This story has been shared 171,829 times. In the summer of 1993, the Puerto Rican government, alarmed about the record-breaking murder rate on the island, launched a massive military occupation of public housing projects. Editors note: This article initially misstated the weight of the drug shipment as 1.25 tons. Abstract. Secure .gov websites use HTTPSA lock ( During the investigation, U.S. Previously worked as a correspondent in Venezuela and Argentina. How States Fare Medicaid Block Grants Per Capita Caps Puerto Rico Boom and Bust in Puerto Rico - Notre Dame University Press The U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations made a massive cocaine bust earlier this week when agents hauled in nearly 800 pounds in an attempted smuggling operation off the. This month the DEA made the biggest meth bust in American history: 2200 pounds of meth, nearly 900 pounds of cocaine, and 13 pounds of heroin. But Loats badly burned body was found by authorities on Sunday in the town of Vega Baja. Pa. woman missing since 1992 found alive in Puerto . Bankman-Fried can have flip phone, limited internet while on bail, US proposes, Biden assembles team of allies to boost re-election campaign, Reporting by Luc Cohen; Editing by Mark Porter, Michigan judge dismisses school staff as defendants in lawsuits over mass shooting, American Airlines, flight attendants union seek mediation in contract negotiations, German sanctions against Russian oligarchs advancing slowly, Turkey's pro-Kurdish party calls for opposition unity after split, Russian defence minister pays rare visit to troops in Ukraine, CORRECTED Italy's Meloni says on track to rebuild 'excellent' relations with UAE, EU releases funds, prepares aid flight for eastern Congo, Exclusive news, data and analytics for financial market professionals. But our NYPD investigators and partners in law enforcement weren't fooled and today's important indictment from theOffice of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor shows our unwavering commitment to keep New Yorkers from being victimized by crime," said Police Commissioner Dermot Shea. Officers found 136 bricks of cocaine . Federal border agents flying over Puerto Rico led law enforcement to $8.4 million worth of cocaine in a boat that had capsized and been abandoned in the water off the eastern coast of the island after a failed drug trafficking attempt. 11 charged, guns seized after 10-month investigation into N.J. drug Coast Guard rescues stranded man off rocks near Greyhound Rock County Park. Bronx drug bust: 2 arrested, 28 lbs. of alleged heroin seized from This story has been shared 121,057 times. This disruption and seizure is the result of multi-agency efforts involving the Caribbean Border Interagency Group and the Caribbean Corridor Strike Force. Official websites use .govA .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Border Patrol officials seized a massive amount of cocaine during a drug bust in Puerto Rico this week.. Border Patrol agents in the Ramey sector and Puerto Rico Police Joint Forces for Rapid Action seized 343 lbs. This study questions the effectiveness of these approaches to reduce street crime. Learn more. Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay received a National Response Center report of approximately 30,000 gallons of No.2 fuel oil discharged into a secondary containment area at the facility. A court authorized search of his home at 1500 Noble Avenue, Apt. SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico A crew aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Tezanos seized nearly $15 million worth of cocaine over the weekend. The show takes listeners inside the business end of the sports world, and explains what it means to fans and their pocketbooks. The organization run by Mendez and Matos dealt heroin supplied by a man from the Bronx, Southwick said. U.S. DOJ in Puerto Rico said $75 million in cocaine was found, Puerto Rico cocaine seizures outpacing previous two years, Photographer: Ricardo Arduengo/AFP/Getty Images. Rual Sweeney was arrested last night in the Bronx. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Sept. 16, 2021 Frontline Focus: Coast Guard offloads $51 million in cocaine in San Juan, Puerto Rico, following at-sea drug bust near the British Virgin Islands and more By Janki Panki, MyCG Writer Coast Guard offloads $51 million in cocaine in San Juan, Puerto Rico, following at-sea drug bust near the British Virgin Islands. Enhanced enforcement efforts along the Central America/Mexico corridor and on the U.S. Southwest border as well as the ongoing violence between rival TCOs [transnational criminal organizations] in Mexico may be contributing to the shift to more efficient, presumably less troublesome Caribbean routes," according to the 2015 White House Caribbean Border Counternarcotics Strategy report. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. The cause remains under investigation. Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. It is administered by the Mental Health and Anti-Addiction Services Administration. Domestic Cannabis Suppression / Eradication Program, Red Ribbon Toolkit - Resources For Your Community, DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, Intelligence Research Specialist Job Announcements, Schedule A Hiring Authority: Intelligence Research Specialist, Privacy Impact Assessment and Management Information Systems, Victim Witness Assistance Program Resources. Crime in Puerto Rico: Drug Trafficking, Money Laundering, and the Poor Record producer Kenny Beats takes us on a journey from Berklee College of Music to blowing up the electronic dance music scene to reemerging as a sought-after hit maker and content creator, all while building one of the most interactive, music-obsessed communities on the internet. US tourist killed in Puerto Rico after alleged drug buy - New York Post 25 pounds of cocaine, $350K confiscated in Bronx drug bust - New York Post Coast Guard offloads $51 million in cocaine in San Juan, Puerto Rico, following at-sea drug bust near the British Virgin Islands. Build the strongest argument relying on authoritative content, attorney-editor expertise, and industry defining technology. A court-authorized search yielded approximately $1,000 from the trunk of the vehicle, as well as two cellphones. If convicted, defendants would face up to life in prison, $4 million in fines. afficher des publicits et des contenus personnaliss en fonction de vos profils de centres dintrt; mesurer lefficacit des publicits et contenus personnaliss; et. L aw enforcement officials in Puerto Rico reported the largest drug bust in four years on Tuesday after officers seized $34 million worth of cocaine found in a boat off the northern coast. End of Lockdown Brings Wave of Cocaine to Puerto Rico - Business Insider Screen for heightened risk individual and entities globally to help uncover hidden risks in business relationships and human networks. A court-authorized search of the cell phones showed Garcia and another individual allegedly engaged in narcotics-related conversation, with Garcia sending a USPS receipt and the other individual sending a picture of a kilogram of cocaine. Crime in Puerto Rico - Wikipedia Browse an unrivalled portfolio of real-time and historical market data and insights from worldwide sources and experts. Often, the named recipients were either fictitious or were actual individuals not associated with the address. Damian Williams, the new U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York sworn in last month, referred to the amount of cocaine seized as a "massive quantity of dangerous drugs.". Arrests made in drug ring bust spanning Connecticut, Puerto Rico and Cocaine availability nationwide in 2019 dropped 14% from the prior year and hit its lowest level in six years, and supply remained largely steady throughout 2020, according to a March 2021 DEA report. The seizure led to the arrest and indictment of three people for a variety of drug trafficking and maritime law violations. Coast Guard offloads a $20 million in cocaine near Puerto Rico | Miami Eagle has served as a classroom at sea to future Coast Guard officers since 1946, offering an at-sea leadership and professional development experience as part of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy curriculum. Anna Giaritelli, Homeland Security Reporter, Virginia Republicans give Trump an edge, but only DeSantis and Youngkin lead Biden, The ESG attack on energy becomes personal, The Debrief: Conn Carroll on HHS encouraging illegal child labor, WATCH: Steven Spielberg likens rise in antisemitism to 'Germany in the '30s', AOC gloats after construction of Virginia Amazon headquarters delayed as company cuts jobs, Alex Murdaugh trial: Watch the key video that could've sealed guilty murder verdict. Klicken Sie auf Alle ablehnen, wenn Sie nicht mchten, dass wir und unsere Partner Cookies und personenbezogene Daten fr diese zustzlichen Zwecke verwenden. 20 gang members charged for drug trafficking and firearms violations in He was arrested and charged in a criminal complaint. Members of Group T-41 followed the car and stopped it in Yonkers, N.Y. Tariq Loat and a friend, James Jackson, were attacked in La Perla on Saturday following the alleged drug deal when they tried to take photographs, despite being told not to, according to Police Commissioner Antonio Lpez Figueroa. Coast Guard offloads $51 million cocaine shipment in Puerto Rico after The Coast Guard Cutter Richard Etheridge crew offloaded approximately 1,700 kilograms of seized cocaine at Coast Guard Base San Juan, following the disruption go-fast vessel smuggling attempt by Coast Guard and British Virgin Islands authorities. Follow him on Twitter@BobPriceBBTXandFacebook. Two weeks later, on April 28, 2021, agents and officers observed Duarte receive a USPS package and drive in a white pickup truck. The acronym for the Puerto Rico PDMP is PR PDMP. Frequent travel in connection with this work allegedly served as a cover for narcotics-related activity. Coast Guard Cutter Eagle, Americas Tall Ship, is scheduled to arrive in Portsmouth on Sept. 17, 2021. dvelopper et amliorer nos produits et services. A federal investigation found the ring to also have ties to New York City, Richard Southwick, a prosecutor in the U.S. Attorneys Office in the Northern District of New York, said in a press release. 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I commend the excellent investigation conducted with our partners for putting it out of business, said Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennan. The most comprehensive solution to manage all your complex and ever-expanding tax and compliance needs. Defendants Charged with Trafficking Cocaine from Puerto Rico to Western New York. An official website of the United States government. Tirado was identified as a drug supplier for Luiz Mendez and Samuel Matos, according to the complaint. Early this morning, agents, officers and inspectors arrested Duarte at his home at 237 Hoover Avenue, Yonkers, N.Y. and recovered approximately 400 grams of a white powdery substance, some of which tested positive as cocaine in a field test, and multiple cellphones from the residence in a court-authorized search. DEA: Three Face Charges for Part in Largest New York-Destined Cocaine Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 9 Arrested, $450k in Cocaine Seized After Large NJ, Pa. Drug Bust 'Operation Yo-Yo' a large-scale narcotics investigation initiated by the DEA and Cape may authorities, led to the arrest of 9 . Postal Service. The suppliers of illegal drugs are exploiting every channel they can to infiltrate our communities, including the U.S. The indictment includes charges againstdefendants Arturo Gonzlez-Quiones, Freiman Yepes-Ospina, and Jos lvaro Crdoba-Rentera forconspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, conspiracy to operate and embark in a semi-submersible vessel without nationality, and to navigate thereon into and through waters beyond the outer limit of any countrys territorial sea, with the intent to evade detection, in violation of the Drug Trafficking Vessel Interdiction Act (DTVIA), officials reported. There is no evidence of oil impacting the waterway. There were also discussions related to price and weight. Puerto Rico sees a surge in tourism - the Guardian If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. The nearly 66,000 pounds of drugs discovered in and around Puerto Rico that year was about 40% higher than the previous years 47,500 pounds. Puerto Rican drug lord and his brother convicted of drug trafficking Puerto Rico will close its only zoo after longstanding complaints NBC News 21:34 28-Feb-23. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. NYDETF Group T-41 is comprised of agents and officers with the DEA, the NYPD and the New York State Police. Nous, Yahoo, faisons partie de la famille de marques Yahoo. At 2:25 p.m., agents and officers stopped the vehicle in the vicinity of Astor Avenue and Boston Road and recovered approximately two kilograms of cocaine concealed in childrens lunch boxes inside a hidden trap compartment in the back seat area. 3 Indicted for Part in Largest Seizure of NY-Destined Cocaine in Decades: Feds "This seizure signifies a shift in the illegal drug landscape in New York with cocaine seizures rising more than 150% . Mendez and Matos were previously arrested with five other men by DEA agents and Syracuse police in August on the same drug charges as Tirado, according to a separate federal complaint also written by Baart. Wenn Sie Ihre Auswahl anpassen mchten, klicken Sie auf Datenschutzeinstellungen verwalten. In carrying out the charged conspiracy, which ran from May of 2020 to July of 2021, accused ringleaders Carlos Duarte, aka "Showtime," and Alexis Garcia, aka "Ale G.," allegedly shipped numerous packages containing cocaine from Puerto Rico to New York and Massachusetts. On June 3, 2021, members of NYDETF stopped a car in which Garcia was an occupant. Frontline Focus: Coast Guard offloads $51 million in cocaine in San by Live Boston May 27, 2021 14:57 May 28, 2021. The interdiction was the result of multi-agency efforts in support of U.S. Southern Commands enhanced counter-narcotics operations in the Western Hemisphere, the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) and High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) programs, and the Caribbean Corridor Strike Force (CCSF), officials said in a written statement. Puerto Rico has become a hotbed for drug traffickers attempting to smuggle cocaine and heroin from Colombia in South America to the East Coast of the U.S. Border officials in Puerto Rico. Cape May bust breaks up cocaine network with links to Puerto Rico drug traffickers. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland, and Special Agent in Charge Susan A. Gibson of the Drug Enforcement Administration announce the conclusion of "Operation Yo-Yo" a large scale narcotics investigation initiated by the Cape May County . Border Patrol seizes more than $4 million in Puerto Rican cocaine bust NEW YORK CITY An indictment filed by the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor charges five individuals in a sophisticated conspiracy to smuggle millions of dollars in cocaine from Puerto Rico to New York and Massachusetts via the U.S. Concealing narcotic drugs in childrens lunchboxes was the modus operandi for this organization. Bensalem police shut down alleged drug operation based in apartment . Duarte faces the top narcotics charge of Operating as a Major Trafficker. Puerto Rico police arrest 800 suspects, solve 43 killings Access unmatched financial data, news and content in a highly-customised workflow experience on desktop, web and mobile. This drug conspiracy is representative of how a trafficking organization capitalized during Covid by using mail services to transport illegal drugs into New York. Bridget G. Brennan, New York Citys Special Narcotics Prosecutor, Ray Donovan, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, New York Division, Philip R. Bartlett, Inspector in Charge, U.S. Puerto Rico police arrest 800 suspects, solve 43 killings November 2, 2021 SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) Authorities in Puerto Rico announced Tuesday that they have arrested 800 suspects and solved 43 killings as a result of a 45-day operation targeting criminals across the U.S. territory. Puerto Rico's lone zoo to be permanently closed after years of complaints Chicago Sun-Times 14:39 28-Feb-23. Members of NYDETF observed the package being delivered to the Colden Avenue address on January 22, 2021. All rights reserved (About Us). We've received your submission. Earlier this month, @CBPAMO and @USCG personnel partnered to seize over 5,500lbs of cocaine from a semi-submersible vessel. August 17, 2022, 2:04 PM. US border agents snag over $8M of cocaine in capsized boat near Puerto Rico The U.S. Department of Justice in Puerto Rico said Monday that authorities had made a record-breaking cocaine bust after officials seized a submarine in Caribbean waters. Cocaine continues to be an illegal drug anchored in New York, said DEA Special Agent in Charge Ray Donovan. By United States Coast Guard. The house on East Laurel Street was identified in the complaint by Baart as a stash house. Fri 12 Mar 2021 03.00 EST Last modified on Mon 15 Mar 2021 10.42 EDT. Coast Guard, partner agencies manage oil clean up in Delaware. Puerto Rico will close its only zoo after longstanding complaints NBC News 16:34 28-Feb-23. Twenty of the accused have been processes and booked. The bust comes as authorities grapple with a 150% increase in cocaine seizures over the past year in the area, said Ray Donovan, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's special agent in charge for the New York division. Traffickers used to use small aircraft to drop shipments into the island in the 1980s and 1990s but now rely on go-fast boats, fishing vessels, luxury yachts, cruise ships, and containerized cargo. SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - On March 29, 2021, a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned a six-count indictment charging 25 gang members with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, and aiding and abetting in the possession/distribution of controlled substances, announced W. Stephen Muldrow, United Two men were arrested Puerto Rico February 21 Reggae singer, cop among those arrested in Puerto Rico drug bust A reggaeton singer and police officer are among the two dozen people arrested in a Puerto Rican. CBP makes massive cocaine bust in Puerto Rico | Fox News Postal Inspection Service, the NYPD, the New York State Police, and the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York. The long-term investigation was conducted by DEAs New York Drug Enforcement Task Force, Group T-41, and USPIS. Eleven people were arrested and charged following a 10-month investigation into an alleged drug ring in Salem, the state attorney general's office announced Friday. A major drug pipeline from Puerto Rico to Syracuse has been dismantled as a result of this homegrown investigation, said DEA Special Agent in Charge Ray Donovan. Puerto Rico police find $34M worth of cocaine in biggest drug bust in Arraignments for three of the five defendants are scheduled for this afternoon before Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Abraham Clott. The search yielded more than 18 pink zip lock bags containing cocaine, as well as $4,000 cash, a Rolex watch, luxury sneakers, a luxury book bag and wallet, a kilo press (equipment used in packaging narcotics), three digital scales and cellphones. A . With these arraignments, law enforcement is sending a message: No matter how you attempt to bring illegal drugs into our communities, we will find you and you will be held accountable.. The investigation revealed the two work as managers representing recording artists in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. Lpez said some of the suspects sold drugs wrapped in individual packages marked with a variety of images, including deceased Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar and the Road Runner cartoon figure. Claudio Acevedo-Maquita, 55, of the Bronx, More Local News to Love Start today for 50% off Expires 3/6/23. Arrests made in drug ring bust spanning Connecticut, Puerto Rico and Sunday-morning talk show. Members of NYDETF observed the package being delivered to the Colden Avenue address on January 22, 2021. On June 21, 2021, he allegedly sent a USPS box listing his own name as both the recipient and sender. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. The lunchboxes bore images of popular cartoon characters. At three other houses located at 722 E. Laurel St., 300 Woodruff Ave. and 534 Stafford Ave. detectives found more than 2.5 kilograms of cocaine and more than 40 grams of heroin that was separated into more than 1,000 bags, according to Baart. Reuters, the news and media division of Thomson Reuters, is the worlds largest multimedia news provider, reaching billions of people worldwide every day. At the height of the ongoing pandemic, these alleged drugtraffickers hid behind jobs in the music industry and shipped their cocaine in children's lunch boxes. Coast Guard offloads a $20 million in cocaine, following at-sea drug bust near Puerto Rico. 26 Puerto Rico is also temporarily increasing (through September 30, 2021) physician payments to a minimum of 70 percent of Medicare rates, which is more in line with the national average for state Medicaid programs. Prescription Drug Monitoring Program: Puerto Rico Profile (2021) Defense attorneys for Aponte-Guzman and Maisonet-Lopez did not immediately respond to requests for comment. More than 30 people were arrested in Hampton Roads in a massive drug bust. If this tactic was designed to throw off law enforcement, it did not work. Syracuse, N.Y. Four Syracuse men are facing federal drug charges after a four-month investigation found them to be distributing cocaine shipped from Puerto Rico and heroin, according to a complaint filed in federal court. The seizure was the result of multi-agency efforts in support of U.S. Southern Command's . Boston Based International Cocaine Ring Busted by Postal Inspectors On January 21, 2021, surveillance footage in Puerto Rico showed Duarte shipping a USPS package destined for 2925 Colden Avenue in the Williamsbridge neighborhood of the Bronx, which is the residence of Sweeney. Postal Inspectors identified several hallmarks of packages sent by the organization, and uncovered a more extensive pattern involving 100 similar packages shipped since May of 2020. Once the helicopter crew arrived on scene, they lowered the rescue swimmer to the rock and hoisted the man into the helicopter. Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen said, This investigation speaks to the strong partnerships we have with our state, local and federal agencies, and to our commitment to keep dangerous drugs off our streets.