infodrug@fanclub.pm, Author at Drug Busts Worldwide

CBP Officers Intercept Chocolate-Concealed Cocaine in Shipment from Guatemala

Cocao and Coca may sound similar, but what Customs and Border Protection officers at Washington Dulles International Airport found inside packages of hot chocolate was a poisonous powder instead of the advertised chocolatey confection. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at Washington Dulles International Airport seized 28 pounds of cocaine, with a street value of about $900,000, that was concealed inside packages of hot chocolate on October 5, 2024. CBP officers discovered more than 28 pounds of cocaine on October 5 that was concealed inside 10 packages of hot chocolate beverage base while examining a food shipment brought to the United States by a Guatemalan courier. CBP seized the cocaine. Federal authorities initially detained the courier; however, authorities released the courier on Tuesday after prosecutors were unable to directly connect the courier to the cocaine. CBP officers canceled the courier’s visa and processed him as an expedited removal. The courier departed to Guatemala on Wednesday. CBP is not releasing the courier’s name since the courier was not criminally charged. CBP officers initially discovered 10 bricks of a white powdery substance concealed between layers of coffee grounds and under a double layer of chocolate bars in hot chocolate packages. Officers tested the white powdery substance using a handheld elemental isotope analysis tool and identified the substance as cocaine hydrochloride. The combined weight of the 10 cocaine bricks was 12.88 kilograms, or 28 pounds and six ounces. The cocaine has a street value of about $900,000. The courier shipment was destined to an address in Northern Virginia. “Drug trafficking organizations continue trying to smuggle their illicit narcotics into the United States, but vigilant Customs and Border Protection officers are relentless in their efforts to intercept these smuggling attempts and to protect our communities from the scourge of dangerous drugs,” said Marc E. Calixte, CBP’s Area Port Director for the Area Port of Washington, D.C. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at Washington Dulles International Airport seized 28 pounds of cocaine, with a street value of about $900,000, that was concealed inside packages of hot chocolate on October 5, 2024. Transnational criminal organizations sometimes attempt to smuggle dangerous drugs in courier shipments. On October 27, CBP officers seized nearly two pounds of heroin concealed inside packages of coffee in a food courier shipment also from Guatemala. Every day, CBP officers and agents seized an average of 2,339 pounds of dangerous drugs last year at and between our nation’s air, sea, and land ports of entry. See CBP’s enforcement stats to see what other dangerous drugs CBP is encountering at our nation’s borders. CBP’s border security mission is led at our nation’s Ports of Entry by CBP officers and agriculture specialists from the Office of Field Operations. CBP screens international travelers and cargo and searches for illicit narcotics, unreported currency, weapons, counterfeit consumer goods, prohibited agriculture, invasive weeds and pests, and other illicit products that could potentially harm the American public, U.S. businesses, and our nation’s safety and economic vitality. 14 November 2024 Source: US Customs

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Court told a relative of Schapelle Corby stung in massive 750kg+ MDMA bust

MDMA

A relative of infamous Bali drug mule Schapelle Corby helped move dozens of boxes containing more than 750kg of MDMA, using a sophisticated hidden truck compartment to store the drugs, a court has been told. Viliami Taani Paea Kisina and Benjamin David Englefield both acted as couriers for the trans-international drug syndicate before they were arrested by detectives in 2019. The sophisticated operation involved the use of fake companies, with fake business cards, to try and avoid detection by authorities. But the pair will learn their fate on another date after Supreme Court Justice Ryan reserved her decision on Monday afternoon. Englefield pleaded guilty to a single charge of supplying dangerous drugs. Kisina – who is related to Schapelle Corby through her half-brother James Kisina – pleaded guilty to the same charge and an additional count of contravening a direction or requirement of a police officer. There is no suggestion Ms Corby had any involvement in the offending and she is not accused of any wrongdoing. Brisbane Supreme Court was told police located the haul of drugs at an apartment in Brisbane in July 2019. They found 32 storage boxes containing 752kg of MDMA with a 71-72 per cent purity, packed in hundreds of vacuum-sealed bags. Crown prosecutor Brendan White said police replaced the drugs with brown sugar and special tracking devices as part of a police operation. Kisina, 31, collected the drugs from the apartment on August 4 that year and drove to meet Englefield, 47, in Coorparoo. The court was told the pair then transferred the boxes into a larger truck, which had been driven by Englefield from NSW. In police videos played to the court, detectives are seen using a remote control fob device to move a false wall which contained the boxes of MDMA. The fob device was seized by police when a search warrant was executed at Englefield’s Lennox Head unit. Mr White said the vehicles being driven by Englefield and Kisina were registered under false names and falsely-created companies – with their own business cards – in an “intense effort” to avoid detection. He said the bulk value of the drugs alone was $45m. “But it had potential once sold in retail to be somewhere between $114m and $536m,” Mr White said. “This represents something in the order of 70 per cent of the MDMA that comes into Australia per year.” Kisina was also captured on film unloading the boxes from the truck. Mr White said the pair were aware the boxes contained dangerous drugs or “some other illegal product” and both “didn’t really care”. Barrister Murugan Thangaraj, acting for Englefield, said neither defendant had anything to do with modifying the vehicles or setting up the fake companies. A bundle of documents, including multiple references and a letter of apology, was tendered in his support. Mr Thangaraj was told Englefield’s role had been “conflated” as there were other people involved in the syndicate who were higher up. “There are people at a senior level, and there are couriers,” he said. Kisina’s barrister Patrick McCafferty said his client had a stable employment and worked for family-owned businesses for two years before the offending. Kisina was joined by a large gathering of family members who supported him in court. The court was told he was only paid $500 to move the boxes. Mr McCafferty said his client was effectively a “courier” in the offending 28 October 2024 Source: News.com

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Sydney man charged over alleged plot to import more than 250kg of ‘pink cocaine’

Cocaine

The AFP has charged a Matraville man for his alleged involvement in a plot to import 252kg of a dangerous illicit drug cocktail, known as ‘pink cocaine’, into Australia by international air cargo. The substance, also named ‘tusi’, commonly contains a mixture of ketamine, MDMA and other adulterants, and rarely contains any cocaine. The AFP began an investigation in October 2024 into a transnational drug trafficking syndicate targeting Australia after 252kg of ‘pink cocaine’ was seized in an air cargo consignment – labelled as containing an industrial saw – destined for Castle Hill, NSW. The AFP undertook a controlled delivery operation and on 6 November, 2024, the consignment was delivered to the Castle Hill address and allegedly accessed by the Matraville man. The man, 21, was arrested by AFP investigators in Coogee a short time later and was subsequently charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported border controlled drug, contrary to sections 307.5 and 11.1 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment. He appeared before Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday, 7 November, 2024, where he was formally refused bail. He is expected to next return to court on 29 January, 2025. AFP Acting Superintendent Stuart Millen said the seizure of such a significant quantity of ‘pink cocaine’ destined for Australia was a concern for policing agencies across the country. “’Pink cocaine’ is made up of an unpredictable cocktail of illicit drugs, meaning anyone who consumes the drug has no idea what they are putting in their body. Despite the name, it rarely contains cocaine,” a/Superintendent Millen said. “The dangers of all illicit drug consumption can be severe, including loss of consciousness, stroke, heart attack and even death. Consuming a cocktail of illicit drugs significantly increases those risks. “Branding this cocktail of harmful drugs as ‘pink cocaine’ is a ploy designed by drug syndicates to maximise profits at the expense of the health and welfare of users. “The AFP is closely monitoring the notable increase in ‘pink cocaine’ detections domestically, and offshore, throughout 2024. “This outcome has prevented a large amount of illicit drugs from reaching our communities and causing harm, and put a sizeable dent in the wallets of organised crime.” 14 November 2024 Source: AFP

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$80m worth of illicit drugs caught at Sydney and Melbourne airports in 24 hours

Methamphetamine

In a stunning display of law enforcement prowess, Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Australian Border Force (ABF) officers have dealt a significant blow to international drug syndicates. In a series of coordinated operations, authorities intercepted over 100 kilograms of methamphetamine and cocaine, with an estimated street value exceeding $80 million. The first incident unfolded at Melbourne Airport, where a 20-year-old and a 33-year-old from the UK were apprehended. Within their luggage, authorities discovered 26 kilograms of cocaine, a seizure that could have flooded Australian streets with a substantial amount of the illicit drug. Just a day later, at Sydney Airport, a 38-year-old UK-Northern Ireland dual national was intercepted. Concealed within packages disguised as Chinese tea, authorities uncovered approximately 25 kilograms of methamphetamine, a potent and highly addictive stimulant. In yet another significant bust, also at Sydney Airport, a 21-year-old NSW woman and a 23-year-old New Zealand woman were arrested. The pair had attempted to smuggle 52 packages containing methamphetamine, each weighing approximately one kilogram. The combined weight of the seized drugs underscores the scale of the operations and the potential harm they could have inflicted on Australian communities. Experts estimate that these seizures prevented hundreds of thousands of individual drug deals, significantly reducing the supply of these harmful substances and mitigating their devastating impact. Graeme Campbell, ABF’s acting commander of travel, emphasized the significance of these arrests. “These arrests send a strong message to those involved in drug trafficking,” he said. “Our law enforcement agencies are vigilant and committed to disrupting these criminal networks and protecting our communities.” This series of busts highlights the increasing sophistication of drug trafficking operations and the relentless efforts of law enforcement agencies to stay ahead of the curve. By working together, the AFP and ABF have demonstrated their ability to dismantle transnational drug syndicates and prevent harmful drugs from reaching Australian shores. As the war on drugs continues, these agencies remain steadfast in their commitment to protecting the nation. 31 October 2024

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Criminal couple linked to one of Australia’s biggest drug busts hit with lengthy jail terms

Methamphetamine

Melbourne, Australia – A complex international drug smuggling operation, orchestrated by a pair of seasoned criminals, has been dismantled by Australian and US law enforcement. Nasser Abo Abdo, a man once known as “The Engine” and “The Mechanic” for his logistical prowess, and his partner Leonor Fajardo, have been sentenced to lengthy jail terms for their involvement in one of Australia’s largest drug busts. The duo, who arrived in Australia in 2017 under the guise of car audio importers, were secretly running a sophisticated drug smuggling operation. Their plan involved importing over a ton of methamphetamine and 16 kilograms of cocaine hidden within audio equipment shipped from Los Angeles to Melbourne. International Cooperation and Undercover Operations Law enforcement agencies on both sides of the Pacific worked tirelessly to bring the criminals to justice. Undercover agents, including a US Homeland Security operative known as “1474,” played a crucial role in disrupting the operation. The agent replaced the illicit drugs with a harmless substance before they could reach Australian shores. A Heavy Sentence for a Major Crime Judge Michael O’Connell described the crime as one of the most serious drug offenses ever prosecuted in Australia, emphasizing the potential social harm the drugs could have caused. The estimated street value of the seized drugs ranged from $498 million to $828 million. Despite their criminal activities, Abo Abdo and Fajardo were described as model prisoners during their time in custody. However, their significant roles in the drug syndicate warranted substantial jail terms. Abo Abdo was sentenced to 21 years, while Fajardo received a 14-year sentence. This case highlights the complex nature of international drug trafficking and the determined efforts of law enforcement to dismantle these dangerous networks. 25 October 2024

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Sinaloa Cartel Faces Major Setback as Authorities Seize Millions in Meth

Drug Cartels

A coordinated law enforcement operation has dealt a significant blow to the Sinaloa Cartel, one of Mexico’s most powerful drug trafficking organizations. Authorities have arrested 25 suspected members of a drug-trafficking network linked to the cartel and seized millions of dollars worth of methamphetamine, fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine. The operation, led by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), targeted a network operating out of the Imperial Valley and Mexicali, Mexico. The group is allegedly connected to “Los Rusos,” a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel loyal to Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada. Over 140 federal, state, and local law enforcement officers participated in the operation, executing 15 search warrants across California, Arizona, and Nevada. The seized drugs, including over 8,000 pounds of methamphetamine, have an estimated street value of approximately $72 million. The arrests and seizures highlight the ongoing battle against the Sinaloa Cartel, which has been plagued by internal conflict between “Los Chapitos,” the sons of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, and “Los Rusos.” Both factions are vying for control of drug trafficking routes and profits. U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath emphasized the devastating impact of these drugs on communities: “This investigation represents another blow to traffickers of deadly drugs like fentanyl and methamphetamine. We are committed to dismantling these dangerous operations and ensuring that those who fuel the crisis are held accountable.” Shawn Gibson, Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) San Diego, praised the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies: “By working together, we can disrupt and dismantle these transnational networks that plague our communities and tear families apart.” The operation underscores the ongoing challenge of combating the Sinaloa Cartel’s influence and its ability to smuggle drugs into the U.S. 11 November 2024

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$2 billion cocaine bust in Spain and most of the packs were labelled as Fiji

Cocaine

Spain has seized 13 tonnes of cocaine worth almost FJD$2 billion in the biggest drug raid in its history, and most of the packs were labelled as Fiji. Sky News reports that Spanish Police found 13 tonnes of the class A drug hidden behind bananas in a cargo container that sailed from Ecuador. Spanish authorities have shared dramatic footage of a raid on a property linked to the seizing of the cocaine, in what they described as the biggest anti-narcotics operation in the country’s history. Officials found bricks of drugs hidden in a shipment of bananas in a container from Ecuador at the port of Algeciras in southern Spain. The cargo container had sailed from Guayaquil, Ecuador. Officers can also be seen trying to break a safety box before a woman is detained at what appears to be a separate location. The final shots show police officers loading the drugs, appearing in the form of green bricks, on vans. The operation, in collaboration with the Ecuadorian police, resulted in five raids and one arrest. The Ecuadorian export company was on police and customs records for a history of “illicit trafficking,” according to the police. Police are looking for two of its managers. To date, the largest drug seizures in Spain was 9.4 tonnes in 2023, and another 8.7 tonnes five years earlier. Ecuador intercepted a total of 204 tonnes of drugs between January and September this year, almost the annual average for the past three years, government figures show. 12 November 2024 FijiVillage News

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UK Police Bust Fishing Boat With 400 Kilos of Cocaine off Kent

Cocaine

The UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) has arrested four men after finding about 400 kilos of cocaine aboard their boat off the coast of Kent, England. UK Border Force officers intercepted the fishing vessel on Sunday morning and discovered the drugs. The three men on board the boat, aged 64, 45 and 25, were arrested for allegedly importing narcotics. They were transferred to police custody for questioning by the NCA, and a fourth man allegedly connected to the smuggling attempt was arrested in East London. “This amount of cocaine will represent a significant loss for the organized crime group that attempted to import it into the UK,” said NCA Operations Manager Jules Harriman. “With our partners at Border Force and the Joint Maritime Security Centre (JMSC), we have successfully removed this harmful drug consignment from the criminal marketplace.” Most of the UK’s major cocaine busts happen at container terminals, where customs officials occasionally find multi-tonne consignments disguised as shipments of fruit or consumer goods. Small-craft shipments are occasionally intercepted on cross-Channel routes, like a bust off Sussex in 2021, which netted three convictions. According to the NCA, an Albanian organized crime group – the Mafia Shqiptare – is the dominant player in the UK’s illicit cocaine trade, organizing the complex logistics and money-laundering needed to bring vast quantities of the drug across borders. Unlike other importers, the Albanians are said to be vertically integrated: they have supply contacts at the source in South America, allowing them to import at wholesale prices, then pass the savings on to the consumer through street-level sales. They are believed to have a close working relationship with the ‘Ndrangheta, the Italian mafia group that dominates the Euro-area cocaine trade. 10 November 2024 The Maritime Executive

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Second person charged in Sydney over $92 million Meth importation

Methamphetamine

The AFP has charged a second person for their alleged role in a transnational drug trafficking plot to import 100kg of methamphetamine into Australia, worth an estimated $92 million. The Riverwood man, 31, appeared before Downing Centre Local Court yesterday (6 November, 2024) where he was formally refused bail. An AFP investigation, codenamed Operation Eumundi, began in October 2024 after Australian Border Force (ABF) officers detected about 100kg of methamphetamine concealed within computer towers. The ABF alerted the AFP, with officers removing the illicit drugs before the consignment was released to a storage unit in Kingsgrove, NSW. A Malaysian national, 45, was arrested and charged last week after he allegedly took possession of the electronic goods . AFP officers executed additional search warrants at Burwood, Riverwood and West Gosford as part of Operation Eumundi on 5 November, 2024. During a search warrant at the man’s Riverwood home, officers seized about 20 mature cannabis plants, a small amount of a white crystalline substance, and two mobile phones. One mobile phone allegedly contained conversations relating to the Kingsgrove storage unit and images of suspected methamphetamine and cannabis. The man was subsequently arrested and charged with: One count of importing a commercial quantity of border controlled drug, namely methamphetamine contrary to subsection 307.1(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth); and One count of attempting to possess a commercial quantity of border controlled drug, namely methamphetamine contrary to subsection 307.5(1) by virtue of section 11.1 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth). The maximum penalty for both offences is life imprisonment. The Riverwood man is expected to next appear in court on 8 January, 2025. AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Stuart Millen said criminals were motivated by greed and would go to any lengths to import harmful drugs into Australia. “Methamphetamine, like all illicit drugs, causes psychological, financial and social harm to users, their loved ones, and the broader community,” Det-A/Supt Millen said. “This amount of methamphetamine could have been sold as about one million street level deals. “The AFP and partners are committed to protecting the community from the scourge of drugs and to targeting individuals who seek to profit from the illicit trade.” Inquiries as part of Operation Eumundi are ongoing. 7 November 2024 Source: AFP

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Sydney man jailed for 233kg methamphetamine import from China

Methamphetamine

A Sydney man has been sentenced to eight years’ and three months’ imprisonment, with a non-parole period of five years and nine months’, for importing 233kg of methamphetamine hidden in construction equipment. The man, 37, was sentenced by the Downing Centre District Court today (8 November, 2024) after being found guilty by a jury in April, 2024. The AFP launched Operation Cobberas in March 2022 after Australian Border Force (ABF) officers inspected 10 boxes containing structural supports, which had been exported from China. Further examination of the structural supports revealed a white powdered substance secreted inside. Presumptive testing indicated the presence of methamphetamine, and the matter was referred to the AFP. AFP investigators seized the consignment and deconstructed the structural supports, locating 233kg of methamphetamine, with an estimated street value of $70 million. Following a two-month investigation, the AFP executed a search warrant at the man’s Auburn home in June, 2022 where he was arrested and charged. The man was found guilty by a jury in April, 2024 of importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, contrary to section 307.1(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth). He was sentenced today (8 November, 2024), to eight years’ and three months’ imprisonment with a non-parole period of five years’ and nine months’. AFP Detective Superintendent Peter Fogarty said methamphetamine was an extremely addictive illicit drug that caused widespread harm. “Criminals have little regard for how these drugs impact people, their families, and the community around them,” Det-Supt Fogarty said. “This investigation highlights the importance of the collaboration between the AFP and our law enforcement partners to disrupt attempts by organised crime to import illicit drugs. “Australia remains an attractive market for criminals seeking to import drugs, but the AFP is relentless in dismantling the syndicates behind the importations, wherever in the world they may be.” ABF Superintendent Jared Leighton said criminal groups were constantly looking to exploit and profit from the Australian market, however Border Force officers were constantly on watch. “As the intelligence sharing capabilities between our federal partners continues to evolve and develop, ABF officers continue to develop their interception skills and knowledge – ensuring we are disrupting these criminal actors in their tracks,” Supt Leighton said. 8 November 2024 Source: AFP

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