DRUG ARRESTS

Woman arrested in cocaine swoop - News - Warwick Courier

2011-01-09T20:58:00+00:00

Woman arrested in cocaine swoop - News - Warwick Courier: "Suspected cocaine has been found hidden in a vase by UK Border Agency officers and police in Belfast.

The earthenware container with the suspected class A drug was posted in South America and discovered at an address in the north of the city.

The drug weighed 1.3kg with an estimated street value of up to £250,000 and was hidden in a false base in the vase which had been filled with expanding foam.

A woman, 28, was arrested at the address and inquiries are continuing.

Maggie Eyden, UKBA assistant director in Northern Ireland, said: 'Our officers are on constant alert to keep drugs and other banned substances out of the UK."

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£250k taken off jailed drug baron Samir Dahou - Chronicle News - News - ChronicleLive

2011-01-09T20:55:00+00:00

£250k taken off jailed drug baron Samir Dahou - Chronicle News - News - ChronicleLive: "DRUGS baron jailed after one of Tyneside police’s biggest ever narcotics operations has had quarter of a million pounds of his dirty cash confiscated.

Samir Dahou supplied huge amounts of heroin to a global trafficking gang, operating from Tyneside, who made millions of pounds selling drugs.

But the dealers were eventually snared when Northumbria Police launched Operation Verona, in 2007, to bring them to their knees.

Dahou, who was jailed for 14 years for his role in the multi-million pound conspiracy, has now been stripped of the money he made."

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Cannabis found hidden in painting of Emmanuel Adebayor | World news | guardian.co.uk

2011-01-06T17:05:00+00:00

Cannabis found hidden in painting of Emmanuel Adebayor | World news | guardian.co.uk: "Drug smugglers tried to bring cannabis worth almost £3,000 into the UK hidden in a painting of the footballer Emmanuel Adebayor, the UK Border Agency said today.

The wooden-framed picture was seized as it passed through a postal depot in Coventry from the footballer's native Togo.

The painting of the former Arsenal star now at Manchester City was addressed to a home in Tottenham, the team's north London rival.

Details of the ploy and several others were revealed by the agency to highlight the methods used by drug traffickers.

Officials intercepted drugs hidden in bottles of Baileys liqueur, woven baskets, packets of peanuts and yams that had been opened and glued back together."

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6 plead guilty to charges federal cocaine-trafficking case - WREG

2010-12-30T15:07:00+00:00

6 plead guilty to charges federal cocaine-trafficking case - WREG: "Six people have pleaded guilty in a federal cocaine-trafficking case.

The Sun Herald reports the case involved transport of about 44 pounds of cocaine from Illinois to Jackson County, where some of the cocaine was later seized.

Prosecutors said the suspects drove in two vehicles to Chicago in April 2009 to make the pickup. They said the group expected to pick up five kilos of cocaine but once there, learned it was 20 kilos and bought a larger suitcase to take it back to Mississippi."

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Trio of Royal Caribbean Crewmembers Charged With Smuggling Heroin and Cocaine - Royal Caribbean International

2010-12-30T15:03:00+00:00

Trio of Royal Caribbean Crewmembers Charged With Smuggling Heroin and Cocaine - Royal Caribbean International: "crewmembers from Royal Caribbean's Charm City-based Enchantment of the Seas were charged on Tuesday in connection with another sort of white powder.

The Baltimore Sun is reporting that three employees of the cruise line -- 35-year-old Gavin Excell and John Swart Garth and Kishurn Neptune, both 27 -- tried to smuggle 700 grams of heroin and 300 grams of cocaine from the Dominican Republic into Baltimore. Citing U.S. Homeland Security documents, the Sun reports that the drugs were found hidden in Excell's waistband and shoes on December 18, the day Enchantment arrived in Baltimore.

According to the documents, the three men had planned to deliver the drugs at the Port Covington Walmart, near the cruise terminal, to Loxly Johnson and Shenika Nicole Graves, who reportedly drove to Baltimore from Virginia.

In a statement, Royal Caribbean noted that customs officials were notified by the ship's security officer about potential illegal activity. The release adds that the 'line cooperated fully with authorities during this investigation and will continue providing any assistance necessary to prosecute these individuals to the fullest extent of the law.'"

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Looking for cocaine? Check the Easter egg candies | The Journal Gazette | Fort Wayne, IN

2010-12-30T15:01:00+00:00

Looking for cocaine? Check the Easter egg candies | The Journal Gazette | Fort Wayne, IN: "Federal authorities say a Miami man was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport, trying to smuggle cocaine concealed inside phony Easter eggs.

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency said that 23-year-old Esteban Galtes was arrested last week night after officers searched his luggage and found more than 14 pounds of cocaine, much of it camouflaged as egg-shaped candies. He had been returning from a weeklong trip to Colombia.

The rest of the stash allegedly was hidden in a paper shopping bag. Galtes allegedly claimed the eggs were for his two children.

Galtes was being held for investigation of importation of a controlled substance."

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Cocaine hidden in rice bags - Crime & Courts - IOL | Breaking News | South Africa News | World News | Sport | Business | Entertainment | IOL.co.za

2010-12-30T14:50:00+00:00

Cocaine hidden in rice bags - Crime & Courts - IOL | Breaking News | South Africa News | World News | Sport | Business | Entertainment | IOL.co.za: "Details of how a consignment of 312kg of cocaine, hidden among bags of rice in a container, was intercepted in Durban harbour emerged during a bail application by six suspects yesterday.

The suspects, allegedly part of an international drug-smuggling syndicate arrested earlier this month, appeared in the Durban Magistrate’s Court.

They are British citizen Nitin Patel, Mozambicans Jose Rodrigues, Ben Nuvunga and Cassmo Haramate, Peter Fernando, a dual citizen of South Africa and Sri Lanka, and South African Jabar Sheik.

Their arrest came after the seizure of drugs with a street value of R316-million. It followed an eight-month joint investigation by members of the Pietermaritzburg Hawks, Pretoria crime intelligence and authorities from Canada, Netherlands and the United Arab Emirates."

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Coast Guard seizes $48M in cocaine on speedboat - Florida AP - MiamiHerald.com

2010-12-30T14:24:00+00:00

Coast Guard seizes $48M in cocaine on speedboat - Florida AP - MiamiHerald.com: "Key West-based Coast Guard cutter has seized an estimated $48 million in cocaine after stopping a speedboat off the coast of Panama.

The 62 bales of cocaine seized by the cutter Thetis were unloaded Wednesday at the Coast Guard's Miami Beach station. The bales weighed about 3,400 pounds.

Coast Guard officials say the speedboat was intercepted Dec. 17 about 160 miles from Colon, Panama. Aircraft from two other federal agencies took part in the stop.

Three suspected cocaine smugglers aboard the boat were taken into custody and will be prosecuted in Miami."

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Oklahoma Man Arrested At Airport Says Heroin Was Pain Reliever - News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports |

2010-12-30T14:20:00+00:00

Oklahoma Man Arrested At Airport Says Heroin Was Pain Reliever - News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports |: "53-year-old man from Delaware County said $50,000 worth of heroin found during a customs inspection at Detroit Metropolitan Airport was intended as a pain reliever for his ailing grandmother.

Federal authorities say Steven Patong Thao was arrested after arriving about noon Sunday on a flight that originated in Laos and stopped in Narita, Japan.

Thao was caught transporting two pill bottles containing 490 heroin capsules. Thao said he had a prescription for the illegal drugs, then said his nephew bought them in Laos and were intended for his diabetes and high blood pressure. Authorities say both stories were false.

Thao was released on $10,000 bond and is headed back to Oklahoma."

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Man caught with 50K worth of heroin claims it was for his grandma

2010-12-30T14:17:00+00:00

Man caught with 50K worth of heroin claims it was for his grandma: "Stevan Patong Thao, 53, of Oklahoma had two pill bottles with 490 capsules of heroin in his luggage as he flew into Detroit Metro Airport around noon Sunday. He flew in from Narita, Japan with his trip originating from Laos and was heading for Oklahoma.
At his hearing Tuesday he first told authorities he had a prescription for the capsules. heraldsun.com.au quotes Thao saying he was 'required to consume 12 capsules daily' for treatment of high blood pressure and diabetes."

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American who flew from Dominican city busted with heroin - DominicanToday.com

2010-12-30T14:14:00+00:00

American who flew from Dominican city busted with heroin - DominicanToday.com: "Ronny Rincon-Pineyro, 27, arrived Saturday at the Luis Munoz Marin International Airport on board American Eagle flight, presenting himself for inspection by CBP.

Mr. Rincon-Pineyro was referred to secondary inspection, where he was further interviewed by CBP officers.

During the course of the interview by CBP Officers, Mr. Rincon-Pineyro admitted that he had swallowed narcotics pellets but did not know how many or what they contained.

The defendant was transported to a medical facility where an X-ray was taken by a certified technician who verified the presence of foreign objects the digestive tract."

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Leaking heroin capsule leads to man's arrest - Broward - MiamiHerald.com

2010-12-30T14:05:00+00:00

Leaking heroin capsule leads to man's arrest - Broward - MiamiHerald.com: "Hernando Estupinan-Hernandez's alleged plan to smuggle the drug into the United States backfired after stomach pains led him to suspect a capsule had ruptured inside him, officials said. He called for an ambulance, and was taken to Broward General Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale.

Hernandez, 45, survived and was charged with trafficking of heroin."

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Drug chemicals 'wholesaler' David Wain is jailed

2010-12-10T20:23:00+00:00

BBC News - Drug chemicals 'wholesaler' David Wain is jailed: "man who supplied chemicals to drug gangs throughout the UK has been sentenced to 12 years in prison.
David Wain, of Hayes, west London, ran his business from his flat and mother's garage, Reading Crown Court heard.
Police said the 48-year-old sold tonnes of chemicals used to cut cocaine in deals that could have netted the criminals more than £500m.
Wain was earlier convicted of assisting drug dealers and supplying the newly banned drug GBL."

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Former Bellingham scientist sentenced to prison-based drug treatment for heroin dealing | Northwest News - The News Tribune

2010-12-10T20:19:00+00:00

Former Bellingham scientist sentenced to prison-based drug treatment for heroin dealing Northwest News - The News Tribune: "former Bellingham water-quality scientist who turned to heroin dealing during his descent from a lavish lifestyle was sentenced Thursday, Dec. 9, to a prison-based drug treatment program.
Kenton C. Doughty, 54, had already pleaded guilty to three counts of heroin dealing, one count of possessing heroin with intent to deal it, and possessing stolen property.
Whatcom County Superior Court Judge Charles Snyder sentenced him to 20 months in the treatment program. He will be on Department of Corrections supervision for an additional 20 months after he finishes treatment.
Doughty's attorney, Michael Brodsky, said the treatment program would allow his client to restart a life deterred by drug abuse.
'Kent is a good candidate to beat his addiction and become a productive member of society again,' Brodsky said."

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Heroin warning after woman, 34, dies - Wales News - News - WalesOnline

2010-12-10T20:17:00+00:00

Heroin warning after woman, 34, dies - Wales News - News - WalesOnline: "Police are appealing for drug users and their families to seek medical advice as they suspect a batch of high-purity heroin is circulating in Cardiff.
A man, aged 27, from Roath, was hospitalised following a suspected heroin overdose on Tuesday.
His condition is described as life threatening.
He was taken ill after a 34-year-old woman died in the city centre last Saturday.
Detective Sergeant Stuart Wales said: “We continue with our daily enforcement on the streets of Cardiff and work closely with the harm reduction agencies to encourage individuals to stop consuming drugs, particularly heroin.”"

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Vietnam sentences two men to death for heroin trafficking - Monsters and Critics

2010-12-10T20:03:00+00:00

Vietnam sentences two men to death for heroin trafficking - Monsters and Critics: "court in Hanoi has sentenced two men to death for trafficking heroin, an official said Friday.
The Hanoi City People's Court sentenced Nguyen Van Quyen and Nguyen Van Thiep to death after a one-day trial Thursday, said Nguyen Van Dung, a court secretary.
The court also sentenced Nguyen Thi Phuong and Nguyen Thi Que to life in prison for helping Quyen and Thiep to buy and transport heroin.
Nguyen Thi Hao, 27 and Nguyen Thi Xuyen, 39 were given 42 and 12 months in prison, respectively, for storing heroin trafficked by the ring.
Hanoi police discovered the 7 kilograms of heroin involved in the case along with 192 ecstasy tablets when they stopped and searched two men on a motorbike on June 5, 2009.
Possessing, trafficking or transporting 600 grams or more of heroin is punishable by death in Vietnam."

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$2 million in drugs seized at Arizona border - National News from USA Today and Gannett

2010-11-23T10:56:00+00:00

$2 million in drugs seized at Arizona border - National News from USA Today and Gannett: "U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s weekend seizures netted roughly $2 million in large amounts of narcotics, authorities said Monday.
According to a CBP press release, eight people who were found either driving with the narcotics in their vehicles or riding as passengers were turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for further investigation. The drugs and vehicles were seized as well.
From Friday through Sunday, CBP processed approximately 75,000 travelers at the port of entry in Nogales and seized more than 236 pounds of marijuana, more than two pounds of methamphetamine and nearly 160 pounds of cocaine totaling an estimated street value of $2 million."

Retired Chicago cop accused of aiding drug ring - chicagotribune.com

2010-11-23T10:54:00+00:00

Retired Chicago cop accused of aiding drug ring - chicagotribune.com: "new indictment charged that the trafficking ring invested its illegal proceeds in real estate and businesses, but it does not say if that includes Lewellen's Lockport company. The crew used a car that resembled an undercover police vehicle and posed as police officers during kidnappings and robberies, the indictment alleged.
Lewellen, who allegedly helped the group evade law enforcement, was known as an enterprising narcotics officer with knowledgeable informants and the ability to bring in large amounts of illegal drugs, sources said.
He was said to have played a role in a huge cocaine seizure in 1999 — at the time called the largest in Chicago Police Department history."

Canada has become a major trafficking hub for meth and the club drug ecstasy."

2010-11-23T10:50:00+00:00

Drug czar blames Canadian gangs for ecstasy rise in U.S. - thestar.com: "America's drug czar says the United States can slow the flow of illegal narcotics from Canada by getting its own drug problem under control.
Gil Kerlikowske, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, says getting more Americans off drugs will help reduce the glut of ecstasy, meth, heroin, marijuana and cocaine crossing the Canada-U.S. border.
Kerlikowske, a former police chief in Seattle and Buffalo, said guns and drugs still move freely across the Canada-U.S. border.
“Smuggling of narcotics can often go into the United States, and in turn the flow of firearms into Canada, and I don't think that has changed in the many years I've spent along the border, unfortunately,” Kerlikowske said.
“I think that's why it's also so important to deal with the demand, because if we reduce our own consumption in the United States, if we prevent young people in Canada and the United States from using drugs, it will really help.”
Canada has become a major trafficking hub for meth and the club drug ecstasy."

The Civil Guard have intercepted more than three tons of cannabis resin in two separate operations which took place on the western coast of Málaga

2010-11-16T21:19:00+00:00

The Civil Guard have intercepted more than three tons of cannabis resin in two separate operations which took place on the western coast of Málaga province in recent days. The first haul was on Sunday evening at the marina in Marbella from a yacht which had been under surveillance since the previous day. Two people were taken into custody on that occasion, F.J.A.S. and A.G.M., neither of whose nationalities has been revealed in reports.

The second was in the early hours of Tuesday when a 38 year old Spaniard, E.H.M., was arrested as he was trying to unload his cargo of cannabis onto a van waiting on shore. His boat is understood from the EFE news agency to have been followed to shore, to an area between the Playas del Padrón y de Velerín, by Civil Guard patrol boats.