NewzIntel.com

Category: Police

  • MIL-OSI Security: Clinton County Man Indicted For Production Of Child Pornography

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    WILLIAMSPORT – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Kyle Grey, age 35, of Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, was indicted on January 23, 2025, on four charges of production of child pornography.

    According to Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment alleges that Grey produced child pornography three times on or about October 9, 2024, and once on October 29, 2024.

    The case was investigated by the Pennsylvania State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Alisan V. Martin is prosecuting the case.

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit  http://www.usdoj.gov/psc.

    The maximum penalty under federal law for each offense is 30 years of imprisonment, with a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

    Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Bridgeport Man Charged with Narcotics Distribution Offenses

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Robert Fuller, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that DARREN EBRON, also known as “D,” 32, of Bridgeport, was arrested yesterday on a criminal complaint charging him with narcotics distribution offenses.

    Ebron appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Dave Vatti in Bridgeport and was ordered detained.

    As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, law enforcement identified Ebron as a distributor of various controlled substances in and around Bridgeport.  Between August 2024 and January 2025, investigators made multiple controlled purchases of distribution quantities of fentanyl from Ebron, intercepted numerous calls and text messages through a court-authorized wiretap during which Ebron coordinated the sale of fentanyl and crack cocaine to others, and observed Ebron conducting narcotics transactions.

    The complaint charges Ebron with possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl, and offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years; conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years; and use of a communications facility in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of four years.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Silverman stressed that a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

    This investigation is being conducted by the FBI Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force, the Bridgeport Police Department, and the Stratford Police Department.  The Task Force is composed of personnel from the FBI, Connecticut State Police, and the Bridgeport, Norwalk, and Trumbull Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren C. Clark.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney’s Office Charges Española Man with Drug Trafficking and Possession

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ALBUQUERQUE – A federal grand jury has indicted an Española man on multiple counts of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances following an incident at the Sandia Resort and Casino in Bernalillo County.

    According to court documents, on September 16, 2024, Pueblo of Sandia Police responded to a 911 hang-up call from a hotel room at the Sandia Resort and Casino. Upon arrival, officers made contact with Zacary Cipriano Lucero, 63, and two women in the hotel room. At that time, Lucero claimed the women had stolen money from him.

    During the investigation, one of the women suggested searching Lucero‘s bags, alleging he was trading fentanyl for sex. Lucero denied consent to search his bags and stated he wanted to drop the charges against the women.

    After being read his Miranda rights, Lucero told officers he had invited the women to his room around 4 a.m. after meeting them in the casino. He claimed he discovered his cell phone and money were missing after dozing off.

    Officers sealed the room and obtained a search warrant. On September 17, 2024, during the execution of the warrant, police discovered:

    • Approximately 238 grams of suspected fentanyl
    • 16 grams of suspected cocaine
    • 50 grams of suspected methamphetamine
    • Approximately $3,190 in cash

    These items were found in bags that Lucero had previously claimed ownership of.

    Lucero will remain on conditions of release pending trial, which has not been scheduled. If convicted, Lucero faces up to 40 years in prison.

    U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez made the announcement today.

    The Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated this case with the assistance of the Pueblo of Sandia Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert James Booth II 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.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Woman jailed for the manslaughter of her four small sons after fatal fire in Sutton

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A mother has been given a ten year sentence for manslaughter after her four small sons were left alone at home and killed in a house fire in Sutton.

    The boys – two sets of twins, Bryson and Kyson Hoath, aged four, and Leyton and Logan Hoath, aged three – had been left alone at their home in Collingwood Road one evening in December just over three years ago when a fire broke out that would end their lives.

    Their mother, Deveca Rose, 30 (03.10.94), of Collingwood Road, Sutton, appeared at the Old Bailey on Friday, 24 January where she was sentenced to ten years in prison.

    The boys’ paternal grandmother, Kerrie, said:

    “This sentence marks the end of a three year ordeal.

    “Bryson, Kyson, Leyton and Logan were cruelly taken from us in a senseless act of negligence by their mother.

    “The disregard she showed towards them has been echoed throughout this trial, and our family have had to endure three years of lies, delays and false narratives, which has been a nightmare.

    “The toll it has taken on our family cannot be overstated.

    “The boys were beautiful, loving children who did not deserve this and the impact they made on us in their short lives cannot be measured.

    “We miss them every day and will always hold them in our heart.

    “We wish to thank the courts, the jury and the police for the work they have done to ensure the boys’ story has been heard and that justice is done.”

    Detective Chief Inspector Samantha Townsend of the Met’s Specialist Crime Command said:

    “This has been a deeply upsetting investigation for everyone involved.

    “Deveca Rose was a mother who placed her own self-interest above the safety of her children.

    “Had she not left the children to go shopping, she may have been able to put out the fire, or at the very least, got the children to safety.

    “Instead of taking responsibility for her actions, she invented a story that was built around a babysitter whose very existence could not be confirmed.

    “The sadness at the needless loss of four young lives is beyond our comprehension.

    “I cannot begin to imagine the devastation felt by the children’s wider family and loved ones and our thoughts are with them all today.”

    Ms Rose had previously been convicted of manslaughter at the same court on Thursday, 3 October and was bailed for sentencing. She was found not guilty of child neglect.

    The court heard that shortly after 19:00hrs on the night of Thursday, 16 December 2021, a passer-by on Collingwood Road realised the house was on fire.

    They alerted a neighbour who kicked in the front door in an attempt to reach the children, but the fire, having taken hold of the property, prevented their entry.

    Officers attended the scene, along with colleagues from the London Fire Brigade and the London Ambulance Service.

    Firefighters managed to bring the fire under control and recovered the four unconscious boys from an upstairs bedroom, whilst medics attempted to save them.

    Despite their efforts – treating the children at the scene – they sadly died in hospital.

    Their mother, Ms Rose, had left the boys alone to go shopping and returned whilst the house was on fire.

    She claimed the children had been left in the care of a woman called ‘Jade’, which prompted firefighters to go back into the house to search for Jade.

    No other people were found inside.

    Ms Rose was arrested on suspicion of child neglect that same night, and following interview, was released under investigation.

    Post-mortem examinations found the boys had died from inhalation of fire fumes, whist detectives undertook a meticulous investigation in order to identify the alleged babysitter, ‘Jade’.

    Detectives considered that the passer-by who raised the alarm may have been ‘Jade’, but the description of the woman who had alerted neighbours to the fire differed to the description of ‘Jade’ given by Deveca Rose.

    After Ms Rose described the circumstances of her meeting ‘Jade’ a few days before the fire, officers scoured hours of CCTV and could find no trace of them having met, to which Ms Rose responded with claims they had met on a minor road with no CCTV.

    In addition, examination of the call data on Ms Rose’s mobile phone showed no contact details for a ‘Jade’ and, when she had attempted to call ‘Jade’ from the scene of the fire, data showed that Ms Rose’s calls did not connect as the number was not viable, and the number was instead notably similar to her own phone number.

    CCTV enquiries in the area showed Ms Rose had also gone out alone the day before the fire.

    Investigators believed the fire was started in the living room on the ground floor either by a candle, tealight or a burning cigarette. Conditions inside the house were messy and unsanitary which helped the fire spread quickly.

    The children, who had been locked inside and were unable to escape the house, had fled to an upstairs bedroom where they would be overcome by smoke.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Dartmouth — New text message scam appears to be from the RCMP

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    The RCMP is warning the public about a new phishing scam that’s taking place via text message.

    Today, the Nova Scotia RCMP received information from the public about unsolicited text messages being received by potential victims. RCMP officers have learned that scammers are sending fictitious “RCMP Delivery Notice” messages; the texts state that the RCMP has been unable to deliver court documents and ask people to “please reschedule the delivery to avoid missing your court date by using the link below.”

    Investigators remind the public that the RCMP does not issue notices by text message.

    “Scammers have created what appears to be a legitimate notification that brings you to a convincing website,” says Cpl. Mitch Thompson, Commercial Crime Section. “Remember that the RCMP will never ask for your personal information via text or email.”

    Criminals create a sense of urgency and have the ability to spoof phone numbers and websites to make them appear very authentic. If you receive a suspicious text message, protect yourself:

    • Don’t respond to unknown phone numbers
    • Don’t provide any personal information, including your name, date of birth, phone number, email, address or banking details
    • Don’t click on links sent to you from an unverified source
    • Access government agency websites through official links; the RCMP’s website is https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/

    Anyone who believes they may be a victim, knows someone who is a victim, or has information about these scams, is encouraged to contact their local RCMP detachment or police of jurisdiction. To remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll-free, at 1-800-222-tips (8477) or submit a secure web tip at http://www.crimestoppers.ns.ca.

    For more tips and information on current scams, visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca.

    File #: 2025-106308

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Upper Onslow — Colchester County District RCMP charges several people after firearms stolen

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Colchester County District RCMP has arrested and charged several people after a residential break and enter where multiple firearms were stolen.

    On January 20, at approximately 5:50 p.m., RCMP officers responded to a report of a break and enter that had occurred at a residence on Adam McCallum Rd. earlier that morning.

    Officers learned that three men in masks had entered the home and stolen a variety of items, including two shotguns and a rifle. Three residents were home at the time and their demands for the men to leave were ignored. The men eventually left. No one reported injuries related to the incident.

    On January 22, Colchester County District RCMP, with assistance of the RCMP Emergency Response Team and Truro Police Service, executed a search warrant at a residence on Lockhart Ave. in Truro as part of the investigation. Officers arrested six people. During the execution of the search warrant, police located and seized items related to the offences. Lockhart Ave. was closed while the police operation was underway; officers appreciated the cooperation of the public in the area.

    Alexander Grady, 28, of Truro, and Tyler Burns, 27, of Truro, are both charged with the following offences:

    • Possession of a Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized
    • Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
    • Breaking and Entering and Stealing Firearm
    • Breaking and Entering and Committing an Indictable Offence
    • Disguise with Intent to Commit an Indictable Offence

    Burns is also facing an additional charge of for Breach of a Release Order.

    Grady and Burns had first court appearances on January 24 at Truro Provincial Court and have been remanded into custody, pending future court appearances.

    Another woman arrested was found to be breaching conditions related to a previous, unrelated investigation and has been charged with Fail to Comply with Release Order, unrelated to the break and enter.

    Three other people have been released without charges.

    The investigation is ongoing and is being led by Colchester County District RCMP General Investigation Section and Street Crime Enforcement Unit, with assistance of the RCMP Forensic Identification Section.

    Anyone with information is asked to call the Colchester County District RCMP at 902-893-6820. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll-free, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at http://www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips app.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Yuba County Man Charged with Being Felon in Possession of a Firearm

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment today against Ignacio Valencia, 33, of Plumas Lake, charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced.

    According to court documents, Valencia was found in possession of a loaded, Glock model 20, 10 mm caliber handgun as well as a magazine containing 25 rounds of 10 mm ammunition. Valencia is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition after being convicted of four felonies: possession of a controlled substance for sale, being a felon in possession of a firearm, evading a peace officer in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property, and being a felon or addict in possession of a firearm.

    This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from Elk Grove Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Vanek is prosecuting the case.

    If convicted, Valencia faces a maximum statutory penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

    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.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Glen Burnie Man Sentenced to Federal Prison in Connection With Multi-State Dogfighting Conspiracy

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett sentenced Mario Damon Flythe, 50, of Glen Burnie, Maryland, to six months in federal prison and six months of home detention – followed by three years of supervised release; a $10,000 fine, and an additional $2,800 in a forfeiture money judgment, for his involvement in a multi-state dogfighting conspiracy.

    Erek L. Barron, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Acting Special Agent in Charge Sean Ryan, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Washington Field Office- Criminal and Cyber Division; Special Agent in Charge Charmeka Parker, U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General; Special Agent in Charge Christopher Dillard, Department of Defense Office of Inspector General; Defense Criminal Investigative Service – Mid-Atlantic Field Office; Clinton Fuchs, U.S. Marshal for Maryland; and Amal E. Awad, Anne Arundel County Police Chief.

    Flythe is affiliated with the same dogfighting enterprise as co-defendant Frederick Douglass Moorfield, Jr.  The defendant also operated a kennel under the name “Razor Sharp Kennels,” and used his home to keep, train, and breed dogs for dogfighting for several years.

    A review of Flythe’s cellphone records uncovered numerous message exchanges connected to dogfighting — primarily over the instant-messaging applications WhatsApp and Telegram — with members of a group known as the “DMV Board.”  In addition to arranging dog fights and wagers, Flythe and the DMV Board discussed the breeding and training of fighting dogs, procuring supplies for the maintenance and feeding of fighting dogs, and law enforcement criminally prosecuting dogfighters.  Additionally, Flythe and others discussed indictments of other members of the DMV Board and speculated about the identity of a potential “snitch.”

    Flythe’s instant messages also revealed several exchanges arranging or “hooking” dogfights.  During these conversations, Flythe identified the weight and sex of the dog he wanted to sponsor in a fight.  Other dogfighters then proposed a fight against their own dog or matched Flythe with another contact who had a dog in the same weight class. The dogfighters then agreed on wagers and set a date for the fight, usually six to eight weeks after arranging the match.  In addition to stating the winner’s fee for each fight, dogfighters agreed on forfeit or “fit” payments if a dogfighter backed out prior to the fight.

    After hooking a fight, Flythe trained his dogs in a process known as a “keep.”  Flythe’s typical keep schedule for a dog involved physical training — using treadmills, weighted collars, and other accessories — a diet plan, and steroids.  Flythe obtained steroids and other veterinary drugs through various contacts in his dogfighting network instead of obtaining legitimate veterinary prescriptions.

    When Flythe sponsored a dog, the fight only ended after a dog died or if the owner forfeited the match by the dog quitting the fight or the owner picking up the dog. Several times between 2019 and 2023, Flythe received monetary payments through CashApp in connection with dogfighting activities.  Flythe also sent money to dogfighting contacts related to the dogfighting enterprise.

    On September 6, 2023, during a search of Flythe’s home, investigators recovered a total of seven pit-bull type dogs from the premises.  Authorities found four dogs chained to posts or poles in fenced-in cages in the property’s backyard, and three dogs in large metal cages in the basement.  Flythe acknowledged that he bred and/or trained dogs for the purposes of sponsoring them for dogfights. 

    U.S. Attorney Barron commended the FBI; U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General; Defense Criminal Investigative Service; U.S. Marshals Service; Anne Arundel County Police Department; Anne Arundel County Animal Control; and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia for their valuable assistance in the investigation.  Mr. Barron also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Levin who prosecuted the federal case.

    For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit http://www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Coming up next week at the London Assembly W/C 27 January

    Source: Mayor of London

    PUBLIC MEETINGS

    Tuesday 28 January

    Planning and Tall Buildings

    Planning and Regeneration Committee – Chamber, City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, 10am

    The Planning and Regeneration Committee will ask guests ask guests from industry and the London Tenants Federation about issues including residents’ experiences of living in tall buildings and how they vary among different groups, the characteristics of successful tall buildings, and the extent to which high-rise buildings meet Londoners’ housing needs.

    Guests include:

    Panel 1 – 10am – 11.15am:

    • Stuart Baillie, Partner and Head of Planning, Knight Frank
    • Russell Whitehead, Director, Robert Bird Group
    • Chris Edgington, Associate Director – Building Services, ARUP
    • Additional guests TBC

    Panel 2 – 11.30am – 12.30pm:

    • Kath Scanlon, Distinguished Policy Fellow and Deputy Director, LSE London
    • Pat Turnbull, Regional Delegate, London Tenants Federation

    MEDIA CONTACT: Josh Hunt on 07763 252310 / [email protected]  

     

    Wednesday 29 January

    Q&A with the Met Police

    Police and Crime Committee – Chamber, City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, 10am

    The London Assembly Police and Crime Committee will question the Metropolitan Police Service and the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime on the work being done in relation to grooming gangs in London, and to understand what impact the national audit will have in London.

    The guests are:

    • Kaya Comer-Schwartz, Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime 
    • Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist KPM, Frontline Policing, Metropolitan Police Service
    • Claire Waxman OBE, London’s Independent Victims’ Commissioner

    MEDIA CONTACT: Anthony Smith on 07763 251727 / [email protected]
     

    Thursday 30 January

    HIV in London

    Health Committee – Chamber, City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, 10am

    The London Assembly Health Committee will discuss HIV prevention efforts in London, the work of HIV charities in London and international comparisons.

    The guests are:

    Panel 1 – HIV prevention in London (10:00 – 11:10):

    • Marc Thompson, Lead Commissioner, London HIV Prevention Programme
    • Mona Hayat, Director of Sexual Health, London Sexual Health Programme
    • Professor Kevin Fenton CBE, Statutory Health Advisor to the Mayor

    Panel 2 – HIV charities in London (11:15 – 12:25):

    • Judi Otti, Head of HIV Services, Africa Advocacy Foundation
    • Mark Santos, Executive Director, Positive East
    • Kat Smithson, CEO, British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH)
    • Joel Robinson, CEO, Spectra
    • Tony Wong, CEO, METRO Charity

    Panel 3 – International comparisons (12:30 – 13:00):

    • Elske Hoornenborg, Head of the Center for Sexual Health and medical doctor specialised in internal medicine and infectious diseases, Public Health Service of Amsterdam

    MEDIA CONTACT: Anthony Smyth on 07763 251727 / [email protected]

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Man convicted of two violent assaults in Harrow

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A man has been convicted following two violent assaults that left one of his victims dying from stab wounds.

    Abdul Khan, 27 (14.08.97), of Durham Road, Harrow, had previously pleaded guilty to the manslaughter through diminished responsibility of Bohdan Vandzhura, possession of an offensive weapon and actual bodily harm.

    At the Old Bailey on Thursday, 23 January he was found guilty of the attempted murder of a then 43-year-old man.

    He will be sentenced on Tuesday, 25 March.

    Detective Chief Inspector Tom Williams, who led the investigation, said: “Our thoughts today are with Mr Vandzhura’s family and friends.

    “This was a truly horrific assault by Khan on his innocent neighbour as he was heading to work one morning to provide for his family. The ferocity of the knife attack has shocked everyone who has seen the CCTV footage.

    “Our thoughts are also with his second victim who suffered serious injuries in the attack.

    “It’s clear that mental health was a key factor in the events building up to that day but Khan’s pattern of aggression towards two people cannot be ignored.”

    An investigation was launched after police were called on the morning of 8 July 2023 to reports of a stabbing on Pinner Road in North Harrow.

    Officers attended along with the London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance. At the scene, they found 49-year-old Bohdan – a father-of-two who was from Harrow – with stab wounds. Despite their efforts he died at the scene.

    A post-mortem examination carried out the following day confirmed he died as a result of multiple stab wounds to the chest and neck.

    Detectives from the Specialist Crime Command launched an investigation, involving a quick time review of CCTV footage from the area.

    Officers followed Khan’s movements using CCTV which captured him disposing of the weapon and making his way towards Mr Vandzhura’s home. This led detectives to believe Khan lived in the area and he was quickly identified and arrested.

    This same footage provided them with evidence of his father – Khalid Khan – leaving the home with a carrier bag that contained his son’s bloodied clothing.

    Abdul Khan was arrested on 8 July and charged within 24 hours.

    Detectives also established that Abdul Khan was the unidentified suspect in an earlier assault on another man in Harrow.

    On 20 August 2022, Khan punched the man to the ground before repeatedly stamping on him, leaving him unconscious. Officers carried out an investigation but were unable to identify a suspect at the time.

    Khalid Khan, 62 (22.04.62) of Durham Road, Harrow was convicted of assisting an offender in relation to the manslaughter.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: 116 tortoises returned to Tanzania in landmark wildlife trafficking investigation

    Source: Interpol (news and events)

    24 January 2025

    Intercepted by Thai customs officials in July 2022, the tortoises will serve as vital evidence to prosecute the smuggler

    SINGAPORE – More than two years after a Ukrainian woman was stopped at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport during an INTERPOL operation with 116 baby tortoises concealed in her luggage, the internationally protected species have been returned to Tanzania as evidence against their smuggler.

    The repatriation of the tortoises signals the final phase of a long-running enquiry into an international wildlife trafficking ring that has led to the arrest of 14 suspects from various countries and tracked down the Ukrainian smuggler after a global investigation.

    A handover ceremony marking the reptiles’ return was held yesterday in Bangkok, attended by high-level officials from Thailand and Tanzania.

    Police Major General Surapan Thaiprasert, Commander of the Foreign Affairs Division at the Royal Thai Police said:

    “Thailand worked closely with INTERPOL and our partners in Tanzania on this significant case. Through our strong detection capabilities, we were able to intercept the smuggler and rescue the tortoises. Their successful return to Tanzania is a testament to our collaborative efforts.”

    A rescued pancake tortoise. The species is critically endangered (CITES Appendix I)

    Rescued radiated tortoises placed in crates for their journey to Tanzania

    The Aldabra giant tortoise is one of the largest tortoises in the world. It is a vulnerable species. (CITES Appendix II)

    The Aldabra giant tortoise is one of the largest tortoises in the world. It is a vulnerable species. (CITES Appendix II).

    A rescued pancake tortoise. The species is critically endangered (CITES Appendix I).

    A rescued radiated tortoise. The species is critically endangered (CITES Appendix I).

    A rescued pancake tortoise. The species is critically endangered (CITES Appendix I).

    Tanzanian and Thai officials worked together to repatriate all 116 tortoises to Tanzania.

    Tanzanian and Thai officials worked together to repatriate all 116 tortoises to Tanzania.

    A radiated tortoise is carefully placed in a crate for its return to Tanzania.

    A tortoise crate being transferred to its next mode of transport.

    A handover ceremony marking the return of the tortoises was held in Bangkok on 23 January 2025.

    A handover ceremony marking the return of the tortoises was held in Bangkok on 23 January 2025.

    Criminal economy

    The trafficking of endangered tortoises is a significant criminal economy, with species removed from their natural habitats, often to be sold abroad as exotic pets.

    The 116 tortoises recovered in Bangkok included pancake tortoises, radiated tortoises and Aldabra giant tortoises, all of which are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

    Many of the tortoises died after being found in the smuggler’s luggage, despite urgent care provided by Thai authorities. All 116 were nevertheless repatriated as evidence.

    Cyril Gout, Acting Executive Director of Police Services at INTERPOL said:

    “Wildlife trafficking is a serious global threat that disrupts ecosystems and harms communities while enriching organized crime groups. This case demonstrates the resolve of law enforcement internationally to protect vulnerable species, stop illegal wildlife trafficking and bring criminals to justice.  

    “INTERPOL plays a vital role in facilitating coordinated action against wildlife crime and will continue to support our member countries in breaking up wildlife trafficking syndicates.”

    Dismantling a wildlife crime network

    Following her arrest in Bangkok, the Ukrainian smuggler fled Thailand before she could be fully prosecuted. Through intense international police collaboration and an INTERPOL Red Notice, she was located in Bulgaria in March 2023 and extradited to Tanzania three months later.

    Once it was established that the smuggler belonged to a larger wildlife trafficking network, INTERPOL provided investigative and operational support. As a result of these efforts, 14 additional suspects, from countries including Egypt, Indonesia, Madagascar and Tanzania, have so far also been arrested.

    Ramadhan Hamisi Kingai, Director of Criminal Investigation at the Tanzania Police Force said:

    “From the capture of the suspect to the repatriation of the tortoises, these successes were made possible through strong international police cooperation and a collaborative, multi-agency approach facilitated through INTERPOL. Tanzania is firmly committed to addressing wildlife crime and continues to work with other countries to ensure that those responsible are arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

    Local wildlife officials in Tanzania will quarantine and care for the surviving tortoises before assessing if they can be safely returned to their natural habitats.

    United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and other donors.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: North Battleford  — North Battleford CRT-GTF seize firearms, cocaine and methamphetamine

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    On October 22, 2024 at approximately 9:15 p.m., Saskatchewan RCMP’s North Battleford Crime Reduction Team – Gang Task Force (CRT-GTF) executed search warrants at two residences, one on 109 street and one on 110 street in North Battleford, SK. The warrants were executed as part of an ongoing drug trafficking investigation.

    At the residences, officers located and seized a loaded handgun, a rifle, approximately 81 grams of methamphetamine, approximately 58 grams of crack cocaine, ammunition, a sum of cash and drug trafficking paraphernalia.

    As a result of investigation, two adult males and an adult female were arrested at the residences.

    21-year-old Enricko Thompson from North Battleford is charged with:

    • one count, possession of a firearm when knowing possession unauthorized, Section 92(1), Criminal Code;
    • one count, possession of restricted firearm/prohibited weapon with ammunition without license/registration, Section 95(1), Criminal Code;
    • one count, unsafe storage of firearms, Section 86(2), Criminal Code;
    • one count, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, Section 88(1), Criminal Code;
    • one count, possession of property obtained by crime less than $5000, Section 354(1)(a), Criminal Code;
    • one count, possession for the purpose of trafficking – cocaine, Section 5(2), Controlled Drugs and Substances Act; and
    • one count, possession for the purpose of trafficking – methamphetamine, Section 5(2), Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

    39-year-old Justin Fraser from North Battleford is charged with:

    • one count, possession of a firearm when knowing possession unauthorized, Section 92(1), Criminal Code;
    • one count, unsafe storage of firearms, Section 86(2), Criminal Code;
    • one count, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, Section 88(1), Criminal Code; and
    • one count, possession for the purpose of trafficking – methamphetamine, Section 5(2), Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

    20-year-old Chloe Bates was arrested on an outstanding warrant from Battlefords RCMP for charges including failure to comply with probation order and failure to appear in court.

    Enricko Thompson and Justin Fraser appeared in court in North Battleford on October 24.

    Saskatchewan RCMP’s Critical Incident Response Team and Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) Tactical Support Unit assisted in this investigation.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Chicago Rapper Lil Durk Arrested on Complaint Alleging He Ordered Murder Attempt that Resulted in Fatal Shooting Near Beverly Center

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    LOS ANGELES – A Grammy Award-winning Chicago rapper has been arrested on a federal criminal complaint alleging he conspired with others to murder a rival rapper, resulting in a shooting and murder that took place at a gas station near the Beverly Center shopping mall in Los Angeles in August 2022 – an attack that resulted in a family member of the rival being shot and killed, the Justice Department announced today.

    Durk Banks, 32, a.k.a. “Lil Durk,” was arrested near Miami International Airport late Thursday on a complaint charging him with conspiracy to use interstate facilities to commit murder-for-hire resulting in death.   

    He made his initial appearance this afternoon in United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida and remains in federal custody. His arraignment is expected to occur in Los Angeles federal court in the coming weeks.

    “Mr. Banks is charged with orchestrating a cold-blooded murder that resulted in the death of a rival’s family member,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “Not only that, the shooting occurred in the open, at a gas station at a busy intersection, endangering many others in the area. Violent gun crime of this sort is devastating to our community and we will have zero-tolerance for those who perpetrate such callous acts of violence.” 

    “The apprehension of Mr. Banks as he attempted to leave the United States is once again proof that the FBI and our extraordinary partners at the Los Angeles Police Department have a long reach” said Akil Davis, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI Los Angeles Field Office. “No excuse can justify this violent act and let me be clear: While you’re going about your life, thinking you ‘got away with it,’ the FBI is piecing together the facts that will serve as your undoing.”

    “Cases like these that span multiple states and jurisdictions are complicated and can oftentimes only be resolved through the collaboration of multiple departments,” said Los Angeles Police Chief Dominic Choi. “This arrest is the culmination of the combined efforts of our partners in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI, and LAPD’s Operation West Bureau Homicide detectives who discovered that Durk D a.k.a. Lil Durk was involved in this heinous murder. The hundreds of hours spent on the investigation included surveillance, authoring numerous search warrants, using forensic technology, and tireless investigative travel and collaboration alongside our federal partners led to this arrest. I am appreciative of the dedication of those involved.”

    According to the complaint filed Thursday night, Banks is the leader of the Chicago-based rap collective known as “Only the Family” or “OTF.” Law enforcement believes OTF also acts as a group of individuals who engage in violence – including murder and assault – at Banks’ direction and to maintain their status in OTF.

    Banks feuded with a victim, identified in court documents as “T.B.” The feud stemmed from a November 6, 2020, murder in which an associate of T.B. shot and killed an OTF rapper named Dayvon Bennett, a.k.a. “King Von.” Bennett and Banks were close friends. 

    In response to Bennett’s murder, Banks allegedly put a bounty on T.B.’s life.

    On August 19, 2022, several OTF members and associates used two vehicles and worked in tandem to track, stalk, and attempt to murder T.B. for hours, culminating in a shooting at a gasoline station located near the Beverly Center mall. The co-conspirators fired at least 18 rounds at T.B.’s vehicle, striking and killing a victim identified in court documents as “S.R.,” who was T.B.’s family member who had been traveling with T.B.

    Banks allegedly ordered T.B.’s murder and the hitmen used money from Banks and OTF-related finances to carry out the hit. Bank and flight records show that an OTF member and close associate of Banks coordinated and paid for five co-conspirators to travel from Chicago to California on the day before the murder. Around the time the one-way flights were purchased, Banks told the OTF associate booking the flights, “Don’t book no flights under no names involved wit [sic] me.”

    The same day the hitmen traveled from Chicago to California, Banks also traveled to California in a private jet with another conspirator, Kavon London Grant, 28, a.k.a. “Cuz” and “Vonnie.” Later that day, Grant allegedly purchased ski masks for the shooters to use to commit the murder and paid – using a credit card in Banks’ name – for the other co-conspirators’ hotel room.

    On Thursday morning, federal and local law enforcement in the Chicago area arrested Grant and four other defendants charged in a four-count federal grand jury indictment alleging their roles in the murder-for-hire plot. After law enforcement made the arrests and executed search warrants in Chicago, the FBI learned that Banks had been booked on three international flights scheduled to leave the United States on Thursday. When banks arrived near one of the departing airports – in Miami, specifically – law enforcement personnel arrested him.

    In additional to Grant, the defendants charged in the separate indictment, which a grand jury returned on October 17, are:

    • Deandre Dontrell Wilson, 33, a.k.a. “DeDe,” of Chicago;
    • Keith Jones, 33, a.k.a. “Flacka,” of Gary, Indiana;
    • David Brian Lindsey, 33, a.k.a. “Browneyez,” of Addison, Illinois; and
    • Asa Houston, 36, a.k.a. “Boogie,” of Chicago.

    These four defendants along with Grant are charged with one count of conspiracy, one count of use of interstate facilities to commit murder-for-hire resulting in death, and one count of using, carrying and discharging firearms and a machine gun and possession of such firearms in furtherance of a crime of violence resulting in death. Jones faces and additional count of possession of a machine gun.

    These defendants made their initial appearances on Thursday in the Northern District of Illinois and are expected to be arraigned in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles in the coming weeks. 

    A complaint and indictment contain allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

    If convicted, Banks and the five defendants charged in the separate indictment each would face a statutory maximum sentence of life in federal prison.

    The FBI and the Los Angeles Police Department are investigating this matter. 

    Assistant United States Attorneys Ian V. Yanniello of the General Crimes Section and Daniel H. Weiner of the International Narcotics, Money Laundering, and Racketeering Section are prosecuting this case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Saskatchewan  — Saskatchewan RCMP asks public to report sightings of Brenden Yew

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Saskatchewan RCMP’s Warrant Enforcement and Suppression Team (WEST) and the Offender Management Unit are asking members of the public to report sightings of 29-year-old Brenden Yew.

    Earlier this month, Saskatchewan RCMP received a report that a male failed to report to a probation officer after he was released from custody. Further investigation determined he was not complying with a court-ordered 24-hour electronically-monitored curfew, nor residing at his court-approved address.

    As a result of investigation, Saskatchewan RCMP has charged Brenden Yew of Meadow Lake, SK with three counts, fail to comply with release order condition, Section 145(5)(a), Criminal Code. A warrant has been issued for his arrest.

    WEST and other Saskatchewan RCMP units are actively working to locate him and ask the public to immediately report all sightings of Brenden Yew or information on his whereabouts.

    Brenden Yew is described as 5’10” and approximately 220 lbs. He has brown eyes and black hair. He has flowers tattooed on his right hand and a rosary tattooed on his left arm.

    Investigators have reason to believe Brenden Yew could be in the Edmonton, Meadow Lake, Beauval, Canoe Narrows, and Flying Dust First Nation areas, but his current whereabouts are unknown.

    If you see Brenden Yew, do not approach him.

    Report sightings or information on his whereabouts to your local police service. You can reach your local RCMP detachment by dialling 310-RCMP (7267) and information can also be submitted anonymously by contacting Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or http://www.saskcrimestoppers.com.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Meadow Lake — Meadow Lake RCMP CRT seizes illicit drugs, firearms during search

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    On October 20, 2024, Saskatchewan RCMP’s Meadow Lake Crime Reduction Team (CRT) conducted a search of a residence in Meadow Lake, SK as part of an ongoing investigation.

    During a search of the residence, officers located and seized 500 grams of methamphetamine, 68 grams of cocaine, four modified firearms (two of which are prohibited and one that was loaded), ammunition, a significant sum of currency and drug trafficking paraphernalia. An adult male was arrested at the scene.

    As a result of investigation, 36-year-old Lindsay Bouvier of Meadow Lake is charged with:

    • one count, possession for the purpose of trafficking – cocaine, Section 5(2), Controlled Drugs and Substances Act;
    • one count, possession for the purpose of trafficking – methamphetamine, Section 5(2), Controlled Drugs and Substances Act;
    • one count, possession of weapon for dangerous purposes, Section 88(1), Criminal Code;
    • two counts, possession of restricted firearm/prohibited weapon with ammo without licence/registration, Section 95(1), Criminal Code;
    • two counts, unsafe storage of firearms, Section 86(2), Criminal Code;
    • two counts, possession of a firearm when knowing possession unauthorized, Section 92(1), Criminal Code;
    • four counts, weapons possession contrary to order and fail to surrender authorization Section 117.01(1), Criminal Code;
    • three counts, fail to comply with release order condition, Section 145(5)(a), Criminal Code; and
    • one count, possession of property obtained by crime less than or equal $5,000, Section 355(b), Criminal Code.

    He appeared in Meadow Lake Provincial Court on October 23, 2024. He will make his next appearance on October 28, 2024.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Investigation under way following stabbing in Dagenham

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    An investigation is under way following a stabbing in Dagenham.

    Police were called at approximately 17:35hrs on Friday, 25 October to reports of three people injured in First Avenue, Dagenham.

    Officers, London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance attended.

    A woman, believed to be aged in her 30s, and two children, a girl believed aged eight and a boy believed aged two, were found suffering stab injuries – they have been taken to hospital for treatment.

    We await a condition update for the woman and the two-year-old boy. The eight-year-old girl’s injuries are not life threatening.

    A man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder. He was also taken to hospital after being taken unwell. After being assessed he has been discharged into police custody.

    Detective Superintendent Lewis Basford, responsible for policing in Barking and Dagenham, said:

    “This is a truly shocking attack and I want to thank local residents for their assistance and patience while we deal with this incident.

    “At this early stage, we believe those involved were known to each other and we are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident.

    “A crime scene will remain in place for some time while our officers carry out vital work and you will see an increased policing presence in the area over the coming days. If you have any concerns or information that could assist police then please speak to an officer or call police on 101.”

    Anyone with information is asked to call 101 or ‘X’ @MetCC and quote CAD5931/25Oct. You can also provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Joint press conference – Apia, Samoa

    Source: Australian Government – Minister of Foreign Affairs

    Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister: I’ve just come from the opening session of the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting here in Samoa. And apart from what was a rather extraordinary cultural display, including all the countries of the Pacific, including Australia, the speech of His Majesty King Charles was, of course, a highlight. King Charles spoke about the existential threat of climate change to our region. He also spoke about the need to not divide, but to come together in our common interest as a Commonwealth. And it was very well received by the heads of government and by the delegates to this important conference that comes at an important time, and the first time, of course, that CHOGM has been held here in the Pacific. We also heard from the Prime Minister Fiamē, and I was able to have a bilateral meeting with the Samoan Prime Minister this morning, after which, I had a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of the UK, Keir Starmer, as well as I had a range of informal meetings while we were waiting for CHOGM to occur, with other Commonwealth leaders. The Pacific is, of course, a global leader in climate action, and Australia respects and supports that leadership. The meeting that we had today with the Prime Minister of Samoa, and other Pacific partners who we discussed with, was about galvanising action in our region, and it will be front and centre of the next two days deliberation. Australia and the United Kingdom, of course, are old friends, but we’re also close friends. And more than friends, we’re partners, and I’ve enjoyed a positive relationship with Prime Minister Starmer for some time. It’s the first time we’ve been able to meet face to face as Prime Ministers of our respective nations. We today discussed, importantly, our new climate and energy partnership that we will be delivering on. We have a common view about the challenge, but also the opportunity, that climate change action represents. We both are on the path to net zero through the transition, and we see that as an opportunity for new industries, new jobs and a new industrialisation of our respective countries. From Australia’s perspective, of course, a future made in Australia, from the UK’s perspective, a future made in the UK. And there’s a real opportunity for us to develop technologies together to make a difference, as well as look at cooperation in areas such as climate finance. The new partnership will allow us to explore cooperation right across the board in all of these areas. Today, also, we’re announcing grants on our Australia-UK Renewable Hydrogen Innovation Partnership Program. This is six companies in Australia, six companies and entities in the United Kingdom, cooperating and collaborating to make a difference with the emerging green hydrogen industry that has such promise to play a critical role in the transition to net zero, in the production of green metals, in a range of areas that will make a difference of lowering our emissions whilst producing new industries and new jobs and new opportunities for Australia, but also for the United Kingdom. Of course, we also discussed AUKUS and the progress that we are making together. And in December, the Foreign Minister and Defence Ministers of both countries will meet, and that will be the next step in making sure that we continue on that pathway, the optimum pathway, for the delivering of AUKUS, and both of us expressed our support for the progress that has been made. I will hand to the Foreign Minister, and then we’re happy to take some questions.

    Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs: Thanks very much, Prime Minister. Look, it’s fantastic to be here with the Prime Minister for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. Obviously I had the Foreign Minister’s track yesterday and today is the important Head of Government Meeting, and it’s been a fantastic opportunity to engage with all members of the Commonwealth. Can I just say in relation to the partnership the Prime Minister has announced with Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. This is the Prime Minister’s first formal bilateral with the incoming government, and what a cracking start. Straight away, we’re set to work, working together on transforming our economies, on dealing with not just the existential threat, which is climate change, but all that we need to do economically for our own economies and for the world. So it’s a very exciting announcement that the Prime Minister is making today.

    Prime Minister: Happy to take some questions.

    Journalist: Prime Minister, the Prime Minister of Tuvalu has said that Australia is not doing enough to curb fossil fuel emissions. What do you say to that?

    Prime Minister: Well, I had positive discussions with Prime Minister Teo and other Pacific leaders here. They recognise that the challenge of climate change doesn’t mean that you can just flick a switch and act immediately. We need to make sure that energy security is prioritised in order to make sure that we have that support going forward. But we’ve worked very closely with our Falepili agreement with Tuvalu. The Prime Minister of Tuvalu was in Perth recently as well to pick up the vessel which will provide support there in Tuvalu. And I must say that the feedback I’ve had from Pacific leaders has been very welcoming of Australia’s leadership here in the Pacific when it comes to climate action.

    Journalist: Can I ask you further about climate change? Because the King’s speech was very interesting on the existential threat. He made some very dire warnings about what climate change could lead to without, well, global action, and I guess that means an agreement here. Now the King is usually meant to be above politics, isn’t he, but climate change is a very political issue. And in fact, politicians like Nigel Farage, for instance, once likened him to an eco-loony for taking a position on climate change. Admittedly, before he ascended the throne. Has he gone too far and beyond his official duties by being so political about climate change, or is he absolutely right to warn of division and conflict?

    Prime Minister: His Majesty is very passionate about the world in which he lives and about the responsibility that we have to future generations. It’s an issue which has characterised his public comments over a long period of time. He also made very strong comments in the Great Hall in Canberra. And in most parts of the world, with very few exceptions, climate change is above politics. It is about existential threat that exists to countries like Tuvalu and Kiribati. It’s about the world in which we live. It’s about our native fauna and flora. It’s about the natural disasters that we were warned would increase in intensity and in frequency. And that is precisely what we are seeing in Australia, but in other parts of the world as well, increased impact of climate change, whether it be rising sea levels, increased cyclones, increased bushfires, increased droughts, we are seeing the impact of climate change, that’s recognised by scientists around the world, and indeed one of the first world leaders to recognise the challenge of climate change and the need to act was Margaret Thatcher.

    Journalist: The King also talked about misinformation and the dangers of social media. It’s an area your government has worked on reform for. Have you discussed this topic with the leaders here today, and do you consider this an endorsement from the King?

    Prime Minister: Well, His Majesty, of course, speaks for himself, and he made comments about the world in which he resides. And social media is having an impact. It’s having an impact around the world, and much of that impact, of course, is positive. The capacity to communicate with each other is an important one. The use of new technologies to get information out there can be very important, but we also know that there can be a very negative impact as well. With misinformation, we’ve seen the use of artificial intelligence, including, fake information, and indeed, fake videos and a range of materials. And we know that social media when it comes to young people is having an enormous impact, and that’s what my government is doing. It’s something that we see discussed, I think, at the site of every tennis court on the weekend, netball court, football oval, swimming pool, we see parents after school, they’re very concerned about this impact. And I think that the fact that His Majesty, King Charles, is very conscious about the modern world and prepared to engage in debate about that discourse is, I think, of course, up to him, but it’s something that I think brings him credit.

    Journalist: If I could just ask, Keir Starmer and others have talked about conflicts, including that in the Middle East. Jim Chalmers has talked about the need for a ceasefire in the Middle East to prevent persistent global inflation. Do you agree that a ceasefire would go some way to doing it?

    Prime Minister: Well, we have been very clear about our view, and it’s a view we signed with Sir Keir Starmer and other leaders in the 13 countries that signed up to the statement some time ago. Quite clearly, we do need a resolution. We have said very clearly that we also want to see the hostages released. We want to see both Israelis, but also Palestinians and Lebanese to be able to live in peace and security. I note that Secretary Blinken is there in the region, and the Secretary of State has played a critical role in trying to bring about a reduction in conflict in the region, and we certainly wish him well,

    Journalist: Just, obviously, the legacy of colonialism is being discussed, and there are calls from African and Caribbean nations for Britain to pay reparations or engage in a process of reparatory justice for the evils of slavery. It’s something the UK Prime Minister has ruled out, but given Australia’s own history of black birding, is it something you’d support other Commonwealth nations in calling for, or at least for truth telling processes?

    Prime Minister: Well, the Australian Government has recognised black birding for a number of decades now. Paul Keating in 1994 said that black birding represented a sorry chapter in Australia’s history, and it does. What my government is focused on very much is a forward agenda of, how do we close the gap? How do we make a difference when the gap is there between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians in so many areas? We need to do better.

    Journalist: Prime Minister, just briefly back on climate change, if that’s all right. The King also spoke about the way that climate change could fuel social division and inequalities between nations. Is this something the Government’s examined in our own region, as temperatures rise and as natural calamities increase, the way that, for example, water shortages or other problems could fuel conflicts between countries, and given the ONA has done some assessment on this, ONI rather, sorry. Why should that assessment not be made public to the Australian people?

    Prime Minister: Because ONI that’s the job that it does so, I think with respect Stephen, you know the answer to why intelligent briefings are just that. But we know as well, it is no secret, and the Australian Government has made information available. That is one of the contexts of the discussions that take place at places like the Pacific Island Forum and indeed, CHOGM here, as well as bilateral visits. We’ve had visits, if you speak about the region, from the leaders of Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tuvalu, Tonga, a range of countries in our region, Fiji too, since I’ve been Prime Minister, it’s always front and centre. And there is an equity aspect to climate change because of its impact is not even across the board, and so it is part of the context of the debate is making sure that Australia and those countries that, of course, are largely responsible for the emissions which are there, have a greater responsibility to act. That’s something that’s been recognised in, that’s part of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. We need to act together as the world. And I think that was a theme of, Commonwealth essentially means common good, and it is something that was a theme of His Majesty’s speech. And I think it was a very fine speech, which will be well received by Commonwealth nations.

    Journalist: Could I ask Minister Wong about the work with women that you’ve been doing over the last couple of days. The Queen has obviously, you know, spoken extensively about ending violence in the Pacific against women. When we talk about Australia engaging with the Pacific nations, we often talk about rugby league. What’s our in with women to help the Pacific, a platform for us, for Australia to help the Pacific?

    Minister Wong: Well, thanks for the question. I appreciate it. And you know, one of the points that I made yesterday and Her Majesty also made, is that if you’re serious about progress and development and peace, then you have to ensure you deal with women’s experience of violence, women’s access to education, women’s access to economic empowerment. In other words, a country cannot be all that it could be unless women and girls are enabled to fulfil their potential. We’ve really sought to integrate this work into our development assistance programs. And so you will see in Australian development programs, there’s a much greater emphasis than under previous governments, on making sure that there is a perspective around gender. In other words, if you’re funding an economic initiative, what is needed to enable women to participate as well as men? Education, similarly, what is the infrastructure needed for women and girls to participate so there is no peace and stability and prosperity without women taking their full place in a society. And we’ll continue to talk with the region about that.

    Prime Minister: Thanks very much. One more.

    Journalist: Two more?

    Minister Wong: You’ve had one.

    Journalist: The King also said you can’t change the past, which is clear, but do you think the Lidia Thorpe’s outburst or protest in Parliament indicates the Commonwealth collectively has not progressed?

    Prime Minister: Well, Lidia Thorpe’s outburst was, of course, about Lidia Thorpe, and she achieved her objective because I’m getting a question about it now. I thought it was rude, outrageous and entirely inappropriate.

    Journalist: If the ocean declaration is signed tomorrow what would Australia’s commitment be?

    Prime Minister: Well, I’m not going to pre-empt the processes. I’m hoping to end this press conference so that I can go to, the sessions haven’t begun yet, they begin this afternoon. We’ll be working this afternoon in a couple of sessions, but then again, tomorrow. I can indicate about tomorrow, just to get this in your diaries as well, the Pacific Policing Initiative, a number of, particularly Samoa, but other countries as well, have recognised that this is the first time it’s operated. We announced it just months ago. There are 11 countries, 46 police officers, including three from Australia, participating, providing security here. There’s also the people who are looking after me here from the local police, were trained by Australians in the past, and tomorrow, we’ll be first thing meeting with the nations of the Pacific who are participating, because this will be something to really celebrate. This is a great example of how Australia can provide practical support with, of course, the three prongs. One is the joint operations such as this one. The second will be the centre there at Pinkenba in Brisbane, that will provide the training. And then the four Centres of Excellence, one of which will be in Papua New Guinea, another which will be in Fiji. This is an example of Australia really making a difference in the region. And I conclude with that, but to thank all the journalists as well who made the effort to come here. This is an important gathering, and I appreciate, and I think Australia appreciates, the fact that you’re here as well. Thanks very much.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Sioux Falls Man Found Guilty of Attempted Enticement of a Minor and Sex Trafficking of a Child

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SIOUX FALLS – United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a jury has convicted Gerber David Santos Gonzalez, age 25, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, of Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet and Sex Trafficking of a Child by Force or Coercion following a two-day jury trial in federal district court in Sioux Falls. The verdict was returned on October 23, 2024.

    The charges carry a maximum penalty of life in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, up to life of supervised release, and a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

    Santos Gonzalez was indicted by a federal grand jury in April of 2024.

    Santos Gonzalez used his cell phone and the Facebook Messenger app to try to convince who he believed was a 15-year-old girl to have a sexual encounter with him and offered her $100 to do so. The 15-year-old girl was actually an undercover law enforcement officer. Santos Gonzalez arranged to meet the 15-year-old girl persona at a park in Sioux Falls, where he was apprehended by authorities and taken into custody.

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

    This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Sioux Falls Police Department, Watertown Police Department, Tea Police Department, Rapid City Police Department, Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, and the South Dakota Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth A. Ebert-Webb prosecuted the case.

    A presentence investigation was ordered and a sentencing date has not been set. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Calera Resident Sentenced To 25 Years For Child Exploitation Crimes

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Ryan John Capps, age 25, of Calera, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 300 months in prison for one count of Coercion and Enticement, and 300 months in prison for one count of Sexual Exploitation of a Child/Use of a Child to Produce a Visual Depiction.  Capps was also sentenced to 180 months in prison for one count of Sexual Abuse of a Minor in Indian Country.  The sentences were ordered to be served concurrently.

    The charges arose from an investigation by the Durant Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

    On May 1, 2024, Capps was found guilty of the charges by a federal jury.  According to investigators, in the autumn of 2022, while employed as a teacher and coach at Durant Middle School, Capps enticed a minor student to produce child sexual abuse material and engage in sexual activity.  The crimes occurred in Bryan County, within the boundaries of the Choctaw Nation Reservation of Oklahoma, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.

    “This defendant abused his position of trust as a teacher and coach by sexually exploiting a student he was supposed to protect,” said FBI Oklahoma City Special Agent in Charge Doug Goodwater.  “I’m grateful for the dedicated efforts of the FBI, the Durant Police Department, and the US Attorney’s Office to remove this predator from the lives of innocent children through the justice system.”

    “The defendant violated the trust placed in him as a teacher in order to exploit the victim for his own prurient interests,” said United States Attorney Christopher J. Wilson.  “The jury’s verdict and the sentences imposed by the Court are a resounding message that those who commit these deplorable acts will be subjected to the justice system and severely punished.”

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc.

    We encourage anyone who suspects or has information regarding child sexual exploitation, trafficking of minors, sextortion, child pornography, or any other means of child exploitation to immediately contact law enforcement.  You can file a report on the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC)’s website at http://www.cybertipline.com, call 1-800-843-5678, contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), or call 877-4-HSI TIP.

    The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing in Muskogee.  Capps will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.

    Assistant United States Attorneys Jessie K. Pippin and Jessica Bove represented the United States.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Third Man Sentenced to Prison for Robbing U.S. Postal Service Letter Carriers

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    MIAMI – A third St. Lucie County man, responsible for a string of robberies of U.S. Postal Service (USPS) letter carriers for their Postal keys, was sentenced to federal prison yesterday by U.S. District Court Judge K. Michael Moore sitting in Ft. Pierce, Fla.  Two other defendants were previously sentenced.

    “The defendants brazenly terrorized loyal public servants, U.S. Postal Service letter carriers working in Florida, at gunpoint for their postal keys with the intent to steal mail from collection boxes. Their sentencing shows that the safety of U.S. Postal Service employees is of the utmost importance,” said U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida. “Armed assaults on letter carriers negatively impact our entire community, which relies on the U.S. Postal Service for the safe delivery of the mail.”

    “The prison sentences handed down to these defendants should serve as a reminder that violent acts committed against U.S. Postal Service employees providing service to the community will not be tolerated and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, along with our law enforcement partners, will ensure that those committing these acts will be pursued and justly punished for their crimes,” said Juan A. Vargas, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Miami Division.

    Bernard Jerome Davis III, 20, of Port St. Lucie, Fla., was sentenced to 192 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by 3 years’ supervised release, after pleading guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, two counts of armed Postal/U.S. property robbery, a single count of brandishing a firearm during and in furtherance of a crime of violence, attempted Hobbs Act robbery, and Hobbs Act robbery.  

    Jalen Dennis Elliott, 19, of Port St. Lucie, was sentenced to 30 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by 2 years’ supervised release, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery and Hobbs Act robbery.

    Jamal Travon Brown Weathers, 23, of Fort Pierce, was sentenced to 162 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by 3 years’ supervised release, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, armed Postal/U.S. property robbery, and brandishing a firearm during and in furtherance of a crime of violence.

    According to the court record, to include factual proffers in support of the defendants’ guilty pleas, between Nov. 19, 2022, and Oct. 21, 2023, Brown Weathers, Davis and Elliott robbed at least six USPS letter carriers in St. Lucie, Brevard, Orange and Miami-Dade counties in Florida.

    On Nov. 19, 2022, a USPS letter carrier was delivering mail inside an apartment complex in Port St. Lucie. While the carrier was at the mailboxes, Brown Weathers demanded “Give me the key.” Brown Weathers then grabbed and started yanking the letter carrier’s keys, which were attached to her uniform pants. Brown Weathers then brandished a semi-automatic handgun and demanded “Give me the f—— key. You got five seconds to give up the key.” At that point the letter carrier unhooked her arrow key and handed it over to Brown Weathers, who fled in a vehicle driven by Davis. The vehicle, belonging to Brown Weathers’ mother, was later chased by a St. Lucie County Sheriff’s deputy in Fort Pierce. The occupants fled and a K-9 deputy recovered the firearm used in the robbery along the path of flight.

    A Postal arrow key is an accountable property assigned to U.S. Post Office(s) that is only authorized to be used by USPS employees in an official capacity. A Postal arrow key is used by USPS employees to open mail receptacles within a geographic area to collect and deliver mail.

    On May 12, 2023, Brown Weathers and Davis robbed two USPS letter carriers at gunpoint in the Middle District of Florida. At approximately 12:13 p.m., a USPS letter carrier was delivering mail in Melbourne, Fla., when Davis approached the letter carrier with a black firearm and demanded the letter carrier’s Postal arrow key. Once the letter carrier handed over the key, Davis fled the scene in a Nissan Altima that he rented. At approximately 1:20 p.m., another USPS letter carrier was on his mail delivery route in Orlando, Fla., when a Nissan Altima stopped behind his Postal vehicle. Brown Weathers exited the Nissan Altima, ran towards the letter carrier while holding a black firearm, grabbed the letter carrier by the shirt, and demanded the letter carrier give him the arrow key. The letter carrier removed the arrow key from his belt loop and gave it Brown Weathers, who fled in the vehicle rented and driven by Davis.

    On Aug. 1, 2023, a USPS letter carrier was delivering mail in Fort Pierce when a white Pontiac Grand Prix began to follow her and pulled up behind her USPS vehicle. The letter carrier observed Davis carrying a black semi-automatic firearm and walking toward the Postal vehicle.  Fearing a robbery, the letter carrier quickly drove away and called 911. The same white vehicle followed another letter carrier, who also called 911.

    On Oct. 11, 2023, a USPS letter carrier was delivering mail in Fort Pierce when Davis approached the driver’s side of the Postal vehicle brandishing a black semi-automatic handgun and demanded that the letter carrier give him the key. Once the letter carrier handed the Postal arrow key to Davis, he entered a white vehicle and drove away.

    On Oct. 21, 2023, a USPS letter carrier was delivering mail in an apartment community in Miami Beach, Fla. when she was confronted by Davis who shouted, “give me the keys.” Davis ripped the keys, including a Postal arrow key, from the letter carrier’s hand, causing an injury. Davis then fled to a waiting black BMW SUV, driven by Elliott.

    U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, Inspector in Charge Juan A. Vargas of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Miami Division, Chief Wayne A. Jones of the City of Miami Beach Police Department, Sheriff Keith Pearson of the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, Chief Diane Hobley-Burney of the Fort Pierce Police Department, Sheriff John W. Mina of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, and Sheriff Wayne Ivey of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office made the announcement. 

    The USPIS, Miami Beach Police Department, St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, Fort Pierce Police Department, Orange County Sheriff’s Office, and Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, investigated the case. The Port St. Lucie Police Department provided assistance. Managing Assistant U.S. Attorney Carmen M. Lineberger prosecuted the case.

    This case is the result of Project Safe Delivery (PSD), a joint U.S. Postal Service and U.S. Postal Inspection Service initiative aimed at countering postal crime and safeguarding postal employees. Announced in May 2023, in direct response to a rise in threats and attacks on letter carriers and mail theft incidents, PSD seeks to protect Postal employees and the mail stream, prevent incidents through education and awareness, and enforce the laws that protect our nation’s mail stream.  Since the launch of PSD, postal inspectors, working with law enforcement partners, have arrested more than 287 individuals for postal-related robberies through June 30, 2024. In the first six months of the fiscal year, the number of arrests for postal-related robberies rose 72% versus the same period the previous year, while the number of postal-related robberies dropped 21%. Meanwhile, the number of mail theft complaints received during that period decreased 35%, suggesting the PSD approach is achieving the intended result.

    Customers are encouraged to report stolen mail as soon as possible by submitting an online complaint to the Postal Inspection Service at http://www.uspis.gov/report or calling 877-876-2455. The Postal Inspection Service is authorized to issue monetary rewards for the forcible assault, robbery or attempted robbery of any custodian of any mail, money, or other property of the United States under the control and jurisdiction of the Postal Service.  Additionally, individuals are encouraged to report allegations of Postal Service employee misconduct, including attempts to corrupt a Postal Service employee, to the USPS OIG at 1-888-877-7644 or http://www.uspsoig.gov.

    Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 23-cr-14053.

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Jury Finds Man Guilty of Shooting a Man in Broad Daylight in Northwest DC

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

                WASHINGTON – Cornellius Ruffin, 41, of Washington, D.C., has been found guilty by a jury of assault with significant bodily injury while armed and other charges in a mid-day shooting that took place in Northwest in April of 2021, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela A. Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

                Ruffin also was found guilty of assault with a dangerous weapon, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm, carrying a pistol without a license, possession of unregistered firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition. The verdict was returned on October 24, 2024, following a trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The Honorable Judith Pipe scheduled sentencing for January 10, 2025. Ruffin faces a five-year mandatory minimum prison sentence on the charge of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.

                According to the government’s evidence, at approximately 12:30 p.m., on April 12, 2021, Ruffin was standing near the intersection of Q Street, NW, and Florida Avenue, NW, when he fired a handgun four times at the victim. One of the bullets fired by Ruffin struck the victim in the left leg. After the shooting, Ruffin handed the firearm to a nearby woman and then fled the area on a red Capital Bikeshare bicycle.

                Eyewitnesses to the shooting provided police with descriptions and photographs of the shooter and the woman he handed the gun to after the shooting. Minutes after the shooting, police located and stopped the woman and recovered a firearm from one of her bags. Ruffin was located and arrested by police the following day, on April 13, 2021.

                This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Benjamin Helfand and Valerie Tsesarenko of the Major Crimes Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Illegal Possession of Ammunition Leads to 15 Year Prison Sentence for Little Rock Man

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

          LITTLE ROCK—James Kasmire, a multi-convicted felon, will spend the next 15 years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of ammunition. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down today United States District Judge Lee P. Rudofsky.

          On January 4, 2023, Kasmire, 46, of Little Rock, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of ammunition. Judge Rudofsky also sentenced Kasmire to three years supervised release. Kasmire was indicted on October 4, 2022, in a superseding indicting on one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

          An investigation revealed that on October 20, 2020, officers from the Sherwood Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed on Jacksonville Cutoff Road. During the stop, officers detected the odor of marijuana and observed several open bottles of alcohol in the vehicle. Officers observed the passenger, Kasmire, who admitted there was marijuana in the vehicle, move his left hand near his seatbelt buckle. For the safety of the officers, he was then asked to step out of the vehicle. While conducting a search of Kasmire, officers located a 9mm Luger ammunition round in his pants pocket that he admitted belonged to him.

          During a search of the vehicle, officers located in the front passenger seat a bag containing methamphetamine and over 13 grams of marijuana. In between the seatbelt buckle and center console, officers located a Star, Bonifacio Echevarria S.A. model 30M1, PPU 9mm Parabellum caliber firearm. 

           Kasmire is classified as an armed career criminal offender due to his criminal history that includes violent and drug-trafficking offenses, including multiple convictions for delivery of cocaine, delivery of  marijuana, possession of cocaine with intent to deliver, conspiracy to deliver cocaine, possession of cocaine, possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver, aggravated assault, domestic battery third degree, possession of Xanax, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of Hydrocodone, and possession of firearms by certain persons. There is no parole in the federal system.

           The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance from the Sherwood Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Julie Peters.

    # # #

    Additional information about the office of the

    United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at

    https://www.justice.gov/edar

    X (formerly known as Twitter):

    @USAO_EDAR 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Service station robbed at Evandale

    Source: South Australia Police

    Police are investigating a robbery at an Evandale service station this morning.

    About 7.15am on Saturday 26 October, a man entered the Portrush Road, Evandale service station, threatened the attendant and demanded money.

    No weapons were sighted.

    The suspect stole the till containing and ran off north along Portrush Road, heading towards Payneham Road.

    He is described as of Caucasian appearance, tall, slim build, wearing a cap, with a light-coloured hoodie up over the cap, blue medical mask, black pants, white sneakers and carrying a black and white backpack.

    Police searched the area with the assistance of Police Dog Chaos but have not located the offender.

    Anyone with information, dashcam or CCTV footage of the suspect can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at http://www.crimestopperssa.com.au

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former postal manager who stole drugs from the mail sentenced on drug and gun charges

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ROCHESTER, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Ralph Minni, 55, of Rochester, NY, who was convicted of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, and possession of a firearm by an unlawful user of a controlled substance, was sentenced to serve 72 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean C. Eldridge, who handled the case, stated that on multiple occasions between May 2018, and May 2, 2022, Minni used his position as the Greece Post Office station manager to take parcels containing controlled substances, such as marijuana, out of the mail stream and into his private office, remove the contents, and then return the empty packages back into the mail stream. Minni then transported the controlled substances to his residence, where he would store and redistribute the narcotics to other individuals. On three occasions in March and April of 2022, Minni distributed quantities of cocaine to a coworker, who then proceeded to snort the cocaine off Minni’s office desk in his presence. On May 2, 2022, a search warrant was executed at Minni’s residence during which investigators recovered quantities of marijuana, approximately 700 grams of cocaine, approximately 40 firearms, and over 19,000 rounds of ammunition. Minni was arrested that same day after leaving the Greece Post Office. Officers recovered a quantity of marijuana from inside his vehicle, which he had removed from a mailed package and planned to take back to his residence for subsequent sale and distribution.

    The sentencing is a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia; the United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Area Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Modafferi; and the United States Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division, under the direction of Inspector-in-Charge Ketty Larco-Ward. Additional assistance was provided by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, New York Field Division, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Bryan Miller; the Greece Police Department, under the direction of Chief Michael Wood; and the New York State Police, under the direction of Acting Troop Commander Kevin Sucher.

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  • MIL-OSI Australia: Assaults at Marion and Mitchell Park

    Source: South Australia Police

    Police are investigating after a woman was assaulted in her Mitchell Park home overnight.

    Police were called to a disturbance in Maldon Avenue, Mitchell Park at 3am on Saturday 26 October.

    Patrols arrived to find a front window had been smashed and the occupant, a 68-year-old woman, had been assaulted with a stick.

    She was taken to hospital for medical treatment.  Her injuries are not considered life-threatening.

    Police searched the area for the three suspects; however, they have not been located at this time.

    Detectives are investigating whether the same group of people were involved in an incident at a Marion service station a short time earlier.

    Police had been called to the services station on Marion Road, Marion just before 2am by reports that four people had been assaulted by two suspects.

    Two of the victims, and 18-year-old man and a 24-year-old man, were taken to hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

    Crime scene investigators attended and examined the scenes and investigations are continuing to try to identify and locate the suspects.

    They are described as young men of Aboriginal appearance, wearing hoodies and dark clothing.

    Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at http://www.crimestopperssa.com.au

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Syracuse Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug and Firearms Crimes

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

    SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Uqoeon Lawrence, age 28, of Syracuse pled guilty today to four federal felony offenses that included possession and distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, possession of a firearm and ammunition  by a convicted felon, and interstate firearms trafficking, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Bryan Miller, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).

    As part of his plea of guilty today, Uqoeon Lawrence admitted that he sold fentanyl and methamphetamine during two undercover law enforcement operations in June of 2023. He further admitted that he possessed with intent to distribute fentanyl and a loaded 20-gauge pump shotgun and ammunition recovered during the execution of a federal search warrant at his Syracuse apartment on June 26, 2023.  Lawrence also admitted he illegally possessed the shotgun and ammunition after previously being convicted of a felony.

    Uqoeon Lawrence also pled guilty today to separately trafficking handguns sourced in Maine to Syracuse, where he sold them on the street in July 2023.

    Sentencing is scheduled for February 25, 2025, at which time Lawrence faces a mandatory sentence of ten (10) years and up to life imprisonment for his conviction for distribution and possession with intent to distribute of at least 50 grams of methamphetamine and a quantity of fentanyl, as well as a fine of up to $10 million. He faces a mandatory consecutive sentence of 5 years and up to life in federal prison for his conviction for possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Lawrence also faces up to 15 years in federal prison for his convictions for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon, and interstate firearms trafficking as well as a term of at least 5 years of post-incarceration supervised release, and fines of up to $250,000.00.

    A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

    The United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Syracuse Police Department-Intelligence Unit (SPD-INTEL) are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Southwick is prosecuting the case.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Coldbrook — Missing youth: Help the RCMP find Emma Goudie

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    October 25, 2024, Coldbrook, Nova Scotia… New Minas RCMP is asking for the public’s help in locating 15-year-old Emma Goudie, who was last seen on October 23 at approximately 7:00 p.m. in Coldbrook.

    Goudie is described as 5-foot-7, approximately 120 pounds. She has blue eyes and blonde hair with red roots. She was last seen wearing a black hoodie and black tights.

    When someone goes missing, it has deep and far-reaching impacts for the person and those who know them. We ask that people spread the word respectfully.

    Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Goudie is asked to contact New Minas RCMP at 902-679-5555. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll-free, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at http://www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips App.

    File #: 2024-1572628

    Note to media: A photo of Goudie is attached.

    -30-

    Sgt. Deepak Prasad

    Public Information Officer
    Nova Scotia RCMP
    rcmpns-grcne@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Coldbrook — UPDATE: Missing youth found safe

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    The 15-year-old female who was reported missing earlier today from Coldbrook has been found safe.

    The RCMP thanks Nova Scotians for assisting with missing persons files through social media shares and offering tips.

    File: 2024-1572628

    -30-

    Sgt. Deepak Prasad

    Public Information Officer
    Nova Scotia RCMP
    rcmpns-grcne@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-Evening Report: PNG bus shooting: ‘This sort of revenge killing is unheard of’

    By Grace Tinetali-Fiavaai, RNZ Pacific journalist

    Papua New Guinea police say 10 people have been tragically killed after a series of violent “revenge killings” along the Laiagam-Sirunki Highway in the Highlands province of Enga.

    The attacks, which occured last Friday and Monday, are believed to be connected to an unresolved death that took place in March earlier this year.

    Police said that gunmen from the Mulapin tribe ambushed a vehicle packed with passengers from the Sakare clan near Tambitanis Health Centre in Sirunki on October 11 at 8am.

    The vehicle, carrying a body, was fired upon in a surprise attack. A woman lost her life, several others sustained serious injuries, and the gunmen escaped.

    An hour later on the same day, the Sakare clan retaliated by shooting the driver and his passenger from close range. They reached a nearby hospital but succumbed to their injuries on arrival.

    The leadership of the Kunalin and Lyain tribes is urging restraint and for the clans not to resort to violence, police said.

    They have also called for the immediate surrender of suspects from both the Mulapin and Sakare tribes to law enforcement.

    Investigation into ‘root causes’
    Assistant Police Commissioner Joseph Tondop, who is responsible for the state of emergency in Enga, is calling for an investigation into the root causes of the recent conflict.

    “This sort of revenge killing is unheard of in the history of tribal conflicts in Enga Province where innocent people unrelated to the conflicts where killed,” he said.

    “All tribal clans taking part in the conflicts (Sakars, Mulapian, Kunalins, Myom and people form Kulapi 4 in Porgera) are all under the scope and ordered to refrain from further escalating the situation.”

    The investigative teams will start their work immediately, and individuals or groups found to be involved will be apprehended, he said.

    “This task force is given strict orders to carry out a thorough investigation, leaving no stone unturned.”

    RNZ Pacific’s correspondent in PNG, Scott Waide, said the public was frustrated that police were yet to make arrests.

    He said police found it difficult to deal with the clans and arrest people who were armed.

    Waide said people were reluctant to give up weapons because it gave them a sense of security in tribal conflicts.

    “It is a difficult situation that both lawmakers, citizens and police are in. The longer this drags on and guns are in the hands of ordinary people, killing will continue.”

    This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Jamestown man pleads guilty to meth charge

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Willie C. Graham, 43, of Jamestown, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of imprisonment of 40 years, and a fine of $5,000,000.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Donna M. Duncan, who is handling the case, stated that on September 6, 2023, Jamestown Police officers initiated a traffic stop on a car that Graham was a passenger in. Officers located numerous items of drug paraphernalia in the car, as well as a quantity of fentanyl on Graham’s person.

    On March 2, 2024, Graham was a passenger in a car that fled from law enforcement officers trying to conduct a traffic stop. A subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of 11.6 grams of methamphetamine drug paraphernalia, and $1,134.00 cash.

    On April 30, 2024, Jamestown Police officers located and arrested Graham. At the time of his arrest, he was in possession of 10 assorted bank and benefit cards, some of which were issued to individuals other than Graham, a quantity of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and $185.

    The plea is a result of an investigation by the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Timothy Jackson, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia.

    Sentencing is scheduled for February 20, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. before Judge Sinatra.

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