DISCLAIMER
Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder
Five Airport Employees Charged with Drug Offences: "Investigators from the RCMP Greater Toronto Area Drug Section - Toronto Airport Drug Enforcement Unit (TADEU) arrested 9 persons throughout the Greater Toronto Area and charged them with various drug related offences. This investigation, dubbed Project OTAG, began in February 2010. While working in conjunction with the United States Homeland Security Investigations and the Jamaican Constabulary Force information was received that led investigators to several employees at the Toronto Lester B. Pearson International Airport believed to be involved in the importation and exportation of drugs. Authorities are alleging that during the investigation, a variety of drugs flowed in and out of the airport on chartered airlines. The drugs include MDMA (ecstasy), Cannabis Resin (hashish) and Khat. The police are further alleging that this group used their employment as baggage handlers at the Airport to facilitate the movement of these drugs."
DISCLAIMER:Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.
Women for Schapelle:
Schapelle Corby 
& The Cover Up: "Federal police say 'it is a recognised criminal activity' for drug dealers to use innocent travellers as unsuspecting 'mules'. They have arrested baggage handlers at Sydney Airport for the offence. Drugs are inserted in luggage at one airport and a photograph of the target bag and its tag are emailed to the destination airport, where baggage handlers recover the drugs before the passenger collects the bag. Sydney Morning Herald March 5 2005"
DISCLAIMER:Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.
Mexican judge absolves reputed drug cartel 'queen' - Nation & World - The Olympian - Olympia, Washington: "Judge Fernando Cordova del Valle ruled that prosecutors failed to bring enough evidence against Sandra Avila Beltran, described by U.S. and Mexican officials as a major decision-maker for the Sinaloa gang, Mexico's most powerful cartel. The 'Queen of the Pacific' had been charged with organized crime, conspiracy to traffic drugs and money laundering.
Avila Beltran
, who was arrested in September 2007 by more than 30 federal agents as she sipped coffee in a Mexico City diner, has faced a U.S. extradition request since November 2007.
The request relates to the 2001 seizure of more than 9 tons of U.S.-bound cocaine aboard a fishing vessel in the port of Manzanillo, along Mexico's west coast.
It was unclear if Avila, who remains in a Mexico City prison, still faces lesser charges or if the ruling Friday would affect the extradition process. The Attorney General's Office said it could not immediately comment.
Her boyfriend, Colombian Juan Diego Espinoza Ramirez, was also absolved in the same ruling. However, Espinoza was extradited to Florida in December 2008 on charges related to the cocaine shipment. Mexican law allows suspects to be extradited to the U.S. even while they are facing trial in the Mexico."
DISCLAIMER:Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder.
Pearson employees charged in alleged drug-funnelling scheme Posted Toronto National Post: "drug-smuggling ring involving five employees of Pearson International Airport and their connections in Jamaica and Greater
Toronto
has been dismantled, police announced Thursday.
The RCMP allege a variety of drugs — including ecstasy, hashish and khat, a stimulant plant — flowed in and out of the airport via chartered airlines. The Pearson staffers used their access to restricted areas of the airport to facilitate the importation and exportation, police said.
“The sheer size of Pearson airport means that it functions in a similar way to a small city, and like most small cities, it has its associated criminal element,” said Superintendent Rick Penney, who leads the RCMP’s GTA drug enforcement unit.
A total of 11 people have been charged in the scheme, including five employees of Pearson, two Jamaicans — one a police officer — and four of their Toronto associates, two of whom remained on outstanding warrants. Charges include conspiracy and importation and exportation of controlled substances."
:Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder
18 Dominican military officials detained: "Authorities have detained 18 military officials and two U.S. pilots after stopping a cocaine-laden airplane from taking off, officials said Friday.
The small plane, a Short 360, was carrying 145 1-kilogram (2.2-pound) bricks of cocaine and was bound for
Puerto Rico 
late Thursday, said Rolando Rosado Mateo, president of the National Drug Control Agency.
The officials detained include members of the drug control agency and airport security, along with a captain, three lieutenants and two lieutenant colonels.
He said agents also found $70,000 in cash inside a car that belongs to one official.
Rosado identified the pilots as Kevin Kuranz and Christopher Smith."
DISCLAIMER:Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder
