Crime Correspondent

Isaac Abeidu Aidoo, aka Goodies, has dispensed with the services of his counsel in his narcotic trial.

Isaac Abeidu Aidoo, aka Goodies, has dispensed with the services of his counsel in his narcotic trial.At the court’s sitting yesterday, the counsel, Mr Jah Jossiah, informed the court that he had withdrawn from the case as counsel. The counsel did not tell the court the reasons for his withdrawal but he confided in journalists that Goodies said he no longer needed his services. Following the withdrawal of the counsel, Goodies appealed for a short adjournment to enable him secure the services of another counsel and the court obliged him and adjourned the case to next Friday. Goodies on July 8, 2008, pleaded not guilty to possession of narcotics and the court remanded him in prison custody to re-appear on August 11, 2008. However, when the case was called on the adjourned date, the court was informed that Goodies was sick and, therefore, was not brought to court. The case was again adjourned to August 25, 2008 and during its sitting, the accused person was not brought to court. His counsel informed the court that his client had not been well. The judge, Mr Mahamadu Iddrisu, was not pleased with the turn of events and why for two consecutive occasions the accused could not attend court and the court had not been furnished with any proof. The judge said the way things were going he might be compelled to find out whether indeed Goodies was in custody as ordered by the court. He, therefore, adjourned the case to enable the accused to be brought to court. According to the prosecution, Goodies swallowed 80 pellets of cocaine and attempted to smuggle them to the United Kingdom. At about 10.45 p.m. on April 23, this year, when Goodies arrived at the Kotoka International Airport to board a Ghana International Airlines flight to London, operatives of the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) suspected him of carrying drugs in his stomach.Goodies was, therefore, escorted to the 37 Military Hospital for an X-ray, which revealed that he had some foreign materials in his stomach. He was subsequently arrested and put under surveillance and, in the process, he expelled 80 pellets of a whitish substance suspected to be cocaine. Goodies informed the police during interrogation that one Abdul Haid, a musician residing at East Legon, Accra, had given him the drugs to be delivered to one Willie, for a fee of $3,000.

Isaac Abeidu Aidoo, aka Goodies, has dispensed with the services of his counsel in his narcotic trial.

Isaac Abeidu Aidoo, aka Goodies, has dispensed with the services of his counsel in his narcotic trial.At the court’s sitting yesterday, the ...

Douglas Wood,and David Coxon charged with drug trafficking offences

Douglas Wood, 58, from Sandwich Bay, Kent, and David Coxon, 52, from Jarrow, Newcastle, were charged with drug trafficking offences relating...

Frederic Stephens traveled almost daily between Westbury and Suffolk to sell cocaine to both users and dealers

Frederic Stephens, who has addresses in Westbury and East Hampton, bought the drugs in Nassau and sold them on the East End. Police have evidence that Stephens traveled almost daily between Westbury and Suffolk to sell cocaine to both users and dealers, Clifford said. Investigators have so far recovered less than 4 ounces of crack and powder cocaine, split into dozens of separate packages, Clifford said. Clifford said the foil-wrapped packages were discovered in some brush behind homes on Springs Fireplace Road and in other wooded areas in East Hampton.Stephens, 42, was arrested Sept. 5 and charged with three counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance. He pleaded not guilty that day in East Hampton Town Justice Court. Judge Catherine A. Cahill ordered him held without bail.Stephens' lawyer, Élan Markewitz, of Riverhead, declined to comment.Clifford said the investigation was conducted by the East End Drug Task Force, which included investigators from the district attorney's office, State Police, and Suffolk County Sheriff's Department, along with investigators from several East End villages and towns.

Frederic Stephens traveled almost daily between Westbury and Suffolk to sell cocaine to both users and dealers

Frederic Stephens, who has addresses in Westbury and East Hampton, bought the drugs in Nassau and sold them on the East End. Police have evi...

Andrew Duff, from Darlington, was jailed for three years, and North Yorkshire pair Paul Rogers and Claire Trainor were sentenced to 18 months each.

Andrew Duff, from Darlington, was jailed for three years, and North Yorkshire pair Paul Rogers and Claire Trainor were sentenced to 18 months each. Teesside Crown Court heard that Duff was one of the best customers of the sprawling network, and had once spent more than £1,000 for a delivery. Along with addicts such as Rogers and Trainor, he would meet couriers at Darlington railway station after they got off trains from King’s Cross. Some of the delivery workers would also take taxis to Teesside to supply dealers there, who then sold to others from County Durham and Tyneside. A series of raids involving more than 400 police officers – some armed – were carried out in six force areas across the country in April last year. Police chiefs were concerned that the threat of turf wars and gun crime could follow crack cocaine to the region as it had in places such as Nottingham. After months of surveillance and intelligence-gathering, the raids – part of Operation Elland – were carried out with help from the Metropolitan Police. Duff, 29, of Estoril Road, Rogers, 25, of Gatherley Moor Farm, Gilling West, Richmond, and Trainor, 28, of Moor Road, Melsonby, were arrested. Imran Ashgar, from Tyneside, his girlfriend Gemma McCabe, and Chester-le-Street man Jai Smith were among the others held after the swoops. Ashgar, 32, of Beechcroft Avenue, Newcastle, admitted using criminal property and possessing criminal property – almost £53,000 – last summer. McCabe, 26, of Linley Court, Stockton, admitted possessing crack cocaine, and Smith, 28, of Primrose Gardens, admitted three counts of possessing heroin. Ashgar was given a 12- month prison sentence, suspended for two years, with supervision, and was ordered to do 250 hours of unpaid work. Recovering addict Smith was sentenced to a 12-month community order with supervision, and told to take part in a drug rehabilitation course. The court heard that the money found during the raid at Ashgar’s home was not the proceeds of selling drugs, but had been stolen from the family firm. Christopher Knox, mitigating, said Ashgar had badly let down his family, but his father and brother – also partners in the business – did not want him jailed. Duff ’s barrister, Adrian Dent, told the court that he accepted he benefited from the supply of drugs, but said: “It was low-level activity.” Yvonne Taylor, for Rogers, said the father-of-two had a serious heroin habit, but has been drug-free for several weeks and has no association with users. Paul Cleasby, for mother-ofthree Trainor, said she had been out of trouble since her arrest and was seeking help for her heroin addiction. Judge Spittle told the pair: “You went into it with your eyes open... for those involved to the extent you were in the distribution of Class A drugs, the courts have got to mark that in a deterrent way.” Duff, Rogers and Trainor pleaded guilty to the charge of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs between January 2005 and April last year. The leader of the network, Jamaican hard-man Albert Thoms, and all but one of his couriers, admitted conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. The final man, Wycliffe Clarke, also from London, pleaded guilty to a charge of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs. McCabe admitted possessing Class A drugs on the basis she travelled to Middlesbrough to buy them – spending more than £1,700 a week. She went on the run after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing, and a warrant has been issued for her arrest. Ewan Duff, for Smith, said he had not offended again since his arrest and was doing well in his bid to beat his addiction. The hub of the organisation, Claudine Neil – known as Donna because that was the name she gave to customers – was jailed for two years in June after she admitted her part in the conspiracy.

Andrew Duff, from Darlington, was jailed for three years, and North Yorkshire pair Paul Rogers and Claire Trainor were sentenced to 18 months each.

Andrew Duff, from Darlington, was jailed for three years, and North Yorkshire pair Paul Rogers and Claire Trainor were sentenced to 18 month...

Marcos Jose Orozco Wilches was detained Saturday in Zulia state

Marcos Jose Orozco Wilches was detained Saturday in Zulia state, near Venezuela's border with neighboring Colombia, according to the Bol...

Bakshish Ghai is jointly charged with Anilvir Grewal

Bakshish Ghai is jointly charged with Anilvir Grewal, 18, his pregnant girlfriend. She was ordered released July 4 to the custody of her par...

Carl Mendes, 38, of Warley Road, has been charged with offences of supplying crack cocaine, heroin and possession of amphetamine

Carl Mendes, 38, of Warley Road, has been charged with offences of supplying crack cocaine, heroin and possession of amphetamine and Stephen Cross, 35, of Palatine Road, has been charged with seven offences of supplying heroin and three offences of supplying crack cocaine. Both have been remanded to appear before Fylde magistrates this morning. Amanda Holvey, 22, of Ansdell Road, has been charged with supplying heroin and has been bailed to appear before Fylde magistrates on September 26. Since the raids on Tuesday a total of nine nine people have been charged with offences relating to the supply of drugs. Yesterday six people appeared before magistrates in the Fylde to answer various drug related charges. One of the six, Kenneth York, 44, of Clyde Street, has admitted offering to supply heroin and two offences of supplying heroin. The others charged include Paul Anderson, 41, of Addison Crescent, for possession with intent to supply heroin, possession with intent to supply crack cocaine, supplying heroin and six offences of supplying crack cocaine. Anthony Gilligan, 37, of Grasmere Road, John Watton, 31, of Braithwaite Street and Christopher Easter, 33, of no fixed abode are all charged with supplying heroin. Derek Daniels, 59, of Clyde Street, charged with offering to supply heroin and three offences of supplying heroin. All have been remanded in custody. A 28-year-old man was arrested in St Anne's yesterday for possession with intent to supply Class A drugs. Operation Nimrod is an intelligence-led initiative that is targeting drug crime across Lancashire. Police said it is the culmination of months of evidence gathering and involves the constabulary working with everyone who plays a part in preventing crime, dealing with crime and working with offenders to make sure both the causes and consequences of drug-related crime are tackled.

Carl Mendes, 38, of Warley Road, has been charged with offences of supplying crack cocaine, heroin and possession of amphetamine

Carl Mendes, 38, of Warley Road, has been charged with offences of supplying crack cocaine, heroin and possession of amphetamine and Stephen...

Harish Joshi was arrested yesterday under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (possessing and smuggling of narcotic drugs),

Harish Joshi was arrested yesterday under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (possessing and smuggling of narcotic drugs), DRI officials said. Sources said he was initially picked up by the agency on Monday evening outside the gates of the posh DLF Exclusive Floors in Gurgaon along with another accomplice and a large suitcase. "On opening the suitcase, we found 5.2 kg of heroin," an official said. Sources said Joshi, chairman of Grimus group of companies, which run several education institutes across the world, has admitted to the agency of being involved in the narcotic trade for quite some time. "He gave us a statement under the Section 180 of the Customs Act which is admissible in the court. He was put under arrest on Tuesday and was immediately produced before the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate who has remanded him in judicial custody for 14 days," a top official said. According to sources, Joshi was under surveillance for several days and he was to deliver the drugs to his accomplice in Canada. DRI said further investigations are going on in the case and did not rule out more arrests. "He has been operating the racket for some time. He was into the narcotics trade as a side business and had undertaken similar trips before also," an official said adding that he mostly used human couriers to deliver the consignments.

Harish Joshi was arrested yesterday under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (possessing and smuggling of narcotic drugs),

Harish Joshi was arrested yesterday under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (possessing and smuggling of narcotic drugs), D...

Sharrod "Rod" Harris, Jarmaul "Deadeye" Edwards, Tiffany "Baby Girl" Edwards and Raymond Stern Mark "Doughboy" Owens,is still at large

officers raided a West Baltimore home and seized roughly seven kilos of heroin, $200,000 in cash and automatic weapons in a separate case. Four were arrested in that investigation; a fifth suspect, Mark "Doughboy" Owens, who police also count among the "dirty dozen," is still at large.Eight of the defendants - four from each investigation - made initial appearances in U.S. District Court in Baltimore yesterday, each charged with possession with intent to distribute heroin, among other crimes. The rest will likely appear within the next two weeks.The separate investigations came as part of the city's EXILE program, a partnership among state, local and federal officials that looks to ensure federal jail time for those arrested with guns and to build cases against violent repeat offenders through surveillance, wiretaps and confidential informants."These are some of the most violent individuals in Baltimore, some of the most dangerous ... people who are not getting arrested, or who are arrested but not getting convicted," Rosenstein said. Wiretaps, which Rosenstein said are the best way to go after high-level offenders, were used in the investigation that led to Wednesday's West Baltimore raid on the 1600 block of Pennsylvania Ave., according to law enforcement officials. Four people - Sharrod "Rod" Harris, Jarmaul "Deadeye" Edwards, Tiffany "Baby Girl" Edwards and Raymond Stern - were arrested in connection with that raid. They appeared in court yesterday afternoon. Each was led into the courtroom wearing handcuffs and immediately began to consult with attorneys. A detention hearing is scheduled for Monday to determine whether they will be confined while awaiting trial. The four arrested, and Owens, are accused of being involved for at least three years with a drug organization known as " Ray Charles" responsible for distributing "large quantities of heroin and high-grade marijuana in the Baltimore City area," according to an affidavit.The organization operates near the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and Mosher Street, moving an estimated street value of $20,000 worth of heroin per day, according to the affidavit. Owens is the suspected leader, officials said.A day after the "Ray Charles" raids and across town, on the first block of South Regester St. in Baltimore yesterday morning, officers were locked in an hours-long standoff when a suspect in the second investigation jumped out of his third-floor window and broke into an occupied home on South Ann Street. SWAT team members and federal authorities surrounded the home until the man surrendered. "This house was under surveillance for a very long time," said Edward A. Marcinko Jr., a special agent and spokesman for the Baltimore district of the Drug Enforcement Administration.Sterling Clifford, a spokesman for both Mayor Sheila Dixon and Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III, said the raid was part of a concerted effort by city police to work with other law enforcement agencies to go after the most dangerous offenders. Clifford identified Owens as a "dirty dozen" target, along with Johnnie "JR" Butler, 32, who was arrested in yesterday morning's raid.Also arrested yesterday were Calvin "Turkey" Wright, 38; Walter Horton; Daron Ashe; Adrian Aulton; Geraldmain Wilkerson; Antoine Boston; Leon Wilkerson and Shawn Moore. Police were still looking for a 10th suspect in that case, Akeem "Whitelock Cuzo" Yarberough, as of yesterday.Court documents offered no details on the investigation or how the charges were determined.Both Wright and Butler were federally charged in Baltimore in 2006 with possession and intent to distribute heroin after officers seized two kilos of heroin worth roughly $200,000 wholesale and found a 2002 Mercedes with $75,000 inside. The charges against them were dropped, though a third defendant was sentenced to 240 months in the case.A key component of the EXILE program is that cases are federally prosecuted. Federal sentences are often longer than those administered at the state level, and there is no parole or probation at the federal level, Clifford said.It also allows prisoners to be sent to far-flung federal prisons, away from friends, family and other criminals. The U.S. attorney's office has increased the number of EXILE cases it takes this year by about a third, Clifford said. Working with federal authorities has helped Baltimore police go after alleged criminal ringleaders, including members of the "dirty dozen," Bealefeld said."What is much more difficult [than standard arrests] is to set your sights on a particular guy for a very specific reason to try to impact very specific violences," Bealefeld said. "And in these cases, I think we've accomplished that. We still have some people to round up and some targets to get, but the potential impact of taking these organizations off [the streets] are huge to Baltimore."

Sharrod "Rod" Harris, Jarmaul "Deadeye" Edwards, Tiffany "Baby Girl" Edwards and Raymond Stern Mark "Doughboy" Owens,is still at large

officers raided a West Baltimore home and seized roughly seven kilos of heroin, $200,000 in cash and automatic weapons in a separate case. F...

Hallie Catherine Murray was arrested on charges that include methamphetamine and heroin possession, assaulting a police officer, fourth-degree assault

Hallie Catherine Murray, 21, was arrested on charges that include methamphetamine and heroin possession, assaulting a police officer, fourth-degree assault, resisting arrest, interfering with police, first-degree trespassing, escape, maintaining residence where drugs are used and tampering with drug records.Murray also faces a first-degree burglary charge, stemming from her unlawful entry into the residence, Engel said. Murray was wanted on two warrants. During the fray, Dedek suffered cuts and scrapes to his arms and was evaluated at Salem Hospital before he was released, police said.Back inside the apartment, four others also were charged. Elizabeth M. Lambright, 31, was arrested on charges of possession of methamphetamine and heroin, maintaining a residence where drugs are used, tampering with drug records, possession of methadone and a parole violation. Robert B. Padua, 32, was arrested on charges of methamphetamine and heroin possession and a parole violation. Anna Trujillo, 22, was charged with maintaining a residence where drugs are used and tampering with drug records. Patricia Holland Hedges, 35, was taken into custody on a parole violation.The investigation began after officers were called to the apartment a few days ago on a report that Padua had overdosed, Engel said.

Hallie Catherine Murray was arrested on charges that include methamphetamine and heroin possession, assaulting a police officer, fourth-degree assault

Hallie Catherine Murray, 21, was arrested on charges that include methamphetamine and heroin possession, assaulting a police officer, fourth...

Andrew Burns, a senior supervisor at DHL in Bar Hill, used his position to ensure that two boxes containing 32 kilos of cocaine were diverted

Andrew Burns, a senior supervisor at DHL in Bar Hill, used his position to ensure that two boxes containing 32 kilos of cocaine were diverted from their intended route and passed on to a criminal organisation.The boxes had been dispatched from Venezuela to an unwitting company in Peterborough.The crime came to light after an investigation by the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA). Burns, 36, of Hardy Close, Longstanton, was jailed at Cambridge Crown Court. He was found guilty of a charge of conspiracy to contravene Section 170 of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979, contrary to Section 1.1 of the Criminal Law Act 1977. Burns pleaded not guilty, but the jury gave a unanimous guilty verdict. A spokesman for DHL said: "DHL Express takes its responsibilities as the UK's leading express delivery and logistics company very seriously. We do not tolerate illegal activity occurring within our network. "We are aware that Mr Burns, a former employee of DHL, was sentenced this week in the Cambridge Crown Court in connection with conspiracy to import narcotics."We take incidents of this nature extremely seriously and we worked closely with the police to help identify the suspected illegal activity. Co-operation with police and relevant authorities went very well, and we are satisfied that the narcotics were prevented from entering the public domain. At the time, Mr Burns was also dealt with in line with the company's disciplinary policy."DHL is a highly regulated business with strict security policies and procedures in place which our security staff work diligently to enforce. We have an excellent record in enforcing security restrictions and believe our procedures are robust."

Andrew Burns, a senior supervisor at DHL in Bar Hill, used his position to ensure that two boxes containing 32 kilos of cocaine were diverted

Andrew Burns, a senior supervisor at DHL in Bar Hill, used his position to ensure that two boxes containing 32 kilos of cocaine were diverte...

Neil Pallister was jailed for four months after he admitted possessing Class C drugs with intent to supply.

Neil Pallister was jailed for four months after he admitted possessing Class C drugs with intent to supply.Pallister believed his addict pal might need the heroin replacement pills to help him beat his cravings.The 38-year-old - a prison regular himself - knew how hard it was to cope once behind bars, a court heard.Pallister was caught after being spotted acting suspiciously at Holme House Prison, Stockton, on October 25.He dropped a package containing white tablets when he realised he was being watched, said Harvey Murray, prosecuting.Teesside Crown Court heard how analysis of the packet showed it contained five Subutex tablets.Pallister, who has 86 previous offences on his record, had a 100-a-day amphetamine habit at one time. His barrister, Nigel Soppitt, said Pallister has been addicted to various drugs for two decades.Mr Soppitt said his client was never asked to take the tablets into the jail, but thought he was doing his friend a favour."It was a fairly simple offence," he said. "Those trained to observe, observed him very easily, and quickly caught him red-handed."His friend did not ask for it but he felt sorry for him and he thought the drugs would be used for therapeutic reasons." Pallister, of High Street, Redcar, east Cleveland, was on licence from jail for drugs offences when he was caught.Judge Peter Armstrong told him: "You know how serious taking drugs into prison is. You took a risk to try to help somebody, but it is something the court cannot tolerate."Mr Soppitt said since being recalled to prison for reaching his licence, Pallister has been given an old cleaning job."Sadly, he is well-known in prison and a trusted individual, and within weeks of going back he was given this trusted position," he said."If there was any hint or suspicion he was involved in drugs in prison, he would not have been given that job. "He now realises he is too old to be coming before the courts and it is his aspiration to leave prison drug-free - as he is now - and find some sort of employment."

Neil Pallister was jailed for four months after he admitted possessing Class C drugs with intent to supply.

Neil Pallister was jailed for four months after he admitted possessing Class C drugs with intent to supply.Pallister believed his addict pal...

Drug addict Andrew Wilson was jailed for four years after he admitted burglary

Andrew Wilson, 24, from Stockton had been arrested for another matter for which he had been sentenced to 56 days’ jail in August.He said that he had been asked to go into the house to spray some graffiti for which he would be paid £20.looted Tracy Barker’s treasured belongings before she had even unpacked them after her move.He sold and pawned bracelets and rings of sentimental value and her favourite DVDs and CDs, said prosecutor Gale Gilchrist.Tracy’s possessions were still in boxes in the house in Vicarage Street, Stockton, because she was staying with her mother while workmen finished their jobs.She told the judge at Teesside Crown Court that police had not told her that any of her jewellery had been recovered despite Wilson's arrest.When he went in he saw the boxes and he decided to go through them. He had previous convictions for house burglary and he had been recalled on licence, added Miss Gilchrist.Peter Wishlade, defending, said that Wilson was quite a likeable character and he was not without intelligence.Wilson thought it was an unoccupied property, and then he saw the packing boxes.Wilson, of no fixed address, was jailed for four years after he admitted burglary between July 12 and 15 with five other burglaries taken into consideration.

Drug addict Andrew Wilson was jailed for four years after he admitted burglary

Andrew Wilson, 24, from Stockton had been arrested for another matter for which he had been sentenced to 56 days’ jail in August.He said tha...

Obioha Frank Chinedu, handed over to the Korean government at Incheon International Airport

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvzC29AoCTAoxqwCgU-lzPpqB9L-vgXZcxbGZz2YlPEdItZr9MR1eIOYw9nMtdXe4bpg6HaLrdMxEDDTOcuzKyG-o1JdfssHiItj8q8D8MTI0bp7YM8zLcTkE2O8c8qDEpvKrBYO1Pavk/s1600-h/drug.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245179344485222194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvzC29AoCTAoxqwCgU-lzPpqB9L-vgXZcxbGZz2YlPEdItZr9MR1eIOYw9nMtdXe4bpg6HaLrdMxEDDTOcuzKyG-o1JdfssHiItj8q8D8MTI0bp7YM8zLcTkE2O8c8qDEpvKrBYO1Pavk/s320/drug.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a> Obioha Frank Chinedu, 41,handed over to the Korean government at Incheon International Airport, the Ministry of Justice said. The extradition was initially designed to help reduce the prison terms of Koreans imprisoned in Britain, the Netherlands, Brazil and Japan, who were accomplices of Chinedu, but due to delays in the extradition process, all had already finished their prison terms and returned to Korea. The ministry said that the 10 Korean women and two Korean men caught and sent to foreign prisons while delivering drugs, did not know what they were carrying. The government has long attempted to prove the Koreans were victims of the drug smuggling.Chinedu, the leader of an international drug ring, and known to speak eight languages including Korean and English, opened a bogus company in Itaewon, Seoul in the early 2000s, according to police.Passing himself off as an American businessman, he used young Koreans to deliver cocaine and marijuana, which he got from Thailand and Brazil, to drug traffickers in Netherlands, Denmark, Britain and Japan. They simply believed they were getting a free trip to a foreign country in return for the delivery of ``clothing samples.'' He has been on the Korean police wanted list since 2002. He fled the country and moved to Europe in 2006 after six of his gang members were arrested and police put him on the list. He was arrested in Germany in October 2003 and transferred to a prison in Denmark. However, he escaped from the prison in May 2004. He smuggled himself into Nigeria and started to teach Korean before traveling to China to resume his business. He was arrested there and placed in a prison until now. The Korean government requested the Chinese government extradite him and the Chinese court accepted the request last October. Obioha Frank Chinedu, 41, over to the Korean government at Incheon International Airport, the Ministry of Justice said. The extradition was initially designed to help reduce the prison terms of Koreans imprisoned in Britain, the Netherlands, Brazil and Japan, who were accomplices of Chinedu, but due to delays in the extradition process, all had already finished their prison terms and returned to Korea. The ministry said that the 10 Korean women and two Korean men caught and sent to foreign prisons while delivering drugs, did not know what they were carrying. The government has long attempted to prove the Koreans were victims of the drug smuggling.Chinedu, the leader of an international drug ring, and known to speak eight languages including Korean and English, opened a bogus company in Itaewon, Seoul in the early 2000s, according to police.Passing himself off as an American businessman, he used young Koreans to deliver cocaine and marijuana, which he got from Thailand and Brazil, to drug traffickers in Netherlands, Denmark, Britain and Japan. They simply believed they were getting a free trip to a foreign country in return for the delivery of ``clothing samples.'' He has been on the Korean police wanted list since 2002. He fled the country and moved to Europe in 2006 after six of his gang members were arrested and police put him on the list. He was arrested in Germany in October 2003 and transferred to a prison in Denmark. However, he escaped from the prison in May 2004. He smuggled himself into Nigeria and started to teach Korean before traveling to China to resume his business. He was arrested there and placed in a prison until now. The Korean government requested the Chinese government extradite him and the Chinese court accepted the request last October.

Obioha Frank Chinedu, handed over to the Korean government at Incheon International Airport

Obioha Frank Chinedu, 41,handed over to the Korean government at Incheon International Airport, the Ministry of Justice said. The extradit...

Qantas flight attendant Angela Cheuk Ying Wee Kwan Wong allegedly attempting to smuggle $31 million worth of ice, ecstasy and cocaine into Australia.

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPikR40mMZCY4wXxrx6OKe_CKstnnpwwZuVY69hmCpVU6kl-gAUt_y-et6G67DzQ4Ou81aLHLZByZ7lQQ4KiGPUpMZxdOf6BRUlri4hGM8h3zIF9CaNHbdl9_03Vd04XugxhBKDaBpzWE/s1600-h/wong.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245177836772752034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPikR40mMZCY4wXxrx6OKe_CKstnnpwwZuVY69hmCpVU6kl-gAUt_y-et6G67DzQ4Ou81aLHLZByZ7lQQ4KiGPUpMZxdOf6BRUlri4hGM8h3zIF9CaNHbdl9_03Vd04XugxhBKDaBpzWE/s320/wong.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a> Qantas flight attendant has been released on bail after an allegedly attempting to smuggle $31 million worth of ice, ecstasy and cocaine into Australia.23-year-old Angela Cheuk Ying Wee Kwan Wong was arrested with six other in July and subsequently charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of the controlled drugs ice, ecstasy and cocaine.Today a Melbourne magistrate has released Wong from custody with strict conditions, including an $80,000 surety.AFP officers say a Vietnamese crime syndicate is responsible for the attempted importation.

Qantas flight attendant Angela Cheuk Ying Wee Kwan Wong allegedly attempting to smuggle $31 million worth of ice, ecstasy and cocaine into Australia.

Qantas flight attendant has been released on bail after an allegedly attempting to smuggle $31 million worth of ice, ecstasy and cocaine int...

Tyler Jamar Sanders,Michael A. Ramos, Andrew S. Mathieu,All three men are due back in court Oct. 16.

Tyler Jamar Sanders, 22, 60 B Terrace Drive, Apt. 12, is being held on $7,500 cash, $75,000 surety, on charges of trafficking in cocaine, po...

Deirdre Griffin mother of two pleaded guilty at Swords District Court to possession of cocaine with intent for sale or supply

Deirdre Griffin (19) was a front-seat passenger in a car stopped by gardai in Swords. The mother of two pleaded guilty at Swords District Court to possession of cocaine with intent for sale or supply at Kettle's Lane, Cloghran. Detective Garda Darragh O'Toole of the Garda National Drugs Unit said he stopped a vehicle on August 3, 2006, for the purpose of a drugs search. Griffin, of Thornchase, Rush, was taken to Swords Garda Station where a female garda carried out a search on her. She was discovered to have cocaine with a street value of €240 hidden in her bra. Defence lawyer Brendan Foley said Griffin was going through a difficult time as was estranged from her father and she and her best friend had both lost their mothers. The funeral of her friend's mother was coming up and the cocaine was for use by them. She has not taken drugs since the incident. Griffin, who has no previous convictions, left school in fifth year when she fell pregnant with her daughter. She has since had a second child and is now reconciled with her father. Mr Foley said Griffin now hopes to finish her schooling. In light of her age, Judge Brian Joseph Sheridan applied the Probation Act but he warned Griffin not to come before the court again.

Deirdre Griffin mother of two pleaded guilty at Swords District Court to possession of cocaine with intent for sale or supply

Deirdre Griffin (19) was a front-seat passenger in a car stopped by gardai in Swords. The mother of two pleaded guilty at Swords District Co...

Anthony Jason Marsiglia, a teacher at Dutton Elementary School, and another man waived their rights to a preliminary hearing in 63rd District Court

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsRrvBliZtZzNDQ1w132LlLnos_N3YxXeCAPbnahcWCrpuCjZfF5kI3eKqvzAO161Dr3QehksdtlVoCgfmWuPx5O3Js4Igafh0mmK4HvZbgoHzoSO-nvKE1hcScLm5pORMIGCPK8tAFA8/s1600-h/small_anthony-marsiglia.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244417965665271890" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsRrvBliZtZzNDQ1w132LlLnos_N3YxXeCAPbnahcWCrpuCjZfF5kI3eKqvzAO161Dr3QehksdtlVoCgfmWuPx5O3Js4Igafh0mmK4HvZbgoHzoSO-nvKE1hcScLm5pORMIGCPK8tAFA8/s400/small_anthony-marsiglia.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a> Anthony Jason Marsiglia, 29, a teacher at Dutton Elementary School, and another man waived their rights to a preliminary hearing in 63rd District Court, sending the cases against them to Kent County Circuit Court.Marsiglia, of Grand Rapids, was placed on administrative leave by the school district after his arraignment for the four-year felony, which stems from an Aug. 17 arrest at the Ada Township home of co-defendant Kevin Wright, 29.Kent County deputies responding to a loud music complaint said they spotted cocaine and drug paraphernalia on a table in the residence. Neither man has a prior conviction. Both remain free on $10,000 bonds.Assistant Prosecutor Michelle Smith-Lowe told District Judge Sara Smolenski that she has discussed the possibility of pleading guilty with attorneys representing Marsiglia and Wright.In exchange for the pleas, Smith-Lowe said she would not object to either defendant being considered by a circuit judge for Section 7411 of the Controlled Substance Act, which would defer further litigation in lieu of probation.Charges would be dismissed if probation is not violated, Smith-Lowe said

Anthony Jason Marsiglia, a teacher at Dutton Elementary School, and another man waived their rights to a preliminary hearing in 63rd District Court

Anthony Jason Marsiglia, 29, a teacher at Dutton Elementary School, and another man waived their rights to a preliminary hearing in 63rd Dis...

John Gallagher admitted supplying Class A drug after police raided his home on August 17 last year.

John Gallagher of Calder Court, Coatbridge, admitted supplying the Class A drug after police raided his home on August 17 last year.They found a quantity of cocaine as well as cannabis and various “drugs paraphernalia”. They also seized cash totalling £1090.Gallagher pleaded guilty to supplying the drugs from his home and The Corner Room pub in the town’s Wallace Street.Airdrie Sheriff Court was told that he had started using cannabis, a class C drug, and ended up dealing cocaine.His lawyer claimed in court that the former oil rig worker had taken cannabis to alleviate pain caused by a medical condition.He later got “involved” in cocaine and eventually began supplying the drug to other users.Gallagher’s lawyer said: “He is somewhat unusual in that he is a 59-year-old man with limited previous offending and what offending he does have is of some age.“He is baffled as to how he got into this situation and has difficulty in coming to terms with the situation.“He distinguishes himself from drug dealers in that he supplied cocaine to people he knew in a social sense.” The lawyer then handed over two letters - one written by the defendant and one from his sister - to Sheriff Robert Dickson in a last-ditch bid to stay out of jail. But they weren’t enough to spare Gallagher from being sentenced to spend time behind bars.After reading both letters, Sheriff Dickson said: “I have taken into consideration your early plea. Had you not pled when you did you would have gone to prison for three years, but you will go to prison for two years.”The Sheriff also ordered that the recovered cash and equipment, including scales, be forfeited. Gallagher, who wiped away a tear from his eye, was then handcuffed and taken away to begin his sentence.

John Gallagher admitted supplying Class A drug after police raided his home on August 17 last year.

John Gallagher of Calder Court, Coatbridge, admitted supplying the Class A drug after police raided his home on August 17 last year.They fou...

Anthony Ingram, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of crack cocaine.

Anthony Ingram, 27, pleaded guilty on March 3 to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of crack cocaine. The U.S. Attorney's Office ...

Katie Jane Quinn has been jailed for 5 years with Hard Labour.

Katie Jane Quinn has been jailed for 5 years with Hard Labour.The 30 year-old woman pleaded guilty to possession of one thousand 155 grammes...

Amanda Johnson reportedly told a partygoer that she "would sell her baby for crack,"

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQ4GhueJumkQPWQ2HnpvbupVFUjScefUsdOYO8oEXXQQUCGonP6iYrTSdwvxO_4-QuDMCbhYD4rx2DIsYRgHtAIDJ0ptVCbZqVu9P-OTEvUB43n77HPYerYlkq9KaZ6oqsmvkooqh0I0/s1600-h/baby.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244411844179598434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQ4GhueJumkQPWQ2HnpvbupVFUjScefUsdOYO8oEXXQQUCGonP6iYrTSdwvxO_4-QuDMCbhYD4rx2DIsYRgHtAIDJ0ptVCbZqVu9P-OTEvUB43n77HPYerYlkq9KaZ6oqsmvkooqh0I0/s400/baby.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a> Amanda Johnson was taken into custody Sunday afternoon at the Augusta Lodge hotel after what appeared to have been an all-night crack-cocaine party, said Richmond County sheriff's Investigator Grace Wittke.Ms. Johnson reportedly told a partygoer that she "would sell her baby for crack," said Investigator Wittke, who works in the domestic violence section of the Criminal Investigation Division. When authorities arrested Ms. Johnson about noon at the hotel, Investigator Wittke said, "the baby reeked of crack-cocaine, was listless and showed little emotion."Police are still seeking two men on felony narcotics charges, Investigator Wittke said. Ms. Johnson is charged with second-degree cruelty to children and reckless conduct. She is apparently homeless and did not have any prior offenses, police said. She has another child but does not have custody, police said. The infant boy has been placed in the custody of the Richmond County Department of Family and Children and Services.

Amanda Johnson reportedly told a partygoer that she "would sell her baby for crack,"

Amanda Johnson was taken into custody Sunday afternoon at the Augusta Lodge hotel after what appeared to have been an all-night crack-cocain...

Salawu Akiola Tubosun was arrested on Monday August 27, 2008 at about 10.30 am at the departure hall of the airport during the screening of passenger

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjnQHS_EGc0hCwk8WqYiRkB7PHBWg4GbSrNZbTE9Cfib2NqBChPgdn4dfdRSYhuaWEkiXaASVMyrgzYQsHlB467NYhRTFGtcHpdpheS79Hp-CtkT1lsOQXOAi40m83_1bMR0cJKIKizho/s1600-h/crime1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244409817933321650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjnQHS_EGc0hCwk8WqYiRkB7PHBWg4GbSrNZbTE9Cfib2NqBChPgdn4dfdRSYhuaWEkiXaASVMyrgzYQsHlB467NYhRTFGtcHpdpheS79Hp-CtkT1lsOQXOAi40m83_1bMR0cJKIKizho/s400/crime1.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" /></a> Salawu Akiola Tubosun who, for the love of N250,000, had swallowed 100 pieces of substances that tested positive for heroin. Two other suspected drug traffickers were also caught at the Murtalla Murhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, for ingesting substances suspected to be narcotic drugs. The suspects are Rosemary Okonji( 29) and Enoma Kelvin( 37).Commenting on the spate of arrests made by the Agency in recent times, the Chairman/Chief Executive of the agency, Alhaji Ahmadu Giade , assured Nigerians that no effort would be spared in the Agency’s determination to rid the country of narcotic drugs. “The international rating of the agency is rising by the day with the various arrests and seizures that we are recording. We will not relent in this all- important fight for a drug- free society. The dangers of illicit drugs are terribly devastating to mankind. That is why we must put drug barons out of business,” Giade declared. He also thanked Nigerians for their collaborative spirit. Head of the Public Affairs of the agency, Ofoyeje Mitchell said Pa Salawu was arrested on Monday August 27, 2008 at about 10.30 am at the departure hall of the airport during the screening of passengers on Virgin Atlantic flight. The 72- year- old contractor, who hails from Abeokuta in Ogun State, confessed during interrogation that he had ingested 100 wraps of substances that tested positive for heroin. He also said in his statement that he had worked as a contractor for the past 37 years and that he got involved in the shady deal due to financial difficulty. “It is lack of money that made me to carry drugs. I was financially distressed and things were so difficult because there were no more contracts. I swallowed 100 wraps of the drugs in a hotel in Mushin area of Lagos and they promised to pay me 250,000 naira to take the drugs to New York”.

Salawu Akiola Tubosun was arrested on Monday August 27, 2008 at about 10.30 am at the departure hall of the airport during the screening of passenger

Salawu Akiola Tubosun who, for the love of N250,000, had swallowed 100 pieces of substances that tested positive for heroin. Two other suspe...

Manuel Arredondo-Ramirez found 30 kilograms of cocaine hidden in a secret compartment in his car

Manuel Arredondo-Ramirez, 27, of Whittier,sentenced to 51 months in prison. Arredondo-Ramirez worked as a welder in Southern California.Manuel Arredondo-Ramirez arrested in March along Interstate 70 after they found 30 kilograms of cocaine hidden in a secret compartment in his car. Arredondo-Ramirez agreed to cooperate and told federal drug agents that the shipment was intended for Troy David Brown, 39, of Delmont.Arredondo-Ramirez told agents he had made other trips to Western Pennsylvania to deliver cocaine to Brown, who owned Cut and Trim Lawn Care in Verona, which federal authorities said he used to run a cocaine ring since 2005. Arredondo-Ramirez said the deals were arranged through Brown's partner and his cousin, both in Phoenix, and his uncle in Nogales, Mexico.On April 2, Arredondo-Ramirez wore a wire during a sting. Agents arrested Brown when he arrived at a Monroeville parking lot to meet Arredondo-Ramirez.A search of Brown's business found $1,049,696 in cash stuffed inside a suitcase and two duffel bags. In August, Diamond sentenced Brown to 11 years and three months in prison.

Manuel Arredondo-Ramirez found 30 kilograms of cocaine hidden in a secret compartment in his car

Manuel Arredondo-Ramirez, 27, of Whittier,sentenced to 51 months in prison. Arredondo-Ramirez worked as a welder in Southern California.Manu...

Hamid Mohamed Ali was caught with a little more than two kilos of cocaine in his suitcase last week

A British citizen who was caught with a little more than two kilos of cocaine in his suitcase last week at Cheddi Jagan International Airpor...

Jonathan Lara “the officers observed him swallow several packets that appeared to be cocaine,” Ohrenberger said,

Jonathan Lara, 25, had been under investigation by Pembroke, Marshfield, Hanover and Scituate police for a few months, according to Pembroke Police Chief Michael Ohrenberger.Police believed that Lara and Carlos Carrasquillo, 40, of Brockton were going to make a drug transaction in the parking lot across from the Burger King on Church Street, near the Marshfield line. When the two showed up and conducted such a transaction under police surveillance late Monday afternoon, officers approached the car, Ohrenberger said.Lara then locked himself in the vehicle and “the officers observed him swallow several packets that appeared to be cocaine,” Ohrenberger said, adding that five packages of cocaine were found with Lara once the car was opened. Carrasquillo also had cocaine on him, Ohrenberger said.The men were arrested shortly after 5 p.m. Monday. Both were charged with cocaine possession with intent to distribute, Class B drug possession, conspiracy to violate drug laws and committing a drug violation near a school.Lara also was charged with resisting arrest. Carrasquillo, who also was charged with providing a false name, was held on an outstanding warrant.Carrasquillo was arraigned Tuesday in Plymouth District Court, where he is due back Oct. 6 for a pretrial hearing. Although he posted bail of $200, he was transported to Brockton District Court because of the outstanding warrant. Lara was taken to Jordan Hospital on Monday and later transferred to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. Ohrenberger said Tuesday evening that Lara was still being guarded by a Pembroke officer at the hospital. Members of the hospital staff had been trying all day to get him to expel the swallowed cocaine, the chief said.Lara was likely to be released this morning and taken to Plymouth District Court for arraignment, Ohrenberger said

Jonathan Lara “the officers observed him swallow several packets that appeared to be cocaine,” Ohrenberger said,

Jonathan Lara, 25, had been under investigation by Pembroke, Marshfield, Hanover and Scituate police for a few months, according to Pembroke...

Case of cocaine dealing against Lions rugby player, Rayno Benjamin, was yesterday postponed

Case of cocaine dealing against Lions rugby player, Rayno Benjamin, was yesterday postponed in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court.The left winger was arrested with three other people, included his compatriot at the Lions, Earl Rose, at a flat in Randburg earlier this year. Rose was never charged, according to Superintendent Eugene Opperman. Opperman dismissed media reports suggesting he said two rugby players were to appear in court yesterday. But he did confirm the cocaine charge. Yesterday the lawyer representing the accused, Boela Van der Merwe, said the case against Benjamin was remanded for a written representation to be submitted to the senior prosecutor.The Lion’s spokesman maintained yesterday they believed the drug had been planted. “After these allegations surfaced early this year, we then appointed our lawyers to look into the matter and they came back to us with a report that showed nothing to it. “We also do random drug testing on all our players... and the tests have never indicated any of our players using drugs,” said Manie Reyneke.

Case of cocaine dealing against Lions rugby player, Rayno Benjamin, was yesterday postponed

Case of cocaine dealing against Lions rugby player, Rayno Benjamin, was yesterday postponed in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court.The left wing...

William A. Ramos and Edward Mercado is charged with three counts of cocaine distribution, and Mercado faces two counts of the same charge.

William A. Ramos, 36, of 4 Vine Ave., Roxbury, and Edward Mercado, 27, of 106 Lafayette St., Salem, are each being held on $10,000 bail and will be arraigned today at Salem District Court. Ramos is charged with three counts of cocaine distribution, and Mercado faces two counts of the same charge. "There's different places they would meet them (drug buyers) around town," Detective Bill Jennings said. "We finally got somebody into them and made some undercover buys. There were a lot of neighborhood calls."The charges stem from previous undercover drug purchases, Jennings said. He added that no drugs were found on either suspect or in the car. Jennings alleged Ramos, who was driving the car and locked the door when police approached, swallowed the drugs. Police did seize approximately $200 in cash, the 2004 Toyota Camry the suspects were riding in and cell phones, which repeatedly rang. Jennings said detectives answered the calls and responded to the callers' location to confirm Ramos as the one they purchased drugs from. Police had been circling around Ramos for years after a number of vehicles and license plate numbers, identified by neighbors, came back to Ramos or at his address in Boston. Jennings said Ramos would often change his license plate number with the Registry of Motor Vehicles. He changed his number most recently on Monday. Jennings said Ramos would make purchases in side streets along Federal Street, North Street and Boston Street on the assumption residents were all in school or work. Along with Bona and Jennings, detectives Capt. Paul Tucker, Lt. Tom Griffin, Sgt. James Page, Eric Connolly, John Doyle and Tom Brennan assisted. Also taking part were Patrolman Mike Levesque and members of the Essex County Sheriff's Department, as well as a drug-sniffing dog

William A. Ramos and Edward Mercado is charged with three counts of cocaine distribution, and Mercado faces two counts of the same charge.

William A. Ramos, 36, of 4 Vine Ave., Roxbury, and Edward Mercado, 27, of 106 Lafayette St., Salem, are each being held on $10,000 bail and ...

Devon K. Chavis is 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs about 260 pounds. He has several tattoos including one each on his chest and back

Devon K. Chavis, 30, was sitting in a car on the grounds of the college on Aug. 17, 2007, when the officer saw him hand something to a man who walked up to him. The man on foot ran away when he saw the squad car approach. Chavis tried to drive off down Mill Road, but the officer stopped him, authorities said. Chavis gave the officer three different accounts of why he was on the college grounds, authorities said.An Edison police officer arrived and confronted Chavis with the other officer. Chavis appeared under the influence of narcotics, stuttering and giving incoherent answers, authorities said.After they asked him to step out of his car, they saw a plastic bag sticking out of the back of his shorts, authorities said.The bag contained several vials of crack and powder cocaine, authorities said. Chavis was indicted in October on two drug charges. He faced up to five years in prison before joining the Drug Court program at Middlesex County Courthouse in November. He failed the monitoring and probation-like program and did not show for a court hearing in June.Chavis is 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs about 260 pounds. He has several tattoos including one each on his chest and back that read "Thugs R Us" and a tattoo on his right arm of a mouse.His last listed addresses were on the first block of Krumb Street in Sayreville and the 600 block of West First Avenue in Roselle.

Devon K. Chavis is 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs about 260 pounds. He has several tattoos including one each on his chest and back

Devon K. Chavis, 30, was sitting in a car on the grounds of the college on Aug. 17, 2007, when the officer saw him hand something to a man w...

Bashir Noorzai branded a most-wanted drug kingpin questioned for 11 days in a Manhattan hotel and then was arrested.

In September 2004, U.S. agents summoned Bashir Noorzai to Dubai and told him they needed his help identifying sources of funding supporting terrorism. He says they asked him about his contacts with the Taliban as well as reports that he had ties to both Osama bin Laden and the region's opium trade _ allegations he denied. "I told the agents I had not worked in the narcotics business," he said. The agents invited Noorzai to the United States to meet with people in Washington for further discussions. He was questioned for 11 days in a Manhattan hotel and then was arrested.Afghan tribal leader Bashir Noorzai resisted the Soviet Union's invasion of his country three decades ago, then put down his weapons when U.S. forces showed up following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. "Afghanistan is in anarchy," the one-time Taliban ally recalls telling his tribesmen. "Americans are establishing our future government."Rather than thank him, Noorzai claims the U.S. government betrayed him: In 2005, he was branded a most-wanted drug kingpin, lured to New York and arrested. Noorzai faces trial beginning Monday on charges he smuggled $50 million worth of heroin into the United States _ part of a current parade of prosecutions in New York City involving reputed drug lords from abroad.In the past 18 months, four alleged large-scale traffickers from Mexico _ one the mayor of a town in the state of Puebla _ have been extradited to the city to face federal charges of smuggling hundreds of tons of cocaine into the United States.A former Dominican Republic army captain, extradited in 2005, is being tried in an alleged plot to smuggle tons of cocaine into the United States from Colombia and Venezuela.And last month Juan Carlos Rameriz Abadia _ identified as a leader of the notorious Norte del Valle cartel in Colombia _ was extradited. He pleaded not guilty in federal court to charges he played a key role in another multibillion-dollar cocaine trafficking scheme. The cases reflect improved cooperation by overseas authorities and a renewed effort by U.S. authorities "to marshal all our resources to dismantle the world's largest drug trafficking organizations from top to bottom," said John Gilbride, head of the Drug Enforcement Administration's New York office. The DEA says the assault on the drug world's elite has had an effect on the streets of New York and other cities, where cocaine prices are up and purity is down. Federal authorities consider Noorzai one of the bigger catches in the war on drugs. But the defendant, who has three wives and eight children, also stands out for his movie script-worthy history, some of it described in a sworn statement filed by the defense. Noorzai was born in 1963 in Maiwand, Afghanistan, and raised by his grandfather, chief of the Noorzai tribe _ a million people in southern and western Afghanistan and in Pakistan's Baluchistan province. When his grandfather retired, he was succeeded by one of Noorzai's uncles, who vanished when Communists took power in 1978 and confiscated the family's land. A year later, the family fled to Pakistan after the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan and began arresting and killing tribal leaders.In 1981, at age 18, Noorzai and his armed tribesmen joined a jihad against the Soviets and the Communist government. When the Soviets withdrew in the late 1980s, he claimed he had been paid by the CIA to help retrieve Stinger missiles it had supplied to the rebel forces. But with the country in chaos, he decided in 1996 to support the Taliban. "In my view at the time, and in the view of many Afghanis who were tired of the many years of violence and war, the Taliban were not corrupt and they did not steal from people and abuse their power in this way," he said. After the 2001 terrorist attacks, Noorzai _ then chief of the tribe _ decided to help establish a U.S.-supported government in Afghanistan, his defense says. He met with U.S. military representatives and instructed his followers to collect and store all weaponry and munitions, his lawyers say. In January 2002, Noorzai claims, he turned over 3,000 arms, including 400 anti-aircraft missiles, to U.S. forces.

Bashir Noorzai branded a most-wanted drug kingpin questioned for 11 days in a Manhattan hotel and then was arrested.

In September 2004, U.S. agents summoned Bashir Noorzai to Dubai and told him they needed his help identifying sources of funding supporting ...