Crime Correspondent

Yacub Koger, 36, of Chicago, formerly of Mattoon, was sentenced on the charge of delivery of a controlled substance

Yacub Koger, 36, of Chicago, formerly of Mattoon, was sentenced on the charge of delivery of a controlled substance

Yacub Koger, 36, of Chicago, formerly of Mattoon, was sentenced on the charge of delivery of a controlled substance to which he pleaded guil...

Stephen Hawken, aged 48, was jailed for 11 years at Plymouth Crown Court yesterday after being described as "high up the tree" of dealing Class A drug

Stephen Hawken, aged 48, was jailed for 11 years at Plymouth Crown Court yesterday after being described as "high up the tree" of dealing Class A drugs in the city. Speaking after sentencing, detectives who uncovered Hawken's secret arsenal described him as "an extremely dangerous man" who was a key figure in supplying cocaine and amphetamine to Plymouth's streets.His arrest came after a dramatic three-hour siege involving armed police at Hawken's exclusive Derriford property last November, ending only when he was shot with a baton round and Taser. The court heard how shaven-headed Hawken had hidden parts of his guns everywhere from his coffee machine to behind the walls of his plush house in the private Delgany Drive.Thousands of pounds worth of drugs were found buried in next door's garden and a shotgun was found in a container on land near the house, the court heard.Prosecutor Jo Martin said Hawken's arrest was triggered by a separate drugs raid at a house in Warwick Avenue, Whitleigh.Officers seized amphetamines – but cocaine belonging to Hawken was not found, prompting he and another man to go to the address and recover it.Ms Martin told the court how they had gone back to Delgany Drive and buried the drugs, along with a cutting agent, in a garden belonging to Hawken's next door neighbour.The plastic container – covered in Hawken's fingerprints – was eventually found by a sniffer dog after the siege, she said. The court heard how, on November 12, police swooped on the property and found a Taurus 9mm handgun and a stun-gun inside, the handgun disassembled and stashed in parts all over the house.Behind a double oven was the body, while the spring was found in the bottom of a gas fire and the 9mm barrel in Hawken's bar. An empty pistol magazine was found behind plasterboard in his utility room, the court heard, and the top part – along with the stun-gun – were found in his wall-mounted coffee machine.There was ammunition behind the kitchen sink and 113 bullets soaking in oil – a process that maximises their performance – in Hawken's garage. He told police in interviews that he knew nothing about the weapons, Ms Martin said, claiming they belonged to the previous owner of the house. But the court heard how police widened their search after realising the extent of the haul and found a container on nearby land belonging to Hawken. Inside was a shotgun, complete with ammunition. Hawken's weapons were so well hidden, the court heard, that as recently as May a plumber working on a toilet in the house – which has since been repossessed – discovered another pistol magazine, this time containing seven live bullets. Ms Martin told Judge Francis Gilbert QC that the guns and drugs combined showed Hawken had "high involvement in the Plymouth drugs scene". She said: "They were all part of Stephen Hawken's armoury, to keep him high up the tree in the drugs scene. "He was some way up the chain of command." Hawken, wearing a shirt, jacket and jeans, appeared nervous as he sat in the dock fidgeting and making eye contact with the dozen or so family and friends there to support him. He had been due to face trial but entered last-minute guilty pleas to seven of the nine counts against him. They included possessing a class B drug – 345g of one per cent amphetamine – with intent to supply and a class A drug – 1,011g of nine per cent cocaine – also with intent, as well as possession of a stun gun, a handgun, a double-barrelled over-and-under shotgun, and ammunition without certificates. The court heard how he had collected a string of convictions for drugs and firearms offences over the last two decades, already serving prison sentences totalling nine and a half years. They date back to 1986 when, aged just 23, Hawken was caught in possession of a shotgun and ammunition without a certificate. Since 1995 he has been convicted of possessing more ammunition, cannabis, amphetamines, MDMA and £20,000 in counterfeit currency. Llewellyn Sellick, for Hawken, said his client deserved credit for his guilty plea, albeit last-minute. "It was somewhat courageous of him to face reality," he said. Mr Sellick told the court how, since last being released from prison, Hawken had built up a "thriving" company – Ace Plant Hire – and employed between six and eight people, subcontracting many more. He had purchased his luxury house and won a number of large contracts, including working on a city police station. But a developer Hawken was working with in Mannamead went bust in October last year, the court heard, owing him £100,000. Since his arrest, Mr Sellick told the court, Hawken had lost both his home and his company.He said: "It was in the autumn of 2008 that things went terribly wrong. "This is a man who had done considerably well – he's now gone right back to zero again."He added that the stun-gun found by police was missing a prong and a battery, meaning it would not have worked.Hawken was also charged with five fly-tipping offences between January 17 and February 23 last year.The court heard how building materials from a site in Stonehouse his firm was working at had been dumped in Dartmoor beauty spots. A wood in Bickleigh, a car park in Roborough Down and an area near Meavy were among those littered in rubble, which included large wooden doors. The mess cost more than £1,600 to clear up.

Stephen Hawken, aged 48, was jailed for 11 years at Plymouth Crown Court yesterday after being described as "high up the tree" of dealing Class A drug

Stephen Hawken, aged 48, was jailed for 11 years at Plymouth Crown Court yesterday after being described as "high up the tree" of ...

Chase Charles Inward, 25, is charged with escaping lawful custody and property damage.

Calgary police have recaptured a man who escaped custody by climbing through a bathroom ceiling after complaining of feeling ill.Police say ...

Wilfredo Rodriguez Rosado. American Airlines employees that were caught up in the drug bust

Just recently, nine workers from American Airlines were charged with participating in a drug smuggling ring. This scheme saw cocaine shipped from Puerto Rico to the United States mainland by way of airport flights.The American Airlines employees that were caught up in the drug bust, turned out to be a mix of baggage handlers and other members of the ground crew. Apparently they took part in sending at least 19,840 pounds of cocaine into parts of the United States. Some of the locations where drugs were shipped to include Miami, Orlando, and New Jersey.Officers from the United States Drug Enforcement Administrations, as well as members from the FBI, arrested 22 members of the alleged smuggling ring, which does include the nine American Airlines workers. The raids took place early Tuesday and were called Operation Heavy Cargo.One of the employees that agreed to surrender was the ringleader, Wilfredo Rodriguez Rosado. The other men that were arrested were found in other cities all across the United States Caribbean territory and in Miami. A spokeswoman for American Airlines did confirm the arrests but was not able to give out any other kinds of details on the matter.Puerto Rico is actually a favored transshipment point for South American cocaine and heroin. This is because, once the drugs are able to reach the Caribbean islands, they no longer have to make it past customs. The drugs are free to make their way to the American market. Although security at the airport is tight, some say that this proves that it could be better.

Wilfredo Rodriguez Rosado. American Airlines employees that were caught up in the drug bust

Just recently, nine workers from American Airlines were charged with participating in a drug smuggling ring. This scheme saw cocaine shipped...

Francisco Flores, 46, a former Brooklyn police sergeant, was arrested at his Staten Island home and ordered detained

Francisco Flores, 46, a former Brooklyn police sergeant, was arrested at his Staten Island home and ordered detained until a Friday bail hearing, according to a news release from the New Jersey District of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.The second suspect, Eduardo Baez, 36, of Brooklyn was arrested Wednesday afternoon and will likely appear in federal court today. Joseph James, 45, and Paul Nunez-Vargas, 32, both of Brooklyn were arrested August 27 and released on bail in connection with the alleged conspiracy, according to the news release.Federal authorities said the four men traveled from New York City to Elizabeth, N.J. August 12 in three separate cars -- snaking up and down dead end street to evade law enforcement surveillance -- as they scouted a neighborhood where they planned to buy drugs.The suspect’s driving didn’t fool federal agents who had been watching the group.“Based on my training and experience I recognize this driving pattern as counter-surveillance commonly used by narcotics traffickers to detect the presence of law enforcement,” one ICE Special Agent said in a criminal complaint.As agents watched, James exited a Mercedes carrying a plastic bag. He was confronted by authorities and said he was in the area to “do something that I know I shouldn’t be doing,” and to “buy three keys,” referring to cocaine, according to the complaint.Nunez-Vargas was in the same car and made similar statements to agents. Investigators reported they found $75,000 in the plastic bag and $22,500 in the Mercedes after the men consented to a search. Flores, the retired sergeant, and Baez were stopped in a nearby convenience store. Both men allowed agents to search their cars with $500 in cash was found in Flores’ and a hidden compartment was found in Beaz’s car, according to a news release.According to the criminal complaint, Flores told agents he had recently retired from the NYPD and claimed he was in the area to purchase a motorcycle with friends in the Mercedes. Agents said he later changed his story and denied knowing the other men arrested. All four men have been charged with “conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine,” and could face up to 40 years in prison if convicted, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Francisco Flores, 46, a former Brooklyn police sergeant, was arrested at his Staten Island home and ordered detained

Francisco Flores, 46, a former Brooklyn police sergeant, was arrested at his Staten Island home and ordered detained until a Friday bail hea...

Ravi David Singh of Atlantic Gardens, East Coast Demerara was yesterday remanded to prison

Ravi David Singh of Atlantic Gardens, East Coast Demerara was yesterday remanded to prison when he appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate M...

Derek Archie, who also goes by the name "Diese (pronounced Dice) Game" was arrested at the Days Inn

Derek Archie, who also goes by the name "Diese (pronounced Dice) Game" was arrested at the Days Inn in Auburn on Feb. 8 by the Fin...

Richard Munro, 23, from East Kilbride, admitted being concerned in the supply of amphetamine and cocaine.

Richard Munro, 23, from East Kilbride, admitted being concerned in the supply of amphetamine and cocaine. He was granted bail, and will be s...

Kevin Lamar Nash, 35, was booked into the Sacramento County Jail Wednesday on charges of possession rock cocaine for sale

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiISHLoM9OhyWZqwtLn1R3wZQh-igxX9KhOtuCimkwyE52-RcByKDfpbEkyXB7XKl1AaGaC5ukEHm_2WY9auAI7P1KI3xXdyNxKFMPeEUxxFpuGgRBlqpKTo0C0ZcR2Wh6wFr_lz_uFYWs/s1600-h/nash.bmp"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383095171146238626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiISHLoM9OhyWZqwtLn1R3wZQh-igxX9KhOtuCimkwyE52-RcByKDfpbEkyXB7XKl1AaGaC5ukEHm_2WY9auAI7P1KI3xXdyNxKFMPeEUxxFpuGgRBlqpKTo0C0ZcR2Wh6wFr_lz_uFYWs/s400/nash.bmp" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 198px; height: 247px;" /></a> Kevin Lamar Nash, 35, was booked into the Sacramento County Jail Wednesday on charges of possession rock cocaine for sale, transportation of a controlled substance and manufacturing rock cocaine after the Folsom Police SWAT team searched a home in the 1800 block of Swinton Drive in Folsom. Nash was reportedly using the home to convert powder cocaine into the more valuable rock cocaine, officials said. “We located 20 ounces of rock cocaine,” said Jason Browning, spokesman for the Folsom Police Department. “Two more ounces were found in (Nash’s) possession at the time of his arrest.” Nash is being held on $300,000 bail. An enhancement was added requiring that he prove the source of his bail funds, officials said.

Kevin Lamar Nash, 35, was booked into the Sacramento County Jail Wednesday on charges of possession rock cocaine for sale

Kevin Lamar Nash, 35, was booked into the Sacramento County Jail Wednesday on charges of possession rock cocaine for sale, transportation of...

Luis Ramirez, 33, and David Guerrero, 29 arrested

arrested two men — Luis Ramirez, 33, and David Guerrero, 29 — and seized 10 kilograms of cocaine after stopping a vehicle near Interstate 37...

Theresa Duarte former Montgomery County English teacher was sentenced to six months in jail Thursday for distributing cocaine to a student

Theresa Duarte former Montgomery County English teacher was sentenced to six months in jail Thursday for distributing cocaine to a student, ...

Efrain Bonilla Cardona, 41 of Chaska, and Jaime Borja Gama, 32 of Shakopee, were arrested

Efrain Bonilla Cardona, 41 of Chaska, and Jaime Borja Gama, 32 of Shakopee, were arrested Aug. 24 during a separate investigation. Gama drov...

Manuel Fabian Hernandez, 29 of Belle Plaine, was arrested Sept. 3 after he sold one ounce of cocaine

Manuel Fabian Hernandez, 29 of Belle Plaine, was arrested Sept. 3 after he sold one ounce of cocaine to a SWMDTF agent, according to Sheriff...

Rahim Jaffer,to fight liquor, cocaine charges

Rahim Jaffer, a former Conservative MP, was driving in his wife's riding last Friday when he was pulled over for speeding by police in Palgrave, Ont., near Toronto. He was alone in the vehicle, a Ford Escape.A roadside screening device was used to get a breath sample from Mr. Jaffer, who was then arrested and taken to the Caledon OPP station, where he provided two more breath samples while being held in cells for about four hours. He was charged with impaired driving, possession of cocaine and speeding, before being released. His licence was also suspended for 90 days. "I intend to fight the serious accusations that have been made against me," Mr. Jaffer, 37, said in a written statement emailed yesterday to the Edmonton Journal. "I am innocent and am confident of full exoneration. I cannot express how grateful I am for the support of my family and friends and I ask that you respect their privacy as I strive to clear my name."He is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 19 in Orangeville."I take this very seriously," Ms. Guergis told reporters who thronged about her as she got out of her government limousine. "I love my husband very much and I don't really have enough information to give you a fuller comment. If you do [want to] talk about it, please call my husband."When a reporter asked if she was in the car when Mr. Jaffer was pulled over, she said firmly, "No, I was not, and we have a very important event today. Do not disrespect that."Ms. Guergis was surrounded by several Conservative MPs and ministers including Defence Minister Peter Mac-Kay, Heritage Minister James Moore, Trade Minister Stockwell Day and Natural Resources Minister Lisa Raitt.Mr. Jaffer was a four-term MP, first elected in 1997 at age 25. Last fall, he was the only Conservative to lose a riding in Alberta. The party selected a new candidate, Ryan Hastman, to challenge Edmonton-Strathcona MP Linda Duncan whenever another federal election is called.On Parliament Hill, politicians from all parties had little to say about Mr. Jaffer's arrest and what, if any, implications it might have for Ms. Guergis' political position."This is an unfortunate matter," Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff said. "This is a man who held public trust, and it's before the courts and I have no further comment to make about it." An advisor in Mr. Ignatieff's office said he has instructed his MPs not to discuss or attempt to make a political issue out of the matter.Said NDP MP Judy Wasylycia-Leis: "I hope he gets the help he needs and I hope, you know, Helena is going to be strong in this relationship throughout all of this."

Rahim Jaffer,to fight liquor, cocaine charges

Rahim Jaffer, a former Conservative MP, was driving in his wife's riding last Friday when he was pulled over for speeding by police in P...