Archive for June, 2008
US Congress approves $400 million for Mexico Drug Aid
The United States Congress approved $400 million to assist Mexico in its ongoing drug war.
From the Washington Post:
A U.S. plan to provide Mexico with a major anti-drug aid package has received congressional approval, following months of negotiations in which Mexico proved itself to be a far more assertive neighbor than in the past, according to current and [...]
Criminals making profit due to high energy cost
Black market activities are increasing in the energy sector due to its increasing costs.
From CBC:
Criminals have profited from the increasing demand for energy and the rising price of oil. The energy boom has given bad guys the opportunity to seek new profit centers and has encouraged corrupt behavior in countries that produce oil and gas.
Details on Houston raid where 120 women were rescued
The Houston Chronicle has an article on the recent raid in Houston where 120 women were rescued from dismal conditions.
Read the entire article here.
Rebels increasing hold on drug land
Rebels in Afghanistan and Colombia are increasingly controlling land where illegal drugs are being grown, according to the United Nations.
From BBC News:
Afghanistan had a record opium harvest last year and coca leaf production in Colombia increased 27%, according to The World Drug Report 2008.
The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) says most regions where [...]
7,500 died in Indian prisons over past 5 years
7,500 people have died while in Indian prisons since 2002, according to a new report.
From BBC News:
The report by Delhi-based Asian Centre for Human Rights says many of these people were tortured in custody.
It says the Indian government is in a state of denial about torture.
Even when action is taken against officials who are accused [...]
Border fence allowed to proceed
The border fence between the United States and Mexico will now be able to proceed after the United States Supreme Court declined to hear a case regarding the waiver of environmental impact studies.
From the LA Times:
Three years ago, Congress gave Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff an unusual power to “waive all legal requirements” that could [...]
US drug users finacing War in Mexico
Drug users in the United States are helping to finance the ongoing drug war in Mexico by continuing to purchase illegal drugs.
From MSNBC:
In seeking more help from the United States, Mexican officials point out that most of the financing for the Mexican traffickers comes from the American users of cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine and heroin smuggled [...]
Authorities testing blimp to patrol coast for smugglers
Due to the increasing cost of fuel, the United States Navy and Coast Guard will begin testing a helium filled blimp to patrol the coastal waters off of Florida.
From Reuters:
With oil prices rising sky-high, the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard will test a helium-filled blimp to see if it can supplement the fuel-hungry aircraft that [...]
Drug traffickers using carpets to move product
Drug traffickers are using Persian carpets to bring illegal drugs into China.
From Reuters:
Drug traffickers in China’s far west are smuggling heroin into the country woven into carpets imported from Afghanistan and Pakistan, state media said on Tuesday.
Customs officials in Xinjiang, which borders both countries, have seized more than 30 carpets containing some 50 kg (110 [...]
US Ambassador helped cover up arms
The US Ambassador to Albania is said to have taken part in helping cover up a Chinese shipment of arms.
From the NY Times:
An American ambassador helped cover up the illegal Chinese origins of ammunition that a Pentagon contractor bought to supply Afghan security forces, according to testimony gathered by Congressional investigators.
A military attaché has told [...]
