NewzIntel.com

Category: Gun Control

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: COMPENSATION FOR MARTYRED PERSONNEL FROM CAPFs

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 02 APR 2025 4:21PM by PIB Delhi

    The details of the compensation, ex-gratia payments, and other benefits provided to the families of deceased Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifles (AR) personnel are annexed.

    The Government has increased financial assistance for the families of deceased CAPFs personnel time to time. The details of major last enhancement are as under: –

    S.N.

    Particular

    Details      of     enhancement    of

    financial assistance.

    From

    To

    1.

    Central Ex-gratia.

     

     

     

    (i)                 Death         due         to accidents in bonafide

    Government duty.

    Rs. 10 Lakhs

    Rs. 25 Lakhs

     

    (ii)  Death occurring in border skirmishes and action against militants, terrorists, extremists,                                             sea pirates and specified high                                            altitude, inaccessible  border

    posts,

     

    Rs. 15 Lakhs

    Rs. 35 Lakhs

    2.

    Death-cum-retirement       gratuity

    (DCRG) (Maximum limit)

    Rs. 20 Lakhs

    Rs. 25 Lakhs

    3.

    Financial assistance from Bharat

    ke Veer Trust.

    Rs. 15 Lakhs

    Rs. 25 Lakhs

    4.

    Risk Fund.

    Rs. 20 Lakhs

    Rs. 30 Lakhs

    5.

    Central Armed Police Salary Package (CAPSP)- Accidental death insurance.

    Rs. 60 Lakhs

    Rs. 1.10 Cr.

    6.

    Medical Allowance.

    Rs.       500/-      Per

    month.

    Rs.        1000/-

    Per month.

    7.

    Extraordinary family pension

    Rs.      7,000/-    per

    month

    Rs.     18,000/-

    per month

     

    Year/Force wise details of CAPFs & AR personnel who laid down their lives in the line of duty during last five years are as under:-

     

    Year/ Force

    2020

    2021

    2022

    2023

    2024

    Grand Total

    CRPF

    26

    12

    10

    6

    12

    66

    BSF

    9

    14

    19

    16

    21

    79

    ITBP

    4

    6

    13

    9

    6

    38

    SSB

    1

    0

    1

    0

    0

    2

    CISF

    0

    0

    1

    0

    0

    1

    AR

    5

    6

    1

    1

    0

    13

    Total

    45

    38

    45

    32

    39

    199

     

    The following employment, education and health care benefits are also available for the dependents of deceased CAPFs & AR personnel:-

     

    1. Appointment on compassionate ground: – 5% vacancies are reserved in Group-C for appointment for the Next of Kins (NoKs)/ dependents of the deceased CAPFs & AR personnel.

     

    1. Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS): Launched to encourage

     

    higher technical and professional education among the wards and widows of CAPF and Assam Rifles personnel, the scheme offers 2,000 scholarships annually (1,000 for boys and 1,000 for girls). The scholarship amounts are

    ₹3,000 per month for girls and ₹2,500 per month for boys, disbursed annually as ₹36,000 and ₹30,000, respectively.

     

    1. Quota for wards of CAPF:- 26 seats in MBBS & 03 seats in BDS have been reserved for the wards of serving/deceased CAPFs & AR personnel.

     

    1. Medical   Facilities:    Retired    personnel/NoKs   of    deceased   CAPF

     

    personnel are entitled to receive medical facilities from CGHS/CPMF Hospitals or a medical allowance of ₹1000 per month.

    *****

    The Government of India has taken several welfare initiatives for the personnel of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and their families. These initiatives encompass financial assistance, educational support, housing, and rehabilitation services.

    • Ayushman CAPF: It is an initiative launched by the Government of India under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) specifically for personnel of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and their families. It provides cashless and paperless medical treatment at empanelled private and government hospitals across India
    • Ex-Gratia Payments: In the unfortunate event of death due to accidents during duty, CAPF personnel’s next of kin receives ₹25 lakh. For deaths resulting from acts of violence by terrorists or during enemy action, the compensation is ₹35 lakh.
    • Accidental death insurance coverage under CAPF salary package scheme: This policy offers financial support to the families of personnel who lose their lives in the line of duty.
    • Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS): Launched to encourage higher technical and professional education among the wards and widows of CAPF and Assam Rifles personnel, the scheme offers 2,000 scholarships annually (1,000 for boys and 1,000 for girls). The scholarship amounts are ₹3,000 per month for girls and ₹2,500 per month for boys, disbursed annually as ₹36,000 and ₹30,000, respectively.
    • Contributory Welfare Fund:- Necessary guidelines issued to bring uniformity in payout to the Next of Kins (NoKs) of deceased CAPF personnel from Contributory Welfare Fund.
    • Quota for wards of CAPF:- 26 seats in MBBS & 03 seats in BDS have been reserved for the wards of serving/deceased CAPFs & AR personnel.
    • CAPF e-Awas Portal: A dedicated online platform facilitates the registration and allotment of residential quarters to CAPF personnel. The portal also provides services such as retention and regularization of accommodations.
    • Welfare and Rehabilitation Board (WARB): Established to oversee the welfare and rehabilitation of retired CAPF personnel and their families, including the next of kin of deceased or disabled personnel, WARB operates through State and District Welfare Officers across the country.
    • “CAPF Punarvaas” scheme: – A “CAPF Punarvaas” scheme was launched by linking Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Act (PSARA) website with WARB website where the data of retired and willing Ex- CAPF/AR personnel is made available to Private Security Agencies on PSARA website for re-employment in Private Security Agencies.
    • Medical Facilities: Retired personnel and their spouses receive medical facilities from CGHS/CPMF Hospitals or a medical allowance of ₹1000 per month.
    • Risk and Hardship Allowances: Enhancements have been made to the existing risk and hardship allowances for CAPF personnel deployed in Jammu and Kashmir and Left-Wing Extremism affected districts.
    • Kendriya Police Kalyan Bhandar (KPKB): Formerly known as the Central Police Canteen, KPKB provides quality products to CAPF personnel at discounted rates through direct negotiations with suppliers.
    • Liberalized Pension Awards (LPA) and Extraordinary Family Pension (EFP): There are special pension schemes designed for the families of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel who suffer death or disability due to operational hazards, ensuring financial security for their dependents.
    • Bharat Ke Veer: It is an initiative launched by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to support the families of deceased Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel. It enables citizens to contribute financially to the families of soldiers who have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.

    This was stated by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs Shri Nityanand Rai in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.

    *****

    RK/VV/ASH/RR/PR/PS

    (Release ID: 2117803) Visitor Counter : 52

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Val Kilmer’s macho action figures held a melancholy just below the surface

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Aaron Humphrey, Lecturer, Media and Digital Humanities, University of Adelaide

    Leading man of 1990s Hollywood, Val Kilmer, has died at 65 from pneumonia. Battling cancer since 2014, he has not been a frequent presence on our film screens for most of this century. While he has recently done some interesting projects, he never recaptured his fame and box-office draw of the 1980s and ‘90s, when he appeared in iconic films such as Top Gun (1986) and Batman Forever (1995).

    His standout performance as Tom Cruise’s swaggering, self-assured rival Iceman in Top Gun made him a star. But the film that really cemented his reputation as a leading man was Oliver Stone’s The Doors (1991), in which he played Jim Morrison to astonishing effect. He is the best thing about that film.

    Kilmer starred as Doc Holliday in the 1993 film Tombstone – a kind of cross between a superhero film and a western.
    IMDB

    In 1993, he starred as Doc Holliday in Tombstone, a stylish modern western, which he co-headlined with Kurt Russell as Wyatt Earp. It was perhaps the most ’90s of the ’90s westerns. Kilmer’s performance was crowd-pleasing and critically acclaimed. His 2020 memoir, I’m Your Huckleberry, took its name from a line Kilmer spoke in the film.

    In some ways, it is a superhero film with cowboys – as you can see so clearly in the poster. It was this performance that put Kilmer on the radar of Warner Bros when they were looking to cast a new Batman after Michael Keaton abandoned the suit.

    Batman Forever

    We’ve got used to superhero films having cinematic universes and narrative continuity between films, but in the 1990s that had not quite been established.

    Warner Bros had struck cinematic gold with the first modern superhero blockbuster, Superman (1978) starring Christopher Reeve, but faced diminishing critical and financial returns with each subsequent film in the series. After Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987) failed to connect with audiences, the studio turned to Batman to be its cinematic icon. In those days, one superhero film every couple of years was seen as sufficient. Fortunately, Tim Burton’s Batman (1989) and Batman Returns (1992), two dark takes on the Batman story both starring Michael Keaton, were hits.

    However, Batman Returns was regarded by audiences and critics as too “dark”, and too Burton. Both Burton and the studio felt a change of pace was needed for a third film. Joel Schumacher was brought on as director and, perhaps due to the departure of Burton, Keaton also chose to leave the series.

    Fresh off Tombstone, Kilmer was cast as the superhero.

    Batman Forever took a goofier tone, inspired just as much by the campy 1960s TV series as the dark gothic noir style of Burton. It is still brooding, but the film is more bombastic, more colourful. Noted for performances from Tommy Lee Jones and Jim Carrey as the villains – and the costumes that famously featured nipples and codpieces – Kilmer’s performance got lost.

    Val Kilmer and Chris O’Donnell in Batman Forever (1995).
    IMDB

    Worse for Kilmer, rumours of being difficult to work with on the set of Batman may have set his career back in subsequent years. But, despite these difficulties, Kilmer makes a good Batman.

    He performed the role with a brooding physicality, as well as playfulness. He was underrated, and certainly better than George Clooney, who took over in Batman and Robin (1997) after Kilmer declined to return.

    The non-Keaton Batman films are sometimes overlooked by fans, or not seen as living up to the heights of the Burton movies. In recent years, Burton’s movies have become more or less canonised as the “real” Batman of the era. A series of comic books, Batman ’89, has been published since 2021 that continues the story from Batman Returns, bypassing the developments of Kilmer’s Batman Forever and Clooney’s Batman and Robin.

    Keaton has since reprised his role as the caped crusader on the silver screen as a major supporting character in The Flash (2023), which also featured cameos from Batman alumni Clooney and Ben Affleck as alternate universe versions of the Dark Knight. Kilmer and Christian Bale were the only retired big-screen Batmans not to appear in the film.

    But Batman Forever stands the test of time. It is an entertaining film that walks the line between the dark and brooding Batman from Burton, and the parody of the 1960s television series starring Adam West.

    Soulful melancholy

    Batman Forever was the pinnacle for Kilmer in terms of critical and commercial success. He followed it with great performances in films such as The Ghost and the Darkness (1996), Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005) and Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans (2009), but he was often the supporting character rather than the lead. These films, too, weren’t box-office smashes like his films up to and including Batman had been.

    One of his best performances of the 2000s was in the David Mamet film Spartan (2004). Kilmer plays a retired marine corps sergeant in a good leading turn. He gave a muscular performance that still had a soulful melancholy at its heart, which can be seen in a lot of his roles. He plays action figures who are tough and macho on the outside, but have a melancholy just below the surface.

    Although he never reprised his role as Bruce Wayne, a fitting coda for Kilmer’s career was the long-awaited sequel Top Gun: Maverick (2022), in which he gives a cameo as an ailing version of Iceman.

    Kilmer will be missed for his iconic roles as the quintessential performer of the late 1980s and ’90s. In 2021, a documentary about Kilmer, Val, was released, based on decades of archive footage. I would recommend it to audiences who want to know more about the man, his life, his career and his health battles over the past decades.

    Aaron Humphrey 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. Val Kilmer’s macho action figures held a melancholy just below the surface – https://theconversation.com/val-kilmers-macho-action-figures-held-a-melancholy-just-below-the-surface-253631

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Val Kilmer’s macho action figures held a melancholy just below the surface

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Aaron Humphrey, Lecturer, Media and Digital Humanities, University of Adelaide

    Leading man of 1990s Hollywood, Val Kilmer, has died at 65 from pneumonia. Battling cancer since 2014, he has not been a frequent presence on our film screens for most of this century. While he has recently done some interesting projects, he never recaptured his fame and box-office draw of the 1980s and ‘90s, when he appeared in iconic films such as Top Gun (1986) and Batman Forever (1995).

    His standout performance as Tom Cruise’s swaggering, self-assured rival Iceman in Top Gun made him a star. But the film that really cemented his reputation as a leading man was Oliver Stone’s The Doors (1991), in which he played Jim Morrison to astonishing effect. He is the best thing about that film.

    Kilmer starred as Doc Holliday in the 1993 film Tombstone – a kind of cross between a superhero film and a western.
    IMDB

    In 1993, he starred as Doc Holliday in Tombstone, a stylish modern western, which he co-headlined with Kurt Russell as Wyatt Earp. It was perhaps the most ’90s of the ’90s westerns. Kilmer’s performance was crowd-pleasing and critically acclaimed. His 2020 memoir, I’m Your Huckleberry, took its name from a line Kilmer spoke in the film.

    In some ways, it is a superhero film with cowboys – as you can see so clearly in the poster. It was this performance that put Kilmer on the radar of Warner Bros when they were looking to cast a new Batman after Michael Keaton abandoned the suit.

    Batman Forever

    We’ve got used to superhero films having cinematic universes and narrative continuity between films, but in the 1990s that had not quite been established.

    Warner Bros had struck cinematic gold with the first modern superhero blockbuster, Superman (1978) starring Christopher Reeve, but faced diminishing critical and financial returns with each subsequent film in the series. After Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987) failed to connect with audiences, the studio turned to Batman to be its cinematic icon. In those days, one superhero film every couple of years was seen as sufficient. Fortunately, Tim Burton’s Batman (1989) and Batman Returns (1992), two dark takes on the Batman story both starring Michael Keaton, were hits.

    However, Batman Returns was regarded by audiences and critics as too “dark”, and too Burton. Both Burton and the studio felt a change of pace was needed for a third film. Joel Schumacher was brought on as director and, perhaps due to the departure of Burton, Keaton also chose to leave the series.

    Fresh off Tombstone, Kilmer was cast as the superhero.

    Batman Forever took a goofier tone, inspired just as much by the campy 1960s TV series as the dark gothic noir style of Burton. It is still brooding, but the film is more bombastic, more colourful. Noted for performances from Tommy Lee Jones and Jim Carrey as the villains – and the costumes that famously featured nipples and codpieces – Kilmer’s performance got lost.

    Val Kilmer and Chris O’Donnell in Batman Forever (1995).
    IMDB

    Worse for Kilmer, rumours of being difficult to work with on the set of Batman may have set his career back in subsequent years. But, despite these difficulties, Kilmer makes a good Batman.

    He performed the role with a brooding physicality, as well as playfulness. He was underrated, and certainly better than George Clooney, who took over in Batman and Robin (1997) after Kilmer declined to return.

    The non-Keaton Batman films are sometimes overlooked by fans, or not seen as living up to the heights of the Burton movies. In recent years, Burton’s movies have become more or less canonised as the “real” Batman of the era. A series of comic books, Batman ’89, has been published since 2021 that continues the story from Batman Returns, bypassing the developments of Kilmer’s Batman Forever and Clooney’s Batman and Robin.

    Keaton has since reprised his role as the caped crusader on the silver screen as a major supporting character in The Flash (2023), which also featured cameos from Batman alumni Clooney and Ben Affleck as alternate universe versions of the Dark Knight. Kilmer and Christian Bale were the only retired big-screen Batmans not to appear in the film.

    But Batman Forever stands the test of time. It is an entertaining film that walks the line between the dark and brooding Batman from Burton, and the parody of the 1960s television series starring Adam West.

    Soulful melancholy

    Batman Forever was the pinnacle for Kilmer in terms of critical and commercial success. He followed it with great performances in films such as The Ghost and the Darkness (1996), Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005) and Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans (2009), but he was often the supporting character rather than the lead. These films, too, weren’t box-office smashes like his films up to and including Batman had been.

    One of his best performances of the 2000s was in the David Mamet film Spartan (2004). Kilmer plays a retired marine corps sergeant in a good leading turn. He gave a muscular performance that still had a soulful melancholy at its heart, which can be seen in a lot of his roles. He plays action figures who are tough and macho on the outside, but have a melancholy just below the surface.

    Although he never reprised his role as Bruce Wayne, a fitting coda for Kilmer’s career was the long-awaited sequel Top Gun: Maverick (2022), in which he gives a cameo as an ailing version of Iceman.

    Kilmer will be missed for his iconic roles as the quintessential performer of the late 1980s and ’90s. In 2021, a documentary about Kilmer, Val, was released, based on decades of archive footage. I would recommend it to audiences who want to know more about the man, his life, his career and his health battles over the past decades.

    Aaron Humphrey 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. Val Kilmer’s macho action figures held a melancholy just below the surface – https://theconversation.com/val-kilmers-macho-action-figures-held-a-melancholy-just-below-the-surface-253631

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Security: United States Attorney’s Office and Task Force Honored for Dismantling Violent Criminal Enterprise

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Washington-Baltimore HIDTA has recognized two Assistant United States Attorneys from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of West Virginia and members of the Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force for an investigation that dismantled a tri-state drug trafficking operation.

    Acting United States Attorney Randolph J. Bernard announced that Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lara Omps-Botteicher and Kyle Kane received the Outstanding Community Impact Investigation award at the HIDTA ceremony in Baltimore, Maryland today for their work on a case which dismantled a violent criminal enterprise that was distributing large quantities of fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine in Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. The investigation led to the indictment of 82 co-conspirators and the seizure of nine kilograms of fentanyl/heroin, large amounts of crystal methamphetamine, cocaine, $250,000 in cash and other assets.

    “I express my heartfelt thanks to HIDTA for honoring these Assistant United States Attorneys and members of the task force who work tirelessly to remove fentanyl and these other agents of death from our community,” stated Acting United States Attorney Randolph J. Bernard.  “The AUSAs and the task force members are on the front lines, days, nights, and weekends using their skills and the most advanced technology to serve the mission of eliminating these poisons and the organizations who distribute them from our country.”

    The Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force is a HIDTA-funded initiative and consists of members from the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the West Virginia State Police-Bureau of Criminal Investigations; the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office; the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office; the Martinsburg Police Department; the Ranson Police Department; and the Charles Town Police Department.

    Washington-Baltimore HIDTA (High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area) provides support and guidance to reduce drug trafficking and misuse by improving interagency collaboration, promoting accurate and timely information and intelligence sharing, and specialized training and other resources to law enforcement, intelligence, treatment, and prevention initiatives. To learn more, go to https://www.hidta.org.

    This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Joint Law Enforcement Operation leads to the Indictment of Nine Mississippi Men for Drug and Firearm Trafficking

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    Gulfport, Miss. – A federal grand jury in Gulfport, Mississippi returned indictments charging nine men—Alvonta Demarcus McCray, Melvin McCray, Cameron Fairley, Christopher Chase Brown, Cleon Johnson, Roderick Victor Minter, Tracy Antoine McCall, Nathaniel Jackson, and Jeremy Young—for their involvement in narcotics and firearm trafficking.

    These indictments are the result of a joint investigation among the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”); Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”); Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics (“MBN”); U.S. Postal Inspection Service; and the Stone County Sheriff’s Department. During the investigation, law enforcement conducted more than 30 operations that resulted in the seizure of 3.98 pounds of methamphetamine, more than 4,000 fentanyl pills, 18 grams of powder fentanyl, and over 20 firearms.

    According to the indictments, Alvonta Demarcus McCray was charged in a six-count indictment charging him with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute-methamphetamine and fentanyl, and five counts of possession with intent to distribute; he is facing up to life in prison. Melvin McCray was charged in a five-count indictment charging him with trafficking firearms, and four counts of possession of a firearm by convicted felon; he is facing up 15 years in prison. Cameron Fairley and Christopher Chase Brown were charged in a joint indictment charging them with trafficking firearms. Fairley is also charged with two counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Fairley is facing up to life in prison and Brown is facing up to 15 years in prison. Nathaniel Jackson is charged in a six-count indictment charging him with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and fentanyl analogue, he is facing up to 20 years in prison. Cleon Johnson is charged with possession of a short-barreled shotgun and is facing up to 10 years in prison. Roderick Victor Minter, and Tracy Antoine McCall are charged in a joint indictment charging them with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Minter and McCall are facing up to life in prison. Jeremy Young is charged in a two-count indictment charging him with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and is facing up to 20 years in prison.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline) 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).

    Acting U.S. Attorney Patrick A. Lemon of the Southern District of Mississippi; Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson of ATF; Special Agent in Charge Eric P. DeLaune of HSI, Sean Tindell, Commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Public Safety; and Todd Stewart, Sheriff of the Stone County Sheriff’s Department made the announcement.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Hunter McCreight is prosecuting the case.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Slidell Man Guilty Of Machine Gun Possession

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that on March 27, 2025, CUONG QUOC TRAN (“TRAN”), age 39, of Slidell, La, pleaded guilty to possession of a machine gun, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(o). Sentencing is set for July 17, 2025.

    According to documents filed in court, on January 5, 2022, the Coast Guard Cutter Tiger Shark intercepted a fishing vessel named the “Lucky Jean” approximately four nautical miles south of Southwest Pass within the Eastern District of Louisiana.  During the safety search,  Coast Guard personnel found multiple rifles capable of fully automatic fire.  The captain of the vessel, TRAN, was subsequently interviewed by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.  TRAN admitted to possessing seven weapons found on the vessel which he had converted into weapons capable of being fully automatic, in other words, a machine gun.  The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives subsequently tested the weapons, and found them to be fully automatic.

    TRAN faces up to 10 years of imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, a period of up to 3 years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson praised the work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and the United States Coast Guard Investigative Service.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Carter K.D. Guice, Jr. of the General Crimes Unit.

    This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Minneapolis Felon Pleads Guilty to Illegal Possession of Firearms

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    MINNEAPOLIS – Norman Wesley Parker of Minneapolis pleaded guilty to illegal possession of firearms as a felon, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick.

    According to court documents, on March 10, 2023, Minneapolis Police Department officers attempted to stop a vehicle in which Norman Wesley Parker, 37, was a passenger. The driver fled from police and ultimately crashed the vehicle. Officers discovered Parker in possession of a loaded .40 caliber Smith and Wesson SD40VE semi-automatic pistol at the scene of the crash.

    Because Parker has multiple prior felony convictions for domestic assault, aggravated robbery, substance and firearm offenses, he is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.

    In his plea agreement, Parker also admitted to possessing a Keltec Model PMR-30 .22 caliber semi-automatic pistol as well as a Glock 21 .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol in 2024.

    Parker pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to one count of illegal possession of a firearm as a felon before Judge Michael J. Davis. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date. 

    This case is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Minneapolis Police Department.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney David P. Steinkamp is prosecuting the case. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Arizona Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Methamphetamine Trafficking in Southwest Missouri

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    Springfield, Mo. – A Phoenix, Ariz. man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute large quantities of methamphetamine in southwest Missouri.

    Joseph A. Gilbert, 42, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 240 months in federal prison without parole. The Court also ordered Gilbert to forfeit to the government $616,756 which represents the proceeds of Gilbert’s drug trafficking.

    On Nov. 19, 2024, Gilbert pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

    Gilbert admitted that he participated in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Barry, Stone, Polk, Lawrence, Green, Jasper, and Newton Counties from Nov. 1, 2020, to April 28, 2022. According to court documents, Gilbert served as a source of methamphetamine supply for the drug trafficking organization. During the conspiracy Gilbert distributed more than 220 pounds of methamphetamine from Arizona into southwest Missouri.

    On April 23, 2022, MSHP attempted a traffic stop of a red Chevrolet Captiva Gilbert was driving on eastbound Interstate 44. Gilbert fled from the scene and led law enforcement on high-speed pursuit on the interstate to southbound Missouri Hwy 43 near Seneca, Mo. During the pursuit, Gilbert failed to stop at red lights, overtook traffic at speeds of up to 100 miles per hour, and swerved into oncoming traffic to avoid a tire deflation device. Later that day, Gilbert was located in Ottawa County, Okla. in possession of methamphetamine and approximately 100 M-30 pills (containing fentanyl).

    Gilbert is among 18 defendants in this case who have pleaded guilty. Gilbert is the seventh defendant to be sentenced.

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica R. Eatmon. It was investigated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the FBI, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Ozarks Drug Enforcement Team, the Barry County, Mo., Sheriff’s Office, the Stone County, Mo., Sheriff’s Office, COMET (the Combined Ozark Multi-Jurisdictional Enforcement Team), the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the Greene County, Mo., Sheriff’s Office, the Polk County, Mo., Sheriff’s Office, the Ottawa County, Ok., Sheriff’s Department, the Bolivar, Mo., Police Department, the Cassville, Mo., Police Department, the Kimberling City, Mo., Police Department, the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, and the U.S. Marshals Service.

    Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force

    This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Seven Sentenced for Fentanyl Drug Trafficking Operation

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Seven people have been sentenced for their roles in a drug trafficking organization that spanned from Baltimore to the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia.

    The indictment, returned in January 2024 against Gary Brown, Jr., and eighty-one others, charged the defendants with distributing substantial amounts of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine in Berkeley and Jefferson Counties.

    Those sentenced this week include:

    • James Beau Baker, age 29, of Charles Town, West Virginia, sentenced to 97 months;
    • Amanda Nicole Albert, 32, of Knoxville, Maryland, sentenced to 46 months in prison;
    • Kendall Axavier Baker, age 32, of Winchester, Virginia, sentenced to time served;
    • Kaitlyn Ashley Knight, age 32, of Falling Waters, West Virginia, sentenced to three years’ probation;
    • Ryan Brennan, age 33, of Strasburg, Virginia, sentenced to five years’ probation;
    • April Dawn Wentzell, age 37, of Ranson, West Virginia,  sentenced to time served;
    • Aaron Joshua James, age 31, of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, sentenced to 70 months in prison;

    Of the 82 defendants, 80 have been convicted. Including today’s seven, 44 defendants have been sentenced. One defendant, Charles Delroy Singletary, age 44, of Baltimore, Maryland, remains a fugitive.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lara Omps-Botteicher and Kyle Kane prosecuted the cases on behalf of the government.

    U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.

    Investigative agencies include the Federal Bureau of Investigation (Pittsburgh Field Division and Baltimore Field Division); the Drug Enforcement Administration; the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations; the United States Postal Inspection Service; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the United States Marshals Service;  the Eastern Panhandle Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the West Virginia State Police; the West Virginia Air National Guard; the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office; the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office; Ranson Police Department; Martinsburg Police Department; Charles Town Police Department; the Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office; Stafford County Sheriff’s Office (Virginia); Frederick County Sheriff’s Office (Maryland); Frederick County Sheriff’s Office (Virginia); Winchester Police Department; and the Clarke County Sheriff’s Office (Virginia).

    This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cotton, Colleagues Reintroduce Bill to Repeal Tax on Certain Firearm Purchases

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Arkansas Tom Cotton
    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353April 1, 2025
    Cotton, Colleagues Reintroduce Bill to Repeal Tax on Certain Firearm Purchases
    Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today reintroduced the Repealing Illegal Freedom and Liberty Excises (RIFLE) Act, legislation that would remove a burdensome tax imposed on firearms regulated under the National Firearms Act.
    Senators John Boozman (R-Arkansas), Ted Budd (R-North Carolina), Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Steve Daines (R-Montana), Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska), John Hoeven (R-North Dakota), Jim Justice (R-West Virginia), Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska), Rick Scott (R-Florida), and Tim Sheehy (R-Montana) are co-sponsors of the legislation. Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (Iowa-02) introduced companion legislation in the House.
    “Law-abiding Americans who exercise their Second Amendment rights should not be subject to unnecessary taxes and restrictions preventing them from doing so. Passed into law in 1934, the National Firearms Act needs to be amended. Our legislation will remove the red tape that places an undue financial burden on would-be gun owners,” said Senator Cotton.
    “The Second Amendment is a Constitutional right that is not to be infringed. Law-abiding gun owners should not be forced to pay an unconstitutional firearm tax. This bill will remove unnecessary financial barriers on lawful gun owners from the antiquated 1934 National Firearms Act and protect the Second Amendment rights of Iowans and Americans,” said Congresswoman Ashley Hinson.
    Text of the legislation may be found here.
    Background:
    The 1934 National Firearms Act (NFA) regulates short-barreled shotguns and rifles, automatic firearms and suppressors. In addition to background checks and registration, NFA regulated items have a $200 tax.
    The ATF has acknowledged the tax was intended “to curtail, if not prohibit, transactions” of firearms. The $200 tax, unchanged since 1934, is equivalent to $4,741 in today’s dollars.
    From 2018 to 2023, ownership of NFA regulated items have grown by more than 230% as more sportsmen, shooters and firearm enthusiasts exercise their Second Amendment right.
    The RIFLE Act does not modify the current checks and registration; it solely removes the federally mandated financial burden on law-abiding gun owners.
    The legislation is endorsed by the National Rifle Association and the National Shooting Sports Foundation.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Bemidji Man Sentenced to Six Years in Prison for Trafficking Fentanyl, Illegal Possession of a Machinegun

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    MINNEAPOLIS – Patrick Burton Strong, a Bemidji man, has been sentenced to 72 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to fentanyl trafficking and illegal possession of a machinegun, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick.

    According to court documents, between March 31, 2024, and April 20, 2024, Patrick Burton Strong, 29, conspired to distribute fentanyl and illegally possessed a machinegun.  On March 31, 2024, Strong traveled with co-defendants Danielle Diane Goodman, 27, and Leticia Jean Sumner, 24, from Bemidji to Minneapolis, where Strong purchased $10,000 worth of fentanyl.  

    The next day, Strong, Goodman, and Sumner were driving back toward Bemidji when a Minnesota State Patrol trooper stopped their vehicle for traffic violations, then came to suspect Strong, Goodman, and Sumner were trafficking drugs.  The trooper searched the SUV and found a backpack belonging to Strong.  In Strong’s backpack, the trooper found approximately 100 grams of fentanyl powder; a ghost gun with a switch—that is, a privately manufactured 9mm pistol bearing no serial number, equipped with a conversion device enabling the pistol to be fired as a fully automatic weapon; and a large-capacity magazine filled with more than 30 rounds of ammunition.

    Law enforcement obtained a warrant and searched Strong and Sumner’s apartment in Bemidji. Officers found a 12-gauge Radikal Turkey P3 shotgun next to Strong’s clothing, and 23 grams of methamphetamine.

    Later, while Strong and Sumner were in custody in the Morrison County Jail, law enforcement officers found them in possession of approximately 30 grams of fentanyl.

    “Strong possessed a gun equipped with a switch, an item with no purpose other than killing people,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick. “He trafficked in fentanyl—the deadliest illegal drug commonly sold today. And he intended to sell that deadly fentanyl into Native communities in the Bemidji area, communities that experience the highest overdose rates in Minnesota. He is well-deserving of a 72- month federal sentence. Minnesota is safer with Strong off the streets.”  

    Strong pleaded guilty on November 7, 2024, to one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and one count of illegal possession of a machinegun.  He was sentenced yesterday in U.S. District Court by Judge Katherine M. Menendez.

    Goodman and Sumner each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.  Their sentencing hearings will be scheduled at later dates.

    This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Minnesota State Patrol, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Morrison County Sheriff’s Office, and Morrison County Community Corrections.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew D. Forbes is prosecuting the case.
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Dallas Man Convicted of Selling Machinegun Conversion Devices

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    On Thursday, March 27, 2025, Corey Wilson, 20, was convicted by Senior United States District Judge Barabara M. G. Lynn for possession of an unregistered machinegun on May 30, 2023 and June 6, 2023, announced Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Chad E. Meacham.

    According to evidence presented at trial, Wilson advertised machinegun conversion devices—which can be installed in an AR-platform to allow the firearm to fire fully automatic—for sale on his Instagram account.  Although these devices can be made quickly from a few dollars’ worth of material, Wilson asked for $150 apiece. 

    Testimony at trial revealed that undercover ATF agents contacted Wilson to purchase the devices. During the first purchase of six devices, Wilson explained that the devices had to be “activated” and demonstrated how to adjust and place them in a rifle to get them to fire “fully,” meaning fully automatic.  He sold six to the agents on May 30, 2023 and twenty on June 6, 2023, all within the Project Safe Neighborhood area of Northeast Dallas.

    Wilson is facing up to ten years in federal prison on each count.

    The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives’ Dallas Field Division investigated the case.  Assistant United States Attorneys Robert Withers, Walt Junker, and Elise Aldendifer are prosecuting the case.

    This case is part of “Operation Texas Kill Switch,” a statewide initiative taking aim at machinegun conversion devices, also known as “switches,” which transform commercially available semi-automatic firearms into fully automatic weapons capable of firing faster than military-grade machineguns.

    This case is also part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Mexican National Pleads Guilty to Possessing Methamphetamine and Firearms

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Mexican National, residing in Kansas City, Mo., pleaded guilty in federal court today to illegally possessing more than a kilogram of methamphetamine and firearms.

    Roberto Rosales Gonzales, 24, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Greg Kays, to one count of possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, and one count of possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

    On Thursday, March 21, 2024, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Gonzales’s residence. During the search of the residence, officers found 59 firearms of various calibers, including two suspected machine guns, assorted ammunition, a firearm silencer, and an inert hand grenade. Officers also found approximately 114.1 grams of suspected fentanyl pills, approximately 1.3 kilograms of methamphetamine, approximately 31.4 grams of suspected heroin, and more than $22,000 in cash.

    Under federal statutes, Gonzales is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad K. Kavanaugh. It was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Jackson County Drug Task Force, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

    Project Safe Neighborhoods

    This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Led by Robust 19.72% Growth in Loading of Domestic Container; Indian Railways Registers Incremental Loading of 1.68% Across All Commodities Compared to Last Year

    Source: Government of India

    Led by Robust 19.72% Growth in Loading of Domestic Container; Indian Railways Registers Incremental Loading of 1.68% Across All Commodities Compared to Last Year

    Gunny sacks, Hot Rolled coils, Ceramic Tiles, Wall care putty and Rice are five major commodities in domestic container; Domestic coal loading grows by 7.4% fertilizer by 1.2 %

    Eastern Railway Leads with 16.11% Growth in Freight Loading Among Zonal Railways in FY 2024-25

    Posted On: 01 APR 2025 6:35PM by PIB Delhi

    Indian Railways is crucial for transporting bulk commodities which are essential for industry and energy – coal for power plants, iron ore and finished steel for manufacturing and construction, cement, food grains for national distribution, fertilizers for agriculture, and petroleum products. For long distances and bulk goods, rail transport has been more economical than road transport. This helps reduce overall logistics costs for businesses, making Indian goods more competitive domestically and internationally. Moreover, Railways link mines, factories, agricultural regions, and ports with markets across the country, enabling seamless supply chains.

    During FY 2024-25, Indian Railways achieved approx 1617.38 MT of originating freight loading, as compared to 1590.68 MT achieved during FY 2023-24, registering an incremental loading of 26.70 MT (1.68%).

    Loading for domestic Coal registered growth of 7.4% whereas loading for Domestic Container recorded growth of 19.72%. Loading for fertilizer recorded growth of 1.25%. POL loading registered growth of 0.61%. Gunny sacks, Hot Rolled coils, Ceramic Tiles, Wall care putty and Rice are five major commodities in domestic container.

    In terms of loading achieved by Zonal Railways, Eastern Railway achieved growth of 16.11%. South East Central Railway (SECR) achieved growth of 7.28%. Northeast Frontier Railway achieved growth of 4.21%. Northern Railway achieved growth of 3.89%.  East Central Railway achieved growth of 2.82%. South Central Railway achieved growth of 2.14%. East Coast Railway achieved growth of 1.19%. Southern Railway achieved growth of 0.80%. South Eastern Railway achieved growth of 0.36%.

    Due to impressive loading of Coal by Indian Railways, stock at power houses in India reached 57 MT.

    ****

    Dharmendra Tewari/Shatrunjay Kumar

    (Release ID: 2117417) Visitor Counter : 50

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Felon Pleads Guilty to Illegally Possessing Firearms After Being Intercepted with Guns on Reinhardt University Campus

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ATLANTA – Joshua Timothy Rex has pleaded guilty to possession of two firearms by a convicted felon after law enforcement officers intercepted him on his way to confront a student on the campus of Reinhardt University.

    “Rex is a repeat violent offender who placed the citizens of Cherokee County and the Reinhardt University community at serious risk by bringing guns to campus in anticipation of an encounter with a student,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Richard S. Moultrie, Jr.  “We are relieved that local law enforcement intervened before Rex harmed anyone, and we are grateful for the collaborative efforts of our federal and local law enforcement partners who aided this successful prosecution.”

    “Rex posed a serious threat to the public,” said Special Agent in Charge Benjamin Gibbons.  “Identifying and apprehending Rex shows that ATF and our law enforcement partners will continue to utilize all resources to protect the community.” 

    According to Acting U.S. Attorney Moultrie, Jr., the charges and other information presented in court: Joshua Rex is prohibited by law from possessing firearms due to his record of prior felony drug convictions and a prior conviction of domestic violence.  But in spite of his previous criminal history, on July 20, 2024, he drove to the campus of Reinhardt University armed with two fully loaded firearms and extra magazines of ammunition.  Law enforcement was alerted to Rex’s apparent violent intentions when they received a 911 call stating that Rex was en route to the school to confront and potentially harm a student.

    Officers of the Cherokee County, Georgia, Sheriff’s Office and Reinhardt University Department of Public Safety prevented a potentially life-threatening incident when they intercepted Rex just as he entered the campus and arrested him for driving under the influence of alcohol and bringing firearms to the campus.  Rex later admitted to federal agents that he had armed himself in anticipation of an encounter with a Reinhardt University student.

    Sentencing is scheduled for July 9, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. before Senior United States District Judge Thomas W. Thrash, Jr. 

    This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with valuable assistance provided by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and Reinhardt University Department of Public Safety.

    Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin Wylly 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).

    For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Fort Collins Resident Charged in Connection With Incident at Tesla Service Center in Loveland

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    DENVER – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Cooper Jo Frederick, of Fort Collins, Colorado, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one count of Malicious Destruction and Attempted Destruction of Property by Fire, and one count of Possession of an Unregistered Destructive Device.  The indictment was brought in connection with a fire at a Tesla Service Center in Loveland, CO, which investigators determined had been caused by an incendiary device.  Frederick was arrested Friday, March 27, 2025, in Frisco, Texas.

    The charges in the indictment are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

    The investigation is being handled by the Denver Field Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Loveland Police Department, with assistance from the Dallas Field Office of the ATF, the FBI Dallas Field Office, and the Frisco, Texas Police Department.  The prosecution is being handled by the Violent Crimes and Immigration Enforcement Section of the United States Attorney’s Office.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline) 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).

    Case Number:  25-cr-00105-NYW

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hinson, Cotton Introduce the RIFLE Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (IA-01)

    Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA-02) and Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) introduced the Repealing Illegal Freedom and Liberty Excises (RIFLE) Act. Under current law, there is a $200 tax on the transfer and purchase of firearms regulated under the National Firearms Act. This legislation would remove the existing $200 tax on firearms sold to law-abiding gun owners. 

    “The Second Amendment is a Constitutional right that is not to be infringed. Law-abiding gun owners should not be forced to pay an unconstitutional firearm tax. This bill will remove unnecessary financial barriers on lawful gun owners from the antiquated 1934 National Firearms Act and protect the Second Amendment rights of Iowans and Americans.” – Congresswoman Ashley Hinson

    “Law-abiding Americans who exercise their Second Amendment rights should not be subject to unnecessary taxes and restrictions preventing them from doing so. Passed into law in 1934, the National Firearms Act needs to be amended. Our legislation will remove the red tape that places an undue financial burden on would-be gun owners.” – Senator Tom Cotton

    “The National Rifle Association applauds Representative Hinson’s leadership on the Second Amendment and her reintroduction of the RIFLE Act. This $200 punitive tax has only ever served as a financial barrier for law-abiding Americans to exercise their Second Amendment rights.” – John Commerford, Executive Director of NRA-ILA

    “The tax stamp requirement for firearms and suppressors listed as controlled items under the National Firearms Act was intended to suppress Americans’ desire to fully-exercise their Second Amendment rights. It was – and is – a ‘sin tax. However, there is no sin in exercising a Constitutionally-protected right. We appreciate the leadership of Representative Hinson and Senator Cotton to eliminate this tax that only serves as a barrier to law-abiding citizens keeping and bearing arms.” – Lawrence G. Keane, National Shooting Sports Foundation Senior Vice President and General Counsel

    Congresswoman Hinson introduced this bill alongside 27 original co-sponsors: Representatives Richard Hudson (NC-09), Jack Bergman (MI-01), Byron Donalds (FL-19), Claudia Tenney (NY-24), Randy Feenstra (IA-04), John Moolenaar (MI-02), Mark Amodei (NV-02), Scott Franklin (FL-18), Dan Newhouse (WA-04), Michael Rulli (OH-06), Clay Higgins (LA-03), Mike Collins (GA-10), Beth Van Duyne (TX-24), Glenn Grothman (WI-06), John McGuire (VA-05), Andy Harris (MD-01), Andy Barr (KY-06), Bob Onder (MO-03), Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03), Troy Downing (MT-02), Brad Finstad (MN-01), Julia Letlow (LA-05), Michael Cloud (TX-27), Tim Walberg (MI-05), Jodey Arrington (TX-19), Adrian Smith (NE-03), and Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01).

    Background:

    • Under current law, there is a $200 tax on the transfer and purchase of firearms regulated under the National Firearms Act (NFA).
      • According to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the $200 transfer tax was intended to “to curtail, if not prohibit, transactions” of firearms.
      • The federal government intentionally placed a financial barrier on the Second Amendment, discriminating against individuals based on their income.
    • The RIFLE Act would remove this infringing tax on firearms governed under the NFA, including short-barreled rifles and silencers.
      • This legislation would also ensure that pistols with stabilizing braces would not be subject to the $200 transfer tax.
      • This legislation does not modify any current background check provisions; it solely removes the federally-mandated financial burden on law-abiding gun owners.

    The bill was first covered by Breitbart News here. Full bill text can be found here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Polis, State Forest Service Announce 37 Wildfire Mitigation Grants

    Source: US State of Colorado

    DENVER – Today, Governor Polis and the Colorado State Forest Service announced $7.04 million in wildfire mitigation grants. In total, the CSFS will award the $7.04 million to 37 projects in 26 counties across Colorado. Colorado’s diverse forests cover more than 24 million acres, and they provide crucial benefits including clean air and water, habitat for wildlife, outdoor recreation and more. All of these values that Colorado’s forests provide are at risk of wildfire. Since 2018, the State of Colorado has provided funding to assist communities and groups across Colorado to reduce their wildfire risk and promote forest health through the Forest Restoration and Wildfire Risk Mitigation (FRWRM) grant program, administered by the Colorado State Forest Service.

    “Preventing wildfires is an all hands on deck effort in Colorado.  Wildfires continue to be a serious threat to Colorado communities, and investing in fire mitigation initiatives and helping communities create defensible spaces helps all Coloradans and firefighters to be better prepared in the event of a fire emergency. This $7.04 million in wildfire grants will provide the essential resources that are crucial to continue building resilience to wildfires across Colorado,” Governor Jared Polis.

    The FRWRM grant program has a matching requirement, either through cash or in-kind contributions. Award recipients in areas with fewer economic resources, as defined by the social vulnerability index layer within the Colorado Forest Atlas, must match 25% of the project total, and all other award recipients must match 50% of the total project cost, amounting to nearly $9 million in match. With these matching funds included, communities and groups across Colorado will invest about $16 million in efforts dedicated to forest restoration and wildfire mitigation. The projects awarded in this funding cycle will also build capacity for wildfire mitigation projects through staffing and equipment purchases.

    The funding for this round of FRWRM awards will help Coloradans complete the following activities:

    • Build community capacity to address wildfire
    • Reduce the risk of wildfire to people, property and infrastructure
    • Promote forest health and restoration
    • Encourage the use of wood from forest health and fuels reduction projects

    “Addressing forest health and wildfire mitigation at the local level is the most efficient and effective way to make Colorado’s forests more resilient,” said Matt McCombs, state forester and director of the Colorado State Forest Service. “This funding is crucial each year to protect our homes, critical infrastructure and our way of life.”

    For the 2024-2025 round of FRWRM grants, the CSFS received 95 eligible applications requesting nearly $25 million. Since $7.04 million was available for this round of grants, 58 projects totaling nearly $15.4 million could not be funded. In addition, of the 37 awarded projects, the CSFS could only partially fund six of them, leaving about $2.5 million of their original requests unfunded.

    “The Colorado State Forest Services FRWRM grant is a critical element in our overall state efforts to improve forest health and reduce the risk of wildfires on our landscapes and creating fire adapted communities,” said Dan Gibbs, Executive Director, Colorado Department of Natural Resources. “Colorado is one lightning strike and one unattended campfire away from our next wildfire. With about half of all Coloradans living in the wildland urban interface, these grants provide important capacity for locally and regionally driven wildfire prevention efforts.”

    These counties received FRWRM funds during this funding cycle: Boulder, Chaffee, Clear Creek, Costilla, Custer, Douglas, El Paso, Elbert, Fremont, Gilpin, Gunnison, Huerfano, Jefferson, La Plata, Lake, Larimer, Las Animas, Mesa, Mineral, Montezuma, Ouray, Park, Pueblo, Routt, San Miguel and Teller. Of the 37 projects receiving funding, 11 are located in areas with fewer economic resources. Review a full list of awardees.

    The CSFS will announce the next round of funding assistance through the FRWRM grant program in fall 2025. For information about the program, visit the CSFS website.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Red Bluff Man Sentenced for Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl and Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Austreberto Santamaria-Valencia, 29, of Red Bluff, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nunley to four years and three months in prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and for being a felon in possession of a firearm, Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced.

    According to court documents, on Feb. 6, 2021, law enforcement officers responded to a report of a suspected overdose by a motel guest in Red Bluff. When officers entered the room, they found Santamaria-Valencia sitting in a chair, unconscious but breathing. On the bed near him, officers saw multiple plastic bags containing what appeared to be blue pills, of the type sold as counterfeit oxycodone pills, but which often contain fentanyl. Officers were able to wake Santamaria-Valencia. In response to their questions, Santamaria-Valencia indicated that he had taken fentanyl. Medical personnel tended to Santamaria-Valencia and confirmed he was not in danger of overdosing. A records check indicated that Santamaria-Valencia had a warrant out for his arrest, and officers arrested him at that time.

    Officers searched Santamaria-Valencia’s room and car and seized approximately 1,000 counterfeit M-30 oxycodone pills, a loaded Taurus G3C 9 mm semi-automatic pistol, two bottles containing a total of 170 Farmapram (alprazolam-Xanax) pills, five packets of suboxone strips, 90 grams of marijuana, approximately $7,000 in cash, and other items commonly used in street sales of narcotics.

    This case was the product of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, the Red Bluff Police Department, and the Tehama County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney James Conolly prosecuted the case.

    This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

    This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see www.justice.gov/projectguardian. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: St. Louis Man Admits Possession of Drugs, Machine Gun

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ST. LOUIS – A man from St. Louis, Missouri on Tuesday admitted being caught with a fully automatic pistol, fentanyl and cocaine base after a police chase.

    Mario Mitchell, 22, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base.

    On Oct. 16, 2023, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department officers spotted a silver Nissan Sentra violate the stop sign at Euclid Avenue and East Lee Avenue in the Penrose neighborhood of St. Louis. Mitchell sped off when officers activated their lights and siren. After officers used spike strips to disable the Sentra, Mitchell got out and ran, discarding a Glock 10mm fully automatic pistol with an extended magazine. When officers caught and arrested Mitchell, he had a bag holding 40 multi-colored capsules containing fentanyl and a bag with several off-white chunks of cocaine base totaling 2.97 grams, he admitted as part of his plea agreement. The pistol was equipped with a conversion device, or “switch,” making it a machine gun under federal law.

    Mitchell is scheduled to be sentenced on July 10. Each charge is punishable by up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both prison and a fine.

    The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Lake is prosecuting the case.

    This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: KC Area Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Machine Guns

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today for possessing and transferring three machine gun conversion devices.

    Demetrius Harris, also known as “Meech,” 24, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jill A. Morris, to one count of illegally possessing machine guns – an Anderson Manufacturing AM-15 multi-caliber firearm with an AR-type machine gun conversion device and two AR-type machine gun conversion devices.

    On Jan. 24, 2024, Harris sold an AR-style firearm containing an auto sear, two additional auto sears, and ammunition to an undercover agent for $1,060.

    Machine gun conversion devices, also known as “switches” or “auto sears,” are used to convert semi-automatic weapons into machine guns that fire multiple shots automatically through a single pull of the trigger, enabling more rapid and often less accurate gunfire. Whether or not they are attached to a firearm, these devices constitute machine guns under federal law. It is therefore illegal to possess, sell, or use machine gun conversion devices.

    Under federal statutes, Harris is subject to a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad K. Kavanaugh. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

    Project Safe Neighborhoods

    This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Story Dogs return to Libraries ACT

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Year 7 student Sara is benefiting from reading sessions with Story Dog Lucky and his owner, Ron.

    Year 7 student Sara has never felt comfortable reading in front of her class.

    The Lanyon High School student would avoid it at all costs. That is, until her mother discovered the Story Dogs program at Libraries ACT.

    The program is ideal for reluctant readers or those facing reading challenges.

    It pairs a student with a trained dog and their volunteer owner, creating a relaxed, supportive environment for reading aloud.

    Sara attends Tuggeranong Library on Friday afternoons to read to Lucky, a 21-month-old golden retriever.

    ‘I like the experience and since I don’t generally like reading in front of other people, I like reading in front the dog,” Sara said.

    “It makes the experience a bit calmer. I am happy to keep doing this for a while.”

    After only two sessions, Sarah’s mum, Rae, has noticed a difference.

    “At school she always refused to talk in front of the class, but I have definitely seen a change,” Rae said.

    “She finds the dog listens. It doesn’t judge and it’s fun. She might now associate the dog with talking out loud and this has really helped for someone who refuses to stand up and read.”

    During her session, Lucky rests by Sara as she makes her way through a pile of story books.

    Though concentrating hard, she touches and pats him as she reads.

    Lucky’s owner, Ron, a retired public servant, listens but remains quiet.

    “It’s great doing this. Last week, we had a little girl come in who is dyslexic and she just sat there on the rug with Lucky and held onto him the whole time. She started off a bit hesitant but after a minute she was right. It really calmed both her and him. Lucky is new to this too, so they were both learning at the same time,” Ron said.

    “I used to coach football, so I know the satisfaction of being able to teach kids.”

    The Story Dogs program is available for children aged 7–12 at Tuggeranong, Dickson and Gungahlin libraries.

    Each child gets 20 minutes of one-on-one reading time with a Story Dog, under the watchful eye of a friendly volunteer like Ron.

    Students who feel anxious or stressed during learning activities can find the presence of a furry friend reassuring.

    Reading to a Story Dog can:

    • promote relaxation
    • lower blood pressure
    • eliminate fear of judgement
    • allow children to learn at their own pace.

    “It’s wonderful to see the progress and you get as much out of it yourself as for anyone else,” Ron said.

    Story Dogs sessions require bookings and are held during school terms at:

    • Gungahlin Library: Wednesdays, 4:00pm to 5:20pm
    • Dickson Library: Fridays, 4:00pm to 5:20pm
    • Tuggeranong Library: Fridays, 4:00pm to 5:20pm.

    Registrations open seven days in advance.

    Further resources

    Register your child for a Story Dog session

    Canberra dog-owners interested in volunteering with the program can contact Story Dogs.

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Tren de Aragua Members Arrested on Federal Charges of International Drug Distribution

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (c)

    HOUSTON – Two Venezuelan nationals and alleged members of the recently designated foreign terrorist organization known as the Tren de Aragua (TdA) have been arrested on charges filed in the Southern District of Texas (SDTX), announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

    Jesus Miguel Barreto Lezama, 29, who was residing in Houston, has now appeared in federal court in Houston.

    Also in custody is Briley Jesus Ballera Farias aka Derek, 32, who was arrested March 30 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he made his initial appearance.

    A federal grand jury returned the indictment Jan. 29.  

    According to the allegations in the indictment, both men participated in a conspiracy, along with others, to import more than five kilograms of cocaine into the United States from Venezuela and Colombia. Barreto Lezama is also charged with importing nearly five kilograms of cocaine into the United States from Colombia between June 26, 2024, and July 3, 2024.

    If convicted, they face a up to life in federal prison and a possible $10 million maximum fine.

    The FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Colombian National Police. FBI-Houston’s Safe Streets Gang Task Force made the Houston arrest with the assistance of the Houston Police Department, DEA, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and U.S. Marshals Service.  

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Casey N. MacDonald and Anibal J. Alaniz are prosecuting the case along with Trial Attorney David C. Smith from the Department of Justice’s Joint Task Force Vulcan. 

    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 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 and Project Safe Neighborhood.

    This case is also part of JTFV, which was created in 2019 to destroy MS-13 and now expanded to target TdA. It is comprised of U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country, including SDTX; Southern and Eastern Districts of New York; Districts of New Jersey, Utah, Massachusetts, Nevada, Alaska; Northern District of Ohio; Eastern District of Texas; Southern District of Florida; Eastern District of Virginia; Southern District of California; and the District of Columbia; as well as the Department of Justice’s National Security Division and the Criminal Division. Additionally, the FBI; DEA; Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; U.S. Marshals Service; and Federal Bureau of Prisons have been essential law enforcement partners and spearheaded JTFV’s investigations.

    An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: 10 FREE egg-citing activities for secondary school-aged kids this Easter

    Source: City of Portsmouth

    The Spring Sessions programme runs from Monday 7 April, to Saturday 19 April, at multiple locations across Portsmouth, ensuring activities are easily accessible.

    Spring Sessions is an extension of HAF Fun Pompey (HAF), which can now offer free food and activities to all 11 to 16-year-olds from low-income families in PO1 to PO6 thanks to funding from the Household Support Fund.

    The funding allows secondary school children in the city who don’t qualify for free school meals or HAF, but may still need support, to enjoy free activities and a hot meal during school holidays.

    There are loads on offer to suit lots of personality types, including:

    • Trampolining at Flip Out
    • Finding calm through music, art and yoga
    • Professional musical theatre workshop
    • Skate and scooting at Pitt Street Skate Park
    • Football at Goals
    • Laser quest, archery & adventure activities at Fort Purbrook.

    Cllr Nicholas Dorrington, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education, said: ” We know that school holidays can be a tough time for families, which is why I’m so pleased we can use some of the funding from the household support fund to offer these free sessions to kids 11 and over in the city. It’s a great opportunity to get out, meet new people, and learn something new over the holidays, and it doesn’t cost a thing! Get involved!”

    Booking is required, and spaces are limited. eequ.org/portsmouthcitycouncilsessions

    Any questions? Phone 07901 100537 or email eptengagement@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

    The activities available are:

    Flip out
     Monday 7 & Wednesday 9 and 16 April, 6pm to 9pm

    Go beyond bouncing with stunt boxes to jump off, trampolines and hoops to play slam ball, soft foam pits to flip into and so much more at Flip Out Portsmouth. There are three hours of fun to be had, plus a delicious meal.

    Book now


    Music, art & yoga
    Friday 11 April, 11.30am to 3pm

    If high-action sports aren’t for your tweens & teens, they can try out the newest Session activity – Creative Calm at The Base in The Guildhall. They can learn to find their zen with yoga, arts & crafts, music and pizza.

    This activity is perfect for those looking for a more peaceful way to spend their school holidays, or anyone looking for a way to find calmness through creative outlets!

    Book now

    Professional musical theatre workshop
    Thurs 10 April, 11.30am to 3pm

    Discover the magic of musical theatre with a day of singing, dancing, and acting in a fun and supportive space! No experience? No problem. Build confidence, make new friends, and find out more about the BASE, the free creative space for young people in Portsmouth.

    Book now

    Skate, scoot & pizza party

    Enjoy a free skate session at Pitt Street Skatepark, Portsmouth’s first indoor space of its kind. All kit is provided, but if you want to bring your own skates, board or helmet you can. Even if you’ve never been on a board or skates, this session is the perfect opportunity to learn something new.

    Book now

    Football & pizza party
    Tuesday 8 & 15 April, 10am to 1pm

    Whether you can bend it like Beckham or are completely new to the game, come along to Goals to play five-a-side on the best small-sided football pitches in Portsmouth. When it’s time for a breather, there’ll be free pizza, burgers and drinks. Goals’ top coaches will also be running skill sessions on the cutting-edge, all-weather surfaces and you’ll then have the chance to use your new skills in matches with your friends.

    Book now

    Laser quest, archery & adventure activities
    Saturday 19 April, 11-2pm

    Get down to the Peter Ashley Activity Centre to join in on free Laser Tag, Archery, Bouldering, Air Rifle shooting, with a free lunch included in the beautiful and historic location of Fort Purbrook.

    Book now

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Your guide to eating out for less in Canberra

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Eating out doesn’t have to cost a lot.

    Whether it’s two-for-one burgers or a cheap schnitty, who doesn’t love a good food deal?

    We asked Canberrans on the We Are CBR Instagram page to tell us about the best weekly meal specials across the capital. So, bookmark or screenshot this list, for it is now your guide for eating out for less in Canberra!

    All week deals

    • Kickstart Expresso – $14.90 Tradies Special – one large coffee and toasted sandwich
    • Loquita – $15 for 3 tacos
    • Old Canberra Inn – $21 vegan curry with rice and flatbread
    • Café Momo at Bruce – $12 bacon and egg roll and a coffee
    • Dickson Tradies – $15 bacon and egg roll and a coffee
    • Dolly’s – $12 bacon and egg roll and coffee
    • The Fish Shack – $20 Shack Basket: 3 pieces of fish, calamari rings, prawns, chips or salad
    • Flatheads O’Connor – $10 bacon and egg roll and a coffee
    • Raiders Gungahlin – $16 lunches including schnitzel, fish or curry.

    Weekdays

    • Ainslie Football Club – $16 schnitzel with chips and coleslaw
    • Bleachers Bar – $20 lunch specials including steak, parmigiana, burgers or fish, all with chips
    • Caribou – $22 burger and soft drink
    • Eighty Twenty – $10.90 bacon and egg roll or wrap with a coffee
    • Eighty Twenty – $13.90 sandwiches with a coffee
    • Hellenic Club City – $15 or less lunch specials
    • Lanyon Vikings – $15 weekday lunches (from 12pm-2pm)
    • Natural Nine – $15 Chop Chop lunch and soft drink (Monday to Thursday)
    • The RUC – $15 lunch specials.
    • Turkish Pide House Woden – $20 lunch boxes, choose from low carb, healthy, taste or vegi options with a drink (not available during December).

    Mondays

    • Casey Jones Pub – one free kids meal with any main meal
    • The Denman Kitchen – $25 for specials board meal and a drink
    • Dolly’s – $15 for 2 chicken tacos
    • Dickson Taphouse – half-price pastas
    • The District – $20 pizzas and pastas
    • Edgar’s – $23 burger with a house wine/beer or soft drink
    • Fricken – $15 lunch specials including sliders, cauliflower nuggets or chicken strips, all with chips and a drink
    • Kambah Inn – $25 rump steaks with a free beverage (from 11am)
    • Lanyon Vikings – $15 schnitzel (5:30pm-9pm)
    • PJ O’Reilly’s Tuggeranong – $15 selected burgers and chips all day
    • Public – 2 for 1 pizzas
    • Raiders Belconnen – buy 1 main meal and receive 1 kid’s meal free
    • The RUC Turner – $15 rump steak, chips and a salad
    • Southern Cross Club at Tuggeranong and Jamison – $21 prawn linguini, steak or fish
    • Walt and Burley – $20 fish and chips
    • Yaki Boi – $38pp all you can eat.

    Tuesdays

    • 3rd Space – $40 for 2 pizzas
    • The Alby – $20 for 3 tacos
    • Amici – $30pp bottomless pasta
    • As You Like It Café & Bar – $10 breakfast menu
    • Bleachers – $20 chicken schnitzel, fries, coleslaw and a beer
    • Central Social Club – $18 pizzas
    • The Denman Kitchen – $25 for steak and a drink
    • Dickson Taphouse – $18 curry night
    • Dolly’s – $15 chicken schnitzels
    • Edgars – $29 steak with a drink
    • The George Harcourt Inn – $20 schnitzel or Guinness pie or $22 chicken parmigiana, all served with chips, salad and a drink
    • Grease Monkeys – free beer with any burger
    • Hellenic Club in the City – $19.90 steak or schnitzel with sides and a drink
    • Hopscotch – $15 pizzas
    • Kambah Inn – $20 schnitzel and free beverage (11am-8pm)
    • PJ O’Reilly’s Tuggeranong – $15 selected meals, lunch only
    • The RUC – $15 chicken schnitzel, chips and salad (from 5pm)
    • Two Blind Mice – $19 pizzas
    • UC Bar x – $13 burger & chips (chicken, beef or plant-based)
    • Yaki Boi – $10 chicken burger and chips.

    Wednesdays

    • The Alby – $20 lunch specials including schnitzel, tacos, kebabs, lasagne and more
    • Central Social Club – $18 burgers
    • The Denman Kitchen – $25 for a burger and drink
    • The District – $30 porterhouse with fries and salad
    • Dolly’s – $15 burger deal
    • Edgars – $25 schnitzels with house beer, wine or soft drink
    • Erindale Vikings – $16 schnitzel or burger (from 5:30pm)
    • Fenway Public House – half-priced chicken wings
    • Fricken – 50c wings (from 5pm)
    • Hellenic Club City – $16.90 chicken parmigiana and sides
    • Mawson Club – $12.50 chicken or pork schnitzel, chips and salad
    • The Pedlar – $25 parmigiana and a house drink
    • PJ O’Reilly’s Tuggeranong – $17 steak and chips or mash or salad
    • Public – $25 sirloin steak, chips and salad with a drink
    • Raiders Belconnen – $15 chicken schnitzel with two sides
    • The RUC – $15 burgers, chips and salad (from 5pm)
    • Southern Cross Club at Woden, Jamison, Tuggeranong – buy a main meal and receive a kid’s meal free
    • Two Blind Mice in Curtin – $19 burgers
    • Walt and Burley – $20 pasta of the week.

    Thursdays

    • 3rd Space – kids eat free
    • Cornerstone Pub – $49.95 for two pizzas with a free garlic bread and jug of soft drink (5:30pm-8:30pm)
    • Cypher Brewing Co – $20 for a Cypher burger or veggie Cypher burger with shoestring fries and a schooner of lager
    • The Denman Kitchen – $25 for a schnitzel and a drink
    • District – $20 schnitzel, fries and salad
    • Dolly’s – $15 for 1/2kg wings and a house drink
    • Fenway Public House – $5 tacos
    • Fricken – $15 lunches including sliders, cauliflower nuggets or chicken strips, all with chips and a drink
    • Hellenic Club City – $14.90 burgers, chips and onion rings
    • Kambah Inn – buy 2 tacos, get 1 free. Breakfast tacos from 6a-2pm or chicken, pork or fish tacos from 11am-8pm
    • Olive at Hawker – 15% discount on all online food orders
    • The Pedlar – $20 burger with a house drink
    • Southern Cross Club at Woden Tuggeranong and Jamison – $20 gourmet burger and a drink
    • UC Bar X – $13 chicken schnitzel or $15 parmigiana
    • Weston Creek Labor Club – complimentary kids meal with any full priced main meal (dinner only).

    Fridays

    • The Alby – $20 lunch specials including schnitzel, tacos, kebabs, lasagne and more
    • Fenway Public House – $15 burgers
    • Fricken – $20 burger, chips and drink $20
    • Hellenic Club City – $14.90 burgers, chips and onion rings
    • PJ O’Reilly’s Tuggeranong – $25 beer jug and wings or nachos
    • Such & Such – $2 oysters from 3pm-5pm
    • Weston Creek Labor Club – complimentary kids meal with any full priced main meal (dinner only).

    Saturdays

    • The Alby – $20 lunch specials including schnitzel, tacos, kebabs, lasagne and more
    • Dickson Tradies – $18 roast lunch
    • Fenway Public House – 20% off all main meals
    • Mawson Club – $12 lunch specials
    • UC Bar x – buy any pizza and get a free drink
    • Weston Creek Labor Club – complimentary kids meal with any full priced main meal (dinner only).

    Sundays

    • 3rd Space – $59.90 for two pizzas and a bottle of wine (from 5pm-8pm)
    • Chisholm Vikings – $29.90 for two wood-fired pizzas and garlic bread (from 12pm-2pm and 5:30pm-9pm)
    • Dickson Tradies – $18 roast lunch
    • The District – $20 burger with fries
    • Edgar’s – $25 roast with sides, a beer, house wine or soft drink
    • Fenway Public House – $20 schnitzels
    • Hopscotch – 50c wings all day
    • Mawson Club – $12 lunch specials
    • The Pedlar – $20 schnitzel and a house drink
    • Public – $25 Sunday roast (meat and sides)
    • Southern Cross Club at Woden, Tuggeranong and Jamison – $22 roast of the day
    • Two Blind Mice – buy a charcuterie board and get two free Aperol Spritz
    • Walt and Burley – $20 schnitty.

    Although these offers were correct at the time of publishing, please ensure you always check T&Cs with the venue, such as timeframes and pricing.

    Happy eating!

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: STEPS TO CHECK DRUG TRAFFICKING

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 01 APR 2025 3:48PM by PIB Delhi

    The cases registered, arrests made and quantity of drug seized under Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 by various Drug Law Enforcement Agencies (DLEAs) as reported to Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) during 2020 to 2024 is at Annexure-I. The specific details of incidents regarding number of killings, anti-social atrocities on women and children under the influence of various types of narcotics and chemical drugs in the country are not maintained.       

    As part of its drive against drug smuggling to make India a drug free nation, Government is taking various measures, some of which are mentioned below: –

    (i)      The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, as amended from time to time contains stringent provision to deal with illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and controlled substances as defined under Section 2 (viiib). Further, Chapter IV of the NDPS Act, 1985 provides detailed provisions for offences committed in contravention of the relevant provisions of the Act and penalties thereto.

    (ii)     Considering the international obligations or having regard to the available information and evidence with respect to the nature and effects of and the abuse or scope for abuse, Department of Revenue has scheduled 134 narcotic drugs under section 2(xi)(b), 173 psychotropic substances under section 3 and 45 controlled substances under section 9A in order to  exercise  due  regulation,  control  or  prohibition  in  public interest while ensuring availability of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances for medical and scientific use subject to the relevant provisions to the NDPS Act and rules/ regulations made thereunder.

    (iii)    A 4-tier Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) mechanism for ensuring better coordination between Central & State Drug Law Enforcement Agencies and other stakeholders in the field of controlling drug trafficking and drug abuse in India has been established. An all in one NCORD portal has been developed for information related to drug law enforcement.

    (iv)    A dedicated Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) headed by Additional Director General/ Inspector General level Police Officer has been established in each State/ Union Territory to function as the NCORD Secretariat for the State/ Union Territory and follow-up on compliance of decisions taken in NCORD meetings at different levels.

    (v)     To monitor the investigation of important and significant seizures, a Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) under the Chairmanship of Director General, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has been set up by Government of India.

    (vi)    Border Guarding Forces (Border Security Force, Assam Rifles and Sashastra Seema Bal) have been empowered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 to carry out search, seizure and arrest for illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs at international border. Further, Railway Protection Force (RPF) has also been empowered under NDPS Act to check drug trafficking along the railway routes.

    (vii)   Narcotics  Control Bureau (NCB)  coordinates   with   other  agencies  like, Navy, Coast Guard, Border Security Force, State ANTF, etc., to conduct joint operations to control the drug trafficking.

    (viii)  Electronics scanning of consignments for drug detection at all Ports are being ensured.

    (ix)    Towards the capacity building of Drug Law Enforcement Agencies of the country, NCB is continuously imparting training to the officers of other Drug Law Enforcement Agencies.

    (x)     To strengthen NCB and to increase its pan India presence, 536 posts in  different  level  has  been  created  in  NCB.  During  this  restructuring, special focus has been laid on cyber, legal, and enforcement aspects for more effective drug law enforcement.

    (xi)    A task force on Darknet and Crypto-Currency has been set up under the Multi Agency Centre (MAC) mechanism with a focus on monitoring all platforms facilitating Narco-trafficking, sharing of inputs on drug trafficking amongst Agencies/MAC members, interception of drug networks, continuous capturing of trends, modus operandi & nodes with regular database updates and review of related rules & laws.

    (xii)   To assist all DLEAs/other investigation agencies for investigation and proactive policing, National Integrated Database on Arrested Narco-Offenders (NIDAAN) portal is developed. It provides data of narcotics offenders involved in narcotics offences under Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

    (xiii)  A National Narcotics Helpline No. 1933 “Madak-Padarth Nished Asoochna Kendra” (MANAS) has been created as 24×7 toll-free National Narcotics Call Centre helpline. Accordingly, MANAS has been envisioned as  an  integrated  system  providing  a  single  platform for citizens to log, register, track and resolve drug related issues/problems through various modes of communication like call, SMS, Chat-bot, e-mail & web-link.

    (xiv)  A high-level dedicated group has been created in National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) in November 2022 to analyze the drug trafficking through maritime routes, challenges and solutions (Maritime Security Group – NSCS).

    (xv)   Director General level talks by NCB are organized with neighboring and other countries such as Myanmar, Iran, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Singapore, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, etc. to resolve various issues on drugs trafficking having international implications and issue of maritime trafficking.

    (xvi)  Launched Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) in all districts of the country through more than 10000 master volunteers. It has reached out to more than 14.79 crore people including 4.96 crore youth and 2.97 crore women.

    (xvii) Government is providing financial assistance to 350 Integrated     Rehabilitation  Centers for Addicts   (IRCAs),  46  Community  based  Peer Led Intervention (CPLI) Centers, 74 Outreach and Drop In Centers (ODICs), 142 Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATFs), 124 District De-addiction Centres (DDACs) across the country.

    (xviii)    A Toll-free Helpline No.14446 for de-addiction is operated for providing primary counseling and immediate assistance to persons seeking help.

    (xix)  Government through its autonomous body National Institute of Social Defense (NISD) and other collaborating agencies like State Counsel of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), etc. provides for regular   awareness generation and sensitization sessions for all stakeholders including students, teachers, parents.

    (xx)   Navchetna Modules, Teachers Training Modules have been developed by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJE) for sensitizing students (6th – 11th standard), teachers and parents on drug dependence, related coping strategies and life skills.

    *****

    Annexure-I

     

    Year

    Case

    Arrest

    Quantity (in Kg)

    2020

    55,622

    73,841

    10,82,511

    2021

    68,144

    93,538

    16,09,612

    2022

    1,02,769

    1,26,516

    12,53,662

    2023

    1,09,546

    1,32,954

    13,89,725

    2024

    89,913

    1,16,098

    13,30,600

    Cases registered, arrests made and quantity of drug seized under Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 by various Drug Law Enforcement Agencies (DLEAs) as reported to Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) during 2020 to 2024

    Source: Narcotics Control Bureau

    This was stated by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs Shri Nityanand Rai in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.

    ***

    RK/VV/ASH/RR/PR/PS

    (Release ID: 2117266) Visitor Counter : 62

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PARLIAMENT QUESTION: BUDGETARY ALLOCATION TO MEGA HANDLOOM CLUSTERS

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 01 APR 2025 10:07AM by PIB Delhi

    Government of India through the Office of Development Commissioner (Handlooms), Ministry of Textiles is implementing Mega Cluster Development Programme, a component of National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP), all across the country (including Andhra Pradesh State). Under Mega Cluster Development Programme, need based financial assistance upto Rs.30.00 Crore (GOI share) per Mega Handloom Cluster is provided on receipt of complete proposals for various interventions like upgraded looms & accessories, solar lighting units, worksheds, design and product development, marketing support, setting up of common infrastructure such as Value Addition Centre (Garmenting/Apparel unit), Reeling, Processing, Printing units etc.

    There is no separate budget allocation for Mega Cluster Development programme however, during financial year 2022-23 to 2024-25, financial assistance of Rs.3,029.327 lakh has been provided for setting up of Mega Handloom Clusters.

    No financial assistance has been provided to Mega Handloom Cluster identified in Prakasam and Guntur districts of Andhra Pradesh State during financial year 2022-23 and 2023-24.

    This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES SHRI PABITRA

    MARGHERITA in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

    ***

    DHANYA SANAL K

    (Rajya Sabha US Q3360)

    (Release ID: 2117108) Visitor Counter : 51

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: MEXC Confirms Listing of GUNZ (GUN), Launches 180,000 USDT Prize Pool for Users

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VICTORIA, Seychelles, April 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MEXC, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, confirms the upcoming listing of GUNZ (GUN) on March 31, 2025(UTC). To celebrate this listing, MEXC is launching a special event with a prize pool of 180,000 USDT for new and existing users.

    GUNZ (GUN) is a Layer-1 blockchain developed by Gunzilla Games, designed to power AAA Web3 gaming. Originally created to support the community-driven economy for Gunzilla’s flagship title, Off The Grid (OTG), GUNZ has evolved into a full-featured platform offering blockchain-native infrastructure essential for modern game development. By leveraging blockchain technology, GUNZ aims to provide both developers and players with the tools needed for a decentralized, secure gaming ecosystem.

    To celebrate the listing of GUNZ (GUN) on MEXC, the exchange has launched an exclusive Airdrop+ event with substantial rewards for participants:
    Event Period: Mar 28, 2025, 11:00 (UTC) – Apr 11, 2025, 11:00 (UTC)
    Benefit 1: Deposit and share 90,000 USDT in Futures bonus (New user exclusive)
    Benefit 2: Spot Challenge — Trade to share 10,000 USDT in Futures bonus (For all users)
    Benefit 3: Futures Challenge — Trade to share 50,000 USDT in Futures bonus (For all users)
    Benefit 4: Invite new users and share 30,000 USDT in Futures bonus (For all users)

    The listing of GUNZ (GUN) not only broadens MEXC’s asset portfolio but also underscores MEXC’s first-mover advantage in bringing innovative blockchain projects to its users. MEXC has solidified its position as an industry leader through its efficient asset listing strategy and broad selection of trend tokens. In 2024, MEXC introduced 2,376 new tokens, with 1,716 of those being initial listings.

    According to the latest TokenInsight report, MEXC leads the industry with the highest number of spot listings at 461 and the fastest listing speed. Additionally, the exchange consistently adds new tokens in bi-weekly cycles, showcasing its exceptional ability to quickly capture market trends.

    MEXC will continue to provide users with early access to promising projects, while leveraging platform advantages such as low fees, deep liquidity, and daily airdrops to ensure an optimal trading experience.

    For full event details and participation rules, please visit here.

    About MEXC
    Founded in 2018, MEXC is committed to being “Your Easiest Way to Crypto.” Serving over 34 million users across 170+ countries, MEXC is known for its broad selection of trending tokens, everyday airdrop opportunities, and low trading fees. Our user-friendly platform is designed to support both new traders and experienced investors, offering secure and efficient access to digital assets. MEXC prioritizes simplicity and innovation, making crypto trading more accessible and rewarding.
    MEXC Official Website｜ X ｜ Telegram ｜How to Sign Up on MEXC

    Risk Disclaimer:
    The information provided in this article regarding cryptocurrencies does not constitute investment advice. Given the highly volatile nature of the cryptocurrency market, investors are encouraged to carefully assess market fluctuations, the fundamentals of projects, and potential financial risks before making any trading decisions.

    Source

    Contact:
    Lucia Hu
    PR Manager
    lucia.hu@mexc.com

    Disclaimer: This press release is provided by MEXC. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector–including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining–complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release.Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose.Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility.

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4e55c540-5a05-4e80-9b5b-44990c34d787

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Philadelphia Man Sentenced for Role in Drug Trafficking Operation

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Rodney Johnson, 48, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today to 188 months in federal prison for his leadership of a drug trafficking organization that sold large amounts of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine in North Central West Virginia.

    According to court documents, Johnson recruited others to distribute in Morgantown, West Virginia, paying the distributors a salary to transport and sell the drugs. He supplied significant quantities of illicit drugs to be sold.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda Wesley prosecuted the cases on behalf of the government.

    This case was investigated by the Mon Metro Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative. The task force consists of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the West Virginia State Police; the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office; the Monongalia County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office; the Morgantown Police Department; the WVU Police Department; the Granville Police Department; and the Star City Police Department.

    This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

    Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Cambodia

    Source:

    Cambodian New Year (or Khmer New Year) celebrations will take place between 14 to16 April. Significant celebrations and cultural events often attract large crowds and may lead to increased petty crime and more serious threats, including those associated with large gatherings in tight spaces. There’s often higher alcohol consumption and traffic congestion, with a risk of accidents and road fatalities. Exercise reasonable care and precautions.

    You’ll need a valid visa to travel to Cambodia. If you remain in Cambodia beyond the date of your authorised stay, officials may stop you from leaving Cambodia. In cases of excessive overstays, you may be arrested and detained for violating immigration laws (see ‘Travel’). Gun crime and explosions have occurred, including at popular tourist destinations (see ‘Safety’). Laws in Cambodia, including those related to incitement and defamation, can be broadly defined and applied (see ‘Local Laws’).

    MIL OSI News –