Latest news with #drugcrimes
BBC News
5 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Police action on Bude properties at centre of crime issues
Closure orders have been secured for two Cornish properties at the centre of alleged drug crimes and anti-social and Cornwall Police said the orders for the buildings on Berries Avenue in Bude had been granted after officers received reports of suspected drug dealing, drug-related violence and anti-social force said reports included people visiting the properties at all hours of the day including some who had taken drugs, which led to further orders make it an offence for anyone to enter either address for three months. PC Nina Sargent said the issues involving the two properties had a "significant detrimental impact" on the local added: "Everyone deserves to live in peace and without fear of crime. "This type of criminal behaviour will not be tolerated and we will continue to take action against those responsible."A police spokesperson said the tenants of the properties had been signposted to necessary support services and officers would work with them while the orders are active to ensure future crime prevention.
Malay Mail
6 days ago
- General
- Malay Mail
Death penalty looms for American, Kazakhs over Bali drug charges, say Indonesian authorities
DENPASAR, June 5 — An American man and two Kazakh nationals face the death penalty for alleged drug crimes on the popular Indonesian resort island of Bali, authorities said Thursday, the latest cases in a nation with some of the world's toughest narcotics laws. Indonesia hands out severe punishments for drug smuggling and has previously executed foreigners, but has upheld a moratorium on the death sentence since 2017. American national William Wallace Molyneaux was arrested on May 23, allegedly carrying seven packages containing 99 pills of amphetamine, Bali's narcotics agency told reporters in Denpasar. Molyneaux has multiple charges levelled against him including distributing drugs, which carries the maximum penalty of death by execution. Two Kazakh men were also arrested in April with around 49 grams of crystal meth, allegedly intending to drop it off as part of a drug deal. They were accused of transacting drugs, a charge that carries the death sentence as the maximum penalty. The American and Kazakh embassies in Jakarta did not immediately respond to AFP's requests for comment. The narcotics agency said it had uncovered 15 drug cases in Bali between April and May, resulting in 21 arrests including five foreigners. The other cases include an Australian man who was arrested with nearly 200 grams of hashish and 92 grams of THC in Denpasar and an Indian man caught with 488 grams of marijuana at Bali's international airport. Both face hefty prison terms. The latest cases come after the trial of three Brits began on Tuesday, all accused of smuggling drugs or taking part in a drugs deal, leaving them also facing the death penalty. The British embassy in Jakarta said London's policy on the death penalty was to be opposed 'in all circumstances, as a matter of principle'. It said diplomats had 'made representations about the use of the death penalty to the Indonesian government at the highest levels'. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto's administration has moved in recent months to repatriate several high-profile inmates, all sentenced for drug offences, back to their home countries. According to Indonesia's Ministry of Immigration and Corrections, more than 90 foreigners were on death row, all on drug charges. — AFP
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Yahoo
Friend who was with man fatally shot by Boise police in 2023 is sentenced
Two summers ago, Boise police officers approached Mario Garza and Payton Wasson as part of an investigation involving possible drug crimes and gang activity, and Wasson took off running while holding a gun. Police fatally shot him, sparking protests and questions about lethal force policies. Garza was arrested for alleged possession of fentanyl pills, according to previous Idaho Statesman reporting. On Friday, just blocks away from the site of the shooting, Garza was sentenced to four years fixed and six years indeterminate for possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, meaning he could be eligible for parole after 48 months. The prosecution sought to paint Garza as a gang member with a troubling history, while the defense said Garza has shown remorse and been working in the kitchen as a jail inmate. 'I've never been able to see my part in things I've done in life,' Garza said, sitting with his lawyers and wearing a white Ada County Jail sweatshirt. 'I've made excuses to justify my actions.' Garza, 28, of Kuna, was initially charged with two counts of possession with intent to deliver and an enhancement charge, according to court records. He was acquitted of the second possession charge and the enhancement was dropped. The defense asked for a seven-year sentence with just two years fixed, and for Garza to be placed in a rider program. The prosecution asked for at least 10 years fixed, with 20 years indeterminate. Judge James Cawthon said Garza expressed similar sentiments about his behavior at past sentencings. 'You're young and can do a lot of good in life,' Cawthon said. 'Getting to a point where you're ready to talk about what your issues are and reach out to other people about your issues and get help for your issues … that's real strength.' Cawthon also ordered Garza to pay over $200 in restitution and court costs.
Malay Mail
16-05-2025
- Malay Mail
Drugs the gateway to crime: Saifuddin says substance abuse driving extortion, corruption and overwhelming prisons
PUTRAJAYA, May 16 — Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail revealed that drug-related crimes are among the main contributors to other crimes, calling it a gateway to more severe criminal activities. He said that, based on the latest data collected by the ministry's data science team, more than 28 other types of crimes in the country stem from individuals who abuse drugs. Saifuddin added that an analysis of more than 400,000 data entries showed that individuals charged under Section 15(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act tend to engage in various other offences such as extortion and corruption, making drugs a 'highway' to other crimes. 'If we consider crime in Malaysia as a network of highways, the Dangerous Drugs Act is the main junction. Section 15(1) alone can lead to 28 other types of crimes, while Section 12(2) leads to 11 types,' he said during at a hi- tea reception in conjunction with the 2025 Anti-Drugs Day Commemoration at Putrajaya. He said that, moving forward, the fight against drug abuse must be viewed as a mass movement involving all parties in order to eradicate it from the country. According to Saifuddin, the only time a significant drop in drug cases was recorded was during the Movement Control Order (MCO), indicating that restricted movement contributed to a decline in drug activity. However, statistics from the first quarter of 2025 still show worrying figures with 108,000 drug user cases recorded, 60 per cent of whom are new users. He also reported a 34.4 per cent increase in synthetic drugs of the ATS type (ATS is for amphetamines and methamphetamines), and a 60 per cent increase in cannabis last year, posing significant challenges for enforcement and prevention. Saifuddin also stated that 51,000 individuals are currently in community rehabilitation under the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK), while another 5,443 are in government and privately run rehabilitation centres. 'The recovery rate has reached 80 per cent within two years, which is an encouraging figure,' he said. In addition, the minister added that there's a need to amend the Drug Dependants (Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act 1983 to give rehabilitation officers clearer authority to assess and place clients without having to wait for medical reports, which can take time. 'In fact, major prisons are now operating over capacity for example, Machang Prison houses 3,184 inmates, 85 per cent of whom are there for drug offence while Pengkalan Chepa Prison has more than 60 per cent of its current population convicted for drug-related offences,' he said. Saifuddin said that the fight against drugs is not solely the responsibility of the Home Ministry or AADK, but must be carried by everyone including government agencies, the private sector, communities, and external experts. 'The era of the government knowing everything is over. We must embrace external expertise. This engagement is a good first step but more follow-up and collaboration are needed,' he added. Three days ago, Saifuddin said drug abuse had reduced by 10.5 per cent in the East Coast states following intervention efforts. On Malaysia's border safety, Saifuddin said 212 illegal bases were identified along the Kelantan border from Rantau Panjang to Jeli, and that access cuts and tighter control measures have been in place since last December. 'These actions have contributed to a drastic drop of up to 85 per cent in illegal entertainment activities across the border,' Saifuddin said.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Yahoo
West Hartford man sentenced to 14 years in prison for cocaine trafficking
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (WTNH) — A West Hartford man was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for trafficking cocaine. According to evidence and testimony, 34-year-old Joseph Giovanni Soto became the focus of an investigation led by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service's Narcotics and Bulk Cash Trafficking Task Force. Waterbury man charged with drug, gun, vehicle offenses The investigation discovered a cocaine trafficking operation which involved shipping parcels containing large quantities of cocaine from Puerto Rico to numerous drop addresses in New Britain and Meriden in Connecticut as well as West Springfield and Holyoke in Massachusetts. Runners would then retrieve the packages and deliver them to Soto's residence in Bloomfield and the residence of Soto's uncle, Ramon Soto, in New Britain. Ramon Soto would usually deliver the cocaine to the Bronx, N.Y. and other locations, at Joseph Soto's discretion, for payment. During the investigation, task force members intercepted and seized 10 suspicious packages, each of which contained about two kilograms of cocaine. They also identified approximately 280 suspicious parcels likely containing kilogram quantities of cocaine that had been delivered to the various drop addresses. Joseph Soto was arrested on May 1, 2023. On the same day, during a court-authorized search of his residence, investigators seized two loaded firearms, a drum magazine, ammunition, body armor, approximately two kilograms of cocaine, drug packaging material, and approximately $12,000 in cash. One of the seized firearms was fitted with a switch making it fully automatic, and investigators also found a second, uninstalled switch. A search of Ramon Soto's residence on that date revealed a loaded Ruger handgun, firearm magazines, ammunition, two money counters, a digital scale with cocaine residue, and more than $1,000 in cash. Joseph Soto pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine on Feb. 7, 2025. He was released on a $100,000 bond and is required to report to prison on June 25. Ramon Soto pleaded guilty to a related charge and, on Jan. 8, 2025, was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
