cantidad de fardos en la bodega del mismo. Por ello, los funcionarios de Vigilancia Aduanera procedieron a asegurar e intervenir la embarcación contrabandista, así como a detener a sus tres tripulantes de nacionalidad holandesa, acusados de un presunto delito de contrabando y contra la salud pública.
Tanto la embarcación como la droga intervenida y las personas detenidas se encuentran a disposición del Juzgado de Instrucción de Cádiz en funciones de guardia. En cualquier caso, la operación continúa abierta, por lo que no se descartan nuevas detenciones.
http://www.lavozdigital.es/cadiz/20101112/local/cadiz/operacion-teleno-importante-diez-201011121251.html


20 tons of hashish seized in the largest operation in ten years
11/12/1910 - 12:51 -
Customs Surveillance obligatoriosEnviarFuncionarios fields have intercepted a Dutch-flagged fishing vessel 120 miles southeast of Cadiz, in international waters, carrying over 20 tons of hashish, so have been arrested its three crew, a Dutch national. This is the biggest maritime operation against drug trafficking in the last ten years in the Spanish coast.
As reported by the Inland Revenue, the operation called 'Teleno', carried out by officers of Customs Surveillance of Andalusia and Galicia, was started several days ago when it was known in Galicia that a fishing vessel type, with a Dutch flag and 40 meters long, could be headed for the Atlantic coast of Morocco with the intention of filling a large quantity of hashish.
Thus, before the alert received, established a control and monitoring device with air and naval resources, allowing a plane of the Customs Department of the Tax sighted the boat at 13.50 hours on Thursday, about 70 miles the Moroccan coast and sailing course 270 at a speed of eleven knots.
Once spotted the suspect vessel, was sent to patrol 'bigwigs' who proceeded to intercept and deal with the authorization of the Dutch authorities, the boat called 'Nancy-II', which met the objective characteristics of the suspect.
According to the Tax Office, after an initial inspection of the suspect vessel could see a significant number of bales of hashish, which were scattered throughout the ship, where the majority number of bales in the hold of it. Therefore, the officers proceeded to the Customs Surveillance and intervene to ensure the smuggler vessel and to arrest the three men in a Dutch national, accused of an alleged smuggling and to public health.
Both the vessel and operated drug and detained persons are available to the District Court at Cadiz on guard duty. In any case, the operation is still open, so are not ruled out further arrests.
Added on 15/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
£1 million amphetamine seized on coach
£1 million amphetamine seized on coach
1 million amphetamine seized on coach
10 November 2010

UK Border Agency officers in Dover are investigating after approximately 100kgs of amphetamine sulphate worth an estimated £1 million was seized from a coach at the Channel Tunnel entrance in France.

Officers stopped the British registered coach on 2 November. After questioning the driver and passengers they searched the vehicle and found within luggage in the hold 10 packages containing a white substance. This was tested and gave a positive reaction for amphetamine. The estimated street value of the drugs is £1 million.

One man has been granted bail without charge until December whilst enquiries by UK Border Agency investigators continue.
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2010/nov/35-1-million-amphetamine
Added on 12/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
High risk drugs stored and smuggled through Romania in 2009
High risk drugs stored and smuggled through Romania in 2009
High risk drugs stored and smuggled through Romania in 2009

11.11.10

In 2009, Romania was a space of transit and storage of various quantities of high risk drugs having the West of Europe for final destination. The national drug report prepared by the National Anti-drug Agency (ANA) published yesterday acknowledges the notable expansion on the Romanian market in the last two years of synthetic drugs and of the so called ‘designer drugs’ or ‘spice’, as well as the intensification of recruitment of Romanian nationals by West African groups to transport drugs from producing countries to various destinations. The report says the most widely used drug in Romania is cannabis. The local market is supplied from R. Moldova, The Netherlands, Belgium and from domestic production, with a significant rise in the number of discovered plantations being noticed in Romania. Cocaine is the most expensive drug in Romania, costing as much as EUR 120 a gram, according to Agerpres.

A total of 1.6 tons of drugs were seized in Romania last year, over three times more than de 630 kilograms confiscated in 2008.
http://www.nineoclock.ro/index.php?issue=4806&page=detalii&categorie=homenews&id=20101111-14009
Added on 12/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Courier jailed over £500k cocaine haul
Courier jailed over £500k cocaine haul
Courier jailed over £500k cocaine haul
By david o'callaghan

A SOUTH American who tried to smuggle cocaine worth almost £500,000 into the UK via Port Talbot has been jailed for 15 years.

Rufino Villalobos Fuentes had a rucksack containing almost eight kilos of the Class A drug when he was arrested by Special Branch detectives two years ago.

He had been seen going on board a cargo boat at Port Talbot Docks, then leaving the vessel with the rucksack ten minutes later.

Villalobos, from Venezuela, pleaded not guilty to being involved in illegally importing cocaine into the UK, but was convicted after standing trial at Swansea Crown Court.

It was the second time he had been found guilty of the offence. He was first convicted last year, but the Court of Appeal quashed the verdict for legal reasons and ordered a retrial.

The new jury reached a majority verdict of 10-2 after discussing the evidence for more than seven hours.

Villalobos Fuentes's barrister, Madeleine Woolfe, claimed the 38-year-old was a low-level courier rather than a "Mr Big".

He had once been a music teacher, she said, but he had been forced to give up playing an instrument after getting his hand jammed in a door.

Gregory Bull QC, prosecuting, said the case involved a coal-carrying cargo boat, the Monte Pelmo, which had been sent to Port Talbot from Venezuela by a minerals company called SGS.

The boat had been due to arrive on September 30, 2008, and on September 26 the defendant arrived at Heathrow Airport on a flight from Frankfurt.

Villalobos Fuentes travelled to Port Talbot and took rooms at two hotels in the town, the court heard. But the Monte Pelmo was delayed by bad weather and only docked on October 6.

Mr Bull said that the defendant was in regular contact with steel company Corus as he tried to find out when it would be docking.

Special Branch officers were keeping watch at the quayside when, on October 6, Villalobos Fuentes arrived at Corus Wharf by taxi and went on board the boat after producing a fake identity document.

The cocaine was found in his rucksackas he left the vessel ten minutes later.

http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/news/Courier-jailed-163-500k-cocaine-haul/article-2858266-detail/article.html
Added on 11/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
79kg of cocaine seized
79kg of cocaine seized
79kg of cocaine seized

10-11-2010
ANA-MPA/One of the biggest quantities of cocaine to be found and confiscated by harbour officials over the past five years has been discovered in the port of Patra in the Peloponnese.

A truck driving off the ship "Super Fast", that had come to Patra from Bari, was found to be carrying 32 kilos and 481 grams of cocaine, while one person has been arrested in the case.ANA-MPa

The case is linked to the discovery of cocaine having a mixed weight of 47 kilos and 69.8 grams that was found on Tuesday morning by harbour officials of the Patra port in the cabin of a truck, while in this case three people have been arrested, two Greeks and a person of Albanian nationality.

http://www.ana-mpa.gr/anaweb/user/showplain?maindoc=9292132&maindocimg=1756088&service=102


Follow-up information to dismantle drug smuggling ring in Patras

09-11-2010

Today at 15.15, then use the information gathered from YPtP / OS / Security Directorate and other concerned services and those arising from the investigation of yesterday's case, finding cocaine, new checks were conducted by personnel of the Central Port Authority of Patras during the unloading E / C-A / C ships from Bari, Italy.
The checks found in P / C vehicle (tractor / trailer) new large quantity of cocaine, weight 32 kg and 481.6 grams.
The drugs, which are identified with the help of police dogs were carefully hidden in two suitcases, which were specifically designed to cache near the battery on the right side of the vehicle.
49chronos The truck driver was arrested by personnel of the Central Port Authority of Patras for custody, in flagrant proceedings before the District Attorney, the vehicle and the drugs seized.
The Central Patras Port Authority continues to investigate two cases, to determine the involvement of other persons involved in drug trafficking.
(originial text, see below)
Added on 11/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Mexican drug gangs boost meth sales
Mexican drug gangs boost meth sales
Mexican drug gangs boost meth sales
Fri, Nov 5 2010

MEXICO CITY | Sat Nov 6, 2010
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexican drug cartels are sidestepping laws that target the production of methamphetamines by importing new kinds of input chemicals, a blow to U.S. and Mexican efforts to halt the thriving trade.
Innovations in producing the highly addictive drug add new challenges to President Felipe Calderon's campaign to stem the turf wars that have killed over 10,000 people this year.

It is also bad news for anti-drug efforts in the United States, where officials hailed a temporary decline in meth availability after Mexico outlawed pseudoephedrine, a chief input chemical used to make the drug, in 2007.

Meth flooded back onto U.S. streets in 2009, at even lower prices, U.S. officials say, as innovating Mexican cartels made their meth with harder-to-detect common chemicals like phenylacetic acid, used in food flavorings and perfumes.

"Pseudoephedrine labs have decreased ... but what's been increasing is the volume of these precursor chemicals coming into the ports in total quantities as well as the types of labs that have been seen," a U.S. official in Mexico told Reuters.

So far this fiscal year, Mexico has seized 818 tonnes of precursor chemicals that could be used to make meth, said the U.S. official, who requested anonymity.

The amount of those chemicals being used legitimately by manufacturers in products like beverages or bread products is minuscule compared with how much is being diverted to drug labs, the official said.

Mexican cartels, with the help of corrupt port officials or front companies, are receiving bulk shipments of the chemicals from China and transporting them to clandestine meth labs.

The new production process -- known as phenyl-2-propanone, or P2P method, once popular with U.S. biker gangs in the 1970s -- costs less than making meth with pseudoephedrine, although the resulting drug is usually less potent.

Mexican security forces discovered 215 meth labs last year, a more than four-fold increase from 2008, according to U.S. Justice Department statistics. Most of them were P2P labs, the U.S. official said.

"Once you seem to prevent the problem, then there is a loophole. And once that loophole is filled, another one opens up," said James Cunningham, a meth expert at the University of Arizona.

NEW RESTRICTIONS

Meth, which can cause brain damage, violent behavior and tooth loss, is a law enforcement priority in the United States, where the drug has ravaged many rural communities.

Addicts sometimes cook small, homemade batches of meth using recipes found on the Internet, but strict regulations have made it more difficult for U.S. producers to compete with bigger, more sophisticated operations in Mexico.

Mexico's attorney general's office and defense ministry declined to comment on the issue.

Calderon's government has applied new regulations on some of the chemicals that can used to make meth, Cunningham said, and seizures of phenylacetic acid and its derivatives are on the rise.

One haul in April by Mexican federal police found more than 80 metric tonnes shipped from Shanghai, China.

Still, Mexico faces an uphill battle in making sure that chemicals needed for a variety of industrial uses do not end up in the wrong hands.

In addition, illegal cargoes of pseudoephedrine, also used in cold medicines, at times find their way into Mexico through Central America where regulations are looser.

"Someone in (a Central American) port can pull the containers, get them through customs and truck them up to Mexico," another U.S. law enforcement official said.

"Most of the border agents don't know what that stuff is. They'll say: 'It has a permit -- let it roll.'"

(Editing by Missy Ryan and Kieran Murray)

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6A43VV20101106
Added on 11/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Alleged cocaine seized in the gate area of Puerto Cabello
Alleged cocaine seized in the gate area of Puerto Cabello
Alleged cocaine seized in the gate area of Puerto Cabello

08-11-2010

The head of the Core 2 of the National Guard, General Orlando Rodriguez announced that on Monday afternoon, troops attached to Task No. 25 and the Narcotics Command National Guard located a shipment of 15 kilograms of suspected cocaine in the area shipping port of Puerto Cabello.
The officials found irregularities in the security seal of a container that was in the boarding area of Puerto Cabello and went to inspect it when they found the cargo.

The suspected drug was found in the Liberian flag ship MSC, which arrived in Puerto Cabello last Saturday from a port in the Dominican Republic, a country that claimed the boat back again.

Rodriguez announced that "to be notified to the Public Prosecutor's Office through competition number 25 with drug, ordered the arrest of those involved in order to establish liability case, after the expert testimony of rigor."

He said "with the participation of Ministry of Interior and Justice, the customs authorities, the Seniat Bolivariana de Puertos, and National Anti-Drug Office currently under joint action of the Armed Forces, is made an intense operation of requisition and inspection of all The contend that had already been shipped. "

Said that at this port, "we have increased security systems."

photo: http://www.el-carabobeno.com/portada/articulo/3447/hallan-droga-dentro-de-buque-en-el-puerto-de-puerto-cabello
Added on 10/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Major cocaine bust in Greece
Major cocaine bust in Greece
Major cocaine bust

10-11-2010

Four people were arrested and some 48 kilos of cocaine were seized by authorities in the western port city of Patras and in Athens in a cocaine bust on Monday.

Patras port authorities, acting on a tip-off and with the help of sniffer dogs, on Monday discovered a large quantity of cocaine (approximately 48 kilos) during a check of a truck in the port that had arrived from Bari, Italy, by ferry. The narcotic was concealed in a specially-designed hiding space in the driver's cabin of the truck, and had been covered by a special cream and wrapped in carbon paper so that it could not be traced by x-ray instruments.

Authorities also found a carton containing 10 one-kilo boxes of the chemical substance phenacetin in white powder, which was to be mixed with the cocaine in order to increase the quantity of the drug.

The driver of the truck and two others in a car accompanying the truck were arrested in the port, and a subsequent operation in Athens led to the arrest of a 48-year-old Albanian national said to be the recipient of the cocaine.

According to port officials, Monday's stash was one of the largest quantities of cocaine to be seized in the last five years, while international connections were not ruled out

The investigation was continuing for possible other members of the drug ring.

http://www.ana.gr/anaweb/user/showplain?maindoc=9290791&maindocimg=8175459&service=10

Dismantle drug smuggling ring in Patras and seizing 47 kilos of cocaine

09-11-2010

Yesterday at 07:10, after several months of collecting and using information, together with co-Services, a check carried out by personnel of the Central Port Authority of Patras during landing F / O / C ships from Bari Italy, found in cab truck (a tractor - trailer) driven 52chrono Greek, a quantity of cocaine mixed weight 47 kg and 69.8 grams.

Drugs are identified with the assistance of police dogs were carefully hidden in a special wooden bed in the cabin of the upper vehicle covered with special cream and wrapped in carbon paper, thereby making it impossible to identify by X-ray machine (X-RAY ). Also behind the passenger seat was a box which contained 10 boxes of a pound, contains chemicals "phenacetin" in white powder, which was intended for admixture with the drug.

At the arrival of the F / O / C ship in port, the truck headed for the exit of the harbor, accompanied by a private passenger vehicle with driver 48chrono Greek owner and passenger 52chrono Greek. Before exiting the vehicle from the port of Patras, led by executives OS at this point to control the port, where he arrested.

From information gathered held company controlled by the process of transfer a small amount of that drug, involving staff KL Patra, Directorate for Security Guard and by the competent services Hellenic Police - Financial Crime, which arrested in the Athens area 48chronos alien Albanian nationality, who allegedly planned and organized the transport of drugs, which would be the final recipient.

Note that not the quantity is one of the largest identified and arrested by the competent services of the Coast Guard over the last five years, while the investigations are ongoing to fully prepare the case and identify any other individuals involved in the same circuit.
Added on 10/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
CBP at LAX Spoils Attempt to Smuggle Opium inside Furniture
CBP at LAX Spoils Attempt to Smuggle Opium inside Furniture
CBP at LAX Spoils Attempt to Smuggle Opium inside Furniture
More Than $108K of Opium Hidden in Rattan Stools

(Thursday, November 04, 2010)

Los Angeles — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at a Los Angeles International Airport air cargo consignment facility seized 18.4 pounds of opium which they detected concealed inside rattan furniture.

On Oct. 29, CBP officers examined a shipment arriving from Thailand manifested as a rocking chair. In actuality, the freight consisted of 22 small rattan stools all of which revealed anomalies when X-rayed. Further intensive examination revealed a dark substance which tested positive for opium.

One chair had eight packages of opium that together weighed 14.7 pounds. Additionally, in the upper rims of all the remaining stools, opium was extracted for a combined total weight of 18.4 pounds valued at $108, 680.

“CBP officers are the frontline at our nation’s ports of entry. This seizure is the result of dedicated officers using their skills with advanced technology to stop the smuggling of narcotics and other contraband from entering the United States,” said CBP Acting Director of Los Angeles Field Office Carlos Martel.

On a typical day in fiscal year 2009, CBP seized 6,642 pounds of drugs nationwide.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/11/customs-inspectors-at-lax-find-a-load-of-opium-in-shipment-from-thailand.html
Added on 08/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Eight held in £7.2m drugs bust at Portsmouth port
Eight held in £7.2m drugs bust at Portsmouth port
Eight held in £7.2m drugs bust at Portsmouth port
05 November 2010
By Adam Kula
Cocaine worth more than £7m has been seized by police close to Portsmouth's port.
Officers from the Serious Organised Crime Agency swooped on a van as it was leaving the port area.

They arrested the male driver after discovering a huge haul of cocaine, worth an estimated £1.3m in its raw state, in the van.

But a spokesman for the Soca unit told The News by the time criminals process the 26kgs of the drug, the street value of the shipment could have been worth up to £7.2m. Following the van drivers' arrest, another six men and one woman were arrested.

All are now being questioned in Portsmouth by officers from the organised crime squad.

None of the eight under arrest had yet been charged.

A Soca spokesman said: 'Soca officers stopped and then conducted a search of a vehicle heading away from the port area of Portsmouth.

'A quantity of white powder, later identified as around 26kg of cocaine, was found in the vehicle, at which point the male driver was arrested.

'Six other men and one woman were subsequently arrested.'

The operation took place on Wednesday at around 4pm.

Martin Putman, port manager and Phil Gadd, ferry port manager, both said they knew nothing about the operation.

Mike Hancock, MP for Portsmouth South, said the success of the operation was 'amazingly good news'.

He said: 'This just shows the size of the problem we're having to tackle.

'It's brilliant we stopped it coming into the country.

'Just as a result of this lives will be saved.

'It shows the fight can't be let up. I'm delighted this death is off the streets.'

http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/newshome/Eight-held-in-72m-drugs.6614021.jp
Added on 08/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Marble blocks hid 158 kg of cocaine with high purity
Marble blocks hid 158 kg of cocaine with high purity
Marble blocks hid 158 kg of cocaine with high purity

05-11-2010

Stones were ready to be taken to the cargo terminal in Cariacica in the Espírito Santo

After three months of investigations, the Federal Police, with the support of IBAMA, found 158 kg of cocaine ready for export. Besides the quantity of drugs, draws attention to how the narcotics traffickers wanted to send abroad, within blocks of marble.

The operation took place on Thursday (04). During investigations it was discovered the place where the Serbian businessman, BP, had deposited five blocks of marble. The stones were ready to be sent to the freight terminal in Cariacica where they would be exported to Macedonia.

According to the Federal Police, during an inspection with IBAMA, were one of the stones in encontrandos signs of tampering: a false bottom that concealed in the stone, amidst the dust and debris of crushed marble and sand, 179 tablets wrapped in tape adhesive. It was cocaine with high purity.

Also according to the Federal Police, the operation continued and managed to arrest the agents investigated SK Serbian too, wanted by Interpol worldwide.

Photo's: http://www.eshoje.com.br/portal/leitura-noticia,inoticia,7259,federal+e+ibama+apreendem+158+kg+de+cocaina+pura+escondidas+em+blocos+de+marmore.aspx and site below.
Added on 08/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Bulgarian Customs Snatch 10 Kg of Heroin
Bulgarian Customs Snatch 10 Kg of Heroin
Bulgarian Customs Snatch 10 Kg of Heroin
2010-11-04 13:36:10


Customs officers at the Kapitan Andreevo crossing on the Bulgaria-Turkey border have captured a 10-kg heroin shipment.

Some of the heroin was found in a Serbian car entering Bulgaria from Turkey, in a secret compartment in the gas tank.

Another part of the drug was found inside the gas tank with the packages floating in the fuel. The total weight of the heroin is 10.25 kg.

The driver and only passenger in the car, a Serbian male citizen with initials V. K., has been arrested.

http://www.novinite.com/newsletter/print.php?id=121825

Customs officers at Kapitan Andreevo detained more than 10 kg. heroin

2010-11-04

Customs officers at Kapitan Andreevo detained more than 10 kg. heroin in a thorough examination of BMW car with Serbian registration traveling from the Republic of Turkey through Bulgaria in Serbia. Driver of the car is a Serbian citizen with initials B. K. In examining the tank car was built open secret place. It and the tank / fuel released into free / retired nine irregularly shaped package wrapped in plastic and containing powder with a fawn color. The total weight is 10,250 kg. In the conducted field test the substance reacts to heroin.

Substances and materials are submitted to the competent authorities.

By act on 03/11/2010 g.litseto B. K. has attempted to carry across the state border without the knowledge and permission of the customs authorities of high-risk drug and has infringed the provisions of Art. 233 al.1ot Customs Act, so that under Art. PS 230 is a charge for customs violation.

http://www.customs.bg/bg/pubs/3352
Added on 05/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Two convicted in failed drug-smuggling venture at Georgia port
Two convicted in failed drug-smuggling venture at Georgia port
Two convicted in failed drug-smuggling venture at Georgia port
Stowaways failed in planned distribution at GPA container berth
Posted: November 4, 2010 - 12:19am | Updated: November 4, 2010 - 3:18am
By Jan Skutch
Two stowaways in the country illegally were convicted Wednesday in federal court for their failed attempt to smuggle cocaine and heroin valued at a half-million dollars into the Georgia Ports Authority.

A jury in U.S. District Court deliberated about two hours before convicting Angel Gomez, 45, and Jose Orlando Garcia-Duran, 33, on charges of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, importation of controlled substances and smuggling goods into the country.

Jurors also convicted the pair on charges of illegal entry after removal from the United States and stowing away on a vessel.

Senior U.S. District Judge B. Avant Edenfield will impose sentence in several months after completion of a pre-sentencing report by probation officials.

The defendants, both Dominican Republic natives, will remain in federal custody.

A third man, Rodrigo Temple Wood, has pleaded guilty and been sentenced under a plea agreement in return for his testimony against the co-defendants.

Jurors rejected arguments that Wood threatened both men at gunpoint to force them to smuggle the drugs aboard the container vessel Cosco Boston from Panama before arriving March 27 at GPA Container Berth 7 in Garden City after a four-day voyage.

The contraband was hidden in work belts provided as part of disguises worn by all three.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron Heaps Ippolito told jurors Wednesday the defendants were "doing the same crime that each of them has been convicted of before."

Evidence showed both men had been convicted in federal courts in New York on drug schemes.

As a result, both had been deported for life from the country, bans each had violated.

The March 27 incident "shows you very clearly that is what they do ... and how they do it," Ippolito said.

The prosecutor said the defendants presented "an unbelievable story" they worked up while in custody awaiting trial.

A federal agent placed the wholesale value of the drugs at "at least half a million dollars."

But Edenfield rejected the duress defense offered in the case based on evidence before him.

All three were arrested in a wooded area at GPA shortly after they departed the vessel.

Gomez testified through an interpreter he met with Wood in Panama in an attempt to reach the United States and get to Canada.

He paid Wood $6,000 for the trip, Gomez said.

When he and Duran balked, Wood pulled a gun and threatened them, Gomez said.

"We were forced to take the drugs out" in Savannah, Gomez said.

"We didn't want to bring the drugs because I knew what consequences there would be for me," Gomez said. Wood "was threatening us the whole time."

Wood told jurors Gomez was to be paid $15,000 for delivering the drugs in Savannah.

Duran, in an almost identical tale, told jurors Wednesday he was trying to get back into the United States and went to Wood.

"I paid him like I regularly did," Duran said.

When he and Gomez refused to handle the drugs, Wood pulled a gun and insisted they comply "because you have no other choice," Duran said.

"I was really, really scared," he said. "I thought I was going to die."

http://savannahnow.com/news/2010-11-04/two-convicted-failed-drug-smuggling-venture-georgia-port
Added on 05/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Fve kilos of cocaine in the restroom of a plane that went to Spain
Fve kilos of cocaine in the restroom of a plane that went to Spain
Are five kilos of cocaine in the restroom of a plane that went to Spain

04-11-2010

Quito, November 4 (EFE) .- Ecuador narcotics Police seized about five kilos of cocaine hidden in the bathroom of a commercial aircraft was bound for Spain, local media reported Wednesday. Continue reading the printed article
Photo and video related
Are five kilos of cocaine in the restroom of a plane that went to Spain
Enlarge photo. The seizure occurred on Tuesday at the airport "José Joaquin de Olmedo", in the coastal city of Guayaquil (southwest), following a routine inspection conducted narcotics agents in a company plane Lan Ecuador.

Freddy Ramos, head of narcotics in the province of Guayas, said that unknown origin of the drug found in the plane.

The airline said police conducted the inspection after the warning issued by the airline itself on the presence of a suspicious package in the central bathroom of the plane, local television reported Teleamazonas.

This is the second drug bust in the interior of an aircraft of that airline.

Jorge Solorzano, narcotics prosecutor in the province of Guayas, said he used the same system, "the only thing that changes is the bathroom, instead of being behind the bathroom is now the front bathroom. More or less the same amount: 5 kilos or so. "
Added on 05/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
The Drugs Don’t Work
The Drugs Don’t Work
The Drugs Don’t Work

November 3rd, 2010
With the increasing number of overseas Filipino workers being caught acting as “drug mules” in the illegal narcotics trade, president of the country’s Maritime Training Council (MTC) Clifford Paragua has urged Filipino seafarers not to squander their future by becoming couriers for drug lords in exchange for a few dollars.

“I am urging them (seafarers) not to succumb to the temptation of transporting illegal drugs while serving at sea. If they are caught, as they probably will be, they risk going to jail for a long time and ending their seagoing career and with it the chance to better themselves and their families,” said Paragua.

He said the rate being offered by drug syndicate is ridiculously low as Filipino sailors can easily earn double or triple the amount during a month’s honest work. Sources said overseas workers are offered between USD500 to USD2,000 to transport between 500 grams to a kilogram of prohibited drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine hydrochloride. An ordinary Filipino sailor serving aboard an international tanker or bulker gets between USD2,500 to USD3,000 a month depending on his specialty or rating.

“This is a one sided deal even if they are not caught as the drugs they transport can cause ruin the families of the people buying it. Drug lords stand to earn millions or even billions with the deal while they get just peanuts for doing something very high risk and illegal,” Paragua pointed out. And to ensure that Filipino sailors will not be fooled into carrying out this illegal activity, the MTC chief said the Department of Labor and Employment, together with other maritime stakeholders, are presently conducting anti-drug seminars for seafarers who are for immediate deployment abroad.

http://www.shiptalk.com/?p=6347
Added on 04/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
93 Filipinos detained in Latin America for drugs
93 Filipinos detained in Latin America for drugs
93 Filipinos detained in Latin America for drugs
By Jerry E. Esplanada
Philippine Daily Inquirer First Posted 18:54:00 11/03/2010

MANILA, Philippines—At least 93 Filipinos are detained on drug-related offenses in Chile, Peru, Ecuador and Brazil, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Citing a report of the Philippine embassy in Santiago, the DFA said 23 of the suspected drug couriers are detained in the Chilean capital.

Twenty others are locked up in jails in Lima and Quito.

In another report to the home office, the embassy in Brasilia said it was closely monitoring "50 reported cases of Filipinos who are detained for drug trafficking under its jurisdiction."

"From January to October this year, 15 Filipinos were arrested in Brazil for drug trafficking, 13 of whom are women," said Philippine Ambassador to Brazil Eva Betita.

Betita noted the recent arrest of a Filipina by Brazilian authorities.

Federal Police at the Guarulhos International Airport "indicates the continuing operations of international drug syndicates using Filipinas as drug mules in spite of the government's aggressive information and law enforcement campaign."

For his part, DFA Undersecretary Esteban Conejos Jr. warned anew of the stiff penalties imposed by many countries on anyone caught carrying illegal drugs.

In a statement, Conejos asked Filipino travelers "not to accept packages which they suspect contain drugs and also to be wary of the modus operandi being used by drug trafficking syndicates."

The DFA co-chairs with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency the Task Force Drug Couriers, which works closely with their foreign counterparts in going after international drug syndicates.

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view/20101103-301282/93-Filipinos-detained-in-Latin-America-for-drugs
Added on 04/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Albania seizes drugs which transited through Malta
Albania seizes drugs which transited through Malta
Albania seizes drugs which transited through Malta
Wednesday, 3rd November 2010 - 21:07CET

Albanian police have seized 8 kilograms of cocaine on a container truck which reportedly had also been in Malta.

The haul was the biggest amount ever confiscated in Albania. Two men were arrested.

The police said that the cocaine, valued at €500,000 was found yesterday afternoon at the port of Durres.

The truck was carrying rice that had originated in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, and had been transited through Rotterdam and Malta.

The Albanian police said the operation followed a month of investigation which involved the Dutch and Maltese police.

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20101103/local/albania-seizes-drugs-which-transited-through-malta
Added on 04/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Morocco alarmed over rise in cocaine smuggling
Morocco alarmed over rise in cocaine smuggling
Morocco alarmed over rise in cocaine smuggling
Wed Nov 3, 1:13 PM

MADRID (AFP) - Morocco is alarmed by the rise in the amount of cocaine being smuggled from South America to Europe though its territory, Moroccan Foreign Minister Taieb Fassi Fihri said Wednesday in Spain.

"Today it is not soft drugs that are being trafficked between Africa and Europe. Today we are extremely worried by this flow of hard drugs like cocaine which come essentially from South America," he told a news conference.


International drug trafficking gangs ship the cocaine from South America by air or sea first to West Africa from where it is then transported to Morocco, the minister said. It is then flown from Morocco to Spain.


"There are planes which regularly come to take cocaine from Morocco and take it to southern Europe, especially Spain," Fihri told a joint news conference in Madrid with his Spanish counterpart Trinidad Jimenez.


The minister urged Spain and Morocco to boost their cooperation to combat this drug smuggling just as the two nations have stepped up their joint effort against illegal immigration.


"I draw your attention to the danger posed by cocaine not just for the market and consumers but because of the destabilizing factor which it can have in various nations," he said.


Last month Moroccan authorities announced they had dismantled a drug ring which they said had ties to Al-Qaeda's North African affiliate as well as Latin American drug cartels and which brought cocaine and marijuana from Colombia and Venezuela to Mali and on to Morocco and Europe.


Moroccan Interior Minister Taieb Cherqaoui said 34 people were arrested as part of the operation, including a Spaniard who led the group from Morocco.


Last week Spanish and French police announced they had smashed a group that smuggled cocaine and hashish from Morocco to southern Spain by helicopter with the arrest of six French citizens.


Morocco has long been a major source of the cannabis which is consumed in the European Union. Most of the cannabis plants, from which hashish is produced, are grown in the country's rugged and isolated Rif mountains by farmers to stave off grinding poverty.

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/afp/101103/world/morocco_latam_crime_drugs_arrests
Added on 04/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Morocco alarmed over rise in cocaine smuggling
Morocco alarmed over rise in cocaine smuggling
Morocco alarmed over rise in cocaine smuggling
Wed Nov 3, 1:13 PM

MADRID (AFP) - Morocco is alarmed by the rise in the amount of cocaine being smuggled from South America to Europe though its territory, Moroccan Foreign Minister Taieb Fassi Fihri said Wednesday in Spain.

"Today it is not soft drugs that are being trafficked between Africa and Europe. Today we are extremely worried by this flow of hard drugs like cocaine which come essentially from South America," he told a news conference.


International drug trafficking gangs ship the cocaine from South America by air or sea first to West Africa from where it is then transported to Morocco, the minister said. It is then flown from Morocco to Spain.


"There are planes which regularly come to take cocaine from Morocco and take it to southern Europe, especially Spain," Fihri told a joint news conference in Madrid with his Spanish counterpart Trinidad Jimenez.


The minister urged Spain and Morocco to boost their cooperation to combat this drug smuggling just as the two nations have stepped up their joint effort against illegal immigration.


"I draw your attention to the danger posed by cocaine not just for the market and consumers but because of the destabilizing factor which it can have in various nations," he said.


Last month Moroccan authorities announced they had dismantled a drug ring which they said had ties to Al-Qaeda's North African affiliate as well as Latin American drug cartels and which brought cocaine and marijuana from Colombia and Venezuela to Mali and on to Morocco and Europe.


Moroccan Interior Minister Taieb Cherqaoui said 34 people were arrested as part of the operation, including a Spaniard who led the group from Morocco.


Last week Spanish and French police announced they had smashed a group that smuggled cocaine and hashish from Morocco to southern Spain by helicopter with the arrest of six French citizens.


Morocco has long been a major source of the cannabis which is consumed in the European Union. Most of the cannabis plants, from which hashish is produced, are grown in the country's rugged and isolated Rif mountains by farmers to stave off grinding poverty.

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/afp/101103/world/morocco_latam_crime_drugs_arrests
Added on 04/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Hollow suitcase frame used for drug smuggling
Hollow suitcase frame used for drug smuggling
Hollow suitcase frame used for drug smuggling
Submitted by Darshini on Monday, November 1st, 2010
Aizat Sharif
Monday, November 1st, 2010 21:39:00
SHAH ALAM: Four Iranian men were detained by police on Saturday for trying to smuggle drugs into the country.

The first arrests were made at 10.30am and next about an hour later at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport arrival hall, after police received tip-offs from public about these suspects who had arrived from Bahrain.

Selangor narcotics chief ACP Nordin Kadir said police also seized the luggage carried by one of the suspects in the first arrest.

“At first, we found nothing on the suspects. When we checked thoroughly inside the suspect's bag by removing the lining, we discovered the drugs hidden inside the hollow spaces of the framework."
Nordin said this is another new tactic by international drug syndicates discovered by police.

Other cases found included using the luggage handle, soaking-wet T-shirts and picture frames as the means to smuggle drugs into the country.

One of the suspects - all aged between 26 and 47 - was found to have visited the country five times since September last year, based on immigration records.

“We believe they are members of the same international syndicate and the smuggled drugs are for the local market. The total value of the seizure is RM712,000.”

The suspects are remanded until Sunday (Nov 7) to facilitate investigations being conducted under Section 39B of Dangerous Drug Act 1952 which carries death penalty upon conviction.

http://www.mmail.com.my/content/53863-hollow-suitcase-frame-used-drug-smuggling
Added on 03/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
CBP Officers Discover Marijuana Inside Propane Tank at Calexico Port
CBP Officers Discover Marijuana Inside Propane Tank at Calexico Port
CBP Officers Discover Marijuana Inside Propane Tank at Calexico Port

(Wednesday, October 27, 2010)



Calexico, Calif. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Calexico downtown port of entry discovered 169 pounds of marijuana concealed inside a propane tank located in the bed of a 2000 Chevrolet tool truck.
Wednesday, at about 7:40 a.m. after officers with the port’s Anti-Terrorism Contraband Enforcement Team encountered a 47-year-old male Mexican citizen as he waited in line for inspection. A narcotic detector dog screening waiting vehicles alerted to the bed of the truck and officers escorted the driver to an inspection area for further investigation.


An intensive examination of the vehicle revealed an access plate at the bottom of the propane tank. Officers removed the plate and discovered 25 wrapped packages of marijuana, valued at $169,000, concealed inside the tank.


The driver was arrested for the smuggling attempt and turned over to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents who transported the driver to the Imperial County Jail where he currently awaits arraignment.


CBP seized the marijuana and vehicle.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/local/10272010_8.xml
Added on 03/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Fifth-largest heroin seizure in Australian history
Fifth-largest heroin seizure in Australian history
Fifth-largest heroin seizure in Australian history
1 November 2010
Joint media release with the Australian Federal Police

A joint Australian Federal Police and Australian Customs and Border Protection Service operation has resulted in the seizure of 168 kilograms of heroin and the arrest of three people.

Two men and one woman were arrested in the western Sydney suburb of Campsie on Saturday evening in relation to the attempt to import $58.8 million worth of heroin.


A 55-year-old Campsie woman is scheduled to face Sydney Central Local Court this morning, while a 28-year-old Campsie man and a 33-year-old Hong Kong national will appear before the same court on Wednesday, 3 November 2010.

The joint operation began on Thursday, 21 October, when Customs and Border Protection officers in Sydney targeted a container of wooden doors shipped from Malaysia for examination.

An X-ray of 295 doors revealed anomalies in 10 of them. Further examination revealed 24 packages of white powder inside the cavity of nine of the doors, while another had 14 packages. Initial testing indicated that the powder was heroin.

AFP members then commenced a controlled delivery, with the consignment delivered to a warehouse in the Sydney suburb of Guildford on Friday, 29 October 2010.

It will be alleged in court that the three people charged removed the packages from the doors and transported them to a residence in Campsie as part of their role in facilitating the importation.

AFP Acting National Manager Crime Operations, Commander David Stewart, said this operation highlighted the commitment of law enforcement to detecting and investigating organised criminal groups attempting to import large-scale shipments of dangerous drugs.

“This importation is the fifth-largest in Australian history and has saved the community more than $48.7 million in associated health and social costs,” he said.

“The AFP is committed to working with its partner agencies to bring to account criminal groups who seek to expose Australian citizens to highly dangerous and addictive drugs.”

Customs and Border Protection National Manager Sea Cargo and International Mail, Graham Krisohos, said this operation demonstrates the value of partner agencies working together.

“I would like to recognise the high quality targeting and search effort that led to this detection” Mr Krisohos said.

The two men and one woman have all been charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug contrary to section 307.5 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 by virtue of section 11.1 of the same Act.

The maximum penalty for these offences is life imprisonment.


Media enquiries:
AFP National Media (02) 6131 6333
Customs and Border Protection Communication and Media (02) 6275 6793
http://www.customs.gov.au/site/101101MediareleaseFifth-largestherionseizureinAushistory.asp

***********************************************************************
Added on 02/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Deprived of liberty a couple of transporting cocaine in clothing
Deprived of liberty a couple of transporting cocaine in clothing
Deprived of liberty a couple of transporting cocaine in clothing

At the request of the Public Ministry were detained one Spanish and Venezuelan detained in Santiago Mariño airport with two suitcases of clothes allegedly impregnated with cocaine, which was to Frankfurt, Germany, which occurred on October 25 in Nueva Esparta.

During the hearing, presentation, 4 th Assistant District Attorney in that jurisdiction, Lorena list, attributed to Ruth Joy Martin and Eduardo José Isabel Bogacz Inoa for allegedly committing the crime of smuggling of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.

The offense is established and penalized in Article 149 of the Organic Law on Drugs.

The Court Control 3 of Nueva Esparta, based on the items of evidence presented by the prosecutor, gave a custodial sentence for the accused and set the place of detention for both the detention center for the island region and the submission for the final act.

According to preliminary investigation, the man had moved to Martin Bogado to the airport to board flight 1111, the airline Condor, with Porlamar-Frankfurt route, on Monday October 25 at 9:00 pm.

The now charged was carrying two suitcases of clothing happy to be checked when impregnated a strong smell, which is why the test was performed which showed orientation positive for cocaine.

Immediately, the Spanish was made the order and security forces, it would have reported about the relationship of Elizabeth Inoa in the event.

***********************************************************************
Added on 02/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Three tonnes of hashish recovered
Three tonnes of hashish recovered
Three tonnes of hashish recovered


Written by Louise Clarke


Thursday, 28 October 2010


MORE THAN three tons of hashish has been seized this week in a joint drug operation conducted by the National Police and Spanish Customs and Excise. Officers and agents boarded a boat thirty miles off the coast of Alicante following a tip off and discovered the huge haul.

Two crew members of the boat were arrested while a further six arrests were made in Elche and El Campello. The ship had been rented at the Tomas Maestre Marina in La Manga on the Mar Menor and officers believe that the drug had been loaded onto the vessel at sea and was to be unloaded at a port in the province of Alicante.
The operation involved officers from the Specialist Violent Crime Unit and the Drug and Organised Crime Unit along with officers and agents from the Alicante Customs Surveillance Service.

HAUL
The suspected drug traffickers were being investigated by police following the issuing of an Elche court order, which was made after an informant indicated that the large cache of hashish was on its way to Alicante by boat.

The forty foot Bavaria 39 boat set sail from La Manga at the weekend and was soon located by an Alicante Customs patrol boat. It has been reported that more than one hundred bales of the drug were on board the vessel when it was stopped and that the haul had originated in Morocco.

According to a police source all the arrests were all made without resistance. The rented boat, registered in Cartagena, will be returned to the owner and the eight men arrested in the operation will remain in custody pending a court case.



http://www.roundtownnews.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=25906&Itemid=9
Added on 01/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Police smash French helicopter drug smuggling ring
Police smash French helicopter drug smuggling ring
Police smash French helicopter drug smuggling ring
By AFP
From: NewsCore
October 29, 2010 11:59AM
SPANISH and French police smashed a group that smuggled cocaine and hashish from Morocco into Spain by helicopter, arresting six French nationals, Spanish police said Thursday.

The group would pay pilots 1000 euros ($1424) for each kilogram of cocaine which they transported from the north African country to southern Spain, from where it was then shipped by car to the French port of Marseille, police said in a statement.

French police detained three members of the group at the end of September as they were driving on a highway near the French town of Perpignan, north of the Spanish border, with 4.8kg of cocaine in their car.

The other three arrests were carried out in Paris several days later.

Spanish police carried out searches of several properties in the provinces of Cadiz and Seville following the arrests in France, seizing a helicopter used by the group from a farm near the town of Alcala de los Gazules.

Spanish police opened their investigation in July after they received a request for help in dismantling a drug ring based in Spain from their French counterparts.
Spain's proximity to north Africa, a key source of hashish, and its close ties with its former colonies in Latin America, a major cocaine producing region, have made it a major gateway into Europe for drug traffickers.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/breaking-news/police-smash-french-helicopter-drug-smuggling-ring/story-e6freuz9-1225945116345
Added on 01/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
4000 pieces of illegal cigarettes, ampoules of testosterone in 3430 confiscated Lesovo crossing
4000 pieces of illegal cigarettes, ampoules of testosterone in 3430 confiscated Lesovo crossing
4000 pieces of illegal cigarettes, ampoules of testosterone in 3430 confiscated Lesovo crossing

2010-10-28


During the weekend, customs officials at Lesovo border checkpoint 200 cartons of cigarettes seized without excise labels and controlled two cars with Bulgarian license plates entering the country from Turkey. In a car with foreign registration plates, traveling from Iraq to the Netherlands, the customs inspectors, 3,430 bottles testosterone seized, press center of the National Customs Agency announced.
On October 22 in the evening, a car with Bulgarian license plate, the country Turkey. It was stopped for an expanded customs inspection. During the audit of the customs officers at Lesovo border post in 1000 cigarettes found without excise labels hidden in the cavities of the car and in the luggage of passengers. Customs Act violation is made against SV - a Bulgarian citizen. A few hours later that night another car with Bulgarian license plate was selected for a detailed inspection.
During the customs inspection of 3000 found cigarettes without excise labels, which Bulgarian citizens AM at the age of 33 years, said for personal use.
Weather on Saturday (October 23) was checked a car with foreign license plates, which was from Iraq to the Netherlands. During the customs inspection found the number 3430 ampoules of testosterone in the trunk of the vehicle.

http://www.customs.bg/en/pubs/3326
Added on 01/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
DNCD seize cocaine at Madrid airport sent from La Vega
DNCD seize cocaine at Madrid airport sent from La Vega
DNCD seize cocaine at Madrid airport sent from La Vega

27-10-2010

SANTO DOMINGO .- The Spanish authorities, in coordination with the National Drug Control (DNCD) seized five kilos of cocaine hidden in a consignment of peppers sent by a company in La Vega.

For the case are investigated several people, including members of this agency, who will in due course provide more details.

The DNCD, including in coordination with the Dutch authorities said the drug was supplied by a company identified as "Narcisa Bautista", located on Main Street No. 28 of the vegan community of Las natural fiber.

The drug, whose final destination was Holland, arrived last Monday at the Iberia flight 6502 made a stopover at Barjas Airport, Madrid, from the Las Americas International Airport (AILA).

The intelligence services DNCD realized that an airport security personnel involved in the stash Spanish, cocaine withdraw the aircraft while the ship remained there, so that made the site coordinator with the Spanish authorities to be dismantled the entire network.

The load was recorded in Holland at the address Amite Xotsch Bedrift add Ruy Schstraa # 28, Netherlands, Netherlands.

The information indicates that the depth DNCD investigation to establish the responsibilities
Added on 01/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Cocaine trafficker sentenced to 18 years using Dutch evidence
Cocaine trafficker sentenced to 18 years using Dutch evidence
Cocaine trafficker sentenced to 18 years using Dutch evidence
27 October 2010

In a rare example of a prosecution based on evidence passed to the UK by the Dutch authorities, Timothy Dale has been sentenced to 18 years for masterminding an attempted 37kg cocaine deal. Once cut to street level purity, the drugs would have been worth more than £4.5m.

In September 2007, Dale attempted to buy 37kgs of cocaine for €1m from a British gang located in Amsterdam. Unfortunately for Dale, the gang was already being targeted by the Dutch National Crime Squad (NCS).

Phone calls between Dale and Richard Wright in the Netherlands were intercepted by the Dutch NCS. When Wright arranged for a courier to transport the drugs concealed in the door panels of a Vauxhall Astra, police stopped the car as it approached the Belgian border. A search of the vehicle revealed 37 parcels containing 36.7kgs of cocaine hidden in the purpose built concealment.

All four members of the gang along with the courier were arrested by the Dutch and have since received sentences totalling 26 years.

Under Dutch law, Dale could not be prosecuted for his role in the conspiracy. Identifying the opportunity to frustrate an ongoing drug supply, SOCA contacted the Dutch authorities and agreed a prosecution in the UK. The overwhelming evidence against Dale, who by his own admission has been dealing in drugs for more than 20 years, resulted in his guilty plea at Southwark Crown Court on the 27th October and his subsequent 18 years sentence.

Andy Sellers, Deputy Director for SOCA: said: “International borders can sometimes be more of a barrier to law enforcement than they are to criminals. I’m delighted that, working with our Dutch colleagues, we were able to gain a conviction against someone who has clearly been a significant drug trafficker for some time, and now has a sentence to reflect that.”

Moira MacDaid, senior lawyer with the Crown Prosecution Service’s Organised Crime Division, commented: “This case shows that where evidence is gathered by the police abroad it can still be used in courts in England and Wales, even when it includes foreign intercept evidence.

“Faced with this compelling evidence of his criminal behaviour, Timothy Dale had no credible defence to the prosecution case and no option but to plead guilty. This is an excellent example of our building relationships with law enforcement around the world so we can work together to tackle international organised crime.”
http://www.soca.gov.uk/news/289-cocaine-trafficker-sentenced-to-18-years-using-dutch-evidence
Added on 01/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
50 kilos of cocaine between shipment of pineapples
50 kilos of cocaine between shipment of pineapples
50 kilos of cocaine between shipment of pineapples

In Antwerp port 50 kilograms of cocaine is found. Antwerp authorities announced yesterday. Customs inspectors found the drugs on Tuesday when they checked containers with pineapples. The cocaine was packed into two sports bags. For now no one arrested.
In Antwerpen often drugs are intercepted. In July, police seized nearly 500 kilograms of cocaine from Colombia.
Added on 01/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Dismantle drug trafficking ring in the port of Cartagena
Dismantle drug trafficking ring in the port of Cartagena
Dismantle drug trafficking ring in the port of Cartagena
21 people were arrested in simultaneous operations in Cartagena, Medellín, San Andrés and Turbo.
According to investigators, Carlos Castillo Palomino, considered the ringleader, had organized the guards, drivers and other staff related to container cargo ships bound for European markets, including Belgium, Spain and France.

The organization's members used their positions in the port to enter the drug band 'los Rastrojos' and the 'Oficina de Envigado' on ships. Before the ships could go, broke the security seals for containers and introduced plantlets capable of up to 30 kilos of drugs, and then put new labels that they had made. Palomino Castillo traveled different parts of the country offering their services to criminal gangs to get drugs from Cartagena.

During the follow-mails made by the prosecution, it was established that the band sent to international drug for more than a hundred billion pesos.

The Defense Minister Rodrigo Rivera, said yesterday that these people who had jobs and stability, made the wrong decision to accept the offer of offenders
Added on 01/11/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
The National Court charged with four shipments of 651 kilos of cocaine into the network port narcos
The National Court charged with four shipments of 651 kilos of cocaine into the network port narcos
The National Court charged with four shipments of 651 kilos of cocaine into the network port narcos



07-10-201


The prosecutor asked prison drug for the 17 detainees, including two guards and the four stevedores



T. VALENCIA DOMINGUEZ



The central court of Section 3 of the Audiencia Nacional, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, the fourteen detainees linked to the network of drug traffickers operating in the port of Valencia with four shipments of cocaine totaling 615 kilos of cocaine. All were destined for the port area of Valencia. And all came with the system rip-off.



So the judge finds in the car by ordering the police to enter and search the home of the alleged ringleader of the plot, A. G. F., in the Valencia neighborhood of Nazareth. It is, as this newspaper published yesterday, the leader of a clan allegedly engaged in drug trafficking.



The last shipment blamed on the network, such as exclusive forward Levante-EMV on Tuesday, was intercepted at the port on Thursday, September 30. Chlorhidrato contained 86 kilos of cocaine hidden in several bags stuffed in a container that arrived in Valencia on board Cala Pino.



Grande-Marlaska considered owner of the goods to a Colombian-W. F. H. -, while A. G. F. and his henchmen-S. G. M., J. A. G. M. and P. V. M. B. - considers the group was responsible for entering the port and rescue the drug before leaving the container to his legal fate. In addition, quoted security guards arrested for colluding with drug traffickers, whose function was to allow them to enter the container terminal to collect bags with cocaine, as well as two intermediaries who contacted them.



In addition to the container with 86 kilos intervened last week, the judge of the High Court included in its brief three more links to last by the modus operandi of the organization and it also had to rescue them "with the connivance of other vigilante .



The seizure oldest was 31 March, when "the accused responsible for removing the port" left 286 kilos of cocaine "to believe guarded" as anticipated at the time this newspaper.
Three months later, in late June, 111 kilos were seized in Tarragona. They had arrived in a container that should have been downloaded in Valencia and was diverted to the Catalan city infrastructure problems.



The next container was discovered during a routine check of Customs in Valencia on 9 July. Containing 132 kilos of cocaine. In this case, the police arrested the two men who had come to collect the bags, as this newspaper exclusively published.

A justice
All detainees were released yesterday at the disposal of the various courts in which parties of the arrests. The last three were arrested on Tuesday by the Guardia Civil were delivered yesterday morning at the courthouse in Torrent, Alzira and Catarroja. In contrast, the fourteen arrested Monday in Valencia did not come to court to guard the city until about eleven o'clock last night. The special narcotics prosecutor planned to ask prison last night for all defendants.
Added on 28/10/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
NZ, China target drug smuggling
NZ, China target drug smuggling
NZ, China target drug smuggling

27-10-2010
The Chinese and New Zealand governments are to work together to combat the smuggling of ingredients for the manufacture of the drug P, Customs Minister Maurice Williamson says.

Mr Williamson met yesterday with his Chinese counterpart Sheng Guangzu in Beijing.

The two signed a statement of cooperation aimed at reducing the smuggling of pharmaceutical products used to manufacture methamphetamine (P).

Since the beginning of the year New Zealand customs has seized 821kg of P precursor substances which originated in China.

"This cooperation with China customs gives New Zealand customs another tool to stop the scourge of P," Mr Williamson said.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/4276339/NZ-China-target-drug-smuggling
Added on 28/10/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
FEDERAL AND SECURE EIGHT ARRESTED IN 30 KG OF COCAINE GUARULHOS
FEDERAL AND SECURE EIGHT ARRESTED IN 30 KG OF COCAINE GUARULHOS
FEDERAL AND SECURE EIGHT ARRESTED IN 30 KG OF COCAINE GUARULHOS

Guarulhos / SP - The Federal Police in Sao Paulo, by the Police at the International Airport of Guarulhos, arrested in the act last weekend, seven foreign nationals and a Brazilian who would carry cocaine to the outside. They seized nearly 30 kilos of the drug.

On Friday night, federal agents who performed a routine inspection, suspected of bird chiller behavior of KM, 29, originally from Ghana. The foreigner, who embark on a flight to South Africa, would carry more than three kilos of the drug in six plastic packages, wrapped in brown tape and that they were hidden in six jeans.

Then the federal police approached a South African teacher who embark for your country. In the case of GS, 51, were found about four pounds of cocaine wrapped in two sheets, with black tape.

On Saturday, the Operations Group of the Federal Police checked through x-ray apparatus, the presence of organic substance in three handbags with luggage that had the mechanic LPT, 37. In a false bottom of these bags were found 187 capsules of cocaine, which totaled just over two kilos of cocaine.

The same day, also by X-ray apparatus, Federal agents on surveillance in the area of checked baggage, checked baggage suspected of containing an organic substance. After opening the suitcase, they found packets of white substance, giving off a strong odor. The Moroccan AC, 22 years, nearly five kilograms of cocaine to his country on a flight with a stopover in Amsterdam / Netherlands.

On Sunday, once again the Operations Group of the Federal Police have arrested a foreigner to have resulted because the positive presence of narcotics in his luggage. The retired Spanish MVOC, 48, tried to embark for Lisbon / Portugal with more than six kilos of cocaine in several packets of tomato paste and fruit pulp.

Also on Sunday, airline requested the presence of federal police in the presence of drug contained in the sides of the luggage of two Israelis. Agents opened up the suitcases and found lining the walls of the same false, and three packages nearly five pounds of cocaine. Passengers 27 and 25 years would carry the drug to Tel Aviv / Israel.

Finally, federal agents approached the Brazilian KAD, 31, who embark for Paris / France. In false bottoms of the bag, towels were found "starched" with cocaine, totaling nearly four pounds.
Passengers trapped answer for the crime of international drug trafficking, under Articles 33 and 40, item I of Law 11.343/06, whose penalty ranges from 5 to 15 years in prison
Added on 27/10/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Venezuelan arrested with cocaine in Panama airport
Venezuelan arrested with cocaine in Panama airport
Venezuelan arrested with cocaine in Panama airport
26-10-2010

A Venezuelan citizen, who was carrying 12 packages of cocaine, was arrested at the Tocumen International Airport Panama City, Panamanian authorities said Wednesday.

The tourist, identified as Margarita García Anaya, 72, had drugs hidden in two suitcases of travelers with a false bottom, and was discovered during a routine inspection at security checkpoints.

According to the Panamanian police, the custodians of the terminal noticed suspicious behavior of the foreign, leading to conduct a thorough inspection of their baggage.

Garcia was arrested as he prepared to board a flight to the city of Amsterdam, the Netherlands, where then depart to their final destination: Rome, Italy.

The foreigner was taken to police headquarters to the airport, then transfer to the headquarters of the Office of Drug Control, where it will undergo an investigation.

This capture is part of a government campaign security and combat drug trafficking, as increased checks at the airport of Tocumen. End
Added on 27/10/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Six tons of hashish seized in Turkey
Six tons of hashish seized in Turkey
Six tons of hashish seized in Turkey
Monday, October 25, 2010
DÝYARBAKIR/EDÝRNE - Anatolia News Agency
The Turkish gendarmerie confiscated more than six tons of hashish in the southeastern province of Diyarbakýr on Monday, Anatolia news agency reported.

The gendarmerie staged operations in seven villages in the districts of Lice and Hazro, and seized 6.1 tons of the illegal substance.

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=1025163732442-2010-10-25


PKK suspected after massive drug bust

26-10-2010
Turkish police discover tons of hashish in the Kurdish-majority southeast, prompting probes into alleged drug trafficking by the Kurdistan Workers' Party's (PKK).

Monday raids by law enforcement agents led to the seizure of 6.15 tons of the drug in seven villages and seven related arrests, AFP reported.

Investigations were subsequently launched into whether the supply could be linked to PKK members.

Last month, Turkish security forces confiscated one ton of hashish owned by PKK members in the southeastern province of Hatay.

The group, listed as a terrorist one by much of the international community, started fighting Ankara in 1984 for an independent state in southeastern Turkey. The conflict has so far claimed some 45,000 lives.

According to a report by the US Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement, the European drug cartel is controlled by PKK members.

The revenues from these activities, the report continues, are used for purchasing firearms, munitions and other equipment used by the group.

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/148271.html
Added on 27/10/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Diced bananas conceal massive drug haul at Paris market
Diced bananas conceal massive drug haul at Paris market
Diced bananas conceal massive drug haul at Paris market

26-10-2010

Police in Paris have seized 25 kilos of cocaine at the Rungis market in the city suburbs. The Colombian-origin drugs were concealed in a delivery of dried banana chips sent via container from Rotterdam port. The discovery was made by the suppliers who then alerted the police.
“Due to a reason which has not yet been established, the drug traffickers did not turn up to collect their merchandise in Rotterdam. As such the drug can end up being found hidden amongst the fruit and veg,” a police source told the AFP news agency.

A few months ago, several kilos of cocaine were seized in similar conditions also at the market.

Rungis is a large wholesale food market serving the Paris metropolitan area and beyond and is considered to be the largest market for fresh produce in the world.

http://www.english.rfi.fr/france/20101026-huge-drug-haul-buried-diced-bananas
Added on 27/10/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Tangier seized 200 kg of chira
Tangier seized 200 kg of chira
Tangier seized 200 kg of chira

The services of the Customs seized Saturday in Tangier, 200 kg of chira (cannabis resin) to the north shore of the Strait of Gibraltar.

According to customs sources, elements of the mobile patrol to the North-West Customs discovered the quantity of drugs distributed in 4 suitcases, loaded in a normal manner on the luggage rack of a car registered in France. The vehicle was parked in the garage of a house in the neighborhood Annasr.

During this operation, conducted in coordination with the prefectural police in Tangiers under the supervision of the prosecution, led to the arrest of one of the individuals involved in this case, a Belgian national of Moroccan origin born in 1988 and who wanted to transport the drug to a European country, said the source.

Customs services have managed to thwart the operation of drug trafficking after having watched a luxury car registered in Germany suspect who led them to that house. Elements of the customs and police then conducted a search of the house on the orders of prosecutors.

Furthermore, the search of the vehicle registered in Germany has uncovered a total of 180,000 DH, probably intended to finance the transaction.

The individual arrested in connection with this case, linked to international drug trafficking, was brought before the judicial police for further investigation.


http://www.elwatan.com/une/180-kg-de-drogue-saisis-par-les-douaniers-a-sidi-bel-abbes-24-10-2010-96029_108.php

The services of the Customs seized Saturday in Tangier, 200 kg of chira (cannabis resin) to the north shore of the Strait of Gibraltar.

According to customs sources, elements of the mobile patrol to the North-West Customs discovered the quantity of drugs distributed in 4 suitcases, loaded in a normal manner on the luggage rack of a car registered in France. The vehicle was parked in the garage of a house in the neighborhood Annasr.

During this operation, conducted in coordination with the prefectural police in Tangiers under the supervision of the prosecution, led to the arrest of one of the individuals involved in this case, a Belgian national of Moroccan origin born in 1988 and who wanted to transport the drug to a European country, said the source.

Customs services have managed to thwart the operation of drug trafficking after having watched a luxury car registered in Germany suspect who led them to that house. Elements of the customs and police then conducted a search of the house on the orders of prosecutors.

Furthermore, the search of the vehicle registered in Germany has uncovered a total of 180,000 DH, probably intended to finance the transaction.

The individual arrested in connection with this case, linked to international drug trafficking, was brought before the judicial police for further investigation.
Added on 26/10/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Drugs seized at Sangster International Airport
Drugs seized at Sangster International Airport
Drugs seized at Sangster International Airport
2010-10-24 12:48:06

The police in Jamaica have seized three and a half pounds of hashish at the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, St James.

According to the Constabulary Communication Network (CCN), detectives from the Transnational Crime and Narcotics Division, yesterday, seized the contraband during an inspection at the Agricultural Export division at the airport about 9:30 a.m. after they observed an irregular object in the frame of a container to be shipped overseas.

The police say fourteen parcels of drugs were hidden in the frame of the container.

No one was arrested in connection with the seizure.

http://go-jamaica.com/news/read_article.php?id=23617
Added on 26/10/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
CAE SPANISH WITH 3 PLATES OF DRUGS IN THE AIRPORT TOCUMEN
CAE SPANISH WITH 3 PLATES OF DRUGS IN THE AIRPORT TOCUMEN
CAE SPANISH WITH 3 PLATES OF DRUGS IN THE AIRPORT TOCUMEN
21-10-2010
The National Police through the Police Information Management (DIP) continues to blow to international traffic in illicit substances in the Tocumen International Airport, being apprehended on this occasion, a Spanish citizen who sought to bring in their luggage 3 sheets of drugs.
Abroad by the name of Jaime Selles Damia, 37, and checked his luggage was found on a guitar two double bottom compartment with 2 regular size plates covered with black plastic and clear plastic, which is presumed to be drug cocaine.
It is also reviewed a backpack in black with orange, where stood another double bottom with an iron that is presumed to be cocaine. The retentate was intended to leave the country on a flight to the city of Amsterdam, the Netherlands, with final destination in Madrid, Spain.
This case was placed at the disposal of the competent authorities for investigations.
Added on 26/10/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Unsolved Puzzle Over Tema Cocaine Bust!
Unsolved Puzzle Over Tema Cocaine Bust!
Unsolved Puzzle Over Tema Cocaine Bust!

Monday, 25 October 2010

*How CEPS’ Validation Form Was Morphed

SOURCE: NEW CRUSADING GUIDE

Whilst investigations into the recent arrest of substances suspected to be cocaine at the Tema Port inch towards its precipice level, several questions remain unanswered in the matter.

The most shocking issue bothering curious minds is how Consolidated Shipping Services, the real consignees of the container that was busted at the Port, and also an off-dock terminal operator ‘metamorphosed’ into Formula Plus Africa, and could be cleared by Freight Accord.

The CEPS entry (posted elsewhere in the paper) shows that the consignment belongs to Formula Plus African whilst the Bill of Lading picked from the Shipping Line (Maersk) revealed that the container belonged to Consolidated Shipping Services.

Whether there was an amendment to that effect, how and who did the amendment are the multimillion unanswered questions that have sparked speculations within security circles.

“Normally, the Customs Declaration entries are done in the Long Room of the Service so it is possible the underhand dealing might have gone on at the Long Room. As at now we do not know the CEPS official who did the entry because it rotates,” a usually reliable source told this paper yesterday.

The paper gathered that Consolidated Shipping Services belongs to one Mr. MacDonald Vasnani, who reports say was embroiled in another cocaine saga seven years ago.

On Friday, 26 September, 2003, the Daily Graphic newspaper reported on its front page under the headline, ‘3 GRABBED OVER COCAINE IMPORT.’

The paper indicated that “…three persons have been arrested by the Narcotics Control Board and security agencies at the Tema Port for allegedly importing cocaine into the country.”

The suspects, according to the paper, were Macdonald Chimanda Vasnani, Managing Director of Consolidated Shipping Company and Bermac Supplies Ltd; Joseph Nwabueze and David K. Anim, both businessmen based in Amsterdam and Accra respectively.

They were alleged to have conspired and concealed the cocaine in sacks of rice imported from Guyana in South America to Ghana in two 20-footer containers.

Official statement issued by the Ministry of the Interior said the three were arrested following several months of intelligence work between the Narcotics Control Board, other security agencies and H.M. Customs of the UK.

The Daily Graphic had also reported on Saturday, 21 February, 2004, under the headline, ‘Suspect Discharged For Lack Of Evidence,’ that “An Accra circuit court has discharged Mr Macdonald Chimandas Vasnani, the Managing Director of Consolidated Shipping Company, Accra, who was charged for allegedly trafficking in narcotic drugs.

”His discharge followed the prosecution’s submission that it lacked evidence to continue prosecuting him. Mr Vasnani, who is also the Managing Director of Bermac Shipping Supplies Limited, Accra, was standing trial with Joseph Nwabueze, a self-employed Nigerian and David K. Anim, a Ghanaian shipping agent.”

The paper continued that “the three were alleged to have imported 48 kilogrammes of cocaine concealed in a 20-foot container in September last year.They all pleaded not guilty to three counts of importation of narcotic drugs without authority, possessing narcotic drugs without authority and abetment of crime.”

It underscored further, “In his ruling, the presiding judge, Mr P. K. Aggrey, a tribunal chairman, sitting as an additional circuit court judge, said the prosecution had conceded the lack of evidence against Mr. Vasnani and was asking for his discharge. He said the court had no objection than to grant the prosecution’s request.

”In the circumstances, the charges against Vasnani were struck out for want of prosecution and is discharged accordingly, the trial judge added.

“The facts of the case were that following information from the Customs Liaison Officer in Lagos to the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) the NACOB, in collaboration with H. M. Customs in the United Kingdom, mounted joint Control Delivery Operations to track down the suspects.

”A 20-foot container with number PONU364517 on board a vessel called Walurundi loaded with sacks of rice arrived on September 15, 2003. An earlier inspection by UK Customs at Felixstowe, the place where the ship had docked, revealed that the 48 kilogrammes of cocaine had been concealed among the sacks of rice.

“In pursuit of the operations, the NACOB mounted surveillance on the vessel and container. Investigations uncovered that the consignee of the sacks of rice was Bermac Supplies Limited.”

http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=195912
Added on 26/10/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Sussex Police make record cannabis seizure
Sussex Police make record cannabis seizure
Sussex Police make record cannabis seizure
25 October 2010
Sussex Police's Serious and Organised Crime Unit has made what is believed to be the biggest ever single seizure of cannabis in the county. Three people were arrested.

Detectives followed up information which led them to Little Theobalds, a house at Sandy Cross near Heathfield, at 5pm on Friday 22 October, where they seized 1.8 tonnes of cannabis resin with an estimated potential street value of approximately £9 million in a metal container. A man was arrested at the address.

A search warrant was executed soon afterwards at a private house in Station Road, Hailsham, where a woman was arrested. A man, aged 37, was arrested at another Hailsham address.

Paul Stevens, 44, of Little Theobalds, and Tracey Massey, 47, of Station Road, were charged with being concerned in the importation of the cannabis and are due appear at Eastbourne Magistrates Court later today Monday 25 October.

The 37-year old man has been released on police bail until 27 January 2011 pending further police enquiries.

http://www.sussex.police.uk/news-and-events/news/2010/10/25/sussex-police-make-record-cannabis-seizure?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
Added on 26/10/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Sussex Police make record cannabis seizure
Sussex Police make record cannabis seizure
Sussex Police make record cannabis seizure
25 October 2010
Sussex Police's Serious and Organised Crime Unit has made what is believed to be the biggest ever single seizure of cannabis in the county. Three people were arrested.

Detectives followed up information which led them to Little Theobalds, a house at Sandy Cross near Heathfield, at 5pm on Friday 22 October, where they seized 1.8 tonnes of cannabis resin with an estimated potential street value of approximately £9 million in a metal container. A man was arrested at the address.

A search warrant was executed soon afterwards at a private house in Station Road, Hailsham, where a woman was arrested. A man, aged 37, was arrested at another Hailsham address.

Paul Stevens, 44, of Little Theobalds, and Tracey Massey, 47, of Station Road, were charged with being concerned in the importation of the cannabis and are due appear at Eastbourne Magistrates Court later today Monday 25 October.

The 37-year old man has been released on police bail until 27 January 2011 pending further police enquiries.

http://www.sussex.police.uk/news-and-events/news/2010/10/25/sussex-police-make-record-cannabis-seizure?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
Added on 26/10/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Slovak customs arrest Dutch man with ecstasy compound
Slovak customs arrest Dutch man with ecstasy compound
Slovak customs arrest Dutch man with ecstasy compound
Oct 21, 2010, 21:40 GMT

Prague - Slovak customs officers arrested a Dutch man with 200 kilogrammes of a chemical compound, which could be used to produce the party drug ecstasy, worth 10 million euros (14 million dollars), customs officials said Thursday.
The man, an owner of a Slovakia-based firm that ordered the chemical, was arrested last week after he picked up the cargo from a haulier at Bratislava's international airport, said spokeswoman Miroslava Slemenska.

The compound arrived in four plastic barrels by plane 'from a third country,' she said, and could be 'easily' turned into a chemical substance used for making more than one million ecstasy pills.

The arrested man was taken into custody and charged with narcotics distribution, she added.
http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/europe/news/article_1593216.php/Slovak-customs-arrest-Dutch-man-with-ecstasy-compound

Dutchman in Bratislava had a substance per million ecstasy
BRATISLAVA - Customs officers and police arrested in Bratislava in mid-October, 200 kilograms of chemical substances, which could produce the drug ecstasy worth ten million euros. Substance in the car ferried Dutch citizen, the police arrested.

Man charged with drug distribution, the court in recent days it has taken into custody. Threatened with imprisonment for four to ten years. Today reported that the Customs Directorate.
"Implementation of the case began on Airport MR Stefanik warehouses before forwarding companies. She was detained person Dutch nationality," said a spokeswoman for the Director General Customs Directorate Miroslav Slemenská.

Male mixture of chemicals transported to their company based in Trencin four barrels. They were in substance, which is said to be easy to edit and produce them from drugs. Of the amount retained would be possible to produce more than a million tablets of ecstasy.

Part of the mixture under Slemenskej chemical that has so far been found only in Europe in the Netherlands. "Outside Europe, this substance is detained under a major investigation into the illegal manufacturing and trafficking of synthetic drugs in Australia in December 2004 and May 2005. It was a mass of up to three tonnes," said Slemenská.
In Bratislava, the Dutchman was arrested with the substance of which may produce ecstasy for about 10 million euros

Bratislava Dutchman was arrested with about 200 kilograms of a substance from which it would be possible to produce the drug ecstasy worth around 10 million euros.

Substance should also go to Trencin. Find it in stores on Airport forwarder M. R. Stefanik. Dutchman hiding illegal substances in the four barrels in the car. "In our area was a mixture of substances to the transport imported from third countries. It was designed for a company based in Trencin. Commerce was established Dutch citizens in August 2010," stated Miroslava Slemenská, a spokeswoman for the Director General of Customs.

The main component of a detained mixture PMK-carbohydrates is called by Slemenskej. chemical precursor PMK disguise. "This substance is specifically made so that from it were possible to simply prepare a drug precursor PMK."

Matter PMK-carbohydrates has been found in Europe only in the Netherlands, in May 2010 in the city Hoeven in quantity 550 g in the illegal laboratory. Outside Europe, was arrested in a major investigation into the illegal manufacturing and trafficking of synthetic drugs in Australia in December 2004 and May 2005. It was a mass of up to three tonnes
Added on 25/10/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
PF River seizes 200 kg of cocaine that would be sent to Italy "
PF River seizes 200 kg of cocaine that would be sent to Italy "
PF River seizes 200 kg of cocaine that would be sent to Italy "

22-10-2010



A Polícia Federal aprendeu nesta quinta-feira, 21, no Porto de Sepetiba, em Itaguaí, Região Metropolitana do Rio, cerca de 230 quilos de cocaína em tabletes, escondidos debaixo da terra de vasos com plantas que, dentro de um container, seriam embarcados para a Itália

A droga foi levada em um caminhão com placa de Santo André (SP) até uma chácara no bairro de Guaratiba, no município do Rio, vizinho a Itaguaí. Junto com ela, a polícia prendeu três pessoas cujas identidades estão sendo mantidas em segredo. Além do motorista do caminhão, os outros dois presos seriam os proprietários da cocaína.

Na apreensão, os agentes da Delegacia de Repressão a Entorpecentes (DRE) da Superintendência do Departamento de Polícia Federal do Rio contaram cerca de 230 pacotes de drogas apreendidos. Segundo o delegado João Luiz Caetano de Araujo, os pacotes serão pesados na sede da superintendência, mas calcula-se que cada um deles tenha cerca de um quilo, o que leva a polícia a falar em 230 quilos.
PF River seizes 200 kg of cocaine that would be sent to Italy "

22-10-2010

The Federal Police learned Thursday 21, at the Port of Sepetiba, in Itaguaí, Metropolitan Region of Rio, about 230 pounds of cocaine into tablets, hidden under the earth with potted plants within a container would be shipped for Italy

The drug was taken in a truck with a plate of Santo André (SP) to a farm in the neighborhood of Guaratiba, in Rio, the neighbor Itaguaí. Along with it, police arrested three people whose identities are being kept secret. In addition to the driver of the truck, the other two arrested were the owners of the cocaine.

On arrest, the agents of the Bureau of Narcotics Repression (DRE) of the Superintendent of Police Department of Rio counted about 230 packages of drugs seized. According to the delegate Joao Luiz Caetano de Araujo, the packages will be weighed at the headquarters of oversight, but it is estimated that each has about a pound, which leads the police to speak at 230 pounds.

http://www.fenapef.org.br/fenapef/noticia/index/30448
Added on 25/10/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
PF seizes cocaine liquid '
PF seizes cocaine liquid '
PF seizes cocaine liquid '

21-10-2010

Police Federal Bureau of Narcotics Repression (DRE) arrested on Tuesday afternoon, Venezuelan HJRM, 29 years, with two kilos of cocaine.

The investigations showed that the arrested along with two other foreigners, stayed at a hotel in the city of Boa Vista (RR). They had not matched the behavior of tourists, which generated suspicion.

By performing a thorough search of the luggage arrested, the police found four large bottles of cream for hair. Inside the jars were found plastic bags, which was a yellow liquid, which was confirmed after examination that it was cocaine.

After the discovery of narcotics, H.J.R.M. had their movement monitored by federal agents for shipping and fulfillment of an arrest warrant, after which he was taken to the Superintendent of Police Federal de Roraima.

The feds have accessed the main international and national criminal systems and found no movement of foreigners who accompanied the Venezuelan.

In questioning the prisoner said he knew he was carrying cocaine, but was waiting to deliver guidance material to a person who does not know. He would be paid by the department the amount of six thousand strong bolivar (BvsF 6000).

After undergoing a forensic examination, the prisoner was sent to the Penitentiary Agricultural Monte Cristo, where he will be available to the Federal Court.

H.J.R.M. was booked for drug dealing. If convicted, he could get sentenced up to 15 years in prison
Added on 25/10/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Arrested the organizers of smuggling 120 kilos of heroin
Arrested the organizers of smuggling 120 kilos of heroin
Arrested the organizers of smuggling 120 kilos of heroin

Belgrade, 22 October 2010. year - First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said today that members of the police, arrested Zoran Petkovic and Borislav Plavsic, the organizers of smuggling about 120 kilograms of heroin.
Dacic at a press conference in the Police Department for the City of Belgrade said that Petkovic and Plavsic, the criminal complaint submitted to the investigating judge in Belgrade and said that action is still ongoing and more arrests are expected.

According to him, the drugs seized in the 20th October, a truck traveling from Istanbul to the Czech Republic.

The heroin was hidden in 383 packages, and the value of seized drugs is estimated at about 10 million, said First Deputy Prime Minister and added that the analysis confirmed that this is a high-purity heroin.

He pointed out that the drugs were intended for the Western European market, noting that three-quarters of transport drugs intended for the transport market through the so-called "Balkan route".

Dacic stressed that this is one of the largest drug seizures in recent decades, adding that in action, besides the Serbian police, also attended by Czech police and Interpol, with the monitoring of criminal groups took several months.
Added on 25/10/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
140 kg of drugs was seized in GUAYAQUIL
140 kg of drugs was seized in GUAYAQUIL
140 kg of drugs was seized in GUAYAQUIL

Narcotics Police seized two shipments of roses for export to the Jose Joaquin de Olmedo Airport. A total of 139 906 grams of seized cocaine hydrochloride. They were to be shipped to Italy Outsoourcing Customs Broker Company in the U.S.. Freddy Ramos, chief of Guayas Narcotics, said yesterday that there were no arrests, the police investigation to determine responsibilities.

Inside a shipment of flowers at the airport, the Narcotics Police found cocaine hydrochloride.

Narcotics control made in the Jose Joaquin de Olmedo Airport last week, reported the seizure of 219.707 kilograms of cocaine hydrochloride, and 2.611 kilograms of heroin, 3.381 kilograms of cocaine base and 4.415 kilograms of marijuana.

Police said the cocaine hydrochloride was found inside the flower boxes and parcels in several emails.

The Spanish Francisco Estévez Goga would travel to Amsterdam, Holland Diyan Costadinov Bulgarian and Ecuadorian Dzhenkon Jeanett Yépez Monserratte Paredes, Luis Vasconez and Apollo Lecaro Michelle Segura Sandra Guerra sought to travel to Spain.

Manta
Three people were on remand by the finding of 727.580 kilos of cocaine were found on Monday in frozen shrimp for export and were in a container that was meant to be taken to Spain via the port of Manta.

Those arrested were identified as Augusto Vizueta Angel Garcia, Assistant Customs guarding the cargo, Mario Bravo Alfredo Camacho, driver of the trailer carrying the container, and Victor Espinoza Samuel Valdez, who investigated the prosecution as the alleged owner of the alkaloid.

According to preliminary investigations, some of the boxes were shipped frozen shrimp in Machala, the capital of the province of El Oro.
Added on 22/10/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
CBP U.S. Border Patrol Intercepts Liquid Methamphetamine Valued at More Than $300,000
CBP U.S. Border Patrol Intercepts Liquid Methamphetamine Valued at More Than $300,000
CBP U.S. Border Patrol Intercepts Liquid Methamphetamine Valued at More Than $300,000

(Tuesday, October 19, 2010)

Pine Valley, Calif. — Last night, U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested a 21-year-old male Mexican national for attempting to smuggle more than 19 pounds of liquid methamphetamine through a checkpoint inspection on Interstate 8 near Pine Valley, Calif

Agents encountered the man as he arrived to the checkpoint at about 9:50 p.m., driving a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. As agents questioned the suspect, his inconsistent answers and nervous demeanor prompted agents to refer him to a secondary inspection area.

A Border Patrol K-9 team performed a cursory inspection of the Trailblazer, resulting in a positive alert to the front of the vehicle. Agents performed an inspection of the vehicle’s interior resulting in the discovery of 19.2 pounds of liquid methamphetamine inside the windshield washer fluid reservoir.


The suspected smuggler, and the methamphetamine which had an estimated street value of $346,037 were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.


Through coordinated enforcement operations, the U.S. Border Patrol maintains a strong defense-in-depth enforcement posture along the major routes of egress from the border to our nation’s interior. The U.S. Border Patrol targets transnational threats in an attempt to disrupt, dismantle and defeat criminal organizations.


U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control, and protection of our Nation’s borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/local/10192010_8.xml







Smuggler hid liquid meth in wiper fluid

By Morgan Lee

Tuesday, October 19, 2010 at 7:02 p.m.

The windshield fluid reservoir was filled with liquid methamphetamine.

Border Patrol agents at a highway checkpoint found 19 pounds of liquid methamphetamine hidden in a car's windshield-wash fluid reservoir, authorities said Tuesday.

Agents flagged a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer for closer inspection after interviewing the driver near Pine Valley on Monday. Sniffer dogs helped locate the drugs, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said in a statement.

A 21-year-old Mexican national was arrested and turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

It was not the first time authorities have encountered drugs disguised as wiper fluid.

In June, authorities seized an SUV carrying liquid meth at the Calexico border crossing. And a pickup was stopped under similar circumstances last year in Naco, Ariz.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/oct/19/smuggler-hid-liquid-meth-in-windshield-washer-flui/
Added on 22/10/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
AMPF 113 KILOS OF COCAINE SEIZED AND 200 THOUSAND PILLS IN THE OFFICE OF PSYCHOTROPIC AICM
AMPF 113 KILOS OF COCAINE SEIZED AND 200 THOUSAND PILLS IN THE OFFICE OF PSYCHOTROPIC AICM
AMPF 113 KILOS OF COCAINE SEIZED AND 200 THOUSAND PILLS IN THE OFFICE OF PSYCHOTROPIC AICM

Tuesday, October 19, 2010 > Bulletin 1198/10

The Delegation of the Attorney General's Office in the Federal District, through its agent of the Federal Public Ministry assigned to the Central zone sub Agency (AICM), said 113 kilos of cocaine and two thousand bottles of pills with Risperidone in coordinated action by the Customs authorities at the International Airport of Mexico City.

During a routine practiced by the staff of that office and with the help of a team dog, were located outside the gate number four, 15 cartons containing in each 12 cans and within each Tin seven rolls into a cylindrical shape with cocaine allegedly made with latex, making a total of 260 thousand rolls with a total weight of 113.2 kilograms.

In a second action, the result of physical and documentary validation of the abandoned goods notified under the custody of the fiscal area is secured concession six cartons containing two thousand bottles with 199 000 964 Risperidone tablets, a substance that is controlled according to the General Health Law.

The drug and the tablets were made available to the Social Representative of the Federation, who began the preliminary PGR/DDF/SZC/AICM/4052/2010-10 and continuing PGR/DDF/SZC/AICM/4040/2010-10 the respective investigations of the facts.

With actions like this, the Attorney General of the Republic reiterates its commitment to provide certainty and legal certainty to the company and continue to fight any manifestations of organized crime to help make Mexico a country of laws and freedoms, where families can live quiet and peaceful.
Added on 22/10/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Morocco dismantles AQIM-linked drug network
Morocco dismantles AQIM-linked drug network
2010-10-18

The Moroccan Interior Minister invoked a special responsibility on the Maghreb states to confront the terrorist threat and tighten co-operation.
By Siham Ali for Magharebia in Rabat – 18/10/10

A Moroccan court on Saturday (October 16th) remanded 34 alleged members of a drug-trafficking network linked to Colombian drug cartels and al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.

Speaking at a Friday press conference, Interior Minister Moulay Taieb Cherkaoui noted that the mastermind of the cell dismantled last week – a Spanish national caught in Morocco – was working with another Spaniard recently arrested in Bamako.

"At this time, we can state without a shadow of a doubt that there is a relationship between terrorism and drug-trafficking. The two networks are working together to safeguard their interests," the minister said, adding that al-Qaeda terrorists will employ any means to secure finance for their criminal operations.

According to Cherkaoui, drugs arrive from Latin America – and more specifically, Colombia and Venezuela – to be stored to the north of Mali, where terrorist cells are particularly active.

The drug trade involves Moroccan chira (cannabis resin) smugglers, who transport drugs by ship or light aircraft, having violated Moroccan airspace 20 times this year.

Terrorists provide transport across the deserts of Mali and Algeria to the Moroccan border, with some of it sold in the domestic market and the remainder exported to Europe.

Investigations have revealed that between March and August this year, the network carried out eight operations to bring 600 kg of cocaine into Morocco via the Algerian and Mauritanian borders.

The Moroccan government official said that al-Qaeda is providing logistical support and transportation for drugs in the region. According to the Interior Ministry data, in November 2009, al-Qaeda elements brought a lorry-load of fuel to a stationed Boeing jet, which had been used to transfer several tonnes of cocaine from Venezuela via northern Mali into an area under al-Qaeda control. The terrorists started the jet, but were unable to take off because of the poor quality of the fuel.

The Moroccan minister called on the countries involved to remain vigilant, build bridges of co-operation and strengthen security partnerships. He also highlighted the importance of elaborating a preventive strategy to deal with all the risks facing the region, reminding his audience of the threats of abductions and killings that foreign visitors are exposed to.

"The ransom payments that are being demanded are used to buy weapons for al-Qaeda and finance terrorist operations," he said.
The minister concluded that Morocco is acutely aware of its responsibilities as the country participates in activities to maintain security at both regional and international levels. He hailed the partnership between Morocco and Spain in this area, and expressed hope that joint efforts will put an end to terrorism in the future.

Ahmed Chtimi, an international relations expert, told Magharebia that the Maghreb states must forget their political differences and devote themselves to this issue. He warned that there is a persistent threat in the Sahel, which has become an area where terrorist networks and drug barons settle their scores.

"Morocco and Algeria have a particular responsibility to combine their efforts. Necessity requires! You can't mess around when it comes to terrorists who have no scruples," he said.

http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/features/awi/features/2010/10/18/feature-01

***********************************************************************
Added on 21/10/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Nearly 1 ton of drugs is in Manta
Nearly 1 ton of drugs is in Manta
19-10-2010

Manta, Manabi

Manta, Manabi. Narcotics Police personnel inspecting the boxes where the drug was camouflaged.
A new container of cocaine was found yesterday in the Port of Manta. The shipment entered at 03:00 on Drug Canine Unit, which was inspected by police aided by sniffer dogs found the drugs.

There they found packages of cocaine wrapped in brick with the symbol 8, inside of boxes containing shrimp for export. The container came from the export records processed River, installed in Duran, Guayas province, police said, also investigated in Machala.

According to preliminary reports, a new method to mislead would be to install the controls collection centers in various coastal sites and then wait for the right moment and send the drugs in containers for export.

The drug, which apparently comes from El Oro, was hidden in some 700 of 1,025 boxes of shrimp ready for export to Spain.

The head of the Judicial Police, Edwin Gomez, confirmed that three people arrested. "We are still counting to determine the exact weight of the alkaloid," he said. It is estimated that almost a ton of drugs with a black market value of $ 70 million.

Two of those arrested are from Guayas and were identified as Victor Manuel Espinoza Vizueta Augusto Valdez and Angel Garcia.

This finding becomes the fourth shipment of drugs detected so far this year in Manta. Just this month and are two containers contaminated with drugs.

The symbol 8 recorded in this shipment was also found in some of the bricks seized on 26 June, inside another container that was meant to be sent from Manta to Spain.

Wladimir Leon, head Narcotics, said that drug gangs stored in storage facilities (fish packing houses or vacant land near the sea), in locations away from the port where the cargo ship to mislead the authorities.

Two of the detainees transported the trailer with the container, while the other guarded the loading and traveling in another vehicle.
Added on 21/10/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Customs officials: Cocaine stowed in statues, bag
Customs officials: Cocaine stowed in statues, bag
Associated Press
10/19/10 3:50 PM EDT
STERLING, VA. — U.S. customs officials say they've arrested a British man at a Washington-area airport after officers found cocaine concealed inside religious statues and a shoulder bag.

Customs and Border Protection officials announced Tuesday that 47-year-old Stephen James Ingle of London was arrested at Dulles International Airport last week as he traveled from Argentina to London.

A customs officer suspected that the bag and two statues were heavier than they should be and an X-ray revealed anomalies. In the bag, officials say there were two sandwich-sized bags with a pound of cocaine in each and more cocaine was found inside the statues of the Madonna holding baby Jesus and Joseph.

Ingle was arrested on narcotics charges and has a court appearance scheduled for Wednesday.

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/local/ap/customs-officials-cocaine-stowed-in-statues-bag-105285643.html
Added on 21/10/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Slabs of cocaine intercepted at Tema Port
Slabs of cocaine intercepted at Tema Port
Slabs of cocaine intercepted at Tema Port

October 19, 2010

Tema, Oct 19, GNA - Security operatives at the Tema Port on Monday afternoon intercepted 125 slabs of a whitish substance suspected to be cocaine concealed in a 40-foot container.



The Security Operatives included the Ghana Police Service, Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), National Security and the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA).



Chief Inspector Olivia Turkson, Tema Regional Police Public Relations Officer (PRO), told the Ghana News Agency on Tuesday that the substance was intercepted at about 1500 hours on Monday.



She said the container, which was from the US, was expected to contain fuel additives and Plus Africa Ghana Limited was shown to be the consignee.



Chief Inspector Turkson said Emmanuel Kofi Braisa and Kweku Duah Anane, Directors of Freight Accord Limited, the clearing agents for the consignment, together with the driver, had been arrested.



She said the three have been handed over to the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) in Accra for further investigations.

GNA

http://www.ghananewsagency.org/s_social/r_21555/





Untold Details Uncovered!… On The Tema Cocaine Haul



Date: 20-Oct-2010



The first hint of the arrival of some suspected substances in a container with marks and numbers MSKU 7633080s respectively being ‘unstuffed’ was from a Senior Assistant of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) Security at the Tema Port, G. A. Akyea, who was detailed to Depot 12 on Monday, October 18, this year to his superiors - the Port Security Manager, Col. Ansu and the Assistant Port Security Manager, Alhaji Issufu Braimah at about 2:00pm.

Immediately, the Port Security Manager alerted the Police, Customs Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS), National Security and Joint Port Control, to move to the scene.

The said container, which was being cleared by Freight Accord Clearing Company, was believed to contain 427 pieces of fuel additives, and 4 (four) travelling bags. The bags were however, found to contain 125 slabs of substance which were tested on site by personnel from the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) - using a special kit - confirmed the contents were COCAINE.

The 1st bag which was marked “A”, contained 30 slabs, whilst the 2nd bag marked “B” contained 34 slabs. The 3rd bag marked “C” had 34 slabs and the 4th bag marked “C” contained 27, this paper’s investigations revealed

Each slab, the paper gathered, weighed one (1) kilo thus bringing the gross weight of the 125 slabs to 125 kilos.

The items in the container were for Consolidated Shipping Services as per Maersk Line’s Bill of Laden No. 552067329, in the possession of this paper.

Our findings established that the clearing agents - Messrs Kweku Duah Anane and Emmanuel Kofi Brace - were arrested together with the truck driver, one (Gabriel Yaw Atsitogbe) with registration number AS 4014 F.

Documents available indicate that the container was coming from Meridian Port Services (MPS) yard. The driver, Gabriel, was arrested by the GPHA security when he was exiting the Port.

When he was interrogated, he said his master; George Masasu - a tally clerk at one of the depots - instructed him to go and pick that particular container at MPS and send it to Depot 12 for examination.

Interestingly, according to sources, the CEPS entry shows that the consignment belongs to FORMULA PLUS AFRICAN whilst the Bill of Lading picked from the Shipping Line (Maersk) revealed that the container belonged to CONSOLIDATED SHIPPING SERVICES.
As to how the name of the original consignee changed on the CEPS Entry form to FORMULA PLUS AFRICA (the new consignee) is up to the Service to explain. Whether there was an amendment to that effect, how and who did the amendment are the multimillion unanswered questions.

“CONSOLIDATED SHIPPING is an off-dock terminal operator and is therefore, amazing how a consignment for CONSOLIDATED SHIPPING could be cleared by FREIGHT ACCORD and in the name of FORMULA PLUS AFRICA,” wondered a source at the harbour.

CEPS entry, according to our investigations, shows that Kwaku Duah Asare, who is the Managing Director of Freight Accord, had his signature on the said document.

The Security agencies were led by the Asst. MD of Freight Accord to a location in Tema Township where Kwaku Duah Asare was picked up, our intelligence revealed. The substance was weighed at Scanco Yard in the presence of Kwaku Duah Asare together with his assistant, sealed in their respective bags and a CEPS detention note No. 000612 signed by Messrs Akadom and Landi Teih of NACOB, was placed on the exhibits and handed over to the Board.

The exhibits, according to intelligence picked up, were conveyed by a vehicle with registration number BA 2003 Z, driven by the narcotics officer, Mr. Landi Teih, and escorted by two police vehicles to Accra around 6.40pm, the same day.

As at the time of filing this report, information reaching The New Crusading Guide was that the owner of the vehicle, George Manso, assisted the police to pick up the alleged importer of the container believed to be a lady resident at Nima, a suburb of Accra.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime until early this year, had tagged Ghana as a “cocaine coast”, and the Ghanaian Times quoted the Interior Minister, Mr. Martin Amidu on its Tuesday, October 12, 2010 countering, “I am happy to say that this unenviable tag has been removed; courtesy our resolute commitment to fight against illicit drugs.”

The minister was addressing the opening ceremony of an ECOWAS strategic level seminar on organized crime and human security in Accra.

But the government’s patting of itself at the back on the recent UN agency report - shedding Ghana from the list of drug destination countries - had been criticised as “hasty conclusions” towards the fight against the drug menace, especially on the heels of yet another arrest of 125 kilograms of substances believed to be cocaine at the Tema Harbour on Monday.

http://news.peacefmonline.com/news/201010/95310.php
Added on 21/10/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
EU wants to ban 'meow meow'
EU wants to ban 'meow meow'
EU wants to ban 'meow meow'
2010-10-20 19:02

Brussels - The European Commission on Wednesday called for a ban on suspected killer drug mephedrone, a popular ecstasy-like party drug known as "meow meow", sold on the internet and available in 12 EU nations.

Mephedrone, already illegal in 15 EU nations, has been linked to 37 deaths in Britain and Ireland alone and appears to be the sole cause of two deaths in the EU, Commission spokesperson Matthew Newman said at a news conference.

"We need to react quickly," he said.

Sold in powder form, capsules or tablets by streets dealers, or over the web posing as bath salts or plant fertiliser, its effects are comparable to ecstasy or cocaine - but at only €10 to €15 a gram.

"Mephredone is a dangerous drug," said Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding. "I urge governments to move fast to control and criminalise it."

Also known as "bubble" or "neodove", it has been banned in Austria, Belgium, Britain, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Romania and Sweden.
http://www.news24.com/SciTech/News/EU-wants-to-ban-meow-meow
Added on 21/10/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
EU-INTERPOL symposium provides forum for enhanced international police co-operation against transnational crime in West Africa
EU-INTERPOL symposium provides forum for enhanced international police co-operation against transnational crime in West Africa
INTERPOL Chief warns of international implication of ‘full-scale assault’ on the region by transnational drug-traffickers

30 September 2010

BRUSSELS, Belgium – The need for integrated international policing to address the wider global implications of transnational crime affecting Africa, particularly drugs trafficking, was the focus of a joint European Union-INTERPOL symposium held under the aegis of Belgium’s EU presidency.

Bringing together some 180 senior law enforcement and justice officials from the EU, INTERPOL, WAPCCO (West African Police Chiefs Committee), the United Nations, Europol and the World Customs Organization, Thursday’s symposium addressed the challenges of widespread transnational and cross-border crime in West Africa, including terrorism, as well as drugs, weapons and human trafficking. It will recommend proposals for enhancing international police co-operation on crime in West Africa to the EU Standing Committee on Internal Security (COSI) meeting in November.

Speaking at the symposium, Belgian Minister for Interior Affairs Annemie Turtelboom said: “The EU must improve the co-ordination and co-operation with its member states by using all possible means under the Lisbon Treaty. This is important to avoid duplication of efforts and to improve co-ordination with the African authorities in the fight against organized crime in West Africa."

In her speech, EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmström emphasized the need for a global approach to security: "Our internal security in Europe is closely linked to the external security of the Union. Flows of drugs, weapons and stolen goods not only cause misery for West African citizens, they also have an impact on the streets of Europe," said Cecilia Malmström.

INTERPOL Secretary General Ronald K. Noble said that with globalization facilitating transnational crime and the ability of criminals to travel more freely, ‘instability and transnational crime in West Africa have implications for countries far beyond Africa’s borders’.

"Countries around the world have come to recognize the global dimensions of their local and regional security problems and realize the need to work with other countries and partners to tackle these challenges.”

With as much as a quarter of the cocaine consumed in Europe transiting through West Africa from South America, Mr Noble warned that “what once seemed like a trickle has turned into a full-scale assault on countries in the region by transnational drug-trafficking networks.”

Mr Noble said that instability created by drug traffickers undid any progress made in the region, undermining efforts to foster sustainable peace, stability and prosperity, with implications for Europe and the international community.

In this respect, on the sidelines of the meeting the INTERPOL Chief highlighted as a step forward INTERPOL’s West African Coast Initiative in support of the Regional Plan of Action on illicit drug trafficking and organized crime of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). In partnership with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations, the UN Department of Political Affairs’ Office for West Africa, ECOWAS and national authorities in the four pilot countries – Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia and Sierra Leone – Mr Noble said that the Initiative was ‘the essence of integrated policing’ in leveraging individual strengths and expertise to achieve the greatest impact ‘by placing INTERPOL’s global tools directly into the hands of officers who need them most’.

Belgian Federal Police Chief and EU COSI President Fernand Koekelberg said: “INTERPOL's decision to organize this symposium under the Belgian Presidency of the European Union puts the spotlight on West Africa, which has today become a priority region for Belgium and, more generally, for the European Union. The problems of crime originating in or transiting through the region require us to join forces at European Union level in our support for the region against organized crime, so that we can co-ordinate and prepare together specific actions based on co-operation. This symposium is a first decisive step in this common approach.”

The first component of the West African Coast Initiative will see the creation of elite Transnational Crime Units in each pilot country. These units will bring together police, customs, and immigration officers, prosecutors and INTERPOL National Central Bureaus, and will also entail training in criminal investigation and analysis, enhancement of technical infrastructures, including expanded access to INTERPOL’s I-24/7 communications network and global police databases to international airports and other border points in the four countries.


http://www.interpol.int/Public/ICPO/PressReleases/PR2010/PR076.asp
Added on 20/10/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
FELCN dismantles international drug trafficking gang in Santa Cruz
FELCN dismantles international drug trafficking gang in Santa Cruz
FELCN dismantles international drug trafficking gang in Santa Cruz

Special Force against Drug Trafficking (FELCN) on Monday broke up an international gang of drug traffickers in the eastern city of Santa Cruz, eastern Bolivia, police said.

"They have broken up an organization of sudden Colombians, Brazilians and Bolivians," the head of the FELCN in Santa Cruz, Edward Barrientos.

The police chief reported that the operation involved a warehouse located in the Industrial Park of that city, where they seized 489 bags of 50 kg of soy flour mixed with cocaine were to be exported through Chilean ports overseas.

"The problem we have now is that we can not quantify how much of concentration of cocaine in each bag there so forensic experts invited to the Police Academy to give us that information," he said.


Castellanos said he presumed that the soy flour with cocaine would be legally exported in containers through Chilean ports.

Reported also seized three vehicles, three cuadratrack's, a motorcycle, $ 29,000 and 418 reais.
Added on 20/10/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Customs cocaine ensure Manzanillo
Customs cocaine ensure Manzanillo
Customs cocaine ensure Manzanillo
The Secretary of the Navy of Mexico and the Tax Administration Service seized a container with 100 'bricks' of the alleged drug, whose total weight was 102.6 kg

Mexico City | Monday October 4, 2010
Elements of the Secretary of the Navy of Mexico and the Tax Administration Service seized cocaine inside a container in the Maritime Customs in Manzanillo, Colima.

Through a statement, the Navy of Mexico reported that joint operation with the SAT, spotted white powder inside a container, so that, given the possibility that it was cocaine, requested the presence of Public Prosecutions, who made the first tests, with positive results.

Naval personnel attached to the Care Center Unified Port and Maritime Incident, supported by pairs canines and in coordination with personnel from the Customs in Manzanillo, the inspection CAIU2361004 the container number, which is manifest Callao Peru, explained the dependence .

The container was unloaded at the Port Authority of Manzanillo in the ship "BONNY" Old and Barbuda flag, whose last port was Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala.

The container carrying anhydrous milk fat contained in dairy farms, and between the platforms of these were found 100 packages of so-called "bricks" with the alleged drug, whose total weight was 102.6 kilograms.

So far, elements of the Navy carrying out testing all blocks and corroborate the total weight of psychotropic ministerial.

The drug is placed under guard of the naval authorities to the corresponding legal effects, the Navy said.





Place Of Receipt Port Of Loading Port Of Discharge Final Destination



CAIU2361004 (20ST): Container to consignee at terminal of MANZANILLO

Move(s) to Date Location Vessel Voyage
18 Sep 2010 Re-loaded on board CALLAO BONNY MA618W
01 Oct 2010 Discharged MANZANILLO BONNY MA618W
Current Move Location Vessel Voyage
02 Oct 2010 Container to consignee MANZANILLO
Added on 20/10/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
$9 million in drugs seized in B.C.
$9 million in drugs seized in B.C.
Canadian Press: Tuesday, October 5, 2010 1:08 PM

VANCOUVER - Police in Vancouver have made a massive bust, seizing more than $9 million in drugs stashed in seven shipping containers arriving from Mexico.

RCMP drug enforcement officers, Vancouver police and the Canada Border Services Agency say 275 kilograms of suspected cocaine and methamphetamine were found in the containers.


The investigation began in June but police say the containers reached Vancouver early last month, with the drugs concealed inside 6,000 stone bricks.


Six people have been arrested and charges of conspiracy to import cocaine have now been laid against 32-year-old Eduardo Gonzalez of Mexico, and two Vancouver men - 51-year-old Francisco Gomez and 42-year-old Jason Lawrence.


Police say more charges are likely in the investigation that has also netted $17,000 in cash.


Federal Public Safety Minister Vic Toews says the proceeds of illegal drugs that end up on Canadian streets finance organized crime.

http://www.globaltvedmonton.com/million+drugs+seized/3627318/story.html

photo's: http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Metro+Vancouver+police+seize+million+drugs/3626588/story.html?tab=PHOT

video press conference: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2010/10/05/bc-vancouver-cocaine-bust.html
Added on 20/10/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Venezuelan police seized 840 kilos of cocaine destined for Europe
Venezuelan police seized 840 kilos of cocaine destined for Europe
Venezuelan police seized 840 kilos of cocaine destined for Europe
05-10-2010

Caracas, 5 oct (EFE) .- Venezuelan police said Tuesday they seized 840 kilos of cocaine on the island of Margarita, off the eastern coast, whose final destination was Europe, after being washed up in other Caribbean islands. Continue reading the printed article

Wilmer Flores, director of the Venezuelan judicial police, said the drug, distributed in 42 bundles of 20 kilos was seized in a 36-foot fishing boat, anchored in the Bay of Guamachito.
"The drug was meant to be taken out of the country through the sea and was bound for Margarita Island San Martin to later be carried to Europe," Flores told reporters.

The police chief said three people arrested earlier revealed that two trips with an unspecified quantity of drugs.

Flores identified the detainees as Richard Marquez, 44, leader of the group, Carlos Arguello, 41, and Bruno Vargas, 28.

"Notably, the leader of the gang had stolen police search for generic, injuries and seduction," said Flores.

He also said that other team members have been identified and are wanted in the northeastern region of the country.
Added on 20/10/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
U.S. Attorney: 11 Charged With Smuggling Cocaine Through NY, NJ Port
U.S. Attorney: 11 Charged With Smuggling Cocaine Through NY, NJ Port
U.S. Attorney: 11 Charged With Smuggling Cocaine Through NY, NJ Port

10/05/2010 05:38 PM

By: NY1 News


Eleven people -- including eight longshoremen locally -- were charged Tuesday in a massive cocaine trafficking conspiracy that stretched all the way to Central America.

The U.S. Attorney's Office says the longshoremen helped Panamanian drug dealers smuggle in more than a ton of cocaine worth $34 million through the Port of New York and New Jersey.

Three of the suspects are from the city.

The drugs were stored in simple duffle bags that were then placed in shipping containers.
Prosecutors say the longshoremen made between $50,000 and $100,000 for each bag they offloaded.

"Those longshoremen, who by law enjoy special access to restricted areas of the port, were allegedly the key to safely offloading the cargos of cocaine that came through that port. We believe this is largest crackdown on corrupt longshoremen in the port in many years," said U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara.

The two-year probe also led authorities to uncover a $3 million "pump and dump" stock fraud scheme that used social networking sites Facebook and Twitter to drive up the cost of several thinly traded stocks.

Eleven others, including a longshoreman, were charged in that case.

http://www.ny1.com/content/your_nj_news_now/126594/u-s--attorney--11-charged-with-smuggling-cocaine-through-ny--nj-port/?ap=1&MP4



Nine longshoremen charged in separate coke-smuggling, stock-selling schemes
By BRUCE GOLDING

Last Updated: 6:37 PM, October 5, 2010

Eight longshoremen have been charged with helping Panamanian drug dealers smuggle more than a ton of cocaine through the Port of New York and New Jersey, the feds announced today.

A two-year probe into the shady shipping operation also led authorities to uncover a $3-million "pump-and-dump" stock scam that used Facbook and Twitter to drive up the cost of shares in at least five different publicly traded firms.

Eleven people -- including another longshoreman -- were busted in that case, authorities said.

The drug-smuggling ring hid duffel bags filled with coke inside containers that passed through the Pananma Canal on their way to the U.S., according to the Manhattan U.S. Attorney's Office.


The containers were then unloaded in secure areas of the port by longshoremen who were paid between $50,000 and $100,000 per bag to retrieve the drugs.
More than 1.3 metric tons of coke -- valued at more than $34 million -- were seized at the port and in Panama during the course of the investigation.

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/nine_longshoremen_charged_in_separate_X7dzwmdn41odLkvxDU1DyI (incl. video)

http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/local&id=7707856 (video)

Longshoremen charged with stock fraud
By Ben Rooney, staff reporterOctober 5, 2010: 3:35 PM ET

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- It's "On the Waterfront" five decades later.

Federal officials have charged 11 longshoremen with allegedly duping investors out of $7 million by fraudulently pumping up stock prices online and then dumping shares at the higher rate. The U.S. Attorney's Office in New York announced the charges on Tuesday in connection with a wider drug trafficking case, which resulted in the seizure of 1.3 metric tons of cocaine valued at more than $34 million.

The charges stem from a two-year investigation into criminal activity along the Port of New York and New Jersey by several federal and state law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency.

"This investigation with our law enforcement partners also uncovered and shut down a multimillion-dollar 'pump and dump' stock fraud scheme, dealing a major blow to this criminal organization," said Homeland Security Investigations agent Peter Edge.

Defendants, including several longshoremen based in New York, allegedly used more than 15 websites, such as Facebook and Twitter, to promote certain penny stocks and then take advantage of increases in price and trading volume to make a profit.

According to the complaint, the alleged fraudsters used "false and misleading positive statements, material omissions, and other means of market manipulation, including coordinated purchases and trades, in order to sell the cheaply purchased stocks at higher prices."

The defendants would then sell, or "dump," the overvalued stock at a profit, while duped investors suffered losses.

The alleged scheme resulted in over $3 million in illegal gains for defendants, while investors lost more than $7 million, according to the complaint.

In total, the case resulted in a total of 21 arrests on charges of conspiracy to import cocaine, conspiracy to distribute cocaine and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. One defendant remains at large, prosecutors said.

http://money.cnn.com/2010/10/05/news/economy/longshoremen/

8 Longshoremen Charged With Smuggling Cocaine

By JOHN ELIGON
Published: October 5, 2010
Eight dockworkers at ports in New York and New Jersey helped smuggle millions of dollars worth of cocaine that was eventually sold on the streets of New York City, federal prosecutors said on Tuesday.

The longshoremen used their access to secure areas of the ports to unload drugs from Panama without detection from law enforcement authorities, said Preet Bharara, the United States attorney in Manhattan. In some cases, unloading a single duffel bag of cocaine would earn a longshoreman as much as his entire year’s salary, Mr. Bharara said.

“In today’s world, we simply can’t afford to have a port that is porous, and we can’t afford to have even a single corrupt longshoreman,” Mr. Bharara said during a news conference at his office in Lower Manhattan, where he announced charges against the longshoremen and three other people in the drug operation.

The charges came about two years after the overhaul of the Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor, the agency that was supposed to prevent corruption at the ports, but instead became a sideshow of misconduct.

“The place in the past was a treasury of politics, favoritism and corruption,” said Joseph Fisch, the New York State inspector general, who led the investigation into the Waterfront Commission.

The arrest two years ago of a man who tried to deliver cocaine sparked the drug investigation, which used wiretaps and confidential informers to uncover the drug ring, according to a criminal complaint. During the investigation, the authorities seized more than 1.3 metric tons of cocaine worth more than $34 million, the complaint said.

The 11 people charged in the drug ring were charged with one count each of conspiracy to distribute and conspiracy to import cocaine, crimes that carry a maximum penalty of life in prison.

During the inquiry, prosecutors said, they also uncovered an illegal stock-trading scheme after learning that a longshoreman received money from others to put toward a penny stock. Investigators discovered a “pump-and-dump” scheme in which people were promoting stocks on Facebook and Twitter to create excitement and get people to purchase them.

The stocks were actually weak, prosecutors said, and after the participants in the scheme sold them off, they quickly lost value. While the participants in the plot earned more than $3 million, the subsequent investors lost $7 million, prosecutors said.

In addition to those arrested in the drug operation, the authorities announced that one longshoreman and 10 other people had been arrested in the stock scheme and charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

Arnold Eugene Rodgers, one of the longshoremen facing drug charges, was a supervisor. Mr. Rodgers, who was still at large Tuesday evening, became a focus of the investigation in May, when an undercover agent met him at a union hall of the International Longshoremen’s Association, according to the criminal complaint. The agent knew Mr. Rodgers had been investigated a decade earlier as part of a group that trafficked heroin into the United States from Afghanistan, the complaint said.

Mr. Rodgers was caught on wiretaps discussing trafficking drugs into New York and negotiating purchases of cocaine, prosecutors said.

In exchange for cash, drugs and other benefits, the longshoremen would secretly unload cocaine hidden among the everyday merchandise shipped to the six berths that make up the ports of New York and New Jersey, the busiest on the East Coast, prosecutors said. The longshoremen were paid $50,000 to $100,000 for unloading a single duffle bag of cocaine, Mr. Bharara said.

To unload the narcotics, prosecutors said, the longshoremen placed the containers where authorities could not see them. After breaking customs seals to remove the drugs, the longshoremen would replace them with new ones, prosecutors said.

Walter M. Arsenault, the executive director of the Waterfront Commission, said that all of the longshoremen arrested were hired before the commission was revamped two years ago.

Now the screening process for hiring longshoremen is much more extensive. In previous hiring questionnaires, he said, “the most probing question was, ‘Where did you go to high school?’ ”

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/06/nyregion/06longshore.html
Added on 20/10/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
10 Kg of Cocaine from Suriname Captured in Bulgaria's Varna
10 Kg of Cocaine from Suriname Captured in Bulgaria's Varna
10 Kg of Cocaine from Suriname Captured in Bulgaria's Varna
October 6, 2010, Wednesday

Customs officers at Bulgaria's Port Varna-West have discovered 10 kg cocaine hidden in a cargo container.
Using risk analysis methods, the officers selected randomly a container with lumber from the Latin American Republic of Suriname, the Customs Agency announced.

The cocaine was found hidden in specially designed hollows inside the logs. The investigation of the cocaine shipment was transferred to the police.

According to investigations of international authorities and organizations, Bulgaria's Black Sea ports are increasingly becoming an entry point into Europe for Latin American cocaine.

http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=120838

Ìèòíè÷àðè çàäúðæàõà 10 êã. êîêàèí âúâ Âàðíà
2010-10-06
Íà 5 îêòîìâðè ìèòíè÷åñêè ñëóæèòåëè îò ïóíêò Âàðíà-Çàïàä çàäúðæàõà 10 êã êîêàèí. Ïðèëàãàéêè ìåòîäà „àíàëèç íà ðèñêà" ìèòíè÷àðèòå ñåëåêòèðàò çà ùàòåëíà ìèòíè÷åñêà ïðîâåðêà êîíòåéíåð ñ äúðâåí ìàòåðèàë. Òîâàðúò ïðèñòèãà îò Ñóðèíàì. Íàðêîòèêúò å îòêðèò â èçêóñòâåíî èçäúëáàíè êóõèíè â äúðâåíèòå òðóïè. Ìèòíè÷åñêèòå ñëóæèòåëè ñà èçïîëçâàëè ñêàíèðàù ìîáèëåí ðåíòãåí, êîéòî ïúðâîíà÷àëíî óñòàíîâÿâà íàëè÷èåòî íà ðàçíîðîäíî âåùåñòâî. Ïðè èçâúðøåíèÿò íàðêîòåñò âåùåñòâîòî ðåàãèðà íà êîêàèí.
Ñëó÷àÿò å ïðåäàäåí íà êîìïåòåíòíèòå âëàñòè.

http://www.customs.bg/bg/pubs/3239

Customs officials seized 10 kilograms. cocaine in Varna
2010-10-06
On October 5, customs officers from Varna West Point seized 10 kilograms of cocaine. Applying the method of risk analysis "customs officers selected for a thorough customs inspection container timber. Cargo arriving from Suriname. Found the drugs in artificial cavities carved into logs. Customs officers used a mobile X-ray scanning, which originally established the existence of a heterogeneous substance. when making narkotest substance reacts to cocaine.
The case was submitted to the competent authorities.
Added on 20/10/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
3kg of opium hidden in kids’ clothes seized
3kg of opium hidden in kids’ clothes seized
3kg of opium hidden in kids’ clothes seized
Ahmed Shaaban

6 October 2010
DUBAI — The Dubai Customs has seized 3kg of opium hidden inside two separate parcels of winter coats and kids’ clothes coming from an Arab country and heading to Canada through Dubai.

Omar Ahmad Al Muhairy, Senior Manager of Air Cargo Operations, said on Tuesday that some lumpiness in the parcels detected during the x-ray scanning raised suspicion and customs inspectors at Dubai Cargo Village opted for a manual search.

“The inspectors found a substance hidden inside the clothes. The Technical Support unit at Dubai Customs was brought to the scene to examine the items which later proved to be opium weighing 3kg; 1kg in one parcel and 2kg in the other,” he said.

Muhairy said the drug haul was done in collaboration with the Anti-Narcotics Department of Dubai Police.

“The drugs were then transferred to the destination country after alerting the authorities who detained the criminals red-handed.”

The cargo was supposed to pass through Britain before reaching 
Canada.

“The British and Canadian authorities seized the two cargos and legal action was taken against violators,” 
he said.

Calling for more international cooperation, Muhairy said the Dubai Customs plays a major role in combating and foiling drug smuggling.

“The Dubai Customs received a statement from a security official representing the UK Serious Anti-crime Agency expressing his sincere gratitude to the official authorities in Dubai for all the support provided in this domain. He also pointed out that the two cargos were confiscated in cooperation with the Canadian authorities.” Muhairy then said that Dubai Cargo Village inspectors managed to seize over 53.5kg of narcotics in the first seven months of 2010.

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/darticlen.asp?xfile=data/theuae/2010/October/theuae_October126.xml§ion=theuae
Added on 20/10/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
62 kilo cocaïne in beslag genomen op Brussels Airport
62 kilo cocaïne in beslag genomen op Brussels Airport
62 kilo cocaïne in beslag genomen op Brussels Airport

05-10-2010

ZAVENTEM, 06/10/2010. – Op de luchthaven van Zaventem zijn op zaterdag 2 oktober 2010 een 57-jarige Duitser, een 23-jarige Nederlander en een 23-jarige Spaanse betrapt met 62,095 kg cocaïne. De mannen en de vrouw hadden de drugs verstopt in hun handbagage. Het gaat om 53 pakken cocaïne.

In de bagage van de Duitser werden kledingstukken en voorwerpen aangetroffen die verwezen naar een 63-jarige Spaanse vrouw, die eveneens als passagier op dezelfde vlucht aanwezig was. Deze vrouw meldde zich enkele uren nadien bij de dienst ‘Verloren en gevonden voorwerpen’ om haar bagage op te vragen. Na controle bleek de dame in het bezit te zijn van 9680 euro. Zij werd ook aangehouden: zij had vermoedelijk haar lading al geleverd.

http://www.polfed-fedpol.be/presse/presse_detail_nl.php?recordID=2246
Added on 20/10/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Turkish Police Bust Bulgarian with 8 Kg Heroin
Turkish Police Bust Bulgarian with 8 Kg Heroin
Turkish Police Bust Bulgarian with 8 Kg Heroin
October 7, 2010, Thursday



A Bulgarian has been arrested with 8 kg of heroin in Turkey while trying to get on a flight to the UK. File photo
The Turkish authorities have arrested a Bulgarian national at the Antalya airport while he was attempting to smuggle 8 kg of heroin, the Bulgarian National Radio, BNR, informs Thursday.

The man, identified as Miroslav A. M. was trying to board a plane to the UK. He had only one suitcase and checked when the final boarding call was made.

The security screening showed an alert for a suspicious item inside the suitcase prompting the narcotics unit to search it.

The check revealed the lining of the suitcase had been ripped and then glued again. The luggage had a strong smell of glue and the heroin was found in three packages in its bottom.

The man was arrested and charged with illegal drug trafficking. He is being currently interrogated while the police are probing his ties with the UK.

Another Bulgarian was detained in Antalya in August in an attempt to smuggle 3 kg of morphine.

http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=120872
Added on 20/10/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
U.S. Border Patrol Agents Seize Cocaine on Interstate 8
U.S. Border Patrol Agents Seize Cocaine on Interstate 8
U.S. Border Patrol Agents Seize Cocaine on Interstate 8

(Tuesday, October 05, 2010)
Calexico, Calif. – On Sunday morning, Calexico Station agents seized more than $600,000 worth of cocaine at the Interstate 8 checkpoint which is located east of Calexico, Calif.

At approximately 11:30 a.m., a white sedan approached the primary inspection area when a canine team alerted to the vehicle. Agents directed the driver to park in the secondary inspection area where the driver consented to a search of the vehicle.

During the search, agents discovered several packages concealed in an aftermarket compartment located above the rear cross axle of the vehicle. The packages contained a white powdery substance which tested positive for cocaine.

The total amount of the cocaine was valued at more than $633,000.

The driver, narcotics, and vehicle were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/local/10052010_5.xml
Added on 20/10/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
TS confirmed 100 years in prison for the crew of a vessel intercepted with 4 tons of cocaine
TS confirmed 100 years in prison for the crew of a vessel intercepted with 4 tons of cocaine
TS confirmed 100 years in prison for the crew of a vessel intercepted with 4 tons of cocaine
Today, 10.2010

Send this noticiaImprimirALMERÍA, 9 (EUROPA PRESS) El Tribunal Supremo (TS) has ratified the sentence of a total of 100 years in prison for two drug dealers and five members of the crew of the merchant 'OCT Challenguer' that was intercepted in February 2007 waters of the Alboran Island with four tons of cocaine hidden in the water tank located on the port after the defendants transship the drugs from another vessel in an operation carried out at sea. Continue reading the printed article
The High Court rejected in a statement, picked up by Europa Press, the appeals filed by the defense of five of the defendants and despite the view that is lacking in this case the aggravating organization, notes that the allegations do not affect the penalties the "no causal link to save the ruling on the classification error" of the facts of the case.

The ruling held in its grounds that, contrary to the request for revocation of wiretapping, these interventions "that did not have effective results" are not among the main evidence against him based on the conviction. Rejects this line, the merchant registration was irregular because, as noted, was done in the presence of passengers as stated in the minutes of the court clerk.

The Supreme Court also considers that it has not been proven that the accused should suffer abuse and confirms that the crew "knew perfectly well that had been hired" as - deepens - there was a "meeting of minds in the realization of transport drug, since the beginning of the voyage, and in all efforts, both preparatory and subsequent to shipment of the toxic substance, to its approach by the patrol Fiscal Monitoring Service. "

The Judgement of the Criminal Division of the National Court said the seven defendants, a Lithuanian national, Italian and Greek, as perpetrators of a crime of narcotics trafficking that cause serious damage to health in many notable importance and imposed between 17 and 13 years and six months imprisonment and the payment of fines of more than 126 million euros. Applies equally aggravating to be an organized plot to use a ship as a means of transport.

The boarding of merchant transaction executed by agents of the Fiscal Monitoring Service by order of the Central Court of Instruction No. 4 of the National Hearing was held at 16:30 am on February 13, 2007 in international waters of the Mediterranean Sea after a journey 18 days since they left the port of Rotterdam (Netherlands) bound, as reflected in an official capacity to Split (Croatia).

Judge Nicholas Poveda has established that, during the trip as stated National Police in the room should have lasted eight days, the 'OTC Challeguer' deviated from its route and headed to a point in the Ocean Atlantic near the island of Madeira, for, from another vessel, its crew transhipped and loaded inside to 108 bales of drugs.

As stated in the ruling, the merchant then took off for the island of Madeira, where it refueled and it supplied fruit and vegetables, drinking water and that - further - on the high seas had emptied the tank located to port to hide cocaine. It was passed by the town's maritime control of Tarifa Cadiz when the authorities found that the data provided on the flag for the boat owner, a man of 34 who used the alias of 'plates', were false.

Upon completion of the approach made by officials from the Fiscal Watch, the 'OCT Challeguer' was transferred to the port of Almeria, where registration was performed. In the engine room, the officers noticed that one of the entrances into the hopper, called 'manhole', had manipulated it recently sealed screws. A total of 3752.9 kilos of cocaine seized with a purity of 62.12 percent.

Although the ship's captain, 79, argued before the court deviated from its route and away from the coast due to the storm, the judge describes as "obvious" that the goal was to go to the meeting point with a ship "nurse", a fact which confirms the ringleader of the plot, who said that because of his profession as "baker", had to take part in these activities due to financial problems.
Added on 20/10/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Man Charged with Importation of Cocaine Arrested at Montréal-Trudeau Airport
Man Charged with Importation of Cocaine Arrested at Montréal-Trudeau Airport
Man Charged with Importation of Cocaine Arrested at Montréal-Trudeau Airport
Montréal, October 6, 2010 – A cocaine seizure at the Montréal-Trudeau Airport on September 29, 2010 led to the arrest of a Montréal North resident. Luc Inasso Lassere, 58, allegedly attempted to smuggle 11.9 kilos of cocaine concealed in double-bottom cooking pots.

The drugs were discovered by officers of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). They turned the case over to the RCMP Airport Federal Investigation Section (AFIS) for investigation. RCMP officers arrested the individual as he was coming off the plane.

Luc Inasso Lassere appeared in court on September 30, 2010, the day following his arrest. He was charged with cocaine importation under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

The CBSA and the RCMP will continue to work together to help reduce drug trafficking in communities and fight smuggling and criminal activity.
http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/qc/nouv-news/com-rel/2010/10/101006-eng.htm
Added on 20/10/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Portuguese police seize 1.7 tons of cocaine, arrest five Brazilians
Portuguese police seize 1.7 tons of cocaine, arrest five Brazilians
Portuguese police seize 1.7 tons of cocaine, arrest five Brazilians
maandag 11 oktober 2010
LISBON (BNO NEWS) — Portuguese police seized 1.7 tons of cocaine hidden in 10 containers that arrived from Brazil, in an operation that led to the arrest of five Brazilians, authorities said on Monday.

In a statement, the Portuguese police said four of the arrested are businessmen and the fifth a Brazilian police officer. According to police, this is one of the largest cocaine seizures made in Portugal in recent years.

Police also seized 30,000 EUR in cash, documents and several phones that should link the Brazilians with other suspects, both in Portugal and Brazil and in other European countries, including Spain.

Police said the drug arrived from Brazil at the port of Leixoes, in northern Portugal and later it was transported to a warehouse in Montijo, near Lisbon, where they arrested the individuals, aged between 21 and 49.

http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/world/portuguese-police-seize-17-tons-of-cocaine-arrest-five-brazilians_100442862.html
Added on 20/10/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Cocaine worth Rs.50 million seized in Pune
Cocaine worth Rs.50 million seized in Pune
Cocaine worth Rs.50 million seized in Pune
dinsdag 12 oktober 2010 17:22:53 by IANS

Pune, Oct 12 (IANS) In one of the biggest seizures, the Pune customs (preventive wing) have seized a cocaine consignment worth around Rs.50 million ($1 million) from courier packets bound for Australia and South Africa, an official said here Tuesday.
A Nigerian national, identified as Ogonna Philip Nwuchukwu, 27, has been arrested for acting as a conduit for the consignment, said Subhash Shinde, Pune assistant commissioner of customs (preventive wing).

The cocaine consignment - weighing 870 gm - was found concealed in two separate courier packets which were despatched and sent to Pune from New Delhi by a professional courier company.

Acting on a tip-off, the customs laid a trap and managed to nab the accused last Friday (Oct 8) when he had already succeeded in delivering one packet to a courier agency for its onward journey.

“The first consignment of 370 gm was found packed in folding paper lanterns which were bound for Australia, and the second lot of 500 gm was found in a packet containing a toy elephant bound for South Africa,” Shinde told IANS.

After he spilled the beans on the second courier, the customs sleuths rushed to the courier company and managed to recover it before it could be sent to South Africa.

The department suspects that Pune might be getting used as a mini-hub by the international drug mafia for transporting banned substances, especially in view of the large number of foreign students and employees in IT companies here.

The Nigerian national, who has been remanded to custody till Oct 15, gave the names and addresses of his associates in New Delhi, but all proved to be false, Shinde said.

The department is now checking courier companies which could be unwittingly transporting such banned substances as per the international drug mafia’s conspiracy.

http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/business/cocaine-worth-rs50-million-seized-in-pune_100443444.html
Added on 20/10/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Multi-million Dollar Kelowna Cocaine Bust Has Mexican Connection
Multi-million Dollar Kelowna Cocaine Bust Has Mexican Connection
Multi-million Dollar Kelowna Cocaine Bust Has Mexican Connection
2010-10-12 11:30 PDT
Three men from BC, and one from Mexico, have been charged after Canada Border Services Agency intercepted 97.5 kilograms of cocaine bound for Kelowna and called in the RCMP’s Federal Drug Enforcement Branch. This is the second successful large-scale drug investigation involving CBSA and RCMP in as many weeks.

“Today’s announcement is welcome news. As a result of combined efforts of the RCMP and CBSA, almost 100 kilograms of illicit cocaine has been prevented from reaching our streets. This large seizure once again demonstrates how the outstanding cooperation between law enforcement agencies in drug enforcement makes our communities safer,” said the Honourable Vic Toews, Canada’s Minister of Public Safety. “Our government recognizes that the proceeds of the sale of illegal drugs finances organized crime and jeopardizes the safety of our communities.”

The latest cocaine was discovered on September 22, 2010, while CBSA was inspecting a 2300 kilogram fruit grinding machine. The machine had been shipped from Argentina through the United States and was intercepted at Vancouver Air Cargo Operations. CBSA Border Services Officers noticed the machine was too heavy and its origin and destination were suspicious. A close examination found sophisticated hidden compartments concealing 97.5 kilograms of cocaine.

The RCMP Federal Drug Enforcement Branch then stepped in to lead the criminal investigation. On October 4th, 33-year-old Clifford Roger Montgomery and 50-year-old Barry Michael Ready, both of West Kelowna, were arrested. Immediately following the arrests, the RCMP’s Federal Drug Enforcement Branch used a warrant to search a rural property outside of Merritt and a home in West Kelowna.

Montgomery and Ready are still in custody. Arrest warrants have been issued for 43-year-old Victor Perez Rodriguez, a Mexican citizen, and 32-year-old Tariq Mohammed Aslam of Surrey. All four men are facing two counts of Conspiracy to Import Cocaine and one count of Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking.

“This investigation translates into more than 97,000 doses of cocaine, or between 3.5 and 3.9 million dollars in drugs, that will never lead to addiction, violent behaviour, heart or lung problems, or an overdose or drug-related death” said Superintendent Brian Cantera, Officer in Charge of the RCMP’s Federal Drug Enforcement Branch. “Just as importantly, the Federal RCMP’s Drug and Organized Crime Awareness Service is providing our next generation with the right information to make healthy choices about their career paths and what they put into their bodies.”

More than 50 RCMP investigators, including members of the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit- Gang Task Force, Integrated Border Enforcement Team, the Emergency Response Team, and many units throughout the Southeast District, helped with this file. The RCMP Federal Drug Enforcement Branch is also working with the US Drug Enforcement Administration and our partners in Mexico and Argentina. Finally, the RCMP wants to remind the public that their support, along with their watchful eye, is always crucial in our efforts to keep people safe.

While this file may appear similar to last week’s investigation in Vancouver, there is no evidence they are linked.

http://bc.rcmp.ca/ViewPage.action?siteNodeId=50&languageId=1&contentId=16934
Added on 20/10/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Drug syndicate smashed, 464kg of cocaine seized
Drug syndicate smashed, 464kg of cocaine seized
Drug syndicate smashed, 464kg of cocaine seized
Release Date: October 14, 2010

In a major strike against organised crime, Australian law enforcement agencies have combined to execute one of the country’s largest cocaine seizures.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service, with the support of NSW and Queensland police, have joined forces to seize 464kg of cocaine on Queensland’s southern coast, the third largest cocaine haul in Australian history.

The AFP charged three men on 12 October, two with attempted importation of a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug and the other with possession.

A search of a yacht docked at Brisbane’s Scarborough Marina yielded the large cocaine haul.

The AFP has since executed another 12 search warrants across New South Wales and Queensland, uncovering a clandestine lab in Eden, NSW.

On 13 October, Customs and Border Protection officers intercepted and boarded a second vessel of interest approximately 800km off the Queensland coast. This vessel is being towed back to Australia and is subject to an ongoing investigation, therefore no further comment can be made at this stage.

The cocaine could have potentially earned organised crime figures up more than $160million on Australian streets.

Coupled with the seizure of 240kg of cocaine in Melbourne in June this year, AFP Deputy Commissioner Andrew Colvin said there would continue to be a crackdown on organised crime.

“By their very nature, organised crime figures will continue to run the risk of dealing in drugs, but this operation demonstrates that there are no borders and we’re keeping watch on every corner,” Deputy Commissioner Colvin said.

"Customs and Border Protection has been the AFP’s partner in this operation and their expertise has been critical to success. Support from NSW and Queensland Police also shows how effective Australia’s law enforcement agencies can be with a collaborative and harmonious approach.”

Customs and Border Protection Deputy CEO Border Enforcement, Marion Grant, congratulated the officers on the success of such an extensive joint response.

“This Operation has spanned two states and involved law enforcement activity up to 800km off Australian shores."

“Our officers persevered through 13 metre seas, constant bad weather and incredibly long days,” Ms Grant said. “Their dedication should come as a strong warning to potential importers. No matter the weather, the location or the plan – we are committed to keeping these harmful drugs out of the Australian community”, she said.

The Operation commenced following a referral from the US Drug Enforcement Administration to the AFP.

“This operation would not have been possible without the AFP’s strong international network,” Deputy Commissioner Colvin said. “The AFP’s international relationships are a cornerstone of our work and the information we share can be critical in protecting Australian lives.”


Media enquiries:

AFP National Media (02) 6131 6333
Customs and Border Protection Communication and Media (02) 6275 6793
http://www.afp.gov.au/media-centre/news/afp/2010/october/drug-syndicate-smashed-464kg-of-cocaine-seized.aspx

video: http://www.afp.gov.au/media-centre/news/afp/2010/october/drug-syndicate-smashed-464kg-of-cocaine-seized.aspx#
Added on 20/10/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
CBP at Newark Airport Finds Bottles of Liquid Cocaine on Diverted Flight
CBP at Newark Airport Finds Bottles of Liquid Cocaine on Diverted Flight
CBP at Newark Airport Finds Bottles of Liquid Cocaine on Diverted Flight

(Wednesday, October 13, 2010)


Newark, N.J. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at Newark Liberty International Airport apprehended two Spanish citizens, a 29-year-old man and his 28-year-old pregnant girlfriend as they tried to smuggle liquid cocaine concealed in six bottles of liquid dietary supplements.


On Friday, CBP officers selected passenger Cristobal Puyuelo Gracia and Maria Angeles Cano Tomas for a random examination after their flight diverted from JFK to Newark due to inclement weather. The couple was returning from a 7-day vacation to Argentina and was in transit to Spain.

During an examination of the couple’s checked luggage, CBP officers discovered several bottles of liquid “Alcachofa” and “Uña de Gato” which translate to “artichoke” and “Cat’s Claw.” Upon opening the bottles, CBP officers detected an unusual consistency and smell. The liquid field tested positive for cocaine. Approximately 16.6 pounds of cocaine were seized.


“CBP officers at Newark are alert and adept at uncovering smuggling attempts,” stated Robert E. Perez, director of field operations, New York Field Office. “This instance demonstrates CBP’s preparedness to handle the unexpected.”


Puyuelo Gracia and Cano Tomas were arrested and turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark, N.J. The smugglers face a maximum of 10 years in prison and a permanent ban from re-entering the U.S.


U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.












Contacts For This News Release
Anthony Bucci
Press Officer
Phone: (212) 514-8324
Fax: (212) 344-3755

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/local/10132010_4.xml
Added on 20/10/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Morocco says 34 arrested in bust of international drug trafficking ring
Morocco says 34 arrested in bust of international drug trafficking ring
Morocco says 34 arrested in bust of international drug trafficking ring
By The Associated Press (CP) – 1 day ago

RABAT, Morocco — Morocco's government says police have dismantled an international drug trafficking ring bringing cocaine and marijuana from South America to Africa and on to Europe.

Taieb Cherqaoui says 34 people were arrested, including a Spaniard who led the group out of Morocco.

Cherqaoui told a news conference Friday that the ring had ties with al-Qaida's North African affiliate, known as AQIM, as well as Latin American drug cartels.

Cherqaoui said the group had smuggled 600 kilograms of cocaine into Morocco between March and August of this year.

He said the drugs were brought from Colombia and Venezuela to Africa, stored in northern Mali, then taken through the desert to markets in Morocco and Europe.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5j_GvMAnZlU4bHI7G5C1fMzQWyBtQ?docId=4850430
Added on 20/10/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Bulgarian seaman sentenced to eleven years in prison
Bulgarian seaman sentenced to eleven years in prison
Bulgarian seaman sentenced to eleven years in prison

14-10-2010
A 47-year old Bulgarian has been sentenced to eleven years in prison by the court in Svendborg, Denmark, for an attempt to smuggle 22 kilos of cocaine into Denmark via Fredericia. The cocaine was found on board the 39,407 DWT bulk carrier Svilev Russev upon arrival in Fredericia in October 2009 from Argentina. The cocaine was found in one of the cabins. The now convicted seafarer’s fingerprints were detected on the cocaine package.
The cocaine has a street value of around DKK 10 million.

http://www.shipgaz.com/news/top20/top6_news.php
Added on 20/10/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
With 4.5 kilos of cocaine in his pockets
With 4.5 kilos of cocaine in his pockets
With 4.5 kilos of cocaine in his pockets

17-10-2010

Panel of the Judicial Police of Barcelona Airport yesterday came the arrest of a passenger Guatemalan nationals, from Mexico, who is 4.5 kilograms of cocaine were involved. Under the usual control "would warm" that takes place in international arrivals, the police inquired about traveling to his trip to observe various signs to be carrying some kind of narcotic substance inside your body or luggage.

For the traveler's own statements, the agents could see that inside the suitcases was billed hide in clothes, perfectly stitched, white narcotic substance that proved to be cocaine. Treated of 337 plates in a small hidden brass base, the seams of a jacket, jeans and three on the sides of a suitcase. The detention occurred at the disposal of the judicial authorities, who announced his temporary imprisonment.

***********************************************************************
Added on 20/10/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Cocaine bust at Tema Port
Cocaine bust at Tema Port
Cocaine bust at Tema Port



Last Updated: Monday, 18 October 2010



The Police are reported to have busted a cocaine syndicate at the Tema Harbour and arrested a number of persons as suspects.

Joy News sources say a cocaine consignment suspected to be part of several items delivered at the port has been found.

Police are tight-lipped on the arrest and find, except to say they are investigating.

The incident is reported to be drawing crowds of curious residents and workers who are seeking to catch a glimpse of those involved.


More soon.

http://news.myjoyonline.com/news/201010/54171.asp



Cocaine bust at Tema Harbour

By Citifmonline.com | Mon 18th October, 2010 19:04 GMT
Four travelling bags stocked with some narcotics suspected to be cocaine have been intercepted by the security agencies at the Tema Port.

Citi News correspondent, Elvis Washington reports that the travelling bags containing the narcotics were intercepted at the Eastern Gate, Shed 12 at Ghana’s premier shipping harbour.

A number of persons and a worker with the clearing agency “Freight Accord” said to have cleared the goods, some of which was the travelling bags, have been arrested by the Police to aid in investigations.

Elvis Washington added two of the bags weighed 32 kilograms, another weighed 35 and the last bag weighed 31 kilograms.

Information available to Citi News indicates that officials from the Customs Excise and Preventive Service, (CEPS) reinforcement from the Police Service and stakeholders from the Narcotics Control Board are currently at the scene trying to locate the owners of the narcotics.

The Police have declined to talk saying they are still conducting investigations into the case.
http://www.citifmonline.com/site/news/news/view/13055/1
Added on 20/10/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
San Juan Seaport CBP Officers seize 55 Kilos of Cocaine
San Juan Seaport CBP Officers seize 55 Kilos of Cocaine
San Juan Seaport CBP Officers seize 55 Kilos of Cocaine

(Friday, October 15, 2010)


San Juan, PR – On Oct. 15, while performing inspectional duties on a vessel arriving from Caucedo, Dominican Republic, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers with the use of non-intrusive inspection equipment discovered 55 kilos of cocaine in a cargo container.

CBP officers noticed an anomaly on one of the containers and selected it for further inspection. Based on their findings they decided to open and physically inspect the contents.


When the container was opened a total of two (2) duffel bags containing brick shaped objects were found inside. The officers discovered 50 bricks inside the bags that, when probed, tested positive for cocaine.


A similar seizure was performed about a month ago on another container also arriving from Caucedo in the Dominican Republic. San Juan Director of Field Operations, Marcelino Borges, stated: “CBP officers continue to work around the clock, day and night, to prevent contraband from entering our country. These seizures are evidence of these efforts. Our goal is to stop these illegal narcotics from reaching our communities.”


While anti-terrorism is the primary mission of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the inspection process at the ports of entry associated with this mission results in numerous enforcement activities, to include narcotics interdiction, enforcing immigration law, protecting the nation’s food supply and agriculture industry from pests and diseases, and enforcing trade laws.


U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/local/10152010_2.xml
Added on 20/10/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
WCO, INTERPOL and UNODC collaborate on illicit use of precursor chemicals
WCO, INTERPOL and UNODC collaborate on illicit use of precursor chemicals
Brussels, 18 October 2010

Press Release

Eighty-six countries joined representatives of the World Customs Organization (WCO), the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to discuss an unprecedented international effort to counter the illicit diversion and trafficking of precursor chemicals that may be used by terrorists and other criminal organizations to manufacture explosive devices.

The seminar which took place at WCO headquarters focused on increased cooperation among Customs and police agencies, the sharing of information and best practices, and collaboration on investigations. Stronger Customs/police partnerships on the ground bolstered by the support of key anti-crime stakeholders will improve the ability of frontline officials to identify, target and seize illegal shipments at land, sea and air border crossings including container facilities.

Chemicals that can be used to manufacture improvised explosive devices (IED) include ammonium nitrate, used in the 1995 bombing of a US Federal Building in Oklahoma City that killed 168 and injured over 650, and hydrogen peroxide, used in the 2005 bombing of London’s public transportation system that killed 52 and injured over 700.

According to the US National Counterterrorism Center’s 2009 Report on Terrorism, there were approximately 11,000 terrorist attacks in 83 countries, resulting in over 58,000 victims, including nearly 15,000 fatalities. IEDs were responsible for injuring almost 23,000 people in 2009 and can be employed in multiple ways; a bomb placed inside a maritime container, a car ladened with bombs, and even a suicide bomber strapped with explosives.

“Cross-border trade has to be safe and secure from threats that may hinder or damage the global trading system and innocent citizens should be protected from threats that may risk or imperil their lives,” said WCO Secretary General, Kunio Mikuriya. “The Customs community stands behind this significant effort to ensure that precursor chemicals are not traded illegally and that they do not fall into the hands of those who have no moral regard for the consequences of their trade or actions,” the Secretary General added.

“Terrorists and criminal organizations are taking chemicals that are legal commodities and using them to create devastating explosive devices,” said US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director, John Morton. “This is not just happening to servicemen, this is not just happening to Americans, it is happening to innocent people all over the world. ICE is proud to have proposed this unprecedented effort to the WCO, INTERPOL and the UNODC. By acting together, the world community is sending a resounding message that we deny terrorists and criminals the materials they use to make bombs that kill innocent people,” added Morton.

The Special Representative of INTERPOL to the European Union, Mr Pierre Reuland, said that multi-agency collaboration between INTERPOL, WCO and UNODC was vital. He said, this very effective cooperation in a spirit of complementarity and trust has led to considerable results in the fight against organized crime and terrorism in common projects and operations and INTERPOL will continue to strongly support these international efforts with our global network of 188 member states.

“Relevant experiences have been gained in building up international systems of control over precursor chemicals used in illicit drug manufacture, in particular by monitoring individual shipments in international trade in these substances, as facilitated by the International Narcotics Control Board, and through regional operations with the UNODC serving as a platform, such as Operation TARCET, targeting the trafficking of chemicals to Afghanistan through neighbouring countries,” said Akira Fujina, Special Advisor to UNODC’s Executive Director. “Relevant mechanisms thus established and experiences are available for possible application to detecting diversion of explosive precursors. Tools are also available, including the UNODC-WCO Container Control Programme, a capacity building assistance activity, which provides an effective platform for specialized training. The UNODC fully supports this initiative within its areas of competence”, Fujina concluded.

Taking chemicals that are legal commodities and using them to create devastating explosive devices is a threat to all nations but with the cooperation of countries from around the world, this global effort will ultimately safe countless lives.
http://www.wcoomd.org/press/default.aspx?lid=1&id=236
Added on 20/10/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Marshals at Guarulhos International Airport 57 years, with more than 13 kilos cocaine.
Marshals at Guarulhos International Airport 57 years, with more than 13 kilos cocaine.
.
The police opened the bags of four Nigerian and one of them found some packages for men's shirts, where the drug was hidden. We found 23 packages.

On the same day, police arrested the Italian ER, 32 years, with more than three kilograms of cocaine.
The sniffing dog signaled the possible presence of drugs in a suitcase that had been flying Aerosur.
When ripping the lining of the suitcase revealed the presence of a rubber bush. The blanket was removed and was soon sought expertise preliminary PCF, which confirmed the presence of cocaine.
Added on 04/10/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
SOCA publishes forensic drug analysis for the first time
SOCA publishes forensic drug analysis for the first time
28 September 2010

Information collected as part of a nation-wide forensic project to analyse drug seizures is now available through the SOCA website.

SOCA’s Project Endorse takes its source data from all UK police and law enforcement agencies. The analysis of the material provides a detailed picture of the physical and chemical properties of Class A and amphetamine seizures made in the UK.

This information is helping investigators and intelligence experts to cross-reference details, map activity across the country and identify links between different seizures. It provides a better understanding of the substances with which drugs are adulterated, in what proportions, and at what stage of the process. It is also providing an accurate picture of drugs markets and informing UK law enforcement activity against the trade – most recently for example by focusing effort on pharmaceutical cutting agents.

Prior to the launch of Project Endorse in October 2008, initially as a pilot, drug data collection had been incomplete, adopted varying scientific standards, and was held by numerous, sometimes hard to access, sources. Endorse provided the first single collection point, standardised the science, and is comprehensive enough to enable meaningful comparison and analysis.

Since January 2010, SOCA has issued 10 assessed reports to a wide range of national and international partners and around 100 tactical intelligence reports to UK police forces and law enforcement agencies.

For more information see our Forensic Intelligence pages.
You may also be interested in our recent news story about action against cutting agent importers.

http://www.soca.gov.uk/news/278-soca-publishes-forensic-drug-analysis-for-the-first-time

Forensic Intelligence
SOCA’s Project Endorse is a nation-wide forensic initiative to collect and analyse information from Class A and amphetamine seizures made in the UK.

Strategically, the project informs the UK Control Strategy and Programmes of Activity on drugs. Tactically, it supports law enforcement agencies investigating the national and international drugs supply.

A key element is the forensic collection plan for physical and chemical information from UK drugs seizures. The plan applies to seizures made by all UK police and law enforcement agencies and involves all major UK forensic science providers. It collects information beyond the basic evidential requirement and to a national scientific standard.

The plan:

• Applies the necessary forensic tests
• Centralises knowledge so that it can be managed appropriately
• Informs National Intelligence Requirements


Among the essential elements of the Project Endorse collection plan are:

• Identification and purity of all powdered Class A drugs and amphetamine seizures in excess of 25 grams.
• Profiling of samples of heroin from all seizures in excess of 25 grams.
• Profiling of samples of cocaine and crack from all seizures in excess of 25 grams (to March 2009).
• Profiling of samples of amphetamine from all seizures containing units of the drug in excess of 10 kilograms (in excess of 500 grams to March 2009).
• Identification of all drug and non-drug related adulterants present at concentrations over 1%, in samples of Class A drug powders and amphetamine from all seizures in excess of 25 grams.
• Identification of all non-controlled substances over 1 kilogram.

The analysis of this material provides assessed reporting on the purity levels and adulteration of heroin, cocaine and amphetamine. It also provides tactical reporting that identifies forensic links between different seizures.

Since January 2010, SOCA has issued 10 assessed reports to a wide range of national and international partners and around 100 tactical intelligence reports to UK police forces and law enforcement agencies.

Extracts from current reports are available here:

Project Endorse - Amphetamine (23.5 kB)

Project Endorse - Cocaine (24.5 kB)

Project Endorse - Heroin (22.5 kB)

SOCA will publish extracts from future reporting on this website. The information will be updated on a quarterly basis.



http://www.soca.gov.uk/threats/drugs/forensic-intelligence
Added on 04/10/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Action by the Customs Cooperation funded MILDT leads to a significant seizure of cannabis in Senegal
Action by the Customs Cooperation funded MILDT leads to a significant seizure of cannabis in Senegal
Action by the Customs Cooperation funded MILDT leads to a significant seizure of cannabis in Senegal
21/09/10

Senegalese customs services conducted in August last seizure of more than one ton of marijuana hidden aboard a container in the port of Dakar.

This significant seizure is the result of fruitful cooperation with the French customs, which in 2010 provided a training program focused on the fight against drug trafficking for the benefit of Senegalese customs. MILDT, under its international activities, has provided funding for this cooperation project implemented by the French customs.
Added on 04/10/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Man questioned over £500,000 cannabis find at Portsmouth
Man questioned over £500,000 cannabis find at Portsmouth
30 September 2010

UK Border Agency officers have seized cannabis estimated as having a street value of almost £500,000 from a lorry at Portsmouth ferry port.

The lorry, which was carrying household goods, arrived on a ferry from Santander, Spain, on Sunday 26 September.

It was searched and officers discovered an estimated 170 kgs of cannabis resin inside the trailer.

The driver, a 38-year-old UK national, was arrested and questioned at Portsmouth police station.

He has since been bailed while the UK Border Agency conducts further enquiries.

The drugs are undergoing further examination but have an estimated potential street value of £489,000.

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2010/sept/82-man-questioned-at-ports
Added on 04/10/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
CBP U.S. Border Patrol Agents Seize $4.6 Million in Cocaine
CBP U.S. Border Patrol Agents Seize $4.6 Million in Cocaine
Monday, September 27, 2010)


Blythe, Calif. – U.S. Border Patrol agents seized several bundles of cocaine hidden inside a tractor trailer at the Highway 95 checkpoint south of Quartzsite, Ariz. on Saturday.

At about 11 a.m., Border Patrol agents from the Yuma sector referred a red tractor trailer for secondary inspection when a Border Patrol canine team alerted to the trailer, indicating the likely presence of hidden persons or narcotics concealed within the trailer.


In secondary, Border Patrol agents inspected the trailer, which contained stacks of lumber, and discovered three toolboxes containing bundles of cocaine. The toolboxes were concealed within makeshift compartments constructed out of the lumber.


Agents seized a total of 57 bundles of cocaine weighing 147 pounds with an estimated street value of $4.6 million. Agents arrested the driver and passenger who were later turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration along with the semi and cocaine.


Since Oct. 1, 2009, Yuma sector Border Patrol agents have seized 624 pounds of cocaine with a total street value of nearly $20 million.


To report suspicious activity, contact the Yuma Sector Border Patrol’s toll free telephone number at (1-866) 999-8727.


U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/local/09272010_8.xml
Added on 04/10/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
The National Police through the Anti-Narcotics Division, seized a ton and 105.956 kg of cocaine hydrochloride.
The National Police through the Anti-Narcotics Division, seized a ton and 105.956 kg of cocaine hydrochloride.
The National Police through the Anti-Narcotics Division, seized a ton and 105.956 kg of cocaine hydrochloride.

Thanks to the timely information from the public and the research taking place in a permanent way to control drugs in Cartagena, it was established that the alkaloid was found inside a container of 40 feet in one of the ports city in which it was intended to take the country for 991 LE HAVRE FRANCE panels of cocaine hydrochloride.

In the controls exercised by men of the police narcotics at the Port of Cartagena, it was possible to prevent traffickers from fulfilling their goal of sending the stash by tulasi mode, 32 found inside the container belonging to criminal gangs and drug gangs in the region.

This seizure was given a major blow to these criminal groups in the Port of Cartagena, who are financed in this business that would have meant illegal gains in excess of 37 million Euros, and it confirms the Commander of the Narcotics Police Region Eight to are completed seized 4 tons of alkaloid in the last two weeks.
Added on 04/10/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
PDI seize over 27 kilos of cocaine at the port of San Antonio
PDI seize over 27 kilos of cocaine at the port of San Antonio
The drugs were transported in a ship from the Bahamas. A total of 6 foreign nationals arrested.

Six detained foreign nationals and the seizure of more than 27 kilos of cocaine hydrochloride was the result of an operation of the PDI done early Saturday in the port of San Antonio.

"Operation Pacific", conducted by detectives from the narcotics squad of the city, culminating in the arrest of MGRV, Peru, 38 years, with a tourist visa, JFMG, Colombian, 34 years, with residence and permanent residence in the country JNCM, Colombian, 25 years, with temporary residence visa, AMRM, Colombian, 34 years, with temporary residence visa, JATE, Colombian, 34 years, with temporary residence visa and JFCH, Colombian, 40 years, with visa refugee, invoked Article 34 of Decree Law No. 1094 of the Law on Foreigners, who held no police record.

According to information provided by the PDI, the seizure was achieved after the Bahamas-flagged ship "Crane Arrow" - which Costa Rica itineraries, Callao, San Antonio, Arica - arrived at the port of San Antonio, establishing that in the outer hull of the ship under the waterline, in a kind of fiberglass capsule was carrying drugs.

The drugs were removed from the site by the Peruvian arrested helped by a diver. Then, in the vicinity, it also secured the arrest of five Colombians, who were the recipients of the drug.

During the procedure achieved the seizure of 20 packs containers, 27.116 kilograms of cocaine hydrochloride.

Photo: http://diario.latercera.com/2010/10/03/01/contenido/pais/31-40381-9-pdi-decomisa-27-kilos-de-cocaina.shtml
Added on 04/10/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Over 14 tonnes of cannabis resin seized in Casablanca
Over 14 tonnes of cannabis resin seized in Casablanca
Over 14 tonnes of cannabis resin seized in Casablanca
Casablanca - Customs services at the port of Casablanca seized, Saturday, more than 14 tonnes of cannabis resin, customs sources reported.

The large quantity was hidden in a truck bound for Belgium, the source added.

It noted that the truck was also seized for investigation.
http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/general/over_14_tonnes_of_ca

NB: http://www.map.ma is the official Government Press Agency form Morocco.
Added on 04/10/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
$244,000 in Methamphetamine Seized at Checkpoint
$244,000 in Methamphetamine Seized at Checkpoint
Tuesday, September 28, 2010)


Indio, Calif. – U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Indio station thwarted a narcotics smuggling attempt at the checkpoint located on Highway 86 yesterday afternoon resulting in the seizure of nearly $250,000 worth of methamphetamines.

At approximately 12:30 p.m., a white Chevrolet pick-up truck approached the primary inspection area of the checkpoint and the driver was subsequently referred to secondary inspection. While in the secondary inspection area, a Border Patrol canine team performed a cursory inspection of the vehicle and alerted to the front end of the vehicle.


Agents transported the vehicle to the Indio Station to perform a more extensive search of the vehicle’s engine compartment. During this search, agents discovered an anomaly within the vehicle’s radiator.


Once agents drained and removed the radiator, they found several packages which contained methamphetamines. The methamphetamines had an estimated value of approximately $244,000.

The driver, vehicle, and methamphetamines were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.


U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/local/09282010_6.xml
Added on 01/10/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Sharp drop in Afghan opium production, says UNODC
Sharp drop in Afghan opium production, says UNODC
Cultivation stable, production falls and prices rise
UNODC Executive Director warns that higher prices may drive farmers to cultivate more opium
Vienna/Kabul, 30 September 2010 (UNODC) - While opium poppy cultivation remained at 2009 levels, opium production halved in 2010, says the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), 2010 Afghan Opium Survey released today.

"This is good news but there is no room for false optimism; the market may again become lucrative for poppy-crop growers so we have to monitor the situation closely," said Yury Fedotov, Executive Director of UNODC.

The bulk of cultivation continued to take place in the restive southern and western provinces of the country, according to the summary findings.

"These regions are dominated by insurgency and organized crime networks. This underscores the link between opium poppy cultivation and insecurity in Afghanistan, a trend we have observed since 2007," said Mr. Fedotov.

Cultivation stable

Opium cultivation remained stable at 123,000 hectares (ha), down from a peak of 193,000 ha in 2007, with ninety eight per cent of cultivation taking place in nine provinces in the south and west of the country. Hilmand and Kandahar took the lion's share with Hilmand alone accounting for 53 per cent of total opium cultivation in Afghanistan.

All 20 poppy-free provinces remained so in 2010 and four other provinces (Kunar, Laghman, Zabul and Hirat) were almost poppy-free.

Falling production
Total 2010 opium production is estimated at 3,600 metric tons (mt), down 48 per cent from 2009. The decrease was largely due to a plant infection hitting the major poppy-crop growing provinces of Hilmand and Kandahar particularly hard.

As a result of the damage, yield fell 48 per cent to 29.2 kilograms per hectare, from 56.1 kilograms per hectare compared with the previous year.

About 87 per cent of total opium production took place in the south (6,026 mt) and 12 per cent in the west (825 mt) in 2009.

Plant diseases are a normal occurrence all over the world. In Afghanistan, which produces 92 per cent of the world's opium, they can affect the poppy crop. The current strain attacks the roots of the plant, climbing up the stem and causing the opium capsule to wither away. These signs are similar to those observed in previous such outbreaks in the region.



Rising prices
Last year, surveys indicated that farmers were willing to consider abandoning opium cultivation due to the low price it fetched. After a steady decline from 2005 to 2009, prices are rising again, effectively reversing a steady downward trend. In 2010, the average farm-gate price of dry opium at harvest time (weighted by production) was US$ 169 per kg - a 164 per cent increase over 2009, when the price was US$ 64 per kg.

In the short run, the decline in opium production has pushed prices up. Despite the drop in overall production, the farm-gate income of opium farmers rose markedly. Now that opium is commanding high prices again, the gross income for farmers per hectare has increased by 36 per cent to US$ 4,900.

"We will have to monitor price trends for several months to gain a true indication of how the opium market will be affected by the drop in production this year", said Mr. Fedotov. "If prices continue to rise, this will indicate a supply shortage in the market and if prices flatten or decline, this will indicate that stockpiles accumulated from the last few years' over-production are beginning to enter the market".

Compounding the problem was the low price of wheat, an important alternative crop. "We are concerned that in combination with the high price of opium, a low wheat price may also drive farmers back to opium cultivation" said Mr. Fedotov.

Eradication was at its lowest level since the monitoring system started in 2005. The Afghan Minister of Counter-Narcotics and UNODC verified that governor-led programmes had eradicated a total of 2,316 ha. Although Hilmand saw the highest number of hectares eradicated (1,602 ha), that figure was dwarfed by the scale of opium cultivation in that province (65,045 ha).

Once again, the human toll was high. Although the number of attacks against governor-led eradication teams decreased this year, they suffered 28 fatalities, against 21 witnessed in 2009.

Shared international responsibility
Mr. Fedotov called for a comprehensive strategy to rein in the Afghan opium threat, including by strengthening the rule of law and security, and spurring development efforts. "Corruption and drug trafficking feed upon each other and undermine any development effort in Afghanistan. We must continue to encourage the Afghan government to crack down on corruption.

More robust regional cooperation was essential to contain the illicit drugs trade, said Mr. Fedotov. "In confronting the threat posed by Afghan opium, we must not forget that this is a global problem, one that affects both health and security in many countries around the world. Thus our responses should not be limited to Afghanistan itself, or even to the major countries affected by the opium trade", he stressed.

The first priority was to curb demand. "We must not forget the consumer side of opium's deadly equation. Unless we reduce the demand for opium and heroin, our interventions against supply will not be effective. As long as demand drives this market, there will always be another farmer to replace one we convince to stop cultivating, and another trafficker to replace one we catch."

"We need a broader strategy to support farmers throughout Afghanistan by providing them with access to markets and a secure environment. Stability and security, combined with sustainable alternative development opportunities, will give farmers the chance to make a living without resorting to opium poppy cultivation", said Mr. Fedotov.

http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/press/releases/2010/September/sharp-drop-in-afghan-opium-production-says-unodc.html?fp=pr1
Added on 01/10/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
New Method To Detect Cocaine Stored In Alcohol - From Outside The Bottle
New Method To Detect Cocaine Stored In Alcohol - From Outside The Bottle
Main Category: Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal Drugs
Article Date: 30 Sep 2010 - 4:00 PDT

In two landmark studies published in the journal Drug Testing and Analysis (DTA), UK and Swiss research teams reveal two techniques proven to identify dissolved cocaine in bottles of wine or rum. These tools will allow customs officials to quickly identify bottles being used to smuggle cocaine, without the need to open or disturb the container.

Cocaine is among the most common drugs of abuse and a large number of imaginative techniques of smuggling cocaine through border controls have been reported in recent years. One of the latest techniques involves smuggling cocaine dissolved in liquids, which led to the death of a UK man last year after unknowingly drinking from a contaminated bottle of rum. It is currently impossible for customs to check alcohols for cocaine without physically opening the bottle and causing damage, which is difficult in large or expensive alcohol shipments. Furthermore, a non-invasive approach has the advantage that it would not arouse the smuggler's suspicions and therefore would allow investigators to track the recipient.

The techniques described in the DTA papers utilise Raman spectroscopy (RS), which uses laser light to identify molecules, and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), which is the technique behind clinical MRI scanners. Both techniques were able to identify levels of cocaine far lower than the levels commonly used in smuggling.

The RS study was carried out by researchers from the Universities of Bradford and Leeds in the UK and used a portable scanner to test cocaine dissolved in ethanol and several branded light and dark rums, in a variety of coloured glass containers; clear, brown, light green and dark green. The cocaine was detectable in all liquids tested and through all of the glass colours.

"Until now it has been difficult to detect cocaine in liquid form in these environments. However our study shows that using an analytical technique such as Raman spectroscopy can successfully detect the presence of these drugs without removing specimens from their containers," said Dr. Tasnim Munshi, one of the researchers based at the University of Bradford. "We believe a portable Raman instrument will prove vital in the fight against illegal drug smuggling by allowing for the fast and effective screening of different solutions over a very short space of time."
The MRS study was carried out by a Swiss team, led by Dr. Giulio Gambarota of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne. The researchers used a MRI scanner to test wine bottles contaminated by cocaine. The MRI scanner is not portable but can test large cargos at once in a few minutes, including set up and evaluation of the results.

"By fostering collaboration between police or customs officials and a local medical department, this technique can be used to evaluate large numbers of bottles in a short time, giving information not only that there is another substance in the alcohol as with current scanning techniques, but exactly what that substance is," said Gambarota. "This method could also be used in other sorts of smuggling where drugs are dissolved into liquids, so there are many further opportunities for use."

Source:
Jennifer Beal
Wiley-Blackwell
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/203004.php
Added on 01/10/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Chemical analysis traces Brazil's trafficked cocaine
Chemical analysis traces Brazil's trafficked cocaine
12:52 28 September 2010 by Wendy Zukerman
Brazilian federal police have used chemical profiling to determine that cocaine is being trafficked into the country via new routes.

They are now compiling the most comprehensive database of the chemical fingerprints of illicit drugs in South America, which will be used to pinpoint where the cocaine is originally made.

While the chemical profiling of illicit drugs is not new, the machinery required for chemical analysis had been prohibitively expensive for most South American forensic laboratories, says Claude Roux, professor of chemistry and forensic science at the University of Technology in Sydney, Australia.

Cheaper profiling
Recent advancements in the technology – specifically in mass spectrometers – have made the equipment more affordable, however.

Michael Collins at the National Measurement Institute in Australia says chemical profiling has become standard practice in the US, Australia and much of Europe and Japan, but South America's adoption of the technology will be crucial to the war on drugs.

Approximately 65 per cent of the cocaine smuggled into the United States was originally made in south and Central America. The ability to link seizures to specific drug trafficking rings in the region will improve intelligence-gathering and help prosecute those responsible, says Collins.

Sniffing out the trail
Cocaine usually reaches Brazil from its northern neighbours, Colombia, Peru and Bolivia. But the chemical profiles of 112 cocaine seizures in four Brazilian states in 2006 suggest that the drug is beginning to enter Brazil from Paraguay.

Cocaine seized in the northern Brazilian state of Amazonas and the central state of Rondônia matched chemical profiles of different sets of samples collected in the southern state of Mato Grosso do Sul, which borders Paraguay.

Jorge Zacca of the Brazilian Federal Police National Institute of Criminalistics and colleagues examined compounds in the seized cocaine called minor alkaloids, which are found in the leaves of the coca plant. The alkaloids change subtly depending on the species of coca, where it was grown, the age of the cocaine and how it was stored. The team also analysed the solvents present in the drug as a residue of the purifying process.

The technique is "very effective for linking seizures", says Zacca. Unfortunately, it cannot reveal the geographical origin of the drugs, so it is unknown if the drugs are being made in Paraguay, or being transported via new routes that go through the Paraguay from Peru or Colombia.

This is partly because there is no comprehensive database in South America to compare the chemical signatures of seized drugs with samples of known origins. Zacca is using the new chemical profiles to compile such a database.

Zacca presented the results at the International Symposium on Forensic Sciences in Sydney, Australia, earlier this month.

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn19507-chemical-analysis-traces-brazils-trafficked-cocaine.html?DCMP=OTC-rss&nsref=health
Added on 29/09/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Iranian man arrested allegedly with 5.7 kgs of 'ice'
Iranian man arrested allegedly with 5.7 kgs of 'ice'
An Iranian man was arrested the Suvarnabhumi International Airport Monday morning after customs officials found 5.7 kilogrammes of 'ice' drug hidden in a microwave oven allegedly carried by him.

Feizollahi Adel, 25, was arrested shortly after he arrived on Emirates Airlines Flight EK374 from Dubai at 8:30 am.

Acting on tip-off, customs officials checked his luggage and found the crystal methamphetamine hydrochloride hidden inside the microwave oven.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/401364-iranian-man-arrested-at-suvarnabhumi-with-57kgs-of-ice/
Added on 28/09/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Five arrested over $12.5 million cocaine haul
Five arrested over $12.5 million cocaine haul
Release Date: September 23, 2010

Five people will face Sydney Central Local Court today, charged by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) in connection with the attempt to import approximately 50 kilograms of cocaine into Australia.

On 18 September 2010, during examination of a sea cargo container which arrived in Sydney from Panama, Customs and Border Protection located a number of bags containing 49 blocks, each block weighing approximately one kilogram.

These blocks were found to consist of a compressed white powder. AFP Forensics presumptive testing of the compressed white powder returned a positive result for the presence of cocaine.

A joint taskforce investigation involving the AFP, NSW Police, Customs and the Australian Crime Commission was commenced.

Yesterday, police searched premises in Mount Annan and Minto and two vehicles in the Sydney metropolitan area.

AFP National Manager Serious and Organised Crime Kevin Zuccato said, “this investigation is an excellent example of the collaboration between Australian law enforcement agencies targeting serious and organised crime”.

Customs and Border Protection National Director Enforcement and Investigations, Roxanne Kelley, said that, "the fact that these harmful and illicit drugs did not reach the streets of Australia, is significant."

The following persons have been charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, namely cocaine, contrary to section 307.5 by virtue of section 11.1 of the Criminal Code Act 1995:

a 40-year-old Hurstville Grove man
a 34-year-old Brighton Le-Sands man
a 38-year-old Minto woman
a 38-year-old Currumbin (Qld) man
In addition, a 39-year-old Bardwell Park man was charged with aiding and abetting the possession of a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, contrary to section 307.5 by virtue of section 11.2 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.

The maximum penalty for these offences is life imprisonment.
Added on 27/09/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Shipment of 15,432 bongs disguised as lamps seized by US Customs officers
Shipment of 15,432 bongs disguised as lamps seized by US Customs officers
by khou.com staff

kvue.com

Posted on September 24, 2010 at 9:58 AM


HOUSTON¡ªMore than 15,400 bongs disguised as lamps were seized Thursday by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Houston.

The officers said they were inspecting 808 cartons full of the purported lamps when they discovered the items didn¡¯t even have the most basic elements that would enable them to function as a light source.

Officers said when they looked closer at the items, they found peel-off labels that were concealing holes. The holes allowed the items to be used as bongs.

In the U.S., it¡¯s illegal to import or export drug paraphernalia.

"With greater enforcement, criminal organizations are increasingly inventing creative methods for smuggling illegal items," said Jeffrey O. Baldwin Sr., Houston CBP director of Field Operations.¡¡ "This seizure is the result of improved technology and intelligence and illustrates our commitment to facilitating legitimate trade while intercepting prohibited items."

It wasn¡¯t the first bong shipment discovered by officers. In July, a shipment of more than 2,400 bongs was seized.

Both bong shipments originated from China, officials said.

The bongs will be turned over to the Customs and Border Protection seized property office, where they will be destroyed.

http://www.kvue.com/news/state/Shipment-of-15432-bongs-disguised-as-lamps-seized-by-US-Customs-officers-103713439.html
Added on 27/09/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Two years in prison for 88.6 kilos of cannabis found at Snitch
Two years in prison for 88.6 kilos of cannabis found at Snitch
posted on 24.09.2010 6:45 p.m.

A Dutch 60 years, held today in immediate trial by the Criminal Court of Dole for the transportation and illegal possession of cannabis, was sentenced to two years in prison. He was arrested by Customs on Wednesday on the RN83 to Spy, with 88.6 kilos of cannabis.

Today in the Criminal Court of Dole, Robert Soemodihardjo, 60, was tried for the transportation and illegal detention of 88.6 kg of cannabis resin. Dutch, he was born in Surinam and living in Amsterdam. He was assisted by an interpreter at the hearing.
The man has been monitoring 22 September, on a roundabout on the N83 at Snitch. Officers of the Customs Police Besançon, found the goods in the trunk of his Ford Mondeo. It is for the Customs, the largest seizure of cannabis resin produced in Franche-Comté this year. The man began his trip last Monday to Toulon, and it is on the return, therefore Snitch, he was stopped.
The court has recognized Robert Soemodihardjo guilty, sentenced to 2 years imprisonment and issue a warrant. He allowed customs operations and condemns the accused to a fine of 175,000 euros. His vehicle and seals have been confiscated
Added on 27/09/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
'Drugs in laptops' smuggling syndicate crippled
'Drugs in laptops' smuggling syndicate crippled
'Drugs in laptops' smuggling syndicate crippled

Friday, 24 September 2010 10:06

BUTTERWORTH - The Customs Department has crippled an international drug distribution syndicate which used laptop computers to smuggle drugs.

The modus operandi was by claiming the computers were for export but actually the components had been removed and replaced with packet of drugs instead.

Customs Assistant Director-General of Enforcement Ismail Ibrahim said the tactic was, however, exposed when a Customs enforcement team raided two unnumbered premises and three sheds in a durian orchard in Batu Ferringhi, Teluk Bahang near here yesterday.

"From public information and intelligence reports since Sept 4, a team of Customs officers from the anti-narcotics branch in Sungai Petani and Penang conducted an operation in the area at 12.25pm," he told a media conference here Thursday.

He said the enforcement team at first found several units of the computer which were left in one of the unnumbered premises, and on inspection of its contents were found to be heroin.

In the other premises, the custom team found several powdered substances believed to be drugs weighing 15.281 kilogrammes valued at RM3 million. - Bernama

http://www.malaysianmirror.com/media-buzz-detail/6-nation/49514-drugs-in-laptops-smuggling-syndicate-crippled-
Added on 27/09/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Arrests after £8m of cannabis found on boat set for UK
Arrests after £8m of cannabis found on boat set for UK
£8m of cannabis destined for the UK streets seized
20 September 2010

In a joint operation with SOCA and the Middle Market Drugs Partnership (MMDP), Spanish National Police (SNP) intercepted a yacht carrying more than 2.8 tonnes of cannabis on Friday. Had the gang succeeded in selling the cannabis on the UK streets it would have realised around £8m.

The operation targeted a British organised crime group based in Malaga who hired a catamaran, the Cariro 2, to transport the cannabis from Morocco to the UK.

On Friday, armed officers from the SNP boarded the catamaran while it was midway between Morocco and Spain, and apprehended the crew members. Additional arrests were made in Marbella. Three British men and one British woman are now being questioned by Spanish Police, along with three Moroccan men and one Moroccan woman.

Two men from St Leonards-on-Sea in Sussex and a man from Oxshott in Surrey were arrested in the UK under European Arrest Warrants by officers from the MMDP. They are believed to represent the UK distribution end of the group. Approximately half a million pounds in cash was also recovered from the address in Oxshott. They now face extradition to Spain and will appear at Westminster Magistrates Court this week.

Ken Gallagher, head of European operations for SOCA, said: "This operation demonstrates the value of effective partnerships when it comes to protecting the UK. The continued effort to target UK crime groups based overseas is key to ensuring that the UK is not a soft target for drug traffickers."

The huge haul was made up of 2.71 tonnes of cannabis resin and 100 kilos of high grade skunk cannabis.

The MMDP also received assistance from the Sussex police force.
http://www.soca.gov.uk/news/274-p8m-of-cannabis-destined-for-the-uk-streets-seized

Arrests after £8m of cannabis found on boat set for UK

21 September 2010

Two Sussex men and one from Surrey face extradition to Spain after a boat with £8m of cannabis destined for the UK was stopped between Morocco and Spain.
It follows an operation between the Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca), the Middle Market Drugs Partnership (MMDP), and Spanish National Police.

The catamaran was taking 2.8 tonnes of cannabis from Morocco to the UK when it was boarded by armed police on Friday.

The three men were held in the UK and are due before Westminster magistrates.

The trio, two from St Leonards-on-Sea and one from Oxshott, are believed to represent the UK distribution end of the group.

Cash seized

They were arrested under European Arrest Warrants by officers from the MMDP, with assistance from Sussex Police.

Approximately £500,000 in cash was also recovered from the address in Oxshott.

Soca said the catamaran, the Cariro 2, had been hired by a British-organised crime group based in Malaga.

During the operation, the crew members were arrested, while additional arrests were made in Marbella.

Three British men and one British woman are now being questioned by Spanish police, along with three Moroccan men and one Moroccan woman.

The drugs haul was made up of 2.71 tonnes of cannabis resin and 100 kilos of high-grade skunk cannabis.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-11381422


La Policía Nacional y la SOCA británica interceptan ahora un catamarán con 3.200 kilos de hachís


22-09-2010

La solidez de la colaboración anglo-española contra los traficantes internacionales arroja espectaculares resultados: más de 17 toneladas de estupefaciente incautadas y 170 detenidos en 14 operaciones de la Policía española y la agencia británica

Mallorca – Marruecos – Inglaterra era la ruta que seguía la embarcación hasta ser abordada y detener a sus dos tripulantes, en un dispositivo junto a la Agencia Tributaria

Pertenecían a una red de narcotráfico a gran escala que ha sido desmantelada en una operación internacional en la que también ha colaborado el Servicio de Aduanas francés. En total hay 13 detenidos: diez en España y otros tres en Reino Unido, destino final de la droga

El principal líder cumplía pena de prisión y dirigía las actividades del grueso de la red, formado por ciudadanos británicos asentados en la Costa del Sol

A las 12 horas habrá un encuentro informativo con los responsables de la operación en el Complejo Policial de Canillas, en la calle Julián González Segador s/n de Madrid
Added on 23/09/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Ghostship with drugs stopped in Red Sea
Ghostship with drugs stopped in Red Sea
An alarm signal was received by security officials in the Egyptian port of Suez. The crew of a ship reported on the appearance of a strange ship that moved with identification lights off and did not respond to radio signals. With that the navy ship was moving through a strange path that could pose a real threat to shipping in the region.

To confirm the information was sent a patrol boat. Indeed they found a suspicious ship had no signs of identification and which ordered him to stop and receive shipboard control equipment. However, the ship continued sailing at the same rate, keeping radio silence, and not complied with the order of security agents.

The officers finally managed to encircle and to board the ship. We reviewed all the facilities but found no one.

On board the cargo ship was found quite valuable, but illegal: 44 sacks of cannabis and more than 2,500 tons of chemicals that could be used for the synthesis of narcotics. The total price of the cargo seized was estimated at three million Egyptian pounds ($ 600,000).

According to RIA Novosti news agency, now the ship has been towed to a dock at the port of Suez.

The military and police are continuing investigations to determine who owns the mysterious ship and where it was headed.
Added on 23/09/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
PF seizes 150 kilos of cocaine paste in Pirassununga
PF seizes 150 kilos of cocaine paste in Pirassununga
PF seizes 150 kilos of cocaine paste in Pirassununga

The Federal Police in Araraquara and Highway Police seized about 150 bricks of cocaine base paste, equivalent to just over 150 pounds on Saturday morning, Pirassununga, about 210 km from Sao Paulo. The drug was hidden in the false bottom of a truck carrying recyclable materials.

The first information was that the vehicle left Rondonopolis, Mato Grosso, and headed for the neighborhood Itaim Bibi, Sao Paulo, but the Federal Police said that the drug, possibly came from the South. The folder was in a bag he had in identifying the name of the city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia.

Two days ago, the Federal Police of Araraquara tracked the path of the truck carrying the drug. PF managed to arrest the trucker in the act, near a police station on Highway Road Anhanguera in Pirassununga. The driver of 47 years is the Greater Sao Paulo and had been arrested for trafficking in flagrant was arrested. The confiscated drugs were sent to the Federal Police in Araraquara
Added on 23/09/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
DNCD seized 155 kilos of cocaine would be shipped to Puerto Rico
DNCD seized 155 kilos of cocaine would be shipped to Puerto Rico
SANTO DOMINGO .- The National Drugs Control (DNCD) last night held a cargo of 155 kilos of cocaine that would be sent to Puerto Rico from the Haina Oriental spring enrollment in a Jamaican ship, arrested three people and actively pursues two others allegedly involved in the case.

Those arrested were Mark Eliezer Nova García, 29, Agustín Martínez Berroa, 35, and another whose name was not given.

The escapees are Jose Manuel Rosario, an employee of the shipping agency "Henriquez & Partners", and Alejandro Felipe Alvarado, an inspector of the company look Haina International Terminals (HIT).

The intelligence services of the DNCD from earlier this year watching the movements of Nova García been determined to be linked to drug trafficking activities by the Haina port, using his status Vessel inspector HIT, reported a few times DNCD.

Berroa Martinez is employed by the shipping agency "Maritime Dominican and Medina Montero security supervisor of the spring.

According to the official version, and Berroa Nova García Martínez introduced the loading on a 40-foot motorboat would be addressed in the "CFS Pamplona", for the neighboring island of Puerto Rico.

Around 5:00 pm on Sunday an operational team comprising DNCD and junior officers and agents went to the kilometer 13 of the Carretera Sanchez, in front of the National Police detachment.

In this place were arrested and Berroa Nova García Martínez, who were driving a Mitsubishi Montero SUV, gold plate, G188589, inside which were allegedly held a gun and a union card drivers.

Authorities subsequently moved to the dock, where two hours later, in the presence of a prosecutor, proceeded to inspect containers that would be shipped last night on the MV "CFS Pamplona" Jamaican flag, identifying the container TRIU5885304, 40 feet, entered the company "Global Burden, SA, which was in the courtyard of export containers, the 154 packs a presumably white powder cocaine or heroin.

The packages were distributed in five packages of black as follows: 36, 29, 29, 30 and 30, one hundred with transparent tape covered with fat and 54 involved with gray tape.

The container was removed the door to introduce the drug, last Friday night, approximately between 8:30 and 9:00.

MV in said last April were seized 16 packages of marijuana, so the crew was investigated.

The captain is Bulgarian Zhivko Tomov. Other crew members are of Russian nationality, Ukrainian, Turkish, Peruvian and Jamaican.
Added on 22/09/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Arrive at Cadiz, on board a sailboat, the largest cocaine haul of the year
Arrive at Cadiz, on board a sailboat, the largest cocaine haul of the year
The National Police boarded the vessel at sea that was towed by a Navy ship to Props

21.09.10

'The Flibuste' is not a pirate boat, though his name evokes the filibuster or privateers who centuries ago were strong in the Caribbean Sea. Encyclopaedias say that his specialty was to attack on land and not approach the high seas. The vessel remained docked at the pier yesterday Puntales was by no pirate, although it was addressed. In this case, was a specialized team of police who shot to take over his command. Her major stash of cocaine that has been downloaded from Cadiz ground so far this year. A romantic picture that kept the profile of a picturesque sailboat near the dock. Something other than what he kept in a its guts.
The central UDYCO Madrid has led with great secrecy a cosmetic exercise to a few miles from Cadiz. On Saturday, about six o'clock, a team of seven troops of the GEO (special operations group) received the order to board a sailboat located about four miles from the coast. They had days following and were expecting to move nearer to the Spanish coast to intercept. The police operation that began to develop at sea contrasted with the stillness that lived on the shore, when the towns began to stretch. Time of collision was very fast, sources confirmed the case. At that point of the coast had also joined a Navy ship had been advised to take charge of towing the boat to Struts.
Within the sailboat, named 'La Flibuste', carrying three men, one Spanish and two French nationals who were arrested by police. They stayed on board guarded by three agents who watched as the ship was towed to the base of Struts. At around eleven o'clock arrived at the port and thereafter began a comprehensive tally of the boat.
This work lasted for about nine hours because the drugs were hidden in a false ceiling. The previous investigations of the National Police, which takes months to investigate the network to move this shipment, I knew the ship was laden with cocaine. The same sources explained to this newspaper that the actors had to open several holes in the hull and the cabin until they found the goods: 1,500 kilos of white powder on the black market is worth over 90 million euros ( This figure is an example, with reference to the average price of a gram).
The drug was placed in a false ceiling made on a cabin. Although the inspection did not stop until it was ruled that funds would more double charged on the boat.
After eight pm, the drug and the three detainees were taken to police headquarters in Cadiz where they were in police custody until the early hours this morning. Both the drug and the three arrested were sent to Madrid as a central court of the capital that is dealing the cause is not yet closed.
It is still unknown whether the shipment was to be introduced by Cadiz and the boat was scheduled to dock at another point on the Spanish coast. Marinas, which have little supervision, have for years exploited by drug traffickers. The 1,500 kilos seized Saturday is the first large cache Cadiz downloaded so far this year and the fourth of the decade.
Added on 22/09/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Seized drug purporting to be drawn from the city by the bus terminal and seaport
Seized drug purporting to be drawn from the city by the bus terminal and seaport
By: RCN Cartagena News
Transport terminal in Cartagena drug officials were able to seize 11 kilograms of cocaine that a person carrying a suitcase and intended to circumvent security controls.

This person was judicialized and made available to competent authorities.

On the other side of this seaport town was also seized a cargo of cocaine hydrochloride with an approximate weight of 45 kilos, which were hidden in metal tubes that drug traffickers wanted to send scrap in a container on board a motorboat with for Barcelona Spain.

In this procedure there were no catches, that the contraband was found inside a container, authorities confirmed.


http://www.rcnradio.com/noticias/locales/20-09-10/incautan-droga-que-pretend-ser-sacada-de-la-ciudad-por-la-terminal-de-tran
Added on 22/09/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Feds seize more than 9 pounds of cocaine and holds a Portuguese
Feds seize more than 9 pounds of cocaine and holds a Portuguese
20/09/2010

Federal police arrested the International Airport of Guarulhos, in the last 17 days, the Portuguese JCTN, 50 years, with more than nine kilograms of cocaine. The total net mass of dust, totaled more than eight pounds.

The drugs were inside a package wrapped in a transparent plastic sheet of carbon paper, in dress shirts. Were located 26 shirts.


The federal work performed to prevent and combat trafficking in drugs, while the dog sniffed the bag Jaffar JCTN The luggage would follow for Portugal.
Added on 22/09/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
The National Police assaulted a sailboat at sea with more than 1,500 kilos of cocaine
The National Police assaulted a sailboat at sea with more than 1,500 kilos of cocaine
In a joint investigation with the UK SOCA

The drug came from Trinidad and Tobago and their destination was a marina on the Spanish coast

The three crewmen of the ship have been arrested, a Spanish and two French


21-September-2010 .- National Police agents have intercepted a sailboat at sea with more than 1,500 kilograms of cocaine. The research was conducted in collaboration with the British Serious Organise Crime Agency (SOCA). The ship, British flag, came from Trinidad and Tobago and been addressed off Portuguese by assault team Panel Operations National Police GEO, that visited zone aboard a Patrolman Spanish Armada.

The investigation began earlier this month to be aware that the said vessel, called "The Flibuste" had sailed from Port of Spain in the Caribbean islands, to go to a marina on the Spanish coast. From there proceed gradually, to remove the goods for distribution.

After the assault boat stopped all three crew members, one Spanish and two French nationals. In the subsequent registration of the vessel with three masts and 30 meters in length, were found 1,515 kilos of cocaine hidden in a false ceiling of two forward cabins, for which it took the intervention of specialists GOITO.

The boat has been moved to the port of Cadiz where registration has been completed.

The operation was conducted by the Central Narcotics Brigade of the Central UDYCO, attached to the Judicial Police Commissioner-General, supported the Special Operations Group (GEO) and the Operations Group and Intervention Techniques (GOITO).

Photo yacht: http://www.elpais.com/fotografia/espana/velero/fue/hallada/cocaina/elpdiaesp/20100921elpepunac_4/Ies/

Video from retreiving the cocaine from the concealment: http://www.policia.es/AMPLIACION/video/v_100921_1.htm
Added on 22/09/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
U.S. agents seize 125 kilos of cocaine shipped from Dominican port
U.S. agents seize 125 kilos of cocaine shipped from Dominican port
17-09-2010

Caucedo.
SAN JUAN.- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers screening cargo containers on Thursday discovered 125 kilos of cocaine while performing inspectional duties on a vessel arriving from the Dominican Republic port of Caucedo, where the major drug shipments are often confiscated.

The officers noticed an anomaly on one of the containers and selected it for further inspection. Using non-intrusive devices, they examined further and based on their findings decided to open and physically inspect the contents.

When the container was opened a total of four (4) duffel bags containing brick shaped objects were found inside. A CBP canine alerted positive to the odor of narcotics. The officers discovered 108 bricks inside the bags that, when probed, tested positive for cocaine.

Maria Palmer, San Juan Area Port Director, stated: “This significant seizure is the result of the excellent performance of officers in the field, combined with the use of available technology and resources. It shows a commitment to secure our nation’s borders and to prevent contraband from entering our country.”

While anti-terrorism is the primary mission of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the inspection process at the ports of entry associated with this mission results in numerous enforcement activities, to include narcotics interdiction, enforcing immigration law, protecting the nation’s food supply and agriculture industry from pests and diseases, and enforcing trade laws.

http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/world/2010/9/17/37007/US-agents-seize-125-kilos-of-cocaine-shipped-from-Dominican-port
Added on 20/09/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Maritime schools required to teach anti-drug measures
Maritime schools required to teach anti-drug measures
AS A MEASURE AGAINST 'DRUG MULES'
Maritime schools required to teach anti-drug measures

INQUIRER.net First Posted 12:27:00 09/19/2010

MANILA, Philippines—The country’s maritime training schools and centers are now required to include in their maritime courses for seafarers topics on prevention of alcohol and drugs abuse in the maritime sector (Padams) and personal safety and social responsibility (PSSR).

The move, according to the Department of Labor and Employment’s Maritime Training Council (MTC) executive director officer-in-charge Clifford Paragua, is provided for under MTC Memorandum Circular 07 Series of 2010, and is aimed at addressing concerns about Filipino seafarers suspected of acting as drug couriers.

“The MTC move to include the specified topics on Padams and PSSR in maritime education is aimed at addressing the growing concerns in the maritime industry regarding Filipino seafarers suspected of being drug mules,” Paragua said.

He added that it complements the DoLE’s strong push in implementing the 22-point labor and employment agenda of President Benigno S. Aquino III, particularly on expanding the welfare and protection of overseas Filipino workers, including seafarers, which comprise 11 items in the agenda.

According to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Asia (PDEA), in Asia alone, there are a total of 302 drug-related cases involving Filipinos. Most of the cases are in China (205), Hong Kong (26), and Malaysia (17). Most of the Filipinos caught were lured to act as “drug mules” by international drug syndicates.

Of the Filipinos involved in drug-related cases in China, five have been meted the death penalty without reprieve, while 70 were sentenced to death but with a two-year reprieve. There are 35 cases given life imprisonment sentences, 68 with fixed-term imprisonment, and 27 pending cases.

Paragua explained that the training modules on Padams and PSSR intend to educate and warn maritime students and seafarers enrolled in upgrading courses against alcohol and drug abuse and drug smuggling which certainly are detrimental to their lives, health, and employment.

The Padams module covers discussions on drugs and drug dependence, policies, and programs on drugs in the maritime sector while the PSSR module covers company, regional, national, and international rules and regulations on the use and carrying of prohibited drugs and alcohol.

The MTC official explained that the inclusion of the topics in the Padams and PSSR training modules are needed to emphasize to seafarers not only problems related to alcohol and drug use on board but also the issues on commercial ships being utilized for drug smuggling operations.

“In the discussion of these topics, maritime training schools should emphasize the policies that exist in various levels and the associated sanctions and penalties, as well as the responsibilities, of the seafarers in helping ensure that their ship is not utilized for illegal activities,” he explained.

The Philippine government has initiated many programs to curtail the recruitment and involvement of Filipinos as drug mules, but it said there must even be a stronger emphasis on personal responsibility on the part of Filipinos going abroad not to get involved or not let themselves be victimized by unscrupulous individuals, whether they may be Filipino or foreigners.
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view/20100919-293129/Maritime-schools-required-to-teach-anti-drug-measures
Added on 20/09/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Federal police seized last night in Rio Grande, a truck containing 522 kilos of cocaine in his trunk.
Federal police seized last night in Rio Grande, a truck containing 522 kilos of cocaine in his trunk.
Federal police seized last night, 13 in a deposit of sharps in Rio Grande, a truck containing 522 kilos of cocaine in his trunk. The large volume of drugs would have Europe as a destination, route, facilitated by the existing port city in this state.

Twenty-five officers from the states of Panará, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul participated in the operation, with five arrested in flagrante delicto, three of them foreigners.

The drug was brought to the Regional Superintendent of Rio Grande do Sul, escorted by about 10 cars on the afternoon of 15 where he stayed until his investigation and forwarded for future incinerat

http://www7.pf.gov.br/DCS/noticias/2010/Setembro/14092010_cocainaRS.html

This year alone, the Federal Police broke up two gangs in Rio Grande international drug trafficking. In the first seizure, which occurred on June 19, were seized 60 kilograms of cocaine. In the late afternoon of Tuesday, 14 federal police seized 522.17 kilograms of cocaine of high purity. This was the largest cocaine seizure ever in the city and the largest in New South Wales since 1993. According to information collected by this reporter, the value of the drugs is estimated at $ 4.7 million.

In the operation were arrested by the feds a Spaniard, a couple of Colombians and two Brazilians. Besides the drugs were also seized two cars, an Audi A3, with cards of Rio Grande, and a Fiat Palio.

The police chief John Manuel Vieira Filho, head of PF in Rio Grande, said federal agents were investigating the Porto Alegre sending drugs through the Port of Rio Grande to Europe, where they received information that a large shipment of cocaine would be brought to the City and embarked on a ship bound for the old continent.

With the confirmation that the drug would be brought to Rio Grande, an operation that was mounted with the participation of 25 federal agents from three states, Paraná, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul, all specialized in combating drug trafficking.

According to the delegate Vieira, about three days ago when the Ford truck, plates BXG-8063, St. Peter (SP), left the road, federal police began to accompany him to the city.

On entering the town, the truck was escorted to a warehouse located outside the state highway ERS-734, near the entrance to the Campus Furg. After the feds have confirmation that they were responsible for loading the tank, the approach was performed.

The 522 kg of cocaine were hidden inside a false bottom in the truck, packed in 18 bales, distributed in tablets with approximately 1 kg each.

The warehouse where the drugs were found was used to store grain and meal for about two years had been rented by a Spaniard, identified as Carlos Valls Prats, 54. Besides Spanish Colombians were arrested Arcadio Quincho Francisco Osorio, 38, and Elvira Sanchez Plazas, 39. Also arrested were the Brazilians Antônio Fernando General, 64, driver of the truck and the natural state of Parana and Ricardo Antonio Ayala, 47, the state of Amazonas.

The operation also had assistance from the Military Police, who used sniffer dogs to search for more drugs in bags of soybean meal, stored on site.

The accused were under arrest in the act and were taken to provide testimony at the Federal Police Headquarters, were collected after the State Penitentiary in Rio Grande (Perg).

Vieira also said a federal police convoy escorting a vehicle with 522 kg of cocaine learned. The drug was taken to the Regional Superintendent of PF, in Porto Alegre, to undergo a skill and then to be cremated.
Added on 20/09/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Mounties seize 7 tonnes of hash in Montreal
Mounties seize 7 tonnes of hash in Montreal
Container Used to Carry Approximately 7 Tons of Cannabis Resin Seized
Montréal, Wednesday, September 15, 2010 – On September 12, 2010, members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Montréal Drug Section, seized a suspicious container in LaSalle. The container, bearing number HJCU 8291013, had been left on a tractor-trailer outside in a storage centre. It was used to carry approximately 7 tons of cannabis resin.

The cannabis resin was concealed in boxes containing denim products. The investigation is ongoing.

This significant quantity of drugs was intercepted before it could be distributed in our communities. The RCMP is asking for the public’s assistance in reporting any information likely to contribute to the investigation. Citizens are invited to contact RCMP investigators at 514 939-8313.

http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/qc/nouv-news/com-rel/2010/09/100915-eng.htm



Mounties seize 7 tonnes of hash in Montreal
Last Updated: Wednesday, September 15, 2010 | 8:00 PM ET
The Mounties have seized a container packed with enough hashish — about seven tonnes — to intoxicate a country as large as Canada.

Police in Montreal discovered the seven-million-gram hashish stash in an abandoned trailer in the LaSalle borough on the weekend, the RCMP said.

"It's a big one," said RCMP spokesman Cpl. Luc Thibault, describing the cache of hash bricks, each about the size of a laptop computer, found boxed and wrapped in denim clothing. "It's black and compact, like Plasticine."

The Mounties say the whole trailer was packed with boxes of the illegal substance, which is a resin-like paste derived from cannabis leaves, seeds and stems.

The seizure is the largest one the Montreal-based RCMP detachment can remember, Thibault said, declining to put an exact dollar figure on the stash. "There's a lot of money involved in that — especially the street value. That's for sure."

According to a 2007 RCMP drug report, hash was selling at an average $10 per gram on the street.

Demand for hash is highest in eastern urban centres, primarily Montreal and Toronto.

Police said they received a call from someone about a trucking container sitting in a storage lot in the west-end borough.

Officers moved in on the weekend after obtaining a search warrant.

Authorities are asking for public help to drum up new leads in their investigation. No arrests have been made. Reports suggest the hashish originated in Pakistan, one of the world's leading producers of the cannabinoid resin.

Morocco, Afghanistan, Nepal, India and Jamaica are also large hash producers.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2010/09/15/hashish-bust-cp.html
Added on 17/09/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Heroin seized in the Caribbean Sea
Heroin seized in the Caribbean Sea
Heroin seized in the Caribbean Sea

Guard units from the Navy seized more than four kilos of heroin, in developing a visit and search operation, a coaster, called "Chubasco III" in the general area of Puerto Nuevo, Bay Portete.
MV, Bolivian flag went to San Cristobal, Panama, was inspected by Coast Guard Station Port Bolivar, who found 10 hidden packages, which contain the alkaloid.

The material seized, which would be worth approximately 330 thousand dollars in the international black market, was submitted to the Approved Preliminary Initial Test, Pipher, by the Office of Maicao, testing positive for heroin.

The eight crew of the boat, were taken administratively by the competent authorities, along with heroin, while the MV, became available to the Port Authority of Puerto Bolivar.

This operation takes place a few days of being seized in the Colombian Caribbean coast, 1,133 kilos of cocaine, Arboletes sector, Antioquia, in a maritime interdiction operation, developed by the Navy, with the support of the CNP and Administrative Department of Security, DAS.

Caribbean Naval Force, continue to conduct operations to counter illegal activities throughout its jurisdiction.

Chubasco III
IMO: 5275894
Flag: Honduras
Reg. Owner: Unknown Owners
Type: General Cargo


Place
Country
Area
Arrival
Sailed

Puerto Bolivar(COL)
Colombia
S America - Atlantic
27/08/10


Puerto Bolivar(COL)
Colombia
S America - Atlantic
21/08/10
26/08/10

Cristobal
Panama
Central America
After 31/07/10
19/08/10

Puerto Bolivar(COL)
Colombia
S America - Atlantic
24/07/10
31/07/10



***********************************************************************
Added on 17/09/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Risk-assessment report on mephedrone
Risk-assessment report on mephedrone
Risk-assessment report on mephedrone


(10.09.2010)



On 15 July 2010, the EMCDDA extended Scientific Committee, with the participation of additional experts from the EU Member States, European Commission, Europol and the European Medicines Agency, undertook a formal risk assessment on the synthetic drug mephedrone (4-methylmethcathinone). This constituted the second phase in the three-step legal procedure established to monitor and respond to new psychoactive substances in Europe (information exchange/early-warning; risk assessment; decision-making). The risk-assessment report is now submitted to the Commission and Council of the EU in the final stage of the process. On the basis of the report, the Council, upon an initiative of the Commission, may decide to subject mephedrone to control measures throughout the EU.


http://www.emcdda.europa.eu


http://www.emcdda.europa.eu/attachements.cfm/att_116485_EN_Risk%20Assessment%20Report%20on%20mephedrone.pdf
Added on 17/09/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
5 kilograms of suspected opium seized at Vancouver International Airport
5 kilograms of suspected opium seized at Vancouver International Airport
Vancouver Airport passenger from Tehran carried opium in luggage
RICHMOND, B.C. – A 21-year-old West Vancouver man arriving at Vancouver Airport from Tehran was carrying five kilos of opium concealed in his checked baggage.

RCMP and CBSA became suspicious and referred the man for secondary inspection when his flight landed at YVR on Sept. 5. The drug’s street value is estimated at between $200,000 to $300,000.

“CBSA officers became suspicious of the male upon his entry into Canada from Tehran via Amsterdam & consequently directed him to the secondary screening area. It was at this point that CBSA officers located five kilograms of opium concealed in packages of tobacco & candy within the male’s checked luggage,” said Cpl. Sherrdean Turley.

“This is a perfect example of how different agencies work together towards the same goal of making our communities safer,” Turley said.

Mohammadreza Haratisani of West Vancouver was arrested by RCMP and he was remanded in custody.

He has been charged with importing a controlled substance for trafficking.

http://www.vancouverite.com/2010/09/15/vancouver-airport-passenger-from-tehran-carried-opium-in-luggage/


5 kilograms of suspected opium seized at Vancouver International Airport
Richmond, British Columbia, September 15, 2010 – The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the Richmond Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) today announced the seizure of five kilograms of suspected opium at the Vancouver International Airport.

“I commend the CBSA and the RCMP for their continued partnership in the fight against illegal drugs,” said Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety. “Stopping the flow of suspected illegal drugs at our border is an effective way to keep them off our streets and protects Canadians.”

On September 5, a 21-year-old male arrived in Canada on a flight from Tehran. CBSA officers at the Vancouver International Airport referred the individual to the secondary screening area, where an examination of his luggage resulted in the discovery of five kilograms of suspected opium. The estimated value of the drugs seized is approximately $300,000.

The man, a resident of West Vancouver, was arrested by the CBSA and charged with Importation of a Controlled Substance and Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking. He was turned over to the RCMP and is scheduled to appear in court on September 16, 2010.

The CBSA and RCMP collaborate closely to combat the trafficking of illegal drugs and to ensure the protection and safety of all Canadians.

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/media/prosecutions-poursuites/pac/2010-09-15-eng.html
Added on 17/09/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
48 kg of hashish among the flagstones
48 kg of hashish among the flagstones
48 kg of hashish among the flagstones

16-09-2010

Law enforcement departments of customs authorities are working to detect and prevent drug smuggling channels in close collaboration with law enforcement agencies of CIS countries.
In the course of search operations by the customs authorities of the Russian Federation jointly with the Russian Federal Drug Control Service and the customs service of Azerbaijan foiled a large supply of drugs from Iran.

Drugs - hashish, tried to smuggle into the territory of the Russian Federation by sea. A ship is "Wafa", undergo customs control at the port of Astrakhan, according to the documents carry a party of granite and stone finishing travertine (tufa). When carrying out customs inspections using mobile inspection-ray inspection systems (MIDK) and other means of customs control in one of the wooden boxes amongst stone slabs found 30 bricks of hashish narcotic substance. The total weight of drug party was more than 48 kg.

In this incident the department inquiry Astrakhan Customs prosecuted under Part 2 of Art. 188 of the Criminal Code (smuggling).

Law enforcement units of the Russian FCS together with Russian Federal Drug Control Service conducted a search actions to find the organizers of delivery. In September 2010 they were successfully arrested by Federal Drug Control Service of Russia.

http://ptu.customs.ru/ru/reviews/pressservice/index.php?id695=33778
Added on 17/09/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Customs uncovers heroin from express cargo
Customs uncovers heroin from express cargo
14 September 2010


Hong Kong Customs uncovered a drug trafficking case today (September 14) at the express cargo terminal of Hong Kong International Airport, and found about 350 grammes of heroin, with an estimated value of about $316,000.

When Customs officers from the Airport Command this morning examined a transshipment consignment with an X-ray scanner, they observed an irregularity in a pair of sandals inside cargo declared as T-shirts and shoes. After detailed examination, a total of 350 grammes of heroin were found concealed underneath the insoles of the pair of sandals. Follow-up investigation revealed that the cargo was en route from Vietnam to Taiwan via Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Customs has strengthened enforcement action at all control points in support of the Government's strategy to combat drugs. Customs officers are on high alert at all times to foil attempts by drug traffickers to take advantage of the heavy flow of passengers and cargo at the control points. Hong Kong Customs will continue to make use of advanced technology, intelligence analysis, risk assessment and international co-operation to crack down on drug trafficking activities.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, drug trafficking is a serious offence, which carries the maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of $5 million.
http://www.customs.gov.hk/en/publication_press/press/index_id_748.html
Added on 16/09/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Attempt to smuggle 4kg heroin foiled
Attempt to smuggle 4kg heroin foiled
Tuesday, September 14, 2010

KARACHI: The Drug Enforcement Cell (DEC), Jinnah International Airport Unit of Pakistan Customs, foiled an attempt to smuggle 4kg heroin to Italy on Monday. Custom officials said a passenger named Asad Abbas Bukhari, hailing from Sargodha, resident of Italy, was intercepted at the international departure lounge of Jinnah International Airport, Karachi when he was to board Emirates Airlines flight no. EK-605 bound for Milan, Italy via Dubai. Four kilogramme of fine quality white heroin concealed in false cavities of his suitcase was recovered after a thorough baggage search, they added. The value of the seized heroin was estimated to be worth around 100 million rupees in the international market, officials said. The accused passenger was arrested and a case under Control of Narcotics Substances Act, 1997 was registered against him. Customs Additional Collector Manzoor Hussain Memon had directed the Customs staff at airport to remain on high alert as the drug trafficking mafia could take advantage of conditions during Eid holidays. staff report.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010\09\14\story_14-9-2010_pg12_3
Added on 16/09/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Woman arrested with full stomach of drug last night as she prepared to board a plane bound for Holland
Woman arrested with full stomach of drug last night as she prepared to board a plane bound for Holland
http://www.hoy.com.do/el-pais/2010/9/13/341743/DNCD-apresa-mujer-iba-a-Holanda-con-droga-en-el-estomago

A woman was arrested last night as he prepared to board a plane at the local airport bound for Holland, where he intended to get a full stomach drug.

Dominguez Margarita Polanco, 42, was taken to hospital Ricardo Limardo, where on Monday morning presumably had expelled 23 bags of cocaine.

The mule frustrated removal process remains under the health center, in the custody of the Public Ministry and the National Drug Control (DNCD).

Previously, Dominguez was sent Polanco custody Carabete Medical Center, where he performed a plain abdominal radiograph, positive giving foreign bodies in the digestive tract.

She was arrested at the edge of 7:00 pm in the Gregorio Luperon International Airport moments as he was boarding the flight of the airline Arkefly 0346, to Amsterdam, capital of the Netherlands.

The information was provided by public relations for the DNCD, Colonel Ramon Rodriguez Veras, who said that in total in the last 24 hours were 39 people arrested across the country for violation of Law 50-88 on drugs and controlled substances.

The detainees, who are under investigation, 288 servings were allegedly seized cocaine, marijuana and crack and 21 phones of different brands.
Added on 16/09/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Intercepted 102 kilos of speed hidden in a shipment of flowers from Holland
Intercepted 102 kilos of speed hidden in a shipment of flowers from Holland
With amphetamine sulfate involved in this operation has prevented the circulation of more than 400,000 doses of the drug

15-September-2010 .- National Police agents have apprehended in the town of Durango Vizcaya 102 kilos of speed hidden in a shipment of flowers from Holland. With this arrest, the most important of this narcotic by police in recent years have prevented the circulation of more than 400,000 doses of the drug.

The transport of drug use among flowers were hidden under the operations of a logistics company headed by a Dutchman citizen residing in Burgos. Because of their alleged activities, the commercial had a fleet of trucks that usually perform a route from Amsterdam to different parts of Spain to import flowers. It was he who organized the shipments, which were usually as the northern destination, mainly the Basque Country and Navarra.

The researchers found that the leader of the carrier left his home to the Netherlands in one of their trucks, presumably to load a shipment of flowers there to Spain. Given the suspicions that this trip was used to transport speed, service was set up surveillance at the border of Irun.

The device allowed to observe the officer with another person on board a truck that crossed the border. It then made a follow-up to the town of Durango Bizkaia, where the agents proceeded to intercept and check your load. Inside, among the cargo of flowers, they found four travel bags with 102 kilos of speed. At that time, proceeded to the arrest of the businessman and his companion, the driver of the company.

Later, we made the record the address of the organizer of shipments, where he stopped his wife and another truck driver who also works for the organization. In addition to the truck they were traveling on speaking another tractor that was used to transport refrigerated trailers legal burden of flowers.
Added on 16/09/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Customs Agents Find Pot On Passenger Bus
Customs Agents Find Pot On Passenger Bus
No Passengers Aboard Craft Coming From Mexico

POSTED: 12:47 pm MST September 14, 2010

EL PASO, Texas -- U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers on Monday seized 809 pounds of marijuana concealed in a commercial bus en route from Mexico.

The seizure was made at the El Paso, Texas, port of entry after the bus arrived shortly before 4 a.m. with no passengers on board.

Officers did an examination of the 1996 Dina Marcopolo passenger bus and a drug-sniffing dog alerted them to the vehicle.

An X-ray of the bus revealed an "anomaly" in the ceiling-mounted air-conditioning unit, officers said.

Officers drilled into the ceiling unit and discovered a green substance that tested positive for marijuana. They then removed 714 marijuana-filled bundles from the bus ceiling, they said.

CBP officers took custody of the driver, a 48-year-old male from Tonala, Jalisco, Mexico. He was turned over to the El Paso Police Department for local prosecution, officers said.

The vehicle and marijuana were also turned over to the police department.
http://www.kpho.com/news/25008512/detail.html
Added on 16/09/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
In the Port of Guayaquil capture cocaine was to be sent to Belgium
In the Port of Guayaquil capture cocaine was to be sent to Belgium
The National Police and the Narcotics Police seized a shipment of cocaine was about to be sent to Belgium. The drugs were hidden in a container loaded with organic banana exports.

77 kilos were found hidden in three suitcases, which in turn were inside a container at the seaport of Guayaquil.

The police took to count the results of recent raids, persons captured, substances and articles seized.

The above forfeiture plus another 22 kilos of cocaine that police found hidden in a ship in the south of the country and final destination was also Belgium, according to the Ecuadorian authorities revealed yesterday.

While highlighting their work, Colonel Juan Ruales was insistent in requiring the commitment of other state agencies to achieve the reduction of uncertainty.

Ruales newly appointed head of the Fourth Police District, is in charge of security in six provinces: Guayas, Santa Elena, Los Ríos, El Oro, Manabi and Galapagos.
Added on 16/09/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
CBP Officers Stop SENTRI Member, Mother with Toddler Each With About 40 Pounds of Cocaine
CBP Officers Stop SENTRI Member, Mother with Toddler Each With About 40 Pounds of Cocaine
At about 10:20 a.m., a 21-year-old male U.S. citizen, and resident of Tijuana, driving a silver 2002 Chevy Tracker presented his valid SENTRI card to the CBP officer. The CBP officer referred the car and driver for further inspection.


SENTRI, or the Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection, is a trusted traveler program along the southwest border that provides expedited CBP processing for pre-approved, low-risk travelers. Applicants must voluntarily undergo a thorough biographical background check against criminal, law enforcement, customs, immigration, and terrorist indices; a 10-fingerprint law enforcement check; and a personal interview with a CBP officer.


A narcotic detector dog alerted to the rear cargo floor of the vehicle, and CBP officers discovered 16 packages hidden in the vehicle with more than 40 pounds of cocaine, worth an estimated $405,000.


At about 3:50 p.m. officers roving through the lanes of traffic stopped after a narcotic detector dog alerted to the rear of a green 2002 Ford Explorer. CBP officers removed the driver, a 30-year-old female U.S. citizen, and resident of Temple, Calif., from the car, as well as her three-year-old son.

After further inspection, CBP officers removed 15 packages of cocaine from the vehicle’s gas tank, worth an estimated $440,000.


In both incidents, CBP officers seized the vehicles and narcotics and turned custody of the accused smugglers over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Both drivers are currently being held at the Metropolitan Correctional Center. The woman’s son was turned over to Child Protective Services.


“There is no profile of a smuggler,” said Pete Flores, acting director of field operations for CBP in San Diego. “Mothers, sons, grandparents, and even those we have vetted as trusted travelers can shock our officers when they are caught with narcotics in their vehicles. Our officers must be ever vigilant to prevent this and other illegal activity at the border.”

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/local/09102010_12.xml
Added on 16/09/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Thai authorities destroy 50 tonnes of main 'Ecstasy' drug component by incineration
Thai authorities destroy 50 tonnes of main 'Ecstasy' drug component by incineration
13-09-2010

BANGKOK, Sept 13 - Some 50 tonnes of 'safrole', or sassafras oil, a substance used as a principle component for the production of 'ecstasy' or 'E', an illegal recreational drug, was destroyed in Thailand on Monday.

Justice Minister Peerapan Saleeratwipak presided over the burning at the Bangpoo Industrial Estate in Samut Prakan province.

This amount of safrole can be used to produce more than 63 million pills of ecstasy and other illegal drugs, the ministry said.

The Narcotics Control Board Office, the Thai Customs Department, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seized the illegal substance in a joint operation in Chonburi province southeast of Bangkok hidden in three containers, each of which carried around 16.8 tonnes of safrole for transport to China and the United States.

Thailand's Criminal Court ruled in February that the 'safrole' must be legally seized and after the legal process ended, the substance must be destroyed to prevent abundant quantity from being used illegally.

The method of burning is the 'co-current rotary furnace' technique, which is pollution-free and environmentally friendly, the best method in Thailand. (MCOT online news)
http://www.mcot.net/cfcustom/cache_page/102148.html
Added on 16/09/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Two stuffed turkeys and 14m cigarettes seized at airport
Two stuffed turkeys and 14m cigarettes seized at airport
By Eoin O’Sullivan

Monday, September 13, 2010

MORE than 14 million cigarettes and nearly €1.5 million worth of illicit drugs – along with two stuffed turkeys and erectile dysfunction-type drugs – are just some of the items customs officers at Dublin Airport have seized from passengers so far this year.

And officers at the airport expect a surge in the amounts of contraband items, particularly drugs and tobacco products, seized between now and the end of the year as the summer holiday season is coming to an end. It also warned of an upcoming crackdown on people returning from seasonal shopping trips to the US without paying the correct duties.

So far this year, passengers arriving at the airport were caught trying to take a total of €1.35m worth of illicit drugs into the country in their baggage.

Excluding cargo or express courier system hauls, officers there have seized:

* More than 12kg of cocaine, worth €860,000; 3.27kg of herbal cannabis, worth an estimated €40,000; 1.5kg of cannabis resin, worth about €9,000; and 1.5kg of mephedrone, with a street value of €52,500 – the banned substance linked to head shops – has also been seized.

* More than 14 million cigarettes, worth about €5.86m, and 668kg of rolling tobacco have been seized from passengers to date, representing a loss of about €4.8m to Revenue.

Dublin Airport customs manager Shay Doyle said: "Obviously our priority is to protect the country against the importation of drugs, but cigarettes are a huge problem at the moment. Particularly with the economy the way it is at the moment, it represents a big loss [in revenue]."

Organised gangs operating from the Spanish archipelago and also eastern Europe "are literally sending couriers in with full suitcases", said Mr Doyle, who expects to see an increase in both cigarette and drug smuggling at the airport now that the summer season is nearing an end.

The main type of medicines seized from passengers at the airport have included erectile dysfunction-type medication, hair loss cream and diet pills, and sedatives, including valium and diazepam. Hormone creams or tablets have also been seized, with 19,600 ampules of steroids intended for distribution across the health industry also being seized.

Strangely, two passengers fell foul of custom officials this year when they tried to import two stuffed turkeys without the relevant paperwork.

Mr Doyle said customs officers will now be focussing their attentions on seasonal shoppers bringing in goods on arrival home from the US in the run-up to the Christmas season.

This story appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Monday, September 13, 2010

http://www.irishexaminer.com/world/two-stuffed-turkeys-and-14m-cigarettes-seized-at-airport-130644.html
Added on 16/09/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Customs intercepted 139 kg cocaine at Schiphol Airport.
Customs intercepted 139 kg cocaine at Schiphol Airport.
Customs intercepted 139 kg cocaine at Schiphol Airport.

The drugs were concealed in two containers for luggage from a flight from St. Maarten / Curaçao. A customs officer checked the luggage containers and he noticed that the top of two baggage containers felt hard. Normally this is flexible. Upon further investigation, the customs officer found plastic bags inside the double ceiling.
Added on 16/09/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
CONFISCATION DRUGS TYPE marijuana on customs office Pasjak
CONFISCATION DRUGS TYPE marijuana on customs office Pasjak
15/09/2010

The Customs office Pasjak Customs River, on 14 rujna 2010th The customs officials of the Department of Risk Management, combating smuggling and Customs investigation River in the implementation of regular measures of customs control when leaving the Croatian Republic, made a personal overview of the Italian motor vehicle license plates driven by Albanian citizen, on that occasion was found hidden drugs weighing about 17000.00 grams.

Following the customs officer asked the driver if there is anything to report to customs inspection, which said that there is only personal stuff, and 4 pieces of cheese, we started the review of personal belongings and the aforementioned vehicle, travel luggage and persons.

Reviewing the chassis vans, on the left side near the threshold of the vehicle, noticed a black tin box, measuring 94 cm long x 17 cm wide x 15 cm height, or does not belong to this type of vehicle and after he opened the lid on the back of the box were observed packages wrapped in transparent cellophane film, and packages from one sample which was preliminarily tested for drugs and saw that in his reaction showed the presence drugs CANNABIS.

After the event, and the test results informed the police officers, by order of the Rijeka County Court began a controversial search vehicles in cooperation with police officials of the Department of criminality drug PU Kvarner. Search is found a total of 39 packages weighing 400-450 grams, which were in the passenger compartment of vehicles, work in the freight vans and specially designed box, later built on the left side of the chassis vans. All packages were found wrapped clear cellophane wrap.

For police officers discovered the drugs were issued certificates of forfeiture cases, and Albanian national was arrested by the police officers in investigating prepraæen Centre County Court in Rijeka.
Added on 16/09/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
20 kilos of cocaine were found in boat
20 kilos of cocaine were found in boat
11 de Septiembre de 2010

In a restricted area of the ship "Barrington Island" flag of the Bahamas, the Narcotics Police of El Oro found 20.5 kilos of cocaine hydrochloride.

The boat was docked at Puerto Bolivar awaiting a load of bananas. The boat had the Guayaquil-New York route, Belgium.

The police operation was originally designed to locate two suspected stowaways, after an undisclosed information received by the Department of Supervision of Port Authority facilities of Puerto Bolivar.

Finally, the drug was found at about 1:00 yesterday, after the intervention of troops from Marine Corps and Narcotics Unit provincial.

The drug was distributed in 19 packages that were hallmarks X6, apparently owned by an international organization narcodelictiva.

According to the researchers drugs, the contraband was hidden in the control room cooling restricted zone which covers kept regularly serve as insulating paper container.

(Note Hans: probably meant are the spaces with the cooling units, located next to the holds)

Barrington Island
IMO: 9059614

Flag: Bahamas

Reg. Owner: Difko LXXXIV

Type: Reefer


Place
Country
Area
Arrival
Sailed
Details

Balboa
Panama
Central America
14/09/10

ETA



Puerto Bolivar(ECU)
Ecuador
S America - Pacific
11/09/10





Miami
U.S.A.
US Atlantic
03/09/10
03/09/10




Dover Strait
U.K.
UK/Eire
25/08/10
25/08/10
Passed West



Antwerp
Belgium
N Cont Europe
22/08/10
24/08/10




New York
U.S.A.
US Atlantic
15/08/10
15/08/10




Panama Canal
Panama
Central America
11/08/10
11/08/10
Passed East



Panama Canal
Panama
Central America
03/08/10
03/08/10
Passed West



Miami
U.S.A.
US Atlantic
30/07/10
30/07/10




Dover Strait
U.K.
UK/Eire
21/07/10
21/07/10
Passed West



Antwerp
Belgium
N Cont Europe
18/07/10
21/07/10




New York
U.S.A.
US Atlantic
11/07/10
11/07/10




Panama Canal
Panama
Central America
06/07/10
06/07/10
Passed East



Puerto Bolivar(ECU)
Ecuador
S America - Pacific
02/07/10
04/07/10




Guayaquil
Ecuador
S America - Pacific
29/06/10
02/07/10
Added on 14/09/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Customs makes new discovery of cocaine in the port of Arica
Customs makes new discovery of cocaine in the port of Arica
September 10, 2010
They have seized 310 kilos in less than two weeks


A new operation in the Port of Arica by the Regional Customs Service resulted in the seizure of 98.6 kilos of cocaine, which came hidden in wooden planks and beams from Santa Cruz, Bolivia, and were ready to embark for Spain.

The detection was conducted by staff of the Drugs Unit of the Office of Arica on 7 September, after intelligence work allowed the load profiling identified as at risk. In response, was made the appropriate oversight and review with the support of the truck container scanner, which shed more light on who was facing a wrongful act.

Suspicions were confirmed with the support of drug detection dogs, so we proceeded to open the planks and beams, discovering drugs inside, wrapped in packages of nylon.

In proceedings was supported by the Navy through the Maritime Police, an organization that will continue with the investigative process of the case, on the instructions of Public Prosecutions.

Customs Regional Director of Arica, Claudio Saavedra stressed that this is the third seizure made in less than two weeks, in addition to 310 kilos of cocaine seized, while reiterating the high safety standards and the Port of Arica major support from the Navy, with whom they continue to work to "keep the port enclosure closed to drug trafficking and smuggling."

The commander of Fourth Naval Zone Kenneth Pugh Olavarria, said while the quiet work of the organizations working in the drug discovery process and said it "will continue efforts to ensure the safety of the port and the charges correspond exactly to manifests what they say. "
Added on 14/09/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
MORE THAN 10 KILOS AND THE DRUG was taken from "BURRIERS"
MORE THAN 10 KILOS AND THE DRUG was taken from "BURRIERS"
"Effective policing Jorge Chavez Airport
The effective daily control develops DIRANDRO staff at the airport Jorge Chavez allowed two foreign intervention and a Peruvian, engaged in illicit drug trafficking (transportation to the outside).

The Italian Ernesto Marchesi, was operated by police when he tried to travel to the city of Amsterdam - Netherlands carried in his bag a total of 4660 kilograms of cocaine alkaloid.

Meanwhile, Spanish Pedro Jose Green Ares (42) was also intervened when he would travel to his country, taking drugs hidden in his suitcase, in a total of 6030 kilograms of cocaine alkaloid.

Regarding the latter, also saw the intervention of the Peruvian citizen Angel Yance De la Cruz (22), who was attentive to the movement of Spanish Ares Green also was learned that on August 16 picked it up at the airport and led to Huancayo, then try to ship it home.

By provision of specialized prosecutors who participated in the interventions, the DIRANDRO is responsible for investigations.

Jueves, 09 de Septiembre de 2010
MÁS DE 10 KILOS Y MEDIO DE DROGA FUE DECOMISADA A “BURRIERS”


Efectivos control policial en aeropuerto Jorge Chávez
El eficaz control que diariamente desarrolla el personal DIRANDRO en el aeropuerto Jorge Chávez, permitió la intervención a dos ciudadanos extranjeros y a un peruano, implicados en tráfico ilícito de droga (transporte al exterior).

El italiano Ernesto Marchesi, fue intervenido por los agentes policiales cuando pretendía viajar a la ciudad de Amsterdam – Holanda transportando en su maleta un total de 4.660 Kg. de Alcaloide de Cocaína.

Mientras tanto, el español Pedro José Verdes Ares (42), fue igualmente intervenido cuando iba a viajar a su país, llevando escondida droga en su maleta, en un total de 6.030 Kg. de Alcaloide de Cocaína.

Respecto a este último caso, también se logró la intervención del ciudadano peruano Àngel Yance De la Cruz (22), quien se encontraba atento al desplazamiento del español Verdes Ares, además se supo que el pasado 16 de agosto lo recogió en el aeropuerto y lo llevó hasta Huancayo, para luego intentar embarcarlo a su país.

Por disposición de los fiscales especializados que participaron en las intervenciones, la DIRANDRO se encarga de las respectivas investigaciones.


http://www.pnp.gob.pe
Added on 13/09/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Intercepted Truck in the area of Olhão (Portugal)with 95 "bales" of hashish, with a total weight of about 3078 kg.
Intercepted Truck in the area of Olhão (Portugal)with 95 "bales" of hashish, with a total weight of about 3078 kg.
September 9, 2010


The Judicial Police, through the National Unit to Combat Drug Trafficking (UNCTE), in collaboration with the Directorate of the South and the Center for Coordination and Information on Drugs Police Royal Gibraltar, sparked in the past weekend, a police operation that culminated in the arrest of two British citizens suspected of belonging to an international criminal organization operating in the country.

This investigation began about a year, based on information that they realized the presence in the national territory of a criminal network made up of several British subjects, led by an individual resident in the Algarve and dedicated to the trafficking of large quantities of hashish from Morocco to Portugal.

As a result of police action was intercepted in the area of Olhão in the past 06/09/10 days, a truck with 95 "bales" of hashish, with a total weight of about 3078 kg.

The narcotic was concealed among bales of straw and bags of waste wood.

Subsequent searches led to the seizure of over 95 "bales" of hashish as well, with the weight of 3004 kg, also belong to the criminal network under investigation, which makes a total of 6082 kg of hashish.

So far arrested two British subjects, with 38 and 40 years who were attending the competent judicial authority, taking them by the measure of coercive detention.

Investigations will continue working together with our international counterparts for the identification of other possible actors.


NOTE: The narcotic drugs seized in Portugal as part of this operation may be photographed or filmed, now 09, at 15.30 in the offices of UNCTE situated on Avenida Duque de Loule 39, Lisbon, and will be provided further clarification.

Operação "Rochedo"

A Policia Judiciária, através da Unidade Nacional de Combate ao Tráfico de Estupefacientes (UNCTE), com a colaboração da Directoria do Sul e do Centro de Coordenação de Drogas e Informação da Polícia Real de Gibraltar, desencadeou, no passado fim-de-semana, uma operação policial que culminou com a detenção de dois cidadãos britânicos, suspeitos de pertencerem a uma organização criminosa internacional a operar em território nacional.

A presente investigação iniciou-se há cerca de um ano, tendo por base informações que davam conta da presença em território nacional de uma rede criminosa constituída por diversos súbditos britânicos, liderada por um indivíduo residente no Algarve e dedicada ao tráfico de grandes quantidades de haxixe desde Marrocos para Portugal.

Em resultado da acção policial foi interceptado na zona de Olhão, no passado dia 06/09/10, um veículo pesado com 95 "fardos" de haxixe, com o peso total de cerca de 3078 kg.

O estupefaciente vinha dissimulado entre fardos de palha e sacos de desperdício de madeira.

Buscas subsequentes permitiram a apreensão de mais 95 "fardos" também de haxixe, com o peso de 3004 kg, igualmente pertença da rede criminosa sob investigação, o que perfaz um total de 6082 kg de haxixe.

Até ao momento foram detidos dois súbditos britânicos, com 38 e 40 anos, que foram presentes à autoridade judiciária competente, tendo-lhes sido aplicada a medida de coacção de prisão preventiva.

As investigações vão prosseguir em conjugação de esforços com as nossas congéneres internacionais visando a identificação de outros possíveis intervenientes.

09 de Setembro de 2010

NOTA: O produto estupefaciente apreendido em Portugal no âmbito desta operação, poderá ser fotografado ou filmado, hoje dia 09, às 15h30, nas instalações da UNCTE sita na Avenida Duque de Loulé 39, em Lisboa, onde serão prestados esclarecimentos complementares.



http://www.policiajudiciaria.pt/PortalWeb/page/%7BA078D3BE-E9A5-4ED7-B4FB-94151E885E01%7D
Added on 13/09/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
100 pounds of ganja seized at airport
100 pounds of ganja seized at airport
Detectives from the Transnational Crime and Narcotics Division (TCND) are investigating the circumstances surrounding the seizure of more than 100 pounds of ganja at the Sangster International Airport in St James, yesterday.

According to reports received, members of the Canine Division were conducting routine checks at the Ajas warehouse when an 'unusual' palette was seen.

The police said the palette, when inspected, was laden with 180 packets of compressed ganja, weighing approximately 170 pounds. The drug was subsequently seized.

The palette was reportedly destined for the Gatwick airport in London, England.

The TCND is continuing its investigations.


http://www.jamaica-star.com/thestar/20100909/news/news10.html
Added on 13/09/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
A 57-year-old Dutchman tried 15 August to smuggle 102 kilograms of hashish to Norway.
A 57-year-old Dutchman tried 15 August to smuggle 102 kilograms of hashish to Norway.
Found 102 kg hashish in the trailer
Published: 09/09/2010
NB This page is not available in Norwegian and therefore appear in Bokmål
A 57-year-old Dutchman tried 15 August to smuggle 102 kilograms of hashish to Norway. On Svinesund he was stopped by alert customs officials.


When the semi-trailer was stopped for inspection on the red zone, "explained the Dutchman that he came with fruit and vegetables from the Netherlands and bread from Sweden.

A scan of the vehicle showed some unidentified objects in a room outside the trailer. In the room there were four brown cardboard boxes Dutchman claimed he had never seen before.
The boxes were full of brown, rectangular packages that were quickly identified as hashish.

- Fitting was weighted to a total of 102.65 kg. This is the largest seizure of hashish so far this year, said office manager Wenche Fredriksen on Svinesund
Added on 13/09/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Feds arrest woman carrying cocaine to Manaus
Feds arrest woman carrying cocaine to Manaus
Federal police, along with the National Force, arrested a woman with cocaine hidden in his luggage.

The police performed a routine inspection, searching passengers Itaberada vessel, bound for Santo Antonio do Ica (AM) and Manaus (AM), when they saw the Brazilian CPP, 23 years was carrying a very large string in your luggage let the cops suspicious. They decided to cut the rope and found cocaine inside.

After searching the rest of the luggage, the feds found inside cardboard boxes, straws containing cocaine.

The woman reported she received from a Colombian drugs and $ 200 to buy the ticket, and also receive $ 1,000 to deliver the drug in Manaus to an unknown person.
Added on 13/09/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Cocaine destined for Europe seized in Senegal
Cocaine destined for Europe seized in Senegal
September 10, 2010
The Senegalese Customs has seized between 5 kg cocaine in the offices of an international courier company (DHL) at Yoff in the northwestern parts of the capital Dakar, security sources said on Thursday.

The packet containing the drug was on its way of transit, coming from Cape Verde and destined for Britain.

The Senegalese Customs in collaboration with other services have launched an investigation.

Close to a ton of hashish coming from Nigeria was seized last month by the Senegalese Customs at the Dakar Port.

The Senegalese capital has become a major transit point for drugs coming from Latin America and destined for Europe, according to Customs officials.

http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90855/7136960.html
Added on 13/09/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Region's largest cocaine bust
Region's largest cocaine bust
Updated: Friday, 10 Sep 2010, 9:50 AM EDT
Published : Friday, 10 Sep 2010, 9:47 AM EDT

Posted by: Emily Lenihan
LEWISTON, N.Y. (WIVB) - Non-factory screws caught the attention of authorities at the Lewiston Queenston Bridge, leading them to the region's largest cocaine bust.

Wednesday, U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized 239 pounds of cocaine from a commercial trailer that appeared to be empty.

Trucker Ravinder Kumar Arora, 29, of Ontario, appeared to be nervous when driving into Canada, so was targeted for examination.

Officers noticed tampering with the floorboards, by the use of non-factory screws. When they removed the boards, they found cocaine inside 97 vacuum-sealed bricks.

The street value of the cocaine is reportedly $3.6 million.

http://www.wivb.com/dpp/mobile/Regions-largest-cocaine-bust-at-bridge
Added on 13/09/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Bulgarian Police Makes 5 Ton Heroin Hit
Bulgarian Police Makes 5 Ton Heroin Hit
13-09-2010



The Bulgarian police end Customs agents seized late Sunday night an illegal substance which could have been used for the making of 5 tons of heroin.

The operation was coordinated by Europol and conducted jointly with the Hungarian and Romanian police at the cross border point "Capitan Andreevo" between Bulgaria and Turkey.

The substance was identified as acetic anhydride. Two people are under arrest.

The information was reported Monday by Interior Minister, Tsvetan Tsvetanov.

http://www.novinite.com/newsletter/print.php?id=120090



Acetic anhydride arrested the Captain Andreevo, has been declared as paper
2010-09-13 2010-09-13

Acetic anhydride arrested the Captain Andreevo, has been declared as paper. Its total quantity is 13,100 liters, divided in 13 white cans. In the joint operation of Bulgarian and foreign services, which attended by the Customs Agency, 13 tons were seized raw material for heroin production.

Tonight, a customs post Captain Andreevo arrived truck traveling from Hungary to Turkey through Bulgaria. In documents lorry carrying paper rolls, but performed a detailed check proved that only two pallets contained paper, but behind the cork had 13 drums filled with transparent liquid with acute butyrous stifling smell of vinegar.

The analysis proved that the liquid is acetic anhydride. Done is an act of customs violation.

http://www.customs.bg/bg/pubs/3168

Îöåòíèÿò àíõèäðèä, çàäúðæàí íà ÃÊÏÏ Êàïèòàí Àíäðååâî, å áèë îáÿâåí êàòî õàðòèÿ. Îáùîòî ìó êîëè÷åñòâî å 13 100 ëèòðà, ðàçïðåäåëåíè â 13 áåëè áèäîíà. Ïðè ñúâìåñòíàòà îïåðàöèÿ íà áúëãàðñêèòå è ÷óæäè ñëóæáè, â êîÿòî ó÷àñòèå âçå è Àãåíöèÿ „Ìèòíèöè", áÿõà çàäúðæàíè 13 òîíà ñóðîâèíà çà ïðîèçâîäñòâî íà õåðîèí.

Òàçè íîù íà Ìèòíè÷åñêè ïóíêò Êàïèòàí Àíäðååâî ïðèñòèãíàë òîâàðåí àâòîìîáèë, ïúòóâàù îò Óíãàðèÿ äî Òóðöèÿ ïðåç Áúëãàðèÿ. Ïî äîêóìåíòè êàìèîíúò ïðåâîçâàë õàðòèåíè ðóëà, íî ïðè èçâúðøåíàòà ùàòåëíà ìèòíè÷åñêà ïðîâåðêà ñå îêàçàëî, ÷å ñàìî äâå ïàëåòà ñúäúðæàëè õàðòèÿ, à çàä òàïàòà èìàëî 13 áèäîíà, ïúëíè ñ ïðîçðà÷íà, ìàñëîïîäîáíà òå÷íîñò ñ îñòðà çàäóøëèâà ìèðèçìà íà îöåò.


Ïðè àíàëèçà ñå îêàçàëî, ÷å òå÷íîñòòà å îöåòåí àíõèäðèä. Ñúñòàâåí å àêò çà ìèòíè÷åñêî íàðóøåíèå.
Added on 13/09/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Cocaine found hidden in flower shipment
Cocaine found hidden in flower shipment
The Associated Press
MIAMI -- A shipment of flowers arriving at Miami International Airport was found to contain hidden bricks of cocaine.

The discovery was made earlier this week by U.S. Customs and Border Protection inspectors during a routine check of air cargo.

The eight pounds of cocaine has an estimated street value of $256,000.

Authorities say the cocaine was wrapped in bright red packages and concealed within the colorful flowers. The flowers were flown from Colombia to Miami.

No arrests have been made or charges filed.

http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/09/11/1819019/cocaine-found-hidden-in-flower.html
Added on 13/09/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Bid to smuggle 6,000kg hashish foiled
Bid to smuggle 6,000kg hashish foiled
Wednesday, September 08, 2010

KARACHI: The Customs authorities foiled an attempt to smuggle approximately 6,000kg hashish on Monday. A Customs team headed by Deputy Collector Javed Sarwar Shaikh recovered the hashish concealed in 260 cartons in a 40-feet container no. MRKU 0423860, which was declared to contain cotton terry towels for Montreal, Canada. The R&D wing of the Pakistan Customs Computerised System (PaCCS) under the supervision of Additional Collector Tariq Huda was pursuing the case and focusing on both local and foreign elements involved. No arrests have been made so far while further investigation was underway.


http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010%5C09%5C08%5Cstory_8-9-2010_pg12_9
Added on 10/09/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Dutchmen arrested for trying to smuggle drugs out of Lebanon
Dutchmen arrested for trying to smuggle drugs out of Lebanon
By The Daily Star

Thursday, September 09, 2010

BEIRUT: The Drug Combating Department arrested two Dutchmen for attempting to smuggle drugs out of the country, the Internal Security Forces (ISF) announced on Wednesday.


The ISF said 65.7 kilograms of cannabis were found in a secret compartment inside the trunk of a car trying to leave Lebanon through the Arida border crossing with Syria.


The vehicle was a silver Kia with a European plate and two Dutchmen were driving it. The two suspects were arrested and investigations revealed they were father and son.


The car had entered Lebanon on August 24 through the Masnaa crossing between Lebanon and Syria and it was kept under surveillance.


According to the ISF, one of the suspects had previously visited Lebanon, where he met another Dutch national named Alex, who had proposed smuggling drugs from Lebanon to the Netherlands.



Alex introduced the suspects to a Lebanese man living in Holland. The latter was identified as “T.J.” and he bought the car and instructed his relatives in Lebanon to help with the smuggling operation.


The two suspects were promised 25,000 euros in addition to travelling fees and they stayed with T.J.’s family in the Bekaa during their visit.


The ISF said investigations have been launched to locate the Lebanese nationals involved in the case. – The Daily Star

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=1&article_id=119137#axzz0z1SL14e9
Added on 10/09/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Donkeys smuggle drugs from Bosnia to Croatia
Donkeys smuggle drugs from Bosnia to Croatia
07. 09. 10. - 13:45

Croatian Times

Drug smugglers are using donkeys to take packets of weed from neighboring Bosnia and Herzegovina (BH) into Croatia, Split police have said.

Although most of the drugs smuggled into Croatia from BH arrive the traditional way – hidden in automobiles crossing at smaller border points – there is no lack of creativity among the dealers, the Croatian daily Jutarnji List writes.

The donkeys have been adopted by the drug smugglers as they are trained to navigate the inhospitable mountain terrain between Herzegovina and Croatia.

According to anonymous sources at the Split police department, most of the traffickers that supply the Dalmatian coast between Split and Dubrovnik get their shipments from eastern Herzegovina. Whereas earlier the Bosnian markets relied on drugs from Croatia, the tables have turned in recent years.

Split officers say marijuana is the number one drug in terms of its accessibility in Split, but exposure to cocaine has grown in recent years, not only amongst the jet-setters but also the youth who like to go out. The city has not seen an increase in flash, crack, or other "new drugs though," the source said.

http://croatiantimes.com/news/General_News/2010-09-07/13559/Donkeys_smuggle_drugs_from_Bosnia_to_Croatia
Added on 10/09/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Attempt to smuggle 700g heroin foiled
Attempt to smuggle 700g heroin foiled
Thursday, September 09, 2010

KARACHI: The Pakistan Customs Drug Enforcement Cell (DEC) Jinnah International Airport Unit on Wednesday foiled an attempt to smuggle heroin out of Pakistan to UK through a postal parcel. According to details, the DEC staff intercepted a registered postal parcel at the International Mail Office, near PAF Base Sharah-e-Faisal, Karachi, which was booked from DHA Post Office for an address in Lancashire, UK. A thorough search of the parcel led to the recovery of 700 grammes of heroin, which was artfully concealed inside the breast linings of two boy’s coats. Upon recovery and seizure of the heroin, a prosecution case under Control of Narcotics Substances Act, 1997 has been registered and efforts are on to trace and arrest the persons involved in the offence. staff report

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010\09\09\story_9-9-2010_pg12_9
Added on 10/09/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Attempt to smuggle 700g heroin foiled
Attempt to smuggle 700g heroin foiled
Thursday, September 09, 2010

KARACHI: The Pakistan Customs Drug Enforcement Cell (DEC) Jinnah International Airport Unit on Wednesday foiled an attempt to smuggle heroin out of Pakistan to UK through a postal parcel. According to details, the DEC staff intercepted a registered postal parcel at the International Mail Office, near PAF Base Sharah-e-Faisal, Karachi, which was booked from DHA Post Office for an address in Lancashire, UK. A thorough search of the parcel led to the recovery of 700 grammes of heroin, which was artfully concealed inside the breast linings of two boy’s coats. Upon recovery and seizure of the heroin, a prosecution case under Control of Narcotics Substances Act, 1997 has been registered and efforts are on to trace and arrest the persons involved in the offence. staff report

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010\09\09\story_9-9-2010_pg12_9
Added on 10/09/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
212 kilos cocaine seized in Colombia
212 kilos cocaine seized in Colombia
In two operations in less than 24 hours, the narcotics police seized 212.414 kilos of cocaine in containers that were being sent abroad in eight tulas through this port city.

Initially, the Friday night, officials of that body found in a container 73 in three tulas panelas weighing 76.577 kilos of cocaine. The drug was intended to be sent to France.
On Saturday, and by monitoring that met analysts narcotics to control both physically seals of the containers before being loaded onto a motorboat, was discovered a load which was bound inconsistencies Rio Plata, Dominican Republic.
"The military, in development of the physical inspection of these stamps, first note with the documentation and then proceed to review, noting an anomaly in one of them, identifying the presence inside tulas five panels containing 117 total 135.837 kilos of cocaine. "
According to the Narcotics Police, the drug belonged to a criminal gang commits a crime in this city.
"As a consolidated operation Sagitario, who performed the National Police, was achieved total seizure of 190 panels of cocaine weighing a total of 212.414 kilos in two ports in the city," says the Commander of that body.


Container Tracking - Container GLDU7646797

Place Of Receipt Port Of Loading
CARTAGENA (CO) Port Of Discharge
MARSEILLE (FR) Final Destination



GLDU7646797 (40HC): Ready to be loaded at terminal of CARTAGENA ETA: 22 Sep 2010

Move(s) to Date Location Vessel Voyage
27 Aug 2010 Empty delivered to shipper BOGOTA CMA CGM CARTAGENA DV692N
Current Move Location Vessel Voyage
30 Aug 2010 Ready to be loaded CARTAGENA CMA CGM CARTAGENA DV692N
Provisional moves Location Vessel Voyage
09 Sep 2010 Departure CARTAGENA CMA CGM CARTAGENA DV692N
22 Sep 2010 Arrival final port of discharge
Added on 08/09/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Major cocaine seizure at Tilbury
Major cocaine seizure at Tilbury
07 September 2010

Cocaine with a street value of £8.25m has been seized by the UK Border Agency at Tilbury, the biggest single detection of class A drugs at the port in 6 years.

The smugglers had hidden the drugs inside 3 pieces of industrial digger machinery shipped by container from Surinam and destined ultimately for Holland.

Sections of the machinery had been hollowed out and then filled with 145 individual packages of the class A drug, totalling 166kg.

Marc Owen, director border force central region, of the UK Border Agency, said:

'Drug smuggling is big business and, as this case shows, the criminal gangs behind the trade will go to great lengths to evade detection.

'Our operations are also extremely sophisticated, with highly trained officers using advanced intelligence gathering systems and the latest search equipment.

'The actions of our officers at Tilbury have prevented a massive quantity of cocaine from flooding the European market.'

As well as stashing the drugs inside internal compartments within the machinery the smugglers had taken further steps to conceal the container's real cargo.

Marc Owen added:

'In an attempt to evade detection by our x-ray scanners the drugs had been encased in a thick resin within the machinery. Despite these efforts, the images raised questions and the decision was taken to proceed with an in-depth examination.

'It was a labour intensive job that took more than two days to complete. Specialised cutting equipment was required to dismantle the machinery and then the solid resin had to be chiselled away to reach the drugs.

'The end result more than justified all that hard work.'

UK Border Agency criminal investigators have engaged the assistance of international law enforcement colleagues in Europe and elsewhere in order to further the investigation into the organised crime group responsible for the origin and supply of this shipment of class A drugs.

The drugs have been removed to the Queen's Warehouse at an undisclosed location

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2010/sept/21-cocaine-at-tilbury

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-11217212

http://www.theenquirer.co.uk/Massive+cocaine+haul+at+Tilbury+docks%20id=3190
Added on 08/09/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
How cutting drugs became big business
How cutting drugs became big business
7 September 2010 Last updated at 04:00 GMT

By Denise Winterman BBC News Magazine
Street cocaine has long been diluted, but now the cutting agents themselves have spawned a black market. Mild anaesthetics, found in sunburn and first-aid treatments bought at any chemist, are the latest substances being sought by drug dealers.

They call it the "bash" or "smash" trade and in the current financial climate it is one cut that is netting some people a small fortune.

The black market trade of selling legal chemicals to drug dealers to be used as so-called cutting agents has become a highly lucrative trade of its own, a BBC Radio 5 live Breakfast investigation has found.

Legally imported in bulk, the substances are mixed with the illegal Class A drugs cocaine and ecstasy, to maximise dealers' profits. Demand is high because they mimic the effects of the drug they are being mixed with - fooling customers into thinking they are getting better quality merchandise.

"The mark-up is starting to get as high as the likes of the coke," says one ex-drug dealer from Liverpool, who spoke anonymously to the BBC. "The money people are making off the cutting agents, it's through the roof.

"That is the big market now. If you can get a really good cutting agent, people will pay through the roof so they can put three times as much into their own stuff, so they can make three times as much profit."

Testing cocaine
2005: 3.3% of cocaine tested by FSS was less than 9% pure
2006: 10.4%
2007: 9.9%
2008: 16%
2009: 38.9%
Source: Forensic Science Service

The rise in these mild anaesthetics goes hand-in-hand with a drop in the purity of illegal drugs. Cocaine and ecstasy are "weaker" than at any time since the authorities started purity tests more than a decade ago. The Forensic Science Service (FSS), which tests drugs for the police, found almost 39% of the cocaine it tested last year was less than 10% pure - more than double the year before.

Drugs have always been cut with substances by dealers to make as much profit as possible. But whereas caffeine and glucose used to be the cutting agents of choice, the emphasis is now on anaesthetics.

The substances - such as benzocaine and lidocaine - are legal and imported from China and other countries. They are used in the UK as a dental anaesthetic and as an ingredient in first-aid ointments, throat sprays and sunburn remedies.

They are so popular because they closely mimic the physical sensations associated with cocaine, such as a numbing of the mouth or nose, says Dean Ames, a leading drugs scientist at the FSS.

This convinces drug users they have got a good product and massively increases the dealers' profit margin, say drug information groups.

Quick and easy

"It's a savvy way for dealers to cover the fact that the purity of drugs like cocaine is getting less and less," says Martin Barnes, the chief executive of DrugScope. "If there is a numbing of the tongue and nose people think the cocaine they are using is purer than it actually is.

"They want people to think the drugs are better quality because they want them to come back for more."

The demand for this type of cutting agent is creating a lucrative underground market in itself.

Click to play
Click to play

Dean Ames of the Forensic Science Service explains what common street drugs are cut with
Police say the substances are being bought for a little as £10 a kilo, if ordered in bulk, and sold on to dealers for up to £300. The profits are getting so good some criminal gangs have now stopped selling illegal drugs to focus on trading the legal chemicals. And increasingly individuals looking to make a quick profit are ordering and selling from home.

"An individual was found to be selling what could be used as cutting agents from his garage on a housing estate in vast quantities, advertising in local papers and also on the internet," says Mick Matthews, Deputy Chief Constable of Gloucestershire Police. He is also the Association of Chief Police Officers' specialist on the cocaine industry.

"You can see a massive mark-up on the imported substances. The mark-up again from the cutting agent being added to an illegal substance, well that just goes through the roof.

"A kilo of cocaine, current price around £50,000, if you double that kilo with benzocaine and you have two kilos the dealer could then probably knock that out for something in the region of £80,000 to £90,000. So as you can see the profit margin on their initial outlay is significant."

Incinerated

The chemicals are easily available on the internet, but drug dealers are not going to buy them themselves and leave a credit card trail for police to pick up on - hence the middleman.

While they are not illegal to import, it is illegal to supply them to the underground drug trade. The Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca) is now specifically targeting those dealing in the substances. If importers are unable to explain why they want such large quantities, the drugs are incinerated. Conspiracy laws are also being used to prosecute people.

Cocaine use in UK
More cocaine users in UK than any other European country (UN)
Up to 365,000 have taken cocaine in the past month (Home Office)
Almost 5% of young people in England and Wales have tried cocaine in the past year (Home Office)
Use went up more than fourfold for 15-24 year olds in past 12 months (Home Office)
Cocaine was mentioned on 235 death certificates in 2008, compared with 11 in 1993 (Office for National Statistics)
Earlier this year, Soca seized 83 barrels (two tonnes) of benzocaine in just one week. The haul represented one-fifth of the UK's annual legitimate use of the drug. The importers were unable to explain why they needed it, so police disposed of it.

But the boom in the trade could have serious health implications for the people who are using the drugs, including liver and heart problems. The chances of someone taking an overdose also increases.

"Any drug is harmful, however pure it is," says Mr Barnes. "But variations in purity due to cutting agent being used increases the risk of an overdose. People just do not know what strength of drug they are taking."

Police also believe it could have other knock-on effects.

"Officers don't always know what they are dealing with," says Deputy Chief Constable Matthews. "The normal effects of heroin, cocaine, ecstasy, they are pretty well recognisable for the police.

"When it is mixed with something not known that can have a completely different side effect, that changes the temperament of the situation. It can change the behaviour of the individual - that has to create further risks."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-11177126
Added on 08/09/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Chicago CBP Seize Five Kilos of Opium Woodchips
Chicago CBP Seize Five Kilos of Opium Woodchips
Friday, August 27, 2010)
Chicago — Chicago Customs and Border Protection (CBB) officers at the International Mail Facility near O’Hare Airport recently seized five kilos of opium saturated woodchips inside two international shipments destined for Minnesota.

Invoiced as “Lao Herbal” tea, CBP canine Rambo alerted to a parcel on Thursday, Aug. 26, which contained 37 plastic bags of woodchips that tested positive for opium. On the following day, Friday, Aug. 27, CBP canine Rambo once again alerted to another shipment of “Lao Herbal” tea containing 39 plastic bags of woodchips that also tested positive for opium. Both parcels were shipped from Laos and destined for different addresses in Minneapolis, Minn. The weight of all of the opium saturated woodchips totaled over 5.1 kilograms. No arrests have been made at this time regarding these seizures as the investigation continues.

“In Chicago we have seen everything from opium saturated in pieces of cloth, to opium in small twigs and now in woodchips,” said Brian Humphrey, CBP Acting Director of Field Operations in Chicago. “Everyday presents a new challenge and opportunity for CBP to outsmart drug smugglers as our officers examine, x-ray and process millions of incoming foreign mail parcels to keep our country safe.”

Officers stationed at CBP mail facilities routinely discover and seize drugs such as marijuana, opium, heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine, concealed in ingenious methods, arriving from throughout the world in foreign mail. CBP International Mail Facilities are located in Chicago, Ill.; Los Angeles, Calif.; San Francisco, Calif.; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Seattle, Wash.; Honolulu, Hawaii; Jamaica, N.Y.; Miami, Fla.; Jersey City, N.J. and Charlotte Amalie, Virgin Islands.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/local/08272010_5.xml
Added on 07/09/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Police seize 24 kilos of drugs
Police seize 24 kilos of drugs
3 September 2010 | 10:38 | Source: Tanjug
BELGRADE -- Serbian police (MUP) have seized more than 24 kilograms of synthetic drugs at the Gradina border crossing with Bulgaria.

MUP said that this meant that another smuggling route from Western Europe toward the Middle East was broken.

The ecstasy and amphetamine pills were found in an Audi A3, driven by 33-year-old Dutch citizen of Turkish origin identified as Seban Testemur.

Testemur has been place in police custody and will be brought before a judge within 48 hours, said the police statement.

It was also announced that the value of the seized narcotics was some EUR 300,000.

http://www.b92.net//eng/news/crimes-article.php?yyyy=2010&mm=09&dd=03&nav_id=69461
Added on 07/09/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
10 kg of heroin seized in Port of Cesme (Turkey)
10 kg of heroin seized in Port of Cesme (Turkey)
10 kg of heroin was arrested in Port of Cesme

Customs and Protection of City Nazim Baºmüdür all according to information received from, 08/29/2010 to departing on the Greek island of Chios Ulusoy Çeºme Port Customs to land the Bulgarian nationals SVP Everyone named on the Bulgarian authorities in the framework of risk analysis in a tool plate Fountain Customs Enforcement officers in the Directorate of Narcotics Detector Dog Ceki the sake of order resulting from the search, narcotics detector dogs were taken from the reaction of the vehicle.

Fountain Customs Enforcement Directorate, Fountain Customs Directorate, Izmir Smuggling Intelligence and Narcotics Customs Enforcement Directorate and the Fountain City Police Department Com Group Chief-created team, unless such vehicles made in the search result, the vehicle right and left marºpiyer described as the place in caches in the total (20) package with tare weight from 9934 grams of heroin were seized drugs is estimated.

The seized heroin is estimated that the transportation of materials and substances such vehicle has been seized, suspected SVP taken into custody after receiving the statement was referred to the Prosecutor Fountain. Investigations conducted in connection with events still remain.
The estimated market value of drugs captured nearly one million TL.
Added on 07/09/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Corbas: two pounds of drugs hidden in a shipment of bananas
Corbas: two pounds of drugs hidden in a shipment of bananas
Corbas: two pounds of drugs hidden in a shipment of bananas

A wholesaler of fruits and vegetables in the Rhone Corbas was surprised to receive the "bread" of cocaine. For a value of 1.4 million euros.

According to the site of Lyons Capital, the company Soly Import, wholesale market Corbas, receives the cargo of the day: about 25,000 boxes of bananas. The merchandise is unloaded and placed directly in cold storage, before being sorted. In early afternoon, the cartons are opened one by one, the banana ripening room in rows.

Except that in one of the boxes, but no green bananas in a plastic bag which is raised several packages and a backpack.
Added on 07/09/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
CBSA seizes almost 11kg of heroin intercepted at Pierre Elliot Trudeau Airport
CBSA seizes almost 11kg of heroin intercepted at Pierre Elliot Trudeau Airport
Montréal (Quebec), August 31, 2010 — The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced today that its officers working at the Pierre Elliot Trudeau Airport have intercepted almost 11kg of heroin, with an estimated street value of $4 million.

On July 30, during an examination of a shipment of rugs from Pakistan, Commercial Operations officers intercepted the heroin. The drugs were hidden within the hand-knotted woollen fibres of the rugs.

"This seizure was the result of the diligent work of CBSA officers whose expertise in examination and investigative techniques led them to identify indicators of concealment," said CBSA Quebec Region Director General Bernard Brie. "I want to commend the work of our officers whose efforts have prevented illegal drugs from reaching our communities."

In 2009–2010, CBSA officers in the Quebec Region have made over 2000 drug seizures, keeping illegal drugs worth an estimated street value of $680 million off the streets of Canada. The CBSA works closely with domestic and international law enforcement partners to prevent the smuggling of illegal drugs which fuels organized crime and undermines the safety of Canadian communities.

The investigation continues.

For media Information:
Media Relations, Quebec Region
Canada Border Services Agency
514-350-6130

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/media/prosecutions-poursuites/que/2010-08-31-eng.html
Added on 07/09/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Coming up: European technical conference on drug supply indicators
Coming up: European technical conference on drug supply indicators
The last two years have seen unprecedented interest, both technically and politically, in improving the evidence base for understanding issues of drug supply. In this optic, the European Commission and the EMCDDA have joined forces to organise this autumn the first European technical conference on drug supply indicators.

The purpose of the conference, to be held in Brussels from 20–22 October, will be to launch the process for designing a new European strategy for monitoring drug markets, crime and supply reduction. A network of operational and scientific experts will be called upon to guide the strategy's development and implementation.

The event is expected, for the first time at European level, to devise a plan to implement the information tools needed to understand these key facets of the drugs phenomenon.

Around 120 European and international experts will gather at this by-invitation event to move forward in this area of recognised importance to European drug policy. Among them will be: law enforcement officers, forensic scientists, criminologists, national data collection specialists, data analysts, economists, policy/intelligence analysts and technical staff of EU and international institutions.

The organisers believe that this milestone event will make an important contribution to achieving the objectives of the EU drugs action plan (2009–12), while also supporting the EMCDDA in its mission to develop indicators that can paint an overall picture of Europe's drugs phenomenon.

Technical groups supported by the EMCDDA will take forward the work initiated at the conference. This will result in a concept paper and roadmap for implementing one indicator in each of the conference's three thematic areas (markets, crime and supply reduction). These documents will ultimately be presented to a second consensus meeting, scheduled to be held in Lisbon in 2011.

Chloé Carpentier
http://www.emcdda.europa.eu/publications/drugnet/online/2010/71/article10
Added on 07/09/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Rose-covered khat discovered at airport
Rose-covered khat discovered at airport
Last Updated: Friday, September 3, 2010
An air cargo package containing 73 kilograms of khat has been uncovered at Calgary International Airport.
The shipment of khat — a plant that produces a mild cocaine-type euphoria — was declared as fresh flowers, according to a Canada Border Services Agency news release.

When officers examined the package on Tuesday, they found the drugs concealed inside roses.

The shipment originated in Kenya.

It's the 19th khat seizure and the second largest in Alberta this year.

The CBSA said Canada, including Alberta, has seen an increase in khat imports over the past five years.

Khat is generally linked to east African countries like Somalia, Yemen and Ethiopia. It is usually chewed to release the desired ingredients, but it's also available in dried form to smoke or to be added to tea or food.

No arrests have been made. The investigation continues.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/story/2010/09/03/calgary-airport-drug-khat-seizure.html?ref=rss
Added on 07/09/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Major cocaine trafficking in the region of Bajo Cauca, Antioquia and the Gulf of Uraba dismantled
Major cocaine trafficking in the region of Bajo Cauca, Antioquia and the Gulf of Uraba dismantled
Bogota D. C. Four subjects from the criminal organization "The urabeños" were responsible for the shipment of cocaine to Europe.

The National Police through the Anti-Narcotics Directorate dedicated network dismantled a major cocaine trafficking in the region of Bajo Cauca, Antioquia and the Gulf of Uraba.

Among those captured is alias "El Zarco", member of the criminal organization "The urabeños" responsible for controlling the output of drug through the port of Turbo abroad, collecting taxes and authorizing the possible shipment of hallucinogenic substances to motorboats deep-reaching Urabá.

Investigations were being developed since last April 2009 in coordination with the Office of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration and the Attorney General's Office, which allowed inter also establish that the pattern of this organization was to ship through contamination of containers with bananas that are exported to Europe, for which contacts to officials involved in legal exports of companies in the region, who also supplied inside information about the traceability of the container selected for the illegal shipment of hallucinogenic the route of the motor boats that reached the Gulf to carry the load.

Another method used by these criminals, was the use of artisanal vessels carrying the hallucinogen to reach the deep-sea motor boats transiting the Atlantic Ocean to Europe. In the development of the operation of this organization, we seized over 600 kilos of cocaine which were destined for European markets.

Those captured were identified as, alias "El Zarco" member of the criminal gang called "The urabeños" responsible for monitoring and drug delivery through the port of Turbo abroad, collecting taxes and authorizing the possible shipment of hallucinogenic substances to deep-sea motor boats arriving in the Gulf of Uraba.

Another is caught alias "Elio" coordinator of shipments, bribing officials contacted and involved in legal exports of companies incorporated in the region.

He was also captured alias "Marble" charged with providing information to the organization of traceability of the containers selected for the illegal shipment of illegal drugs and the route of the motor boats that reached the Gulf to carry the load.

Finally alias "Gollo" owner of artisanal fishing boats, which used to coordinate the transport of alkaloids.
Added on 31/08/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Navy intercept £4m cocaine haul
Navy intercept £4m cocaine haul
Published Date: 30 August 2010
PORTSMOUTH-based HMS Gloucester has helped capture £4m worth of cocaine – hidden in a yacht's rudder.
The ship intercepted the suspect yacht Tortuga in the mid-Atlantic.

The vessel – registered in Florida – was then taken to Cape Verde, off the western coast of Africa, where cocaine with a street value of £4m was found hidden within the rudder.

The Royal Navy was asked for help from Cape Verde authorities in tracking down the yacht.

HMS Gloucester – en route to the Falklands where she will spend the next seven months – was then diverted to intercept.

HMS Gloucester's Commanding Officer, Commander David George, said the yacht had nowhere to run.

He said: 'The last thing a drug smuggler wants to be seeing as the sun comes up is a Royal Navy warship bearing down on him.
'He can't run and he can't fight.

'HMS Gloucester provided the ideal launching pad for the Cape Verde law enforcement team to intercept these drugs.

'It's fast, has long-range detection radar, and one of the fastest helicopters in the world, the Lynx Mk 8.

'There was no argument.

'Thanks to close co-operation between the Cape Verde authorities, international counter-narcotics agencies and the Royal Navy, millions of pounds' worth of cocaine has been stopped from reaching our streets.'

The operation, which took place in the early hours of Friday last week, is the first one of its kind between the UK and Cape Verde authorities.

But it comes after efforts by the Royal Navy and Serious Organised Crime Agency to increase counter narcotics missions in the area.

Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox said: 'This is another example of the great work the men and women of the Royal Navy carry out around the which helps protect us at home.

'The Royal Navy plays a crucial role in intercepting drugs that could be destined for Britain's streets.

'I am very proud of their efforts.'

It was an eventful start to Gloucester's latest deployment.

The Type 42 destroyer and her company of 280 men and women only left Portsmouth on August 20.

It will now spend the next seven months protecting British interests around the Falkland Islands and South Georgia.

It will also be making official visits to South American countries such as Brazil and Chile.

HMS Gloucester will be taking over patrols of the south Atlantic area from Devonport-based HMS Portland.
http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/newshome/Navy-intercept-4m-cocaine-haul.6502481.jp
Added on 31/08/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Garda drug seizure nets 270kg of cannabis worth €2m
Garda drug seizure nets 270kg of cannabis worth €2m
The Irish Times - Friday, August 27, 2010
THE GARDA have made the biggest cannabis seizure so far this year following an intelligence-led operation into a major organised crime gang that has been smuggling large shipments from Europe.

Detectives believe three men arrested as part of the seizure in Dublin were not big players in the gang which owned the drugs. An investigation into the key players was continuing last night.

The Irish Times understands the drugs seized, some 270kgs of cannabis resin with a street value of about €2 million, had been brought into the country by a syndicate of west Dublin dealers, most of them based in the Ballyfermot area of the city.

One senior Garda source said the well-known gang, led by two brothers, has been a key target for detectives in the city for many years. “They’ve been at it for a few years now, moving a lot of drugs around and while we’ve got some of them before, this seizure is definitely a big blow to them.”

The operation led by the Garda National Drugs Unit has been ongoing for a number of weeks. Officers from the specialist unit received intelligence suggesting some of the narcotics would be moving through Dublin city centre on Tuesday night.

Gardaí stopped a van on Arran Quay in Dublin’s south inner city on that night. An initial search of the van yielded nothing and the vehicle’s 60-year-old driver was not then arrested.

However, his van was taken away by officers and searched on Wednesday morning.

On examining headboards and other bed components in the van, the Garda search team realised the wooden parts had been hollowed out and blocks of cannabis wrapped in plastic and duct tape concealed inside.

Some 200kgs of the drug, with an estimated street value of €1.4 million, was found in the van.

Officers had kept the driver under surveillance overnight and he was arrested at the Bridewell Garda station in Dublin’s north inner city on Wednesday morning.

Gardaí believe the drugs in the van were part of a bigger haul that had just been shipped into the Republic.

A search operation was put into action throughout Wednesday which led gardaí to a warehouse and office building in the Greenogue Industrial Estate, Rathcoole, Co Dublin.

More hollowed-out wooden bed parts were found at the premises and a further stash of cannabis resin valued at more than €400,000 was discovered.

A 40-year-old man was arrested at the scene.

Yesterday morning a 23-year-old man was arrested in Dublin city centre. He was the passenger in the van stopped on Arran Quay on Tuesday night.

Two men are being held at the Bridewell Garda station while a third is being held in Clondalkin station. All are being detained under section 2 of the Drug Trafficking Act and can be held without charge for up to seven days.

Garda sources said the investigation was continuing and that more arrests were anticipated.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0827/1224277687615.html
Added on 30/08/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
A Dutchman arrested at Lima's international airport with 11.9 kilos of cocaine
A Dutchman arrested at Lima's international airport with 11.9 kilos of cocaine
A Dutchman who acted as 'mule' (e) of drug trafficking was arrested at Lima's international airport with 11.9 kilos of cocaine hidden in his luggage, valued at more than half a million dollars on the European black market, reported Saturday Peruvian police.

Alexander van Stralendorf, 48, traveled to Amsterdam and had hidden the drug in a double-bottomed suitcase, sprinkled with pepper and cinnamon to try to fool the load-sniffing dogs at the airport Jorge Chavez, Peru's main terminal.
Peruvian police said a kilo of cocaine sold in the European market to the equivalent of $ 50,000.
The Dutchman admitted that receive more than 5,000 euros in return for delivering cocaine to a contact in the capital of the Netherlands.

So far this year more than 340 'mules' of drug trafficking have been caught at the airport Jorge Chavez, who seized a total of over 2,000 kilos, an amount very similar to previous years.

http://www.lanacion.com.py/noticias_um-323596.htm
Added on 30/08/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Police, Coast Guard seize 13,000 lbs of ganja in MoBay
Police, Coast Guard seize 13,000 lbs of ganja in MoBay
Sunday, August 29, 2010




MONTEGO BAY, St James — A combined 13,000 pounds of compressed ganja was seized Friday and yesterday at the Montego Freeport harbour by the Marine Police in collaboration with the Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard.

Police said a total of 800 pounds of the weed was found at about 5:00 am in four canisters during the search of the hull of a vessel docked in the port.


The ship, which the police said originated from Trinidad, arrived in the island on Friday, and was scheduled to leave for the Bahamas yesterday.

The seizure comes on the heels of the discovery of three canisters containing 500 pounds of weed, which were found afloat in the harbour during an operation early Friday.

"It was about 2:00 am that the team observed an unusual movement in the harbour and so the members decided to investigate," said a police source. "On investigation a man was seen on a bamboo raft in the water. When he was approached, he abandoned the raft and escaped."

The canisters were later found during the search of the area.

The police theorised that the man was transporting the canisters containing the drug to an area where they would be stored and later placed on a vessel.

"It was as a result of this discovery that the police and the coast guard decided to carry out a search of the ship," said the source.

No arrests have been made in connection with both seizures.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Police--Coast-Guard-seize-13-000-lbs-of-ganja-in-MoBay_7913817

Major MoBay drug bust
Published: Sunday | August 29, 2010

Ganja with an estimated local street value of more than $40 million, but which could fetch much more on the streets of the United States, was seized by the police in Montego Bay, St James, yesterday and Friday.

The weed was attached to a cargo vessel, Odergas, which was also seized by the cops.

Initial reports from the Constabulary Communication Network (CCN) said the more than 860 pounds of ganja was found at the Montego Freeport Pier.

No arrests

The CCN says about 6:35 yesterday morning, personnel from the marine police and the coast guard found one canister with weed attached to the vessel which was from Trinidad and destined for The Bahamas.

The find came hours after the cops intercepted a man on a raft in the vicinity of the pier.

While the man was able to jump into the water and swim away, he left behind three metal canisters containing compressed ganja.

No one was arrested in connection with either seizure, but the police are following several leads.

http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20100829/news/news3.html
Added on 30/08/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
Customs seizes ingredients enough for 2 tons of shabu
Customs seizes ingredients enough for 2 tons of shabu
by Joel E. Zurbano

CUSTOMS agents intercepted in North Harbor, Manila a huge shipment of toluene, a regulated substance used in producing shabu, which was declared by the importer as ladies handbags from Shekou, China.

The contraband, according to Customs X-ray Inspection Project head Ma. Lourdes Mangaoang, was enough to produce two tons of shabu with an estimated street value of P1.5 billion.

Mangaoang the 6,400 liters of toluene loaded in a 40-foot container van was consigned to Trispher Trading and arrived at the Manila International Container Port last Aug. 10.

The firm has a business address at 27-D Sampaguita Granada Street , Barangay Valencia in Quezon City.

The importer was not registered with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and had not secured a license to import the substance, it was learned.

Mangaoang said the illegal substance was discovered at the MICP after her team. led by agent Robert Montealegre, found images of drums concealed by other items at the rear end of the container.

Customs Commissioner Angelito Alvarez commended the team of Mangaoang for the seizure of 32 drums of toluene, which is classified as a narcotic and a psychotropic substance under the United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs.

A psychotropic substance is a chemical that crosses the blood-brain barrier and acts primarily upon the central nervous system where it alters brain function, resulting in changes in perception, mood, consciousness, and behavior.

Alvarez told reporters it was the biggest toluene haul that was seized by the Customs authorities.

Alvarez tapped Enforcement and Security Service officer-in-charge Chief Supt. Jose Yuchongco to coordinate with PDEA for the proper custody, sampling, and secured laboratory testing of the confiscated toluene.

PDEA chemist Shiela Esguerra certified that the “32 drums were positive for toluene, an essential chemical under Republic Act 9165 or the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Each drum contains 200 liters of toluene.”

Yuchongco said his men are now looking for the owners of Trispher Trading.

In 2007, the bureau’s x-ray inspection unit also seized a sizeable quantity of toluene enough to produce P700 million worth of shabu.

The shipment was found inside a 40-foot container van that came from Taiwan and was consigned to Vill-Gay Forwarding Services.

The drums of toluene were among the assorted plastic panelings, nylon cord, aluminum rod, aluminum rail bracket, magnetic clutch, lock screw, metal cans of thinners, and anti-rust solutions.

Customs officials said toluene importations should be covered by a permit from PDEA.
http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideMetro.htm?f=2010/august/26/metro1.isx&d=2010/august/26
Added on 27/08/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
5 tons hashish in Dutch sailboat
5 tons hashish in Dutch sailboat
The Security Service arrangements (SVA) intervened in the early hours of Wednesday in waters of the Strait of Gibraltar, close to 5,000 kilograms of hashish hidden in a sailboat Netherlands flag. The SVA helicopter found the boat 10 miles from Punta Europa and raised the suspicions of the agents to take the engine off. The SVA sent to patrol the area to Eagle in April, based in Algeciras, in carrying out their inspection.

Once aboard the boat, 17 meters long, SVA agents proceeded to the registration of the boat, where they were located about 200 bales of hashish. In the absence of final weighing of the drug, it is estimated that the quantity of hashish seized five tonnes ronde. In addition, the three crew members were detained the boat, two of them French and the third Dutchman. Those arrested were brought to justice charged with a drug trafficking offense.

In the absence of official confirmation about the exact amount of drugs intercepted, the police operation would be the second largest amount that has developed in the province when it is summer.

Since June and until yesterday, the Security Forces of the State had seized more than 22.5 tons of hashish in the area. The most seized drug action was developed in the first half of July in the port of Algeciras and she also participated in the Tax Agency in collaboration with the National Police. At that time the agents found 11 100 kilograms of hashish were hidden in a shipment of frozen sardines arrived at the port, making a break economic fabric of an organization that laundered drug money through various companies.
Added on 27/08/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
50 kg of cocaine hidden in hi-fi systems, the drug would have earned more than 8 million
50 kg of cocaine hidden in hi-fi systems, the drug would have earned more than 8 million
Rome, August 25 (AGI)
Fifty kilos of cocaine hidden in hi-fi clothing in suitcases transported between three Brazilian women, were seized at Fiumicino airport from the Provincial Command of the military police of Rome arrested the three "couriers" arriving from Sao Paulo and Milan final destination.

Cocaine seized from traffickers were obtained by adding substances to cut over 150 kg of drugs to sell, intended probably to supply the markets of central and northern Italy, with profits estimated at more than 8 million.

Two young mothers of Brazilian origin, with the result, respectively, a daughter and a baby barely eighteen, had thought of hiding from the many tourists passing by the Leonardo da Vinci Airport, in an attempt to overcome easily inspections and to remove Suspicion also counting on the presence of the son of one of two women, two and a half years.

Military Group Fiumicino, however, suspicious of the women had heavy suitcases loaded in the hold of the EAR, which were affixed on some previous trips Tag
played in Japan, decided to investigate the controls, stopping just as they were about to board the plane that was brought to Milan.

D.O.S., P.S. and FDB, 35, 23 and 18 years, the financiers of the first questions on the contents of their luggage, replied that in addition to other personal effects, there were gifts of modest value for families residing in Italy.

But control of the military has discovered that in each case, between different clothes, had hidden a hi-fi, complete with warranty and instruction booklet. Only the weight, however, was not consistent: in every stereo in fact had been concealed eight loaves of pure cocaine with a total of 50 pounds.

The three women, after the formalities of ritual, were conducted at the prison of Civitavecchia, available to the local judicial authorities and will respond to international traffic of drugs, while the child was entrusted to the Social Services of the same House district.
Added on 26/08/2010 : Added by: END project team
European news
R1.4bn cocaine bust at harbour
R1.4bn cocaine bust at harbour
Cocaine seized in Bay (including video, see the news from TheHerald)

2010/08/25



POLICE this afternoon found a large amount of cocaine in the frame of an oil container that was seized in the Bay today (August 25).

The estimated value of the pure uncut cocaine found at this stage is R1,4-billion. Police are still dismantling the container.

The container was recovered at the Port of Ngqura earlier today after it was suspected to be carrying the drugs.

It was then transported to the police pound in Struandale, where it was cut open.

More information and video to follow.

http://www.theherald.co.za/article.aspx?id=599165



Massive coke haul found in PE

Port Elizabeth police on Wednesday afternoon found an estimated 400kg of cocaine in the frame of an oil container seized in the Bay, reports The HeraldOnline.

The estimated value of the pure uncut cocaine found at this stage is believed to be over R1 billion.

The container was recovered at the Port of Ngqura earlier Wednesday after it was suspected to be carrying the drugs.

It was then transported to the police pound in Struandale, where it was cut open and the haul discovered.

http://blogs.dispatch.co.za/dispatchnow/2010/08/25/massive-coke-haul-found-in-pe/



R1.4bn cocaine bust at harbour
2010-08-25 18:36

Port Elizabeth - Cocaine with a street value of about R1.4bn, was seized in an "unusual" container at the Ngqura harbour in Port Elizabeth on Wednesday, police said.

"The container was unusual in that it looked like a petrol tank and had a construction with pillars holding it together," police spokesperson Captain Sandra van Rensburg said.

"Inside the container we found 22 000 litres of oil and inside the pillars, the cocaine was hidden."

Police were still trying to establish the amount of drugs in the container. By late on Wednesday afternoon, they weighed out about 100kg, with an estimated street value of about R1.4bn.

Police suspect there was about 250kg of "pure cocaine".

"Right now, we still need to pump oil out of the container to see if there are more pillars inside," said Van Rensburg.

No arrests had been made yet.

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/R14bn-worth-of-cocaine-seized-2010082