Latest news with #JamesJohnson
Cision Canada
a day ago
- Cision Canada
Police have a busy winter at the Cornwall border
CORNWALL, ON, /CNW/ - Between January 1, 2025 and April 1, 2025, the Ontario RCMP Border Integrity team and its partners in the Cornwall region, laid multiple charges and seized a total of $561,568 worth of contraband tobacco products. The RCMP allege that several individuals have attempted to smuggle unstamped tobacco, cigarettes, cigars and nicotine pouches which are being unlawfully imported for unregulated resale in convenience stores and other retail outlets into Ontario. The Cornwall Regional Task Force (CRTF) is a joint task force made up of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), and the Ontario Ministry of Finance. We work closely with our trusted Canadian and US partners to combat crime on both sides of the border. On January 7 th, a CBSA led initiative partnering with the Cornwall Regional Task Force (CRTF) stopped a vehicle under Section 99(1)(f) of the Customs Act and a search of the vehicle found 28 boxes of unstamped tobacco with a total of 280,000 cigarettes. Driver James Johnson (34 yrs.), from Saint Regis, QC was charged with Possession of Unstamped Tobacco under Section 32(1) of the Excise Act, 2001 and Operation while Prohibited under Section 320.18 of the Criminal Code. Passenger Dylan David (35 yrs.), from Hogansburg, NY was charged with Possession of Unstamped Tobacco under Section 32(1) of the Excise Act, 2001 and Section 4(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) for Possession of a Schedule 1 Drug - Fentanyl. On January 12 th, a vehicle was examined by the CBSA under Section 99(1)(f) of the Customs Act and found to contain 9,360 unstamped cigars. Nadir Khedidem (23 yrs.), from Mirabel, QC was charged by the RCMP pursuant to Section 32(1) of the Excise Act, 2001 and was convicted. On January 16 th, two vehicles that had crossed the Cornwall border were stopped and searched under Section 99(1)(f) of the Customs Act and a total of 18 cases of nicotine pouches, for a total of 36,000 pouches were seized. Reese Hitterman-Carr (24 yrs.) from Lancaster, ON and Adam Bomberry (31 yrs.) from Akwesasne, NY were arrested and charged under Sections 155 and 159 (1) of the Customs Act. On January 27 th, Lawrence Oakes (22 yrs) from Cornwall was arrested by Cornwall RCMP after fleeing from a secondary examination by CBSA officers at the border and striking a marked Police vehicle. Oakes is charged with Assaulting a Police Officer with a weapon, Dangerous Driving, Flight from Police and Fail to Comply to Release Order. In late February, a CBSA led initiative partnering with the CRTF collaborated to arrest, Robert Green (32 yrs.), from Ohsweken, ON under Sections 155 and 159(1) of the Customs Act and Section 32(1) of the Excise Act, 2001 for possession of 37,000 nicotine pouches, 7200 cigars and 1440 ounces of chewing tobacco for a total of $294,560. Green was released on an undertaking andappeared in court on May 20 th. On February 26 th a CBSA led initiative partnering with the CRTF spotted three individuals behind a restaurant in Cornwall where they were allegedly exchanging nicotine pouches from the trunks of their vehicles. RCMP arrested all three males on Customs Act charges and seized over $ 160 Thousand dollars' worth of nicotine pouches. Nasim El Bendago (22 yrs.) from Gatineau, QC, Zahir Taskie (20 yrs.) from Orleans, ON, and Mark Wesley (24 yrs.) from Scarborough, ON were arrested under Sections 155 and 159(1) of the Customs Act for possession of these nicotine pouches. Wesley also faces charges for possession for the purpose of trafficking under Section 5 (2) of the CDSA. All three were released on undertakings and will appear in court on June 3 rd. On February 24 th, Megan Morin (22 yrs.) from Longueuil, QC was found with a total of 255 cartons of illegal cigars which was seized from the trunk of the vehicle she was driving. Morin was charged with Possession of Unstamped Tobacco, contrary to Section 32(1) of the Excise Act, 2001, released on an undertaking and was convicted on May 7 th. In March, law enforcement seized 3,122 tins of flavoured nicotine pouches from a driver allegedly attempting to illegally import them across the Cornwall border. The male driver was arrested initially under Sections 155 and 159(1) of the Customs Act, however, has subsequently been released without charges. On March 8 th, a traffic stop led the OPP and RCMP to an observation of a total of 2,532 tins of Unstamped Tobacco valued at over $56,000 which was seized immediately. The driver, Asiful Haque (27 yrs.) from Scarborough, ON was arrested under Section 32(1) of the Excise Act, 2001 for Unlawful Possession of Unstamped Tobacco. Haque was released on bail and is scheduled to appear in court on May 29 th. "Thanks to the CBSA, OPP, OPP-BEST, Ontario Ministry of Finance, and Cornwall RCMP for their dedicated collaboration which continues to produce successful results, taking contraband, including nicotine pouches, off our streets." — Inspector Etienne Thauvette, Officer in Charge RCMP Cornwall Detachment "Canada Border Services Agency officers are committed to disrupting organized crime. By intercepting contraband, we stop proceeds from being reinvested into other criminal activity. We will continue to work closely with the RCMP and other law enforcement partners to keep our communities safe." — Jag Johnston, Regional Director General, CBSA Northern Ontario Region "The OPP is committed to working with our provincial and national partners to stem the flow of contraband tobacco, as well as illegal drugs and firearms, contributing to safer communities." – OPP Acting Detective Inspector Tyler Stewart, Border Enforcement Security Task Force Product Seized Vehicles seized Fast facts: Ontario RCMP Border Integrity protect over 2,700km of the Canada-US border from Cornwall through the Great Lakes to the Manitoba border. The Canada-US border is the longest, safest border in the world. Oral nicotine pouches over the 4mg limit as per the Food and Drugs Act are classified as prescription drugs as per Health Canada's prescription drug list. No person other than one of following shall import a prescription drug: a practitioner, a drug manufacturer, a wholesale druggist, a pharmacist or a resident of a foreign country while a visitor to Canada (policy of a 90-day supply). Its effects are widespread, impacting public health, public safety, government revenue, and the broader economy. Revenues from contraband tobacco often support organized crime activities, such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, and firearms smuggling. Smuggling networks engage in violent activities and corruption, increasing risks to the public and law enforcement agencies. The Canada Border Services Agency screens goods coming into Canada and examines more closely those that may pose a threat to the safety of Canadians. For the latest enforcement statistics, visit Canada Border Services Agency seizures. If you have any information related to smuggling, drug importation, trafficking, or possession, or wish to report other criminality, you can contact the Ontario RCMP at 1-800-387-0020, the confidential CBSA Border Watch toll-free line at 1-888-502-9060 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), at any time. Canada Border Services Agency Media Relations [email protected] Media Line: 1-877-761-5945 or 613-957-6500 Website: Twitter: @CanBorder Facebook: CanBorder Instagram: CanBorder YouTube: CanBorder SOURCE Royal Canadian Mounted Police - Central Region
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Football Australia get right coach in Joe Montemurro, but why did it take so long?
The appointment of Joe Montemurro as Tony Gustavsson's full-time successor on Monday ended a protracted, near year-long search that began when the Swede's contract expired following the Paris Olympics. Eventually, Football Australia got their man. And given the contradictory task that awaits the incoming coach, they probably couldn't have done better. Related: Joe Montemurro unveiled as new Matildas coach by Football Australia Advertisement As inevitable as it is to be forgotten in the hullabaloo as next year's Asian Cup approaches, Montemurro's tenure will be defined by significantly different expectations and circumstances than those faced by his predecessor. While Gustavsson was, in the words of outgoing chief executive James Johnson, a 'tournament coach' recruited to guide a golden generation to tournament success, the landscape greeting Montemurro has shifted. He inherits a team that has simultaneously had base expectations elevated by gilded heroes, many of whom are still in place but with the soil of generational change needing to be tilled. It's a role in which judgment will be immediate, but a true picture of his tenure won't emerge for years. Results reflective of the Matildas' status as an Asian power with designs on catching Japan will be demanded. That is not unfair. For all their success as changemakers and as the buttress of FA's balance sheets, winning was always this side's raison d'être. Japan will enter next year's Asian Cup as heavy favourites, , but it is not unreasonable to expect a talented team that finished fourth at the World Cup to go far in a tournament on home soil. Yet this needs to be balanced with a vision for what comes after a core playing group that has been in place for over a decade departs. A new generation won't just need to be exposed to the senior setup. They will, with the 2027 World Cup and 2028 Olympics approaching, begin to provide more starting players. Close cooperation with junior national teams and the A-League Women will be needed, tough calls will need to be made over ageing players, and greater jeopardy must be injected into squad selection. Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord, Katrina Gorry and Sam Kerr cannot play forever. Given this high-wire act – maintaining results while also embracing the grind of becoming 'head coach of the Matildas programme' – attracting top-drawer international talent was always going to be difficult. That is only compounded by the challenges associated with coaching a nation located a day's journey from football's epicentre, and one that does not possess the same level of prestige as major European or North American countries. Indeed, if Montemurro weren't Australian, it would be difficult to envisage him prematurely leaving a contract with superpower Lyon. Advertisement But he is Australian, which has helped FA land a coach who has a trophy cabinet laden with silverware earned across Australia, England, Italy and France. The former Brunswick Juventus midfielder has a vision of the style he wants his teams to play, and combines established relationships with members of the existing squad with a deep connection to Australian football and its pathways. Scrutiny will be important as there are questions; his record in major knockout fixtures is one, but others, such as the attrition that befell his small squads at Arsenal, will potentially be masked by a shift from club to international football. FA seems to have hit on the right outcome by appointing Montemurro. But unfortunately, the process that landed them here was anything but well executed – with potential flow-on effects for his tenure. By the time their new coach takes up his position, the Matildas will have logged five camps under Sermanni and played 13 games – crucial contact hours Montemurro won't get. The interim coach has done his best to blood new talent and prepare for the Asian Cup during this time, but the nature of his stop-gap role placed limitations on what he could do. This was obvious at SheBelieves Cup in January, when the extent to which their rivals were accelerating away while the Matildas sat in coaching purgatory was laid bare. Related: Matildas' European conquerors inspire new generation in Argentina win Advertisement Having allowed Gustavsson's contract to expire, his exit should have been well forecast by FA, something Johnson hinted at when he described himself as being 'comfortable' soon after. Meanwhile, it was May last year that Montemurro was a free agent – he signed with Lyon in June – and had a big come and get me banner effectively floating over the top of his head when back in Australia. And yet, somehow, it has taken nearly a year for the two to come together. Given his broader remit and that the Asian Cup takes place in less than a year, a fair assessment of Montemurro should, short of disaster, look beyond that tournament and towards his effort to oversee generational renewal during the 2027 and 2028 campaigns. But a home tournament, after the magic of 2023, likely doesn't afford that luxury, and the limited preparation he will get is a rod FA has built for the Matildas' back.
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Football Australia get right coach in Joe Montemurro, but why did it take so long?
The appointment of Joe Montemurro as Tony Gustavsson's full-time successor on Monday ended a protracted, near year-long search that began when the Swede's contract expired following the Paris Olympics. Eventually, Football Australia got their man. And given the contradictory task that awaits the incoming coach, they probably couldn't have done better. As inevitable as it is to be forgotten in the hullabaloo as next year's Asian Cup approaches, Montemurro's tenure will be defined by significantly different expectations and circumstances than those faced by his predecessor. While Gustavsson was, in the words of outgoing chief executive James Johnson, a 'tournament coach' recruited to guide a golden generation to tournament success, the landscape greeting Montemurro has shifted. He inherits a team that has simultaneously had base expectations elevated by gilded heroes, many of whom are still in place but with the soil of generational change needing to be tilled. It's a role in which judgment will be immediate, but a true picture of his tenure won't emerge for years. Results reflective of the Matildas' status as an Asian power with designs on catching Japan will be demanded. That is not unfair. For all their success as changemakers and as the buttress of FA's balance sheets, winning was always this side's raison d'être. Japan will enter next year's Asian Cup as heavy favourites, , but it is not unreasonable to expect a talented team that finished fourth at the World Cup to go far in a tournament on home soil. Yet this needs to be balanced with a vision for what comes after a core playing group that has been in place for over a decade departs. A new generation won't just need to be exposed to the senior setup. They will, with the 2027 World Cup and 2028 Olympics approaching, begin to provide more starting players. Close cooperation with junior national teams and the A-League Women will be needed, tough calls will need to be made over ageing players, and greater jeopardy must be injected into squad selection. Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord, Katrina Gorry and Sam Kerr cannot play forever. Given this high-wire act – maintaining results while also embracing the grind of becoming 'head coach of the Matildas programme' – attracting top-drawer international talent was always going to be difficult. That is only compounded by the challenges associated with coaching a nation located a day's journey from football's epicentre, and one that does not possess the same level of prestige as major European or North American countries. Indeed, if Montemurro weren't Australian, it would be difficult to envisage him prematurely leaving a contract with superpower Lyon. But he is Australian, which has helped FA land a coach who has a trophy cabinet laden with silverware earned across Australia, England, Italy and France. The former Brunswick Juventus midfielder has a vision of the style he wants his teams to play, and combines established relationships with members of the existing squad with a deep connection to Australian football and its pathways. Scrutiny will be important as there are questions; his record in major knockout fixtures is one, but others, such as the attrition that befell his small squads at Arsenal, will potentially be masked by a shift from club to international football. FA seems to have hit on the right outcome by appointing Montemurro. But unfortunately, the process that landed them here was anything but well executed – with potential flow-on effects for his tenure. By the time their new coach takes up his position, the Matildas will have logged five camps under Sermanni and played 13 games – crucial contact hours Montemurro won't get. The interim coach has done his best to blood new talent and prepare for the Asian Cup during this time, but the nature of his stop-gap role placed limitations on what he could do. This was obvious at SheBelieves Cup in January, when the extent to which their rivals were accelerating away while the Matildas sat in coaching purgatory was laid bare. Sign up to Moving the Goalposts No topic is too small or too big for us to cover as we deliver a twice-weekly roundup of the wonderful world of women's football after newsletter promotion Having allowed Gustavsson's contract to expire, his exit should have been well forecast by FA, something Johnson hinted at when he described himself as being 'comfortable' soon after. Meanwhile, it was May last year that Montemurro was a free agent – he signed with Lyon in June – and had a big come and get me banner effectively floating over the top of his head when back in Australia. And yet, somehow, it has taken nearly a year for the two to come together. Given his broader remit and that the Asian Cup takes place in less than a year, a fair assessment of Montemurro should, short of disaster, look beyond that tournament and towards his effort to oversee generational renewal during the 2027 and 2028 campaigns. But a home tournament, after the magic of 2023, likely doesn't afford that luxury, and the limited preparation he will get is a rod FA has built for the Matildas' back.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
SEC Powerhouse Emerges As Leader For Nation's No. 1 DL
SEC Powerhouse Emerges As Leader For Nation's No. 1 DL originally appeared on Athlon Sports. A leader has emerged for class of 2026 four-star defensive lineman James Johnson as he takes multiple official visits over the summer. Advertisement Johnson (6-foot-2.5, 285 pounds) plays for Northwestern High School in Cape Coral, Florida. The highly-coveted recruit ranks as the No. 1 defensive lineman, the No. 3 player in the state and the No. 15 recruit overall in his class (On3). Despite missing time with a knee injury, Johnson posted 60 tackles (29 for loss) with five sacks as a junior in 2024. Johnson is one of the many high-profile recruits visiting Georgia over the weekend, and it's the Bulldogs that are the current favorite to land his commitment, according to On3's Steve Wiltfong. Georgia coach Kirby Smart leads his team onto the field before the start of the SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz L. Jones / USA TODAY NETWORK Illinois and Penn State hosted Johnson on official visits in May. He also plans to visit Syracuse, Miami, Florida and Florida State before finishing out the summer back at Georgia on June 20. Advertisement "I feel like Georgia has led for much of this year in his process," Wiltfong said. "Miami, Florida and Syracuse are some of the other heavy hitters ... But coach Trey Scott, Georgia's defense, style of play, culture are all things that have resonated with him. Georgia has been the leader in this recruitment." Head coach Kirby Smart and position coach Trey Scott have recruited among the best along the defensive line. UGA's 2025 class featured No. 1 defensive lineman Elijah Griffin, and NFL stars like Jalen Carter, Travon Walker and Jordan Davis are a testament to the development in Athens. The Bulldogs do have some stiff competition for Johnson, though, and nothing is certain at this point in his recruitment. Related: Georgia, Kirby Smart Land Four-Star Legacy Recruit On Saturday Related: Nation's No. 1 QB Reacts To 5-Star Wide Receiver's Visit To Georgia This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 31, 2025, where it first appeared.
News.com.au
23-05-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Football Australia confirms $8.5 million deficit despite growth in revenue
Football Australia's $8.5 million loss has angered chairman Anter Isaac, who has demanded improvement as part of the sport's national governing body's commitment to 'cost efficiency' and 'operational effectiveness'. The substantial loss for 2024 was confirmed at Friday afternoon's FA annual general meeting, where Isaac was unanimously re-elected as chairman. 'We are not satisfied and look towards continued improvement,' Isaac said. 'That is our obligation to grassroots football and all our football stakeholders.' Despite the $8.5 million deficit, confirmation has come after James Johnson's sudden resignation as FA chief executive officer earlier this month – FA's revenue grew to $124 million in 2024. 'While we are happy with this, we believe that there continue to be opportunities to increase the value of our brands and commercial activities to help reinvestment into our game from national teams and especially to the grassroots,' Isaac said in his chairman's report. 'The past year has been one of strategic renewal and disciplined ambition. Though it all, our focus remains clear – to build a football ecosystem that is united, resilient and ready for the future.' Isaac said Johnson's interim replacement, Matildas great Heather Garriock brought 'an unmatched passion for the game, deep football knowledge, executive acumen and a clear vision for the future'. 'We are confident in her ability to lead Football Australia with strength, unity and a mindset of service that reflects the values of our entire football family,' he said of Garriock, Isaac FA's 'priorities' were clear.
