India has for several decades suffered immensely due to cross-border terrorism by terror groups using illicit weapons smuggled across the country's borders, New Delhi's envoy here has said, in a veiled reference to Pakistan, calling on the global community to unequivocally&nbsp;condemn state sponsorship to such militant outfits.

At the UN Security Council briefing on Small Arms and Light Weapons', India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador T S Tirumurti strongly underlined the need for the Council's focus on the transfer and trafficking of arms and weapons to terrorists and terrorist groups.

Also Read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/india-army-vs-pakistan-army-how-two-military-forces-stack-up-against-each-other-417849">&nbsp;India Army vs Pakistan Army: How two military forces stack up against each other</a>

These weapons become more sinister and lethal in the hands of terrorists, who deliberately and indiscriminately use them to target innocent civilians, including women and children, he said.

For several decades, my country has suffered immensely due to cross-border terrorism and violence carried out by terrorist groups using these illicit weapons smuggled across our borders, including now through the use of drones,&nbsp;he said, in a veiled reference to Pakistan.

He said an increase in volume and the quality of the arsenal acquired by these terrorist organisations reminds us time and again that they cannot exist without the sponsorship or support of states. This aspect needs to be unequivocally condemned.

He also strongly urged the Council to have zero tolerance to terror actors, their possession and misuse of small arms and light weapons and their sponsors.

High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu told the Council that the misuse, illicit transfer and destabilising accumulation of small arms and light weapons, and their ammunition, remain a defining factor in undermining peace and security at the national, regional and global levels and have deeply aggravated situations for vulnerable populations already suffering from conflict.

"In contexts where United Nations peace operations have been mandated, illicit flows and easy availability of arms can exacerbate and sustain conflict dynamics; render arms embargoes ineffective; endanger peacekeepers, humanitarian workers and local populations; and complicate the implementation of peace agreements,&nbsp;she said.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistan-talks-about-peace-while-imran-khan-glorifies-osama-bin-laden-as-a-martyr-india-at-un-418290">Pakistan talks about peace while Imran Khan glorifies Osama Bin Laden as a martyr: India at UN</a>

Nakamitsu added that small arms control measures, in particular, the development and implementation of border security and management strategies; efforts to detect and seize parts and components of weapons and ammunition; enhanced stockpile management; and the fight against the illicit manufacture of weapons are effective tools to disrupt the supply of illicit small arms and light weapons to terrorists.

Tirumurti stressed that the threat posed by the illicit transfer of small arms and light weapons is a matter of concern to the entire international community.

Noting that an arms embargo is an important tool at the disposal of the Council to curb the flow of such weapons to situations of armed conflict, he voiced concern that embargoes continue to be blatantly violated, as repeatedly reported by the various Panel of Experts supporting the subsidiary bodies of the Council.

It is important that all member states respect and strictly enforce existing arms embargoes and strengthen measures against the illicit transfer of arms, he said, as he underlined that it is a well-known fact that the flow of illicit arms and weapons to non-state actors and terrorists drives and sustains conflicts.

Tirumurti told the Council that the illicit possession and misuse of small arms and light weapons by non-state groups and terrorists is a violation of state sovereignty.

In post-conflict situations, we often witness that non-state actors continue to possess these weapons illegally, which hinders disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration efforts.

India called on the Security Council to ensure effective and timely action against such non-State actors to ensure that post-conflict peacebuilding efforts are not jeopardised while advancing security sector reforms, capacity building of law enforcement agencies, promotion of rule of law and good governance.

India attaches high importance to preventing, combating and eradicating the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons. We consider that the primary responsibility for addressing this problem lies with the Member States,&nbsp;he said.

India supports the redoubling of efforts at the national and global level to strengthen the implementation of the UN Program of Action and the International Tracing Instrument, including through national legislative measures and enforcement, export controls, information sharing and capacity building, he added.

Further, India said the safety of UN peacekeepers is directly affected by the steady and illicit supply of small arms and light weapons to the warring parties in armed conflict situations.

The Council is aware of numerous incidents in the past, where killings and attacks on peacekeepers have been perpetrated through the use of these weapons, Tirumurti said emphasising the need for the Council to address the danger posed by such illicit transfers to the safety and security of peacekeepers by giving due attention to this issue in the consideration of peacekeeping mandates.

UN Peacekeeping Missions could support host countries in addressing the issue of illicit transfer of small arms and light weapons through strengthening the capacities of the law enforcement and security agencies in safe handling, upkeep and stockpile management of arms and weapons, including those recovered from non-state actors,&nbsp;he said.

India welcomed Secretary-General Antonio Guterres's recommendation to establish a dedicated component or a unit within peacekeeping Missions to handle such assistance.

Recalling that India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, in his address to the Security Council earlier this year, had presented an eight-point action plan to counter-terrorism, Tirumurti said two points are directly relevant to the discussion &nbsp;the need to address the linkages between terrorism and transnational organised crime and combating terrorist financing.

India has for several decades suffered immensely due to cross-border terrorism by terror groups using illicit weapons smuggled across the country's borders, New Delhi's envoy here has said, in a veiled reference to Pakistan, calling on the global community to unequivocally condemn state sponsorship to such militant outfits.

India has for several decades suffered immensely due to cross-border terrorism by terror groups using illicit weapons smuggled across the country's borders, New Delhi's envoy here has said, in a veiled reference to Pakistan, calling on the global community to unequivocally condemn state sponsorship to such militant outfits. At the UN Security Council briefing on Small Arms and Light Weapons', India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador T S Tirumurti strongly underlined the need for the Council's focus on the transfer and trafficking of arms and weapons to terrorists and terrorist groups. Also Read | India Army vs Pakistan Army: How two military forces stack up against each other These weapons become more sinister and lethal in the hands of terrorists, who deliberately and indiscriminately use them to target innocent civilians, including women and children, he said. For several decades, my country has suffered immensely due to cross-border terrorism and violence carried out by terrorist groups using these illicit weapons smuggled across our borders, including now through the use of drones, he said, in a veiled reference to Pakistan. He said an increase in volume and the quality of the arsenal acquired by these terrorist organisations reminds us time and again that they cannot exist without the sponsorship or support of states. This aspect needs to be unequivocally condemned. He also strongly urged the Council to have zero tolerance to terror actors, their possession and misuse of small arms and light weapons and their sponsors. High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu told the Council that the misuse, illicit transfer and destabilising accumulation of small arms and light weapons, and their ammunition, remain a defining factor in undermining peace and security at the national, regional and global levels and have deeply aggravated situations for vulnerable populations already suffering from conflict. "In contexts where United Nations peace operations have been mandated, illicit flows and easy availability of arms can exacerbate and sustain conflict dynamics; render arms embargoes ineffective; endanger peacekeepers, humanitarian workers and local populations; and complicate the implementation of peace agreements, she said. Also Read | Pakistan talks about peace while Imran Khan glorifies Osama Bin Laden as a martyr: India at UN Nakamitsu added that small arms control measures, in particular, the development and implementation of border security and management strategies; efforts to detect and seize parts and components of weapons and ammunition; enhanced stockpile management; and the fight against the illicit manufacture of weapons are effective tools to disrupt the supply of illicit small arms and light weapons to terrorists. Tirumurti stressed that the threat posed by the illicit transfer of small arms and light weapons is a matter of concern to the entire international community. Noting that an arms embargo is an important tool at the disposal of the Council to curb the flow of such weapons to situations of armed conflict, he voiced concern that embargoes continue to be blatantly violated, as repeatedly reported by the various Panel of Experts supporting the subsidiary bodies of the Council. It is important that all member states respect and strictly enforce existing arms embargoes and strengthen measures against the illicit transfer of arms, he said, as he underlined that it is a well-known fact that the flow of illicit arms and weapons to non-state actors and terrorists drives and sustains conflicts. Tirumurti told the Council that the illicit possession and misuse of small arms and light weapons by non-state groups and terrorists is a violation of state sovereignty. In post-conflict situations, we often witness that non-state actors continue to possess these weapons illegally, which hinders disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration efforts. India called on the Security Council to ensure effective and timely action against such non-State actors to ensure that post-conflict peacebuilding efforts are not jeopardised while advancing security sector reforms, capacity building of law enforcement agencies, promotion of rule of law and good governance. India attaches high importance to preventing, combating and eradicating the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons. We consider that the primary responsibility for addressing this problem lies with the Member States, he said. India supports the redoubling of efforts at the national and global level to strengthen the implementation of the UN Program of Action and the International Tracing Instrument, including through national legislative measures and enforcement, export controls, information sharing and capacity building, he added. Further, India said the safety of UN peacekeepers is directly affected by the steady and illicit supply of small arms and light weapons to the warring parties in armed conflict situations. The Council is aware of numerous incidents in the past, where killings and attacks on peacekeepers have been perpetrated through the use of these weapons, Tirumurti said emphasising the need for the Council to address the danger posed by such illicit transfers to the safety and security of peacekeepers by giving due attention to this issue in the consideration of peacekeeping mandates. UN Peacekeeping Missions could support host countries in addressing the issue of illicit transfer of small arms and light weapons through strengthening the capacities of the law enforcement and security agencies in safe handling, upkeep and stockpile management of arms and weapons, including those recovered from non-state actors, he said. India welcomed Secretary-General Antonio Guterres's recommendation to establish a dedicated component or a unit within peacekeeping Missions to handle such assistance. Recalling that India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, in his address to the Security Council earlier this year, had presented an eight-point action plan to counter-terrorism, Tirumurti said two points are directly relevant to the discussion the need to address the linkages between terrorism and transnational organised crime and combating terrorist financing.

India highlights cross-border terror, weapons smuggling at United Nations

India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested a former LTTE (Liberation Tamil Tigers Eelam) intelligence wing member from a residential locality in Chennai.&nbsp;

According to the NIA, the arrest was made in connection with a case wherein 300kg of high-grade heroin, 5 AK-47 rifles, with 1000 live 9mm rounds, were being ferried by sea to Sri Lanka from Pakistan, when it was intercepted off Kerala Coast by Indian Coast Guard (ICG), earlier this year.&nbsp;

The LTTE is a notorious terror organisation, known for its 1991 suicide bombing, assassinating former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and over a dozen others, near Chennai.

On Tuesday, the premier investigative agency arrested a Sri Lankan national, Satkunam alias Sabesan, aged 47, from Valasaravakkam in Chennai.&nbsp;It is reported that he is involved in trafficking arms and drugs from Pakistan, the proceeds of which he utilizes in reviving the LTTE, a banned terrorist organization.

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“The Investigation has revealed that accused Satkunam alias Sabesan had arranged conspiracy meetings of LTTE sympathisers in India. He had played a crucial role in routing the proceeds of drugs trafficking to former LTTE cadres in Sri Lanka for the revival of the LTTE,” said the NIA. They added that further investigation was being conducted.&nbsp;

Based on a complaint from the Indian Narcotics Control Bureau, the NIA began investigating this case on May 1st.

WION had reported on the drugs and arms seizure in March of this year.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-coast-guards-big-haul-over-usd-412-million-worth-drugs-5-ak-47rifles-1000-rounds-seized-373189">Indian Coast Guard’s big haul: Over USD 412 million worth drugs, 5 Ak-47rifles, 1,000 rounds seized</a>

Based on intelligence inputs concerning drug trafficking, Indian Coast Guard air and sea assets intercepted three Sri Lankan boats off the Lakshadweep region on India’s west coast on 18th March.&nbsp;

A vessel named Ravihansi was boarded and searched, and 300kg of high-grade heroin, five Ak-47 rifles and 1000 live rounds of ammunition were seized. This seized contraband is estimated to be worth INR&nbsp;30,000 million (3,000 Crore) or USD 400 million (40 Crore).&nbsp;

Boarding and search of the three vessels led to the seizure of 300kg high-grade heroin, 5 Ak-47 rifles with 1000 live rounds, from one vessel named Ravihansi. The estimated value of the seized contraband is Rs.3000cr or USD 40cr.&nbsp;

The Sri Lankan boat and its 19 crew members were escorted to Vizhinjam in Kerala for a further joint investigation by Indian authorities.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/how-indian-forest-officials-attempted-to-reunite-a-baby-elephant-that-was-separated-from-its-herd-419236" hreflang="en">How Indian Forest officials attempted to reunite a baby elephant that was separated from its herd</a>

Speaking about the operation, K Natarajan, ICG Director-General, said that the ICG received the intelligence on 15th March and five ships were diverted, along with an aircraft that was coordinating the operation.&nbsp;

As the vessels were moving suspiciously south of Minicoy on March 18th, the ICG made contact, he added.&nbsp;

“Certain movement indicated that the vessels had contraband on board. We encountered a vessel named Chetrani 6 towing a fishing boat Ravhansi, which had a technical snag. Boarding and searching was done from 18th and after two days of search the concealed weapons and drugs were seized” he said.&nbsp;

According to India’s Coast Guard, this is the second major anti-drug trafficking operation undertaken by them off the West Coast, in the month of March 2021.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/isro-icg-device-helps-save-nine-sailors-stranded-at-sea-between-india-and-the-maldives-419225" hreflang="en">ISRO-ICG device helps save nine sailors stranded at sea between India and the Maldives</a>

On March 5th, in a similar operation, the ICG had apprehended the Sri Lankan vessel 'Akarsha Duwa', off Minicoy island. The boat with six crew had admitted to carrying 200kg of Heroin, 60kg hashish, which they jettisoned at sea, on sighting ICG assets.

India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested a former LTTE (Liberation Tamil Tigers Eelam) intelligence wing member from a residential locality in Chennai.

India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested a former LTTE (Liberation Tamil Tigers Eelam) intelligence wing member from a residential locality in Chennai. According to the NIA, the arrest was made in connection with a case wherein 300kg of high-grade heroin, 5 AK-47 rifles, with 1000 live 9mm rounds, were being ferried by sea to Sri Lanka from Pakistan, when it was intercepted off Kerala Coast by Indian Coast Guard (ICG), earlier this year. The LTTE is a notorious terror organisation, known for its 1991 suicide bombing, assassinating former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and over a dozen others, near Chennai. On Tuesday, the premier investigative agency arrested a Sri Lankan national, Satkunam alias Sabesan, aged 47, from Valasaravakkam in Chennai. It is reported that he is involved in trafficking arms and drugs from Pakistan, the proceeds of which he utilizes in reviving the LTTE, a banned terrorist organization. NIA arrests a key conspirator in Vizhingam Arms case of Kerala pic.twitter.com/jb5QC4n6tN — NIA India (@NIA_India) October 6, 2021 × “The Investigation has revealed that accused Satkunam alias Sabesan had arranged conspiracy meetings of LTTE sympathisers in India. He had played a crucial role in routing the proceeds of drugs trafficking to former LTTE cadres in Sri Lanka for the revival of the LTTE,” said the NIA. They added that further investigation was being conducted. Based on a complaint from the Indian Narcotics Control Bureau, the NIA began investigating this case on May 1st. WION had reported on the drugs and arms seizure in March of this year. Also read | Indian Coast Guard’s big haul: Over USD 412 million worth drugs, 5 Ak-47rifles, 1,000 rounds seized Based on intelligence inputs concerning drug trafficking, Indian Coast Guard air and sea assets intercepted three Sri Lankan boats off the Lakshadweep region on India’s west coast on 18th March. A vessel named Ravihansi was boarded and searched, and 300kg of high-grade heroin, five Ak-47 rifles and 1000 live rounds of ammunition were seized. This seized contraband is estimated to be worth INR 30,000 million (3,000 Crore) or USD 400 million (40 Crore). Boarding and search of the three vessels led to the seizure of 300kg high-grade heroin, 5 Ak-47 rifles with 1000 live rounds, from one vessel named Ravihansi. The estimated value of the seized contraband is Rs.3000cr or USD 40cr. The Sri Lankan boat and its 19 crew members were escorted to Vizhinjam in Kerala for a further joint investigation by Indian authorities. Also read | How Indian Forest officials attempted to reunite a baby elephant that was separated from its herd Speaking about the operation, K Natarajan, ICG Director-General, said that the ICG received the intelligence on 15th March and five ships were diverted, along with an aircraft that was coordinating the operation. As the vessels were moving suspiciously south of Minicoy on March 18th, the ICG made contact, he added. “Certain movement indicated that the vessels had contraband on board. We encountered a vessel named Chetrani 6 towing a fishing boat Ravhansi, which had a technical snag. Boarding and searching was done from 18th and after two days of search the concealed weapons and drugs were seized” he said. According to India’s Coast Guard, this is the second major anti-drug trafficking operation undertaken by them off the West Coast, in the month of March 2021. Also read | ISRO-ICG device helps save nine sailors stranded at sea between India and the Maldives On March 5th, in a similar operation, the ICG had apprehended the Sri Lankan vessel 'Akarsha Duwa', off Minicoy island. The boat with six crew had admitted to carrying 200kg of Heroin, 60kg hashish, which they jettisoned at sea, on sighting ICG assets.

Ex-LTTE man arrested for smuggling AK-47s, ammo, 300kg heroin from Pakistan to Sri Lanka

An Indian-origin man, Pardeep Singh, who is 24-years-old, has been arrested in Canada for allegedly smuggling about 112.5 kg of cocaine to the United States. He was arrested after a commercial truck driven by him entered Canada at the Peace Bridge in Fort Erie in Ontario and was pulled aside for a secondary examination.

Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), district director Kim Upper hailed the seizure as an “integral role” of the agency. In a statement, he said, “Our officers have interrupted the smuggling attempt of a massive amount of narcotics, and have put a full stop to the ripple effect these narcotics would have in neighbourhoods across our country,”.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/not-going-to-happen-for-quite-a-while-canada-wont-allow-unvaccinated-tourists-396969">Also read |&nbsp;'Not going to happen for quite a while': Canada won't allow unvaccinated tourists</a>

The agency further revealed that the border agents discovered the cocaine, estimated at $14 million, inside five duffle bags.&nbsp; 
Singh was arrested and transferred to the custody of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and has been charged with the importation of a controlled substance, contrary to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

An Indian-origin man, Pardeep Singh, who is 24-years-old, has been arrested in Canada for allegedly smuggling about 112.5 kg of cocaine to the United States. He was arrested after a commercial truck driven by him entered Canada at the Peace Bridge in Fort Erie in Ontario and was pulled aside for a secondary examination.

An Indian-origin man, Pardeep Singh, who is 24-years-old, has been arrested in Canada for allegedly smuggling about 112.5 kg of cocaine to the United States. He was arrested after a commercial truck driven by him entered Canada at the Peace Bridge in Fort Erie in Ontario and was pulled aside for a secondary examination. Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), district director Kim Upper hailed the seizure as an “integral role” of the agency. In a statement, he said, “Our officers have interrupted the smuggling attempt of a massive amount of narcotics, and have put a full stop to the ripple effect these narcotics would have in neighbourhoods across our country,”. Also read | 'Not going to happen for quite a while': Canada won't allow unvaccinated tourists The agency further revealed that the border agents discovered the cocaine, estimated at $14 million, inside five duffle bags. Singh was arrested and transferred to the custody of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and has been charged with the importation of a controlled substance, contrary to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

Indian-origin man arrested in Canada for smuggling 112 kg cocaine

A Tanzanian man and woman arrived in Chennai on Qatar Airways flight 528 from Johannesburg via Doha, as they did not find a direct flight to Bengaluru. &nbsp;

The woman was travelling to India for treatment in Bengaluru and was accompanied by her male attendant, on a visa that was granted based on communication from the Bengaluru hospital.&nbsp;

Air Customs officials at the Chennai International Airport who maintained a high vigil, based on Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) information regarding narcotics smuggling from African countries, intercepted the duo.&nbsp;

Senior officials said that the duo appeared nervous and gave evasive replies on being questioned, following which their baggage was examined.&nbsp;

According to officials, even when the clothes and personal belongings were emptied, the empty suitcases were noticed to be very heavy. That's when the suitcases were examined thoroughly and plastic packets were found concealed beneath the trolley rods, pasted neatly to the shell of the suitcase. In this case, they had smeared some spicy powders to also hoodwink the dog squads and make it all the more difficult to detect.

Five plastic packets were recovered from each trolley suitcase. On testing, 15.6 kg of white coarse powder suspected to be Heroin valued at INR 100 crores was recovered and seized under The NDPS Act 1985, read with Customs Act.&nbsp;

A Tanzanian man and woman arrived in Chennai on Qatar Airways flight 528 from Johannesburg via Doha, as they did not find a direct flight to Bengaluru. The woman was travelling to India for treatment in Bengaluru and was accompanied by her male attendant, on a visa that was granted based on communication from the Bengaluru hospital.

A Tanzanian man and woman arrived in Chennai on Qatar Airways flight 528 from Johannesburg via Doha, as they did not find a direct flight to Bengaluru. The woman was travelling to India for treatment in Bengaluru and was accompanied by her male attendant, on a visa that was granted based on communication from the Bengaluru hospital. Air Customs officials at the Chennai International Airport who maintained a high vigil, based on Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) information regarding narcotics smuggling from African countries, intercepted the duo. Senior officials said that the duo appeared nervous and gave evasive replies on being questioned, following which their baggage was examined. According to officials, even when the clothes and personal belongings were emptied, the empty suitcases were noticed to be very heavy. That's when the suitcases were examined thoroughly and plastic packets were found concealed beneath the trolley rods, pasted neatly to the shell of the suitcase. In this case, they had smeared some spicy powders to also hoodwink the dog squads and make it all the more difficult to detect. Five plastic packets were recovered from each trolley suitcase. On testing, 15.6 kg of white coarse powder suspected to be Heroin valued at INR 100 crores was recovered and seized under The NDPS Act 1985, read with Customs Act.

Two Tanzanian nationals arrested for smuggling in Heroin worth INR 100cr

An overcrowded smuggling boat capsized on Sunday off the California coast after crashing into the shoreline, killing three people and leaving 27 people hospitalized with a range of injuries.

3 dead, 27 injured after smuggling boat capsizes off California coast

A Chinese businessman pleaded guilty on Wednesday to US charges that he smuggled marine technology out of the United States for the benefit of a Chinese military university involved in developing underwater drones.&nbsp;

Shuren Qin, a marine biologist and founder of a company that sells oceanographic instruments, pleaded guilty in Boston federal court to illegally exporting to China devices called hydrophones that can be used to monitor sound underwater.&nbsp;

He was charged in 2018 amid rising US concerns about the national security threat posed by China.&nbsp;

Assistant Attorney General John Demers said during a seminar on Wednesday at George Washington University that Chinese espionage and technology theft cases remain a top priority under the Biden administration's Justice Department.&nbsp;

Qin, who resides in Wellesley, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty to 10 counts including conspiring to commit export violations, visa fraud, money laundering and smuggling.&nbsp;

Prosecutors previously also accused Qin, 45, of exporting unmanned surface vehicles and robotic boats, and alleged he had from 2015 to 2018 supplied $8 million in goods to Chinese government-controlled entities.&nbsp;

He admitted to charges only concerning 60 hydrophones worth $100,000. Under a plea deal, prosecutors agreed to recommend a prison sentence at the low end of the 87 to 108 months he faces under federal sentencing guidelines.&nbsp;

The plea was conditional, and Qin may still appeal a judge's decision to not suppress evidence against him.&nbsp;

Defence lawyers said Qin founded LinkOcean Technologies Ltd in China in 2005 to provide oceanographic instruments to scientists and immigrated to the United States with his family in 2014 as a permanent resident.&nbsp;

Prosecutors said Northwestern Polytechnical University, a Chinese military research institute, tasked Qin with obtaining items used for anti-submarine warfare and that he obtained hydrophones for it from a US manufacturer.&nbsp;

William Kettlewell, Qin's attorney, said he was unaware of the university's intended uses for the products. The university was also indicted but has never appeared in court. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

A Chinese businessman pleaded guilty on Wednesday to US charges that he smuggled marine technology out of the United States for the benefit of a Chinese military university involved in developing underwater drones.

A Chinese businessman pleaded guilty on Wednesday to US charges that he smuggled marine technology out of the United States for the benefit of a Chinese military university involved in developing underwater drones. Shuren Qin, a marine biologist and founder of a company that sells oceanographic instruments, pleaded guilty in Boston federal court to illegally exporting to China devices called hydrophones that can be used to monitor sound underwater. He was charged in 2018 amid rising US concerns about the national security threat posed by China. Assistant Attorney General John Demers said during a seminar on Wednesday at George Washington University that Chinese espionage and technology theft cases remain a top priority under the Biden administration's Justice Department. Qin, who resides in Wellesley, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty to 10 counts including conspiring to commit export violations, visa fraud, money laundering and smuggling. Prosecutors previously also accused Qin, 45, of exporting unmanned surface vehicles and robotic boats, and alleged he had from 2015 to 2018 supplied $8 million in goods to Chinese government-controlled entities. He admitted to charges only concerning 60 hydrophones worth $100,000. Under a plea deal, prosecutors agreed to recommend a prison sentence at the low end of the 87 to 108 months he faces under federal sentencing guidelines. The plea was conditional, and Qin may still appeal a judge's decision to not suppress evidence against him. Defence lawyers said Qin founded LinkOcean Technologies Ltd in China in 2005 to provide oceanographic instruments to scientists and immigrated to the United States with his family in 2014 as a permanent resident. Prosecutors said Northwestern Polytechnical University, a Chinese military research institute, tasked Qin with obtaining items used for anti-submarine warfare and that he obtained hydrophones for it from a US manufacturer. William Kettlewell, Qin's attorney, said he was unaware of the university's intended uses for the products. The university was also indicted but has never appeared in court. (With inputs from agencies)

Chinese businessman admits smuggling US marine tech to China 

In a joint operation, the Indian Coast Guard and the Anti-Terrorism Squad of Gujarat on Thursday apprehended a boat with eight Pakistan nationals and 30 kilos of heroin. 
 
According to the Coast Guard, the Pakistani boat was apprehended close to the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) in the Indian waters. 
 
The Coast Guard said the operation was carried out in coordination with the ATS Gujarat. 
 
A Coast Guard official said that the boat which is still at the sea will be brought to the shore for a joint investigation by various security agencies of the country. And the boat will be thoroughly checked for any more hidden items.

In a joint operation, the Indian Coast Guard and the Anti-Terrorism Squad of Gujarat on Thursday apprehended a boat with eight Pakistan nationals and 30 kilos of heroin.

In a joint operation, the Indian Coast Guard and the Anti-Terrorism Squad of Gujarat on Thursday apprehended a boat with eight Pakistan nationals and 30 kilos of heroin. According to the Coast Guard, the Pakistani boat was apprehended close to the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) in the Indian waters. The Coast Guard said the operation was carried out in coordination with the ATS Gujarat. A Coast Guard official said that the boat which is still at the sea will be brought to the shore for a joint investigation by various security agencies of the country. And the boat will be thoroughly checked for any more hidden items.

Indian Coast Guards nab 8 Pakistani men, recovers 30 kg heroin

Federal authorities in California charged a man Tuesday with coordinating a smuggling attempt that resulted in the deaths of 13 Mexican and Guatemalan citizens in one of the deadliest border-related crashes in decades.

The man, Jose Cruz Noguez, 47, a resident of the United States, was accused of arranging transportation for people entering the country illegally, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California.

The victims were riding in an SUV that was transporting 25 people when it crashed into a tractor-trailer just after sunrise March 2 on the outskirts of Holtville, California, in the Imperial Valley, a rich agricultural region and a busy corridor for migrant smuggling. The crash occurred about 12 miles from the Mexican border.

“These smuggling networks seek maximum profit by moving as many people as possible across the border with zero regard for their safety and well-being,” Randy Grossman, the acting U.S. attorney for the Southern District of California, said in the statement. “Cramming dozens of people into eight-passenger vehicles and driving recklessly to avoid detection shows an utter disregard for human life.”

Cruz was charged with conspiracy to bring aliens to the United States outside a port of entry and causing serious bodily injury or placing a life in jeopardy, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison; as well as transporting migrants without legal status for financial gain, which could carry a maximum penalty of 15 years of imprisonment.

He was arrested Monday and appeared in federal court in El Centro, California, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ruth Bermudez Montenegro on Tuesday.

Smugglers along the U.S. border with Mexico often use vans or SUVs to transport large numbers of migrants to cities — often charging thousands of dollars per person — after meeting them in remote areas once they have managed to enter the United States. Car wrecks near the border are common, but fewer have occurred during the coronavirus pandemic.

About two weeks after the crash near Holtville, eight immigrants were killed in southwestern Texas when a pickup truck they were riding in crashed head-on into another pickup during a police chase, the authorities said.

No law enforcement agencies were chasing the SUV that crashed outside Holtville on March 2, according to the authorities.

The vehicle had entered the United States at a spot where a fence along the border had been dismantled. According to the authorities, surveillance footage reviewed by the Border Patrol showed two vehicles — a GMC Yukon and a Ford Expedition SUV — crossing through a 10-foot gap in the 18-foot-high steel bollard border fence around 5:30 a.m.

The Yukon apparently burst into flames after crossing through the fence; Border Patrol agents extinguished the fire and apprehended 19 people who were hiding in the surrounding brush.

The Expedition continued until around 6 a.m., when the driver pulled into the path of the tractor-trailer on State Route 115. The truck hit the SUV on the driver’s side. The driver of the tractor-trailer was hospitalized with moderate injuries, and many people in the SUV who survived the crash were seriously injured.

The Border Patrol did not immediately respond to a question about what happened to the survivors of the crash.

An associate of Cruz who was arrested in connection with a different episode of smuggling this month said he had originally been recruited to drive the Expedition on March 2, but declined, according to the U.S. attorney’s office.

The associate secretly recorded a conversation with Cruz, authorities said, in which Cruz said that he had been involved in the March 2 episode and that his other associates had cut the border fence.

Cruz will be represented by a federal public defender. An organization of federal defense lawyers in Southern California did not immediately respond to questions Wednesday evening.

Federal authorities in California charged a man Tuesday with coordinating a smuggling attempt that resulted in the deaths of 13 Mexican and Guatemalan citizens in one of the deadliest border-related crashes in decades.

Federal authorities in California charged a man Tuesday with coordinating a smuggling attempt that resulted in the deaths of 13 Mexican and Guatemalan citizens in one of the deadliest border-related crashes in decades. The man, Jose Cruz Noguez, 47, a resident of the United States, was accused of arranging transportation for people entering the country illegally, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California. The victims were riding in an SUV that was transporting 25 people when it crashed into a tractor-trailer just after sunrise March 2 on the outskirts of Holtville, California, in the Imperial Valley, a rich agricultural region and a busy corridor for migrant smuggling. The crash occurred about 12 miles from the Mexican border. “These smuggling networks seek maximum profit by moving as many people as possible across the border with zero regard for their safety and well-being,” Randy Grossman, the acting U.S. attorney for the Southern District of California, said in the statement. “Cramming dozens of people into eight-passenger vehicles and driving recklessly to avoid detection shows an utter disregard for human life.” Cruz was charged with conspiracy to bring aliens to the United States outside a port of entry and causing serious bodily injury or placing a life in jeopardy, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison; as well as transporting migrants without legal status for financial gain, which could carry a maximum penalty of 15 years of imprisonment. He was arrested Monday and appeared in federal court in El Centro, California, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ruth Bermudez Montenegro on Tuesday. Smugglers along the U.S. border with Mexico often use vans or SUVs to transport large numbers of migrants to cities — often charging thousands of dollars per person — after meeting them in remote areas once they have managed to enter the United States. Car wrecks near the border are common, but fewer have occurred during the coronavirus pandemic. About two weeks after the crash near Holtville, eight immigrants were killed in southwestern Texas when a pickup truck they were riding in crashed head-on into another pickup during a police chase, the authorities said. No law enforcement agencies were chasing the SUV that crashed outside Holtville on March 2, according to the authorities. The vehicle had entered the United States at a spot where a fence along the border had been dismantled. According to the authorities, surveillance footage reviewed by the Border Patrol showed two vehicles — a GMC Yukon and a Ford Expedition SUV — crossing through a 10-foot gap in the 18-foot-high steel bollard border fence around 5:30 a.m. The Yukon apparently burst into flames after crossing through the fence; Border Patrol agents extinguished the fire and apprehended 19 people who were hiding in the surrounding brush. The Expedition continued until around 6 a.m., when the driver pulled into the path of the tractor-trailer on State Route 115. The truck hit the SUV on the driver’s side. The driver of the tractor-trailer was hospitalized with moderate injuries, and many people in the SUV who survived the crash were seriously injured. The Border Patrol did not immediately respond to a question about what happened to the survivors of the crash. An associate of Cruz who was arrested in connection with a different episode of smuggling this month said he had originally been recruited to drive the Expedition on March 2, but declined, according to the U.S. attorney’s office. The associate secretly recorded a conversation with Cruz, authorities said, in which Cruz said that he had been involved in the March 2 episode and that his other associates had cut the border fence. Cruz will be represented by a federal public defender. An organization of federal defense lawyers in Southern California did not immediately respond to questions Wednesday evening.

Man is charged with smuggling in crash that killed 13 migrants in California

Based on intelligence inputs on drug trafficking, Indian Coast Guard air and sea assets intercepted three Sri Lankan boats off the Lakshadweep region on India’s west coast on March 18. Boarding and search of the three vessels led to the seizure of 300 kg high-grade heroin, 5 Ak-47 rifles with 1,000 live rounds, from one of them named Ravihansi. The estimated value of the seized contraband is Rs.3000 cr (over USD 412 million).&nbsp;

The Sri Lankan boats and their 19 crew were escorted to Vizhinjam in Kerala for a further joint investigation by Indian authorities.&nbsp;

K.Natarajan, Director General, ICG said that the ICG received the intelligence on March 15 and five ships were diverted, besides aircraft that were coordinating. On March 18, they made contact with the vessels, as they were moving suspiciously, south of Minicoy. “Certain movement indicated that the vessels had contraband on board. We encountered a vessel named Chetrani 6 towing a fishing boat Ravhansi, which had a technical snag. Boarding and searching was done from 18th and after two days of search the concealed weapons and drugs were seized” he said.&nbsp;

According to India’s Coast Guard, this is the second major anti-drug trafficking operation undertaken by them off the West Coast, within a fortnight. &nbsp;On March 5, in a similar operation, the CG had apprehended Sri Lankan vessel Akarsha Duwa off Minicoy island. The boat with six crew had admitted to carrying 200 kg of Heroin, 60 kg hashish, which they jettisoned at sea, on sighting ICG assets.&nbsp;

In November 2020, ICG had apprehended Sri Lankan boat Shenaya Duwa off Kanyakumari, carrying 120kg narcotics, worth around Rs.1,000 cr and five weapons.&nbsp;

Over the last year, the ICG has seized about 1.6 tons of narcotics worth nearly Rs.4,900cr, which is close to half of the drug seizures worth Rs.10,952cr, made since their inception.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Based on intelligence inputs on drug trafficking, Indian Coast Guard air and sea assets intercepted three Sri Lankan boats off the Lakshadweep region on India’s west coast on March 18.

Based on intelligence inputs on drug trafficking, Indian Coast Guard air and sea assets intercepted three Sri Lankan boats off the Lakshadweep region on India’s west coast on March 18. Boarding and search of the three vessels led to the seizure of 300 kg high-grade heroin, 5 Ak-47 rifles with 1,000 live rounds, from one of them named Ravihansi. The estimated value of the seized contraband is Rs.3000 cr (over USD 412 million). The Sri Lankan boats and their 19 crew were escorted to Vizhinjam in Kerala for a further joint investigation by Indian authorities. K.Natarajan, Director General, ICG said that the ICG received the intelligence on March 15 and five ships were diverted, besides aircraft that were coordinating. On March 18, they made contact with the vessels, as they were moving suspiciously, south of Minicoy. “Certain movement indicated that the vessels had contraband on board. We encountered a vessel named Chetrani 6 towing a fishing boat Ravhansi, which had a technical snag. Boarding and searching was done from 18th and after two days of search the concealed weapons and drugs were seized” he said. According to India’s Coast Guard, this is the second major anti-drug trafficking operation undertaken by them off the West Coast, within a fortnight. On March 5, in a similar operation, the CG had apprehended Sri Lankan vessel Akarsha Duwa off Minicoy island. The boat with six crew had admitted to carrying 200 kg of Heroin, 60 kg hashish, which they jettisoned at sea, on sighting ICG assets. In November 2020, ICG had apprehended Sri Lankan boat Shenaya Duwa off Kanyakumari, carrying 120kg narcotics, worth around Rs.1,000 cr and five weapons. Over the last year, the ICG has seized about 1.6 tons of narcotics worth nearly Rs.4,900cr, which is close to half of the drug seizures worth Rs.10,952cr, made since their inception.

Indian Coast Guard’s big haul: Over USD 412 million worth drugs, 5 Ak-47rifles, 1,000 rounds seized 

Indian Coast Guard over weekend thwarted an attempt by Sri Lankan boats to smuggle narcotic drugs worth USD 286.5 million into India from Lakshadweep. As per the coast guard, the smugglers dumped five bags of contraband weighing nearly 260 kg in water after they realised they couldn't escape from Indian Coast Guard ships and aircraft.

Based on initial investigation, the Coast guard has said that the SLFB Akarsha Duwa was at sea for over a fortnight

After the boats were intercepted at sea, the behaviour of occupants and their misleading statement gave rise to suspicion. After tactful interrogation by the Indian Coast, the occupants of the boat admitted that they had been involved in narcotics smuggling.

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Owing to rough sea conditions off Minicoy Islands, the boats were brought to Vizhinjam near Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday (7th March) for further interrogation by the security agencies.&nbsp;

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Post joint investigation at Vizhinjam, SLFB Akarsha Duwa along with 6 Sri Lankan crew was detained. Two other Sri Lankan boats with crew were released for a handover to Sri Lankan authorities for further investigation, due to considerable quantity of fish stock onboard.

A similar attempt was thwarted in November last year, when ICG &nbsp;apprehended Sri Lankan fishing boat ‘Shenaya Duwa’ off Kanyakumari, carrying narcotics worth around USD 136 &nbsp;million in the international market.

Indian Coast Guard over weekend thwarted an attempt by Sri Lankan boats to smuggle narcotic drugs worth USD 286.5 million into India from Lakshadweep. As per the coast guard, the smugglers dumped five bags of contraband weighing nearly 260 kg in water after they realised they couldn't escape from Indian Coast Guard ships and aircraft.

Indian Coast Guard over weekend thwarted an attempt by Sri Lankan boats to smuggle narcotic drugs worth USD 286.5 million into India from Lakshadweep. As per the coast guard, the smugglers dumped five bags of contraband weighing nearly 260 kg in water after they realised they couldn't escape from Indian Coast Guard ships and aircraft. Based on initial investigation, the Coast guard has said that the SLFB Akarsha Duwa was at sea for over a fortnight After the boats were intercepted at sea, the behaviour of occupants and their misleading statement gave rise to suspicion. After tactful interrogation by the Indian Coast, the occupants of the boat admitted that they had been involved in narcotics smuggling. Owing to rough sea conditions off Minicoy Islands, the boats were brought to Vizhinjam near Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday (7th March) for further interrogation by the security agencies. Post joint investigation at Vizhinjam, SLFB Akarsha Duwa along with 6 Sri Lankan crew was detained. Two other Sri Lankan boats with crew were released for a handover to Sri Lankan authorities for further investigation, due to considerable quantity of fish stock onboard. A similar attempt was thwarted in November last year, when ICG apprehended Sri Lankan fishing boat ‘Shenaya Duwa’ off Kanyakumari, carrying narcotics worth around USD 136 million in the international market.

Indian Coast Guard intercepts Sri Lankan boats, seizes narcotics worth millions

Two Sri Lankan Tamils who were the main conspirators in an Rs.100 cr (approx USD 13.6 million) International drugs smuggling case have been nabbed by Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) officials in Chennai. It is learnt that the individuals were living in Chennai by concealing their real identity.&nbsp;

The case is regarding a drug-laden vessel “Shenaya Duwa’ that was intercepted by Indian Coast Guard in late November last year, off the Tuticorin or Thoothukudi Coast in Tamil Nadu. 99 packets of heroin, 20 boxes of synthetic drugs and five 9 mm pistols were unearthed from an unapproachable location on-board the vessel, besides a Thuraya satellite phone set.&nbsp;

Back then, the preliminary investigation had revealed that the drugs were transferred onto the Sri Lankan vessel ‘Shenaya Duwa’ on the high seas by a Pakistani dhow from Karachi and the contraband was meant to be sent to western countries and Australia.

Following the seizure of contraband the vessel’s six-member crew was also put behind bars, but the search for the main conspirators continued.&nbsp;

This led to arrest of the Sri Lankan nationals, MMM Nawas and Mohamed Afnas from Chennai. According to the NCB, Nawas and Afnas held important positions in the multinational Heroin syndicate, as they were controlling the mid-sea pick up and delivery of narcotic drugs from Pakistani and Iranian vessels.&nbsp;

It is said that both of them had fled the island nation when the Sri Lankan authorities closed in on them. It is also believed that there is an Interpol Red Corner Notice issued by Sri Lankan Government against Nawas.

Two Sri Lankan Tamils who were the main conspirators in an Rs.100 cr (approx USD 13.6 million) International drugs smuggling case have been nabbed by Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) officials in Chennai.

Two Sri Lankan Tamils who were the main conspirators in an Rs.100 cr (approx USD 13.6 million) International drugs smuggling case have been nabbed by Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) officials in Chennai. It is learnt that the individuals were living in Chennai by concealing their real identity. The case is regarding a drug-laden vessel “Shenaya Duwa’ that was intercepted by Indian Coast Guard in late November last year, off the Tuticorin or Thoothukudi Coast in Tamil Nadu. 99 packets of heroin, 20 boxes of synthetic drugs and five 9 mm pistols were unearthed from an unapproachable location on-board the vessel, besides a Thuraya satellite phone set. Back then, the preliminary investigation had revealed that the drugs were transferred onto the Sri Lankan vessel ‘Shenaya Duwa’ on the high seas by a Pakistani dhow from Karachi and the contraband was meant to be sent to western countries and Australia. Following the seizure of contraband the vessel’s six-member crew was also put behind bars, but the search for the main conspirators continued. This led to arrest of the Sri Lankan nationals, MMM Nawas and Mohamed Afnas from Chennai. According to the NCB, Nawas and Afnas held important positions in the multinational Heroin syndicate, as they were controlling the mid-sea pick up and delivery of narcotic drugs from Pakistani and Iranian vessels. It is said that both of them had fled the island nation when the Sri Lankan authorities closed in on them. It is also believed that there is an Interpol Red Corner Notice issued by Sri Lankan Government against Nawas.

Sri Lanka-Pak links smugglers involved in USD 13.6 million heroin case held in Chennai

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on Friday arrested two people who frequently smuggled drugs to Hong Kong concealed inside courier parcels.In a statement, the NCB said that on September 9, acting on a tip-off, they had seized 11.08 kilograms of Charas concealed inside a consignment which was being sent to Hong Kong through a courier service in Kolkata.

"NCB officers then conducted a follow-up investigation and identified the Consigner consignee and a drug supplier from Kolkata area," said the statement.

On September 10, the NCB apprehended two main suppliers of the seized drug from Dum Dum and Durga Nagar areas of Kolkata.

"Drug supplier named Ashim Ray, son of Shyama Pad Roy, and Kingpin Rajan Mishra, son of late Balkrisna Mishra were arrested. They send such parcels frequently to Hong Kong," said the statement.

The NCB further recovered approximately 100 gram of Charas along with 20 bottles of Codeine cough syrup and some other medicines from the possession of Mishra.

In follow-up investigation, a team of NCB further apprehended Biswanath Das, resident of Manikpara in Kolkata and seized 95 bottles of Wincirex, a codeine-based cough syrup, kept in his house without any documents related to the purchase or sale of it."

In his statement, he (Biswanath Das) admitted that he was doing all this for making extra money as his chemist shop was not functioning well," the statement added.

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on Friday arrested two people who frequently smuggled drugs to Hong Kong concealed inside courier parcels.In a statement, the NCB said that on September 9, acting on a tip-off, they had seized 11.

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on Friday arrested two people who frequently smuggled drugs to Hong Kong concealed inside courier parcels.In a statement, the NCB said that on September 9, acting on a tip-off, they had seized 11.08 kilograms of Charas concealed inside a consignment which was being sent to Hong Kong through a courier service in Kolkata. "NCB officers then conducted a follow-up investigation and identified the Consigner consignee and a drug supplier from Kolkata area," said the statement. On September 10, the NCB apprehended two main suppliers of the seized drug from Dum Dum and Durga Nagar areas of Kolkata. "Drug supplier named Ashim Ray, son of Shyama Pad Roy, and Kingpin Rajan Mishra, son of late Balkrisna Mishra were arrested. They send such parcels frequently to Hong Kong," said the statement. The NCB further recovered approximately 100 gram of Charas along with 20 bottles of Codeine cough syrup and some other medicines from the possession of Mishra. In follow-up investigation, a team of NCB further apprehended Biswanath Das, resident of Manikpara in Kolkata and seized 95 bottles of Wincirex, a codeine-based cough syrup, kept in his house without any documents related to the purchase or sale of it." In his statement, he (Biswanath Das) admitted that he was doing all this for making extra money as his chemist shop was not functioning well," the statement added.

NCB arrests two from Kolkata for smuggling drugs to Hong Kong

In a coordinated mission that involved air and sea-based assets, the Indian Coast Guard apprehended a fishing boat that was attempting to smuggle sea cucumber, an endangered species, into Sri Lanka.

The apprehended fishing boat was carrying 1 ton of sea cucumbers, which are valued at about $683,000&nbsp;USD. The fishing boat along with three crew members have been brought to Tuticorin for further investigation.&nbsp;

The interception of the boat had taken place on Saturday noon and the boat was just about 3.5 miles from the International Maritime Boundary line. The boat was intercepted off the Mandapam coast. The north western tip of the Sri Lanka is easily accessible(in terms of distance) from the areas surrounding Mandapam town in Tamil Nadu. Some parts on the north-western tip of Sri Lanka are less than 100kms or 54 nautical miles away, from certain points on the Tamil Nadu coast.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/tunnel-under-ib-was-constructed-with-knowledge-hand-of-pak-bsf-ig-323977">Aslo read|&nbsp;Tunnel under IB was constructed with knowledge, 'hand' of Pak: BSF IG</a>

Sea cucumbers are an important constituent of the coral ecosystem and are categorized as an ‘endangered species’ with their harvest being banned under the Wildlife Protection Act of 2001. They play an important role in maintaining the health of the marine ecosystems. By excreting inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus, they enhance the productivity of benthic animals - those living on the ocean floor.&nbsp;

One of the by-products of the sea cucumber's digestion of sand is calcium carbonate, a key component of coral reefs. To survive, coral reefs must accumulate calcium carbonate, and thus sea cucumbers play a vital role in their preservation.

Sea cucumbers also maintain the transparency of seawater by eating sewage. Feeding and excretion by sea cucumbers also increases alkalinity, which counteracts ocean acidification. Illegal harvesting and overexploitation of these animals leads to poorer sediment health, reduces nutrient recycling and impacts biodiversity.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-withdraws-from-russian-exercises-over-chinese-presence-323948">Also read|&nbsp;India withdraws from Russian exercises over Chinese presence</a>

Much of the sea cucumbers smuggled out of Tamil Nadu are said to be for Sri Lanka and other South-East Asian countries, where they are consumed as food and used to prepare medicines.&nbsp;

In terms of the Coast guard’s areas of responsibility, their aircraft and vessels monitor and secure the 7516km long coastline and India’s Exclusive Economic Zone that is over 2million sq km. The Indian Coast Guard currently operates over 150 surface platforms and more than 60 aircraft. The force deploys 30-40 ships and 10-12 aircraft for surveillance, on a daily basis.

In a coordinated mission that involved air and sea-based assets, the Indian Coast Guard apprehended a fishing boat that was attempting to smuggle sea cucumber, an endangered species, into Sri Lanka.

In a coordinated mission that involved air and sea-based assets, the Indian Coast Guard apprehended a fishing boat that was attempting to smuggle sea cucumber, an endangered species, into Sri Lanka. The apprehended fishing boat was carrying 1 ton of sea cucumbers, which are valued at about $683,000 USD. The fishing boat along with three crew members have been brought to Tuticorin for further investigation. The interception of the boat had taken place on Saturday noon and the boat was just about 3.5 miles from the International Maritime Boundary line. The boat was intercepted off the Mandapam coast. The north western tip of the Sri Lanka is easily accessible(in terms of distance) from the areas surrounding Mandapam town in Tamil Nadu. Some parts on the north-western tip of Sri Lanka are less than 100kms or 54 nautical miles away, from certain points on the Tamil Nadu coast. Aslo read| Tunnel under IB was constructed with knowledge, 'hand' of Pak: BSF IG Sea cucumbers are an important constituent of the coral ecosystem and are categorized as an ‘endangered species’ with their harvest being banned under the Wildlife Protection Act of 2001. They play an important role in maintaining the health of the marine ecosystems. By excreting inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus, they enhance the productivity of benthic animals - those living on the ocean floor. One of the by-products of the sea cucumber's digestion of sand is calcium carbonate, a key component of coral reefs. To survive, coral reefs must accumulate calcium carbonate, and thus sea cucumbers play a vital role in their preservation. Sea cucumbers also maintain the transparency of seawater by eating sewage. Feeding and excretion by sea cucumbers also increases alkalinity, which counteracts ocean acidification. Illegal harvesting and overexploitation of these animals leads to poorer sediment health, reduces nutrient recycling and impacts biodiversity. Also read| India withdraws from Russian exercises over Chinese presence Much of the sea cucumbers smuggled out of Tamil Nadu are said to be for Sri Lanka and other South-East Asian countries, where they are consumed as food and used to prepare medicines. In terms of the Coast guard’s areas of responsibility, their aircraft and vessels monitor and secure the 7516km long coastline and India’s Exclusive Economic Zone that is over 2million sq km. The Indian Coast Guard currently operates over 150 surface platforms and more than 60 aircraft. The force deploys 30-40 ships and 10-12 aircraft for surveillance, on a daily basis.

Indian coast guard thwarts smuggling of sea cucumber into Sri Lanka

US authorities have discovered an unfinished 1,300-foot (400-meter) tunnel under the US-Mexico border, calling it an unusually sophisticated smuggling route complete with ventilation and a rail system.

The tunnel was found on Tuesday in the desert near San Luis, Arizona by federal agents led by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s investigative arm, the agency said in a press release Friday.

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Authorities have located hundreds of tunnels over the years under the Southwest border, saying they are used by drug cartels and criminal organizations to smuggle narcotics, people and weapons back and forth between the two countries.

The tunnel found this week measured 3 feet by 4 feet (91 cm by 1.22 meters) and included a “ventilation system, water lines, electrical wiring, rail system, [and] extensive reinforcement,” ICE said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mexico-nabs-el-marro-fuel-theft-king-blamed-for-surge-in-drug-violence-317702">Also read:&nbsp;Mexico nabs 'El Marro', fuel theft king blamed for surge in drug violence</a>

Federal agents drilled and used underground cameras to investigate the tunnel after discovering a sinkhole near cross-border fencing in mid-July, ICE said.

Carl Landrum, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) official, said the tunnel “appears to be the most sophisticated tunnel in U.S. history, and certainly the most sophisticated I’ve seen in my career.” Landrum started with Border Patrol in 1996, according to the agency’s website.

In January this year, CBP announced federal agents had discovered the longest cross-border smuggling tunnel ever found along the Southwest border, originating in Baja California, Mexico. It measured 4,309 feet (1,300 meters).

President Donald Trump has pledged to build a wall on the border with Mexico to stop illegal crossings and drug trafficking, but critics point to tunnels as one way people can get around such a barrier.

US authorities have discovered an unfinished 1,300-foot (400-meter) tunnel under the US-Mexico border, calling it an unusually sophisticated smuggling route complete with ventilation and a rail system.

US authorities have discovered an unfinished 1,300-foot (400-meter) tunnel under the US-Mexico border, calling it an unusually sophisticated smuggling route complete with ventilation and a rail system. The tunnel was found on Tuesday in the desert near San Luis, Arizona by federal agents led by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s investigative arm, the agency said in a press release Friday. Also read: Coronavirus deaths in Latin America hit global high Authorities have located hundreds of tunnels over the years under the Southwest border, saying they are used by drug cartels and criminal organizations to smuggle narcotics, people and weapons back and forth between the two countries. The tunnel found this week measured 3 feet by 4 feet (91 cm by 1.22 meters) and included a “ventilation system, water lines, electrical wiring, rail system, [and] extensive reinforcement,” ICE said. Also read: Mexico nabs 'El Marro', fuel theft king blamed for surge in drug violence Federal agents drilled and used underground cameras to investigate the tunnel after discovering a sinkhole near cross-border fencing in mid-July, ICE said. Carl Landrum, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) official, said the tunnel “appears to be the most sophisticated tunnel in U.S. history, and certainly the most sophisticated I’ve seen in my career.” Landrum started with Border Patrol in 1996, according to the agency’s website. In January this year, CBP announced federal agents had discovered the longest cross-border smuggling tunnel ever found along the Southwest border, originating in Baja California, Mexico. It measured 4,309 feet (1,300 meters). President Donald Trump has pledged to build a wall on the border with Mexico to stop illegal crossings and drug trafficking, but critics point to tunnels as one way people can get around such a barrier.

US officials find 'sophisticated' smuggling tunnel on Mexican border

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has request Interpol to issue a blue corner notice against Faisal Fareed, an accused in the high-profile Kerala gold smuggling case.

Earlier, a non-bailable warrant was issued against Fareed by a special NIA court in Kochi.

A blue corner notice is an international request for cooperation or alerts for sharing critical crime-related information to help track individuals allegedly involved in criminal activities and suspected to be in other countries.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/kerala-gold-smuggling-case-accused-swapna-suresh-taken-into-custody-312609">Also read:&nbsp;Kerala gold smuggling case accused Swapna Suresh taken into custody</a>

The NIA had earlier informed the special court that they will hand over the warrant to Interpol as Faisal Fareed is currently suspected of being in Dubai.According to the agency, Fareed was involved in forging seal and emblem of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Embassy to commit the crime.

"The documents were forged by Faisal Fareed to ensure diplomatic protection for the baggage. Fareed is the third accused in the case. The gold smuggled into Kerala was not used for jewellery but terror activities. The accused smuggled gold twice in 2019, in two batches of 18 kg and 9 kg," the NIA had submitted before the special court.

Meanwhile, three others accused in the matter — Sarith PS, Swapna Suresh and Sandeep Nair — are currently under the custody of the NIA, which is probing the matter.&nbsp;

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has request Interpol to issue a blue corner notice against Faisal Fareed, an accused in the high-profile Kerala gold smuggling case.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has request Interpol to issue a blue corner notice against Faisal Fareed, an accused in the high-profile Kerala gold smuggling case. Earlier, a non-bailable warrant was issued against Fareed by a special NIA court in Kochi. A blue corner notice is an international request for cooperation or alerts for sharing critical crime-related information to help track individuals allegedly involved in criminal activities and suspected to be in other countries. Also read: Kerala gold smuggling case accused Swapna Suresh taken into custody The NIA had earlier informed the special court that they will hand over the warrant to Interpol as Faisal Fareed is currently suspected of being in Dubai.According to the agency, Fareed was involved in forging seal and emblem of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Embassy to commit the crime. "The documents were forged by Faisal Fareed to ensure diplomatic protection for the baggage. Fareed is the third accused in the case. The gold smuggled into Kerala was not used for jewellery but terror activities. The accused smuggled gold twice in 2019, in two batches of 18 kg and 9 kg," the NIA had submitted before the special court. Meanwhile, three others accused in the matter — Sarith PS, Swapna Suresh and Sandeep Nair — are currently under the custody of the NIA, which is probing the matter.

Kerala gold smuggling case: NIA requests Interpol to issue blue corner notice against Faisal Fareed

Dozens of rhino horn pieces disguised as art were seized by South African customs officials at the airport in Johannesburg on Tuesday. The seized horns valued at about $7 million.

Dozens of rhino horn pieces disguised as art were seized by South African customs officials at the airport in Johannesburg on Tuesday. The seized horns valued at about $7 million. In a statement, the customs authority said that the officials at OR Tambo International Airport "discovered 41 pieces of rhino horn valued at 115.66 million rand in a consignment declared as 'fine art'". These horns were set to leave for Kuala Lumpur via Doha, however, they were detected during a routine inspection of warehouses at the country's largest airport. South Africa is home to over 80 per cent of the Rhinos population and has become the epicentre of poaching in recent years. The country has witnessed a decline in poaching incidents since 2014. In 2019, 594 rhino were slaughtered for their horns, down from 769 in 2018. Rhino horns are used by consumers in Asia, where they are used as traditional medicine, an aphrodisiac or as a status symbol, and can fetch up to $60,000 per kilogramme. The horn contains keratin, the same substance found in the human nail. According to the conservation organisation Traffic, criminal networks of Chinese origin operate in South Africa processing rhino horn into beads, bracelets, bangles and powder to evade detection. (Inputs from AFP)

Rhino horns worth $7 million seized by customs official at South African airport

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has sounded an alert to different customs formations across the country to check smuggling of infrared thermometers into the country from China, officials said on Friday.

The move assumes significance as the demand of such thermometers has spiked in the country due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"The DRI has sent an alert to inland container depots and the cargo airport in Delhi and other places across the country, dealing with the import and export of commodities from abroad, among others asking them to be vigilant about such smuggling," an official said.

He said there is information to suggest that smugglers may under-value or mis-declare these thermometers to illegally import them to India.

A good being brought into the country can be under-invoiced to evade customs duty to defraud the government exchequer.

In this method, the invoice being filed with authorities for the import of the goods is falsified to show that the price of goods being imported is lower than the actual price being paid by an importer abroad.

India had lost a staggering USD 13 billion, over Rs 90,000 crore, to trade mis-invoicing (that includes under and over-invoicing), equivalent to 5.5 per cent of the value of the country's total revenue collections in 2016, according to a 2019 report by the US-based think-tank Global Financial Integrity.

A non-contact infrared/thermal thermometer of a reputed manufacturing firm may cost anywhere between Rs 3,500 and Rs 8,000, according to the websites selling them.

The officials also suspect that the smugglers may exploit the free trade zone of Dubai port to route the goods for sending them to India.

"A strict vigilance is maintained to thwart such attempts to cause damage to the Indian economy and the local manufacturers," the official said, referring to the DRI alert issued recently.

The DRI is a federal economic intelligence agency under the Finance Ministry mandated to check commercial frauds among others.

The customs formations are on the alert to thwart any attempts of smuggling.

About 2,500 kg of raw material for masks was intercepted by air cargo export here on May 13.

In addition to these, the customs officials had intercepted multiple shipments containing 5.

08 lakh masks, 57 litres of sanitiser in 950 bottles and 952 PPE kits at the courier terminal in New Delhi.

These were attempted to be smuggled out of the country to the US, UK and the UAE among others, they said.

The goods were is-declared as packing materials for pouches to avoid suspicion and further scrutiny by the customs officials.

The export of such goods is prohibited by the government due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Many countries have either increased the production of such products or ordered their import owing to domestic demands as they stare at its possible shortage.

Customs officials in Chennai recently thwarted an attempt to illegally smuggle out over 1,000 kg of red sanders wood to Malaysia.

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has sounded an alert to different customs formations across the country to check smuggling of infrared thermometers into the country from China, officials said on Friday.

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has sounded an alert to different customs formations across the country to check smuggling of infrared thermometers into the country from China, officials said on Friday. The move assumes significance as the demand of such thermometers has spiked in the country due to the coronavirus pandemic. "The DRI has sent an alert to inland container depots and the cargo airport in Delhi and other places across the country, dealing with the import and export of commodities from abroad, among others asking them to be vigilant about such smuggling," an official said. He said there is information to suggest that smugglers may under-value or mis-declare these thermometers to illegally import them to India. A good being brought into the country can be under-invoiced to evade customs duty to defraud the government exchequer. In this method, the invoice being filed with authorities for the import of the goods is falsified to show that the price of goods being imported is lower than the actual price being paid by an importer abroad. India had lost a staggering USD 13 billion, over Rs 90,000 crore, to trade mis-invoicing (that includes under and over-invoicing), equivalent to 5.5 per cent of the value of the country's total revenue collections in 2016, according to a 2019 report by the US-based think-tank Global Financial Integrity. A non-contact infrared/thermal thermometer of a reputed manufacturing firm may cost anywhere between Rs 3,500 and Rs 8,000, according to the websites selling them. The officials also suspect that the smugglers may exploit the free trade zone of Dubai port to route the goods for sending them to India. "A strict vigilance is maintained to thwart such attempts to cause damage to the Indian economy and the local manufacturers," the official said, referring to the DRI alert issued recently. The DRI is a federal economic intelligence agency under the Finance Ministry mandated to check commercial frauds among others. The customs formations are on the alert to thwart any attempts of smuggling. About 2,500 kg of raw material for masks was intercepted by air cargo export here on May 13. In addition to these, the customs officials had intercepted multiple shipments containing 5. 08 lakh masks, 57 litres of sanitiser in 950 bottles and 952 PPE kits at the courier terminal in New Delhi. These were attempted to be smuggled out of the country to the US, UK and the UAE among others, they said. The goods were is-declared as packing materials for pouches to avoid suspicion and further scrutiny by the customs officials. The export of such goods is prohibited by the government due to the coronavirus outbreak. Many countries have either increased the production of such products or ordered their import owing to domestic demands as they stare at its possible shortage. Customs officials in Chennai recently thwarted an attempt to illegally smuggle out over 1,000 kg of red sanders wood to Malaysia.

DRI sounds alert over smuggling of infrared thermometers into India from China

A passageway connecting the San Diego area in California to an industrial site in the Mexican city of Tijuana was found recently by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pentagon-authorises-1-bn-for-trumps-border-wall-205641">US Customs and Border Protection</a>. The tunnel stretches for 4,309 feet (1,313 metres) and has a lift, rail track, drainage and air ventilation systems, high voltage electrical cables and panels.&nbsp;

Authorities have refused to comment on potential suspects behind the tunnel, no drugs have been found in the tunnel and no arrests have been made.&nbsp;

There could exist a possible link between the tunnel and Mexico's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-mexico-el-chapos-sons-add-brash-new-chapter-to-crime-family-257617">Sinaloa cartel</a>, which operates in the area and has been described by the US as one of the largest drug-trafficking organizations on the planet. Founder and leader of the Sinaloa cartel <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/the-rise-and-fall-of-el-chapo-mexicos-most-wanted-kingpin-236726">Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman</a>, is currently serving life at ADX Florence.

Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-border-crossings-plunge-but-immigration-raids-draw-fire-241783">US border crossings plunge but immigration raids draw fire</a>

Mexican officials identified the entrance of the tunnel in August and US investigators mapped it before releasing the findings. The tunnel is 5.5 feet high and 2 feet wide, resting at a depth of 70 feet (21m) below the surface. US Customs and Border Protection are not clear how long it took to build it.

<img alt="The sophisticated tunnel had a rail track" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="39a576c5-34ae-442e-81df-5187b5f23f8e" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%286%29_23.jpg" /> 
[&nbsp;US officials say they have discovered the longest smuggling tunnel ever found on the border with Mexico. (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

Blocking a suspected former exit of the tunnel in San Diego's Otay Mesa industrial warehouse area were several hundred sandbags, as per reports. The main tunnel had an incomplete offshoot. The second-longest tunnel found in the San Diego area of the country in 2014 was 2,966 feet long, as per reports.

Impeached US President Donald Trump has asserted the need for a border wall many times, adamant that it is required to tackle illegal immigration and drug trafficking.&nbsp;Officials have concurred that most drugs are smuggled through legal ports of entry and hidden in privately-owned vehicles or transporter lorries mixed with other goods. A border wall would be as effective against a network of smuggling tunnels as a gun. 
&nbsp;

A passageway connecting the San Diego area in California to an industrial site in the Mexican city of Tijuana was found recently by US Customs and Border Protection.

A passageway connecting the San Diego area in California to an industrial site in the Mexican city of Tijuana was found recently by US Customs and Border Protection. The tunnel stretches for 4,309 feet (1,313 metres) and has a lift, rail track, drainage and air ventilation systems, high voltage electrical cables and panels. Authorities have refused to comment on potential suspects behind the tunnel, no drugs have been found in the tunnel and no arrests have been made. There could exist a possible link between the tunnel and Mexico's Sinaloa cartel, which operates in the area and has been described by the US as one of the largest drug-trafficking organizations on the planet. Founder and leader of the Sinaloa cartel Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, is currently serving life at ADX Florence. Also Read:US border crossings plunge but immigration raids draw fire Mexican officials identified the entrance of the tunnel in August and US investigators mapped it before releasing the findings. The tunnel is 5.5 feet high and 2 feet wide, resting at a depth of 70 feet (21m) below the surface. US Customs and Border Protection are not clear how long it took to build it. [ US officials say they have discovered the longest smuggling tunnel ever found on the border with Mexico. (Courtesy: Reuters) ] Blocking a suspected former exit of the tunnel in San Diego's Otay Mesa industrial warehouse area were several hundred sandbags, as per reports. The main tunnel had an incomplete offshoot. The second-longest tunnel found in the San Diego area of the country in 2014 was 2,966 feet long, as per reports. Impeached US President Donald Trump has asserted the need for a border wall many times, adamant that it is required to tackle illegal immigration and drug trafficking. Officials have concurred that most drugs are smuggled through legal ports of entry and hidden in privately-owned vehicles or transporter lorries mixed with other goods. A border wall would be as effective against a network of smuggling tunnels as a gun.

Longest smuggling tunnel discovered under US-Mexico Border; possible connections to Sinaloa cartel

Pakistan is allegedly involved in&nbsp;nuclear smuggling and illicit acquisition of missile technology.

Watch:&nbsp;Gravitas: Pakistan Test-Fires Shaheen-1 Nuclear Missile

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Five Pakistani businessmen have been indicted in the United States. They have been accused of operating an international network of front companies to export US-origin products to Pakistan for use in the country’s nuclear programme.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-charges-five-men-for-illegally-transporting-goods-to-pakistans-nuclear-program-274726">US charges five men for illegally transporting goods to Pakistan's nuclear program</a>

It has once again been caught in the act with the indictment of five Pakistanis who were associated with a Rawalpindi-based front company business world.

The US statement indicates that the busting of the Pakistani smuggling ring also has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-pm-imran-khan-once-again-issues-nuclear-threat-to-india-this-time-over-citizenship-amendment-act-268834">security bearing on India</a>.

The alleged behaviour of these five individuals is more than a violation of US export laws.

It has posed a potential threat to the national security interests of the united states and the delicate balance of power among nations within the region.

Pakistan is allegedly involved in nuclear smuggling and illicit acquisition of missile technology. Watch: Gravitas: Pakistan Test-Fires Shaheen-1 Nuclear Missile × Five Pakistani businessmen have been indicted in the United States.

Pakistan is allegedly involved in nuclear smuggling and illicit acquisition of missile technology. Watch: Gravitas: Pakistan Test-Fires Shaheen-1 Nuclear Missile × Five Pakistani businessmen have been indicted in the United States. They have been accused of operating an international network of front companies to export US-origin products to Pakistan for use in the country’s nuclear programme. Also Read: US charges five men for illegally transporting goods to Pakistan's nuclear program It has once again been caught in the act with the indictment of five Pakistanis who were associated with a Rawalpindi-based front company business world. The US statement indicates that the busting of the Pakistani smuggling ring also has security bearing on India. The alleged behaviour of these five individuals is more than a violation of US export laws. It has posed a potential threat to the national security interests of the united states and the delicate balance of power among nations within the region.

Pakistani businessmen allegedly involved in illicit acquisition of nuclear missile technology

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the Memoranda of Understandings (MoUs) inked between India and Saudi Arabia in the field of combating illicit trafficking and smuggling of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and chemical precursors.

The MoUs shall facilitate and enhance the cooperation between the two countries in combating illicit trafficking and smuggling of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and chemical precursors, as defined by the United Nations International Drug Control Conventions.

The cooperation will also provide a provision for the exchange of relevant information as well as methods, identities and suspicious activities of producers, smugglers and traffickers of narcotic drugs, details of trafficking of NDPS and Precursors Chemicals on requisitions and financial details of the traffickers arrested on drug-related charges.

Illegal Drug trafficking is a global illicit trade. Massive production and circulation of drugs through various convenient routes especially through Afghanistan is paving ways for high consumption of drugs amongst youth thus creating a negative impact on public health and adding to the criminalisation of the society.

Drug trafficking has also provided funding for insurgency and terrorism in various regions throughout the world. Narco-terrorists and international criminal organizations that thrive on the illegal drug trade now threaten the security of many nations.&nbsp;

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the Memoranda of Understandings (MoUs) inked between India and Saudi Arabia in the field of combating illicit trafficking and smuggling of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and chemical precursors.

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the Memoranda of Understandings (MoUs) inked between India and Saudi Arabia in the field of combating illicit trafficking and smuggling of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and chemical precursors. The MoUs shall facilitate and enhance the cooperation between the two countries in combating illicit trafficking and smuggling of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and chemical precursors, as defined by the United Nations International Drug Control Conventions. The cooperation will also provide a provision for the exchange of relevant information as well as methods, identities and suspicious activities of producers, smugglers and traffickers of narcotic drugs, details of trafficking of NDPS and Precursors Chemicals on requisitions and financial details of the traffickers arrested on drug-related charges. Illegal Drug trafficking is a global illicit trade. Massive production and circulation of drugs through various convenient routes especially through Afghanistan is paving ways for high consumption of drugs amongst youth thus creating a negative impact on public health and adding to the criminalisation of the society. Drug trafficking has also provided funding for insurgency and terrorism in various regions throughout the world. Narco-terrorists and international criminal organizations that thrive on the illegal drug trade now threaten the security of many nations.

Cabinet approves India-Saudi Arabia MoUs in smuggling, drug trafficking

International&nbsp;police&nbsp;have broken&nbsp;up&nbsp;a huge <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-probes-drug-packages-washing-up-on-atlantic-coast-261217">drug-smuggling&nbsp;operation</a>&nbsp;preventing millions of&nbsp;ecstasy&nbsp;pills flooding into Australia, officials said Friday, as a minister claimed the drugs were timed to target holidaying teens.

The joint&nbsp;Dutch-Australian&nbsp;operation&nbsp;seized $200 million worth of MDMA,&nbsp;the key ingredient in&nbsp;ecstasy,&nbsp;in the Netherlands and Belgium and led to charges against 11 people, including one&nbsp;Australian&nbsp;woman, officials said.

"That is one of the most&nbsp;significant operations in the&nbsp;history of the collaboration between&nbsp;all of our agencies," said Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton, who leads Australia's&nbsp;police&nbsp;and security agencies.&nbsp;

Following a months-long investigation, some 700 kilograms&nbsp;of crystalline MDMA were intercepted in August in the&nbsp;Dutch&nbsp;port of Rotterdam, the&nbsp;Australian&nbsp;Federal&nbsp;Police&nbsp;said.

Dutch&nbsp;police&nbsp;then raided 15 locations in the Netherlands and Belgium on November 5, uncovering two hidden laboratories, additional stashes of MDMA and 50 tonnes of precursor chemicals,&nbsp;police&nbsp;said.

"We believe that this&nbsp;criminal network was involved and&nbsp;able to produce many thousands&nbsp;of kilos of MDMA, equivalent to tens&nbsp;of millions of pills, a large part of which was likely destined for&nbsp;Australia," said Andy Kraag, assistant commissioner of the&nbsp;Dutch&nbsp;National Criminal Investigations Division.

Kraag told a press conference in Brisbane the seized MDMA "could be used for more than 10 million&nbsp;ecstasy&nbsp;pills."

Dutton said the timing of the drug&nbsp;operation&nbsp;indicated the smugglers were hoping to specifically target "schoolies week," when thousands of high school students party along Queensland beaches beginning this weekend.

"The&nbsp;timing would have meant that these&nbsp;pills are hitting the street and&nbsp;specifically here in Queensland at a&nbsp;time just before schoolies," he said.

He celebrated the success of the&nbsp;operation, and added,&nbsp;"people who tell you that we&nbsp;are losing the fight and the war&nbsp;against drugs don't know what they&nbsp;are talking about."

Kraag said those <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-jails-former-japanese-politician-for-smuggling-drugs-in-shoes-260812">arrested in Europe</a> included two "high-value targets" of a significant&nbsp;Dutch&nbsp;drug-running network and that further arrests were expected.

"We want to target the complete&nbsp;chain", he said.

International police have broken up a huge drug-smuggling operation preventing millions of ecstasy pills flooding into Australia, officials said Friday, as a minister claimed the drugs were timed to target holidaying teens.

International police have broken up a huge drug-smuggling operation preventing millions of ecstasy pills flooding into Australia, officials said Friday, as a minister claimed the drugs were timed to target holidaying teens. The joint Dutch-Australian operation seized $200 million worth of MDMA, the key ingredient in ecstasy, in the Netherlands and Belgium and led to charges against 11 people, including one Australian woman, officials said. "That is one of the most significant operations in the history of the collaboration between all of our agencies," said Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton, who leads Australia's police and security agencies. Following a months-long investigation, some 700 kilograms of crystalline MDMA were intercepted in August in the Dutch port of Rotterdam, the Australian Federal Police said. Dutch police then raided 15 locations in the Netherlands and Belgium on November 5, uncovering two hidden laboratories, additional stashes of MDMA and 50 tonnes of precursor chemicals, police said. "We believe that this criminal network was involved and able to produce many thousands of kilos of MDMA, equivalent to tens of millions of pills, a large part of which was likely destined for Australia," said Andy Kraag, assistant commissioner of the Dutch National Criminal Investigations Division. Kraag told a press conference in Brisbane the seized MDMA "could be used for more than 10 million ecstasy pills." Dutton said the timing of the drug operation indicated the smugglers were hoping to specifically target "schoolies week," when thousands of high school students party along Queensland beaches beginning this weekend. "The timing would have meant that these pills are hitting the street and specifically here in Queensland at a time just before schoolies," he said. He celebrated the success of the operation, and added, "people who tell you that we are losing the fight and the war against drugs don't know what they are talking about." Kraag said those arrested in Europe included two "high-value targets" of a significant Dutch drug-running network and that further arrests were expected. "We want to target the complete chain", he said.

Australian, Dutch police break-up massive ecstasy smuggling operation

Russia's big allegation against U.S servicemen.Russian Defense ministry said that U.S exported Syrian oil .

Did U.S Smuggle Syrian Oil?

Migrants often smuggled in wooden crates, trucks. Bodies discovered at an industrial park in grays, Essex.

Essex Deaths: 39 Trailer victims were Chinese: Police

Iranian naval forces have seized a "<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rouhani-says-childish-of-us-to-sanction-iran-foreign-minister-zarif-239925">foreign vessel</a>" in the Gulf, state news agency IRNA reported Sunday, in the country's third such seizure in a month.

According to Fars news agency, which is considered close to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-will-take-third-step-to-reduce-commitments-to-2015-nuclear-deal-iran-foreign-minister-240373">elite Revolutionary Guards,</a> seven foreign crew members were arrested during the operation which it said was carried out Wednesday.

The Guards' "naval forces have seized a foreign vessel carrying 700,000 litres of smuggled fuel around Farsi island", IRNA reported, quoting a statement from the Guards.

Guards boats were patrolling the Gulf to control traffic and detect illicit trade, it said, without identifying the seized vessel.

"The ship was transferred to Bushehr and its smuggled fuel was handed over" to the authorities in coordination with judicial authorities, it added.

Fars quoted Brigadier General Ramezan Zirahi, commander of the Guards who carried out the seizure, as saying the vessel had been en route to deliver fuel to Gulf Arab states.

The seizure of the latest vessel is the third by Iran in less than a month in Gulf waters, a conduit for much of the world's crude oil. 
On July 18, the Guards said they detained the Panama-flagged MT Riah for alleged fuel smuggling.

And a day later, they announced they had impounded British-flagged tanker Stena Impero in the Strait of Hormuz for breaking "international maritime rules".

The seizure of the Stena Impero came two weeks after British authorities detained an Iranian tanker off its overseas territory Gibraltar on allegations it was breaching EU sanctions on Syria.

Iran vowed to retaliate.

Iranian naval forces have seized a "foreign vessel" in the Gulf, state news agency IRNA reported Sunday, in the country's third such seizure in a month. According to Fars news agency, which is considered close to the elite Revolutionary Guards, seven foreign crew members were arrested during the operation which it said was carried out Wednesday.

Iranian naval forces have seized a "foreign vessel" in the Gulf, state news agency IRNA reported Sunday, in the country's third such seizure in a month. According to Fars news agency, which is considered close to the elite Revolutionary Guards, seven foreign crew members were arrested during the operation which it said was carried out Wednesday. The Guards' "naval forces have seized a foreign vessel carrying 700,000 litres of smuggled fuel around Farsi island", IRNA reported, quoting a statement from the Guards. Guards boats were patrolling the Gulf to control traffic and detect illicit trade, it said, without identifying the seized vessel. "The ship was transferred to Bushehr and its smuggled fuel was handed over" to the authorities in coordination with judicial authorities, it added. Fars quoted Brigadier General Ramezan Zirahi, commander of the Guards who carried out the seizure, as saying the vessel had been en route to deliver fuel to Gulf Arab states. The seizure of the latest vessel is the third by Iran in less than a month in Gulf waters, a conduit for much of the world's crude oil. On July 18, the Guards said they detained the Panama-flagged MT Riah for alleged fuel smuggling. And a day later, they announced they had impounded British-flagged tanker Stena Impero in the Strait of Hormuz for breaking "international maritime rules". The seizure of the Stena Impero came two weeks after British authorities detained an Iranian tanker off its overseas territory Gibraltar on allegations it was breaching EU sanctions on Syria. Iran vowed to retaliate.

Iran seizes third foreign tanker, says it was carrying ‘smuggled fuel’

The death of six-year-old <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/united-states-6-year-old-indian-migrant-girl-gurupreet-kaur-died-in-arizona-desert-as-mother-went-to-look-for-water-227259">Gurupreet Kaur</a>, a victim of human smuggling, near the remote and deserted US-Mexico border due to heat stroke is reflective of the "tragic culmination" of America's "broken" immigration system, according to a Sikh advocacy group.

The girl, who was a month shy of turning 7, was found by the US Border Patrol officials 27 kilometres west of Lukeville, Arizona on Wednesday, when the temperature reached a high of 42 degrees Celsius.

Kaur's mother left her with a woman and her child and went in search of water. The deceased was travelling with four other persons, including her mother, and dropped near the border by human smugglers who ordered the group to cross in the dangerous and austere location.

This story reflects the tragic culmination of a broken immigration system, immigration policies that deny basic human dignity and human rights particularly for asylum seekers and the unfortunate practice of individuals moving the most vulnerable for profit, Kiran Kaur Gill, executive director of Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), said.

The group has witnessed issues such as solitary confinement, denial of appropriate religious accommodation, language access and medical neglect faced by asylum seekers in detention facilities, she said.

We stand firmly against the practice of detaining and/or turning away asylum seekers and treating the most vulnerable as threats, she said.

SALDEF has been working to ensure Sikh asylum seekers receive fair and humane treatment in the asylum process and are provided appropriate religious accommodation under the law, Gill said.

The death of Gurupreet is the second recorded fatality of a migrant child this year in Arizona desert highlighting the central issue in immigration which is complicated, arduous, expensive and scary, forcing people to take extraordinary measures to come and make a life here in the US.

SALDEF said it will be investigating into the death of the girl and seek information about her mother and the other migrants in their group.

The humanitarian crisis at the border is increasing and the need to address the issue in a humane and timely fashion is more necessary now than ever. We will also be inquiring about this incident with Customs and Border Protection, it said.

The number of Indians crossing the US border from Mexico has steadily risen in recent years, according to immigration officials. They are among thousands of Africans and Asian migrants making the arduous journey, led by smuggling cartels.

Last year, more than 9,000 people from India have detained at US borders nationwide, a big increase from the prior year, when that number was about 3,100. A decade ago, in 2009, the number was 204.

The death of six-year-old Gurupreet Kaur, a victim of human smuggling, near the remote and deserted US-Mexico border due to heat stroke is reflective of the "tragic culmination" of America's "broken" immigration system, according to a Sikh advocacy group.

The death of six-year-old Gurupreet Kaur, a victim of human smuggling, near the remote and deserted US-Mexico border due to heat stroke is reflective of the "tragic culmination" of America's "broken" immigration system, according to a Sikh advocacy group. The girl, who was a month shy of turning 7, was found by the US Border Patrol officials 27 kilometres west of Lukeville, Arizona on Wednesday, when the temperature reached a high of 42 degrees Celsius. Kaur's mother left her with a woman and her child and went in search of water. The deceased was travelling with four other persons, including her mother, and dropped near the border by human smugglers who ordered the group to cross in the dangerous and austere location. This story reflects the tragic culmination of a broken immigration system, immigration policies that deny basic human dignity and human rights particularly for asylum seekers and the unfortunate practice of individuals moving the most vulnerable for profit, Kiran Kaur Gill, executive director of Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), said. The group has witnessed issues such as solitary confinement, denial of appropriate religious accommodation, language access and medical neglect faced by asylum seekers in detention facilities, she said. We stand firmly against the practice of detaining and/or turning away asylum seekers and treating the most vulnerable as threats, she said. SALDEF has been working to ensure Sikh asylum seekers receive fair and humane treatment in the asylum process and are provided appropriate religious accommodation under the law, Gill said. The death of Gurupreet is the second recorded fatality of a migrant child this year in Arizona desert highlighting the central issue in immigration which is complicated, arduous, expensive and scary, forcing people to take extraordinary measures to come and make a life here in the US. SALDEF said it will be investigating into the death of the girl and seek information about her mother and the other migrants in their group. The humanitarian crisis at the border is increasing and the need to address the issue in a humane and timely fashion is more necessary now than ever. We will also be inquiring about this incident with Customs and Border Protection, it said. The number of Indians crossing the US border from Mexico has steadily risen in recent years, according to immigration officials. They are among thousands of Africans and Asian migrants making the arduous journey, led by smuggling cartels. Last year, more than 9,000 people from India have detained at US borders nationwide, a big increase from the prior year, when that number was about 3,100. A decade ago, in 2009, the number was 204.

Death of Indian girl reflects 'tragic culmination' of a 'broken' immigration system: Advocacy group

Malaysian authorities have made a record seizure of about 30 tonnes of pangolins and their scales worth some $2 million in raids on major processing facilities, police and environmentalists said Tuesday.

The haul included about 1,800 boxes full of frozen pangolins stuffed inside three refrigerated containers, 572 more frozen pangolins in six freezers, 61 live pangolins in cages, and 361 kilogrammes (795 pounds) of pangolin scales, according to police.

The Southeast Asian nation is battling to clamp down on rampant poaching and smuggling of pangolins, the world's most heavily trafficked mammal.&nbsp;

The critically endangered creatures, also known as scaly anteaters, have long been targeted as their body parts are highly valued in traditional medicine in countries including China and Vietnam while their meat is considered a delicacy.

Following a tip-off, wildlife officials in Sabah state raided a factory and a warehouse on Thursday, according to a statement from local police chief Omar Mammah.

Police arrested a 35-year-old man suspected to have been in charge of the factory as part of an illegal syndicate.&nbsp;

The operation is believed to have been running for the past seven years, and police believe the pangolins were bought from poachers to be distributed locally.

Traffic, a Malaysia-based group that monitors wildlife smuggling around the region, said it was the "biggest such bust Malaysia has seen to date".

"No threatened species can withstand industrial levels of extraction such as this," Kanitha Krishnasamy, the group's Southeast Asia director, told AFP.

The seizures also shone a light on Sabah's major role in animal trafficking — the state on Borneo island has been implicated in smuggling cases involving over 40 tonnes of pangolins since August 2017, according to Traffic.&nbsp;

Malaysia regularly foils attempts to smuggle pangolins and their parts out of the country but usually on a far smaller scale.

Malaysian authorities have made a record seizure of about 30 tonnes of pangolins and their scales worth some $2 million in raids on major processing facilities, police and environmentalists said Tuesday.

Malaysian authorities have made a record seizure of about 30 tonnes of pangolins and their scales worth some $2 million in raids on major processing facilities, police and environmentalists said Tuesday. The haul included about 1,800 boxes full of frozen pangolins stuffed inside three refrigerated containers, 572 more frozen pangolins in six freezers, 61 live pangolins in cages, and 361 kilogrammes (795 pounds) of pangolin scales, according to police. The Southeast Asian nation is battling to clamp down on rampant poaching and smuggling of pangolins, the world's most heavily trafficked mammal. The critically endangered creatures, also known as scaly anteaters, have long been targeted as their body parts are highly valued in traditional medicine in countries including China and Vietnam while their meat is considered a delicacy. Following a tip-off, wildlife officials in Sabah state raided a factory and a warehouse on Thursday, according to a statement from local police chief Omar Mammah. Police arrested a 35-year-old man suspected to have been in charge of the factory as part of an illegal syndicate. The operation is believed to have been running for the past seven years, and police believe the pangolins were bought from poachers to be distributed locally. Traffic, a Malaysia-based group that monitors wildlife smuggling around the region, said it was the "biggest such bust Malaysia has seen to date". "No threatened species can withstand industrial levels of extraction such as this," Kanitha Krishnasamy, the group's Southeast Asia director, told AFP. The seizures also shone a light on Sabah's major role in animal trafficking — the state on Borneo island has been implicated in smuggling cases involving over 40 tonnes of pangolins since August 2017, according to Traffic. Malaysia regularly foils attempts to smuggle pangolins and their parts out of the country but usually on a far smaller scale.

Malaysia makes record of 30-tonne pangolin seizure

A 60-year-old Indian man has pleaded guilty for his role in a complex, transnational conspiracy to smuggle individuals from India to the US for profit, which claimed at least one life and endangered many others, the US Justice Department said. 
&nbsp; 
Yadvinder Singh Bhamba pleaded guilty last month to one count of conspiracy and 15 counts of smuggling aliens to the United States for profit before US Magistrate Judge Sivia Carreno-Coll of the District of Puerto Rico.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for April. 
&nbsp; 
According to admissions in Bhamba's plea agreement, since 2013, Bhamba had a leadership role in a human smuggling conspiracy operating out of the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Puerto Rico, India and elsewhere.&nbsp;

As part of the conspiracy, Bhamba personally assisted around 400 people to unlawfully enter the United States between 2013 and 2015.

He also oversaw and directed co-conspirators operating out of the Caribbean, Assistant Attorney General Brian Benczkowski of the Justice Department's Criminal Division said. 
&nbsp; 
Individuals paid between US$ 30,000 and US$ 85,000 to be smuggled from India to the United States and from at least 2013 to 2016, human smuggling was Bhamba's primary source of income, the Department said.&nbsp;

Bhamba was arrested in the Dominican Republic in August 2017 and later transferred to Puerto Rico.&nbsp;

Bhamba and other members of the conspiracy made flight arrangements for people to travel from India through other countries including Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, Argentina, Iran, Panama, Venezuela, Belize, and Haiti to the Dominican Republic, which was used as a staging area, where aliens were housed before being transported to the United States.&nbsp;

The organisation brought groups of aliens from the Dominican Republic to Puerto Rico or Florida by boat and from there they were picked up by co-conspirators and taken to stash houses until flights could be arranged to California, New York, or elsewhere in the United States.

&nbsp;Bhamba and others arranged for fraudulent identifications for some aliens to use in the United States.&nbsp;

The Justice Department said that the boat trips organised by Bhamba and his co-conspirators were perilous. Boat captains used old, damaged, cracked, unlicensed, overcrowded, and unsafe boats to make the journey.&nbsp;

In at least one instance, a person died in a boat on his way to the United States.&nbsp;

At times, the smugglers would take passports from the aliens during their journeys, physically assault them, and threaten their families to collect money.&nbsp;

Bhamba used fraudulent Indian, Dominican, and Jamaican identifications for travel and financial transactions related to the conspiracy.&nbsp;

In some instances, he created and provided false employment documents on behalf of the aliens to authorities to obtain foreign visas.

Bhamba also instructed aliens travelling through foreign airports how to find, and in some instances, pay cash to, corrupt immigration officials, passport control officers, or airport employees in order to bypass regular immigration and passport control procedures. 
&nbsp;

A 60-year-old Indian man has pleaded guilty for his role in a complex, transnational conspiracy to smuggle individuals from India to the US for profit, which claimed at least one life and endangered many others, the US Justice Department said.

A 60-year-old Indian man has pleaded guilty for his role in a complex, transnational conspiracy to smuggle individuals from India to the US for profit, which claimed at least one life and endangered many others, the US Justice Department said. Yadvinder Singh Bhamba pleaded guilty last month to one count of conspiracy and 15 counts of smuggling aliens to the United States for profit before US Magistrate Judge Sivia Carreno-Coll of the District of Puerto Rico. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for April. According to admissions in Bhamba's plea agreement, since 2013, Bhamba had a leadership role in a human smuggling conspiracy operating out of the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Puerto Rico, India and elsewhere. As part of the conspiracy, Bhamba personally assisted around 400 people to unlawfully enter the United States between 2013 and 2015. He also oversaw and directed co-conspirators operating out of the Caribbean, Assistant Attorney General Brian Benczkowski of the Justice Department's Criminal Division said. Individuals paid between US$ 30,000 and US$ 85,000 to be smuggled from India to the United States and from at least 2013 to 2016, human smuggling was Bhamba's primary source of income, the Department said. Bhamba was arrested in the Dominican Republic in August 2017 and later transferred to Puerto Rico. Bhamba and other members of the conspiracy made flight arrangements for people to travel from India through other countries including Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, Argentina, Iran, Panama, Venezuela, Belize, and Haiti to the Dominican Republic, which was used as a staging area, where aliens were housed before being transported to the United States. The organisation brought groups of aliens from the Dominican Republic to Puerto Rico or Florida by boat and from there they were picked up by co-conspirators and taken to stash houses until flights could be arranged to California, New York, or elsewhere in the United States. Bhamba and others arranged for fraudulent identifications for some aliens to use in the United States. The Justice Department said that the boat trips organised by Bhamba and his co-conspirators were perilous. Boat captains used old, damaged, cracked, unlicensed, overcrowded, and unsafe boats to make the journey. In at least one instance, a person died in a boat on his way to the United States. At times, the smugglers would take passports from the aliens during their journeys, physically assault them, and threaten their families to collect money. Bhamba used fraudulent Indian, Dominican, and Jamaican identifications for travel and financial transactions related to the conspiracy. In some instances, he created and provided false employment documents on behalf of the aliens to authorities to obtain foreign visas. Bhamba also instructed aliens travelling through foreign airports how to find, and in some instances, pay cash to, corrupt immigration officials, passport control officers, or airport employees in order to bypass regular immigration and passport control procedures.

Indian national pleads guilty to transnational human smuggling conspiracy in US

Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has been issued a notice by India’s Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an alleged foreign exchange violation case against him, officials said on Wednesday.

He has been issued a show-cause notice under the FEMA Act after violating the body’s rules.&nbsp;

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Reportedly, the violation is on forex funds to the tune of Rs 2 crore. It pertains to the probe agency initiating a FEMA investigation against him and his associates in 2014 after the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), in 2011, intercepted Khan and his manager, Marrouf Ali Khan, at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi for allegedly carrying an undeclared amount of USD 1.24 lakh and some other instruments in foreign currency.

Khan has been asked to reply to the notice within 45 days.

When investigated in the past, the singer had defended carrying large sums of money as they were travelling in a group. &nbsp;

Meanwhile, if he&nbsp;does not respond to the notice, the ED can impose a fine on the singer with 300% penalty. In case of its non-payment, a lookout notice is likely to be issued against him which would forbid any performance for him in India.&nbsp;

Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has been issued a notice by India’s Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an alleged foreign exchange violation case against him, officials said on Wednesday.

Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has been issued a notice by India’s Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an alleged foreign exchange violation case against him, officials said on Wednesday. He has been issued a show-cause notice under the FEMA Act after violating the body’s rules. ED issues ShowCause notice to Pak Singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan under FEMA. — Jitender Sharma (@capt_ivane) January 30, 2019 × Reportedly, the violation is on forex funds to the tune of Rs 2 crore. It pertains to the probe agency initiating a FEMA investigation against him and his associates in 2014 after the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), in 2011, intercepted Khan and his manager, Marrouf Ali Khan, at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi for allegedly carrying an undeclared amount of USD 1.24 lakh and some other instruments in foreign currency. Khan has been asked to reply to the notice within 45 days. When investigated in the past, the singer had defended carrying large sums of money as they were travelling in a group. Meanwhile, if he does not respond to the notice, the ED can impose a fine on the singer with 300% penalty. In case of its non-payment, a lookout notice is likely to be issued against him which would forbid any performance for him in India.

Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan issued notice by ED for alleged foreign exchange violation

People in the bordering areas are getting their vehicle tanks filled with petrol and diesel in Nepal because of lower prices compared to India.&nbsp

Petrol and Diesel have been allegedly smuggled from Nepal in Uttar Pradesh's Bahraich district.

People are either driving their vehicle to the neighbouring county or bringing fuel in cans from there.

Even after the presence of the Border Security Force (BSF), the people could be seen easily moving across the border.

The locals said they are very disappointed with the soaring price of the fuel in the country and to save some money they bring the same from Nepal.

"Petrol price in India is high and it is cheap in Nepal. We are forced to bring it from there as we are able to save some Rs 12- 13 on one litre," said a local.

Taking cognisance of the same Superintendent of Police, Sabha Raj said they will take strict action against those involved in the incident.

"I have been informed about the matter. We will take strict action against those involved and will also take precautionary measures in the future," he said.

The fuel price hike for the 16th consecutive day has caused inconvenience among the general public.

Petrol is being sold at Rs 78.43 per litre in Delhi and Rs 86.24 per litre in Mumbai.

The cost of diesel per litre has also been increased to Rs 69.31 per litre in Delhi and Rs 73.79 a litre in Mumbai.

Meanwhile, the Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) yesterday announced an increase in the prices of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in Delhi and nearby areas, comprising Noida, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad as a result of the recent appreciation of dollar and revision in proportions of domestic gas allocation.

CNG has increased by Rs 1.36 per kg in Delhi and Rs 1.55 per kg in Noida, Greater Noida, and Ghaziabad.

(With inputs from ANI)

The locals said they are very disappointed with the soaring price of the fuel in the country and to save some money they bring the same from Nepal.

People in the bordering areas are getting their vehicle tanks filled with petrol and diesel in Nepal because of lower prices compared to India. Petrol and Diesel have been allegedly smuggled from Nepal in Uttar Pradesh's Bahraich district. People are either driving their vehicle to the neighbouring county or bringing fuel in cans from there. Even after the presence of the Border Security Force (BSF), the people could be seen easily moving across the border. The locals said they are very disappointed with the soaring price of the fuel in the country and to save some money they bring the same from Nepal. "Petrol price in India is high and it is cheap in Nepal. We are forced to bring it from there as we are able to save some Rs 12- 13 on one litre," said a local. Taking cognisance of the same Superintendent of Police, Sabha Raj said they will take strict action against those involved in the incident. "I have been informed about the matter. We will take strict action against those involved and will also take precautionary measures in the future," he said. The fuel price hike for the 16th consecutive day has caused inconvenience among the general public. Petrol is being sold at Rs 78.43 per litre in Delhi and Rs 86.24 per litre in Mumbai. The cost of diesel per litre has also been increased to Rs 69.31 per litre in Delhi and Rs 73.79 a litre in Mumbai. Meanwhile, the Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) yesterday announced an increase in the prices of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in Delhi and nearby areas, comprising Noida, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad as a result of the recent appreciation of dollar and revision in proportions of domestic gas allocation. CNG has increased by Rs 1.36 per kg in Delhi and Rs 1.55 per kg in Noida, Greater Noida, and Ghaziabad. (With inputs from ANI)

Cheaper fuel prices in Nepal spur smuggling

Malaysian police intercepted a tanker carrying 131 Sri Lankans. The tanker was bound for Australia and New Zealand.&nbsp

The authorities halted the tanker on Tuesday and rescued 98 Sri Lankan immigrant men, 24 women, four boys and five girls.

A fishing boat was also raided which is believed to be used to transport the migrants to the vessel. Three Indonesians and four Malaysians were rescued from the boat.&nbsp

The authorities have detained five Malaysians for suspected involvement in the smuggling.&nbsp

According to Malaysian officials, the human smuggling racket was in existence for more than a year.

The human smuggling racket was in existence for more than a year

Malaysian police intercepted a tanker carrying 131 Sri Lankans. The tanker was bound for Australia and New Zealand. The authorities halted the tanker on Tuesday and rescued 98 Sri Lankan immigrant men, 24 women, four boys and five girls. A fishing boat was also raided which is believed to be used to transport the migrants to the vessel. Three Indonesians and four Malaysians were rescued from the boat. The authorities have detained five Malaysians for suspected involvement in the smuggling. According to Malaysian officials, the human smuggling racket was in existence for more than a year.

Malaysia foils smuggling racket, rescues 131 Sri Lankan immigrants

Pakistan&#39;s Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) today arrested 12 employees of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) for allegedly trying to smuggle six kilograms of heroin worth over 60 million rupees. 
 
A PIA flight PK-203 was ready to leave for Dubai yesterday from the airport here when the ANF staff got it vacated on information that a huge quantity of heroin had been concealed in the aircraft, officials said. 
 
After a thorough search of a couple of hours, the ANF team seized six kilograms of heroin, which is worth over Rs 60 million, from the toilet of the aircraft, they said. 
 
According to officials, ANF arrested at least 12 PIA employees today and launched a thorough probe into the matter.&nbsp;PIA spokesman Daniyal Gilani confirmed the arrests saying some PIA employees have been taken into custody in connection with a failed bid to smuggle heroin to Dubai from Lahore. 
 
After investigation, if these employees are found guilty, strict action will be taken against them, he said. 
 
During the last few years, there has been a rapid rise in the number of cases in which the PIA employees were caught red-handed while smuggling different items like drugs, cigarettes, mobile phones, illegal passports and laundered money abroad. 
 
In some cases, the PIA employees were caught at Pakistani airports and in others they were intercepted and arrested in other countries, mostly in the European destinations. 
 
(PTI)

After searching the plane for two hours, police seized six kilograms of heroin, worth over Rs 60 million, from the aircraft's toilet

Pakistan's Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) today arrested 12 employees of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) for allegedly trying to smuggle six kilograms of heroin worth over 60 million rupees. A PIA flight PK-203 was ready to leave for Dubai yesterday from the airport here when the ANF staff got it vacated on information that a huge quantity of heroin had been concealed in the aircraft, officials said. After a thorough search of a couple of hours, the ANF team seized six kilograms of heroin, which is worth over Rs 60 million, from the toilet of the aircraft, they said. According to officials, ANF arrested at least 12 PIA employees today and launched a thorough probe into the matter. PIA spokesman Daniyal Gilani confirmed the arrests saying some PIA employees have been taken into custody in connection with a failed bid to smuggle heroin to Dubai from Lahore. After investigation, if these employees are found guilty, strict action will be taken against them, he said. During the last few years, there has been a rapid rise in the number of cases in which the PIA employees were caught red-handed while smuggling different items like drugs, cigarettes, mobile phones, illegal passports and laundered money abroad. In some cases, the PIA employees were caught at Pakistani airports and in others they were intercepted and arrested in other countries, mostly in the European destinations. (PTI)

12 Pakistan International Airlines employees arrested for smuggling heroin

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