The Los Angeles City Council has taken a significant step in urging the international Olympics committee to investigate Casey Wasserman, the chief organizer for the LA 2028 Olympics, over his connections to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. In a unanimous vote of 12-0, council members expressed their growing concerns regarding Wasserman's past associations, including a flight on Epstein's jet and flirtatious emails exchanged with Epstein's associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, dating back to 2003. This resolution, while symbolic and not enforceable, reflects the intensifying discomfort in Los Angeles about Wasserman's position, particularly given the values of the Olympic movement. Council members emphasized... [Continue Reading]
Kenya Mcchell Chapman, a 32-year-old Virginia resident, appeared before a federal court facing charges of dealing firearms without a license in connection to the March 12 shooting at Old Dominion University. In addition, he faces three counts of making false statements during firearm purchases. Officials accuse Chapman of stealing the gun and illegally selling it to an individual with a terrorism conviction, who then used the weapon in a deadly attack. This case underscores critical issues with illegal firearm distribution and the potential consequences when such weapons fall into the wrong hands. The shooting resulted in significant loss and trauma... [Continue Reading]
Bolivian interior ministry says Sebastián Marset is being extradited to US, where he’s wanted for money launderingSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxSebastián Marset, an alleged Uruguayan drug trafficker and one of South America’s most wanted criminals, has been arrested in Bolivia.Marset, 34, is accused of trafficking tonnes of cocaine from South America to Europe, and also of having ordered the murder of a Paraguayan prosecutor who was shot dead as he honeymooned on a Colombian beach in 2022. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
William Todd, 61, a convicted murderer already serving two life sentences, masterminded an elaborate plan to help his criminal associates escape long prison terms. The effort targeted the trial of Danny Brown, 58, Stefan Baldauf, 66, and four others, who were convicted of smuggling 448 kilograms of MDMA valued at £45 million into Australia. Both Brown and Baldauf received sentences of 26 and 28 years respectively in December 2022 after a National Crime Agency (NCA) investigation. The scheme unfolded when the jury was deliberating in June 2022. False reports were sent to Kingston Crown Court claiming that five jurors had... [Continue Reading]
Four UK-based taxi drivers were convicted and sentenced for participating in a migrant smuggling ring that transported illegal migrants from the UK to France concealed in lorries. At the center of the operation was Madjid Belabes, who earned around £290,000 by charging migrants £1,200 each for passage to mainland Europe. The scheme was active from late 2022 to late 2023, with Belabes orchestrating at least 26 separate runs. The migrants, mainly from Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco, entered the UK legally on tourist visas, using Britain as a transit point to reach France illegally. In one notable incident, French officials discovered... [Continue Reading]
In tonight’s edition: a new report warns that trafficking routes from Latin America to Europe are increasingly passing through West Africa. The new US ambassador to South Africa has backtracked on his criticism of the "Kill the Boer" chant. And more than a month after Cyclone Gezani devastated eastern Madagascar, survivors are facing a new crisis as construction material prices have surged by 50 percent. [Continue Reading]
From September 2025 to March 2026, the Nanaimo RCMP conducted a focused enforcement project to target violent offenders, drug traffickers, and individuals connected to organized crime in the region. Funded through provincial Community Safety and Intervention Teams (SITE), the effort sought to proactively address gang activities and violent crime. A key phase took place between November 14 and 16, when the RCMP's SITE team partnered with the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of BC’s Uniformed Gang Enforcement Team. This coordinated action disrupted street-level drug trafficking closely tied to the ongoing BC Gang Conflict. The operation resulted in substantial seizures of... [Continue Reading]
Darren Patrick Riley, 45, was convicted by a federal jury in Honolulu for trafficking and sexually abusing five minor boys between ages 14 and 16 on the island of Oahu during 2019 and 2020. Riley used the dating app Grindr to initiate contact with the victims, offering money, electronics, and drugs to entice them into sexual encounters. These abusive acts took place at his apartment, hotel rooms, car, and public locations such as beaches. Authorities revealed that Riley filmed these sexual acts and distributed the videos, further compounding the exploitation. One victim was recorded announcing his age as 14 to... [Continue Reading]
On March 11, 2026, police in Eastport, Newfoundland, stopped a vehicle due to improper registration. During the stop, officers found contraband tobacco products and arrested the 61-year-old female driver for possession of unstamped tobacco. When the vehicle was searched, suspected cocaine and drug paraphernalia were discovered, leading to a drug-related arrest. The woman was released from custody pending laboratory testing of the seized substances, with formal charges expected. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by local law enforcement in combatting drug trafficking and use. Cocaine remains a leading cause of overdose deaths in Newfoundland and Labrador, placing public health... [Continue Reading]
In 2025, Saskatchewan’s RCMP Enforcement Response Teams (SERT) seized a significant haul of illegal drugs and weapons as part of their campaign against organized crime. Authorities confiscated more than 60 kilograms of methamphetamine, 14 kilograms of cocaine, and upwards of 120 firearms, disrupting the supply of dangerous substances and arms within provincial communities. These seizures represent a tangible blow to criminal networks operating in Saskatchewan. SERT comprises five specialized units including Crime Reduction Teams, Human Trafficking and Counter Exploitation Units, and Trafficking Response Teams. Their coordinated intelligence-led operations focus on apprehending violent offenders and dismantling groups driving drug trafficking and... [Continue Reading]
Chilliwack RCMP launched a multi-day investigation after a citizen reported high volumes of foot traffic at a residence on Cleveland Avenue, signaling suspicious activity. Upon arrival, officers observed behavior consistent with drug trafficking and escalated the probe to their Property Target Team. Over several days of surveillance starting February 25, police confirmed ongoing drug trafficking at the property, noting individuals traveling between the house and a nearby location known for open drug use. The investigation led to a significant seizure, demonstrating how community vigilance directly contributes to law enforcement's ability to disrupt local drug operations. This bust has potential implications... [Continue Reading]
Amanda Meadowcroft, 53, and her son Bradley Couzins, 34, of Darwen, Lancashire, were sentenced after an investigation by the UK's National Crime Agency led to their arrest. Meadowcroft was stopped at Manchester Airport carrying 14 packages of cocaine valued at approximately £294,000. At the time of arrest, she was already serving a suspended sentence for a prior drug smuggling conviction. Phone records seized from Meadowcroft showed that Couzins orchestrated the smuggling operation, exchanging messages to coordinate travel plans and shipments. He offered Meadowcroft a choice between a trip to the Dominican Republic or first-class travel to Thailand as part of... [Continue Reading]
In a major law enforcement operation led by the RCMP’s Federal Policing Pacific Region, four suspects were arrested as part of a drug trafficking investigation spanning Kelowna and Penticton, British Columbia. The investigation, which started in 2024, culminated in simultaneous raids on December 17, 2025, targeting key locations identified through long-term intelligence gathering. Officers seized a significant cache of illegal drugs, firearms, large amounts of cash, and unstamped tobacco products, indicating the suspects’ involvement in multiple illicit activities. The Coordinated efforts included local RCMP detachments and specialized units like the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit and Emergency Response Team, reflecting... [Continue Reading]
In a significant law enforcement operation, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) seized a cache of illicit drugs, firearms, cash, and unstamped tobacco after executing multiple search warrants in British Columbia’s Kelowna and Penticton areas. The bust follows an investigation launched in 2024 targeting drug trafficking activities in the Southeast District. The coordinated raid on December 17, 2025, involved the RCMP’s Federal Policing Pacific Region unit alongside local detachments from Kelowna, West Kelowna, and Penticton. Specialized sections including the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit and the Emergency Response Team supported the enforcement action. Four individuals were arrested during the operation.... [Continue Reading]
Two Ukrainian nationals, Vladyslav Cherniavskyi and Oleksandr Yavtushenko, have been jailed for operating a people-smuggling scheme using a yacht to ferry migrants from France to the UK. The yacht, named Uforia, was tracked from Le Havre, France, and intercepted by UK Border Security Command officers near the Isle of Wight. The men were arrested along with five migrants, four Albanian men and one Vietnamese woman, who were being illegally transported into the UK. The operation underscores the persistence of sophisticated maritime smuggling methods exploiting vulnerable migrants seeking entry to the UK. The use of a private yacht as a “VIP... [Continue Reading]
On March 12, 2026, Canadian law enforcement detained three local residents at the Peace Bridge port of entry in Fort Erie, Ontario, after the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) found multiple forged Canadian passports and forgery equipment during a secondary inspection. The incident occurred when the individuals were flagged for a secondary check after they accidentally veered toward the US border. CBSA officers seized six counterfeit passports, materials used to produce fake documents, around $24,000 in US and Canadian cash, and 84 illicit credit, debit, and gift cards. Drug paraphernalia was also discovered during the search. The Royal Canadian Mounted... [Continue Reading]
Court makes finding pending final hearing that trafficking victim ‘likely to suffer harm to his mental health’ if returnedA high court judge has halted the removal of an Eritrean trafficking victim to France under the UK’s “one in, one out” scheme, after raising concerns that forcibly sending him back could cause him harm.The controversial deal, under which one asylum seeker who arrives in the UK on a small boat is forcibly returned to France in exchange for another being brought over legally, was launched last summer. As of 5 March, 370 people have been brought to the UK legally and... [Continue Reading]
The UK government’s National Referral Mechanism (NRM) currently has a significant number of cases pending a conclusive grounds decision for potential victims of modern slavery. These cases are referred by authorized first responders such as police forces, local authorities, NGOs, and government agencies tasked with identifying and supporting victims. Potential victims remain in limbo as authorities assess whether individuals meet the criteria for modern slavery protections. This delay can hinder victims' access to vital support services including housing, medical care, and legal assistance. The backlog reflects the ongoing pressure on the UK’s system to process and respond to modern slavery... [Continue Reading]
The government of Ecuador, under the leadership of President Daniel Noboa, is poised to launch a significant military operation against criminal organizations within its borders, scheduled to commence over the weekend. This offensive has garnered support from the United States, signaling a strategic shift in Ecuador's approach to combating escalating crime rates linked to drug trafficking and organized crime. In a recent interview on Ecuador's Radio Centro, Interior Minister John Reimberg highlighted this upcoming military campaign as a departure from previous tactics aimed primarily at dismantling the leadership of criminal groups. He noted, "Last year, we dedicated ourselves to catching... [Continue Reading]
Hong Kong's Customs and Excise Department has escalated its efforts to combat illegal petrol smuggling amid surging fuel prices attributed to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. On Wednesday, Commissioner of Customs and Excise Chan Tsz-tat announced the recent interception of multiple cross-border trucks suspected of illegally importing petrol into the city. This crackdown reflects increasing concerns about fuel supply and the economic ramifications of escalating geopolitical tensions. In a statement, Commissioner Chan indicated that the customs officers have uncovered several vehicles that had been modified to enlarge their fuel tank capacity. This adjustment enables them to transport more petrol,... [Continue Reading]
In a significant escalation of U.S. policy towards drug trafficking, President Donald Trump has announced the creation of the Americas Counter-Cartel Coalition during the inaugural "Shield of the Americas" summit held at his golf club in South Florida. The gathering on Saturday brought together leaders from a dozen politically aligned nations, united by a common goal of combatting drug trafficking in the region. Trump emphasized the unacceptable threat that cartels pose to national security, insisting that military action is necessary to confront these criminal organizations. During his remarks, Trump made a stark declaration regarding the need for military intervention, stating,... [Continue Reading]
In a significant diplomatic move, US President Donald Trump convened the 'Shield of the Americas' summit in Miami, where he gathered twelve leaders from various Latin American nations to address the pressing issue of drug cartel violence in the region. This summit, held at Trump's Doral golf club, comes as part of a broader effort to establish a ‘counter-cartel coalition’ aimed at enhancing regional security and cooperation. During the summit, which took place on a recent Saturday, Trump articulated a stance echoing his administration's focus on combating organized crime, stating, “Just as we formed a coalition to eradicate Isis, we... [Continue Reading]
The Thin, Bloody Line Between Justice and Jungle Rule IS KILLING WITHOUT MERCY NOW LEGAL? By Anthony Sterling In September 2025, the United States military launched what became known as Operation Southern Spear, a lethal campaign targeting suspected drug smuggling vessels in international waters. The stated objective was to combat narco trafficking networks operating beyond territorial jurisdiction. The ethical shock came on 2 September 2025, when a double strike in the Caribbean left survivors clinging to wreckage for nearly an hour. Drone footage reportedly showed two individuals waving from debris after the first impact. Instead of rescue, three additional munitions... [Continue Reading]