NewzIntel.com

Category: Crime

  • MIL-OSI Security: Drayton Valley — Drayton Valley RCMP lay charges after stolen vehicle found

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    On Jan. 22, 2025, Drayton Valley RCMP responded to a report that a truck had been stolen in the area of 50 Street, in Drayton Valley.

    Surveillance was obtained from a local business, which relayed to the Central Alberta District Crime Reduction Unit (CAD CRU). Later that same day, CAD CRU members who were assisting the Rimbey RCMP, observed what they believed to be this same stolen truck, along with a second stolen truck, in the area of Highway 22 in Clearwater County, Alta. near Alder Flats, Alta.

    Air Services was requested to assist, and the two vehicles were located shortly after, and the two trucks fled the area upon RCMP arrival. A tire deflation device was deployed, and was successful in stopping the vehicles momentarily until the drivers eventually abandoned the truck stolen from Drayton Valley, fleeing in the second vehicle to a residence, dropping off one occupant near Alder Flats to a residence, and then tried to hide the stolen vehicle in a forested area, fleeing on foot to another residence.

    A 30-year-old individual, a resident of Brazeau County, Alta., was charged with: possession of property obtained by crime over $5000 x2, possession of break in instruments, flight from police officer, possession of weapons for dangerous purpose, dangerous operation of motor vehicle, operation of motor vehicle while prohibited, failure to comply with alcohol/drug recognition demand, and traffic safety act related warrants.

    The 30-year-old individual was brought before a justice of the peace, where he was remanded with a court date of Feb. 12, 2025, in the Alberta Court of Justice in Breton, Alta.

    A 35-year-old individual, a resident of Brazeau County, who was out on a conditional sentencing order, was charged with: possession of property obtained by crime over $5000 x2, possession of break in instruments and flight from police officer.

    The 35 year od individual was brought before a justice of the peace, where he was remanded with a court date of Feb. 12, 2025, in the Alberta Court of Justice in Breton.

    A 38-year-old individual, a resident of Brazeau County, was charged with: possession of property obtained by crime over $5000 x2, possession of break in instruments and failure to comply with release order conditions x 2, as well as her 5 warrants for possession of stolen property x2, flight from police officer and failure to attend court x2.

    The 38-year-old individual was brought before a justice of the peace, where he was remanded with a court date of Feb. 12, 2025, in the Alberta Court of Justice in Breton.

    The Drayton Valley RCMP is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the location of, or sightings of crimes in the area. Anyone with information in relation to this incident or any other crimes is asked to please contact the Drayton Valley RCMP at 780-542-4456 or your local police. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8377 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Evansburg — Evansburg RCMP lay charges on male after reported kidnapping

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    On Feb. 2, 2025, Evansburg RCMP responded to a third-party report where it was believed an adult victim had been kidnapped at gunpoint in the area of Highway 16A and Range Road 81 in Evansburg.

    Acting on this reported information, RCMP deployed significant resources, including dozens of members from Evansburg RCMP, Edson RCMP Traffic Unit, Edson RCMP, Whitecourt RCMP, Mayerthorpe RCMP, Parkland RCMP, Drayton Valley RCMP, Hinton RCMP, Barrhead RCMP, Saddle Lake RCMP, Real Time Operation Centre, RCMP Air Services, Alberta’s Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), Major Crimes Unit, Emergency Response Team, and the Federal Serious & Organized Crime Unit.

    RCMP located the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop, but the driver fled at an extremely high rate of speed, especially considering the road conditions; due to the perceived danger of the to the victim, a pursuit was initiated. RCMP were able to make contact with the vehicle, resulting in the driver fleeing on foot; the victim was secured safely with RCMP members.

    RPAS and members began attempts at locating the suspect in a rural residential area, north of Range Road 150. The suspect was located running behind a shed, and the suspect attempted to break into a residence but was confronted by the homeowner, containment was initiated and shortly after, the suspect came out of the forest in surrender.

    A 50-year-old individual, a resident of Onoway, Alta., was charged with flight from police, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, resist/obstruct a police officer, mischief under $5000, break and enter to a residence and forcible confinement.

    The 50-year-old individual was brought before a justice of the peace, where he was remanded with a court date of Feb. 5, 2025, at the Alberta Court of Justice in Stony Plain, Alta.

    This investigation is still ongoing, and the RCMP would like to extend gratitude to community members for their assistance thus far.

    The Evansburg RCMP is seeking the public’s assistance with any information regarding the incident and any dashcam footage if available. Anyone with information in relation this incident is asked to please contact the Evansburg RCMP at 780-727-4446 or your local police. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8377 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.

    Background:

    Feb. 2, 2025

    Evansburg RCMP issuing shelter in place for rural area east of Edson – Update

    Evansburg RCMP have lifted the shelter place for the area east of Edson on Range Road 150.

    A suspect has been taken into custody and police are not searching for any others.

    A release with additional details is anticipated. RCMP thank the public for their cooperation.

    Background:

    Feb. 2, 2025

    Evansburg RCMP issuing shelter in place for rural area east of Edson

    Evansburg RCMP is advising residents in the area east of Edson to shelter in place and not to open their doors to unknown persons.

    RCMP are responding to an unfolding event north of the Yellowhead Highway, on Range Road 150 and south of Township Road 532D.

    Residents of the area are asked to remain indoors, lock their residences and stay away from windows while officers respond.

    There are a significant number of resources focused on responding to this unfolding event. Please refrain from posting photos of responding officers on social media or those stationary in this vicinity.

    An update will be provided when further information is available.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Woking — Spirit River RCMP find stolen vehicles, firearms and drugs in successful search warrant

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    On Feb. 27, 2025, Spirit River RCMP began an investigation into a property in the area of 45 Ave in Woking, where stolen property was suspected to be stored.

    A search warrant was approved, and on March 1, 2025, Spirit River RCMP, assisted by Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) from Grande Prairie Crime Reduction Unit, and members from the Containment Unit, who entered the property to collect the stolen property.

    RCMP located stolen property including 6 vehicles -and 3 additional with tampered VIN’s still under investigation-, a mower, trailers, skidoo’s, license plates, gas cards, various tools, several firearms, ammunition, suspected cocaine and methamphetamine, and approximately four pounds of cannabis.

    Spirit River RCMP are requesting public assistance with locating one suspect in relation to this incident, Kyle Dale Hudson (41), a resident of Woking, who is wanted for 15 offenses related to this file including: possession of property obtained by crime, altering a VIN, and firearms offenses; additionally, Hudson has three warrants out of Grande Prairie, Alta., for driving offenses and failure to appear to court.

    Hudson is described as:

    • 41-years-old
    • Approximately 5 foot 8 inches
    • Approximately 240 pounds
    • Brown short cut hair
    • Brown eyes
    • Fair to medium skin tone
    • Tattoo on left hand saying “Kyle”
    • Has been known to travel to BC and the Northwest Territories

    If you see Hudson, do not approach. Call 911.

    Spirit River RCMP appreciates any public assistance thus far and encourages any community members to contact them, should they have any information they believe may be helpful.

    This investigation is still ongoing and RCMP would like to extend gratitude to community members for their assistance thus far.

    The Spirit River RCMP is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the location of, or sightings of Hudson. Anyone with information in relation to Hudson is asked to please contact the Spirit River RCMP at 780-864-3533 or your local police. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8377 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Operator of Fraudulent Investment Vehicle Sentenced to Over 15 Years in Prison for Securities Fraud, Tax Fraud and Other Charges

    Source: United States Attorneys General 8

    A Pennsylvania man was sentenced to 15 and a half years in prison yesterday for defrauding investors, conspiring to defraud the IRS, filing false tax returns, employment tax fraud, wire fraud, obstruction, and other charges.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, Joseph LaForte, of Philadelphia, engaged in a scheme to defraud investors using a fraudulent investment vehicle known as Par Funding. In total, LaForte and his co-conspirators caused an actual loss to investors exceeding $288 million.

    LaForte also engaged in a series of federal tax crimes. LaForte and co-conspirators diverted approximately $20 million in taxable income from Par Funding to another entity controlled by LaForte and nominally owned by another, then filed false tax returns that did not report this income. He also received more than $9 million in cash kickbacks from a customer of Par Funding and did not report this income to the IRS on his individual tax returns. As a result, LaForte’s individual tax returns for the years 2016 through 2018 were false. He also paid off-the-books, cash wages to some employees of Par Funding. He did not report these wages to the IRS and did not pay employment taxes on wages paid to employees in cash. The total federal tax loss stemming from LaForte’s crimes exceeds $8 million. He also caused $1.6 million in state tax loss to the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue by falsely reporting that he and his wife were residents of Florida from 2013 through 2019, when in fact they resided in Pennsylvania.

    Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney David Metcalf for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania made the announcement.

    The FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General investigated the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Newcomer, Sam Dalke, Eric Gill, and Patrick J. Murray for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania prosecuted the case. Trial Attorney Ezra Spiro of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. Boscia for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania assisted with the prosecution.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: WRAP Bolsters Leadership with Top 1MDB Investigators and FBI Veteran Rob Heuchling to Drive Technology Commercialization for Transnational Crime Solutions

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)


    WRAP Expands Capabilities: Leveraging Investigative Expertise in Financial Crimes, Crypto and Cybersecurity to Commercialize Managed Services Offering

    MIAMI, March 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Wrap Technologies, Inc, (NASDAQ: WRAP) (“Wrap” or, the “Company”), a global leader in innovative public safety technologies and non-lethal tools, today announced the appointment of Robert Heuchling as Managing Director of the Company, bringing over 15 years of experience from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) and providing advisory services to the Company’s executive team.

    Wrap plans to expand its managed service business lines, with Mr. Heuchling expected to play a key role in commercializing an offering that combines his investigative expertise with his deep familiarity with a wide range of investigative data sets, tools and technologies. Wrap also plans to develop unique technology solutions that integrate advanced investigative capabilities, empowering agencies to address complex financial crimes, cyber threats and transnational law enforcement challenges with greater efficiency and precision.

    While at the FBI, Mr. Heuchling supervised a squad based in New York City responsible for foreign corruption, international money laundering and antitrust investigations. In that role, Mr. Heuchling forged relationships with law enforcement agencies across the globe and developed strategies to collaborate with foreign counterparts to solve complex transnational crime cases.

    Mr. Heuchling will once again be working with his former FBI supervisor, Bill McMurry, Chief Executive Officer of Managed Services. Together, Mr. McMurry and Mr. Heuchling led the U.S. investigation into 1Malaysia Development Berhad, or 1MDB, a Malaysian sovereign wealth fund from which more than $4.5 billion was stolen through a complex fraud and corruption scheme involving individuals from multiple countries. The investigation resulted in the largest asset recovery in U.S. Department of Justice history and is considered a model for success in international investigations.

    Jared Novick, President of Wrap, stated: “The addition of Rob Heuchling, joining his former colleague Bill McMurry at Wrap, provides our global clients and the agencies we support with a unique opportunity to leverage their unparalleled expertise alongside our advanced technologies. We believe their deep investigative experience in financial crimes, cyber threats and transnational law enforcement, combined with Wrap’s cutting-edge solutions, will allow us to deliver unmatched support for the most pressing challenges facing law enforcement and security professionals worldwide. We are thrilled to have them on board as we expand our managed services and drive innovation in public safety.”

    Background

    Prior to joining the FBI, Mr. Heuchling served as an engineer and communications officer in the United States Navy. He is a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University and has received numerous accolades from both the FBI and the military. His honors include:

    • the Assistant Attorney General’s Exceptional Service Award;
    • the Federal Law Enforcement Foundation’s “Investigator of the Year” Award;
    • the FBI Medal of Excellence; and
    • the Naval Commendation Medal.

    About Wrap Technologies, Inc.

    Wrap Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: WRAP) is a global leader in public safety solutions, bringing together cutting-edge technology with exceptional people to address the complex, modern day challenges facing public safety organizations.

    Wrap’s BolaWrap® solution is a safer way to gain compliance—without pain.

    This innovative, patented device deploys light, sound, and a Kevlar® tether to safely restrain individuals from a distance, giving officers critical time and space to manage non-compliant situations before resorting to higher-force options. The BolaWrap 150 does not shoot, strike, shock, or incapacitate—instead, it helps officers operate lower on the force continuum, reducing the risk of injury to both officers and subjects. Used by over 1,000 agencies across the U.S. and in 60 countries, BolaWrap® is backed by training certified by the International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training (IADLEST), reinforcing Wrap’s commitment to public safety through cutting-edge technology and expert training.

    Wrap Reality™ VR is a fully immersive training simulator to enhance decision-making under pressure.

    As a comprehensive public safety training platform, it provides first responders with realistic, interactive scenarios that reflect the evolving challenges of modern law enforcement. By offering a growing library of real-world situations, Wrap Reality™ equips officers with the skills and confidence to navigate high stakes encounters effectively, leading to safer outcomes for both responders and the communities they serve.

    Wrap Intrensic is an advanced body-worn camera and evidence management system built for efficiency.

    Designed for efficiency, security, and transparency to meet the rigorous demands of modern law enforcement, Intrensic seamlessly captures, stores, and manages digital evidence, ensuring integrity and full chain-of-custody compliance. With automated workflows, secure cloud storage, and intuitive case management tools, it streamlines operations, reduces administrative burden, and enhances courtroom credibility.

    Trademark Information Wrap, the Wrap logo, BolaWrap®, Wrap Reality™ and Wrap Training Academy are trademarks of Wrap Technologies, Inc., some of which are registered in the U.S. and abroad. All other trade names used herein are either trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective holders. Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements – Safe Harbor Statement This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “should”, “believe”, “target”, “project”, “goals”, “estimate”, “potential”, “predict”, “may”, “will”, “could”, “intend”, and variations of these terms or the negative of these terms and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. Moreover, forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which involve factors or circumstances that are beyond the Company’s control. The Company’s actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including but not limited to: the expected benefits of the acquisition of W1 Global, LLC, the Company’s ability to maintain compliance with the Nasdaq Capital Market’s listing standards; the Company’s ability to successfully implement training programs for the use of its products; the Company’s ability to manufacture and produce products for its customers; the Company’s ability to develop sales for its products; the market acceptance of existing and future products; the availability of funding to continue to finance operations; the complexity, expense and time associated with sales to law enforcement and government entities; the lengthy evaluation and sales cycle for the Company’s product solutions; product defects; litigation risks from alleged product-related injuries; risks of government regulations; the business impact of health crises or outbreaks of disease, such as epidemics or pandemics; the impact resulting from geopolitical conflicts and any resulting sanctions; the ability to obtain export licenses for counties outside of the United States; the ability to obtain patents and defend intellectual property against competitors; the impact of competitive products and solutions; and the Company’s ability to maintain and enhance its brand, as well as other risk factors mentioned in the Company’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K, subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and other Securities and Exchange Commission filings. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this release and were based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections as well as the beliefs and assumptions of management. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no duty or obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release as a result of new information, future events or changes in its expectations. Investor Relations Contact: (800) 583-2652 ir@wrap.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9f9f323f-41be-4b9e-8c86-0cc26de2ab82

    This press release was published by a CLEAR® Verified individual.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Orlando Man Indicted For Unlawful Possession Of A Machine Gun Conversion Device

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Orlando, Florida – Acting United States Attorney Sara C. Sweeney announces the  unsealing of an indictment charging Jaquarius McDonald (24, Orlando) with unlawful possession of a machinegun conversion device. If convicted, McDonald faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. 

    According to the indictment, on January 1, 2025, McDonald knowingly possessed a machinegun which was not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.

    An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.          

    This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Orlando Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kaley Austin-Aronson.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Cadotte Lake — Peace Regional RCMP lay charges after firearm complaint

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    On Jan. 31, 2025, at approximately 10 a.m., Peace Regional RCMP responded to a report that a male may be in the area of the first entrance of Cadotte Lake, and was said to have a firearm.

    The RCMP’s Crime Reduction Team was near the area with Police Dog Services, assisting Peace Regional RCMP members, and quickly secured the area, ensuring the safety of community members in this area.

    RCMP learned of a new location of the suspect and attended a residence in the area of Simon Lake, Alta. Here, RCMP contained the residence, where they located a 26-year-old individual, a resident of Simon Lake.

    The individual was charged with: aggravated assault, unauthorized possession of a firearm, possession of weapon for dangerous purpose, possession of firearm when unauthorized and four counts of resisting/obstructing a police officer, as well as two warrants, for assault causing bodily harm and uttering threats.

    The individual was brought before a justice of the peace, where they were remanded with a court date of Feb. 3, 2025, at the Alberta Court of Justice in Peace River, Alta.

    RCMP were able to seize a sawed-off shotgun and ammunition.

    This investigation is still ongoing, and the RCMP would like to extend gratitude to community members for their assistance thus far.

    The Peace Regional RCMP is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the location of, or sightings of crimes in the area. Anyone with information in relation to any firearms related crimes is asked to please contact the Peace Regional RCMP at 780-624-6611 or your local police. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8377 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Didsbury — Didsbury RCMP and Airdrie Crime Reduction Unit charge male with numerous drug offences

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    On Oct. 16, 2024, Didsbury RCMP initiated an investigation after information was received that suspects were using a butane extractor as well as in possession of multiple controlled substances. Didsbury RCMP requested assistance from Airdrie RCMP Crime Reduction Unit (CRU).

    The investigation resulted in two search warrants being executed. With the assistance of the RCMP’s Clandestine Lab Enforcement and Response (CLEAR) Team, Didsbury RCMP and Old’s CRU, a search warrant was executed at a residence in Carstairs, Alta. while Airdrie CRU executed a search warrant at an Airdrie business.

    During the search of the Carstairs residence, a butane extractor (called a BHO lab by CLEAR) was located. This extractor is volatile in nature if not monitored/operated correctly, and possessed an explosion/fire risk to the public of Carstairs. Also seized at this residence was the following:

    • Approximately 250 illicit cannabis plants
    • Approximately 10 pounds of psilocybin (magic mushrooms)
    • Three firearms
    • A taser
    • Multiple ounces of cannabis extracts

    During the search of the Airdrie business, a male suspect was arrested. At the time the suspect was in possession of the following:

    • 55.9 grams suspected cocaine, pre-packaged for 3 individual sales;
    • 6.4 grams of suspected MDMA, pre-packaged for 13 individual sales;
    • Approx. 48 grams of suspected psilocybin mushrooms
    • Assorted regulated CBD/THC products (balms and tinctures);
    • 26 packages of illicit cannabis edibles;
    • Approx. 1.3 kgs of cannabis believed to be possessed for illicit sales;
    • 567 g of suspected hash believed to be possessed for illicit sales;
    • Approx. 160 grams of suspected cannabis extracts believed to be possessed for illicit sales;
    • A taser

    A 59-year-old individual, a resident of Carstairs, has been charged with the following:

    • Assault
    • Uttering threats (x2)
    • Trafficking Controlled Substance (MDMA)
    • Possession of a prohibited weapon knowing its possession is unauthorized (Taser)
    • Possession of property obtained by crime
    • Possession of a prohibited weapon contrary to Order (x3)
    • Careless use (storage) of a firearm (x2)
    • Possession of a firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized (x2)
    • Possession for the purpose of trafficking (PPT) controlled substance (x4) Cocaine, Psilocybin and MDMA
    • Making shatter with the use of butane (production of cannabis by the use of an organic solvent) – S.12(1)(B) Cannabis Act (CA)
    • Possessing shatter made personally (not made by governing body) – Sec. 8(1)(b) Cannabis Act.
    • Trafficking (sell) illicit Cannabis – Sec. 10(1)(a) CA.
    • Possession for the purpose of trafficking (selling) illicit Cannabis – Sec. 10(2) CA.
    • An organization is prohibited from possessing cannabis – Sec. 8(1)(f) CA

    After a judicial interim release hearing, the individual was released on $500 bail to appear in Alberta Court of Justice in Airdrie on April 10, 2025.

    The investigation continues.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Milton — RCMP dismantles Cannabis network that had approximately 17,000 illegal plants

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Ontario RCMP have seized and destroyed cannabis grown at three large-scale illegal grow sites. The RCMP’s Greater Toronto Area Trans-National Serious & Organized Crime Section (GTA-TSOC) has charged six individuals for operating a complex illicit cannabis production and distribution network in Ontario.

    This investigation began in the Summer of 2022, after the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) referred the matter for investigation to the RCMP. During the investigation, approximately 17,000 cannabis plants were seized and destroyed. The RCMP estimate that these operations could have an annual production value of over $16 million dollars. Each of the sites were staffed with full-time live-in workers, none of whom have legal status to work and grow cannabis in Canada. The criminal network was also linked to the operation of two other illicit cannabis production sites in Ontario which were dismantled by the OPP and the Toronto Police Service. The criminal network exported the illicit cannabis to the United States and Hong Kong, with further plans to expand distribution into Europe.

    The RCMP allege millions of dollars in profits from this operation were laundered through the Canadian banking system by a sophisticated identity fraud scheme. They applied for Health Canada authorizations to produce medicinal cannabis using the identity of individuals who were not aware of the applications. These authorizations were then used to obtain commercial leases and expand the group’s cannabis production.

    As a result of the investigation, the following individuals were charged:

    Shao Bo “Barry” Xie (age 45) of Toronto, Ontario

    • Unlawful cultivation of cannabis, contrary to Section 12 of the Cannabis Act (x3);
    • Unlawful possession of cannabis for the purpose of selling, contrary to Section 10 of the Cannabis Act;
    • Conspiracy to cultivate cannabis, contrary to Section 12 of the Cannabis Act and Section 465 of the Criminal Code;
    • Conspiracy to sell cannabis, contrary to Section 10 of the Cannabis Act and Section 465 of the Criminal Code;
    • Conspiracy to export cannabis, contrary to Section 11 of the Cannabis Act and Section 465 of the Criminal Code;
    • Possession of property/proceeds of crime, contrary to Section 354 of the Criminal Code;
    • Conceal/convert proceeds of crime, contrary to Sec 462.31 of the Criminal Code;
    • Identity Theft, contrary to Section 402.1 of the Criminal Code;
    • Use forged document, contrary to Section 368 of the Criminal Code;
    • Make false document, contrary to Section 366 of the Criminal Code;
    • Conspiracy to impersonate for advantage, contrary to Section 403 and Section 465 of the Criminal Code; and
    • Conspiracy to use forged document, contrary to Section 368 and Section 465 of theCriminal Code.

    Feng Gao (age 42) of Toronto, Ontario

    • Unlawful cultivation of cannabis, contrary to Section 12 of the Cannabis Act;
    • Conspiracy to cultivate cannabis, contrary to Section 12 of the Cannabis Act and Section 465 of the Criminal Code;
    • Conspiracy to sell cannabis, contrary to Section 10 of the Cannabis Act and Section 465 of the Criminal Code;
    • Conspiracy to export cannabis, contrary to Section 11 of the Cannabis Act and Section 465 of the Criminal Code;
    • Possession of property/proceeds of crime, contrary to Section 354 of the Criminal Code;
    • Conceal/convert proceeds of crime, contrary to Sec 462.31 of the Criminal Code;
    • Identity Theft, contrary to Section 402.1 of the Criminal Code;
    • Conspiracy to impersonate for advantage, contrary to Section 403 and Section 465 of the Criminal Code; and
    • Conspiracy to use forged document, contrary to Section 368 and Section 465 of the Criminal Code.

    Shan “Sam” Gao (age 34) of Toronto, Ontario

    • Unlawful cultivation of cannabis, contrary to Section 12 of the Cannabis Act;
    • Conspiracy to cultivate cannabis, contrary to Section 12 of the Cannabis Act and Section 465 of the Criminal Code;
    • Conspiracy to sell cannabis, contrary to Section 10 of the Cannabis Act and Section 465 of the Criminal Code;
    • Conspiracy to export cannabis, contrary to Section 11 of the Cannabis Act and Section 465 of the Criminal Code;
    • Possession of property/proceeds of crime, contrary to Section 354 of the Criminal Code;
    • Use forged document, contrary to Section 368 of the Criminal Code;
    • Make false document, contrary to Section 366 of the Criminal Code;
    • Conspiracy to impersonate for advantage, contrary to Section 403 and Section 465 of the Criminal Code; and
    • Conspiracy to use forged document, contrary to Section 368 and Section 465 of the Criminal Code.

    Xu Han (age 26) of Toronto, Ontario

    • Unlawful cultivation of cannabis, contrary to Section 12 of the Cannabis Act;
    • Conspiracy to cultivate cannabis, contrary to Section 12 of the Cannabis Act and Section 465 of the Criminal Code;
    • Conspiracy to sell cannabis, contrary to Section 10 of the Cannabis Act and Section 465 of the Criminal Code;
    • Conspiracy to export cannabis, contrary to Section 11 of the Cannabis Act and Section 465 of the Criminal Code;
    • Possession of property/proceeds of crime, contrary to Section 354 of the Criminal Code;
    • Conspiracy to impersonate for advantage, contrary to Section 403 and Section 465 of the Criminal Code; and
    • Conspiracy to use forged document, contrary to Section 368 and Section 465 of the Criminal Code.

    Fang Han (age 30) of Toronto, Ontario

    • Unlawful cultivation of cannabis, contrary to Section 12 of the Cannabis Act;
    • Conspiracy to cultivate cannabis, contrary to Section 12 of the Cannabis Act and Section 465 of the Criminal Code;
    • Conspiracy to sell cannabis, contrary to Section 10 of the Cannabis Act and Section 465 of the Criminal Code;
    • Conspiracy to export cannabis, contrary to Section 11 of the Cannabis Act and Section 465 of the Criminal Code;
    • Possession of property/proceeds of crime, contrary to Section 354 of the Criminal Code; and
    • Conceal/convert proceeds of crime, contrary to Sec 462.31 of the Criminal Code.

    Zdena “Denise” Mesko (age 61) of Sarnia, Ontario

    • Identity Theft, contrary to Section 402.1 of the Criminal Code;
    • Use forged document, contrary to Section 368 of the Criminal Code;
    • Possession of property/proceeds of crime, contrary to Section 354 of the Criminal Code;
    • Conspiracy to impersonate for advantage, contrary to Section 403 and Section 465 of the Criminal Code; and
    • Conspiracy to use forged document, contrary to Section 368 and Section 465 of the Criminal Code

    All of the accused were arrested at the RCMP Toronto West Detachment and released on an undertaking. Their first court appearance is scheduled to be held on May 7th, 2025, at the Ontario Court of Justice located at 10 Armoury Street in Toronto, Courtroom 1001 at 09:00 a.m.

    The RCMP would like to thank a number of law enforcement and partner agencies including the Ontario Provincial Police-led Provincial Joint Forces Cannabis Enforcement Team (OPP-PJFCET), Peel Regional Police Service (PRPS), Toronto Police Service (TPS), Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC), Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), Health Canada, and the United States Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

    “The collaboration and teamwork between the RCMP Federal Police and our provincial and municipal law enforcement partners underscores our collective commitment to battling transnational organized crime at all levels in Ontario, Canada and abroad.”
    Inspector Nicole Noonan, Officer in charge of Federal Policing – Transnational, Serious & Organized Crime, Toronto West Detachment, Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Law enforcement agencies work diligently to make our communities a safer place to live but your assistance in remaining vigilant and informing us of any suspicious activities will help us be even more effective. If you have any information in relation to illicit cannabis production, you can contact your local police, the Ontario RCMP at 1-800-387-0020 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), at any time.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General James Recovers Over $5 Million From Nonprofit for Failing to Serve New York City Residents with Developmental Disabilities

    Source: US State of New York

    EW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today secured over $5 million from Community Options, Inc. and Community Options NY, Inc. (Community Options) for failing to properly provide services for people with developmental disabilities and knowingly submitting false claims to Medicaid for services. Community Options is a nonprofit that provides “day habilitation” services to adults with developmental disabilities in New York City, ensuring they have enriching and educational community-based activities. A joint investigation between the Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU), and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York (USAO-SDNY) revealed that Community Options failed to follow regulations and requirements designed to ensure the people it serves are receiving safe and adequate care. Under settlements with OAG and USAO-SDNY, Community Options will repay Medicaid over $5 million in reimbursements it received for day habilitation services that it failed to provide and document in compliance with state regulations.

    “New Yorkers with developmental disabilities rely on quality, community-based activities to lead fulfilling and independent lives,” said Attorney General James. “Community Options ignored the rules meant to ensure it was delivering the services it promised, depriving vulnerable New Yorkers of opportunities to participate in valuable programs that meet their needs. I thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their assistance in this investigation that will ensure New Yorkers with developmental disabilities get the care and services they deserve.”

    Community Options’ services include the Day Habilitation Without Walls Program, where recipients can take part in activities, cultural events, and volunteer opportunities in their community. Medicaid and the New York Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) set requirements for day habilitation service providers to follow in order to receive Medicaid reimbursement. These requirements ensure organizations are providing an adequate number of services for enough time, are providing the correct types of services, and are documenting the services they provide.

    The OAG’s investigation found that Community Options violated the law by failing to meet these requirements for day habilitation services for which it billed New York’s Medicaid Program from January 1, 2017 to September 13, 2023. Community Options employees routinely failed to provide and document services in accordance with the OPWDD requirements. As a result, the adults with developmental disabilities that Community Options served did not receive the full benefits that the organization promised.

    The investigation also revealed that in January 2022, Community Options violated the law by failing to return overpayments it received from New York’s Medicaid program for services that it knew did not meet the state’s requirements. During a non-routine review, Community Options determined that it had failed to create and maintain monthly summary documents for dozens of day habilitation clients in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens, affecting hundreds of claims for reimbursement. Despite a Community Options employee stating that these failures required Community Options to return payments for these claims, the senior Community Options employee overseeing day habilitation services instructed their subordinate to fraudulently create and back-date all of the missing monthly summary notes, in many instances up to a year after the services in question were purportedly provided.

    As a result of Attorney General James’ enforcement, Community Options will repay the over $5 million it improperly billed Medicaid, including paying approximately $2.8 million back to New York’s Medicaid program. The case against Community Options was initiated by a former employee, who will receive a portion of the settlement because the former employee filed a whistleblower lawsuit under the federal and New York False Claims Acts, which allow people to file civil actions under seal on behalf of the government and share in any recovery.

    The investigation and settlements were the result of a coordinated effort between OAG and USAO-SDNY. Attorney General James thanks USAO-SDNY for their partnership and assistance.

    For OAG’s MFCU, the investigation was conducted by Deputy Regional Chief Auditor Matthew Tandle, Auditor-Investigator Doni Corso, and Auditor-Investigator Che Cass, under the supervision of Chief Auditor Dejan Budimir, and Detective-Investigator Natalie Shifrin, under the supervision of Detective Supervisor Dominick DiGennaro. The settlement was handled by Special Assistant Attorney General Tiffany Castleman-Smith of the Civil Enforcement Division, under the supervision of Deputy Chief Diana Elkind. The Civil Enforcement Division is led by Chief Alee Scott. MFCU is led by Director Amy Held and Assistant Deputy Attorney General Paul J. Mahoney. MFCU is part of the Division for Criminal Justice, which is led by Chief Deputy Attorney General José Maldonado and overseen by First Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Levy.

    Reporting Medicaid Provider Fraud: MFCU defends the public by addressing Medicaid provider fraud and protecting nursing home residents from abuse and neglect. If an individual believes they have information about Medicaid provider fraud or about an incident of abuse or neglect of a nursing home resident, they can file a confidential complaint online or call the MFCU hotline at (800) 771-7755. If the situation is an emergency, please call 911.

    New York MFCU’s total funding for federal fiscal year (FY) 2025 is $70,502,916. Of that total, 75 percent, or $52,877,188, is funded from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The remaining 25 percent, totaling $17,625,728 for FY 2025, is funded by New York State.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Alan Wilson announces Lexington Co. man sentenced to 14 years for sex crimes against minorsRead More

    Source: US State of South Carolina

    (COLUMBIA, S.C.) – Attorney General Alan Wilson announced that, on March 26, 2025, after a three-day trial, a Lexington County jury found Mark Frick, 57, guilty of Criminal Solicitation of a Minor and Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, First Degree. The Honorable Judge Debra McCaslin sentenced Frick to 10 years in prison on the Attempted Sexual Exploitation charge and four years on the Solicitation charge. Those sentences will run consecutively for a total sentence of 14 years in prison. He will have to register as a sex offender upon his release. 

    The investigation of Frick began in August of 2021 when the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department hosted an undercover chat operation in Lexington County involving members of the SC Attorney General’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Detective Kenneth Clark, of the Mount Pleasant Police and a task force member, created an online persona of a 14-year-old girl on a social media site. Frick began a conversation with the persona and acknowledged her age. Frick continued to message the persona and made plans to meet for a sexual encounter. Frick was taken into custody upon arriving at a predetermined location to meet the 14-year-old persona. Special Investigator Jason Hughes of the SC Attorney General’s Office interviewed Frick, who confessed to attempting to meet the persona. 

    The SC Attorney General’s Office, Lexington County Sheriff’s Office, Department of Homeland Security, Mount Pleasant Police Department, and NCIS participated in the operation.

    Assistant Attorney General Stephen Ryan prosecuted the case with co-counsel Assistant Attorneys General Michelle Pappas and Anna Sharpe.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/PHILIPPINES – In a nation divided over Duterte’s judicial affair, the Church preaches and works for unity

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Manila (Agenzia Fides) – In a country torn apart by the trial of former President Rodrigo Duterte, indicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity committed during the “war on drugs” he waged (see Fides 11/03/2025), the Catholic Church in the Philippines is trying to restore national unity, while society – which is preparing, among other things, for the midterm elections next May – appears increasingly divided into pro-Duterte and anti-Duterte groups.One of the first measures adopted by Catholic communities is prayer: in a period considered extremely critical, the Archbishop of Manila, Cardinal José Advincula, invites the faithful to “overcome differences and be open to a constant conversion towards truth, justice and peace.” For this reason, the Cardinal issued a public appeal for an “oratio imperata,” a “compulsory prayer” for the nation, to be recited daily during Mass in all parishes of the archdiocese starting on the third Sunday of Lent.For the Catholic community, this time – which coincides with Lent -should be an opportunity for conversion: The imprisonment of former President Rodrigo Duterte in The Hague could be a “special grace,” “a spiritual opportunity,” according to Msgr. Patricio Buzon, Bishop of Bacolod, who urged Rodrigo Duterte’s supporters to “change their perspective.” The time in prison is like a spiritual retreat, said Bishop Buzon, adding: “After all, Duterte is his son. God wants him to be saved, because ‘God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that he turns from his ways and lives’ (Ez 18:23).” The bishop stigmatized “the blind fanaticism that is tearing us apart as a people”: “It is time to put our love for our country above any political loyalty,” he said.Among the countermeasures devised by Duterte’s supporters is the so-called “No Remittances Week”: As a form of protest, large groups of Filipinos abroad -more than 10 million people -plan, especially in Europe, to block remittances, the economic contributions sent home that are a vital support to the national economy. This measure would negatively impact thousands of Filipino families. Bishop Ruperto Santos of Antipolo said: “Freezing remittances, even if only temporarily, could devastate the lives of these families and leave them vulnerable, as they will struggle to make ends meet,” and there are fears of a “domino effect” on businesses and communities that depend on this flow of money. “As a bishop, I call for unity and dialogue. Let us seek peaceful and constructive ways to address problems without harming our families and our nation” in order to “promote healing and support the common good.” Archbishop Monsignor Jose Cabantan of Cagayan de Oro on the island of Mindanao – the region where Duterte had the most supporters – rejected claims that a daily Mass was being celebrated in the cathedral “for the return of former President Rodrigo Duterte to the Philippines.” The Eucharist, like all Masses, was “not dedicated to any particular person, group, or political cause,” he wrote. The archbishop emphasized the Church’s commitment to neutrality and to ensuring that “places of worship remain spaces of faith, reflection, and unity,” and urged the faithful to work for “peace, unity, and justice.”Meanwhile, the office of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reiterated that it would not cooperate with the International Criminal Court regarding the charges of crimes against humanity filed against former President Rodrigo Duterte, “since the Philippines does not recognize the jurisdiction of the ICC.” The government rejected claims that the transfer of former President Rodrigo Duterte to the ICC was due to a dispute between Marcos and Duterte, stressing that “there is nothing personal about the arrest.” Other politicians emphasized that “beyond political advantages, the country’s sovereignty and the interest in true justice for every Filipino must remain a priority”. (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 27/3/2025)
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Crime and policing Bill: Government amendments for Committee

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Correspondence

    Crime and policing Bill: Government amendments for Committee

    Correspondence relating to the Crime and Policing Bill, which was introduced in the House of Commons on 25 February 2025.

    Documents

    Letter from Minister Johnson to Public Bill Committee detailing government amendments for committee stage: 26 March 2025

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    Letter from Minister Johnson to Public Bill Committee detailing government amendments for committee stage: 26 March 2025

    PDF, 200 KB, 2 pages

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    Request an accessible format.
    If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email alternativeformats@homeoffice.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

    Details

    Ministerial correspondence relating to the Crime and Policing Bill.

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 March 2025

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    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Ninja swords banned by summer as manifesto commitment delivered

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Ninja swords banned by summer as manifesto commitment delivered

    Final part of Ronan’s Law introduced in Parliament thanks to campaigning of Kanda family.

    Image: Getty Images

    In a further move to break the cycle of young people carrying knives and to better protect the public from knife-related crime, from 1 August, ninja swords will be banned. This will make it illegal to possess, manufacture, import or sell these deadly weapons.  

    The majority of ninja swords have a blade between 14 inches and 24 inches with one straight cutting edge with a tanto style point. From 1 August, anyone caught in possession of a ninja sword in private could face 6 months in prison, and this will later increase to 2 years under new measures in the Crime and Policing Bill. There is already a penalty of up to 4 years in prison for carrying any weapon in public.  

    Ahead of the ban coming into place, the government, in partnership with law enforcement and members of the Coalition to Tackle Knife Crime, will run its most ambitious surrender scheme yet. The scheme will run across the country, targeting young people most vulnerable to knife crime.  

    The surrender scheme will run from 1 to 31 July to allow any member of the public to hand in these weapons safely.  

    There will also be new safeguards to prevent exploitation of the scheme. For the first time, there will be a cut-off date and no weapons bought after today (27 March) will be eligible for compensation and we will have stronger value checks. There will also be further guidance released advising where a sword can be surrendered if the owner does not wish to visit a local police station or claim compensation. This will offer the greater use of knife surrender bins and their locations.

    The government is exploring every avenue to protect young people and break the behaviour of carrying knives as part of its Plan for Change. The mission to halve knife crime is a cross-Whitehall mission to:

    • restrict the availability of knives online
    • hold those responsible for selling knives irresponsibly to account
    • better support young people at an early stage who are vulnerable to a life of crime

    Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said:

    Knife crime is destroying young lives as too many teenagers are being drawn into violence and it is far too easy for them to get hold of dangerous weapons.

    Ronan Kanda was just 16 when he was ruthlessly killed by 2 boys only a year older than him. Today we are introducing the final part of Ronan’s law in his memory – banning the ninja swords that his killers should never have been able to use.

    We are acting with urgency to bring forward measures to prevent deadly weapons from getting into the wrong hands and will continue to do whatever is needed to prevent young people being killed on our streets as part of our mission to halve knife crime over the next decade. 

    Pooja Kanda said:

    Today marks a very important day for us as a family and our campaign. Since losing our beautiful boy Ronan, we have relentlessly campaigned for a ban on ninja swords – the lethal weapon which took his life. We believe ninja swords have no place in our society other than to seriously harm and kill.

    We are so grateful to our government for hearing us and for recognising how important and urgent it is to get these dangerous weapons off our streets. Each step towards tackling knife crime is a step towards getting justice for our boy Ronan.

    Patrick Green, CEO, Ben Kinsella Trust said:

    The Ben Kinsella Trust welcomes the government’s decision to ban ninja swords and implement Ronan’s Law. These weapons, with no practical purpose beyond violence, are simply instruments of war and have absolutely no place in our society or on our streets. The ease with which such dangerous items have been available has contributed to far too many tragedies. 

    The additional measures under Ronan’s Law, designed to hold those who sell these weapons to account, are critical in breaking the supply chain that fuels this violence. We commend the government for listening to victims’ families, and for taking decisive action.

    Sandra Campbell, Chief Executive Officer, Word 4 Weapons said:

    Word 4 Weapons stands firmly behind the introduction of Ronan’s Law. Ronan’s tragic death at the hands of a ninja sword highlights the urgent need to tighten legislation around dangerous weapons, online and otherwise. This law is a crucial step toward reducing violence and protecting lives in our communities.

    The ninja ban forms part of Ronan’s Law, which aims to tackle the online sale of knives. Last month, the government announced a series of measures to tackle online sales, including a 2-step verification process for the sale of knives online and significant fines for executives who fail to remove knife crime content for their platform. It also announced tougher penalties for being caught with a knife in public and for selling a weapon to any person under 18.  

    Ronan’s Law will also require online retailers to report any bulk or suspicious-looking purchases of knives to the police. This will apply to all online sales of knives, including those who operate through online marketplaces. In the spring, the government will also consult on the introduction of a licensing scheme for retailers who wish to sell knives. 

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Lord Hanson unveils ambitious new approach to tackling fraud

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Lord Hanson unveils ambitious new approach to tackling fraud

    Fraud Minister announces new, expanded fraud strategy will be published later this year, as part of the government’s Plan for Change.

    The public and businesses will receive fresh protections from the UK’s most commonly experienced crime, the Fraud Minister Lord Hanson will announce today as he sets out plans to publish a new, expanded fraud strategy as part of the government’s Plan for Change.

    The minister will detail the work underway on the new strategy, which includes proposals on working with private industry and further international co-operation, in his keynote address to the Global Anti-Scams Alliance (GASA) summit. The summit takes place today and tomorrow (Wednesday 26 and Thursday 27 March) at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in London.

    The minister will say that, with the latest ONS figures finding that fraud reports increased last year by 19%, a ‘robust response’ is required to every aspect of the fraud threat. And with estimates finding that 70% of fraud now includes an international element, global co-operation will be key to tackling this growing issue.

    A key focus of the strategy will be combatting tech-enabled fraud, including emerging tech such as AI. The minister will state that getting a grip on these threats will be central to the new strategy.

    But Lord Hanson will also re-emphasise the government’s commitment to harnessing the power of developing technologies, including AI, to help tackle crime and reduce the amount of time that the police and prosecutors need to spend completing paperwork rather than delivering justice. This is a key objective of the recently published Independent Review of Disclosure and Fraud Offences.

    As part of his keynote address, Lord Hanson will also announce plans for a Global Fraud Summit supported by the UK. The summit will be hosted by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and INTERPOL in Vienna in early 2026 and will bring together dozens of governments from across the world to transform the global response to fraud.

    With fraud and cyber crime making up 50% of all online crime in the UK, the Fraud Minister will reveal that he has instructed officials to accelerate the development of data-sharing measures to protect the public and businesses. This work, Lord Hanson will say, will take place in collaboration with law enforcement and industry to “stop, block and disrupt” online harms both domestically and internationally.

    The announcements also follow the second meeting of the Joint Fraud Taskforce since the new government took office and the first since the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Mansion House speech. Together with the Home Secretary and the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, the chancellor urged tech and telco companies to go further and faster to tackle fraud.

    Fraud Minister Lord Hanson said:

    Fraud is an increasingly international enterprise run by some of the most appalling criminal gangs operating in the world today.

    That’s why we are determined to work with global partners to build a united front to tackle these criminal networks head-on, wherever they are based.

    It’s also why I’m pleased to announce a new Global Fraud Summit to be held in early 2026 and that work is ongoing to develop a new, expanded fraud strategy with international co-operation at its heart, as part of this government’s Plan for Change.

    Fraud has changed and so too must our response.

    UNODC Executive Director Ghada Waly said:

    Organised fraud is growing increasingly sophisticated and transnational, requiring stronger collaboration across borders and agencies.

    I welcome the UK’s leadership in driving efforts to combat organised fraud and I’m proud that the UN’s Office on Drugs and Crime is partnering with INTERPOL to co-organise the Global Fraud Summit 2026 in Vienna.

    This is an important opportunity to sharpen our collective response and develop innovative solutions to protect communities from this pervasive crime.

    INTERPOL Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza said:

    Advances in technology, such as AI, have seen online fraud and scams grow in complexity and scale, posing a threat to individuals and organisations alike.

    A unified response is essential, and these summits are an opportunity to bring the various sectors together.

    We look forward to working with the UK, the UNODC and other partners to build a more effective global response.

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Arrest – Domestic violence – Alice Springs

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested a 53-year-old male in relation to a domestic violence incident that occurred in Alice Springs early this morning.

    Around 1:25am, a female presented to the Alice Springs Police Station to report she had been assaulted by her partner with a blunt weapon at a residence in Braitling.

    The victim sustained injuries to her head, face and arm, and was conveyed to the Alice Springs Hospital by St John Ambulance for treatment.

    Police attended the residence and arrested a 53-year-old male at 2am.

    He remains in police custody and investigations are ongoing.

    Police urge anyone with information to call 131 444 and quote reference P25083467. Anonymous reports can also be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

    If you or someone you know are experiencing difficulties due to domestic violence, support services are available, including, but not limited to, 1800RESPECT (1800737732) or Lifeline 131 114.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Call for information – Disturbances – Alice Springs

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Northern Territory Police Force is calling for information in relation to disturbances that occurred in Alice Springs yesterday.

    Around 12:30pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre (JESCC) received multiple reports of groups fighting in the Alice Springs CBD. Police responded and the group dispersed.

    A 37-year-old female was conveyed to the Alice Springs Hospital with minor injuries, along with a second victim with non-life-threatening injuries.

    A 22-year-old female was arrested in relation to this incident and is expected to be charged.

    Around 2:35pm, further alleged fighting occurred between the same groups on Hartley Street, with some participants allegedly armed with weapons.

    Multiple police units responded, and the group once again dispersed.

    Investigations are ongoing and police urge anyone with information to make contact on 131 444. Please quote reference P25082836. You can also report anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Working together to ensure financial integrity

    Source: Bank for International Settlements

    Good morning. It is a great pleasure to be here today and to welcome you to the BIS Innovation Hub’s Analytics Showcase.1

    This event marks the conclusion of the 2025 Analytics Challenge, in which we invited innovators to submit proposals for collaborative technology solutions to a specific problem.

    Over the next two days, we will come together to tackle a pressing challenge for regulators, businesses and consumers – financial crime. And since financial crime does not respect borders, we believe there is a clear need for deeper global collaboration. In the next few minutes, I will reflect on why this is essential and how we can work together in an increasingly digitalised world.

    The BIS Innovation Hub already helps central banks around the world collaborate on financial technology. We track key trends, connect innovation experts to each other and develop public goods in the technology space that are geared towards improving the functioning of the financial system.

    We experiment through projects that aim to show how technology can help and inspire meaningful action. These projects are possible thanks to collaboration with the global community of policymakers and innovators. And to our delight, part of this community is also here today.

    In my remarks, I will share with you the Innovation Hub’s projects that use technological innovation to safeguard financial integrity. And then I will set out our plan for the next two days to explore new technology and further expand global collaboration in the fight against financial crime.

    But let me now turn to why action is called for in the first place.

    Financial crime today

    Financial services are needed for a society to work well. Indeed, they are crucial for the economy to function properly. But widespread financial crime, such as fraud, money laundering and cyber attacks, undermines the integrity of our financial system and harms society. Central banks and financial supervisors therefore have a strong interest in supporting the fight against this type of criminal activity.

    The scale of financial crime is staggering. By some estimates, over $3 trillion2 in illicit funds move through the financial system each year, draining up to 5% of global GDP.3 Fraud alone costs hundreds of billions of dollars, hitting both consumers and businesses that have to shoulder a considerable share of the losses.

    We have good reasons to believe that most cases of fraud are never reported, which leaves the true scale hidden.4 And the real cost isn’t just money – financial crime often goes hand-in-hand with  other crimes, such drug and human trafficking, often damaging society’s most vulnerable people.

    Meanwhile, criminals move faster than law enforcement, exploiting technology and global networks to stay ahead. Look no further than Europe for evidence. Most fraud here appears to be cyber-enabled, online scams that very often cross borders,[5] with more consumers being targeted than ever before.

    In turn, financial firms face soaring compliance costs to detect illicit activity, spending hundreds of billions each year just to keep up.6

    And despite these efforts, estimates indicate that less than 1% of dirty money is intercepted and recovered,7 a remarkable statistic that highlights a difficult reality: despite growing investment in fighting financial crime, the overall results are falling short.

    To turn the tide, we need to explore new ways to fight financial crime, and we know that new technology holds great potential.

    But we also know that only through the collaboration, support and contributions of many can we fully harness technological innovation to protect our financial system and society. In other words, it takes a village.

    That brings us to today. We’ve laid the foundation already – the next two days of the Analytics Showcase will build on it.

    Let me share how the BIS Innovation Hub has been driving this effort.

    The role of the BIS Innovation Hub

    The Bank for International Settlements supports central banks in their pursuit of monetary and financial stability by fostering international cooperation.

    About five years ago, the BIS launched the Innovation Hub – a partnership with central banks that now spans seven centres across the globe, with one located here in London and hosted by the Bank of England.

    The Innovation Hub experiments with new technologies to see how they can solve shared challenges and help central banks deliver on their mandates more effectively.

    It does so because technology is changing finance fast, and the Innovation Hub aspires to facilitate collaboration and be a partner to central banks, while demonstrating the potential that novel technology brings.

    And the financial system needs to be secure, resilient and trusted, no matter how fast things change.

    Financial integrity is key to central banks for three reasons.

    First, threats to financial integrity are also threats to safety and stability – their core job.

    Second, central banks operate and supervise financial market infrastructures such as payment and settlement systems, where the threat of financial crime exists.

    Third, central banks often oversee banks’ compliance with anti-money laundering rules that enable the detection of illicit transactions.

    Some of the Innovation Hub’s projects have developed technological solutions or components that could be combined in a potential “technology stack”, elevating global collaboration in the fight against financial crime.

    Let me unpack that.

    A technology stack to maintain financial system integrity

    Consider a typical cross-border payment – it involves multiple banks and payment systems across jurisdictions. From the moment the sender makes a payment until the final recipient receives the money, multiple steps are taken to keep the payment safe and secure.

    I will walk you through the five key components that make these steps more effective.

    To start, each bank involved in the transaction must conduct compliance checks. This involves screening customers against sanctions lists or ensuring compliance with foreign exchange rules. These checks are often repeated and require manual work, due to varying regulations and data standards along the payments chain.

    Our first component of the technology stack provides a solution for programmable compliance and transaction pre-validation.

    Through Project Mandala, we have demonstrated better options for financial institutions to automate compliance checks and generate cryptographic proofs to show they have conducted all the necessary checks before initiating a transaction.

    The solution enhances the efficiency, transparency and speed of cross-border transactions without compromising the quality and soundness of regulatory checks.

    Mandala also improves transparency on country-specific policies, while facilitating real-time reporting and monitoring for regulators and supervisors.

    Now, after compliance checks, transactions are submitted to electronic payment systems for processing. These systems have a bird’s eye view of payers and payees allowing them to analyse transaction networks.

    Our next component is about embedding enhanced transaction analytics into payment systems. This could improve detection of seemingly legitimate transactions tied to complex money laundering schemes.

    Ongoing work in Project Hertha aims to show that advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and network analytics methods at a payment system level can help identify financial crime patterns that warrant a second look, while protecting privacy by using only a limited set of data points.

    To achieve this, the project created synthetic transaction data mimicking real payments using state-of-the-art AI methods. These data were also shared with Analytics Challenge participants to help test their solutions.

    The third component is about collaborative analytics. Advanced technologies, such as federated learning and multi-party computation, allow public and private stakeholders to share intelligence without revealing private customer data. Such public-private collaboration can help stakeholders join forces to identify criminal activity. 

    Project Aurora demonstrated how shifting to this more holistic approach, including the application of AI and machine learning techniques, helps identify money laundering and financial crime networks both nationally and internationally.

    Another component of our tech stack is user privacy, which is crucial in all our projects. Privacy rights must be upheld in any collaborative analytics and information sharing initiatives.

    Projects Aurora and Mandala tested privacy-enhancing technologies for secure data sharing. Project Hertha is testing methods to identify suspicious network patterns using a minimal set of data points.

    The final component is protection against cyber threats, vital in today’s digital landscape. Fraudsters and cyber criminals often use similar methods, like phishing. And those same technologies can also be used to fight back against the criminals. 

    Two of our projects addressed this.

    Project Raven can help the financial sector and authorities assess cyber security and resilience in their jurisdiction, by using AI to lower the reporting and analytical costs.

    Project Polaris focuses on the cyber security and resilience of potential future forms of money and payment systems, including offline digital payments.

    Strengthening these five components can help future-proof the financial system against evolving threats.

    Let me now explain how the Analytics Challenge and Showcase play a role here.

    Looking ahead: the Challenge and the Showcase

    Late last year, we invited public and private sector experts to join the BIS Innovation Hub 2025 Analytics Challenge and build on the work we started.

    We asked innovators to propose collaborative tech solutions that combat financial crime and simplify compliance through two challenges.

    In the open challenge, participants had to tackle three key questions:

    • How can AI be used to improve the detection of illicit financial activity?
    • How can privacy-preserving technology be used in sharing data and intelligence?
    • Finally, how can we collaborate on innovative tech solutions to enable compliance with diverse regulations across jurisdictions?

    In the prediction challenge, participants were asked to build algorithms to detect illicit transactions.

    Participants could test and demonstrate their solutions using a rich and realistic synthetic payments data set developed in Project Hertha.

    I am impressed with the high quality of the responses and I hope the demonstrations and discussions at the Analytics Showcase inspire new possibilities and partnerships.

    But the Showcase has even more to offer in the next two days.

    And with that, I trust the Analytics Showcase will strengthen our fight against financial crime and look forward to the insights ahead.

    Thank you very much for listening.

    1 My thanks go to the BIS Innovation Hub’s Andrei Pustelnikov and Simina Puscasu who helped me write this speech.

    2 Nasdaq and Verafin, Global Financial Crime Report, 2024.

    3 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, “Money laundering”.

    4 UK National Crime Agency (NCA), “Fraud”.

    5 The Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS), “Cyber-enabled fraud and illicit money flows”, infographic, 2024.

    6 LexisNexis Risk Solutions, Report: The true cost of financial crime compliance, 2023.

    7 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, “Factsheet: money laundering”, 2014.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Detectives charge two more people with the murder of 16-year-old Lathaniel Burrell

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Detectives investigating the murder of a teenager shot in Stockwell have charged two more people in connection with his murder.

    Lathaniel Burrell, aged 16, died at the scene after sustaining gunshot wounds in Paradise Road, SW4 on Tuesday, 4 March.

    His family continue to be supported by specialist officers.

    A 17-year-old boy [C] from Peckham and a 30-year-old man [D] from Lambeth were arrested on Tuesday, 26 March on suspicion of murder.

    The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was charged with murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.

    The 30-year-old man, Jeffery Frimpong, (09.05.1994) of Smedley Street, Lambeth, was charged with murder.

    Both will appear at Croydon Magistrates’ Court later today (Thursday, 27 March.)

    Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Lee from the Specialist Crime Command, who is leading the investigation, said: “These charges mark a significant milestone in the investigation. We continue to appeal for witnesses and for those with knowledge of this incident to come forward. Please be reassured that we will continue to investigate this matter and ensure that all offenders are brought to justice.”

    Previously, another 17-year-old boy [A] and Omar Prempeh, 32 (22.12.92), of Sunderland Road, Forest Hill, have been charged with murder. They will next both appear at the Old Bailey on Thursday, 29 May.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: GAZA – Oxfam: Humanitarian operations in Gaza severely hampered; famine risks increasing

    Source: Oxfam Aotearoa

    Restoring ceasefire deal vital as death toll hits 50,000 and continues to rise amid Israeli airstrikes, aid and power blockades, and renewed mass forced displacements.
    Oxfam and partners’ operations have been severely hampered as Israel’s renewed military assault and ground offensive on Gaza continues into its 7th day.
    Oxfam is calling for a renewed ceasefire and for Israel to lift its 23-day siege which is again blocking aid supplies and increasing famine risks for desperate civilians. Israel imposed a complete blockade 23 days ago and cut off electricity to Gaza a few days later.
    Israeli authorities are denying entry to trucks loaded with 63,000 metric tons of food for 1.1 million people. Operations have been forced to stop in vital areas such as food security and livelihood, as well as hygiene promotion, and essential repair work to damaged water infrastructure. 
    Bushra Khalidi, Oxfam’s OPT Policy Lead, said: “During the 42-day ceasefire families in Gaza could finally fall asleep knowing their loved ones would still be beside them when they woke up. Even though aid that entered was not enough-far from enough-it was something. The price of food stabilised. Supermarkets reopened. Bakeries began running again. Many people even went to their homes or what was left of it, and tried to repair and rebuild, however little they could.”
    Humanitarian agencies were able to mount operations that saw an average of more than 4,000 trucks per week entering Gaza despite Israeli authorities initially only partially opening the crossings and denying much of the urgently needed reconstruction materials. Oxfam reached almost 200,000 people with essential relief. 
    The Israeli government’s renewed bombardment of residential areas, including Jabalia and Khan Younis, has killed almost 700 people, including at least 200 children since March 18. Israeli authorities have issued new mass forced displacement orders, forcing around 120,000 Palestinians to flee. These orders are causing panic and chaos in the absence of anywhere safe in Gaza.
    Oxfam says humanitarian operations have been gravely hindered by the absence of guarantees of safety for aid workers moving around Gaza.
    Oxfam and its partners say their storage facilities containing food parcels are severely depleted. Israeli authorities have denied access to Oxfam shipments of six desalination units and seven trucks of water and sanitation infrastructure, up to 85% of which has been destroyed by Israel’s bombing campaign.
    “Oxfam, through its partners has been able to initiate emergency water trucking across the Gaza Strip, and are maintaining some other aid programs, such as multi-purpose cash transfers, despite the severe challenges that all humanitarian workers now face around lack of protection,” said Khalidi.
    “For the past 535 days, Israel has been systematically weaponising life-saving aid, inflicting collective punishment upon the population of Gaza. The denial of food, water, fuel and electricity is a war crime and a crime against humanity. Many within the international community are enabling this by their silence, inaction and complicity,” said Khalidi.
    Oxfam’s health partner in Gaza, Juzoor for Health and Social Development, had its center in Jabalia destroyed in an airstrike on March 18. It had been serving over 1,000 patients daily. Dr Umaiyeh Khammash, Director of Juzoor, said: “Every airstrike that hits, threatens the lives and safety of our dedicated staff and the patients they serve. This center is not just a building; it’s the heartbeat of healthcare for countless families here. Without it, many will lose access to crucial medical care.”
    In another attack yesterday (March 23), three sewage operators from the Abasan Al Kabira municipality working with Oxfam’s partner Coastal Municipalities Water Utility (CMWU) were killed while performing their duties when their clearly- marked truck was destroyed in an attack by Israeli military.
    A renewed ceasefire must be permanent and accompanied by the safe return of Israeli hostages and illegally detained Palestinian prisoners. Israel must provide unfettered aid at scale. Oxfam said governments must stop transferring arms, while the international community must enforce international law. We reiterate our call for justice and accountability for all those affected.  
    Notes:
    • Oxfam works with 19 partner organizations in the Gaza Strip. Between 20 January and 28 February 2025, Oxfam reached a total of 181,622 people across the Gaza Strip with water and sanitation services, including repair and reconstruction, protection, multipurpose cash assistance, distribution of food parcels and essential agricultural inputs for recovery, protection, health care and case management.
    • Since Israel’s breach of the ceasefire and airstrikes on Gaza on 18 March, Oxfam staff movements have been severely restricted in the absence of a notification system. This week, Oxfam’s progammes in Gaza, including those of many partners, have been severely impacted. Oxfam is still able to undertake some water trucking and multipurpose cash distribution, but under high-risk conditions
    • The fatality rate in Gaza is based on the Palestinian Ministry of Health reporting on 24 March (11AM) and the fatality rate of children is reported by UNICEF on 21 March
    • Since 2 March, Israeli authorities have re-imposed a total siege, blockading the entire Gaza Strip. It is banning the entry of any humanitarian basic supplies, including water, food, medical supplies and fuel, as well as banning any commercial supplies to enter Gaza.
    • On 10 March, Israeli authorities cut off electricity supply to the only operational large-scale desalination plant for drinking water. With the exception of that last remaining, intermittent electricity feed to the desalination plant, Gaza has been under an electricity blackout since 11 October 2023.
    • The current siege is one week longer than in 2023, when the Israeli authorities imposed a total siege that lasted from 7-21 October 2023.
    • According to the IPC Special Snapshot – September 2024 – April 2025, the risk of Famine between November 2024 and April 2025 persists as long as conflict continues, and humanitarian access is restricted
    • According to the Palestinian Water Authority, 85% of the water and sanitation infrastructure in Gaza is destroyed as a result of Israel’s bombing campaign.
    • The UN reported that during the 42-day ceasefire period, a total of 4,000 trucks per week travelled into Gaza, 600,000 people received polio vaccinations and maternity care was provided for 5,000 births.
    • Satellite images of the Gaza displacement orders, on 18 March, covers an area amounting to 37% of Gaza’s land and double the size of the original buffer zone. This has been reported by Sky News and the figures have been confirmed by the UN. The UN reported on 21 March that more than 120,000 people had fled since the evacuation orders were issued on 18 March.
    • Denial of Aid – breaches Customary IHL Rule 55; 1977 Additional Protocol II Arts 69-71 and 81; Fourth Geneva Convention 1949, Arts 23,55-63 and 108-111; Rome Statute ICC, Crime Against Humanity of Extermination, Art 7 1(b) “Extermination” includes the intentional infliction of conditions of life, inter alia the deprivation of access to food and medicine, calculated to bring about the destruction of part of a population. OCHA / WFP food insecurity data,  released every tuesday (18 Mar 2025): Most recent OCHA sitrep (18 Mar 2025):
    • Between 10 and 20 per cent of 4,500 surveyed pregnant and breastfeeding women are malnourished, a recent analysis by the Nutrition Cluster reveals.
    • To cope with shortages, the Food Security Sector (FSS) partners are drastically reducing food assistance to families, suspending flour distribution to families to prioritize supplies for bakeries, pausing the distribution of fresh produce, and scaling down hot meal preparations at some community kitchens.
    • FSS warns that over one million people risk being left without food parcels in March, and at least 80 of the 170 community kitchens may be forced to close in one to two weeks, if supplies, including cooking fuel, are not allowed into Gaza. The FSS estimates that more than 50,000 metric tons (MT) of food supplies are required monthly to assist everyone with full rations, in addition to 9,700 MT of flour needed monthly to keep the subsidized bakeries running.
    • Since the ceasefire took effect on 19 January, and as of 15 March, 4,646 children have enrolled in malnutrition treatment programmes, 672 of whom were diagnosed with severe acute malnutrition.
    • The Nutrition Cluster notes a decrease in monthly enrolments in such programmes from about 5,000 in the month prior to the ceasefire to a monthly average of 2,500 in Phase One of the ceasefire.
    • Nutrition Cluster partners observed a rising number of pregnant and breastfeeding women becoming malnourished – between 10 and 20 per cent,
    • 11 March inter-agency mission to eastern Khan Younis found that agricultural facilities had been largely destroyed, including 1,400 dunums of open land,150 greenhouses, 90 poultry farms, and dozens of livestock and dairy cattle farms. The remaining cultivated land did not exceed 70-80 dunums.
    • Market survey carried out by WFP covering key developments during the first half of March (14th Mar published):
    • WFP currently has sufficient food stocks to support active kitchens and bakeries for up to one month, as well as ready-to-eat food parcels to support 550,000 people for two weeks.
    • WFP has approximately 63,000 metric tons of food destined for Gaza, stored or in transit in the region. This is equivalent to two to three months of distributions for 1.1 million people, pending authorization to enter Gaza.
    • Traders have begun withholding goods due to uncertainty over when new supplies will arrive.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Taskforce Morpheus – National Day of Action 2025

    Source: New South Wales – News

    Law enforcement agencies from across Australia and New Zealand have targeted the Hells Angels Outlaw Motorcycle Club (HAOMC) in a coordinated National Day of Action as part of Operation Morpheus.

    The focus of the National Day of Action was to cause maximum disruption to the HAOMC through compliance and enforcement activities across Australia and New Zealand.

    With a significant legacy of past national coordination and collaboration by law enforcement and partners in Australia and New Zealand, National Taskforce Operation Morpheus is a joint initiative. This includes all Australian state and territory police, New Zealand Police, Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, Australian Defence Force, AUSTRAC, Australian Taxation Office, and Services Australia collaboratively targeting the highest threat outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMCGs) impacting Australia and New Zealand.

    The National Day of Action 2025 has resulted in law enforcement agencies around the country conducting compliance checks relating to bail, parole, firearms possession and other legislation. The agencies also seized firearms, weapons, various drugs, illicit cigarettes and tobacco products and in excess of $48,000 in cash resulting in the arrest of 23 people, involving 60 charges.

    By proactively targeting OMCG’s throughout Australia and New Zealand in a day of action using a combination of enforcement, compliance and disruption techniques Operation Morpheus generates significant intelligence holdings. Shared intelligence relating gang to membership and associates, locations and gang related premises and criminal activities play a crucial role in national and international law enforcement awareness of links with OMCG’s like HAOMC and organised crime.

    Other focuses of law enforcement were HAMC – OMCG members involved in family violence matters and those club members and associates already incarcerated within the prison populations.

    The overrepresentation of OMCG members and associates linked with family and domestic violence perpetration is a significant community issue.  As is violence and contraband within the prison systems, also well documented and a focus of this operation.

    Operation Morpheus sends the message to members of OMCG members, “It doesn’t matter if you are at freedom or in custody you will be targeted for criminal related activity, be that personal or club related business. Put simply it doesn’t pay to be a member of an OMCG or any criminal gang.”

    Australian Border Force have also identified HAMC members and associates attempting to enter Australia recently as well as targeting members and associates who may be subject to removal from Australia.

    As national organised crime continues to move into the illegal tobacco and vape industry, including OMCG involvement with other crime groups law enforcement and partners are actively focused on this activity, including the extreme violence, firearms, extortion, arson, and money laundering activities. ​

    Leveraging shared capability and technology, National Taskforce Morpheus also targets criminal assets and unexplained wealth of key OMCG members, protects vulnerable people and develops national strategies to deter gang recruitment, reduce membership and target recidivism and enablers to organised crime.

    Agency Key Results:

    South Australia Police –

    Small quantities of illicit substances seized, firearms prohibition order compliance checks completed with in-custody cell searches conducted by Dept Correctional Services. Significant additional contemporary criminal intelligence was gathered relating to HAOMC in SA.

    Victoria Police –

    9 offenders charged with 8 offences, 1 search warrant executed, small quantities of illegal prescription drugs seized, firearms prohibition order compliance checks revealing quantities of firearm ammunition, $48,000 in cash seized and subject to further investigation. Significant additional contemporary criminal intelligence gathered relating to HAOMC in Victoria.

    Western Australia Police –

    2 offenders charged with 5 offences, 2 search warrants executed, small quantities of illicit substances seized and contemporary criminal intelligence gathered relating to HAOMC in WA.

    New Zealand Police –

    3 offenders charged with 4 offences, 3 search warrants executed and 3 vehicles seized. Small quantities of both prescription and illicit substances were seized. Contemporary criminal intelligence was gathered relating to HAOMC in New Zealand.

    Australian Border Force –

    2 VISA cancellations / refusals at point of entry, a further 3 identified as potential VISA cancellations and a single Unlawful Non-Citizen detained linked with OMCGs in Australia.

    New South Wales –

    3 offenders facing 12 charges, 2 search warrants executed, small quantities of illicit substances seized, firearms prohibition order compliance checks with an additional 9 ADVO compliance checks also conducted. In-custody cell searches were also activated for OMCG members in NSW prisons.

    Queensland –

    5 offenders facing 30 charges, 2 firearms seized, 25 bail breaches (non-compliance) discovered with a significant number of traffic breaches identified with both fines and prosecutions commenced for drug and drink driving.

    Northern Territory –

    Heavy focus on traffic compliance identifying both drink (3) and drug (3) drivers apprehended.

    Tasmania –

    1 offender charged with an offence with bail and firearms prohibition order compliance checks conducted.

    Quotes attributed to: Taskforce Morpheus Chair Detective Superintendent Jason Kelly (VICPOL)

    “National Taskforce Morpheus has been an extremely successful national and international operation coordinating multiple operations that have seen Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (OMCGs) and their members disrupted, arrested, charged and held to account.  

    “Law enforcement and partner government agencies, through National Taskforce Morpheus, share the use of a variety of capabilities to proactively target OMCGs at a state, territory, national and international level. National Taskforce Morpheus will continue to be relentless in pursuing OMCGs and will not stop disrupting and holding OMCGs to account, no matter where they are located.

    “OMCGs are motivated by profit and greed, they infiltrate communities, industry and businesses and have a negative impact on the communities. The social and economic impact of OMCGs in Australia and New Zealand is significant. OMCGs also have a culture of secrecy, that includes intimidation and propensity for extreme violence, often with public displays of violence that impacts the safety of the community. For these reasons Law Enforcement and partner Government agencies will continues to target OMCGs.”

    Quotes attributed to: Officer in Charge Serious and Organised Crime Branch (SAPOL) Detective Superintendent Shane Addison

    SAPOL recognises the risk and serious harm to the community caused by significant and violent criminal activity undertaken by and associated with Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (OMCG) in South Australia. SAPOL is committed to reducing this threat to community safety and will relentlessly pursue members and associates of OMCGs who seek to profit from violence and all forms of illicit criminal activities. Today’s National Day of Action activities have focused on disrupting those OMCG members who pose the greatest risk to the community.

    “In collaboration with our law enforcement and supporting agency partners, SAPOL will target anyone involved with OMCGs illicit criminal and violent behaviour. This includes targeting the confiscation of their criminal assets. The results from the Operation Morpheus Day of Action in this State reflects this commitment.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Arrests made as Police issue appeal in aggravated robberies investigation

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Police have made arrests as part of an investigation into three aggravated robberies at Auckland jewellery stores this month.

    The investigation has linked the three offences together.

    Those were at Kayson’s Fashion Store in Glen Eden on 16 March, and the Krishna Jewellery Store in Papatoetoe and Michael Hill at Mānawa Bay which both occurred on 23 March.

    Additional reassurance patrols are being carried out across the region.

    Acting Detective Inspector Simon Harrison says two arrests have been made in recent days, with investigations progressing.

    “A number of search warrants have been carried out and further investigative activity like this will continue,” he says.

    “Police have also obtained a warrant to arrest for one man, and we are appealing for information on that offender’s whereabouts.

    “This is still very much an active investigation, and our teams are progressing well.”

    A 13-year-old boy has been charged with the aggravated robbery at Mānawa Bay, while a 24-year-old man has been charged in relation to being a party to the aggravated robbery for the offending at Glen Eden.

    Acting Detective Inspector Harrison says: “We are concerned with the violent actions of this group.

    “Our teams are still actively searching for the other offenders involved so that they can be held accountable.”

    • Reassurance patrolling being carried out:

    In addition to the work being carried out by investigation staff, uniformed Police staff are carrying out reassurance patrolling.

    “Our staff will be visible and conduct reassurance patrolling around jewellery stores as part of our  wider response,” acting Detective Inspector Harrison says.

    “We know the brazen nature of this offending concerns retail staff and the wider public.”

    “Our staff will be engaging with retailers, and as part of this presence will speak with them about how they can keep themselves, their staff and premises safe.”

    Police also encourage anyone to report suspicious behaviour around commercial premises that gives them cause for concern, acting Detective Inspector Harrison says.

    • Wanted to arrest: Dillinger Tautari

    Police are appealing for information on the whereabouts of Dillinger Tautari.

    The 18-year-old has a warrant for his arrest for the aggravated robbery at Michaell Hill at Mānawa Bay.

    “Dillinger has links across the Auckland region and is actively avoiding Police,” acting Detective Inspector Harrison says.

    “Anyone who sights Dillinger should not approach him and instead contact Police immediately.”

    Anyone with general information on his whereabouts can also contact Police on 105 using the reference number 250323/1850.

    Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

    ENDS. 

    Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hawley Presses FBI to Probe Biden-Era Targeting of Christians

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo)

    U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) sent a letter to FBI Director Kash Patel, seeking documents related to the Biden administration’s targeting of Christians. Mere months after calling for a new Church Committee to investigate abuses by the Biden Department of Justice (DOJ), Senator Hawley is now asking the new administration to turn over the details of religious targeting by the Biden DOJ and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

    “Under President Biden, the FBI targeted people of faith. The FBI’s Richmond Field Office went so far as to issue a memorandum suggesting that certain traditionalist Catholics might be security risks and proposed infiltrating Catholic parishes. President Biden’s FBI also weaponized the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (‘FACE’) Act to target pro-life protesters and discourage people of faith from exercising their First Amendment rights. No doubt this is merely the tip of the iceberg,” asserted Senator Hawley.

    Hawley’s letter calls on the FBI to share any emails, memoranda, directives, and policy guidance related to the targeting of religious Americans under the Biden Administration. 

    “I trust that, under your leadership, this misconduct will end. But those responsible must be held accountable,” Hawley stated. 

    Senator Hawley concluded, “I appreciated our conversations before and during your confirmation hearing, and I was particularly grateful for your willingness to cooperate with our investigations into the FBI’s violations of First Amendment rights. Transparency and accountability will be paramount in restoring Americans’ faith in the Bureau. Getting to the bottom of the Biden Administration’s violations of religious liberty is an excellent place to start.”

    Read the full letter here or below. 

    The Honorable Kash Patel
    Director
    Federal Bureau of Investigation
    935 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
    Washington, D.C. 20535

    Dear Director Patel:

    Under President Biden, the FBI targeted people of faith. The FBI’s Richmond Field Office went so far as to issue a memorandum suggesting that certain traditionalist Catholics might be security risks, and proposed infiltrating Catholic parishes.[1] President Biden’s FBI also weaponized the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (“FACE”) Act to target pro-life protesters and discourage people of faith from exercising their First Amendment rights. No doubt this is merely the tip of the iceberg.

    I trust that, under your leadership, this misconduct will end. But those responsible must be held accountable. As the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism, I write to formally request the production of agency records concerning these FBI abuses, as detailed in the attached appendix, by April 30, 2025.

    I appreciated our conversations before and during your confirmation hearing, and I was particularly grateful for your willingness to cooperate with our investigations into the FBI’s violations of First Amendment rights. Transparency and accountability will be paramount in restoring Americans’ faith in the Bureau. Getting to the bottom of the Biden Administration’s violations of religious liberty is an excellent place to start.

    Richmond Field Office Memorandum and Related Memoranda

    1. All versions, drafts, or revisions of the memorandum issued by the FBI Richmond Field Office regarding “radical-traditionalist Catholics” as potential domestic terrorists, including any related memoranda issued by other FBI field offices or headquarters.
    2. All internal FBI communications, including emails, text messages, chat logs, and memoranda, discussing the development, approval, modification, or rescission of the Richmond Field Office memorandum.
    3. All documents identifying the FBI personnel, offices, or divisions involved in drafting, reviewing, approving, or disseminating the Richmond Field Office memorandum, including, but not limited to, communications between the Richmond, Portland, and Los Angeles field offices.
    4. All communications between the FBI and the DOJ regarding the content, approval, or implementation of the Richmond Field Office memorandum and any related memoranda.
    5. All policy guidance, directives, training materials, or enforcement plans related to the FBI’s monitoring of religious organizations, including, but not limited to, Catholic churches, as part of domestic terrorism investigations.
    6. All documents, including email communications, meeting notes, and memoranda, that reference or discuss any directive, instruction, or guidance issued by the White House, DOJ, National Security Council, or any other federal agency regarding the FBI’s monitoring of religious groups, including Catholic organizations.
    7. All internal assessments, audits, or reports evaluating the Richmond Field Office memorandum, including any documents analyzing its compliance with FBI policies, legal frameworks, or constitutional protections of religious freedom.
    8. All documents reflecting FBI efforts to collect intelligence, recruit informants, or conduct surveillance within churches or affiliated organizations based on the Richmond Field Office memorandum or other guidance.
    9. All documents relating to investigations, surveillance operations, or law enforcement actions initiated as a result of the Richmond Field Office memorandum or related memoranda, including any records of individuals or groups targeted under this initiative.
    10. All documents reflecting the role of the FBI’s Portland and Los Angeles Field Offices in the drafting, review, or dissemination of the Richmond Field Office memorandum, including any documents that identify officials responsible for coordinating these efforts.
    11. All communications, including emails, memoranda, and reports, between FBI officials and any external organizations, think tanks, or academic institutions that provided input on the characterization of Catholic Americans or other religious groups in domestic terrorism assessments.
    12. All documents, including communications with state and local law enforcement agencies, that discuss how the Richmond Field Office memorandum or similar FBI policies were implemented or considered for enforcement at the state or local level.

    FACE Act Abuses

    1. The identity of all individuals involved with the FBI’s enforcement of the FACE Act under the Biden Administration.
    2. All communications, including, but not limited to, emails, memoranda, directives, and policy guidance, sent to or from the FBI Director, Deputy Director, or any other senior official regarding the enforcement of the FACE Act under the Biden Administration.
    3. All documents reflecting internal FBI deliberations, discussions, or decisions regarding prioritization, enforcement strategy, or policy direction related to the FACE Act, including, but not limited to, any documents identifying the individuals or offices responsible for making those determinations.
    4. All communications, including emails, text messages, or memoranda, between the FBI and the DOJ regarding the enforcement or non-enforcement of the FACE Act under the Biden Administration.
    5. All documents, including briefing materials, talking points, or internal reports, prepared for or provided to the FBI Director or other senior officials regarding the enforcement of the FACE Act under the Biden Administration.
    6. All documents, including, but not limited to, policy memoranda, internal directives, guidance documents, or other materials issued by the FBI that establish, modify, or explain the agency’s enforcement priorities under the FACE Act, including any documents identifying the officials responsible for setting such priorities.
    7. All documents, including email communications, meeting notes, or internal memoranda, that reference or discuss any directive, instruction, or guidance issued by the White House, DOJ, or any other federal agency regarding the FBI’s enforcement of the FACE Act.
    8. All drafts, revisions, or final versions of any FBI policies, reports, or legal analyses concerning the enforcement of the FACE Act that relates to enforcement discrepancies between abortion-related clinics and religious institutions, including any records identifying the individuals responsible for such policies.
    9. All communications, including emails, memoranda, text messages, or meeting minutes, reflecting any discussions between FBI field offices and FBI headquarters regarding the prioritization or de-prioritization of FACE Act investigations.
    10. All internal FBI evaluations, audits, or assessments that discuss the agency’s approach to enforcing the FACE Act, including any discussions of political, policy, or strategic considerations.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Man charged with murder following Kawerau homicide

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Attributable to Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Wilson, Eastern Bay of Plenty Area Investigations Manager:

    A man has been arrested and charged with murder following an ongoing homicide investigation in Kawerau.

    A 21-year-old man has been charged with murder following the death of a man in Onslow Street on 26 February.

    Emergency services were called to the property at around 8.45am after a man was located deceased on the front doorstep of the address.

    Police have been working hard to piece together the events surrounding the man’s death and today arrested and charged a man in Hamilton.

    We are pleased to have been able to arrest someone in relation to this tragic incident.

    We would also like to thank those members of the public who provided information, and would still like to hear from those yet to come forward.

    The man will appear in Hamilton District Court tomorrow charged with one count of murder.

    Police continue to appeal for anyone who may have heard or seen anything suspicious in or around the Onslow Street area.

    We are aware there were some other people in the general area specifically between 5.15am-5.50am that morning who haven’t yet come forward and we would ask them to please contact us.

    If you have information that could assist the investigations team, please contact Police online at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking “Update Report” or by calling 105.

    Please use the reference number 250226/5646.

    Information can also be provided through Crime Stoppers online at crimestoppers-nz.org or by calling 0800 555 111.

    As the matter is now before the Court, Police are limited in providing further comment.

    ENDS.

    Holly McKay/NZ Police 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: New sentencing laws will drive NZ’s already high imprisonment rates – and budgets – even higher

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Linda Mussell, Senior Lecturer, Political Science and International Relations, University of Canterbury

    Paremoremo Maximum Security Prison near Auckland. Getty Images

    With the government’s Sentencing (Reform) Amendment Bill about to become law within days, New Zealand’s already high incarceration rate will almost certainly climb even higher.

    The new legislation essentially limits how much judges can reduce a prison sentence for mitigating factors (such as a guilty plea, young age or mental ability). A regulatory impact statement from the Ministry of Justice estimated it would result in 1,350 more people in prison.

    This and other law changes are effectively putting more people in prison for longer. By 2035, imprisonment numbers are expected to increase by 40% from their current levels, with significant cost implications. Last year, the Corrections budget was NZ$1.94 billion, up $150 million from the previous year.

    In sheer numbers, the Ministry of Justice projects the prison population will increase from 9,900 to 11,500 prisoners over the next decade. But Minister of Corrections Mark Mitchell recently said government policies could see a peak of 13,900 prisoners over that period.

    New Zealand’s imprisonment rate is already high at 187 per 100,000 people. That’s double the rate of Canada (90 per 100,000), and well above Australia (163 per 100,000) and England (141 per 100,000).

    Accounting for imprisonment and population projections, New Zealand’s prisoner ratio could be between 238 and 263 per 100,000 by 2035. That is higher than the current imprisonment rate in Iran (228 per 100,000).

    The role of remand

    Much of this increase is driven by the number of people awaiting trial or sentencing on remand. This has risen substantially in the past ten years and is expected to keep rising.

    Remand prisoner numbers are projected to nearly equal sentenced prisoners in 2034. Among women and young people, remand numbers are already higher than for sentenced prisoners.

    In October 2024, 89% of imprisoned youth were on remand, a 15% increase in seven years. In December 2024, 53% of women prisoners were on remand, more than double the 24% rate a decade ago. Men on remand comprise 41% of prisoners, nearly double the 21% rate a decade ago.

    Māori are affected most by these increases, making up 81% of imprisoned youth, 67% of imprisoned women and 53% of imprisoned men.

    Some 30% of those on remand are not convicted. Of those who are, data released to RNZ last year showed 2,138 people (15% of remand prisoners) were not convicted of their most serious change, almost double the 2014 figure of 1,075 people.

    Significant court delays can mean people are remanded for a long time. By 2034, it is projected the average remand time will be 99 days, compared with 83 days in February 2024. As well as being a human rights concern, this is very expensive.

    Minister of Corrections Mark Mitchell: prisoner numbers could reach 13,900 over the next decade.
    Getty Images

    Putting more people away for longer

    Crime and imprisonment rates fluctuate independently of each other, as the former Chief Science Advisor acknowledged in a 2018 report. Increasing imprisonment rates are the result of political decisions, not simple arithmetic.

    The Bail Amendment Act 2013 reversed the onus of proof in certain cases, meaning the default rule is that an accused person will not be granted bail. This results in more people being sent to prison while awaiting a hearing, trial or sentencing.

    When this week’s changes to the Sentencing Act come into effect, they will further constrain judges’ discretion, capping sentence reductions for mitigating factors at 40% (unless it would be “manifestly unjust”).

    At the same time, it has become more difficult for prisoners to return to the community. For example, some are kept in prison or recalled because they do not have stable housing. (Dean Wickliffe, currently on a hunger strike over an alleged assault by prison staff, was arrested for breaching parole by living in his car.)

    Last year, Corrections received $1.94 billion in operating and capital budget, a $150 million increase to account for rising imprisonment numbers and prison expansion. There was no meaningful increase in funding for rehabilitation programmes or investment in legal aid.

    Imprisoning people is expensive. The cost of a person on custodial remand has almost doubled since 2015, from $239 a day to $437. For sentenced prisoners, it is $562 per day. This comes to between $159,505 and $205,130 per year to confine one person.

    The Waikeria expansion and beyond

    Corrections has developed a Long-Term Network Configuration Plan to meet anticipated prison population growth. This year’s budget in May will fund 240 high-security beds and 52 health centre beds at Christchurch men’s prison, at a cost of approximately $700-800 million.

    Those 240 beds will fit within 160 cells, meaning “double-bunking”. This is known to have a significant impact to prisoner health and rehabilitation, and can also add to staffing costs.

    Former corrections minister Kelvin Davis acknowledged this before the first 600-bed expansion of Waikeria prison, costed at $750 million in 2018. By June 2023, that had increased by 22% to $916 million.

    The second Waikeria expansion will deliver another 810 beds for an estimated $890 million, although the exact budget has been unclear. These projects will involve public private partnership, a model known for not always delivering the cost savings and service quality initially promised.

    There will be other costs for facilities maintenance, asset management services and financing. And there can be unanticipated costs, too. For example, the government’s partner in the Waikeria expansion, Cornerstone, claimed $430 million against Corrections in 2022 for “time and productivity losses” due to COVID-19.

    These overall trends are happening while the government is also cutting funding for important social services. Shifting resources to improve social supports would be a better option – and one that has worked in Finland – than pouring more money into expanding prisons.

    Linda Mussell does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. New sentencing laws will drive NZ’s already high imprisonment rates – and budgets – even higher – https://theconversation.com/new-sentencing-laws-will-drive-nzs-already-high-imprisonment-rates-and-budgets-even-higher-253119

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Former North Dakota State Senator Sentenced to 10 Years’ Imprisonment for Traveling to Prague to Engage in Commercial Sex with Children

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    A former North Dakota state legislator for 45 years was sentenced today to 10 years in prison for traveling to Prague in the Czech Republic, where he paid to sexually exploit children.

    According to court documents, Raymon (Ray) Everett Holmberg, 81, of Grand Forks, traveled to Prague approximately 14 times between 2011 and 2021. During these trips, while staying at a brothel that catered to men looking to engage in commercial sex with adolescent boys, Holmberg paid for sex acts with boys. During some of the trips, Holmberg used the alias “Sean Evans.” Witnesses told law enforcement that Holmberg did not want his name on the brothel’s registry because he was a North Dakota state legislator. Witnesses also told law enforcement that Holmberg would also visit a public park in front of the main train station in Prague to procure sex from underage boys. 

    Holmberg also used the “Evans” alias to tell friends about his trips and encourage them to travel to Prague. In these communications, Holmberg shared an image of an adolescent boy that he called “his twink,” and said that “no one is ever to [sic] young . . . remember Prague.” He emailed a different friend a link to a brothel in Prague and suggested that they go that summer, writing: “The boys rent at around $60 . . .  (sex is extra).”  Holmberg also wrote: “It will be decadent but oh so much fun bro.  What happens in Prague—Stays in Prague.” Back in the United States, Holmberg boasted about having engaged in sexual activity with boys as young as 12- and 15-years old during his travels.

    According to the government’s sentencing memorandum, Holmberg’s sexual exploitation of minors was not limited to his trips to Prague. Holmberg established an online relationship with a 16-year-old Canadian boy, posing as a boy of a similar age in order to manipulate the Canadian teen into taking images of himself engaging in sexually explicit conduct and sending them to Holmberg.  

    On Aug. 8, 2024, Holmberg pleaded guilty to traveling in foreign commerce for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct.

    Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer Puhl for the District of North Dakota made the announcement.

    Homeland Security Investigations, Grand Forks, and the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigations investigated the case.

    Trial Attorney Charles Schmitz of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, and Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer Puhl for the District of North Dakota are prosecuting the case.

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former North Dakota State Senator Sentenced to 10 Years’ Imprisonment for Traveling to Prague to Engage in Commercial Sex with Children

    Source: United States Attorneys General 2

    A former North Dakota state legislator for 45 years was sentenced today to 10 years in prison for traveling to Prague in the Czech Republic, where he paid to sexually exploit children.

    According to court documents, Raymon (Ray) Everett Holmberg, 81, of Grand Forks, traveled to Prague approximately 14 times between 2011 and 2021. During these trips, while staying at a brothel that catered to men looking to engage in commercial sex with adolescent boys, Holmberg paid for sex acts with boys. During some of the trips, Holmberg used the alias “Sean Evans.” Witnesses told law enforcement that Holmberg did not want his name on the brothel’s registry because he was a North Dakota state legislator. Witnesses also told law enforcement that Holmberg would also visit a public park in front of the main train station in Prague to procure sex from underage boys. 

    Holmberg also used the “Evans” alias to tell friends about his trips and encourage them to travel to Prague. In these communications, Holmberg shared an image of an adolescent boy that he called “his twink,” and said that “no one is ever to [sic] young . . . remember Prague.” He emailed a different friend a link to a brothel in Prague and suggested that they go that summer, writing: “The boys rent at around $60 . . .  (sex is extra).”  Holmberg also wrote: “It will be decadent but oh so much fun bro.  What happens in Prague—Stays in Prague.” Back in the United States, Holmberg boasted about having engaged in sexual activity with boys as young as 12- and 15-years old during his travels.

    According to the government’s sentencing memorandum, Holmberg’s sexual exploitation of minors was not limited to his trips to Prague. Holmberg established an online relationship with a 16-year-old Canadian boy, posing as a boy of a similar age in order to manipulate the Canadian teen into taking images of himself engaging in sexually explicit conduct and sending them to Holmberg.  

    On Aug. 8, 2024, Holmberg pleaded guilty to traveling in foreign commerce for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct.

    Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer Puhl for the District of North Dakota made the announcement.

    Homeland Security Investigations, Grand Forks, and the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigations investigated the case.

    Trial Attorney Charles Schmitz of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, and Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer Puhl for the District of North Dakota are prosecuting the case.

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Colorado Law Finally Reflects Colorado’s First Female Commissioner of Agriculture and State Veterinarian! Governor Polis Signs Bipartisan Bill Into Law Fixing Outdated Language in State Statute, Signs Administrative Bills

    Source: US State of Colorado

    DENVER – Today, Governor Polis signed the bipartisan HB25-1084 – Remove Gendered Language from Title 35, sponsored by Representative Karen McCormick, and Senators Janice Marchman and Cleave Simpson. The bill replaces outdated language with gender-neutral language in line with Colorado Revised Statutes. 

    “Here in Colorado, we want the best person for the job, period. For far too long our talented and dedicated Commissioner of Agriculture, Kate Greenberg, and State Veterinarian Dr. Maggie Baldwin, the first women in their positions, have faced the indignity of being referred to as male due to outdated statutes. Before this legislation, state statute referred to the Commissioner as ‘he’ several times. This is unacceptable and I’m proud to sign a law during Women’s History Month to finally fix that, ensuring our laws reflect the reality that our thriving agriculture industry – and Department of Agriculture – can be led by women and men,” said Governor Polis. 

    The Governor also signed the following bills into law administratively: 

    • HB25-1025 – Stockpile of Essential Materials Distribution, sponsored by Representative Lisa Feret, and Senator Lisa Cutter.
    • HB25-1029 – Municipal Authority over Certain Land, sponsored by Representative Andrew Boesenecker, and Senators Cathy Kipp and Larry Liston.
    • HB25-1035 – Collaborative Management Program Updates, sponsored by Representative Amy Paschal, and Senator Mike Weissman.
    • HB25-1081– Reporting Statistics on Restitution, sponsored by Representatives Matthew Martinez and Matt Soper, and Senator Mike Weissman.
    • HB25-1114 – Defense Review of Tangible Object for Criminal Trial, sponsored by Representatives Michael Carter and Cecilia Espenoza, and Senators Julie Gonzales and Mike Weissman.
    • HB25-1155 – Modify Candidate Authority Watchers General Election, sponsored by Representatives Marry Bradfield and Cecelia Espenoza, and Senators Rod Pelton and Jessie Danielson.
    • HB25-1181 – Colorado Rangers Law Enforcement Shared Reserve, sponsored by Representatives Chad Clifford and Rose Pugliese, and Senators Mike Weissman and Paul Lundeen.
    • SB25-004 – Regulating Child Care Center Fees, sponsored by Senators Faith Winter and Janice Marchman, and Representatives Jenny Willford and Lorena García.
    • SB25-016 – Updating Escrow Disbursement Practices, sponsored by Senator Marc Snyder, and Representatives Andrew Boesenecker and Ron Weinberg.
    • SB25-042 – Behavioral Health Crisis Response Recommendations, sponsored by Senators Lisa Cutter and Judy Amabile, and Representatives Mary Bradfield and Regina English.
    • SB25-170 – Deoxyribonucleic Acid & Sexual Assault Kit Backlog Testing & Data, sponsored by Senators Judy Amabile, and Barbara Kirkmeyer, and Representatives Shannon Bird and Emily Sirota.
    • SB25-028 – Public Employees’ Retirement Association Risk-Reduction Measures, sponsored by Senators Chris Kolker and Faith Winter, and Representatives Eliza Hamrick and Rick Taggart. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Father-and-Son Duo from Westside Arrested on Federal Criminal Complaints Alleging Fentanyl Trafficking and Gun Sales

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    LOS ANGELES – A Westside father and son were arrested today on federal criminal complaints charging them with possessing narcotics – specifically, the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl – with the intent to distribute it to others.

    Antonio Espinoza Zarate, 55, a.k.a. “El Gato,” of the Mar Vista area of Los Angeles, and his son, Francisco Javier Espinoza Galindo, 31, of Santa Monica, were arrested this morning and are scheduled to make their initial appearances this afternoon in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles.

    Both defendants are charged with possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl. Antonio Espinoza also is charged with illegal reentry of a removed alien.

    According to affidavits filed with the complaints, Antonio Espinoza in July 2023 sold a pistol, a rifle, 131 rounds of ammunition, and more than 500 grams of fentanyl pills to a buyer. He is not licensed to engage in the business of dealing in firearms.

    In August 2023, Antonio Espinoza allegedly sold an AR-style rifle and approximately 1 kilogram of fentanyl pills to a buyer, supplied by Francisco Espinoza. In January 2025, he allegedly sold a rifle, a pistol, a revolver, and ammunition to a buyer. In February 2025, with his son present, Antonio Espinoza sold more than 500 grams of fentanyl pills to the confidential informant.

    Antonio Espinoza is a citizen of Mexico, who has been previously deported in 2010, 2013, 2014, and 2017 and illegally reentered the United States following his removals, according to court documents. His criminal history includes felony convictions in 2008 in Los Angeles Superior Court for possession of narcotics for sale and in 2015 in U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona for illegal reentry of a removed alien.

    A complaint contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

    If convicted of all charges, the defendants would face a statutory maximum sentence of life in federal prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison.

    The investigation was conducted by the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)-led El Camino Real Financial Crimes Task Force, a multi-agency task force that includes federal and state investigators who are focused on financial crimes in Southern California, with support from special agents with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California – Criminal Investigative Division; and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance from the Los Angeles Police Department regarding dangers to the community from the sales of narcotics and firearms.

    As U.S. DOJ special agents, the U.S. Attorney’s Office (USAO) Criminal Investigators conduct independent and joint-agency investigations to achieve successful prosecutions and adjudications of federal crimes charged in the district.  USAO investigators are positioned to address the prosecution priorities of the U.S. Attorney, as well as unique or project-based matters that may arise in the district and serve to generate or support a variety of federal cases with coordination and continuity among law enforcement partners throughout an investigation and trial.

    Assistant United States Attorney Diane B. Roldán of the Violent and Organized Crime Section is prosecuting these cases.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Utah Man Facing Federal Charges After Allegedly Attempting to Rob a Bank

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A Utah man was indicted by a federal grand jury in Salt Lake City today for a violent crime after he allegedly attempted to rob First Utah Bank.

    Christopher Thomas Kirby, 37, of West Valley City, Utah, was initially charged by complaint on March 19, 2025.  

    According to court documents, on March 19, 2025, at approximately 1:32 p.m., a man, later identified at Kirby, passed a note to a teller at First Utah Bank in West Valley City demanding money. According to responding officers, the note read “this is a robbery I have a bomb on my [sic] that will explode I need 20,000 in bag.” While the teller went into the vault under the guise of getting the money, she hit the silent alarm button and called 911. Officers arrived and took Kirby into custody.

    Kirby is charged with one count of attempted bank robbery. His initial appearance on the indictment was March 26, 2025, before a U.S. Magistrate Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City.

    Acting United States Attorney Felice John Viti for the District of Utah made the announcement.

    The case is being investigated jointly by an FBI Task Force Officer assigned to the Salt Lake City Violent Crimes squad and the West Valley City Police Department.

    Assistant United States Attorney Carlos A. Esqueda of the District of Utah is prosecuting the case.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

    An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 
     

    MIL Security OSI –