Crime Correspondent

Mark Eugene Henderson received 15 years to life

Mark Eugene Henderson, 49, received 15 years to life for the Oct. 1, 2006 death of Rebecca Seibenmorgen, a University of California at Santa Cruz student. Judge Joseph Scott doubled the term as a second strike and added another five years for having multiple felonies. Henderson denied being under the influence of methamphetamine at the time of the crash, instead claiming he was fighting to stay awake. However, following a 16-day trial, a jury deliberated less than two days before convicting Henderson of five felonies including second-degree murder, driving while under the influence causing injury, fleeing the scene of an accident causing death and drug possession. Prosecutor Sean Gallagher said the case rose to the level of murder rather than gross vehicular manslaughter because Henderson’s lengthy criminal and drug record should have taught him better.“It is different than pulling the trigger of a gun, no question about it, but it is hard to come up with something more inherently dangerous than driving a vehicle under the influence,” Gallagher said.Henderson struck his pickup truck head on into Siebenmorgen’s motorcycle, leaving her dead at the scene on Highway 1.Henderson’s Ford Ranger pickup truck was traveling south when it reportedly drifted into the northbound lane in front of an oncoming motorcycle just south of Tunitas Creek Road. Siebenmorgen died from the head-on collision. Henderson fled from the scene, according to the California Highway Patrol, and was found with a small amount of cocaine in his possession.Henderson was arrested near the scene. Witnesses testified he appeared to be weaving before the crash. Prior to this conviction, Henderson was no stranger to incarceration dating from his first offense in 1976 for underage drinking, according to the California Department of Corrections. Between 1982 and 1983 he was convicted of 10 separate driving offenses and in 1983 also received a felony assault conviction. He also violated probation for these offenses five times.His other cases involved domestic violence and drug possession for sale. In 1996, he was sentenced to prison for four years on two drug convictions in Contra Costa County. In 2001, he was convicted of two drug possession charges in Santa Clara County and received eight years and eight months. In 1988, in the same county, he received just more than three years in prison for two possession convictions. Henderson was also convicted of perjury. While awaiting sentencing for Siebenmorgen’s death, Henderson picked up a new case which could count as a third strike with a mandatory sentence of 25 years to life in prison. The District Attorney’s Office has yet to decide if it will pursue that option, Gallagher said. On Nov. 29, according to the District Attorney’s Office, Henderson got into a fight with correctional officers conducting a routine search of jail cells after they saw him trying to flush drugs down his cell toilet. One officer suffered a back injury and a complete cell search turned up a stash of prescription drugs hoarded by Henderson to make Pruno, according to prosecutors.He is now charged with new counts of assault, battery against a custodial officer, drug possession and preventing an officer from performing his duties.

Mark Eugene Henderson received 15 years to life

Mark Eugene Henderson, 49, received 15 years to life for the Oct. 1, 2006 death of Rebecca Seibenmorgen, a University of California at Santa...

Crack cocaine offenders immediately eligible to petition courts to be released from federal prisons

Most of the more than 1,500 crack cocaine offenders who are immediately eligible to petition courts to be released from federal prisons under new guidelines issued by the U.S. Sentencing Commission are small-time dealers or addicts who are not career criminals and whose charges did not involve violence or firearms, according to a new analysis by the commission staff.About 6 percent of the inmates were supervisors or leaders of drug rings, and about 5 percent were convicted of obstructing justice, generally by trying to get rid of their drugs as they were being arrested or contacting witnesses or co-defendants before trial, according to the analysis being circulated on Capitol Hill by the commission to counter Bush administration assertions that the guidelines would prompt the release of thousands of dangerous criminals.About one-quarter of these inmates were given enhanced sentences because of weapons charges, though the charge can apply to defendants who were actually not carrying a gun or a knife but were with someone who was armed.About 18 percent of the offenders’ sentences were reduced because they were arrested and charged for the first time, were forced into a drug ring by someone such as a boyfriend, were unwittingly caught up in a drug operation during a police raid, or for some other reason.The largest group — 41 percent — consists of small-time crack offenders who do not fall under any of the criteria that would cause authorities to increase their sentences or have them reduced.“What portion of these are violent and what portion of those are girlfriends just caught up . . . with their boyfriends and they’re serving for decades, more than bank robbers and murderers?” said Rep. Robert C. Scott (D-Va.), who has been critical of the administration’s attempts to overturn the U.S. Sentencing Commission’s decision to reduce federal prison sentences for crack offenders and make that policy retroactive to cover current prisoners.The figures are at odds with the characterization of the inmates by Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey, who would like Congress to pass legislation voiding the U.S. Sentencing Commission policy before it takes effect March 3.“Many of these offenders are among the most serious and violent offenders in the federal system, and their early release . . . at a time when violent crime had increased in some communities will produce tragic but predictable results,” Mukasey said at a recent House Judiciary Committee hearing.The staff analysis indicated that about 6 percent of the inmates’ sentences were increased because they were supervisors or leaders of a drug crew of four or more, 6 percent of prisoners’ sentences were enhanced for arms specifications, and 1 percent were considered career criminals. The findings were consistent with a U.S. Sentencing Commission report to Congress in May that showed that 90 percent of federal crack cases did not involve violence. Only 5 percent involved a threat, and even fewer involved injury or death.Crack offenders serve prison terms that are up to eight times as long as those of powder cocaine offenders because of a sentencing disparity mandated by Congress under the 1986 Anti-Drug Abuse Act. The law created a 100-to-1 ratio between crack and powder cocaine offenses, meaning that five grams of crack — about the size of two sugar cubes — drew the same mandatory minimum sentence as 500 grams of powder.Many activists, federal public defenders, probation officers and federal judges have said the disparity is racially discriminatory. The overwhelming majority of crack cocaine offenders are black, while most powder cocaine offenders are white or Latino.Under pressure, the commission moderately reduced the guidelines for future crack offenders in March. The guidelines went into effect in November after Congress declined to intervene. The next month, the commission decided to make the guidelines retroactive so that current inmates could petition to reduce their sentences. The Justice Department opposed guideline reductions, but the commission pressed on. Last month, the commission created a list of 1,508 inmates who would be eligible for immediate release if their sentences were reduced under the guidelines and passed the names to the chief judge in each judicial district.Michael S. Nachmanoff, a lawyer who studied the inmate list for the Eastern District of Virginia, which has the largest number of crack cases eligible for sentence reduction, and found that only 15 prisoners have a legitimate chance for release because of restrictions. The reductions are so moderate, he said, that the inmates would leave prison only a few months before they were scheduled to be released without them.“We appreciate the commission’s effort to identify people who are potentially eligible for release, but what we are finding is that the numbers are fewer than those identified by the commission,” Nachmanoff said. “The suggestion that there will be many people released on March 3 is not borne out in the Eastern District of Virginia. These people aren’t gang members. They’re not overwhelmingly violent.”But that is how they were portrayed on Capitol Hill not only by Mukasey but also by Republicans on the Judiciary c Committee. “Many of these criminals are repeat offenders who possessed firearms during the commission of a crime,” said Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Tex.).Rep. F. James Sensenbrenner Jr. (R-Wis.) said his gut told him that “if these people are released from prison, it will go right back into the communities where they were trafficking crack.”Near the end of the hearing, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) scolded Mukasey, saying that he misrepresented how the inmates would be released. They must return to the courts where they were tried and appear before judges who have vowed not to grant sentence reductions to convicts with violent histories, Waters said.“Nobody’s taking the key, unlocking the jails and saying, ‘Everybody out.’ That does not happen,” Waters said.

Crack cocaine offenders immediately eligible to petition courts to be released from federal prisons

Most of the more than 1,500 crack cocaine offenders who are immediately eligible to petition courts to be released from federal prisons unde...

Kevin Summers attacked Patrick Forest after an argument over a £1,500 drug debt

Violent thug stabbed a drug dealer five times with a kitchen knife just 11 days after being released from prison. Kevin Summers attacked Patrick Forest after an argument over a £1,500 drug debt, at a house in Green Lane, Derby Crown Court heard.However, the 39-year-old was sentenced to serve just 16 months in prison yesterday after a judge ruled he had not intended to carry out the attack.Prosecutor Emma Cutts told the court that Mr Forest had produced a knife but Summers managed to turn it back on him and stab him three times in the chest, as well as in his neck and arm.Summers left Mr Forest to stagger 300 yards to Hartington House homeless centre, in Hartington Street, where staff called an ambulance.Judge Andrew Hamilton told Summers: "You got the upper hand and caused him some injuries which were beyond what was required to defend yourself."You have a bad record and you were only released on licence a few days beforehand. However I accept you didn't go there armed and you didn't intend to cause serious injury."Mr Forest, 45, needed emergency surgery for a collapsed lung at Nottingham City Hospital's critical care unit.Summers, who has 25 previous convictions dating back to 1986, including assault, robbery and burglary, was released on August 16 last year and stabbed Mr Forest on August 27.Miss Cutts said: "There was a discussion about the debt and how it was going to be paid. An argument broke out near to the kitchen. Mr Summers became aware Mr Forest had a knife.He [Summers] grabbed him by the wrist and managed to turn the knife on Mr Forest."Errol Ballantyne, for Summers, said: "It was Mr Fellows who made this first violent threatening move. He [Summers] genuinely feels if he had put up no resistance at all he would have been seriously injured or dead."Mr Ballantyne said his client had been determined to "start anew" on his release from jail and had only gone round to Mr Foster's house to sort out his debt and "make sure Mr Foster didn't keep coming after him".Summers, of Drewry Lane, Derby, pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding at an earlier hearing.No evidence was offered on a charge of wounding with intent.

Kevin Summers attacked Patrick Forest after an argument over a £1,500 drug debt

Violent thug stabbed a drug dealer five times with a kitchen knife just 11 days after being released from prison. Kevin Summers attacked Pat...

Jennifer Jodel Frazier charged with single felony counts of second- and third-degree drug crime for allegedly possessing about 3.5 grams of cocaine

Jennifer Jodel Frazier, 36, is charged in Mower District Court with single felony counts of second- and third-degree drug crime for allegedl...

Latest drug mules at Sydney International Airport

Two people have been charged with trying to smuggle drugs into Sydney International Airport in separate incidents last weekend.A 39-year-old Australian woman will appear in Parramatta Local Court later Saturday after allegedly trying to smuggle in more than 300 grams of heroin.She was stopped by authorities after arriving on a flight from Vietnam last Sunday.Authorities suspected the woman was concealing drugs internally.The woman was taken to hospital where she passed 103 pellets containing heroin, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) allege.A 22-year-old American man was stopped on arrival at the airport last Saturday on a flight from Dubai. He was referred to the AFP and also taken to hospital, where it is alleged he passed 44 pellets containing about 130 grams of a substance suspected of being heroin.He is due to appear in court at a later date.Eleven people have now been charged with smuggling drugs into Australia internally this year.The offence carries a maximum penalty of 25 years' jail

Latest drug mules at Sydney International Airport

Two people have been charged with trying to smuggle drugs into Sydney International Airport in separate incidents last weekend.A 39-year-old...

James Dykeman will be released on bail to await trial on a number of drug and weapons charges

James Dykeman will be released on bail to await trial on a number of drug and weapons charges. Federal drug prosecutor Richard Huneault told a Sudbury bail court Thursday how police received a confidential tip that Dykeman, 24, was delivering large quantities of cocaine in the Sudbury area. After setting up surveillance, police spotted Dykeman driving his Jeep to a dead end area on Dublin Street. Dykeman was seen leaving the vehicle and heading into the bush near Barrydowne Arena, the bail hearing was told. "It was believed he was making a drop of drugs in the bush area," said Huneault. There are a number of trails in the area, one of which leads to the nearby Adanac Ski Hill, said Huneault. About 7:30 p.m., a drug officer found a green garbage bag containing about 250 grams of cocaine concealed under a bridge on one of the trails. Meanwhile, other officers followed Dykeman back to his apartment where they arrested him, said Huneault. A search of Dykeman's bedroom in the apartment he shared with his mother and step-father turned up a prohibited .22-calibre handgun with its serial number filed off, a one-kilo brick of cocaine, several smaller baggies of cocaine, latex gloves and an empty magazine for the handgun. From the apartment, the bush, Dykeman's vehicle and his clothing, police seized 883.7 grams of marijuana, 1.2 grams of cannabis resin, 3,400.81 grams of cocaine, three cellphones and two digital scales, as well as the .22-calibre handgun with a magazine cartridge and Dykeman's jeep. The firearm had a barrel length of about 3.5 inches, said provincial prosecutor Len Walker, making it a prohibited weapon. "This is extremely serious," said Walker of the drugs and weapon found."We believe this man was a supplier to street-level traffickers." This was "trafficking on a grand scale," the prosecutor said. To have that much drugs, Dykeman had to have been carrying on the activity for some time. He "has joined up with some very serious criminals." Dykeman "is a very clever, devious planner. He is extremely motivated to have done so well in a criminal activity," Walker told Justice of the Peace Seguin. Dykeman "has the assets and the means to leave the jurisdiction," should he be given bail, said Walker in arguing against Dykeman's release. And he has the motivation, suggested Walker, because Dykeman must account for his loss to others. While the allegations are serious, they have yet to be proved in court, said Dykeman's lawyer, Glenn Sandberg, in arguing for his client's release.

James Dykeman will be released on bail to await trial on a number of drug and weapons charges

James Dykeman will be released on bail to await trial on a number of drug and weapons charges. Federal drug prosecutor Richard Huneault told...

Stephen Richardson,Andrew Sinharoy were convicted of robbery and attempted robbery.

Stephen Richardson, 23, and Andrew Sinharoy, 28, from Middlesbrough, were convicted of robbery and attempted robbery. They turned on long-distance lorry driver Stewart Brockie, 45, after he arranged a drug deal he had no intention of seeing through, Teesside Crown Court heard.He hoped to see prostitute Hazel Grantham, whom he heard was being used for drug deals, to “rekindle a relationship” with her, said prosecutor Richard Bennett.She was nowhere in sight when he travelled from North Yorkshire to Middlesbrough’s Acklam Road on October 27 last year.Instead, he was met by Sinharoy, who got angry when Mr Brockie did not want £120 worth of crack cocaine and had no money to pay for it.Sinharoy was joined by his “back-up” Richardson. They chased Mr Brockie and pushed him over, the jury heard. Richardson pulled a knife, and they demanded, “Give us your money.”They searched Mr Brockie at knifepoint before taking his wallet and mobile phone. Finding no cash, they forced him to drive them to an ATM where he managed to escape.Richardson, of Newport Road, and Sinharoy, of Wicklow Street, denied the charges this week.The defence claimed Mr Brockie had an “obsession” with Ms Grantham, and framed boyfriend Richardson to “get him out of the way”.It was alleged that Mr Brockie went to buy drugs and was assaulted by two other, unnamed dealers.Richardson and Sinharoy told the jury they came to Mr Brockie’s assistance, paying the dealers £120 between them from their own drugs money to help.Recorder Tony Kelbrick remanded the in custody until sentencing, saying a jail term was “almost inevitable”.

Stephen Richardson,Andrew Sinharoy were convicted of robbery and attempted robbery.

Stephen Richardson, 23, and Andrew Sinharoy, 28, from Middlesbrough, were convicted of robbery and attempted robbery. They turned on long-di...

Nicole Paquette arrest for trafficking cocaine

Lawrence Superior Court Judge Leila Kern said it was a tough sentence to impose on Nicole Paquette, 31. Until her 2006 arrest for trafficking cocaine, Paquette only had a car accident on her record.Haverhill mother of four will spend the next 15 years in prison, convicted of trafficking more than $1 million worth of cocaine found in a rented minivan."It's not an understatement to say I spent a sleepless night. I did," Kern said during yesterday's sentencing.Paquette's 2006 arrest led to what police Chief John Romero described then as the largest cocaine bust ever seen in the area. Between the 21 kilos found in Paquette's rental car and another 30 kilos seized from a Methuen home linked to the crime, the drugs had a street value of $2.5 million, Romero said at the time.The cocaine was brought into the courtroom during the trial — the most the judge said she had ever seen. Kern said it was an amount that "in my years on the bench, I have never seen in one place at one time."Police said the drugs were discovered Sept. 12, 2006, the day after Paquette's codefendant, Angel Ayala Roque, returned a rented Chrysler minivan and workers found the cocaine packed in boxes. Police posed as an employee of the rental business and called Paquette to come get the boxes she left behind. When she returned, she was arrested along with Roque, 45.At Roque's home in Methuen, police found the additional 30 kilos as well as $123,500 in cash. Roque's trial on the same charges is expected to begin March 17. He also will face an additional charge of cocaine trafficking.Paquette's lawyer, Murat Erkan of Andover, said his client had only a "minimal role" in the drug operation and she did not know whether the closed, unmarked boxes contained cocaine or marijuana.He argued the 15-year sentence was too harsh and asked the judge to reduce the jury's verdict to guilty of trafficking over 14 grams of cocaine, rather than 200 grams. Trafficking over 14 grams carries a sentence of three years; trafficking over 200 grams carries a mandatory 15-year sentence.Kern said Erkan made a powerful argument, but her "hands are tied" by the law and the sentencing requirement.The judge also sentenced Paquette to five to 10 years for her conviction of conspiracy to violate drug laws, also related to this case. Paquette will serve that time concurrently with the 15 years, meaning she will see no additional jail time.Paquette wept throughout the hearing. She wore a black, pinstripe suit and wiped tears from her face. Several supporters in the room sobbed when the judge ordered the sentence. The supporters declined to comment outside the courtroom. Paquette will spend the sentence at MCI-Framingham, but her attorney said he has filed an appeal.

Nicole Paquette arrest for trafficking cocaine

Lawrence Superior Court Judge Leila Kern said it was a tough sentence to impose on Nicole Paquette, 31. Until her 2006 arrest for traffickin...

Major role players in the West Rand bouncer and drugs industry

Piet Byleveld's team has made yet another breakthrough in bringing down Johannesburg's bouncer industry. Officers arrested two broth...

Vacation Travel, on Corn Market, was targeted in a morning raid by the Serious Organised Crime Unit

Travel agent's was raided by police as part of a money laundering investigation in the north of England. Vacation Travel, on Corn Market...

Detroit man discovered with $300 worth of heroin and $175 worth of crack cocaine

The St. Clair County Drug Task Force arrested a 37-year-old Detroit man discovered at 6 p.m. Wednesday in the 100 block of Botsford Street i...

170 people charged Supplying the U.S. with about 15 per cent of the drug ecstasy

Police in Canada and the United States say they have smashed a drug ring that had been supplying the U.S. with about 15 per cent of the drug...

Jose Luis Cedillo arrested on federal drug charges

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized nearly 50 pounds of cocaine Tuesday at the Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge. Agency o...

Brandon M. Wade was arrested and two female passengers were detained

Brandon M. Wade, 24, was arrested and two female passengers were detained. Items found in the car under the passenger side seat were associated with possession, distribution and production of meth, according to police. Corners of a plastic bag contained white powdery substance estimated at one gram that field-tested positive for methamphetamine, according to the news release. The male passenger who fled was not found, and a warrant has been issued for his arrest. The two female passengers were not charged and were released. Wade was arrested on allegations of resisting law enforcement, possession of meth, reckless possession of paraphernalia and false informing, all class-D felonies. Other allegations are reckless driving and leaving the scene of a property damage crash, both class-A misdemeanors. Conviction of a class-D felony can mean up to three years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines. A class-A misdemeanor can mean up to one year in prison and up to $5,000 in fines.

Brandon M. Wade was arrested and two female passengers were detained

Brandon M. Wade, 24, was arrested and two female passengers were detained. Items found in the car under the passenger side seat were associa...

Carlos Alberto Arrellano Lopez,Jose Luis Arredondo Quintero were arrested on suspicion of possession of drugs for sale and drug trafficking

A two-month investigation by narcotics detectives concluded Thursday morning with the seizure of around $300,000 worth of heroin, the Stockton Police Department announced.Police served a search warrant around 7 a.m. at a home in the 1200 block of Pilgrim Street. They reported finding 251 grams of heroin, two handguns and information that led them to search a self-storage facility in south Stockton. Searching a storage unit at Derrel's Mini Storage, at 1919 S. Airport Way, police found an additional 1,042 grams of heroin, for a total of almost 3 pounds, Stockton police Officer Pete Smith said.That is roughly equal to the total amount of heroin seized in Stockton all of last year, Smith said."This represents a lot of sales that won't be taking place out there," Smith said.Carlos Alberto Arrellano Lopez, 28, and Jose Luis Arredondo Quintero, 31, were arrested on suspicion of possession of drugs for sale and drug trafficking with firearms enhancements and criminal conspiracy.They are being held in the San Joaquin County Jail and are scheduled to appear in court at 1:30 p.m. Monday.Smith said the pair were involved both in street dealing and importing heroin.Thursday's bust was not connected to arrests and heroin seizures in Yuba County earlier this week, Smith said.

Carlos Alberto Arrellano Lopez,Jose Luis Arredondo Quintero were arrested on suspicion of possession of drugs for sale and drug trafficking

A two-month investigation by narcotics detectives concluded Thursday morning with the seizure of around $300,000 worth of heroin, the Stockt...

Jesus Castillo Larios,Jessie Jesus Garcia arrested for drug offenses

Jesus Castillo Larios, 34, was arrested Feb. 13, Escondido police Lt. Craig Carter said. He was found carrying 36.4 grams of meth, which has an estimated street value of $5,800, as well as $6,711 in cash and a scale, the lieutenant said. Police subsequently used a search warrant to search Larios' Escondido home and found unspecified additional evidence, as well as two weapons, Carter said.Larios was booked into the Vista jail on suspicion of multiple drug violations, as well as an immigration hold.The second suspect, Jessie Jesus Garcia, 56, was arrested Feb. 15 on suspicion of heroin possession and possession of heroin for sale, Carter said. A search warrant led to the recovery of 64 grams of heroin, valued at $10,760, he said. Police also arrested Edelmiro Lorenzano, 38, a previously deported felon with prior drug convictions, Carter said. Lorenzano, of Acapulco, Mexico, was arrested for an immigration violation and released to federal immigration officials, he said.It was not immediately clear when Lorenzano was arrested.

Jesus Castillo Larios,Jessie Jesus Garcia arrested for drug offenses

Jesus Castillo Larios, 34, was arrested Feb. 13, Escondido police Lt. Craig Carter said. He was found carrying 36.4 grams of meth, which has...

Jefry Poguidison the police shot him three times in the chest and back.

Police shot a Guinea national on Tuesday for allegedly resisting arrest in a drug case, an officer said Wednesday.Narcotics unit director Sr...

Jesus Rey David Alfaro, known as "The Little Rooster," tortured, murdered and pinned with threatening messages

Jesus Rey David Alfaro, known as "The Little Rooster," was one of six that turned up tortured, murdered and pinned with threatening messages for Mexico's army last week in the border town of Tijuana near San Diego.Drug gunmen have killed a popular Mexican singer along with his manager and assistant near the U.S. border, authorities said on Wednesday, the latest murder among musicians who sing "narcocorrido" ballads glorifying drug traffickers "We believe Alfaro had links to the Arellano Felix cartel," said an official with the Baja California state attorney general's office who declined to be named. The official was referring to Tijuana's main drug smuggling cartel, which is fighting a gory turf war with traffickers from Mexico's Pacific state of Sinaloa, led by the country's most-wanted man, Joaquin "Shorty" Guzman. At least half a dozen Mexican folk singers, who play narcocorridos and upbeat, brassy "grupera" music, have been killed since Mexico's drug war flared in 2006. Alfaro, a regular act at Tijuana's biggest bars and music halls, was found covered in a blanket in wasteland on the edge of the city with rope marks around his neck, suggesting he was tortured before he was shot in the head, the attorney general's office said.Drug gunmen pinned a message on his body saying "You'll be next," a taunt aimed at the thousands of soldiers sent by President Felipe Calderon to Tijuana to crush the drug gangs and clean up police forces working with the cartels. Tijuana, long a transit point for narcotics heading to the United States, has seen a spike in murders this past year, with drug gangs even killing children. More than 2,500 people were killed in drug violence in Mexico last year and at least 320 people have died so far this year.

Jesus Rey David Alfaro, known as "The Little Rooster," tortured, murdered and pinned with threatening messages

Jesus Rey David Alfaro, known as "The Little Rooster," was one of six that turned up tortured, murdered and pinned with threatenin...

Panama police arrested a Bulgarian national carrying a large quantity of cocaine

Panama police arrested a Bulgarian national carrying a large quantity of cocaine on February 20, Focus news agency reported. The 29-year-old, whose last name was withheld, was carrying the drug in a secret compartment in his suitcase, and was arrested at Panama City's Tocumen international airport. He was traveling to Valencia, in Spain, which is believed to have been his final destination, Focus news agency said, quoting local news website Terra. Panama authorities have arrested several Bulgarians over recent months on drug-related charges as they continue their war on drugs. The Bulgarian was is part of a joint programme by the Panama national police and airport authorities to combat drug trafficking. In January, police in the Latin American country arrested another two Bulgarians, aged 36 and 39, who were though to be part of an organized crime group smuggling cocaine from Columbia to Western Europe via Panama. Another Bulgarian national, believed to be involved in smuggling drugs from Latin America into Europe in yachts, was shot in Panama in November.

Panama police arrested a Bulgarian national carrying a large quantity of cocaine

Panama police arrested a Bulgarian national carrying a large quantity of cocaine on February 20, Focus news agency reported. The 29-year-old...

Pedro Jose Benavides-Natera, goes on trial in Miami next month

Pedro Jose Benavides-Natera, goes on trial in Miami next month and more arrests may be forthcoming, thanks to a confidential informant who shed light on the drug-money-for-aircraft laundering scheme, the documents show. The documents were filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida in October. In them, FBI agent Michael Hoenigman says the informant was "personally involved with a confederation of individuals" whose job was to scout out U.S. aircraft desired by Venezuela-based drug traffickers and help broker transactions to buy them to ferry cocaine shipments around the globe.Last year's arrest of Benavides was part of a more sweeping investigation of money laundering schemes aimed at uncovering the purchase of aircraft in the United States by South American traffickers, the court documents show.Steve Robertson, a spokesman at the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration in Washington, described the schemes as "very imaginative" since they involved the purchase of a tangible asset for multiple possible uses."In addition to the product, in this case an airplane that has a high resale value, it's something they can use to use for their smuggling," he said.

Pedro Jose Benavides-Natera, goes on trial in Miami next month

Pedro Jose Benavides-Natera, goes on trial in Miami next month and more arrests may be forthcoming, thanks to a confidential informant who s...

Joseph Pulliam has prior felony convictions for unlawful use of a weapon

Joseph Pulliam, According to the release, officers with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Missouri State Highw...

Garry Chupurdy 18 years jail. Chupurdy's girlfriend Qing Hong Xiang six years and Aaron Brown got four years

U.S. District Judge B. Avant Edenfield sentenced the ring leader, Garry Chupurdy to 18 years behind bars. Chupurdy's girlfriend Qing Hong Xiang is going away for six years and their accomplice Aaron Brown got four years. The three were using Chupurdy's boats to transport a large amount of marijuana from Jamaica to the United States. They would throw the drugs overboard off the Georgia coast, then use dive gear to retrieve it and sell it. Chupurdy, Xiang and Brown pleaded guilty last fall. Members of the Beaufort/Jasper Multi Agency Drug Task Force initiated a drug investigation into a subject living in the Thunderbolt Georgia area and frequenting the Beaufort County South Carolina area. This subject was identified as Garry Clifford Chupurdy, and it was learned that he was responsible for the importation of several thousands of pounds of marijuana being brought into the United States. A drug investigation was initiated by The Drug Task Force when they received information from confidential sources having knowledge of Chupurdy's involvement of importing large quantities of marijuana by boat (Cat's Meow) from Jamaica to the United States. Chupurdy had ties to the Beaufort County area and had lived on Hilton Head Island for several years. The investigation began in the middle of year 2006 and was concluded near the middle of 2007. Investigation revealed Chupurdy was involved in importing approximately 1500 pounds in 2006 and 2000 pounds of marijuana in 2007. Chupurdy would make yearly drops of smuggled marijuana in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of South Carolina and Georgia and would ultimately retrieved the marijuana and package it for distribution. Case Officers conducted countless hours of surveillance in South Carolina, Georgia and North Carolina. Money and drug seizures were made in each one of these states.This case was primarily worked by agents assigned to the Beaufort/Jasper Multi Agency Drug Task Force, Immigration Customs Enforcement (Charleston) and the United States Coast Guard Investigative Division (Georgia). Near the conclusion of this investigation Immigration Customs Enforcement (Georgia), Georgia Bureau of Investigation, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics Team, Savannah Chatham Metropolitan Police Department Dive Team, Thunderbolt Police Department, The Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms, Customs Border Protection in Savannah Georgia, Jacksonville Air and Marine Operations Branch based in Jacksonville Florida and the U.S. Coast Guard all assisted with the investigation. The case was prosecuted in both the Districts of South Carolina and Georgia. In June of 2007 several search warrants were executed in the Charleston, Beaufort, Thunderbolt and Savannah area which resulted in the seizure of several boats, illegal narcotics, weapons, currency, property, art work, vehicles and other miscellaneous items.On February 19, 2008, Garry Chupurdy was sentenced in the United States District Court in Savannah, Georgia to 220 months in Federal Prison. Two other individuals (Qing Hong Xiang and Aaron Lee Browne) were also sentenced because of their involvement in the trafficking of marijuana. Xiang received 78 months and Browne received 52 months in Federal Prison.

Garry Chupurdy 18 years jail. Chupurdy's girlfriend Qing Hong Xiang six years and Aaron Brown got four years

U.S. District Judge B. Avant Edenfield sentenced the ring leader, Garry Chupurdy to 18 years behind bars. Chupurdy's girlfriend Qing Hon...

Alan Simms, Mark Duncan, Mark Hargreaves and Graham Haylock jailed for a combined total of 16 years.

Alan Simms, Mark Duncan, Mark Hargreaves and Graham Haylock jailed for a combined total of 16 years.Teesside Crown Court heard that the heroin dealing operation was run from the Bay View Hotel on Newcomen Terrace, Redcar.In January last year, shortly after being released from prison, Duncan got involved by allowing Haylock to use his phone to make deals. The pair later fell out and Duncan began running the operation himself, the court heard.Undercover cops used test purchasing methods to buy Class A drugs from Simms and Hargreaves.Officers then raided in September and arrested the four. A month later the hotel was the subject of a crack house closure order.Police estimated the dealers were making up to £3,000 a week, with up to 70 visitors a day, causing “misery” for people living nearby.The four pleaded guilty to the charge of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. Haylock pleaded guilty to an additional five charges of supplying Class A drugs.Michael Bosomworth, defending Duncan, said: “He accepts being the leading light from the time Graham Haylock and he fell out.” <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkXbYtD0WcVY_Ep2gGGiaHQizN2FRtb9cQtlu-Cpwpxhz4jK4INfoBGgLDS7VLbkM6OtbmTg-aZ7osHdaY8Ip1YT9PM5Fw79Adv8UXrupzv-kTJ7JDME-lGNWe6DufI8I0G6V71NQwLI0/s1600-h/30FAB80E-FE4E-FEB9-54D3454668C71245.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169117401935288178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkXbYtD0WcVY_Ep2gGGiaHQizN2FRtb9cQtlu-Cpwpxhz4jK4INfoBGgLDS7VLbkM6OtbmTg-aZ7osHdaY8Ip1YT9PM5Fw79Adv8UXrupzv-kTJ7JDME-lGNWe6DufI8I0G6V71NQwLI0/s320/30FAB80E-FE4E-FEB9-54D3454668C71245.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a> Richard Hermann, defending Simms, said: “He has a genuine remorse. He has a real understanding of the effect drug dealing has on the wider community.”Judge Tony Briggs jailed Duncan, 38, of Denham Green, Pallister Park, Middlesbrough, for six years. Haylock, 29, of Newcomen Terrace, Redcar, was jailed for five years. Hargreaves, 33, and Simms, 39, both also of Newcomen Terrace, were jailed for two and a half years.The judge said: “This was a serious conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.“It does not need me to tell you what misery Class A drugs cause. All you have to do is look at your respective life histories to see proof of it.”

Alan Simms, Mark Duncan, Mark Hargreaves and Graham Haylock jailed for a combined total of 16 years.

Alan Simms, Mark Duncan, Mark Hargreaves and Graham Haylock jailed for a combined total of 16 years.Teesside Crown Court heard that the hero...

Andrew Sinharoy,Stephen Richardson deny robbery and attempted robbery

Mr Richardson, 23, of Edward Street, Stockton, and Mr Sinharoy, 28, of Wicklow Street, Middlesbrough, deny robbery and attempted robbery. The trial continues.Stewart Brockie is said to have arranged to meet a dealer in the hope his former girlfriend would turn up after he heard she was selling heroin on the streets. A jury at Teesside Crown Court was told how the North Yorkshire man had lost touch with his ex-lover, from Middlesbrough, but had been given a mobile phone number for the dealer she was working for and called to arrange a deal, in Middlesbrough, on October 27 last year. But the woman never turned up and, instead, Mr Brockie was said to have been met by Andrew Sinharoy, after travelling from his home in Catterick.Richard Bennett, prosecuting, said Mr Sinharoy became aggressive after being told by Mr Brockie - who did not use drugs - that he did not want any crack cocaine. Mr Sinharoy is alleged to have told Mr Brockie that he had paid £120 for the drugs and that he was going to have to give him some money. The court was told that Mr Sinharoy called a friend, Stephen Richardson, and the pair robbed Mr Brockie.Mr Bennett said the pair stole Mr Brockie's wallet and mobile phone, before threatening him with a knife and ordering him to drive to a cash-point to get some money.The jury was told that the men went to Sainsbury's, in Middlesbrough. Mr Bennett said the victim took an opportunity to flee inside the store and seek help from staff, while Mr Sinharoy and Mr Richardson ran away. The pair were later arrested, but claimed they rescued Mr Brockie from an attack by drug-dealers and paid off his debt, then went to the cash-point to retrieve their money.

Andrew Sinharoy,Stephen Richardson deny robbery and attempted robbery

Mr Richardson, 23, of Edward Street, Stockton, and Mr Sinharoy, 28, of Wicklow Street, Middlesbrough, deny robbery and attempted robbery. Th...

Search of the vehicle revealed 194 pounds of Marijuana

A DPS Officer stopped a rental car westbound on I-10, near Picacho Peak north of Tucson, February 14, for an equipment violation. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB9JTw_4aOpcThqKOYqRxo3dO591iNeSGfPppmvtA05FG241wkh-W6eerC2fQqB7So2FsuATsuKQOqW4FHW_g3u7i-4kKYnVnxlUaJCC0bYop2ADkVzY1TzI5Oa_4Y-IU8XU4un3J1v0Y/s1600-h/car2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169109924397225810" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB9JTw_4aOpcThqKOYqRxo3dO591iNeSGfPppmvtA05FG241wkh-W6eerC2fQqB7So2FsuATsuKQOqW4FHW_g3u7i-4kKYnVnxlUaJCC0bYop2ADkVzY1TzI5Oa_4Y-IU8XU4un3J1v0Y/s320/car2.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a> In searching the vehicle, officers found a burlap bundle of marijuana on the rear floorboard, according to the report. Three more bundles of Marijuana were also found in the trunk for a total to 175 pounds. The driver was arrested and the vehicle seized.According to the report, the next morning, a DPS Officer stopped a vehicle northbound on Interstate 19 between Tucson and Nogales where a search of the vehicle revealed 194 pounds of Marijuana. The driver was arrested for possession of marijuana, possession of marijuana for sale and transportation of marijuana for sale.Director Vanderpool calls this “Another excellent example of the due diligence performed everyday on the highways of this state by DPS Officers.”

Search of the vehicle revealed 194 pounds of Marijuana

A DPS Officer stopped a rental car westbound on I-10, near Picacho Peak north of Tucson, February 14, for an equipment violation. In search...

Schoeman Gerhardus at Islamabad International Airport recovered five kilograms of heroin hidden in secret cavities of his baggage.t

The Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) has arrested a national of South Africa after recovery of a huge quantity of heroin from his possession, a spokesman of the ANF said here on Tuesday.Brigadier Muhammad Asif Alvi, force commander at the ANF Regional Directorate, Rawalpindi, received a tip-off that an international drug mafia group would attempt to smuggle heroin from Islamabad to Johannesburg, the spokesman said.Acting on the tip-off, the regional director asked the concerned authorities to make a plan to foil the attempt, he said. Accordingly, different teams were constituted to counter the attempt. A team of ANF, consequently, intercepted a passenger Schoeman Gerhardus, a South African national, at Islamabad International Airport, proceeding to South Africa bya flight EY-232 bound for Johannesburg, and recovered five kilograms of heroin hidden in secret cavities of his baggage. During questioning, the suspect told the investigators that before indulging in the drug smuggling, he was working as a safari guide in a town, Senekal. He said that in 2005, following instructions of the mafia chief, he travelled to Cracus, Venezuela, to fetch cocaine. He said that he stayed there for eight months and remained involved in money-laundering but could not fetch cocaine. On June 21, 2008, he arrived in Lahore on a trip to smuggle heroin to meet the demand of drug mafia and reached Islamabad the next day. He said that he stayed with his friends in Islamabad and arranged heroin for smuggling. He said that after getting heroin, two Pakistani drug dealers, working for the international drug mafia, picked him up from his residence and dropped him at Islamabad International Airport where he was caught.

Schoeman Gerhardus at Islamabad International Airport recovered five kilograms of heroin hidden in secret cavities of his baggage.t

The Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) has arrested a national of South Africa after recovery of a huge quantity of heroin from his possession, a sp...

Serving Metropolitan Police officer was arrested in May last year on suspicion of corruption and being involved in the supply of illegal substances.

Six men have been charged with drugs offences as part of an anti-corruption investigation.A 44-year-old serving Metropolitan Police officer ...

John James Boyd appeal dismissed

John James Boyd, 32, was jailed after pleading guilty to helping import $80,000 worth of ecstasy from British Columbia in Canada, in 2005.The 2024 ecstasy tablets were mailed to an address at Mermaid Beach, on the Gold Coast, but the parcel was intercepted by authorities who found cheap toys and the ecstasy tablets, wrapped in a smaller package using birthday gift paper.Federal Police used plain tablets to replace the ecstasy before the box was repackaged and sent to Mermaid Beach on November 2, 2005.The court was told a federal officer delivered the package and police waited outside the home while a co-accused accepted the parcel.Within 15 minutes Boyd emerged from the house with the parcel and was arrested by police. Boyd had sent a total of $16,080 to Canadian bank accounts in October 2005. He said he was a heavy steroids user and became involved in the importing of a package because he owed his steroids supplier money.Boyd, who said he believed the package contained steroids, appealed on the grounds the sentence was manifestly excessive.He argued the crown had exaggerated his role in the importation, he had been an unwitting party to importing ecstasy and there had been threats made against him.In an unanimous written judgment, which became available today, the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal.The Court of Appeal's President Margaret McMurdo said Boyd was in the Australian army before spending six years in the NSW police force where he worked in indigenous communities, did charity work and received a bravery award.Justice McMurdo noted since he had left the police Boyd had continued his charity work in detention centres and was working as youth counsellor at the time of his arrest."He is a mature man. His prior community work makes his involvment in this offence all the more puzzling," she said. Justice McMurdo said, however, there was no support for the proposition the sentence was manifestly excessive and the appeal should be dismissed.

John James Boyd appeal dismissed

John James Boyd, 32, was jailed after pleading guilty to helping import $80,000 worth of ecstasy from British Columbia in Canada, in 2005.Th...

Operation Medicine Boyz arrests Raheem Williams,Hassan Bellamy, Tuqran Clemons,Jihad Waiters,Shantaya McTerrell

The Essex/Federal Gang Suppression Partnership made the new arrests in recent days in East Orange and Newark, but it still has not tracked down the ring's alleged leader, Maurice Gaskins, 26, of East Orange, authorities said. Picked up in a series of raids last week were Tuqran Clemons, 34, of East Orange, Shantaya McTerrell, 24, of Newark, Jihad Waiters, 28, of East Orange, Hassan Bellamy, 25, of East Orange and Raheem Williams, 24, of Newark. In making the arrests, investigators seized some 300 Percocet pills and 25 Oxycontin pills along with $211 in cash, said Detective Dante Pasquale of the Essex County Prosecutor's Office. Operation Medicine Boyz, a 12-month undercover operation, closed down a conspiracy in which "runners" were dispatched to the area of Broad Street and Branford Place to purchase prescription drugs -- Oxycontin, Percocet and Tussionex -- from Medicaid recipients in exchange for cash or heroin, Pasquale said. The ring would then sell the pills to recreational drug users at a high markup, as much as $45 a pill, authorities said. The tablets cost $18 to $22 in the pharmacy. The first round of Operation Medicine Boyz yielded the arrests of George Coleman, 38, of East Orange, Jason Evans, 32 of Newark, Barry Williams, 52, of Newark, Mahajir Salaam, 23, of Newark and Lonnie Miller, 38, of Newark. Investigators still are hunting for Gaskins and Kassan Bellamy, 25, of East Orange, who is Hassan's brother.

Operation Medicine Boyz arrests Raheem Williams,Hassan Bellamy, Tuqran Clemons,Jihad Waiters,Shantaya McTerrell

The Essex/Federal Gang Suppression Partnership made the new arrests in recent days in East Orange and Newark, but it still has not tracked d...

Leslie Adgar,Jon Patton, Andre Mays,TSA employees conspired to distribute narcotics through Hartsfield-Jackson Airport

Leslie Adgar, 42, of Decatur, Ga., Andre Mays, 24, of Atlanta, and Jon Patton, 44, of Lawrenceville, Ga., were indicted by a federal grand jury after a sting operation set up by the federal government. The indictment charges Patton and Adgar with conspiring to distribute narcotics and attempting to distribute cocaine and heroin on three dates drugs were smuggled through Hartsfield-Jackson to New York. Mays is charged with the drug conspiracy and attempting to distribute cocaine on Dec. 19, 2007. The charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison and a fine of up to $4 million. U.S. Attorney David Nahmias said Leslie Adgar, 42, of Decatur, Jon Patton, 44, of Lawrenceville and Andre Mays, 24, of Atlanta, were indicted by a federal grand jury on charges relating to a drug-smuggling operation at the airport. “These individuals allegedly abused their positions at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport to smuggle drugs past security and onto Delta flights,” Nahmias said. “This indictment should serve as a cautionary tale for others who would betray the trust that the public places in the frontline workers at our nation’s airports: such illegal conduct will be discovered and the offenders swiftly brought to justice. We appreciate the good work of our law enforcement partners and the cooperation of Delta Air Lines in this investigation.” According to the indictment and information presented in court, Patton and Mays are TSA employees working at Hartsfield-Jackson. Adgar is a Delta Air Lines Inc. (NYSE: DAL) employee, also assigned to Hartsfield-Jackson. In December 2007, a confidential source working for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) brokered a deal with TSA employee Patton to send two kilograms of cocaine through Hartsfield-Jackson to New York. Patton set transportation fees of $5,000 for the first kilogram of cocaine and $3,000 for every kilogram after. Patton allegedly provided the source with a piece of luggage that was later used to carry the two kilograms of cocaine past security and onto the Delta flight. On Dec. 19, 2007, at the direction of the DEA, the source met with Patton and a second TSA employee, Mays, at Hartsfield-Jackson and handed them a carry-on bag packed with two kilograms of fake cocaine and $4,000. Both Patton and Mays were in TSA uniform and on duty at Hartsfield-Jackson when they took the luggage. The $4,000 was one-half of the total $8,000 transportation fee; the plan was for the source to hand the second $4,000 to Adgar in New York when the sham drugs were delivered. After taking the source's bag, Patton and Mays went into a bathroom in Hartsfield-Jackson's North Terminal. About two minutes later, Patton was seen inside the bathroom standing outside of a closed bathroom stall talking to Mays in the stall. Patton no longer had the bag. Mays was not visible, but the bag was on the floor inside the stall outside of which Patton was standing. Patton and Mays then exited the bathroom together. Patton once again was carrying the bag. Mays, who had entered the bathroom with his coat open, now had his coat closed. Mays was next spotted on the other side of the security check point. Patton allegedly walked around the magnetometers, sending the bag through the x-ray machine. Patton and the bag were not challenged by TSA screeners. Patton retrieved the bag and eventually met with Adgar in the T concourse, giving her the bag. Adgar immediately boarded a Delta flight to New York's LaGuardia Airport. After arriving at LaGuardia, Adgar met with the source, who paid Adgar the remaining $4,000 of the smuggling fee. Adgar allegedly gave the source his bag with the two kilograms of fake cocaine. Adgar later boarded another Delta flight and came back to Atlanta. In late January, the source and Patton negotiated a second smuggling transaction. On Jan. 23, the source traveled to Hartsfield-Jackson and gave Patton with the same carry-on bag that was used in the December deal. This time, however, the bag was packed with one kilogram of fake heroin and $4,500. Patton was in uniform and on duty when he took the luggage. After taking the bag, Patton allegedly passed the heroin through the security checkpoint without notice. He then went near Gate T-8 and gave Adgar the bag. Adgar then boarded a Delta flight bound for LaGuardia Airport. After arriving in New York, Adgar deplaned and returned the bag with the sham heroin in it to the source. In exchange, the source handed Adgar the remaining $4,500. Adgar later boarded a Delta flight from New York to Orlando. A third and final transaction happened Feb. 15. The source and Patton negotiated a three-kilogram cocaine deal, again from Atlanta to New York. The source arrived at Hartsfield-Jackson and gave Patton with the same carry-on bag that had been used in the previous two deals. The bag was packed with three kilograms of fake cocaine and cash. Patton was again in TSA uniform and on duty at Hartsfield-Jackson when he took the luggage. Patton allegedly passed the fake cocaine through security without incident. Inside the airport, Patton provided Adgar with the bag. Adgar was arrested by DEA agents while attempting to board a Delta flight to LaGuardia Airport. Patton and Mays were arrested shortly thereafter. "These individuals allegedly abused their positions at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport to smuggle drugs past security and onto Delta flights," said U.S. Attorney David E. Nahmias. "This indictment should serve as a cautionary tale for others who would betray the trust that the public places in the frontline workers at our nation's airports: such illegal conduct will be discovered and the offenders swiftly brought to justice."

Leslie Adgar,Jon Patton, Andre Mays,TSA employees conspired to distribute narcotics through Hartsfield-Jackson Airport

Leslie Adgar, 42, of Decatur, Ga., Andre Mays, 24, of Atlanta, and Jon Patton, 44, of Lawrenceville, Ga., were indicted by a federal grand j...