Latest news with #raids
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Seven million shekels seized from terror financing businesses in West Bank raids
Thirty suspects were arrested during the raids, and various tech devices and weapons were seized. Approximately seven million shekels were seized during raids on currency exchange businesses involved in terror financing across the West Bank carried out by the Israel Border Police and other security forces, Israel Police announced on Tuesday. Thirty suspects were arrested during the raids. During the raids, forces seized various currencies, including Israeli shekels, US dollars, euros, gold, and more. Additionally, forces found and seized tech devices, office supplies, money counting machines, safes, and various types of weapons. Since October 7, 2023, security forces have seized around 30 million shekels in terror funds in the West Bank. 'Border Police fighters in Judea and Samaria act with determination and in close cooperation with all security bodies to strike at the heart of terror financing. Since the early morning hours, our fighters raided numerous businesses throughout the region and seized large sums of money used for terrorism,' Deputy Commissioner Nisso Guetta, Commander of the Border Police in the West Bank, said. 'Raids like these are a significant component in the broader fight against terror infrastructure in Judea and Samaria. They are part of ongoing counterterrorism activities we conduct nightly, including arrests of wanted individuals, weapons searches, and a variety of operational missions. 'We will investigate the detainees through our regional intelligence and investigations division and bring them to justice. We will continue to act forcefully against anyone involved in the transfer of funds that support terrorism – anywhere, anytime, and by any means.'
The Sun
22-05-2025
- The Sun
Urgent warning to parents over THOUSANDS of illegal drug-laced sweets including ‘magic mushroom cookies' flooding UK
A SHOP on the busiest in the UK has been selling drug-laced sweets - including magic mushroom cookies. Police launched a raid on the shop was launched after a shopper was charged £899 for trying to purchase two packs of sweets. 4 4 The Londonero shop on Oxford Street was selling a variety of drugs disguised as everyday desserts. Investigators from Westminster Council found the American-style candy shop had been selling Magic Dragon cookies - which actually contained magic mushrooms. There were three other boxes of cookies labelled Game Over. When the raid took place on April 25, two shop assistants fled downstairs and escaped using a secret exit. The secret passage was hidden behind a panel in the basement wall which took them back up to street level. However, by moving the panel, they revealed a room which contained £80,000 worth of fake goods. The director of the store, Ahmad Yar Jan, told a court that he was happy for the goods to be destroyed by the council. The Harry Potter shop next door was also found to be selling unlicensed Hashish and White Widow CBD products. An unnamed individual linked to the wizard-themed shop, ran by 5IVESTAR Limited, appeared in court alongside Yar Jan. Many of the products which were seized had no English translation on the box, which sparked allergy fears since their contents was unknown. Sneak peek inside new Oxford Street Ikea After the arrests, Labour leader of Westminster City Council, Adam Hug, said: ''It is rather ironic that a shop calling itself a Harry Potter store appears to have been selling products that claim they would get the user higher than a quidditch player. 'The food products here were part of a raid at two addresses on Oxford Street which have taken thousands of items worth £80,000 off the streets. 'One of these 'magic cookies' products was labelled game over – however the only game over will be for unscrupulous traders who sell illegal goods to the public." The news comes as Westminster Council has announced that reducing the huge number of sweets shops on Oxford Street is a priority. Adam Hug added: 'We have known for a long time that US candy stores rip off customers, but charging £900 for two packets of sweets is a new low, even for the unscrupulous people who run these rackets. 'Our job is to protect people who visit the West End from being exploited and continuing raids and court appearances will ensure life is sour for the rogue US sweet shop trade. 'Hopefully, the fall in the number of US candy and souvenir shops means the tide is going out on this tatty trade.' 4
Sky News
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News
Diddy trial live: Court resumes after sex tape blackmail claim - as court hears about drugs raid evidence
14:40:48 Meth, cocaine and ketamine found in Gucci bag during raids - and phones found inside boot Prosecutor Madison Smyser is resuming her questioning of Homeland Security Investigations agent Gerard Gannon where she left off yesterday. She begins to ask him about a collection of high-heeled shoes and boots found during the raids on Combs's Miami homes. The court is told three mobile phones were found inside one boot. Residue that tested positive for cocaine and ketamine was found inside a Gucci bag, as well as MDMA pills, a meth fragment, ketamine and xanax, the court hears. The court is then shown a photo of a closet in a hallway containing 25 bottles of baby oil and 31 bottles of Astroglide lubricant. Bins in the cupboard also contained bottles of baby oil - and a rubber duck, the court hears. 14:17:28 Homeland Security agent back on the stand Gerard Gannon, an agent with Homeland Security Investigations, is taking the stand again, wearing a suit and tie. He started giving evidence yesterday, discussing the raids on Combs's Miami homes. The agent showed photos of items taken during the raid, including sex toys, high heels and loaded guns. 13:43:26 Combs's lawyers arrive in court We're just hearing that Sean "Diddy" Combs's legal team have arrived at the court in Manhattan for the eighth day of the trial. Xavier Donaldson, Marc Agnifilo, Jason Driscoll, Brian Steel, and Alexandra Shapiro, who are all part of Combs's defence, were seen arriving at court just after 8am local time (1pm UK). 13:38:38 Who is Scott Mescudi - better known as Kid Cudi? Scott Mescudi, better known as Kid Cudi, dated Casandra Ventura in 2011. He is expected to testify in court today or tomorrow. If you've been following the trial, you'll know Combs is facing a number of allegations from Cassie, so Mescudi's evidence today could focus again on her relationship with Diddy. Cassie testified last week that Combs kicked her in the back at his house after finding out she was cheating on him with Mescudi in 2011. Mescudi is a rapper, singer and music producer. The 41-year-old from Cleveland, Ohio, is known for hits like Day 'N' Nite, Pursuit Of Happiness and Mr Rager. He has collaborated with other artists, such as Kanye West, on 2010's Erase Me. In January 2024, he released his 10th studio album, INSANO. That included contributions from the likes of Lil Wayne, Travis Scott and Pharrell. Last year, he also announced he was taking a break from music to focus on his film and TV career. Mescudi has previously spoken of his desire to work more as an actor. He's appeared in sitcoms like Brooklyn Nine-Nine and the Netflix film Don't Look Up. 13:12:01 A reminder of the charges Sean Combs is facing five felony charges: Racketeering conspiracy; Two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; Two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. The rapper was initially charged with three offences - racketeering, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution. Two extra counts - one each of sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution - were added earlier in April. Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges. What the charges mean Racketeering broadly means engaging in an illegal scheme or enterprise, and the charge falls under the Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organisations Act (RICO) in the US. According to the US justice department's definition of RICO statute, it is also illegal to "conspire to violate" the laws. The prosecution alleges that between 2008 and 2024, Combs "led a racketeering conspiracy that engaged in sex trafficking, forced labour, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and obstruction of justice, among other crimes". 13:00:01 Welcome back Welcome back to our coverage of the trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs. The rapper faces five felony charges, including sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. During the seventh day of the trial yesterday, the court heard from Cassie Ventura's mother, Regina, who claimed Combs had threatened to release two explicit sex tapes of her daughter. She said the rapper demanded $20,000 for the tape, with her family taking out a home equity loan to pay it. We also heard from Combs's former assistant David James, who detailed a list of items he was responsible for delivering to his boss's hotel rooms. They included apple sauce, baby oil, Jell-o, cosmetics for Combs's skin and pills to increase sperm count. Today, we are expecting to hear from Scott Mescudi, who is known professionally as Kid Cudi. He dated Cassie in 2011. Stay with us for the latest. 20:47:05 What did we learn today? Here are the key moments from day seven of the trial: Cassie's mother, Regina Ventura, told the court Diddy had told her daughter he would "release two explicit sex tapes" of her, and threatened to hurt her, after becoming jealous of her relationship with Kid Cudi. She said the family took out a home equity loan and paid Diddy $20,000 "because [Diddy] demanded it". Regina also described calling the police when Diddy took Cassie's phone. The defence declined the opportunity to question Regina. A male exotic dancer, nicknamed "The Punisher", described performing with Cassie while Diddy watched from a corner, around eight to 12 times. He said Diddy would wear a cap, and he could not see his face, but he later realised it was the famous rapper. "The Punisher" said he was paid between $1,200 and $2,000 for each performance, but was not called back after struggling to get an erection during one encounter. David James, Diddy's ex-personal assistant, also completed his evidence, testifying that he never saw physical violence between Cassie and his former boss. He described a time Diddy got "upset" with him after looking at his browsing history, and saw he had Googled "Diddy LA Club". He also went into detail about the items he would deliver to Diddy in his hotel rooms, including apple sauce and Jell-o, cosmetics for Diddy's skin and pills to increase sperm count. He also said Diddy once told him he was keeping "embarrassing" footage of him at a party after he had taken ecstasy. James said staff were forced to take lie detector tests, and described a time he said his "life was in danger" during a dispute in a diner car park with rival record label owner Suge Knight. He said Diddy returned to the diner with "three guns," and shortly after, James said he quit his job. The final person to give evidence was a special agent responsible for planning the raids on Combs's Miami home on Star Island in Florida. Steve Gannon showed photos of items taken during the raid, including sex toys, high heels and loaded guns. We'll be back with all the latest updates from the trial tomorrow. 20:12:22 Kid Cudi to give evidence tomorrow The jury has now been excused, and court is adjourned for the day. We are told the court will hear from new witnesses tomorrow - potentially including Scott Mescudi, who is known professionally as Kid Cudi. Cassie and Mescudi dated in 2011.
The National
13-03-2025
- Business
- The National
Are UK crackdowns deterring Iraqi Kurdish smugglers?
Podcasts Beyond the Headlines The National investigates the smuggling networks making millions from their enterprise and the recent raids to stop them More Episodes
