Crime Correspondent

Sterling Airways, 700 passengers have been left stranded at London's Gatwick airport

Icelandic-owned airline bankrupt the situation," the spokeswoman Up to 700 passengers have been added. 'Impossible' "Over a three left stranded at London's Gatwick to four weeks period, the whole airport after an Icelandic-owned [Icelandic] financial system airline said it would file for melted down, and that resulted in bankruptcy. Sterling Airways, our shareholder being unable to which is based in Danish capital continue his support to the Copenhagen, blamed the Icelandic company," Sterling said in a financial collapse for making its statement on its website. owner unable to continue funding. "Negotiations have been conducted All Sterling flights have been with several potential investors, cancelled, including services but it was impossible to make from Gatwick to Copenhagen and ends meet." Sterling is just the Stockholm. The budget airline was latest airline to end operations owned by Iceland's Northern in recent months. Others have Travel Holdings. Sterling also included XL Airways and Zoom.

Sterling Airways, 700 passengers have been left stranded at London's Gatwick airport

Icelandic-owned airline bankrupt the situation," the spokeswoman Up to 700 passengers have been added. 'Impossible' "Over ...

Norway and Sweden, International drug smuggling ring has been busted

International drug smuggling ring has been busted in an operation involving police in Norway and Sweden. More three quarters of a tonne of narcotics has been seized and 30 people are in detention in the two countries.During the late summer of 2007 Police in Norway launched an investigation to bust open the narcotics network. "We noticed that several people had bought quantities of hash and imported them into the country and we noted that these people had close contacts in Sweden," said Reidar Brussgaard at Norway's criminal investigation department to news agency TT. In September of the same year police in Norway contacted their Swedish colleagues who began surveillance of the suspects on visits to Sweden. Swedish police were therefore able to witness the collection of a large quantity of hash from Solvalla outside of Stockholm. The Norwegian-registered car was later stopped at Norwegian customs and around 170 kilograms of cannabis was seized. After the seizure the police operation, which Norwegian police had named "Happy fish", continued and expanded to involve in police in the Netherlands.Stefan Erlandsson at the Swedish National Investigation Department, explained that the international police cooperation had been crucial to cracking the network.Norwegian, Swedish, Dutch and Moroccan citizens are among the suspects detained. Several of them have been in work and have on the surface, appeared to live regular lives. Police now claim to have exposed several links of the network."We have got the whole chain and have managed to get at the principal figures," Erlandsson said. According to the police the narcotics have been smuggled from Morocco to Holland and then on to Sweden and Norway. The ring have used legal means to transport the goods, such as flower shipments used to conceal the drugs.One drug seizure by Norwegian police also netted a number of weapons and a large sum of money."There was around six million Norwegian kronor ($862,000) in cash," according to Reidar Bruusgaard. He confirms that Swedish and Norwegian police have managed to seize around 700 kilograms of cannabis and around 50 kilograms of amphetamine. A quantity of cocaine has also been seized. There are currently 30 people in detention in Norway and Sweden.

Norway and Sweden, International drug smuggling ring has been busted

International drug smuggling ring has been busted in an operation involving police in Norway and Sweden. More three quarters of a tonne of n...

Sam Taylor Nepal bureau chief of French news agency Agence France Presse (AFP) has been detained by Kathmandu’s drug squad

British citizen Sam Taylor was detained from a restaurant in Thamel, the capital’s tourist hub, Friday by a police patrol.The Nepal bureau chief of French news agency Agence France Presse (AFP) has been detained by Kathmandu’s drug squad on the suspicion of possessing drugs, police said.An official at the Sorukhutte police station that has jurisdiction over Thamel told IANS that Taylor has been kept under detention for further investigation.Taylor had taken charge in Nepal around three years ago. Prior to this, he had worked in Vietnam for German news agency DPA.Since the Maoists formed the government last year, Home Minister Bam Dev Gautam has called for an anti-sleaze crackdown in Thamel, known for its infamous massage parlours and dance bars that serve as a front for sex workers.Taylor’s detention comes after a high-profile drug arrest in Singapore last year.In July, Peter Lloyd, the New Delhi-based correspondent of Australian Broadcasting Corporation, was arrested in Singapore for alleged drugs possession while on vacation.

Sam Taylor Nepal bureau chief of French news agency Agence France Presse (AFP) has been detained by Kathmandu’s drug squad

British citizen Sam Taylor was detained from a restaurant in Thamel, the capital’s tourist hub, Friday by a police patrol.The Nepal bureau c...

Gerald Moore Jr., who is charged with possession with intent to sell and deliver heroin, conspiracy to sell and deliver heroin

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2wySxx6zVl3BmruBNShTpbuUyrDpm73dYSM44DXqutx8Q5dh1NSJA2MKyjffTliVXIewE8icoi0SWUNTGwnRA0bcW9YKuBkm8sHhQK7eKcexhT_msVfuiBpVuZvYzb-lK2tScm0205XI/s1600-h/bilde234.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289410300693712962" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2wySxx6zVl3BmruBNShTpbuUyrDpm73dYSM44DXqutx8Q5dh1NSJA2MKyjffTliVXIewE8icoi0SWUNTGwnRA0bcW9YKuBkm8sHhQK7eKcexhT_msVfuiBpVuZvYzb-lK2tScm0205XI/s400/bilde234.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 345px; height: 230px;" /></a> Gerald Moore Jr. (left) and Berthiah Long II were arrested in a residence where authorities seized heroin, marijuana and related supplies. New Hanover County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a local man and seized 54 bags of heroin, a handgun and the red star stamp they say he used to market his product from his home Thursday night.After a two-week undercover investigation, 10 deputies served a search warrant at 502 Angelfish Court at 6:30 p.m., according to Capt. David Ciamillo.Inside, deputies found the heroin and a .38-caliber revolver, Ciamillo said, as well as “saleable amounts” of marijuana and the glycine baggies, rubber bands and red star stamp used to package the heroin.The residence belonged to Gerald Moore Jr., who is charged with possession with intent to sell and deliver heroin, conspiracy to sell and deliver heroin, manufacturing of heroin, possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana and maintaining a dwelling for the purpose of selling those controlled substances. Moore was also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. He is being held under a $50,000 secured bond.Berthiah Long II was also in the dwelling and is charged with possession with intent to sell and deliver heroin, conspiracy to sell and deliver heroin and possession of a firearm by a felon. He posted a bond of $15,000 after the arrest.Ciamillo said the investigation was part of a crackdown by the Sheriff’s Office on heroin distribution in New Hanover County. “We are doing everything humanly possible to curb this problem,” Ciamillo said.

Gerald Moore Jr., who is charged with possession with intent to sell and deliver heroin, conspiracy to sell and deliver heroin

Gerald Moore Jr. (left) and Berthiah Long II were arrested in a residence where authorities seized heroin, marijuana and related supplies. N...

Eladio Valadez has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for trying to smuggle 182 pounds of marijuana across the Sarita checkpoint

It took a jury about half an hour Wednesday to reach a guilty verdict against Eladio Valadez in the 105th District Court in Kingsville.The 5...

Ling Yiu-kay, 55, pleaded guilty to two counts of trafficking in dangerous drugs, one of which involved the minor.

In sentencing, High Court Judge Judianna Barnes Wai-ling said though Ling was not the mastermind of the drug trafficking scheme, the case was aggravated by the fact that a child was used .The judge also said that Ling committed the offense when he was on bail for another drug offense, and that most of his 15 previous convictions were drug-related.The Primary 4 girl is now in the custody of Po Leung Kuk. Her 50-year- old mother was once charged with ill- treatment, a count later dropped because of a lack of evidence.The court had heard that Ling was introduced to the girl's mother by a friend. It was alleged the mother instructed her to travel to Shenzhen on her own to collect a "gift," even though the girl said she was reluctant to do so. Immigration records showed that from July 2007, Ling and the girl traveled together to and from Shenzhen more than 40 times. The girl traveled alone to the Lo Wu checkpoint to collect the heroin and midazolam tablets and took them back to Hong Kong in her rucksack.

Ling Yiu-kay, 55, pleaded guilty to two counts of trafficking in dangerous drugs, one of which involved the minor.

In sentencing, High Court Judge Judianna Barnes Wai-ling said though Ling was not the mastermind of the drug trafficking scheme, the case wa...

Rex Pelote Sr., a leader of a local narcotics ring, pleaded guilty to a federal drug-trafficking charge.

Rex Pelote Sr., a leader of a local narcotics ring, pleaded guilty to a federal drug-trafficking charge. Pelote Sr., 44, lived on the 800 block of 21 Street NE, pled guilty to “conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin.” His guilty plea was entered in U.S. District Court on Tuesday.Pelote, according to the release, “led a heroin distribution ring that operated in the Langston Terrace” housing project. Pelote’s “lieutenant,” Edward T. “Bootsy” Farley, 47, also entered a guilty plea on the conspiracy charge.The release goes on to state that four of Pelote’s street-level dealers also pled guilty to a conspiracy charge: Charles “Black” McRae, 57, Gerald “Orleans” Anderson, 40, Dannie “Smiley” Jones, 54, and Cornelius “Chuck” Farley, 40.The defendants will be sentenced on March 18, 2009. Pelote and Farley face sentences of 17 years and 15 years.“According to the evidence the government would have presented at trial, between at least April 2007 and April 2008, Pelote controlled an organization that was responsible for smuggling heroin into the District of Columbia, processing and packaging that heroin, and selling it in Langston Terrace, NE,” the release states. “Edward Farley assisted Pelote in distributing the drugs to various runners for street-level distribution.”Evidence recovered in various stash house included secret drug containers (”false-bottom cans”), hundreds of small, empty ziplock bags, thousands in cash, and “numerous bags of heroin.”The U.S. Attorney’s Office notes that law enforcement was prepared to present audio and video evidence of multiple drug buys from various members of the conspiracy. “A court-ordered wiretap revealed telephone conversations between Pelote and his co-conspirators in which they coordinated their extensive

Rex Pelote Sr., a leader of a local narcotics ring, pleaded guilty to a federal drug-trafficking charge.

Rex Pelote Sr., a leader of a local narcotics ring, pleaded guilty to a federal drug-trafficking charge. Pelote Sr., 44, lived on the 800 bl...

David Trejo was sentenced to 60 years

David Trejo was sentenced to 60 years by Circuit Judge Samac Richardson for possession of more than 2 kilos of cocaine with a street value of more than $50,000. Trejo was sentenced as a subsequent drug offender and also as a habitual offender, meaning he must serve the complete 60-year sentence."Cocaine is one of the most dangerous and most addictive drugs sold on our streets," said Guest. "Those who supply these drugs are some of the worst offenders because of the negative impact that drugs have on our society. Drugs are at the root of many of the crimes that we see in the district attorney's office, so I am proud that we were able to remove a drug dealer from our society for six decades."During a routine traffic stop, a Madison County sheriff's deputy asked Trejo for his license, noticing that Trejo and his passenger were acting nervous. The deputy also noticed a strong odor of air freshener.The deputy went back to his car and called in the driver's license number and learned that Trejo had previously been arrested for possession of marijuana and also for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. He then requested a search of the car, which Trejo denied.The deputy advised both Trejo and his passenger that he would use a drug dog and that both would have to exit the vehicle. When the deputy approached the passenger, she turned away from him. The deputy then asked her to turn in his direction, and when she did, the deputy saw what was later determined to be several bricks of cocaine under her shirt. At the scene, Trejo told the deputy that the cocaine was his.

David Trejo was sentenced to 60 years

David Trejo was sentenced to 60 years by Circuit Judge Samac Richardson for possession of more than 2 kilos of cocaine with a street value o...

Ronald E. Fusko,and Dallas E. Abbott seized an undisclosed amount of crack cocaine from the men and charged each with cocaine possession

Ronald E. Fusko, 48, of 2230 Sixth St. SW, and Dallas E. Abbott, 47, of 2316 Gridley Ave. NE, were arrested at 7:17 p.m. Friday at Shroyer A...

Myron Brown, charged with possession of heroin and marijuana, intent to distribute

Myron Brown, 25, was lodged in the Atlantic County Jail in lieu of $125,000 bail. He is charged with possession of heroin and marijuana, int...

Jose Burgos charged with trafficking cocaine and possession of a Class A substance with intent to distribute.

Jose Burgos charged with trafficking cocaine and possession of a Class A substance with intent to distribute.Springfield police said they fo...

Chijioke Stephen Obioha convicted and sentenced to death.

20-year-old Ghanaian has been sentenced to death in Singapore for trafficking 2.6kg of cannabis.The High Court convicted and sentenced Chijioke Stephen Obioha on Tuesday after a 21-day trial held last year, it said.Under Singapore's tough anti-drug laws, the death penalty is mandatory for anyone caught trafficking more than 15 grams of heroin, 30 grams of cocaine or 500 grams of cannabis.The death penalty is carried out by hanging.Narcotics officers arrested Obioha in April 2007 following a surveillance operation. He had come to Singapore in 2005 to try out for a football club, the report said.He was not hired but remained in the city-state working as a middle man for electronics goods dealers. His immigration pass expired in January 2007.Human rights groups have strongly urged Singapore to abolish the death penalty, but the government maintains that it plays a key role in keeping crime down and is a strong deterrent to organised crime gangs.In December 2004 Singapore hanged a 25-year-old Australian drug runner Nguyen Tuong Van, despite appeals for clemency by then Prime Minister John Howard.Two convicted African drug traffickers were put to death in 2007 after their appeals for clemency were turned down and despite protests from the United Nations and rights activists

Chijioke Stephen Obioha convicted and sentenced to death.

20-year-old Ghanaian has been sentenced to death in Singapore for trafficking 2.6kg of cannabis.The High Court convicted and sentenced Chiji...

Alberto Espinoza Barron was arrested in the Pacific coast state of Michoacan on Monday.

The Defense Department says Alberto Espinoza Barron was arrested in the Pacific coast state of Michoacan on Monday.Mexican soldiers have cap...

Daniel Russel Cook Mackenzie,Catrina Ann Luke,jointly charged with conspiracy to supply the class A drug heroin

Daniel Russel Cook Mackenzie, aged 37, of 11 College Park, Neyland; 24-year-old Catrina Ann Luke, of Blaen Cwm, Little Newcastle; David John...

Randall Dunn Jr., was charged with felony possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession with intent

Randall Dunn Jr., 24, of the 100 block of Yarbro Road in Kings Mountain, was stopped after leaving a home on the 600 block of Scruggs Street...

Dustin A. Brahmer,was arrested for possessing 3.5 grams of cocaine.

Dustin A. Brahmer, 19, was arrested in a parking lot Thursday at 12:45 a.m. near the 300 block of Cottage Grove Road for possessing 3.5 gram...

Drug Task Force searched ahome at 321 Squire Pope Road on Hilton Head Island following a several week investigation

Drug Task Force searched ahome at 321 Squire Pope Road on Hilton Head Island following a several week investigation involving Henry White, also known as “Hersey.” Officers searched the property and seized about 30 grams of crack cocaine.Other people were also found to have drugs on them and several had outstanding warrants, the sheriff’s office said. DTF members seized more than $2,150, 61 tablets of a controlled drug, five grams of cocaine, and six grams of marijuana, a .357 Taurus handgun and 30 grams of crack cocaine. Those charged from the two-day operation included:<blockquote>Henry White, 63, of 321 Squire Pope Road, Hilton Head Island, was charged with trafficking crack cocaine, four counts of sale and distribution of crack cocaine, possession of a firearm during the commission of aviolent crime, possession with intent to distribute methadone. William Stewart, 46, of 180 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head, was charged with possession of cocaine and simple possession of marijuana. Jeffrey Mitchell, 48, of 12 Goethe Road, Bluffton, was charged with violating the open container law and was served an outstanding bench warrant. Michelle Lee Smith, 27, of 12 Bush Lane, Bluffton, was charged with violating the open container law and was served two outstanding bench warrants. Morris Fitzgerald Stewart, 25, of 8A Bridge Point Apartments, Bluffton, was charged with simple possession of marijuana and giving false information to a police officer. • Jesse Clarence Jackson, 52, of 112 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head, was served a municipal bench warrant. Kenneth Wing, 50, of 1803 Morris St., Beaufort, was charged with three counts of the sale and distribution of cocaine, three counts of the sale and distribution of Cocaine within ahalf mile of a school, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine within a half mile of a school and possession with intent to distribute marijuana.</blockquote>

Drug Task Force searched ahome at 321 Squire Pope Road on Hilton Head Island following a several week investigation

Drug Task Force searched ahome at 321 Squire Pope Road on Hilton Head Island following a several week investigation involving Henry White, a...

Cedric Levon Simmons was charged with trafficking marijuana.

Drug money and a gun were seized this week following the arrests of eight people, according to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office. The fir...

Mahendrapaul Doodnauth, 45, of Seguin Court in Toronto, is charged with importing cocaine

Mahendrapaul Doodnauth, 45, of Seguin Court in Toronto, is charged with importing cocaine, conspiracy to import cocaine and possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. Bottles of bright orange hot sauce had an unusual travel companion on the freighter bringing them here from Guyana recently.Packets of cocaine worth a total of $40 million were taped to cardboard dividers in boxes of the sauce destined for a food distribution company in Etobicoke. The shipment – one of the largest drug busts in Ontario history – was seized two weeks ago in Saint John, N.B., police said yesterday.The hiding method was "very ingenious," said Det. Sgt. Mario Lessard of Durham Region police. "I've never seen it before."The 276-kilogram seizure of high-quality cocaine followed a year-long investigation into the source of drugs found on street gang members and drug users.Insp. Tom Cameron told reporters that police became aware last spring of a suspect who was "at or near the top" of a drug-smuggling operation, but didn't have enough evidence to charge anyone else.Border guards discovered the cocaine while inspecting shipping containers on a freighter Dec. 8. Agents found drugs in 551 of the 1,250 boxes of sauce and seasoning. <blockquote>All but two kilograms were removed before the shipment was sent on to Caribbean International Food Distributors at 127 Westmore Dr., near Finch Ave. W. and Highway 27, police said. A man was arrested last Friday after unloading all 1,250 boxes at a rented storage facility.</blockquote>The investigation and bust were Durham's largest, said Chief Mike Ewles, crediting his officers and assistance from the RCMP and Canada Border Services Agency."Cocaine is a highly addictive poison that tears families apart. It is often the root cause of many crimes, especially at the street level," Ewles said, adding it also "supports criminal gangs and wreaks havoc in our communities, with associated turf wars and killings."The drugs were bound for the GTA and beyond, police said.

Mahendrapaul Doodnauth, 45, of Seguin Court in Toronto, is charged with importing cocaine

Mahendrapaul Doodnauth, 45, of Seguin Court in Toronto, is charged with importing cocaine, conspiracy to import cocaine and possession of co...

Jeremy Lee Huggins, 24, and Paula Renee Huggins, 28, arrested and charged with possession of cocaine

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTYMgWpMhXDMIoTpObnDryAQyy8w6Gxj_QMN4-hQw-Aag8ErVdSuHmxUTXoD82WGwPsQn2kpiZ_lz1yd2JLv-ZYi5j-x6QPgfgm0-bUzScKcooHkCT1vMohPkz6kD2LEL05d_t-hhF2a0/s1600-h/bilde23.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283706437012988658" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTYMgWpMhXDMIoTpObnDryAQyy8w6Gxj_QMN4-hQw-Aag8ErVdSuHmxUTXoD82WGwPsQn2kpiZ_lz1yd2JLv-ZYi5j-x6QPgfgm0-bUzScKcooHkCT1vMohPkz6kD2LEL05d_t-hhF2a0/s400/bilde23.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 345px; height: 230px;" /></a> The deputies noticed the vehicle broken down on the side of the road at Northchase Parkway and North College Road, according to Deputy C.G. Smith, spokesman for the county sheriff’s office. When the deputies went to help, they reportedly found more than a mechanical problem, and arrested and charged both people in the vehicle with possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia.The people charged have been identified as Jeremy Lee Huggins, 24, and Paula Renee Huggins, 28, both of Rocky Point. They were released after posting a $15,000 unsecured bond, Smith said.

Jeremy Lee Huggins, 24, and Paula Renee Huggins, 28, arrested and charged with possession of cocaine

The deputies noticed the vehicle broken down on the side of the road at Northchase Parkway and North College Road, according to Deputy C.G. ...

Brenda Pinette facing charges of conveying an unauthorized item into a correctional facility

Brenda Pinette of Bristol, is facing charges of conveying an unauthorized item into a correctional facility and making a false statement to ...

Terrence Ford, 35; Keith Warren, 31; and Kevin Warren, 27, were held late Wednesday on charges of possession of cocaine

Three men were arrested Tuesday in what may be the biggest drug bust in Bell County history.Officers found more than 3 kilograms of powder c...

Steven Peter Hipwell, 32, was arrested by Cherng Talay Police on December 22 at 4.30 pm allegedly in possession of two bags of cocaine

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzYcPGFMfJNoC-MIO1VasRUzo1u17stm0TDFbYQ0HFaXTaH1rZ-5OsRtBfMnel01K8kF5IxeRdYwgxPgK1DOtepqhfelvPBLc2OsBqi3Xp7wAlvDlL1S3s11wScoeOklC7UubLTQmTVYE/s1600-h/20081224120449_1_normal.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283703735035037826" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzYcPGFMfJNoC-MIO1VasRUzo1u17stm0TDFbYQ0HFaXTaH1rZ-5OsRtBfMnel01K8kF5IxeRdYwgxPgK1DOtepqhfelvPBLc2OsBqi3Xp7wAlvDlL1S3s11wScoeOklC7UubLTQmTVYE/s400/20081224120449_1_normal.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 375px; height: 281px;" /></a> Steven Peter Hipwell, 32, was arrested by Cherng Talay Police on December 22 at 4.30 pm allegedly in possession of two bags of cocaine totaling 0.6 and 0.7 grams. His arrest came in a sting operation involving another Englishman ,who had been arrested on drug charges by police in Patong days earlier.Police alleged that David Pet had been caught with cocaine on Nanai Road, and while being held he told police that Hipwell had sold him the drugs.Police then arranged a sting and raid on Hipwell's house, where David ''bought'' the cocaine while police waited outside.Police searched Hipwell's home. Officers said they found another small packet of cocaine in a money jar.Hipwell is being held in Phuket jail while the court considers bail.Both Pet and Hipwell were living and working in Phuket, police say

Steven Peter Hipwell, 32, was arrested by Cherng Talay Police on December 22 at 4.30 pm allegedly in possession of two bags of cocaine

Steven Peter Hipwell, 32, was arrested by Cherng Talay Police on December 22 at 4.30 pm allegedly in possession of two bags of cocaine total...

Franklin Payano, of Hollywood, Fla., and Luis Payano, of the Bronx, N.Y., were each charged with nine drug counts.

Acting on information received by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration in Hartford, police staked out a parking lot at 262 Spencer St...

Darryl E. Erskine,charged with one count of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance

Darryl E. Erskine, of Story Avenue in the Bronx, was charged with one count of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a...

Sherry Johnston repeatedly sold OxyContin using text messages to direct customers to department store parking lots where they paid and she delivered.

Sherry Johnston repeatedly sold OxyContin using text messages to direct customers to department store parking lots where they paid and she delivered. But in one message, according to the affidavit, Johnston complained that unusual media and other public attention was cramping her business: <blockquote>"Hey, my phones are tapped and reporters and god knows who else is always following me and the family so no privacy," Johnston wrote in a text message to a customer.</blockquote>Until her arrest, <blockquote>Johnston, 42, was better known as the mother of Levi Johnston, the Wasilla teen who hit the headlines after Gov. Sarah Palin announced her daughter was pregnant and he was the father. Palin made the announcement when she was running for vice president on the Republican ticket with John McCain.</blockquote> Johnston is charged with six counts of misconduct involving a controlled substance -- essentially sale and possession. The affidavit says she "did admit to selling her Oxycontin pills to (an informant)."The affidavit, dated Dec. 22, details how troopers used two informants to collect evidence that Johnston sold OxyContin on Oct. 11, Oct. 22 and Nov. 26. The informants had been arrested themselves on a drug charge and agreed to help trap Johnston. Trooper-supervised buys were set up by cell phone text messages and took place in Target and Fred Meyer parking lots. On each occasion, troopers charge, she got $800 for 10 pills. Troopers say that in the text messages, Johnston used the code words ''coffee'' and ''cup'' for OxyContin. "... there's only so many times I can go for coffee a month. The rest of the time I need to have it at home!" read one message. Troopers said this meant Johnston was willing to sell only so many pills each month and the rest she would keep for her own use.The affidavit refers to Johnston being under Secret Service protection while dealing drugs, but that appears to be incorrect. Special Agent Darrin Blackford, spokesman for the Secret Service in Washington, D.C., said that only the governor and her immediate family were protected. Johnston was not under the agency's protection or surveillance, he said.Troopers later agreed that part of the affidavit was wrong. "Whenever she was in contact with Palin, that was probably the only time it came into play," said trooper spokeswoman Beth Ipsen.The affidavit does not explain where Johnston got the OxyContin, a popular painkiller that can only be bought legally with a prescription.Abuse of OxyContin, often called "hillbilly heroin" and a highly addictive drug, has been on the rise in the country and in Alaska in recent years, according to the federal Drug Enforcement Administration. After her arrest, Johnston was released on bail.

Sherry Johnston repeatedly sold OxyContin using text messages to direct customers to department store parking lots where they paid and she delivered.

Sherry Johnston repeatedly sold OxyContin using text messages to direct customers to department store parking lots where they paid and she d...

Dominique Tyrone Robinson faces one count of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.

Dominique Tyrone Robinson guard at the Milwaukee County House of Corrections has been charged with dealing cocaine. Twenty-seven-year-old Do...

Khan Mohammed gets life in prison

Heroin dealer Khan Mohammed on Monday received two life sentences running concurrently from U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly.In ad...

Khan Mohammed gets life in prison

Heroin dealer Khan Mohammed on Monday received two life sentences running concurrently from U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly.In ad...

Dareon C. Dean, charged Wednesday with cocaine possession and delivery

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU21GTunP1znZbY9lthIYHSKQQnKZLYkq0A74t7vr_1Qy6Zae7N4kKjMhxnGWDPkYmA-bPKwuTRL69HmHZkQrQh5GY7EuTeGqfm6AmKGhjfAMVytgddFZ09hGJOu1QIqfxpvvMa_SBLOI/s1600-h/114806.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281821975300882706" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU21GTunP1znZbY9lthIYHSKQQnKZLYkq0A74t7vr_1Qy6Zae7N4kKjMhxnGWDPkYmA-bPKwuTRL69HmHZkQrQh5GY7EuTeGqfm6AmKGhjfAMVytgddFZ09hGJOu1QIqfxpvvMa_SBLOI/s400/114806.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 210px; height: 270px;" /></a> Dareon C. Dean, 20, of the 1200 block of East Wilson Street, was charged Wednesday with cocaine possession and delivery, and delivery of a look-alike substance. Dean is accused in court documents of selling less than one gram of cocaine to a Batavia police officer and dealing look-alike substances in November. If convicted of the most serious charge, Dean could be sentenced to four to 15 years in prison or probation. He was being held in the Kane County jail Thursday with bail set at $35,000, pending a court appearance Friday. In 2007, Dean was convicted of mob action in Kane County and sentenced to 18 months in prison, court records show.

Dareon C. Dean, charged Wednesday with cocaine possession and delivery

Dareon C. Dean, 20, of the 1200 block of East Wilson Street, was charged Wednesday with cocaine possession and delivery, and delivery of a l...