international-crime2.47 min read
California Man Charged with Smuggling Weapons to North Korea
1 year ago•Source: NBC News
International Crime News
The latest international crime stories, summarized by AI
Featured International Crime Stories
View original source
1.865 min•1 year ago
Spain's Largest Cocaine Bust: 13 Tonnes Hidden in Bananas from Ecuador
Spanish police have seized over 13 tonnes of cocaine, the largest consignment ever intercepted in the country, hidden in a banana shipment from Ecuador. The container, arriving at the port of Algeciras, was linked to illicit trafficking, prompting a search that revealed the drugs. This seizure, the second largest in Europe, highlights a significant international drug distribution network. Following the discovery, authorities conducted searches in Alicante and Madrid, arresting a partner in the receiving company, while two directors remain at large.
More Top Stories
2
Indonesia to Extradite Thai Fugitive Wanted for Murder and Drug Trafficking
Yahoo! Voices•1 year ago
3
"Top Mexican Cartel Leader El Nini Extradited to US"
CNN•1 year ago
More International Crime Stories
Russian Investigators Question Moscow Attack Suspects' Families in Tajikistan
Russian investigators are questioning the families of four men charged with carrying out a deadly attack on a concert hall near Moscow in Tajikistan. Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon is overseeing the investigation on the Tajik side, and the country is alarmed by the activity of radical Islamist preachers. The attack has been claimed by Islamic State, and at least two suspects have confessed to taking part in the attack. The incident has strengthened anti-immigrant sentiments in Russia, and videos showing the suspects being tortured have prompted a divided reaction.
"Gangs' Reign of Violence Escalates in Haiti's Capital"
Armed gangs launched new attacks in the suburbs of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, with heavy gunfire echoing across once-peaceful communities, leaving at least five dead and prompting pleas for help from the understaffed national police force. The U.S. State Department completed its first evacuation of American citizens from Port-au-Prince, with more than 15 airlifted to the Dominican Republic, while a plane chartered by the Florida Department of Emergency Management evacuated 14 Florida residents. The violence, including recent attacks in upscale neighborhoods, has forced closures of banks, schools, and businesses, and led to the release of over 4,000 inmates from prisons. Amid the chaos, Caribbean officials are working to form a transitional presidential council, with the last remaining party accepting a seat, as Haitians await the possibility of new leadership.
Rising Gang Violence Plunges Haiti into Chaos
Gang violence in Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, escalated as gunmen looted upscale neighborhoods, leaving bodies strewn in the streets and forcing residents to flee. Despite Prime Minister Ariel Henry's announcement of resignation, the gangs continue their attacks, with some attributing the violence to political power struggles. Efforts to establish a transitional council and deploy a UN-backed police force are hindered by political disputes, while the government extends a nighttime curfew in an attempt to curb the relentless violence.
"Russian Army Defector Shot Dead in Spain: Implications for Russia and Ukraine"
A man shot dead in Spain is suspected to be Maksim Kuzminov, a Russian army defector who fled to Ukraine last year. Kuzminov, who opposed Russia's war in Ukraine, was found dead in Alicante, Spain, with reports suggesting Russian involvement. The Spanish government is investigating the incident, while the Ukrainian community in Alicante is left in shock and fear.
Hostage Situation at P&G Factory in Turkey Linked to Gaza Conflict
Two gunmen took seven hostages at a Procter & Gamble factory in Turkey in protest of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, but the situation has been resolved with all personnel safe and the assailant apprehended. The gunmen's actions were reportedly to highlight the loss of life in Gaza, and public sentiment against Israel and the U.S. has risen in Turkey since the conflict began.
Indian Student Found Dead on Purdue University Campus
Neel Acharya, an Indian student at Purdue University, was found dead on campus after being reported missing by his mother. The Consulate General of India in Chicago has offered support to the family. In a separate incident, another Indian student, Vivek Saini, was killed in the US, and his body was sent back to India.
Netherlands Dismantles Smuggling Ring for Illegal Exports to Russia
An international smuggling ring suspected of exporting goods to Russia with potential military uses has been dismantled following coordinated raids in five countries, leading to the arrest of three individuals. The investigation, initiated by Dutch authorities, uncovered a network of enterprises circumventing EU-wide sanctions imposed after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The European Union is planning to impose a new round of sanctions on Russia next month to mark the second anniversary of the invasion.
Ecuador's State of Emergency: Tackling Gang Violence and Internal Conflict
Ecuador is in a state of "internal armed conflict" as President Daniel Noboa declared 22 criminal gangs and cartels as terrorist organizations, following a series of violent events including a prison escape, attacks on the streets, and a hostage-taking at a television studio. The country's long-standing issue with drug cartels and gang violence has escalated, leading to a state of emergency and a military crackdown on these groups, with concerns about institutional weaknesses and the government's ability to succeed in the short term.
"Families Trapped in Ecuador's Drug Gang War: President Defies Criminals"
Americans with family in Ecuador express fear and concern as the country faces escalating violence from drug gangs, prompting President Daniel Noboa to declare the country "at war" and implement measures such as high-security prisons and a national curfew. The situation has led to anxiety and fear among Ecuadorians, with reports of gang violence, explosions, and the abduction of law enforcement personnel. The government has named 22 gangs as terrorist organizations and detained hundreds of gang members, while also planning to deport foreign prisoners and seeking aid from the United States. The violence is linked to a corruption scandal and the country's role as a key port for drug traffickers.
"Unraveling Ecuador's Escalating Wave of Violence"
Hooded gunmen stormed a live television show in Ecuador, taking hostages and causing chaos, reflecting a surge in violence linked to drug trafficking gangs. The government has declared an "internal armed conflict" and designated drug trafficking gangs as terrorist groups, authorizing military operations to "neutralize" them. The situation has raised concerns about human and civil rights, potential impact on U.S. migration, and the upcoming election in Ecuador.