Latest news with #GMS
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Hindustan Times
13 years on, CBI traces fugitive in CWG case to French village
Derek Phillips, a former senior functionary of the Commonwealth Games 2010 organising committee, under investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and absconding for the past 13 years, has been tracked down in a small commune in the southwestern region of France, according to agency officials who said an extradition request is now being sent to the French government. The Global Operations Centre (GOC) of CBI recently located Phillips, a French national -- the deputy director general, accreditation/Games Management System (GMS), for the 2010 games in Delhi - in Gaillan en Medoc in France's Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, said one CBI officer who asked not to be named. The anti-corruption agency registered a case -- apart from 18 other first information reports (FIRs) filed around that time to probe CWG related irregularities -- on May 31, 2012 to investigate contract worth ₹68.40 lakh for supply of lanyards to be used for accreditation passes for the games. Phillips was named as an accused in this case, along with RK Sacheti (then joint director general, coordination and government relations), other officials of the organising committee and a private firm, Tristar Enterprises and its representative Vishal Ahuja. It was alleged that Phillips, in connivance with other officials, manipulated the tender process to ensure that the contract was awarded to Tristar at exorbitant rates. The irregularities were detailed by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) as well in its report saying that a supply order for 1.5 lakh lanyards was placed in July 2010 at a total cost of ₹0.68 crore, out of which 48,040 lanyards costing ₹0.22 crore were never used. Besides, the CAG report stated that 492 persons who had not received security clearance were incorrectly listed in the data for the Integrated Security System, which indicated that the accreditation system was not followed strictly. After investigating the irregularities, the officer cited above said, 'we filed a charge sheet against Phillips and others in August 2013 but he had left India long before that'. Calling him a fugitive, a second CBI officer said 'Phillips could not be traced all these years so a non-bailable warrant was issued against him in November 2020'. 'We have already prepared a detailed extradition request against him and it will be sent to the French authorities in the next few days. We already have an extradition treaty with France since 2003 and we are hoping for cooperation,' he added. Officials said they will request the French government to first arrest Phillips so that formal extradition proceedings can begin and he can soon be brought to India to face trial here. The CWG games took place between October 3 and 14, 2010 but allegations of corruption triggered a huge political uproar in the country, leading to filing of several criminal and money laundering cases against top officials of organising committee (OC) including its chairman, Suresh Kalmadi, a Congress leader. The alleged corruption in the organisation of the Games -- Delhi was ruled by a Congress government then -- became a talking point, along with the alleged corruption in the allotment of telecom spectrum and coal mining licences, in the 2014 national elections. Recently, in April, a Delhi court accepted the closure report filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in one of the cases against Kalmadi.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Connecticut woman sentenced to 10.5 years for drug-related activities
BURLINGTON, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) – A 25-year-old Connecticut woman was sentenced to over 10 years imprisonment after pleading guilty to committing drug and firearm-related crimes in-state. Linoshka Barbosa, formerly of Hartford, CT helped distribute drugs to the Brattleboro area, according to court records. She was reportedly a member in a 'violent' CT gang called 'GMS', and helped lead drug-distribution efforts. Barbosa not only enlisted CT gang members to help deal cocaine base and fentanyl, but also hired Vermonters for the task. Barbosa trafficked 'large quantities of drugs', using a driver to transport some items. Drugs were reportedly dealt from Oak Street, Birge Street, Elliot Street and Linden Street. 'Numerous firearms' were also traded for drugs, including guns that had been used in Hartford shootings. Barbosa's involvement in this conspiracy took place between March 2020 and October 2023. She pleaded guilty on October 15, 2024, and has been detained since. Barbosa was sentenced to 10.5 years imprisonment Tuesday, with a three-year supervised release term. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The National
7 days ago
- Politics
- The National
Anas Sarwar gets Hamilton by-election candidate's name wrong
Scottish Labour's candidate Davy Russell has come under fierce criticism as he has failed to speak with media outlets during his campaign for the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse Holyrood by-election. Sarwar attempted to defend Russell while being interviewed on BBC Scotland's Good Morning Scotland (GMS) show after the Labour candidate refused to join the rest of the other party candidates for the by-election on the programme on Tuesday morning. GMS host Gary Robertson quizzed Sarwar about why Russell, who didn't partake in a hustings in Hamilton on Tuesday night and is reportedly also not attending a live debate on STV, appears to be avoiding all media outlets during his campaign. Robertson said: 'We invited the candidates for this upcoming by-election onto the program yesterday, but your candidate didn't come. Why not?' Sarwar replied: 'That's a matter for the campaign team and the campaign.' The Scottish Labour leader went on to claim that Russell (left) had done media interviews and that he has more planned in the future. (Image: Jane Barlow) However, Robertson further called out Sarwar as he asked: 'But you understand what the issue here is, that many of your opponents believe that he is running scared. 'That actually when it comes to appearing on programmes like this, he's just not available.' Sarwar replied: 'Well, I just don't accept that because Davy Hamilton – Davy Russell – sorry, is the only candidate that lives in Hamilton, Lark and Stonehouse." He continued: 'I would advise any TV producer, any candidate, go and chap the doors and ask them who they've heard of and who they believe in, and I'm telling you people will say, Davy Russell, he's a fantastic local candidate.' Sarwar's excuses were called out by members of the Scottish media. The National contributor Gerry Hassan said Sarwar's pointing to the campaign team for Russell's failure to speak to the media was an "abdication of leadership", while the Scottish Daily Mail's Tom Gordon called it a "farce". During the interview Sarwar went on to say he would challenge Nigel Farage 'anytime, anyplace' as a row sparked by a 'racist' Reform UK advert rages on. READ MORE: Nigel Farage accuses Anas Sarwar of 'sectarianism' as he doubles down on 'racist' ad Farage, the Reform UK leader, played the online ad at a press conference in London on Tuesday, before claiming the Scottish Labour leader had 'introduced sectarianism into Scottish politics'. The attack prompted Sarwar to brand the MP a 'poisonous man who doesn't understand Scotland'. Now the Scottish Labour leader has said he will 'challenge' Farage (below) on his views, going on to insist: 'The people of Scotland will utterly reject him.' (Image: Dan Kitwood/Getty) His comments came amid speculation that Farage could visit Scotland in the run-up to next Thursday's Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse Holyrood by-election. Sarwar told BBC Radio Scotland's GMS programme: 'This man has no idea where Hamilton is. I've been in Hamilton most days, I know other political parties have been in Hamilton a lot. 'What I suggest to Nigel Farage is he should ask his chauffeur to put Hamilton into Google Maps. 'Come up here. I'll challenge him anytime, any place, in Hamilton, any town hall, and he can challenge me on my views, I'll challenge him on his views, and you can see that the people of Scotland will utterly reject him, because he can't win there and he can't win in Scotland. 'This man wants to pretend he's a great champion of working people across our country.'
Daily Record
7 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
Anas Sarwar challenges Nigel Farage to a debate after 'racist' by-election advert row
The Scottish Labour leader stepped up his attack on the right wing politician after Reform UK said he will "prioritise" Pakistani communities Anas Sarwar has challenged Nigel Farage to a by-election debate in the wake of claims Reform UK released a 'racist' advert about him. The Scottish Labour leader said Farage should get his chauffeur to put "Hamilton into Google Maps' and agree to the showdown. The Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse turned ugly last week after Reform's online attack ad, a story broken by the Record. The post included an image of Sarwar next to the words: "Anas Sarwar has said he will prioritise the Pakistani community." It then cut to a video of the Glasgow MSP telling an audience in 2022: 'The days where South Asian political communities get to lead political parties and get to lead countries is now upon is.' However, Sarwar did not say he would 'prioritise' the Pakistani community. At a press conference in London, the Reform UK leader played a clip of the advert and tried to blame Sarwar: "So it was Anas Sarwar that introduced sectarianism into Scottish politics. Making it perfectly clear his priority was to a certain section of the community.' Sarwar, who branded the advert 'blatantly racist', has taken aim at Farage again. On BBC Scotland 's GMS programme, he said: "This man has no idea where Hamilton is. I've been in Hamilton most days. I know other political parties have been in Hamilton a lot. 'So what I suggest to Nigel Farage is he should ask his chauffeur to put Hamilton into Google Maps. Come up here. I'll challenge him any time, any place in Hamilton, any town hall, and he can challenge me on my views. I'll challenge him on his views. And you can see that the people of Scotland will utterly reject him.' Asked about the claim he will 'prioritise' Pakistanis, he said: 'As someone that has been in Scottish politics for 15 years, served all communities of all faiths and backgrounds, to hear that is utterly ridiculous. "I'm seeking to be Scotland's First Minister, [a] First Minister that wants to serve every part of our country and every person in our country.' He also dismissed Farage as a 'pathetic, poisonous little man' who wants to use 'divisive rhetoric to spread fear and division'. Separately, Sarwar was also challenged on claims Labour by-election candidate Davy Russell has been hiding from the media. A number of candidates appeared on GMS earlier this week, but Russell was absent. He also said he will not appear on an STV candidates' debate on Monday. Sarwar said about Russell not appearing on the BBC show: "That's a matter for the campaign team and the campaign diary." In a tweet yesterday, SNP First Minister Swinney also criticised Farage: "There must be absolutely no place for racism in Scotland. @AnasSarwar is a political rival of mine but he shouldn't be subjected to race-baiting attacks. Farage has done more than anyone else to demonise minorities and inflame tensions. It must stop.' The SNP and Labour were believed to be in a two horse race in the by-election, but campaign sources in both parties say Reform are also in with a chance. The by-election takes place on June 5th.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Hartford woman sentenced in Vermont for drug trafficking
BURLINGTON, Vt. (WTNH) — A Hartford woman was sentenced to 126 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, last week for her role in drug trafficking in Battleboro, Vermont. Linoshka Barbosa, 25, also known as Lily and Lilz, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, crack cocaine and powder cocaine, and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. She has been detained since her guilty plea on Oct. 15, 2024. Waterbury man sentenced to 5 years for role in drug trafficking ring According to evidence and testimony, Barbosa was a member of the Hartford-based gang, 'GMS' and one of the leaders of a drug distribution operation in the Battleboro area involving cocaine, cocaine base, fentanyl, and numerous firearms between March 2020-Oct. 2023. Barbosa often used a driver from a ride-hailing company to transport large quantities of narcotics to Battleboro. She hired several people in Vermont and enlisted several other gang members from Connecticut to assist her in Vermont and the group dealt drugs from various locations. Barbosa and her associates traded drugs for guns, and some of those guns were used in shootings in Hartford, including a double homicide in August 2023. On March 30, 2023, a man was shot during a drug dispute at 14 Birge Street in Brattleboro. An investigation later revealed that Elias Lopez, a member of the conspiracy along with Barbosa, was involved in the shooting. Lopez has since pleaded guilty in state court for his role in the shooting, and will be sentenced in federal court on June 2. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
