Latest news with #CAB
Sunday World
2 days ago
- Sunday World
How Dublin drug dealer paid just €20 to set up front for €10m cocaine ring
He identified the business as being involved in 'removal services'. THESE are the company documents that show how a top-level drug-dealer paid just €20 to set a corporate structure behind which he concealed a €10 million cocaine smuggling operation. The document obtained by this newspaper show Andrew Pender, a key ally of CAB targets David and Christopher Waldron, registered Tech Recovery Ireland as a 'business name' on November 24th, 2021. He identified the business as being involved in 'removal services'. The documents show how, in total, Pender paid just €20 as a Company Registration Office 'submission fee' – after which he had a legitimate front behind which he could disguise his smuggling activities. Andrew Porter set up a front company to hide his drug dealing Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 19th Pender also had the Tech Recovery Ireland logo printed on his vehicles in a bid to throw off suspicion when he was moving drugs around the capital. On Wednesday of this week, coke addicted Pender, who lost part of his nose due to his addiction, was jailed for 15 years in connection with a €9 million seizure of cocaine , cannabis, MDMA and ketamine from a shipping container and €1.1 million in cash in July of last year. The 52-year-old, from Ely Green in Dublin, was sentenced after he pleaded guilty to drugs trafficking and money laundering. Speaking afterwards, Assistant Commissioner Paul Cleary said that Pender operated a sophisticated drug trafficking distribution network and was observed personally delivering large quantities of drugs to communities around Dublin, particularly in the north and west of the city. The Assistant Commissioner said the case was a very good example of how the gardaí targets drug trafficking at all levels. 'We do believe Andrew Pender was affiliated with a group in north and west Dublin and those investigations are live and ongoing,' he said. The Sunday World understands this was a reference to the gang run by brothers David and Christoper Waldron – both of whom have been targeted by CAB and who the High Court was told took a leading role in sourcing and supplying drugs in the Cabra area following the murder of Eamon Dunne in 2010. David Waldron At his sentencing hearing, the court heard Pender was a major Dublin drug dealer who was in full control of a multi-million euro cocaine, cannabis, ketamine, ecstasy (MDMA) and money laundering network. He ran a sophisticated operation, which included storing the drugs in a shipping container, moving them and large bundles of cash in concealed compartments in specially modified vehicles and establishing shell companies to conceal the movements of the drugs and cash. He was targeted by An Garda Síochána's Dublin Crime Response Team set up to provide what gardaí say is an immediate and dynamic response to organised crime in the city, including drugs, burglary, money laundering, car theft, feud related activity and drug related intimidation. Pender was targeted when gaps were identified in opportunities to tackle Dublin mid-level organised crime groups. An intelligence-led operation was established focussing on Pender, who operated as independent drugs trafficker working to keep below the garda radar. Christopher Waldron He was stopped in a 19 D registered Peugeot car on the Finglas Road in Dublin at 6.30pm on Friday 19 July 2024. Drugs and cash were discovered in a car, shipping container and a box van A small amount of cocaine and over €9,000 in cash was found hidden in his car. Keys were also found for the drugs storage unit. In simultaneous follow up searches, another €8.9m worth of drugs and over €1.1m in cash were found in a shipping container and a box van in a yard at the Ward in Co Dublin. The money was packed in 16 bales, sealed in duct tape. Pender was renting the land for €200 a month. Another €44,690 in cash was also found in two homes in Tallaght linked to Pender. In all, gardaí recovered over €1.15m in cash as part of the investigation along with a stolen full garda uniform with PPE equipment, epaulettes and a garda stab vest.. Detective Inspector Ken Holohan of the Dublin Crime Response Team told the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court that Pender told gardaí several "self-serving lies" when interviewed, including denying significant wrongdoing. Judge Crowe described Pender's as a highly sophisticated operation. Pender, she said, managed an entire cell, registered fake companies and arranged the false registration of the two cars.
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Don't let summer heat fool you - energy debt is a year-round problem
Spiralling energy costs have led to a surge of energy debt in Scotland. The numbers are stark. Our most recent figures, covering the first three months of 2025, showed that more than 1,500 people turned to a CAB for advice on energy debt. There has been an alarming rise in demand for debt advice from our network. Compared to pre-Covid times, there has been a 65% increase in the number of people seeking energy debt advice from CABs. The volume of people needing help with energy debt is worrying, and so is the amount of debt they have been forced to accumulate. The average energy debt people present to CAB is £2,500. Bear in mind that many people also have other types of debt, such as council tax debt and rent arrears. Unaffordable energy bills, mounting housing costs and the undermining of the social safety net have combined to make it much harder for people to afford life's essentials. Consider the financial and emotional strain of living with debt. Amanda visited her local Citizens Advice Bureau seeking help with debt. She works on a zero-hours contract in the healthcare sector, which makes it difficult for her to maintain a stable income. Over time, she accumulated more than £3,200 of energy debt. Mark also turned to his CAB for support. He is a self-employed gardener whose income fluctuates throughout the year, and he now faces an energy debt of over £6,300. The situations that brought Amanda and Mark to this point are alarmingly common. They are ordinary people with unpredictable incomes, simply trying to manage their everyday expenses. Energy debt can happen to anyone. It would be easy to conclude that there is nothing we can do to stop people from being forced into energy debt because the scale of the challenge seems too big to overcome. That position is a counsel of despair. There are solutions available. For their part, energy suppliers need a more consistent approach to helping people who are struggling to pay their bills. We need a social tariff in the energy market, which would provide people on low incomes with discounted energy bills. An energy debt relief scheme is another urgent priority. By taking decisive actions like these, suppliers, the UK Government, and the regulator Ofgem can reduce bills and save people from energy debt. It's high time these choices were made. Dr Matthew Lee is part of the Social Justice team at Citizens Advice Scotland
Irish Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Kinahan bagman stalls CAB seizing home saying he can't get quantity surveyor
A convicted Kinahan bagman fighting to stave off the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) from seizing his home has pleaded that he can't get the assistance of a quantity surveyor yet as part of his case. Patrick Lawlor and his wife Leonie are contesting the CAB case against them in which their house on Collins Avenue West in Dublin is being targeted. Patrick was one of three men jailed for seven years in October 2022 following an investigation by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau into a major transnational organised crime gang which took in more than €12m in 2019 and spent €98,000 on encrypted phones in the same year. It was run by George Mitchell, the Dublin criminal known as 'the Penguin' who left the country over 25 years ago and was since targeted by the Criminal Assets Bureau, who took almost three quarters of a million euro from him. At a previous High Court hearing, Ms Lawlor told the court she is still living in the family home and had filed affidavits in response to the CAB proceedings against her and her husband to seize the family home. Ms Lawlor also told the court then that her three children are grown up but she is still living in the family home and continues to pay the mortgage from legitimate income. They purchased the house in 2007. However, the CAB case centred on income generated between 2010 and 2020. 18/12/2024 - This house is on Collins Avenue West is currently owned by convicted money launderer Patrick Lawlor and his wife Leonie. (Image: Padraig O'Reilly) Judge Alexander Owens said that there is substantial value embedded in the home that is not the proceeds of crime. Last month the couple were granted legal aid for a junior counsel and a solicitor. At this week's sitting of the High Court, defence counsel for Lawlors' said they have not yet retained 'an expert witness,' and there is 'no agreement as yet.' The expert witness is a quantity surveyor to survey the property. 'They are still engaged with firms and I am suggesting an October date to allow them to engage an expert witness,' counsel said. Counsel for CAB said they are seeking a date in September to reply to the defendants' affidavits and requested the case be put into an October date for mention. Agreeing with the October date, Mr Justice Alexander Owens remarked: 'We need to get on with it.' 13/02/2025 - This is Leonie Lawlor photographed at her home at Collins Avenue West (Image: Padraig O'Reilly) None of the details of CAB's case against the couple have been opened in court. During the sentencing hearing in October 2022 for Lawlor and a taxi driver, Ross Hanway from Ashbourne, Co Meath, who was jailed for four years, Dublin Circuit Court heard that the transactions were lodged in ledgers kept by Patrick Lawlor. Lawlor received monthly cash payments of €5,000 while Hanway was initially paid €1,250, which rose to €4,000 by 2019. The court heard the men were only involved in money laundering and not in drugs. Hanway of The Beeches, Archerstown Demense, Ashbourne, Co Meath, pleaded guilty to possessing €412,000 on May 26, 2020, which was the proceeds of crime while Lawlor of Collins Avenue West, Whitehall, Dublin 9 pleaded guilty to possessing €412,000 on May 26, 2020 which was the proceeds of crime. Lawlor also pleaded guilty to possession of €477,370 in cash, £6,920 Sterling, 1,940 Romanian Lei (approximately €400), 187 Ukrainian Hryvnia Lei (approximately €5) and $3,295 US Dollars. Lawlor further pleaded guilty to possession of an encrypted mobile phone. Judge Melanie Greally said 'it does not take any leap of imagination to infer' that money seized by gardaí had originated from serious criminal activity. She said both Hanway and Lawlor Sr received financial rewards for their roles in the money laundering operation. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
News18
4 days ago
- Sport
- News18
Wriddhiman Saha All Set To Enter Coaching Arena, Likely To Become Head Coach Of...
Last Updated: Saha, 40, retired from first-class cricket in January this year at the end of Bengal's league stage campaign in the Ranji Trophy. Six months into retirement from competitive cricket, one of India's finest wicketkeepers, Wriddhiman Saha, is all set to enter the coaching arena, with the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) showing interest in hiring him as the head coach of the U-23 state team. Saha, 40, retired from first-class cricket in January this year at the end of Bengal's league stage campaign in the Ranji Trophy. It is understood that former Bengal skipper Laxmi Ratan Shukla will continue as the head coach of the senior team, while former off-spinner Saurashis Lahiri will coach the U-19 team. 'The CAB brass will be zeroing in on all the candidates for various teams by next week. Obviously, Wriddhi has been sounded out, and a final decision will be taken next week. Apart from Sourav Ganguly and Pankaj Roy, he is the biggest name from Bengal with 40 Tests," a senior CAB source told PTI on the condition of anonymity. 'His experience of playing top-level cricket for so long will only help the Gen-Next of Bengal cricket. Wriddhi already runs a chain of coaching centres, and he has been a very hands-on coach for juniors. He is passionate about coaching. Hopefully, he will be ready," the source said. While there is not much precedence in Bengal cricket about players being drafted into the coaching system immediately after retirement, Saha's case is slightly different considering his stature in state cricket. The Bengal U-23 side till last season was being coached by former India opener Pranab Roy, son of the legendary late Pankaj Roy. Many people in the Bengal circuit believe that Saha is cut out to become a good coach. His experience with the U-23 squad could prove to be handy if he joins any IPL team in the future or as a specialist coach at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. Dahiya vs Sarandeep for Delhi men's Ranji coach job Delhi Ranji team's head coach job is expected to be a two-way battle between former India players Sarandeep Singh and Vijay Dahiya, both of whom have applied for the post. The Delhi & Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) is conducting interviews for support staff and selectors for various age groups (U-16, U-19, U-23) along with senior teams. Sarandeep is the current Delhi head coach, while Dahiya has handled the state team on a couple of occasions in the past. The former India stumper is an assistant coach with Lucknow Super Giants and has also coached the Uttar Pradesh Ranji team. 'There are three candidates in the running. Sarandeep, who is our current head coach, and Dahiya, who has extensive coaching experience, have both appeared for interviews. The third strong candidate is former Delhi keeper Rajiv Vinayak," a senior DDCA official privy to developments said. (With inputs from PTI) view comments First Published: July 17, 2025, 22:10 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
India.com
4 days ago
- Sport
- India.com
Recently Announced Retirement, Indian Cricketer Set For First Coaching Assignment, Know Team & Other Detals
Former India wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha is being considered for a coaching role in the Bengal cricket structure, just six months after hanging up his boots. According to a PTI report, Saha has emerged as a strong contender to take up the position of head coach for the Bengal Under-23 team. The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) is reportedly keen on bringing the 40-year-old on board, with discussions already taking place between the two parties. A CAB official confirmed the development, saying, 'The CAB brass will be zeroing in on all the candidates for various teams by next week. Obviously, Wriddhi has been sounded out, and a final decision will be taken next week. Apart from Sourav Ganguly and Pankaj Roy, he is the biggest name from Bengal with 40 Tests.' Saha has been one of the most consistent performers for Bengal over the years and is widely respected for his knowledge of the game. If appointed, his presence could prove to be a valuable asset for the young players in the U-23 setup, who would benefit from his international experience and understanding of high-level cricket. The report also noted that Saha has already gained hands-on coaching experience by running multiple cricket centres, which further adds to his suitability for the role. Importantly, his potential appointment will not interfere with Laxmi Ratan Shukla's current role as head coach of the Bengal senior team. Shukla is set to continue in that capacity for the upcoming season. Saha had briefly parted ways with Bengal in 2022 due to differences with the state association and played the 2022–23 Ranji Trophy season for Tripura after receiving a No Objection Certificate. However, he returned to Bengal last year and retired from domestic cricket after completing the season with his home state. Last season, the Bengal U-23 side was coached by Pranab Roy, the son of cricketing great Pankaj Roy. With CAB set to finalise coaching appointments soon, Saha's name is firmly in the mix for a significant step in his post-retirement career. Playing Career In Test cricket, where he last played in December 2021, he featured in 40 matches, scoring 1,353 runs from 56 innings at an average of 29.41, including 3 centuries and 6 fifties, while effecting 92 catches and 12 stumpings. His One Day International (ODI) career, which concluded in November 2014, saw him play 9 matches, accumulating 41 runs from 5 innings at an average of 13.66, with 17 catches and 1 stumping. In the Indian Premier League (IPL), as of the 2024 season, Saha has participated in 170 matches, amassing 2,934 runs from 145 innings at an average of 24.25, highlighted by 1 century (the first in an IPL final) and 13 fifties, alongside 89 catches and 26 stumpings. He is widely recognized for his exceptional wicketkeeping prowess, characterized by his agility and reliable glovework, complementing his resilient batting in Tests and quick scoring ability in T20s.
