Latest news with #Pregabalin
Daily Tribune
17-05-2025
- Daily Tribune
Fatal sea crash case deepens: drugs, forged meds and fishing violations
A forensic toxicology review has been ordered by the Lower Criminal Court in connection with a deadly boat crash off the coast of Bahrain that left two men dead near Al-Muharraq Island. One of the boats involved was later towed ashore at Malkiya, where a body was discovered onboard. A second victim was found near the Budaiya slipway. The court has instructed the Public Prosecution to secure an expert report from the state's toxicology lab as part of the ongoing investigation. Three men — a Bahraini national and two men of Asian nationality — stand accused in the case, which has since expanded to include allegations of drug use, poor safety protocols, and unauthorised fishing. The first defendant has been released on BD100 bail, while the other two remain in custody. Prosecutors allege the Bahraini defendant caused the deaths through reckless boat operation while under the influence of drugs. He also faces additional charges for possessing Pregabalin without a medical permit and failing to equip the vessel with basic safety gear. Authorities said the boat had no life jackets, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, identification system, or working navigation lights. All three men have also been charged with bottom trawling in Bahraini waters using banned 'Karaf ' fishing nets. Meanwhile, the two Asian nationals face further charges related to overstaying their residency permits. During the trial, defence lawyer Hussain Jawad argued that his client had not consumed any banned substances. He said the man suffers from chronic disc-related back pain and regularly takes prescribed medication. While on a trip to Saudi Arabia to purchase engine oil, the defendant reportedly experienced pain and visited a pharmacy in Dammam, a visit Jawad claims is supported by mobile phone records. The pharmacist gave him medication to ease the discomfort, unaware that the pills may have contained Pregabalin. Jawad suggested that the substance detected in his client's system could have been a legally prescribed painkiller, and called for further lab testing and full access to the toxicology findings. An officer from the Maritime Safety Directorate testified that his review of witness statements, technical documents, and scene reports failed to establish who was at fault. He added that electronic tracking data was outdated and offered no clear record of either vessel's movements on the day of the crash. Only one version of events had been documented, with no supporting evidence. In his expert opinion, both parties bore equal responsibility for the fatal incident. The court has adjourned the case pending submission of the toxicology report and additional evidence.
Gulf Insider
17-05-2025
- Gulf Insider
Bahrain: Fatal Sea Crash Case Deepens, Drugs, Forged Meds And Fishing Violations
A forensic toxicology review has been ordered by the Lower Criminal Court in connection with a deadly boat crash off the coast of Bahrain that left two men dead near Al-Muharraq Island. One of the boats involved was later towed ashore at Malkiya, where a body was discovered onboard. A second victim was found near the Budaiya slipway. The court has instructed the Public Prosecution to secure an expert report from the state's toxicology lab as part of the ongoing investigation. Three men a Bahraini national and two men of Asian nationality – stand accused in the case, which has since expanded to include allegations of drug use, poor safety protocols, and unauthorised fishing. The first defendant has been released on BD100 bail, while the other two remain in custody. Prosecutors allege the Bahraini defendant caused the deaths through reckless boat operation while under the influence of drugs. He also faces additional charges for possessing Pregabalin without a medical permit and failing to equip the vessel with basic safety gear. Authorities said the boat had no a jackets, fire extinguisher, first ai identification system, or working navigation lights. All three men have also been charged with bottom trawling in Bahraini waters using banned 'Karaf ' fishing nets. Meanwhile, the two Asian nationals face further charges related to overstaying their residency permits. During the trial, defence lawyer Hussain Jawad argued that his client had not consumed any banned substances. He said the man suffers from chronic disc-related back pain and regularly takes prescribed medication. While on a trip to Saudi Arabia to purchase engine oil, the defendant reportedly experienced pain and visited a pharmacy in Dammam, a visit Jawad claims is supported by mobile phone records. The pharmacist gave him medication to ease the discomfort, unaware that the pills may have contained Pregabalin. Jawad suggested that the substance detected in his client's system could have been a legally prescribed painkiller, and called for further lab testing and full access to the toxicology findings. An officer from the Maritime Safety Directorate testified that his review of witness statements, technical documents, and scene reports failed to establish who was at fault. He added that electronic tracking data was outdated and offered no clear record of either vessel's movements on the day of the crash. Only one version of events had been documented, with no supporting evidence. In his expert opinion, both parties bore equal responsibility for the fatal incident. The court has adjourned the case pending submission of the toxicology report and additional evidence.
Glasgow Times
10-05-2025
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow man tried to smuggle drugs into Barlinnie in snack packet
Ross Loen went to the East End jail at noon on October 12, 2023, to visit an inmate. In the visiting room, an employee watched as the 28-year-old bought a snack from a vending machine, took out an unknown bag from his person and put it inside the packaging. He then gave this snack packet to the prisoner. A worker approached Loen and took away the item, with the suspicious package inside. The Summerston resident was taken to another room as police were called. When they arrived, he was cautioned, arrested and taken to London Road station. In the bag, five grams of white powder was found - later identified as Pregabalin - along with Itozolam tablets. READ NEXT: Glasgow English teacher boasted about the size of his manhood, court hears Loen appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court this week after he pleaded guilty to attempting to bring the substances to the facility. The court heard that the drugs' value in prison could be three to five times the street value. The pills were estimated to be worth £90-100, while the value of the Pregabalin could not be provided because it was in powder form. Loen's lawyer said: "He recognises this is a serious matter. He had significant debt to drug dealers. He had to carry out this exercise to deal with this and he stupidly did." Sheriff Joanna McDonald reiterated: "This is a serious matter and the value of any drugs in a prison setting is higher than on the streets." Loen was tagged for three months, forcing him to stay at him between 7pm and 7am each day.
Daily Record
02-05-2025
- Daily Record
Drug dealers caught with cocaine in coat pockets, pills in pants and cash in socks
Harley Tucker, who was armed with a machete, and Carl Burton have been jailed after being caught. A pair of drug dealers were found to have drugs and cash stashed on them after being stopped by cops - who saw a gang chasing a man while out on patrol. Officers spotted Harley Tucker, who was armed with a machete, and Carl Burton tailing the man and gave chase. Tucker threw a balaclava away during the pursuit. But officers caught up with the teenager and discovered Pregabalin tablets and cannabis. A strip search later revealed more Pregabalin tablets stashed in his boxer shorts. Text messages on the 18-year-old's phone showed details of his latest drug deals. When Burton was caught, he told the police: "I have some gas in my pocket." He had incapacitant spray and his coat pockets contained £1,750 worth of cocaine on the day in question, October 5, 2024, Teesside Live reports. The patrolling police officers had seen a group of five or six men chase another man through the streets of Stockton, County Durham. Burton had been arrested months earlier, after he sped away from the police in a black Vauxhall Astra, on August 20, last year. Teesside Crown Court has heard that he had no lights on, when police tried to stop him, but that he drove down Grays Road in Stockton. A car mounted the pavement to avoid crashing into Burton, as he went around a roundabout the wrong way. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. When he was stopped, police found a machete on the passenger seat and tests revealed he had taken cocaine and cannabis. On Thursday, the court heard that Tucker had been released on bail for his drug dealing, when police spotted him behind the wheel. He was driving a Volkswagen Golf, on March 27. He was disqualified from driving at the time. In his tracksuit pockets, Tucker had stashed a balaclava and £500 in cash. He had two knives; £1,400 worth of cocaine and three phones on him. A strip search revealed more cash stuffed in his socks and Pregabalin down his boxer shorts. Burton, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to a string of offences at earlier hearing. He admitted: the possession of a class A drug with intent to supply the possession of a weapon designed to discharge noxious liquid or gas dangerous driving; driving with no insurance; drug driving the possession of an offensive weapon Tucker, of Cheshire Road in Norton, Stockton, pleaded guilty to: the possession of a class A and C drugs with intent to supply the possession of class B and C drugs two counts of possessing a bladed article in public the possession of criminal property driving while disqualified Both men appeared in court on video link from Holme House Prison. Mitigating for Burton, Dan Wilberforce told the court that his client has a drug addiction, depression and anxiety, "and he suspects he has ADHD". "He grew up in an unstable environment, where his sister looked after him and his dad was an alcoholic. He attended a specialist school because of his behavioural issues," Mr Wilberforce. He stated that Burton had told him that this was the first time he had sold drugs and that every time he leaves prison, "he is released onto the streets. He is banned from staying with his sister because he is a drug user and she has children. Mitigating for Tucker, Gary Wood told the court that his client was previously a victim of modern slavery"although he doesn't view himself as being exploited." Mr Wood said that Tucker struggles with drug addiction and anger management. Judge Richard Bennett jailed Burton for 54-months; Tucker was locked up for 30-months.
Indian Express
02-05-2025
- Indian Express
Gujarat FDCA seizes 1 tonne of Pregabalin API ‘being traded without licence'
The Gujarat Food and Drugs Control Administration (FDCA) on Thursday said they have seized 1,000 kg of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) Pregabalin, used in the production of medicines used for treatment of various neurological disorders, that was being traded in bulk across several firms without any valid licence. The seized API is worth Rs 21.50 lakh, they added. Gujarat FDCA Commissioner Dr HG Koshia said that M/s Esteem Enterprises, Ahmedabad, which is trading in API, was raided and evidence of sale of 4,300 kg of Pregabalin worth approximately Rs 85 lakh, was found. Investigation into the dealing of this company then took the FDCA investigators to those allegedly manufacturing these APIs. Pravin Patel, the owner of Axis Pharmachem, and Bhavesh, a partner in Iconic Pharmachem, and others,were found to be manufacturing Pregabalin in their chemical factory in Panoli village of Ankleshwar taluka in Bharuch district, despite not having any kind of licence to manufacture drugs, according to a press note by FDCA. Further, the FDCA statement said that testing of this product was conducted by Biochrome Analytical Lab, Ankleshwar, Bharuch, despite not having any kind of licence, and that it was sending test reports to them through WhatsApp without keeping any legal documents. Upon further investigation in this case, the authorities came to know that M/s Esteem Enterprise, Ahmedabad, had opened a branch in Bharuch and was selling API Pregabalin and other API chemicals without any kind of licence, and was selling API in large quantities, the statement read. Several samples of the API have been sent to the drug-testing lab in Vadodara. Further investigation is underway.
