Juan Orlando Hernandez, the former president of Honduras, has been sentenced to 45 years in prison for his conviction on drugs and weapons charges.

US District Judge P. Kevin Castel in a Manhattan federal court on Wednesday (June 26), sentenced 55-year-old Hernandez.&nbsp;

Prosecutors had sought a life sentence, emphasising the seriousness of Hernandez's actions and aiming to deter similar crimes in the future,&nbsp;arguing that it would send a firm message to other politicians who use their power to protect powerful criminal groups.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/judge-grants-us-extradition-request-for-former-honduras-president-463216" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/judge-grants-us-extradition-request-for-former-honduras-president-463216&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwi1l8m-jvuGAxUNcWwGHeCiBG8QFnoECAMQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw15xvHFfotN1VDL6gcXj_t-&amp;arm=e&amp;fexp=72519171,72519168" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/judge-grants-us-extradition-request-for-former-honduras-president-463216" target="_blank">Judge grants US extradition request for former Honduras president</a>

Prosecutors said Hernandez used drug money to support his political rise and use his influence to help traffickers bring hundreds of thousands of kilogrammes of cocaine into the US.

Hernandez allegedly received millions of dollars in bribe money from drug traffickers in return for military support for the illegal enterprise throughout his time in office, according to the US.

During a two-week trial, prosecutors said Hernandez used the money he received from drug trafficking to bribe officials and manipulate voting results during Honduras’s 2013 and 2017 presidential elections.&nbsp;

Several convicted traffickers testified they bribed Hernandez.

Testifying in his own defence, Hernandez denied accepting bribes from drug cartels.

Meanwhile, his lawyers claimed that the convicted traffickers were seeking revenge for Hernandez’s anti-drug policies.

Notably, a jury convicted him in March of three counts, including conspiring to import cocaine into the US and to use weapons to flood the country with an almost unimaginable quantity of the drug.

Hernandez faced a mandatory minimum sentence of 40 years in prison.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/honduran-ex-president-to-remain-in-custody-as-us-seeks-extradition-454131" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/honduran-ex-president-to-remain-in-custody-as-us-seeks-extradition-454131&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwi1l8m-jvuGAxUNcWwGHeCiBG8QFnoECAkQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw2Qa9LdyLP1Q9QRpn2Drz63&amp;arm=e&amp;fexp=72519171,72519168" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/honduran-ex-president-to-remain-in-custody-as-us-seeks-extradition-454131" target="_blank">Honduran ex-president to remain in custody as US seeks extradition</a>

A few weeks after completing his second term, he was arrested in 2022. His brother, Juan Antonio “Tony” Hernandez, also a former Honduran politician, was sentenced in the US to life in prison in 2021&nbsp;on drug trafficking charges.

(With inputs from agencies)

Juan Orlando Hernandez, the former president of Honduras, has been sentenced to 45 years in prison for his conviction on drugs and weapons charges. US District Judge P.

Juan Orlando Hernandez, the former president of Honduras, has been sentenced to 45 years in prison for his conviction on drugs and weapons charges. US District Judge P. Kevin Castel in a Manhattan federal court on Wednesday (June 26), sentenced 55-year-old Hernandez. Prosecutors had sought a life sentence, emphasising the seriousness of Hernandez's actions and aiming to deter similar crimes in the future, arguing that it would send a firm message to other politicians who use their power to protect powerful criminal groups. Also read: Judge grants US extradition request for former Honduras president Prosecutors said Hernandez used drug money to support his political rise and use his influence to help traffickers bring hundreds of thousands of kilogrammes of cocaine into the US. Hernandez allegedly received millions of dollars in bribe money from drug traffickers in return for military support for the illegal enterprise throughout his time in office, according to the US. During a two-week trial, prosecutors said Hernandez used the money he received from drug trafficking to bribe officials and manipulate voting results during Honduras’s 2013 and 2017 presidential elections. Several convicted traffickers testified they bribed Hernandez. Testifying in his own defence, Hernandez denied accepting bribes from drug cartels. Meanwhile, his lawyers claimed that the convicted traffickers were seeking revenge for Hernandez’s anti-drug policies. Notably, a jury convicted him in March of three counts, including conspiring to import cocaine into the US and to use weapons to flood the country with an almost unimaginable quantity of the drug. Hernandez faced a mandatory minimum sentence of 40 years in prison. Also read: Honduran ex-president to remain in custody as US seeks extradition A few weeks after completing his second term, he was arrested in 2022. His brother, Juan Antonio “Tony” Hernandez, also a former Honduran politician, was sentenced in the US to life in prison in 2021 on drug trafficking charges. (With inputs from agencies)

US jails ex-Honduran president for 45 years in drug trafficking case

In a collaborative effort between Canadian and American law enforcement, five people, including three Indo-Canadians, are set to be extradited to the United States following the busting of an alleged narcotics trafficking network. The joint operation, named Dead Hand, involved the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police's (RCMP) Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU).

The RCMP announced the arrest of Ivan Gravel Gonzalez, Roberto Scoppa, Ayush Sharma, Guramrit Sidhu, and Subham Kumar, all allegedly connected to a drug trafficking network operating between Mexico, the United States, and Canada. They were apprehended under an international arrest warrant and are slated for extradition to face trial in the United States.

Also watch |&nbsp;Indian-origin couple in the UK exports cocaine worth of $70 million

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<h2>Criminal organisation smuggling drugs across borders</h2>

According to the FBI, the accused individuals were allegedly part of a criminal organisation involved in smuggling drugs, including cocaine, from the United States into Canada by land.

US Attorney Martin Estrade, speaking at a press conference in Los Angeles, revealed that the conspiracy spanned three countries. The operation involved drug suppliers linked to Mexican cartels, distributors in Los Angeles, Canadian truck drivers, and an associate of the Italian mafia in Montreal.

Guramrit Sidhu was accused of purchasing methamphetamine from suppliers in Mexico and Los Angeles, utilising a network of long-haul truck drivers to transport narcotics into Canada. Ayush Sharma and Subham Kumar were identified as the truck drivers.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-origin-breaking-bad-couple-jailed-in-uk-for-33-years-over-drug-smuggling-685537">Also read |&nbsp;Indian-origin ‘Breaking Bad’ couple jailed in UK for 33 years over drug smuggling</a>

The American indictment outlined that the network trafficked substantial quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, and heroin, valued between $16 million and $28 million. Law enforcement in Canada seized 940,000 Canadian dollars in cash, 70kg of cocaine, and 4kg of heroin.

Roberto Scoppa was alleged to be connected to the Italian mafia, adding a layer of complexity to the transnational criminal organisation.

<h2>Statement by RCMP</h2>

Chief Superintendent Mathieu Bertrand, Director General of Serious and Organised Crime &amp; Border Integrity at RCMP Federal Policing, emphasised the RCMP's commitment to disrupting the flow of illegal drugs and collaboration with international partners to combat transnational organised crime, ensuring the safety of communities on both sides of the border.

(With inputs from agencies)

In a collaborative effort between Canadian and American law enforcement, five people, including three Indo-Canadians, are set to be extradited to the United States following the busting of an alleged narcotics trafficking network.

In a collaborative effort between Canadian and American law enforcement, five people, including three Indo-Canadians, are set to be extradited to the United States following the busting of an alleged narcotics trafficking network. The joint operation, named Dead Hand, involved the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police's (RCMP) Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU). The RCMP announced the arrest of Ivan Gravel Gonzalez, Roberto Scoppa, Ayush Sharma, Guramrit Sidhu, and Subham Kumar, all allegedly connected to a drug trafficking network operating between Mexico, the United States, and Canada. They were apprehended under an international arrest warrant and are slated for extradition to face trial in the United States. Also watch | Indian-origin couple in the UK exports cocaine worth of $70 million Criminal organisation smuggling drugs across borders According to the FBI, the accused individuals were allegedly part of a criminal organisation involved in smuggling drugs, including cocaine, from the United States into Canada by land. US Attorney Martin Estrade, speaking at a press conference in Los Angeles, revealed that the conspiracy spanned three countries. The operation involved drug suppliers linked to Mexican cartels, distributors in Los Angeles, Canadian truck drivers, and an associate of the Italian mafia in Montreal. Guramrit Sidhu was accused of purchasing methamphetamine from suppliers in Mexico and Los Angeles, utilising a network of long-haul truck drivers to transport narcotics into Canada. Ayush Sharma and Subham Kumar were identified as the truck drivers. Also read | Indian-origin ‘Breaking Bad’ couple jailed in UK for 33 years over drug smuggling The American indictment outlined that the network trafficked substantial quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, and heroin, valued between $16 million and $28 million. Law enforcement in Canada seized 940,000 Canadian dollars in cash, 70kg of cocaine, and 4kg of heroin. Roberto Scoppa was alleged to be connected to the Italian mafia, adding a layer of complexity to the transnational criminal organisation. Statement by RCMP Chief Superintendent Mathieu Bertrand, Director General of Serious and Organised Crime & Border Integrity at RCMP Federal Policing, emphasised the RCMP's commitment to disrupting the flow of illegal drugs and collaboration with international partners to combat transnational organised crime, ensuring the safety of communities on both sides of the border. (With inputs from agencies)

Extradition ordered: Three Indo-Canadians among five to face trial in US for drug trafficking

Disgraced Colombian drug trafficker Dairo Antonio Usuga David, better known as Otoniel, has been sentenced to 45 years in prison in the United States. The sentence was announced by a federal judge on Tuesday after Otoniel admitted to running a vast network of criminal operations and cocaine smuggling.

The notorious drug lord and the boss of a paramilitary group has&nbsp;drenched much of northern Colombia in blood. He had previously pleaded guilty to charges of drug distribution and running a criminal enterprise in a court in Brooklyn, New York.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/white-house-annual-report-shows-20pc-gender-pay-gap-623792">White House annual report shows 20pc gender pay gap</a>

His violent paramilitary group is known as the Clan del Golfo or the Gulf Clan cartel.&nbsp;

While accepting his crimes and involvement in the drug cartel, Otoniel said in the court on Tuesday, “I apologise to the governments of the United States and of Colombia and to the victims of the crimes that I have committed”.&nbsp;

<h2>Who is Otoniel? ‘Most violent’ Colombian drug lord&nbsp;</h2>

Dario Antonio Usuga David or Otoniel was born to a modest peasant family in northwestern Colombia. At the age of 18, in 1989, he joined the Popular Liberation Army (EPL), a guerrilla group with a strong presence in the region. The group sought to defend poor peasants against landowners and the government.&nbsp;

“He was not a revolutionary. But it was all there was and he went with them," his mother explained in a 2015 interview with a journalist. The EPL signed a peace agreement with the government two years later, in 1991, and its members returned to civilian life. He then joined the United Self-Defenses of Colombia (AUC), a Colombian far-right paramilitary and drug trafficking group.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/unnamed-european-country-buys-dozens-of-leopard-1-tanks-from-belgian-trader-for-ukraine-report-623757">Unnamed European country buys dozens of Leopard 1 tanks from Belgian trader for Ukraine: Report</a>

In 2005, Úsuga began working for Daniel Rendón Herrera, the then-leader of the Los Urabeños drug trafficking group. Otoniel and his brother Giovanni took control of the Los Urabeños in 2009. After Giovanni was shot and killed during a police raid, Otoniel took full leadership of the drug trafficking group.

New York federal prosecutors described Úsuga as “the most violent and significant” Colombian drug trafficker since Pablo Escobar and as the Gulf Clan's "supreme leader."

He is accused of sending dozens of shipments of cocaine to the United States, killing police officers, recruiting minors, and sexually abusing children, among other crimes.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Disgraced Colombian drug trafficker Dairo Antonio Usuga David, better known as Otoniel, has been sentenced to 45 years in prison in the United States. The sentence was announced by a federal judge on Tuesday after Otoniel admitted to running a vast network of criminal operations and cocaine smuggling.

Disgraced Colombian drug trafficker Dairo Antonio Usuga David, better known as Otoniel, has been sentenced to 45 years in prison in the United States. The sentence was announced by a federal judge on Tuesday after Otoniel admitted to running a vast network of criminal operations and cocaine smuggling. The notorious drug lord and the boss of a paramilitary group has drenched much of northern Colombia in blood. He had previously pleaded guilty to charges of drug distribution and running a criminal enterprise in a court in Brooklyn, New York. Also Read | White House annual report shows 20pc gender pay gap His violent paramilitary group is known as the Clan del Golfo or the Gulf Clan cartel. While accepting his crimes and involvement in the drug cartel, Otoniel said in the court on Tuesday, “I apologise to the governments of the United States and of Colombia and to the victims of the crimes that I have committed”. Who is Otoniel? ‘Most violent’ Colombian drug lord Dario Antonio Usuga David or Otoniel was born to a modest peasant family in northwestern Colombia. At the age of 18, in 1989, he joined the Popular Liberation Army (EPL), a guerrilla group with a strong presence in the region. The group sought to defend poor peasants against landowners and the government. “He was not a revolutionary. But it was all there was and he went with them," his mother explained in a 2015 interview with a journalist. The EPL signed a peace agreement with the government two years later, in 1991, and its members returned to civilian life. He then joined the United Self-Defenses of Colombia (AUC), a Colombian far-right paramilitary and drug trafficking group. Also Read | Unnamed European country buys dozens of Leopard 1 tanks from Belgian trader for Ukraine: Report In 2005, Úsuga began working for Daniel Rendón Herrera, the then-leader of the Los Urabeños drug trafficking group. Otoniel and his brother Giovanni took control of the Los Urabeños in 2009. After Giovanni was shot and killed during a police raid, Otoniel took full leadership of the drug trafficking group. New York federal prosecutors described Úsuga as “the most violent and significant” Colombian drug trafficker since Pablo Escobar and as the Gulf Clan's "supreme leader." He is accused of sending dozens of shipments of cocaine to the United States, killing police officers, recruiting minors, and sexually abusing children, among other crimes. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Who is Otoniel, Colombia's 'most violent' drug lord since Pablo Escobar sentenced to 45 years in US?

In New Zealand, police have seized large quantities of drug-laced beer containing methamphetamine. As per a report by the New Zealand Herald, authorities have so far seized around 328kg of meth or methamphetamine. The police also seized a shipment of kombucha bottles — a popular fermented tea — along with the drug-laced beer.&nbsp;As per the report, police on March 16th raided a warehouse in Ryan Pl in Manukau (a suburb of South Auckland). There they located and seized multiple cases of potentially drug-laced beer.&nbsp;The beer is of a brand called Honey Beer and is called 'Honey Bear House beer'.

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There is a possibility that some cans of the laced beer may be circulating in the community. Keeping this in mind, police have issued an advisory that anyone who may have the 'Honey Bear House Beer' cans should avoid drinking them and should inform the police. "Consuming beer contaminated with methamphetamine may have serious or fatal medical consequences," warned&nbsp;Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin.

Concealed among the shipment was the 328kg of meth. The police said that an analysis of the meth found in its liquid form is underway. More than a quarter tonne of the drug was also recovered in crystallised form.

This comes as Auckland City’s Organised Crime Unit investigates the import of Honey Bear House Beer suspected of being contaminated with methamphetamine.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/plants-can-make-cries-for-help-when-stressed-or-deprived-of-water-says-study-577976">Plants make cries for help when stressed or deprived of water, says study</a>

On March 7th, in Auckland, a young man named Aiden Sagala reportedly died after consuming meth-laced beer. While Sangala, as per the police, was not involved in the import or distribution of the contaminated beer "in any way," as per the Herald, two men have been arrested for this.&nbsp;

The report goes on to cite Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin, who said that the investigation "is by no means over yet."&nbsp;

"Our investigation continues to develop at pace, and we cannot rule out further arrests or charges as a result," he added.

(With inputs from agencies)

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In New Zealand, police have seized large quantities of drug-laced beer containing methamphetamine. As per a report by the New Zealand Herald, authorities have so far seized around 328kg of meth or methamphetamine.

In New Zealand, police have seized large quantities of drug-laced beer containing methamphetamine. As per a report by the New Zealand Herald, authorities have so far seized around 328kg of meth or methamphetamine. The police also seized a shipment of kombucha bottles — a popular fermented tea — along with the drug-laced beer. As per the report, police on March 16th raided a warehouse in Ryan Pl in Manukau (a suburb of South Auckland). There they located and seized multiple cases of potentially drug-laced beer. The beer is of a brand called Honey Beer and is called 'Honey Bear House beer'. Also read | Watch | Massive 'hole' on Sun may blast solar storms towards Earth There is a possibility that some cans of the laced beer may be circulating in the community. Keeping this in mind, police have issued an advisory that anyone who may have the 'Honey Bear House Beer' cans should avoid drinking them and should inform the police. "Consuming beer contaminated with methamphetamine may have serious or fatal medical consequences," warned Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin. Concealed among the shipment was the 328kg of meth. The police said that an analysis of the meth found in its liquid form is underway. More than a quarter tonne of the drug was also recovered in crystallised form. This comes as Auckland City’s Organised Crime Unit investigates the import of Honey Bear House Beer suspected of being contaminated with methamphetamine. Also read | Plants make cries for help when stressed or deprived of water, says study On March 7th, in Auckland, a young man named Aiden Sagala reportedly died after consuming meth-laced beer. While Sangala, as per the police, was not involved in the import or distribution of the contaminated beer "in any way," as per the Herald, two men have been arrested for this. The report goes on to cite Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin, who said that the investigation "is by no means over yet." "Our investigation continues to develop at pace, and we cannot rule out further arrests or charges as a result," he added. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

New Zealand: Kiwis warned to avoid meth-laced 'Honey Bear House Beer' cans

One of Colombia's most infamous drug lords admitted guilt to cocaine trafficking charges in a New York court on Wednesday (January 25), as part of a plea agreement.&nbsp;

The Gulf Clan, the greatest narcotics trafficking organisation in Colombia, was led by Dairo Antonio Usuga, also known as "Otoniel." The 51-year-old was extradited to the US last year and initially entered a not-guilty plea to drug trafficking charges.

Usuga has pleaded guilty to three counts and agreed to pay $216 million. He will have to serve at least 20 years in jail, but the maximum sentence is life.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/clash-between-rebel-groups-in-colombia-leaves-10-dead-claims-human-rights-official-551746">Clash between rebel groups in Colombia leave 10 dead, claims human rights official</a>

Usuga and the Gulf Clan were charged with smuggling at least 73 tonnes of cocaine into the nation illegally between 2003 and 2012.

Usuga was the most wanted man in Colombia until he was captured in the northwest of the nation in October 2021 following a significant military operation.

(With inputs from agencies)

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One of Colombia's most infamous drug lords admitted guilt to cocaine trafficking charges in a New York court on Wednesday (January 25), as part of a plea agreement.

One of Colombia's most infamous drug lords admitted guilt to cocaine trafficking charges in a New York court on Wednesday (January 25), as part of a plea agreement. The Gulf Clan, the greatest narcotics trafficking organisation in Colombia, was led by Dairo Antonio Usuga, also known as "Otoniel." The 51-year-old was extradited to the US last year and initially entered a not-guilty plea to drug trafficking charges. Usuga has pleaded guilty to three counts and agreed to pay $216 million. He will have to serve at least 20 years in jail, but the maximum sentence is life. Also read | Clash between rebel groups in Colombia leave 10 dead, claims human rights official Usuga and the Gulf Clan were charged with smuggling at least 73 tonnes of cocaine into the nation illegally between 2003 and 2012. Usuga was the most wanted man in Colombia until he was captured in the northwest of the nation in October 2021 following a significant military operation. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Colombian drug kingpin 'Otoniel' pleads guilty in New York court

The arrest of Bruno Carbone, an infamous Italian drug trafficker on the run since 2003, took a mysterious turn this week when reports emerged claiming that he was captured and extradited from Syria. Carbone was on Europol's most wanted list of fugitives.&nbsp;

The arrest, however, remains significant since Carbone was reportedly a pivotal member of the infamous Imperiale's Camorra clan, considered one of the most notorious drug-trafficking groups in the world. The Europol said that Carbone was a key contact for the procurement of large quantities of cocaine, mostly from Spain.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/explained-what-is-black-cocaine-drug-seized-in-india-521631">Explained: What is ‘black cocaine’, drug seized in India?</a>

On November 15, Carbone was arrested in Rome in connection with a 20-year jail term handed down to him in September. The 45-year-old Italian citizen was sentenced to 20 years of prison in September 2022, with his prison sentence identifying him as a drug trafficker convicted for illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and participation in a criminal organisation.&nbsp;

Authorities provided no details to clarify how Carbone had been tracked down. But the Italian media reported that he had been captured in Dubai, and Mohammed Sankari, an official in a north-western Syrian area held by the jihadist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), claimed Carbone was caught “while passing through the ‘liberated’ areas in March with the aim of reaching the regions under the control of the regime” of the Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad.

WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-youtube-exposes-children-to-cocaine-gun-clips-476968">Gravitas: YouTube exposes children to cocaine &amp; gun clips</a>

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A report in Italian media outlet Il Foglio said that yje United Arab Emirates (UAE) might have been the mediator of Carbone's extradition to Italy from Syria.&nbsp;

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Operation Trojan Shield/OTF Greenlight in numbers: 
 
✔️ 27 million 📩 reviewed 
✔️ 700 house searches 🏚️ 
✔️ 800 arrests 🚔 
✔️ +30 tons of drugs seized 
 
More details: <a href="https://t.co/odnXlqtjUe">https://t.co/odnXlqtjUe</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OperationTrojanShield?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OperationTrojanShield</a> <a href="https://t.co/LbJmANiLcD">pic.twitter.com/LbJmANiLcD</a>
— Europol (@Europol) <a href="https://twitter.com/Europol/status/1402200741125758983?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The trafficking&nbsp;of narcotic drugs continues to be a major challenge for European authorities.&nbsp; More than 214.6 tonnes of cocaine were seized in Europe in 2020, an increase of 6 per cent&nbsp;compared to 2019 and a record high for the fourth consecutive year.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

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The arrest of Bruno Carbone, an infamous Italian drug trafficker on the run since 2003, took a mysterious turn this week when reports emerged claiming that he was captured and extradited from Syria.

The arrest of Bruno Carbone, an infamous Italian drug trafficker on the run since 2003, took a mysterious turn this week when reports emerged claiming that he was captured and extradited from Syria. Carbone was on Europol's most wanted list of fugitives. The arrest, however, remains significant since Carbone was reportedly a pivotal member of the infamous Imperiale's Camorra clan, considered one of the most notorious drug-trafficking groups in the world. The Europol said that Carbone was a key contact for the procurement of large quantities of cocaine, mostly from Spain. ALSO READ | Explained: What is ‘black cocaine’, drug seized in India? On November 15, Carbone was arrested in Rome in connection with a 20-year jail term handed down to him in September. The 45-year-old Italian citizen was sentenced to 20 years of prison in September 2022, with his prison sentence identifying him as a drug trafficker convicted for illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and participation in a criminal organisation. Authorities provided no details to clarify how Carbone had been tracked down. But the Italian media reported that he had been captured in Dubai, and Mohammed Sankari, an official in a north-western Syrian area held by the jihadist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), claimed Carbone was caught “while passing through the ‘liberated’ areas in March with the aim of reaching the regions under the control of the regime” of the Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad. WATCH | Gravitas: YouTube exposes children to cocaine & gun clips × A report in Italian media outlet Il Foglio said that yje United Arab Emirates (UAE) might have been the mediator of Carbone's extradition to Italy from Syria. Operation Trojan Shield/OTF Greenlight in numbers: ✔️ 27 million 📩 reviewed ✔️ 700 house searches 🏚️ ✔️ 800 arrests 🚔 ✔️ +30 tons of drugs seized More details: https://t.co/odnXlqtjUe #OperationTrojanShield pic.twitter.com/LbJmANiLcD — Europol (@Europol) June 8, 2021 × The trafficking of narcotic drugs continues to be a major challenge for European authorities. More than 214.6 tonnes of cocaine were seized in Europe in 2020, an increase of 6 per cent compared to 2019 and a record high for the fourth consecutive year. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

From Syria to Italy via UAE: How Europe’s most notorious drug trafficker was arrested

As Ecuador reels from its worst prison massacre, President, Guillermo Lasso, has proclaimed a state of emergency in the country, which is dealing with an increase in drug-related violence, and has ordered the mobilisation of police and military forces on the streets.

"On Ecuador's streets, there is only one enemy: drug trafficking," claimed the right-wing leader, adding that "in recent years, Ecuador has gone from being a drug-trafficking country to one that also consumes narcotics."&nbsp;

"Starting immediately, our Armed Forces and police will be felt with force in the streets because we are decreeing a state of emergency throughout the national territory," said the president in a speech broadcast by the state channel EcuadorTV.

Lasso appointed a new defence minister earlier Monday, as the country grapples with a huge jail issue.

The most recent prison tragedy in Ecuador claimed the lives of 119 prisoners.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, a recent run of narcotics seizures, fueled in part by enhanced enforcement, supports police concerns that Ecuador is a hub for South American arms trafficking.

During a cocaine bust in Guayaquil in August, police recovered 10 heavy-caliber guns.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

As Ecuador reels from its worst prison massacre, President, Guillermo Lasso, has proclaimed a state of emergency in the country, which is dealing with an increase in drug-related violence, and has ordered the mobilisation of police and military forces on the streets.

As Ecuador reels from its worst prison massacre, President, Guillermo Lasso, has proclaimed a state of emergency in the country, which is dealing with an increase in drug-related violence, and has ordered the mobilisation of police and military forces on the streets. "On Ecuador's streets, there is only one enemy: drug trafficking," claimed the right-wing leader, adding that "in recent years, Ecuador has gone from being a drug-trafficking country to one that also consumes narcotics." "Starting immediately, our Armed Forces and police will be felt with force in the streets because we are decreeing a state of emergency throughout the national territory," said the president in a speech broadcast by the state channel EcuadorTV. Lasso appointed a new defence minister earlier Monday, as the country grapples with a huge jail issue. The most recent prison tragedy in Ecuador claimed the lives of 119 prisoners. Meanwhile, a recent run of narcotics seizures, fueled in part by enhanced enforcement, supports police concerns that Ecuador is a hub for South American arms trafficking. During a cocaine bust in Guayaquil in August, police recovered 10 heavy-caliber guns. (With inputs from agencies)

Ecuador declares emergency over drug violence, orders troops onto streets

A Chinese drug trafficker on death row escaped from a jail near Indonesia's capital after digging a 30-metre (100 feet) tunnel from his cell, police said.

Cai Ji Fan, sentenced to death in 2017 for trafficking 110 kilogrammes (230 pounds) of methamphetamine, broke out of Tangerang prison in Banten last week via the narrow tunnel, which connected to a sewer, officials said.

"This is the second time he escaped," said Tangerang police's chief Sugeng Hariyanto, adding he also managed to get out of the National Police Criminal Investigation Department cells in Jakarta while on remand.

Officials said Cai had invited his cellmate to join him, but he had declined.

Authorities said they had recovered a crowbar, chisel, screwdriver and other tools used to dig the hole, speculating he may have got them from building work being done on a prison kitchen.

Cai's first escape was in January 2017 via a hole he made in a bathroom wall using an iron rod.

Along with other prisoners, he then climbed a 2.5-metre (eight-feet) wall, but was recaptured in West Java three days later.

Although rare by foreigners, jailbreaks are common in Indonesia, where most prisons are overcrowded and poorly staffed.

In 2018, some 90 inmates escaped a prison in Banda Aceh after tearing down a fence during a prayer gathering.

A year earlier more than 400 inmates broke out of an overcrowded prison in Riau province.

Also in 2017, four foreigners dug their way to freedom from Bali's notorious Kerobokan jail.

A Bulgarian and Indian were captured in East Timor a week later, but an Australian and Malaysian were never found.

A Chinese drug trafficker on death row escaped from a jail near Indonesia's capital after digging a 30-metre (100 feet) tunnel from his cell, police said. Cai Ji Fan, sentenced to death in 2017 for trafficking 110 kilogrammes (230 pounds) of methamphetamine, broke out of Tangerang prison in Banten last week via the narrow tunnel, which connected to a sewer, officials said.

A Chinese drug trafficker on death row escaped from a jail near Indonesia's capital after digging a 30-metre (100 feet) tunnel from his cell, police said. Cai Ji Fan, sentenced to death in 2017 for trafficking 110 kilogrammes (230 pounds) of methamphetamine, broke out of Tangerang prison in Banten last week via the narrow tunnel, which connected to a sewer, officials said. "This is the second time he escaped," said Tangerang police's chief Sugeng Hariyanto, adding he also managed to get out of the National Police Criminal Investigation Department cells in Jakarta while on remand. Officials said Cai had invited his cellmate to join him, but he had declined. Authorities said they had recovered a crowbar, chisel, screwdriver and other tools used to dig the hole, speculating he may have got them from building work being done on a prison kitchen. Cai's first escape was in January 2017 via a hole he made in a bathroom wall using an iron rod. Along with other prisoners, he then climbed a 2.5-metre (eight-feet) wall, but was recaptured in West Java three days later. Although rare by foreigners, jailbreaks are common in Indonesia, where most prisons are overcrowded and poorly staffed. In 2018, some 90 inmates escaped a prison in Banda Aceh after tearing down a fence during a prayer gathering. A year earlier more than 400 inmates broke out of an overcrowded prison in Riau province. Also in 2017, four foreigners dug their way to freedom from Bali's notorious Kerobokan jail. A Bulgarian and Indian were captured in East Timor a week later, but an Australian and Malaysian were never found.

Chinese drug trafficker escapes Indonesian jail by digging 100-feet tunnel into sewer

Mothers searching for missing loved ones said they have found seven clandestine gravesites with remains of an undetermined number of people in the eastern Mexican state of Veracruz, one of the most afflicted by drug gang violence. 
 
Marcela Zurita Rosas, a participant in the search, said yesterday the graves were found this week in a plot of land in the city of Veracruz, in an area near a major seaport. 
 
&quot;On Monday, we found three graves with bones and on Tuesday four more were found with remains of people who were murdered,&quot; she said. 
 
Rosas, who has received training in forensic anthropology and search techniques, is a member of a group called El Solecito. It was formed by mothers who decided to organise their own searches for missing loved ones after growing tired of waiting for the authorities to act.&nbsp;Rosas is looking for her son, Dorian Javier Rivera Zurita, who disappeared in Cordoba, Veracruz in October 2012. 
 
The latest finds were made on the same plot of land where five decapitated bodies were found in 2015.&nbsp;Mexico&#39;s federal police are guarding the property while forensic specialists remove the remains and transfer them to Mexico City for DNA analysis, said Rosas, expressing hope that &quot;many people find their loved ones and can bury them&quot;. 
 
A police officer taking part in the investigation said the remains were in pieces but were from at least two people.&nbsp;Veracruz has been the scene of a deadly turf struggle between two violent drug cartels: the Zetas and the Jalisco Nueva Generacion. 
 
One of the most shocking cases involved the disappearance in January of five youths, one of them a minor, who were picked up by police and turned over to drug traffickers and allegedly murdered, their remains incinerated and ground up in a mill. 
 
Clandestine burial grounds have proliferated in Mexico alongside a surge in violence that has claimed 166,000 lives nationwide since 2006, according to official figures. More than 27,000 people have gone missing during that period.&nbsp;The government statistics do not specify how many of those violent deaths and disappearances are linked to drug trafficking. 
 
(AFP)

The latest finds were made on the same plot of land where five decapitated bodies were found in 2015

Mothers searching for missing loved ones said they have found seven clandestine gravesites with remains of an undetermined number of people in the eastern Mexican state of Veracruz, one of the most afflicted by drug gang violence. Marcela Zurita Rosas, a participant in the search, said yesterday the graves were found this week in a plot of land in the city of Veracruz, in an area near a major seaport. "On Monday, we found three graves with bones and on Tuesday four more were found with remains of people who were murdered," she said. Rosas, who has received training in forensic anthropology and search techniques, is a member of a group called El Solecito. It was formed by mothers who decided to organise their own searches for missing loved ones after growing tired of waiting for the authorities to act. Rosas is looking for her son, Dorian Javier Rivera Zurita, who disappeared in Cordoba, Veracruz in October 2012. The latest finds were made on the same plot of land where five decapitated bodies were found in 2015. Mexico's federal police are guarding the property while forensic specialists remove the remains and transfer them to Mexico City for DNA analysis, said Rosas, expressing hope that "many people find their loved ones and can bury them". A police officer taking part in the investigation said the remains were in pieces but were from at least two people. Veracruz has been the scene of a deadly turf struggle between two violent drug cartels: the Zetas and the Jalisco Nueva Generacion. One of the most shocking cases involved the disappearance in January of five youths, one of them a minor, who were picked up by police and turned over to drug traffickers and allegedly murdered, their remains incinerated and ground up in a mill. Clandestine burial grounds have proliferated in Mexico alongside a surge in violence that has claimed 166,000 lives nationwide since 2006, according to official figures. More than 27,000 people have gone missing during that period. The government statistics do not specify how many of those violent deaths and disappearances are linked to drug trafficking. (AFP)

Mothers searching for loved ones discover clandestine burial sites in Mexico

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