Crime Correspondent

Naomi Williams of London was arrested at the Norman Manley International Airport last month while preparing to board a flight to England.

Naomi Williams of London was arrested at the Norman Manley International Airport last month while preparing to board a flight to England.

Naomi Williams of London was arrested at the Norman Manley International Airport last month while preparing to board a flight to England.The...

Aaron Washington accused of delivering cocaine to a Juneau woman that police later arrested on suspicion of drunken driving.

"It's not like I've never done anything wrong," Aaron Washington said. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDuQngJWKJLKgz_bVxKdzeCLlTSAbWQyIPZijWLcrZsJhOp2A2kihmgqDo2uxSDB1e3Kjpn-SFgXI-3TScToe_9Dau0wvQTqgwSyGlBqyKA1vEYIZE93CUlFhC93ZOVmgTgZzNTYJ2FRU/s1600-h/261872712.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222885488687596610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDuQngJWKJLKgz_bVxKdzeCLlTSAbWQyIPZijWLcrZsJhOp2A2kihmgqDo2uxSDB1e3Kjpn-SFgXI-3TScToe_9Dau0wvQTqgwSyGlBqyKA1vEYIZE93CUlFhC93ZOVmgTgZzNTYJ2FRU/s400/261872712.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a> Aaron Washington, a 42-year-old merchant, stands accused of delivering cocaine to a Juneau woman that police later arrested on suspicion of drunken driving. The driver told police she was selling the drug for Washington. Charges were brought by a grand jury indictment based on witness testimony. In September, Washington will again face a jury as a codefendant in a larger trial wherein the state alleges he conspired to run a criminal enterprise that imported and sold pounds of cocaine in Juneau since 2003 with alleged partner Vonnie Williams, 44. A joint investigation between the Juneau police and Alaska State Troopers resulted in 19 drug-related charges against Washington. A woman who claims to have been Washington's source of "kilo after kilo" of cocaine is behind 11 of the charges. The organized crime is thought to be the first of its kind in Juneau. In a jailhouse interview, Washington said police and prosecutors were pushing on him a larger title than is real. If the police had arrested a "ring leader" as claimed, there would be less drugs on the street, he said. "Nothing has slowed down," he said. Following jury selection, the Juneau District Attorney's Office is expected to call expert witnesses to identify what police found on the woman as cocaine. Testimony claiming the cocaine was Washington's is expected also, according to court records. Police have yet to connect any drugs directly to Washington. Instead they claim he used women as "drug mules" to bring drugs in from the Lower 48. Washington has been held in Lemon Creek Correctional Center on $75,000 bail since police arrested him at his girlfriend's home in the Mendenhall Valley last spring. In recent filings, Washington's girlfriend asked the court to lift a no-contact order in an effort to plan for their wedding. Washington said he was a legit businessman with stores in Juneau and Oregon before his arrest. Careful with his words, Washington said he wasn't exactly "innocent" either.

Aaron Washington accused of delivering cocaine to a Juneau woman that police later arrested on suspicion of drunken driving.

"It's not like I've never done anything wrong," Aaron Washington said. Aaron Washington, a 42-year-old merchant, stands ac...

Fabian Delgado charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance

Fabian Delgado, 25, of the 9800 block of Alameda, was arrested late Thursday night. He is charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance...

Richard Larkin charged yesterday at Kilmainham District Court with offences related to drug possession and having drugs for sale or supply.

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinhKqR6xr6ykO81W2vXkMA5JRorQOxq8Tg_F1pLEJ_5Cp2ZVSgtS4PNzRHlmhum82EZFYYZHVT1p6GNDGrFQwjr4Mkqq6koo6Bcpo8MHZgcJ8q2DhO92xcqq_M2E_HVJ-v08gbp7SafOU/s1600-h/larkin.bmp"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222589472103091762" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinhKqR6xr6ykO81W2vXkMA5JRorQOxq8Tg_F1pLEJ_5Cp2ZVSgtS4PNzRHlmhum82EZFYYZHVT1p6GNDGrFQwjr4Mkqq6koo6Bcpo8MHZgcJ8q2DhO92xcqq_M2E_HVJ-v08gbp7SafOU/s400/larkin.bmp" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a> Richard Larkin (21), of Collinstown Grove, Clondalkin, was charged yesterday at Kilmainham District Court with offences related to drug possession and having drugs for sale or supply.Det Garda Thomas Griffin of the Garda National Drugs Unit, told the court that Mr Larkin made no reply when he was cautioned and charged shortly before 8pm on Thursday at Naas Garda station.There was no application for bail during the brief hearing, at which Mr Larkin remained silent. The garda objected to bail.Judge Anne Watkin remanded the accused in custody to appear before Cloverhill District Court next Tuesday, July 15th.On Wednesday night, gardaí carried out a number of searches in Celbridge and Clondalkin, west Dublin.Members of the drugs unit, acting on intelligence, raided an unfurnished apartment in Simmonstown Manor, Celbridge, and found significant drug paraphernalia, along with mixing and processing equipment for cocaine.During the raid gardaí discovered 20kg of cocaine, and this seizure, depending on further analysis, has a potential street value of €1.4 million.

Richard Larkin charged yesterday at Kilmainham District Court with offences related to drug possession and having drugs for sale or supply.

Richard Larkin (21), of Collinstown Grove, Clondalkin, was charged yesterday at Kilmainham District Court with offences related to drug poss...

Darren D. Parchem pleaded guilty this week to selling two ounces of crack cocaine to an informant for $1,900.

Darren D. Parchem of Farrell pleaded guilty this week to selling two ounces of crack cocaine to an informant for $1,900.The man who set up the deal, Stevie D. Dean, is set to plead guilty July 22.Parchem, nicknamed “Little D,” 21, formerly of Hamilton Avenue, pleaded guilty Tuesday to a charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of crack.A charge of distribution and possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of crack is pending, but the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Pittsburgh, typically asks that outstanding charges be withdrawn at a defendant’s sentencing.U.S. District Court Judge Gary L. Lancaster, Pittsburgh, set Parchem’s sentencing for 9:30 a.m. Oct. 17. Parchem faces a prison term of 10 years to life.An informant working with authorities set up with Dean a deal to buy a “deuce” — two ounces of crack, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy Rivetti. They agreed to meet Aug. 28 outside a bar in Farrell.Dean and Parchem arrived in Dean’s car and the informant turned over the money for the drug, plus a $50 finder’s fee to Dean, Rivetti said.Audio of the call between Dean and the informant and the conversation during the transaction were recorded, and photographs by surveillance police were taken.After his arrest, Parchem admitted he was from Detroit and has sold crack locally, Rivetti said.Dean was indicted on the same charges. Both men have been jailed.Sharon and state police, the FBI and the IRS investigated the case.Parchem and Dean are among 24 people charged by federal officials this year during a probe of drug and gun sales in the Shenango Valley, and Parchem is the sixth to plead guilty.

Darren D. Parchem pleaded guilty this week to selling two ounces of crack cocaine to an informant for $1,900.

Darren D. Parchem of Farrell pleaded guilty this week to selling two ounces of crack cocaine to an informant for $1,900.The man who set up t...

Francisco Pecina was charged with trafficking in cocaine and conspiracy to traffic in cocaine.

Francisco Pecina was on the telephone Friday night with Joe Luis Castanada talking about a cocaine deal involving a couple hundred grams, police said. Around 10 p.m., the two men agreed to meet at Pecina's home, 12020 E. Bay Road, Gibsonton, where police said Castanada was to pick up the drugs. Tampa police put the home under surveillance, according to affidavits. When Castanada was seen leaving Pecina's house, Hillsborough County sheriff's deputies, working with Tampa police, followed. They pulled over Castanada, 23, on U.S. 301. Castanada, of 5620 Center St., Wimauma, had a suspended license, so Deputy Don Hess arrested him and searched his car. The deputy found 268 grams of powdered cocaine, according to reports.Castanada, listed in jail records as a mason for Coastal Construction, was charged with trafficking in cocaine, conspiracy to traffic in cocaine, both felonies, and driving with a suspended license/habitual traffic offender, a misdemeanor. He is being held in Orient Road Jail. Bail has not been set, jail records show. After Castanada's arrest, police intercepted another call from Pecina. He was calling his wife, Maria Cecilia Ramones, 35, listed in jail records as a teacher at It's Kids Time in Riverview.Pecina, 34, asked his wife to remove cocaine from their house, according to the affidavits.A few minutes later, investigators saw Ramones drive away. She was detained at a parking lot at U.S. 301 and Gibsonton Drive.A police drug dog arrived and alerted officers to something in the trunk of the car. Investigators found a brick of powdered cocaine and five bags of cocaine, with a combined weight of 660 grams. Ramones, who told authorities she did not know the cocaine was in the car, was charged with trafficking in cocaine and conspiracy to traffic in cocaine. Pecina also was charged with trafficking in cocaine and conspiracy to traffic in cocaine.Pecina said he sold Castanada a quarter kilo of cocaine for $6,200 and that he bought a kilo earlier that day for $22,000 on consignment, according to the affidavit.Pecina and Ramones are also being held at the Orient Road Jail with no bail set.

Francisco Pecina was charged with trafficking in cocaine and conspiracy to traffic in cocaine.

Francisco Pecina was on the telephone Friday night with Joe Luis Castanada talking about a cocaine deal involving a couple hundred grams, po...

Adam Gaunt and Ashley Gunn both pleaded guilty to possessing 252 grams of the Class-A drug with intent to supply

Adam Gaunt and Ashley Gunn were stopped travelling along Werrington Road in a black Citroen on February 29.Prosecutor Heather Chamberlin told Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court yesterday police saw a package thrown from the driver's window, which was never recovered."When the car stopped the passenger Gaunt got out and police found a package containing white powder on his seat. He said it was for his own use."Police found a block of cocaine under the seat.Miss Chamberlin said two phones were constantly ringing and one received a text saying 'Laura wants a gram'. Gaunt told officers the block was cocaine and he had just been to pick it up. Officers found £280 on him.Gunn was found to be in possession of £501. The block of white powder was found to contain 252 grams of cocaine with a street value of £12,500.The Crown's case against Gunn was that he collected drugs and was delivering them. Gaunt went along with it but played no part in arranging the transaction. Gunn, of Stallington Road, Blythe Bridge, and Gaunt, aged 21, of Duke Street, Fenton, both pleaded guilty to possessing 252 grams of the Class-A drug with intent to supply at an earlier hearing.Catherine O'Reilly, defending Gaunt, said he has no previous convictions.Paul Cliff, defending Gunn, said the 20-year-old picked the drugs up in Hartshill and was taking them elsewhere.Judge Mark Eades said he could distinguish between the roles played by the two defendants.He sentenced Gunn to three years in a young offenders' institution.Gaunt was jailed for 52 weeks, suspended for two years, with 12 months supervision and a six month electronic tagging curfew.A proceeds of crime hearing in respect of both defendants will be held on August 4

Adam Gaunt and Ashley Gunn both pleaded guilty to possessing 252 grams of the Class-A drug with intent to supply

Adam Gaunt and Ashley Gunn were stopped travelling along Werrington Road in a black Citroen on February 29.Prosecutor Heather Chamberlin tol...

Martin Kerfoot was sentenced yesterday after being found guilty of importing 3.5 tonnes of cannabis resin as part of an international drugs smuggling

Martin Kerfoot (41), of Seacliff Road, Bangor, was sentenced yesterday after being found guilty of importing 3.5 tonnes of cannabis resin as part of an international drugs smuggling ring. — director of a transport and storage company based in an industrial estate in the Quarry Heights area of Newtownards — was caught in his business premises by the PSNI with a lorry-load of the Class C drug on October 10, 2006. The drugs — the largest ever seizure of cannabis in Northern Ireland, with an estimated street value of up to £13m — were brought into the country in hollowed-out wooden doors which were stacked into pallets, loaded into a lorry and imported from Spain. When police stormed Kerfoot's business premises they found the drugs were in the process of being unloaded from the lorry into a rental van and a company vehicle. A co-accused, Stephen James McGivern (32) of Oak Crescent, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, was yesterday jailed for seven years for his part in the lucrative drugs enterprise. It is understood he acted as a courier and had been caught by police and Customs officers loading over a dozen bales into a rental van. Sentencing the pair at Belfast Crown Court yesterday, Mr Justice McLaughlin, said it is "quite clear" that what was found was "the culmination of a criminal enterprise that must have been massive". He added that the drugs, believed to come from Morocco, were picked up in Spain and driven up through Europe into England, then by ferry to Dublin before going to Northern Ireland. He said he had no doubt Kerfoot was fully involved in the importation of the drugs, even though he had "attempted to put forward to the jury a sense that he was operating under duress". Mr Justice McLaughlin said that given the complexity of the drug smuggling scheme, it would be "amazing" if there was no paramilitary involvement in the background. He added while he also accepted Kerfoot was " not the mastermind, the instigator or the financier", he was " totally satisfied you were an essential cog", and had made his expertise and the cover of his company available "to criminal forces" . Following yesterday's sentencing, Detective Inspector Andrew Dunlop of the PSNI's Drug Squad, said the investigation concerning the criminals behind the importation is still ongoing and revealed that the PSNI is in contact with the Spanish authorities who are assisting in the inquiry.He said that the sentences "send a clear message to anyone involved in or are contemplating becoming involved in the unlawful importation, supply and distribution of controlled drug". John Whiting, Assistant Director Criminal Investigation, HMRC said: " HMRC are determined to work closely with the police and other law enforcement agencies to protect the public from the significant and damaging effect drugs have on our communities." Policing and Justice Minister Paul Goggins said: "The message to those involved in the trade of illegal drugs is clear, you will be caught and you will pay for your crime. This is an excellent outcome to months of joint operations between the PSNI and HMRC and I commend the work of everyone in the law enforcement agencies involved."

Martin Kerfoot was sentenced yesterday after being found guilty of importing 3.5 tonnes of cannabis resin as part of an international drugs smuggling

Martin Kerfoot (41), of Seacliff Road, Bangor, was sentenced yesterday after being found guilty of importing 3.5 tonnes of cannabis resin as...

Sotiris Andreas,Pavlos Petrou Andronicou jailed over £800,000 cocaine haul

The Two London men have been jailed after being found guilty of smuggling cocaine with an estimated street value of £800,000 into the UK. So...

Steven Musolino charged with three counts each of drug sales and drug possession.

Steven Musolino, 26, of 12 Argyle Place, Massapequa, was arrested at his home Thursday at 9:25 p.m. and was charged with three counts each o...

Robert Henson and Peter Thirlaway are in jail for a total of 71 years after flooding Tyneside with up to half a ton of cannabis and heroin a week.

drug baron Robert Henson and his international supply ring was smashed.The 59-year-old and his associates are in jail for a total of 71 years after flooding Tyneside with up to half a ton of cannabis and heroin a week.At the centre of the operation were Henson, of Ancroft Garth, in High Shincliffe, County Durham, and his right-hand man Peter Thirlaway, 38, who lived in a caravan park in Whitley Bay.They referred to cannabis resin as “wood”, heroin as “fluff” and to them money was “bananas”. Their “gear” was always stamped with distinctive fish, or 1 logos.Police tracked the pair and listened in as they met regularly to set up transactions with their foreign contact, “Spanish Billy”, and the man bringing heroin into the North East, Samir Dahou.In one breath Henson would boast he had stock of more than £600,000 and a turnover of £1.5m, then in the next he would call in drug debts to raise £100,000s for new shipments.Police first came close to the ring on July 18 last year when £87,500-worth of heroin was uncovered in a car driven by drug addict Dean Thomson, on the A1 near Teams, Gateshead.Fingerprints linked the stash to Samir Dahou. On August 14 Henson was still conducting business as usual. Despite growing fears he was being watched, he arranged to buy drugs with a wholesale value of £170,000. By August 21 he was convinced he was going to take a police “hit” and he told Thirlaway to get rid of their mobiles.Despite his worries the operation continued. Thirlaway kept visiting Manchester for heroin from Dahou and tons of cannabis continued to pour in from foreign shores.At the start of September Henson was recorded saying he was doing three more deals before giving up the drugs trade for good and taking his wife to live abroad.Just a week later a team of officers tracked Thirlaway on the train from Manchester. They confronted him at Newcastle’s Central Station and he instantly owned up to carrying £22,000 of heroin, five mobile phones, and more than £2,500 cash.A second team followed John Rae, a scrapyard owner forced to run drugs to clear his gambling debts.He was watched carrying 100kg of cannabis resin, worth £284,000, from Henson’s drug hideout, in Winlaton Mill, Gateshead, to Bell Industrial Estate, Lemington, Newcastle. Police swooped on him there.Gang member Sean Hewitson, of Rotherford Street, Wallsend, who also brought heroin into the region from Manchester, was another who had nowhere to run when police tracked him down.Henson was picked up at his home. Meanwhile his daughter Amanda Elliot was arrested at her home, in Redwood Close, Hetton, County Durham. Police found more than £8,000 and $900 of drugs money hidden in her kitchen oven.In Manchester the sting closed in on Samir Dahou as police raided his home in Warrington.As officers stormed into his kitchen, the heroin dealer turned to his wife and said: “There’s something I need to tell you. I’ve been moving things. We needed the money.” Two suitcases opened at the house had £1.5m of heroin and two semi-automatic guns with silencers inside.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqq7B_p23Dxf0wp4EJ8Pt86r5GJwy1iFmlFLxhvVI8pHfkZbWsfVgZu3Xu9-dWr9N5ebz-52jQra4S_jiInfftn4rAc9vF7J59ibVN0v-2EquU5nfg9fWkhXC7kaCFknvpOGkxaG14bdY/s1600-h/henson.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221781749733607058" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqq7B_p23Dxf0wp4EJ8Pt86r5GJwy1iFmlFLxhvVI8pHfkZbWsfVgZu3Xu9-dWr9N5ebz-52jQra4S_jiInfftn4rAc9vF7J59ibVN0v-2EquU5nfg9fWkhXC7kaCFknvpOGkxaG14bdY/s400/henson.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a>

Robert Henson and Peter Thirlaway are in jail for a total of 71 years after flooding Tyneside with up to half a ton of cannabis and heroin a week.

drug baron Robert Henson and his international supply ring was smashed.The 59-year-old and his associates are in jail for a total of 71 year...

Derek Langhammer charged with 4 felony counts including dealing and possession of cocaine and heroin.

Derek Langhammer, 19 of Carmel, was charged with 4 felony counts including dealing and possession of cocaine and heroin.Langhammer confessed...

Mary Steck high school science teacher was sentenced to six months of probation without a verdict

Mary Steck was sentenced to six months of probation without a verdict Wednesday in Allegheny County Court. If she completes probation, drug ...

Robert Daniel Flook has won permission to challenge his convictions at London's Court of Appeal

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlMG5gEHRLD8fQpJ3hlrMlGwoWfy6JuVAytrBjST-8u2zKbXssQ-1kqOfT-G-0xypgq64jwCnoBMt1eNy1s1MzTw7jRSrKwEFI1gLbhtoYQeAuAGfgK_IFNxlv8t6o25FgCC58FvlE3l4/s1600-h/2727814.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221534404466273938" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlMG5gEHRLD8fQpJ3hlrMlGwoWfy6JuVAytrBjST-8u2zKbXssQ-1kqOfT-G-0xypgq64jwCnoBMt1eNy1s1MzTw7jRSrKwEFI1gLbhtoYQeAuAGfgK_IFNxlv8t6o25FgCC58FvlE3l4/s400/2727814.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a> Robert Daniel Flook alleged to be a key organiser in a £350million drug smuggling operation which involved premises in South Devon has won permission to challenge his convictions at London's Court of Appeal.Lawyers for Robert Daniel Flook, currently serving 26 years for importing cocaine and cannabis into the UK, say the prosecution's case was so poorly presented that the trial judge effectively ended up putting the Crown's side of the story.Barrister David Nathan QC, for 47-year-old Flook, said the summing up amounted to a second speech for the prosecution, and he added that a Crown barrister had admitted in open court that the prosecution's case was badly prepared. A few days into the seven-week trial at Blackfriars Crown Court, jurors complained that they didn't understand the Crown's case.Flook, of no fixed abode but from Eltham, south east London, was convicted on a majority verdict in August last year. He was found guilty of conspiracy to import cannabis and conspiracy to import cocaine.The court heard that drugs were smuggled into the UK from South Africa, with cannabis hidden in garden furniture and imported by Playaway Events Ltd, in south London and Kent, and cocaine in mirrors imported by a firm based in Brixham and Newton Abbot.Yesterday, Mrs Justice Cox, sitting with Lord Justice Hooper and Judge Michael Stokes QC, said that Flook had an 'arguable' case that his convictions were 'unsafe'.Eight tonnes of cannabis was seized by the Met Police at Felixstowe docks in September, 2006, the force's biggest-ever cannabis haul. Around 150kg of cocaine was seized in South Africa, that country's second-largest cocaine haul. Flook and his associates were alleged to have made 11 similar imports, taking the value of the drugs involved to £350m.No date was set for the full Court of Appeal hearing.

Robert Daniel Flook has won permission to challenge his convictions at London's Court of Appeal

Robert Daniel Flook alleged to be a key organiser in a £350million drug smuggling operation which involved premises in South Devon has won p...

Xavier Herrera was arrested after a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration source recorded on videotape the officer trying to buy 3 kilograms of cocain

Xavier Herrera was arrested Thursday after a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration source recorded on videotape the officer trying to buy 3 kilograms of cocaine for about $60,000, federal agents reported.Herrera, 47, is in jail in Chicago pending a detention hearing Wednesday to determine whether he will get bond or remain behind bars throughout his trial.The DEA affidavit filed against Herrera describes him as a middleman in the cocaine transaction, helping to arrange a sale between a government informant and a man named Fedrick Farmer.After Herrera's arrest in a Burger King parking lot in Summit, Ill., he waived his right to talk to a lawyer and signed a statement admitting his role, government records say."Herrera further said he would make $500 on the transaction," the DEA affidavit says.arrested Farmer, Herrera and a third man, Juan Gutierrez, who is described as handing the informant a duffel bag filled with cash totaling more than $60,000 in exchange for 3 kilograms of cocaine. The DEA affidavit also says the investigation into Herrera began after an unnamed suspect was arrested in March during an investigation of methamphetamine sales. The suspect told police he had personally delivered 20 kilograms of cocaine smuggled directly from Mexico to an East Chicago police officer's home, federal records say. The suspect placed a recorded phone call to Herrera in which the officer agreed to discuss a future cocaine sale with an associate of the suspect, the DEA alleges. The suspect has since "disappeared" and now is a fugitive from justice, the affidavit says.Soon afterward, another DEA informant called Herrera and claimed to be the associate of the meth suspect.The affidavit alleges Herrera initially agreed to buy multiple kilogram quantities of Mexican cocaine from the DEA informant during numerous phone calls and three in-person meetings at a Mexican restaurant in Bridgeview, Ill.During their fourth meeting, when the drugs allegedly were to be exchanged, Herrera was arrested.At the time of his arrest, Herrera had a fully loaded .45-caliber Colt semi-automatic handgun tucked into his waistband in addition to a .357-caliber unloaded handgun in the center console of his vehicle, the DEA alleges.Herrera, who was not on duty at the time of his arrest, is an 18-year veteran of the department.Police Chief Angelo Machuca said Monday he will be requesting to have Herrera placed on unpaid administrative leave pending the outcome of the case."It is regrettable that my department's image has been tarnished by one individual's actions," Machuca said in a written statement. "It bothers me to hear of an officer that has gone wrong because I do have an outstanding, dedicated group of officers."

Xavier Herrera was arrested after a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration source recorded on videotape the officer trying to buy 3 kilograms of cocain

Xavier Herrera was arrested Thursday after a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration source recorded on videotape the officer trying to buy 3 k...

Anthony "Snags" Garcia was charged with leading a drug trafficking network, possession of narcotics

Anthony "Snags" Garcia, 30, was charged Tuesday with leading a drug trafficking network, possession of narcotics, possession with intent to distribute, and distribution, said Prosecutor Jim Avigliano."They were getting packages of two kilos at a time mailed to an address in Paterson (and) they were mailing packages of money back to Puerto Rico," Avigliano said, adding that $48,000 out of a total of $67,000 was seized by authorities at the Paterson Post Office.Garcia was one of six men arrested. The others included his brother Luiz "Take" Garcia, 33, Wilfredo "Old Man" Rivera, 50, and Jeffrey "Phyzil" Crespo, 20, all of Paterson; and Karl Carrion, 32, and Jobany Cruz, 19, both of Newark, according to the prosecutor's office.Avigliano said all five men face similar charges of narcotics possession and distributing.The 35-day investigation was initiated by the prosecutor's Gangs/Narcotics Task Force. Police were initially looking at the Garcia brothers who were operating out of Passaic County. Anthony Garcia is an alleged member of the Bloods criminal street gang "Dip Set" crew, which is an offshoot of the "Nine Trey," crew. Police determined that Rivera, an employee of the city of Paterson, was running an international cocaine smuggling operation and was the chief supplier. Rivera's operation shipped cocaine to Puerto Rico through the U.S. Postal Service, according to the prosecutor's office."Four packages were intercepted -- three contained two kilograms of cocaine that were destined to Paterson and then to Anthony Garcia," according to a statement from the prosecutor's office. It was learned that the money from the cocaine distribution was shipped back to Puerto Rico through the mail. One intercepted package that was to be shipped to Puerto Rico contained $48,000. The Garcia brothers also were supplying heroin to Rivera, according to the prosecutor's office. Rivera also allegedly had a heroin distribution operation out of Paterson.Police conducted early morning raids in Newark, Paterson and at Anthony Garcia's Parsippany home located at 959 South Beverwyck Ave.Police seized six kilograms of cocaine, 1,530 baggies of heroin valued at $10 each, a pound of marijuana, a handgun, roughly $67,000 in cash, and three cars: a Corvette convertible, a Cadillac Escalade and a Nissan 350Z. The prosecutor's office was assisted by U.S. Postal Service Inspectors, the Drug Enforcement Agency, and Clifton Police Department.

Anthony "Snags" Garcia was charged with leading a drug trafficking network, possession of narcotics

Anthony "Snags" Garcia, 30, was charged Tuesday with leading a drug trafficking network, possession of narcotics, possession with ...

Bartosz Kargul sentenced at Edinburgh Sheriff Court

Bartosz Kargul, 26, was detained by officers from the newly-formed UK Border Agency (UKBA) after arriving on a flight from Brussels in May. ...

Natasha Ennis jailed her for seven years.

previous convictions for her involvement with drugs didn't deter 32-year-old Natasha Ennis from carrying on in the trade.A judge told her at Croydon Crown Court last Friday that it was clear she had been making a living out of trafficking, and he jailed her for seven years.Sent down for 16 months was her lesbian accomplice, Lorna Barnes, 41, of of Green Lane, Penge. Both pleaded guilty to supplying cocaine and heroin.Prosecuting, Shekinah Anson said police were on their drug-tracing Operation Prada in the Penge area in January, and deals were done with Ennis and under-cover officers posing as customers.She was stopped in a car in Maple Road, Penge and police found two bundles of wrapped drugs in her underwear. In her socks they discovered £200 in cash.The drugs turned out to be heroin and cocaine with a street value of around £550.It appeared that Barnes had been using her car to ferry Ennis around. Ennis, of Elmers End, Beckenham, has served prison sentences for one case of drug smuggling and one of dealing. Defending, Brereton Horne said Ennis, when in Jamaica in her early days, had been ostracised by her grandmother because of her sexuality and she came to the UK.Judge Simon Pratt told her: "The indictment shows you dealing in Class A drugs no fewer than six times. It is quite clear you were making your living in drugs. "You were a regular and commercial street dealer."John Horne, defending Barnes, said she had had a lesbian relationship with Ennis, but this broke up. She never had any financial reward for her part in the dealing. Judge Pratt told Barnes: "Those who help dealers get sentences of imprisonment because they help the onward distribution of hard drugs into the community"Whether you did it out of love for her or not, it makes no difference.

Natasha Ennis jailed her for seven years.

previous convictions for her involvement with drugs didn't deter 32-year-old Natasha Ennis from carrying on in the trade.A judge told he...

Artimus Perkins and Charlene Perkins charged with two counts of felony criminal possession

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk1YcQWjltFKfkg0N7GlU4baUhtcods44Offnzbu3Cn2qn6_a591mGGNCz51Dblnss5NiR16ykKBH4C3e99dBBzjqGKBhLLstzI2K9gCN5FOVFXyvTN9yd1cCEuHwOlXFwyxEbVHBgzHs/s1600-h/Perkins_Artimus.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221157872830932834" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk1YcQWjltFKfkg0N7GlU4baUhtcods44Offnzbu3Cn2qn6_a591mGGNCz51Dblnss5NiR16ykKBH4C3e99dBBzjqGKBhLLstzI2K9gCN5FOVFXyvTN9yd1cCEuHwOlXFwyxEbVHBgzHs/s320/Perkins_Artimus.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOfUAMxkwcYb0e0iXMJ05PJY_zjq869HVOXD_E88a9o7wSk-WaMX2y2MhyphenhyphenvpnKd4zeRHtVMCkzbJX9qKdwFWUii0oUuCfM6IJQwQ5JpYNDQsqhKL7iUxghVXbsJSri59rl3urRGcllWyE/s1600-h/Perkins_Charlene.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221157876527294850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOfUAMxkwcYb0e0iXMJ05PJY_zjq869HVOXD_E88a9o7wSk-WaMX2y2MhyphenhyphenvpnKd4zeRHtVMCkzbJX9qKdwFWUii0oUuCfM6IJQwQ5JpYNDQsqhKL7iUxghVXbsJSri59rl3urRGcllWyE/s320/Perkins_Charlene.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a>Artimus Perkins, 32, and Charlene Perkins, 31, live at 239 S. 6th Ave on the first floor. Three of the couple’s children, ages three, four and 16, were home at the time of the search warrant execution. They were released to the custody of a relative and New York State Child Protective Services were notified.The detectives, armed with a search warrant, discovered approximately 80 “rocks” of alleged crack cocaine and an additional gram of alleged powdered cocaine. The cocaine has an estimated street value of $900. Two Pit Bull dogs were also removed from the residence.“The community’s tolerance for drug dealing that often leads to violence is at an all time low, their continued cooperation is a testament to our growing partnership,” said Police Commissioner David Chong. “The fact that there were three children in the home makes this case even more disturbing.”Artimus Perkins has an extensive arrest record that includes prior convictions for narcotics related offenses. Charlene Perkins also has a minor criminal history. The two adults were charged with two counts of felony criminal possession of a controlled substance third degree, three counts of endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor, and two counts of animal cruelty under the Agriculture and Market Law.

Artimus Perkins and Charlene Perkins charged with two counts of felony criminal possession

Artimus Perkins, 32, and Charlene Perkins, 31, live at 239 S. 6th Ave on the first floor. Three of the couple’s children, ages three, four a...

Gavin Archibald Thorburn charged with smuggling cocaine into the UK

Gavin Archibald Thorburn, of Scatterill Close, Bradwell, was arrested on Monday as he landed at Birmingham international airport on a flight from Nairobi via Dubai.A 32-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of smuggling three kilos of cocaine into the UK.Officers from the newly formed UK Border Agency (UKBA) seized the drugs which were found concealed in luggage.Mr Thorburn was charged with attempting to import three kilos of cocaine with a value of £120,000 - this would have doubled or even trebled once 'cut' by drug dealers. He was charged under the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 and remanded in custody until next week. Steve Roper, Detection Manager for UKBA, said: "This is an excellent result and an example of good joint working by our teams of officers. "We will continue to work with our partners in HMRC to tackle smugglers who attempt to bring goods illegally into the UK. "We hope this sends out a clear message that our approach is one of zero tolerance. "Regional airports should not be seen as a 'soft touch' for smuggling activities."

Gavin Archibald Thorburn charged with smuggling cocaine into the UK

Gavin Archibald Thorburn, of Scatterill Close, Bradwell, was arrested on Monday as he landed at Birmingham international airport on a flight...

Perry Wharrie, Joseph Daly ,Martin Wanden all deny charges including possession of cocaine for sale or supply

Joseph Daly (aged 41),1 from 9, Carisbrook Avenue, Bexley, Kent, called to the home of Tom Lydon on Sunday afternoon July 1, 2007.Mr Lydon said he knew Daly “since he was a baby”, the defendant being his wife’s nephew. He said he and Daly sat down and watched the Munster Football Final together and that Daly then obliged him by helping to move cattle from one field to another.“If I needed anything he would be the first man to come around,” he said.John Branch of Bexley, Kent, knew Daly for 30 years and said the defendant did work for him on a patio between June 11 and 14, 2007. Brian Lydon, first cousin and good friend of Daly, said that in June 2007 he got a phone call from Daly asking him to bring a boat over from England to Ireland but he could not do so due to holidays and such matters. Gloria Hayhoe, Martin Wanden’s sister, testified in relation to where her brother was on January 16, 2007 when the prosecution alleged that he purchased a mobile phone in Bantry using the false name, Steven Witsie. “There is no way he could have been there on the 16th of January, he was with us (in England),” Mrs Hayhoe said.Her sister, Elaine Carpenter, said that the youngest sister, who was very close to their brother, Martin Wanden, had died days earlier and that Martin was with the family attending to matters at the home of the deceased at that time. Asked about him allegedly buying a phone in Bantry on Tuesday, January 16, Mrs Carpenter said: "I cannot see how, he was with us most of Tuesday." Defendants, Perry Wharrie (aged 48), of 60, Pryles Lane, Essex, England, Joseph Daly (aged 41), from 9, Carisbrook Avenue, Bexley, Kent, and Martin Wanden (aged 45), who is also English but has no fixed abode all deny charges including possession of cocaine for sale or supply when its street value exceeded €13,000 on July 2, at Dunlough Bay, Mizen, Goleen, Co Cork. Earlier yesterday at Cork Circuit Criminal Court Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin asked for the nine men and three women to be brought into Courtroom 2 at 11.30 a.m. and he said: “A personal matter has arisen for one of the jurors. I propose to release this juror from further service. We will continue with 11.”The young woman who was released from further service then left the courtroom and the other two women and nine men returned to the jury room to allow for further legal argument in their absence.

Perry Wharrie, Joseph Daly ,Martin Wanden all deny charges including possession of cocaine for sale or supply

Joseph Daly (aged 41),1 from 9, Carisbrook Avenue, Bexley, Kent, called to the home of Tom Lydon on Sunday afternoon July 1, 2007.Mr Lydon s...

Neil Francis MacKinnon,Christopher Aaron MacNeil are charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking in cocaine and with conspiracy

Christopher Aaron MacNeil, 35, of Kempt Head Road, who is charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking in cocaine and with conspir...

Savdhul Zaman convicted the former Middlesbrough light-welterweight star earlier this year.

Savdhul Zaman, 25, of Westbourne Grove, North Ormesby, had denied conspiracy to supply a Class C drug, but a jury convicted the former Middl...

Tanweer Razak, 28, Piotr Izbicki, 26, Rukhsar Bashier, 34, and Ajaz Arif, 33, are accused of running four cannabis factories in Middlesbrough,

Tanweer Razak, 28, Piotr Izbicki, 26, Rukhsar Bashier, 34, and Ajaz Arif, 33, are accused of running four cannabis factories in Middlesbrough, after more than 1,100 plants were seized in a series of raids at four addresses in the town in October last year.Razak, of Elm Park, West Reading, Bashier of Brooker’s Hill, Shinfield, and Arif and Izbicki, both of Basingstoke Road, Whitley, have all denied conspiring to produce cannabis at the two-week long trial at Teesside Crown Court.Sarah Mallett, prosecuting, said the properties were bought to set up sophisticated factories which suggested commercial cultivation and national distribution of the drug. Defence barristers made closing speeches on Thursday, saying there was a lack of evidence of knowledge or agreement in a conspiracy, or linking the accused to the cannabis.Taxi driver Razak is alleged to be the unscrupulous, money-motivated “mastermind” or “top man”. His counsel, Caroline Goodwin, said if he was the brains of the outfit, he did it in “the most cack-handed way”. The Crown says Izbicki acted as a go-between and was heavily involved in the day-to-day management of the properties. His barrister David Lamb said the builder was just a worker who thought he was doing a fair day’s work “in the wrong place at the wrong time”. One “Mr Tai” was said to be “a dark figure lurking behind the conspiracy” who exerted a grip on others, threatened Izbicki and abused Arif’s trust. The prosecution said Arif bought all four homes in 2007. Arif said he knew nothing of the cannabis production until he was arrested. Peter Sabiston, defending Arif, said he was “given a few bob to tell a few white lies on a mortgage application form and ask no further questions”. It is alleged Bashier was an investor financing the illicit enterprise. Stan Reiz, for Bashier, said he was a credible, respectable, successful businessman and the only evidence against him was five banker’s drafts said to be deposits for the properties. Judge Michael Taylor is to sum up the case against the four today and the jury is due to be sent out. On the judge’s direction earlier in the trial, the jury acquitted a fifth defendant, Tokeer Akhtar, 27, of Elm Park, West Reading.

Tanweer Razak, 28, Piotr Izbicki, 26, Rukhsar Bashier, 34, and Ajaz Arif, 33, are accused of running four cannabis factories in Middlesbrough,

Tanweer Razak, 28, Piotr Izbicki, 26, Rukhsar Bashier, 34, and Ajaz Arif, 33, are accused of running four cannabis factories in Middlesbroug...

Geoffrey Slade was arrested when officers found drugs during a search of the vehicle he was driving.

Geoffrey Slade, 48, of Penton Hook Farm, appeared before Brighton Magistrates' Court today following the discovery of approximately 40kg...

Paul Brierley was jailed for 18 months after he pleaded guilty to two charges of possession of Class C drugs with intent to supply them

Paul Brierley, 23, told police that he would hand the baby to the prisoner he was visiting in Holme House Prison, Stockton, and at the same time he passed across drugs.Prison staff grabbed him after receiving information about the visits when he was accompanied by the baby’s mother, the prisoner’s partner, said prosecutor Kristian Mills. Brierley was searched and he was caught with herbal cannabis and Subutex tablets. When police interviewed him he said that he had done it a few times before and he had been paid £30 for each delivery, Teesside Crown Court was told.Mr Mills added: “The method of getting the drugs in was that they would have been passed over with the baby.”Ruth Phillips, defending, said: “He has been more than candid and he has made the situation worse for himself by doing so.”She said that when Brierley was nine his father was murdered and he had spent years in and out of local authority care. He became involved with undesirables who were heavily involved in the drugs scene and pressure was brought on him to smuggle drugs into prison. On occasions when he refused he was threatened with reprisals. Judge Les Spittle told Brierley: “Although I am not sentencing you for it I have to take into account that this was not the first time, and you have been doing it for money. “What you were doing and you admitted it to police was that you were knowingly taking drugs into prison. Whatever pressure may have been upon you it seems you were doing it for money.” Brierley, of Bolckow Road, Grangetown, was jailed for 18 months after he pleaded guilty to two charges of possession of Class C drugs with intent to supply them on July 17 last year.

Paul Brierley was jailed for 18 months after he pleaded guilty to two charges of possession of Class C drugs with intent to supply them

Paul Brierley, 23, told police that he would hand the baby to the prisoner he was visiting in Holme House Prison, Stockton, and at the same ...

Azaha Abd Rani,Zainun Mohd Noor couple with four children, three of whom are below 16 years, was sentenced to death by the High Court in Malaysia

A couple with four children, three of whom are below 16 years, was sentenced to death by the High Court hereThursday for heroin trafficking five years ago. High Court Justice Ahmad Maarop also convicted them of possession of the narcotic and sentenced them to 15 years to jail, from their date of arrest in 2003, which they are to serve before their execution. Justice Ahmad, now a Court of Appeal Justice, however, granted them a stay on the death sentence pending an appeal. Azaha Abd Rani, 49, and his wife Zainun Mohd Noor, 42, both from Kelantan, were composed and unfazed when Justice Ahmad Maarop read out the verdict. However, Azaha grasped his wife 's left hand when leaving the dock after the sentencing.“Based on our country’s law, it is a mandatory death sentence for those convicted of drug trafficking and it’s our (court) responsibility to mete out the death penalty,” said Justice Ahmad.The court also noted that Azaha, a taxi driver, had given a sworn statement while Zainun chose to remain silent without calling any witnesses in her defence. The couple were charged under Section 39B (1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act and Section 12 (2) of the same act for trafficking and being in possession of heroin, respectively.They were convicted of distributing 12.25g of heroin on December 7, 2003, in front of BP petrol kiosk in Kampung Jabi, Besut.They were also convicted of being in possession of 9.57g of heroin on the same date, time and area. Earlier in mitigation, defence counsel Aziz Derasi appealed to the court for a lighter sentence in viewof the fact that the offence was their first and they were parents to four children aged 24 years, 15 years, 11 years, and nine years. But the Deputy Public Prosecutor Othman Abdullah argued that there was only one sentence reserved for cases under Section 39B and that was the death penalty.

Azaha Abd Rani,Zainun Mohd Noor couple with four children, three of whom are below 16 years, was sentenced to death by the High Court in Malaysia

A couple with four children, three of whom are below 16 years, was sentenced to death by the High Court hereThursday for heroin trafficking ...

James Williams imprisoned for three years after he admitted allowing the premises to be used for the production of class A drugs.

James Williams imprisoned for three years after he admitted allowing the premises to be used for the production of class A drugs.Williams was originally charged with five offences including producing ecstasy and ketamine tablets on or before January 14, possession of drugs with intent to supply and possessing a firearm. But the 35-year-old, who has no previous convictions, denied being involved in the drugs operation.He accepted allowing dealers to use his property.Officers entered the second floor flat at about 8.45pm after a 999 call from a neighbour. They discovered more than 3,300 pills containing ecstasy and ketamine in packages in the kitchen, living room and bedrooms, worth up to £16,000.A heavy-duty pill press was found under a duvet.But it was when officers searched a transit van outside they thought they had made the real find.Inside was a smooth-bore shotgun with cartridges and two bags containing a total of 101,588 pills, worth up to £500,000.Charles Lander, prosecuting, said analysis later revealed they contained no illegal drugs. Experts ruled it was likely they had been made from the same tablet press, before the ones containing ecstasy, and could have been sold for the same amount. Judge Holloway said: “It’s just like having a production line – once you have the ability to produce in bulk and open up the facility those who are using it can produce as many as they like.”One man is still on bail in connection with the find and police are trying to trace at least two others.

James Williams imprisoned for three years after he admitted allowing the premises to be used for the production of class A drugs.

James Williams imprisoned for three years after he admitted allowing the premises to be used for the production of class A drugs.Williams wa...

Lyle Niemi sentenced to 14 years in prison

Lyle Niemi has been on trial before a jury for the past month in a Barrie court. He has admitted that he was the pilot who flew a small jet ...

Edgar Collazo is now known as a heroin dealer

Edgar Collazo had been a petty criminal — a few traffic violations and a domestic violence arrest over the last several years.But the 36-year-old is now known as a heroin dealer. He’s in Lee County Jail charged with three felony counts of heroin possession, three counts of selling heroin within 1,000 feet of a school or day care, one count of heroin trafficking under 30 kilos and resisting arrest. Undercover officers with the department conducted a buy with Collazo at the Wendy’s on Palm Beach Boulevard. A small purchase was made there, with the promise to buy the rest after the undercover officer could test if it was good. Then as Collazo went to his Oleander Avenue home to await a call from the buyer, he was pulled over by another officer.Officer Jason Pate reported Collazo was stopped at the end of his driveway, and despite multiple commands to walk back to the vehicle, Collazo continued to approach the front door. When the officer tried to place him under arrest, Collazo tried to run, Pate reported. He was quickly caught was taken in with no further incident.He is being held at Lee County Jail on $125,500 bond.

Edgar Collazo is now known as a heroin dealer

Edgar Collazo had been a petty criminal — a few traffic violations and a domestic violence arrest over the last several years.But the 36-yea...