Tag: smuggling

  • Not Guns Or Drugs, A California Man Got Arrested For Smuggling Greenhouse Gases | world news

    In an interesting turn of events, a Californian man came under the legal scrutiny for smuggling Greenhouse Gases (GHGs), marking a unique legal hunt in the US. Michael Hart stands accused of purchasing canisters containing banned refrigerants or coolants from Mexico, typically used in outdated air conditioning units and refrigerators, and importing them into the US concealed in his car.

    The US Attorney for the Southern District of California, Tara McGrath, was reported emphasizing the significance of this case, stating, “This is the first time the Department of Justice is prosecuting someone for illegally importing greenhouse gases, and it will not be the last. .” McGrath highlighted the importance of using all available means to safeguard the planet from the adverse effects of toxic pollutants, including pursuing criminal charges.

    What is Michael Hart accused of?

    Hart, aged 58, appeared in a San Diego court on March 4, facing allegations of smuggling and illegally selling numerous canisters of the banned refrigerants in the latter half of 2022. He reportedly smuggled these substances under tarpaulin sheets and tools, selling them online through platforms like OfferUp and Facebook Marketplace.

    What are Banned Refrigerants?

    The refrigerants involved in this case are hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and a variant of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) known as HCFC 22. These chemicals gained prominence in the 1990s as alternatives to chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), following research that linked CFCs to the depletion of the ozone. layer, particularly over Antarctica.

    Hart's indictment includes charges such as conspiracy, illegally importing regulated goods, and selling illegally imported goods. If convicted, he could face penalties as severe as 20 years in prison and $250,000 in fines, along with criminal forfeiture. His next court hearing is scheduled for March 25, underscoring the serious nature of the allegations against him.

  • MHA directs maritime states to implement stricter norms to curb smuggling of gear, unlawful pieces  

    Specific Information Carrier

    NEW DELHI: The federal government has issued directives to 9 states and a pair of union territories with maritime borders to safe their coastal frontiers with a brand new set of tips to curb smuggling and anti-national actions.

    In keeping with assets, the Ministry of House Affairs is looking forward to responses and standing updates, at the directive issued in March this 12 months, from lots of the states that have now not best been requested to implement stringent compliance on the ports below their keep watch over however have additionally been requested to extend surveillance and tighten safety alongside their respective coastlines to curb circumstances on drug and fingers smuggling and different unlawful actions. A an identical notification was once remaining issued in 2016.

    The transfer additionally assumes importance amidst the Indian Ports Invoice 2022, a draft of which was once launched by means of the federal government in mid-2022 for ideas, pending within the pipeline.

    The Invoice strikes to repeal the archaic 110-year-old Act, that dates again to 1908 when it comes to ports, to forestall and comprise air pollution at ports, be certain that compliance with the rustic’s legal responsibility below the maritime treaties and give a boost to surveillance and safety.

    However the draft invoice which additionally seeks to empower and identify State Maritime Forums for efficient management, keep watch over and control of non-major ports in India has already gained opposition on grounds that it could dilute states’ keep watch over over the non-major posts, recently below them. Quickly after it was once made public it gained substantial opposition from some states together with Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

    The newest motion comes within the wake of prime circumstances of seizures of narcotics and medication being reported by means of enforcement companies from throughout the nation. Whilst the medication are used to fund the narco-terror networks unlawful fingers may be able to be attaining via this path to outfits engaged in anti-national and disruptive actions.

    With a sea coast of round 7,517 km, India has 13 foremost and 205 notified minor and intermediate ports during which 70 % of its industry trade occurs. Regardless that we’ve about 205 notified ports, there are greater than 300 places alongside the sea coast from the place fishing actions occur, an legitimate within the MHA mentioned.

    “With 2.5 lakh boats venturing out into the seas on a daily basis with a mean of 10 folks consistent with boat, it has turn out to be essential to stay a strict vigil, particularly within the wake of intel inputs on conceivable smuggling and big quantum of seizure of gear and fingers, which level to the truth that there are gaps alongside the sea coast during which narcotics and unlawful stuff is getting driven into Indian soil.

    The suspicion of MHA is sponsored by means of proof of deserted packets of narcotics alongside coastlines and seizures of large quantities of gear from maritime vessels within the fresh previous.

    “There are circumstances of mom vessels wearing narcotics consignment continuously anchored at prime seas within the global waters and there are prime risk of exchanges taking place between group of boats venturing out within the identify of fishing and returning with the ones unlawful stuff,” says an legitimate of the MHA.

    In Might this 12 months in a unique operation with the Indian Army, the Narcotics Regulate Bureau recovered 2,525 kg of methamphetamine value ₹ 25,000 crores in a ship alongside the coast of Kerala. The consignment originated from the Chabahar port in Iran however the supply of the medication was once Pakistan.

    Despite the fact that via Operation Samudragupta, introduced in February 2022, greater than 4,000 kg of gear were seized to this point, an MHA legitimate mentioned, “It’s rather conceivable some consignment will have to were driven into the rustic via maritime borders.
     

    NEW DELHI: The federal government has issued directives to 9 states and a pair of union territories with maritime borders to safe their coastal frontiers with a brand new set of tips to curb smuggling and anti-national actions.

    In keeping with assets, the Ministry of House Affairs is looking forward to responses and standing updates, at the directive issued in March this 12 months, from lots of the states that have now not best been requested to implement stringent compliance on the ports below their keep watch over however have additionally been requested to extend surveillance and tighten safety alongside their respective coastlines to curb circumstances on drug and fingers smuggling and different unlawful actions. A an identical notification was once remaining issued in 2016.

    The transfer additionally assumes importance amidst the Indian Ports Invoice 2022, a draft of which was once launched by means of the federal government in mid-2022 for ideas, pending within the pipeline.googletag.cmd.push(serve as() googletag.show(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); );

    The Invoice strikes to repeal the archaic 110-year-old Act, that dates again to 1908 when it comes to ports, to forestall and comprise air pollution at ports, be certain that compliance with the rustic’s legal responsibility below the maritime treaties and give a boost to surveillance and safety.

    However the draft invoice which additionally seeks to empower and identify State Maritime Forums for efficient management, keep watch over and control of non-major ports in India has already gained opposition on grounds that it could dilute states’ keep watch over over the non-major posts, recently below them. Quickly after it was once made public it gained substantial opposition from some states together with Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

    The newest motion comes within the wake of prime circumstances of seizures of narcotics and medication being reported by means of enforcement companies from throughout the nation. Whilst the medication are used to fund the narco-terror networks unlawful fingers may be able to be attaining via this path to outfits engaged in anti-national and disruptive actions.

    With a sea coast of round 7,517 km, India has 13 foremost and 205 notified minor and intermediate ports during which 70 % of its industry trade occurs. Regardless that we’ve about 205 notified ports, there are greater than 300 places alongside the sea coast from the place fishing actions occur, an legitimate within the MHA mentioned.

    “With 2.5 lakh boats venturing out into the seas on a daily basis with a mean of 10 folks consistent with boat, it has turn out to be essential to stay a strict vigil, particularly within the wake of intel inputs on conceivable smuggling and big quantum of seizure of gear and fingers, which level to the truth that there are gaps alongside the sea coast during which narcotics and unlawful stuff is getting driven into Indian soil.

    The suspicion of MHA is sponsored by means of proof of deserted packets of narcotics alongside coastlines and seizures of large quantities of gear from maritime vessels within the fresh previous.

    “There are circumstances of mom vessels wearing narcotics consignment continuously anchored at prime seas within the global waters and there are prime risk of exchanges taking place between group of boats venturing out within the identify of fishing and returning with the ones unlawful stuff,” says an legitimate of the MHA.

    In Might this 12 months in a unique operation with the Indian Army, the Narcotics Regulate Bureau recovered 2,525 kg of methamphetamine value ₹ 25,000 crores in a ship alongside the coast of Kerala. The consignment originated from the Chabahar port in Iran however the supply of the medication was once Pakistan.

    Despite the fact that via Operation Samudragupta, introduced in February 2022, greater than 4,000 kg of gear were seized to this point, an MHA legitimate mentioned, “It’s rather conceivable some consignment will have to were driven into the rustic via maritime borders.
     

  • Punjab: BSF recovers medicine, hands after gunfight with smugglers alongside Pak border

    By means of PTI

    CHANDIGARH: The BSF on Saturday recovered 20 packets of heroin and a cache of hands and ammunition after a gunfight with Pakistani smugglers alongside the global border of India and Pakistan in Punjab’s Gurdaspur, an authentic stated.

    The gunfight started when the 113 Battalion of the Border Safety Power spotted suspicious motion of smugglers forward of fencing within the space close to Khasawali village within the Gurdaspur district early morning, stated the authentic.

    “Throughout patrolling within the dense fog at 5.30 am, BSF constable Hem Ram spotted some suspicious motion. As he challenged them, the smugglers from the Pakistani aspect opened fireplace. Our jawan retaliated with 25 rounds,” BSF Deputy Inspector Normal Prabhakar Joshi instructed journalists in Gurdaspur.

    Joshi stated a workforce led through a patrol commander quickly joined them and helped within the gunfight, which went on for a “very long time.”

    Later, in a seek operation, the drive discovered a 15-foot-long pipe about 30 metres clear of the fencing, with 20 packets of heroin in it, stated Joshi.

    An additional seek of the world ended in the restoration of 2 pistols (one made in Turkey and the opposite Made in China), six magazines, and 242 are living rounds, stated the BSF DIG.

    Joshi additionally stated that they’re learning about Indians who crossed the border and are engaged in smuggling narcotics to this aspect.

    The BSF has additionally shared details about the Saturday incident with the Punjab Police, he stated, including they’re making efforts to nab the Indian receivers of the consignment.

    In every other incident, the BSF stated its troops opened fireplace at a Pakistani drone within the space falling below Ramdas Police Station, including {that a} seek operation used to be underway.

    CHANDIGARH: The BSF on Saturday recovered 20 packets of heroin and a cache of hands and ammunition after a gunfight with Pakistani smugglers alongside the global border of India and Pakistan in Punjab’s Gurdaspur, an authentic stated.

    The gunfight started when the 113 Battalion of the Border Safety Power spotted suspicious motion of smugglers forward of fencing within the space close to Khasawali village within the Gurdaspur district early morning, stated the authentic.

    “Throughout patrolling within the dense fog at 5.30 am, BSF constable Hem Ram spotted some suspicious motion. As he challenged them, the smugglers from the Pakistani aspect opened fireplace. Our jawan retaliated with 25 rounds,” BSF Deputy Inspector Normal Prabhakar Joshi instructed journalists in Gurdaspur.

    Joshi stated a workforce led through a patrol commander quickly joined them and helped within the gunfight, which went on for a “very long time.”

    Later, in a seek operation, the drive discovered a 15-foot-long pipe about 30 metres clear of the fencing, with 20 packets of heroin in it, stated Joshi.

    An additional seek of the world ended in the restoration of 2 pistols (one made in Turkey and the opposite Made in China), six magazines, and 242 are living rounds, stated the BSF DIG.

    Joshi additionally stated that they’re learning about Indians who crossed the border and are engaged in smuggling narcotics to this aspect.

    The BSF has additionally shared details about the Saturday incident with the Punjab Police, he stated, including they’re making efforts to nab the Indian receivers of the consignment.

    In every other incident, the BSF stated its troops opened fireplace at a Pakistani drone within the space falling below Ramdas Police Station, including {that a} seek operation used to be underway.

  • Six vans smuggling areca nuts from Myanmar torched in Mizoram

    By way of Specific Information Carrier

    GUWAHATI: Six vans, smuggling dry areca nuts from Myanmar, have been burnt down in Mizoram’s Mamit district by way of miscreants on Saturday. The incident came about between Zawlnuam and Zamuang villages. 

    Superintendent of Police Lalthangpuii Pulamte mentioned no person was once injured. 

    “We haven’t been ready to spot those transporting the goods. We additionally haven’t been ready to determine the place the automobiles have been destined to,” the SP mentioned.

    The smuggled areca nut industry prospers in India at the price of native growers. Two days in the past, Mizoram MP Okay Vanlalvena raised the problem in Parliament. He had insisted the smuggling of areca nuts from Myanmar had to be stopped.

    “I kindly request the Indian govt not to be perplexed. Our personal areca product and overseas areca product are two various things. Overseas areca product is dry. Our local product is contemporary,” the MP had mentioned.

    Vanlalvena mentioned the areca nut growers in Mizoram have been dealing with a large number of hardships after failing to move their merchandise out of doors the state. He lauded the central govt for its more than a few measures towards smuggling.

    The areca nut growers in Mizoram in addition to Tripura expressed anguish that their merchandise, transported in vans, are incessantly seized by way of the police and different companies in Assam, because of their lack of ability to tell apart between homegrown areca nuts and the smuggled merchandise.

    Previous, the House Ministry had reportedly issued directions to crack down on vans smuggling areca nuts.

    Ultimate month, areca nut growers in Mizoram staged a protest for a number of days towards the federal government’s failure to handle their plight.

    GUWAHATI: Six vans, smuggling dry areca nuts from Myanmar, have been burnt down in Mizoram’s Mamit district by way of miscreants on Saturday. The incident came about between Zawlnuam and Zamuang villages. 

    Superintendent of Police Lalthangpuii Pulamte mentioned no person was once injured. 

    “We haven’t been ready to spot those transporting the goods. We additionally haven’t been ready to determine the place the automobiles have been destined to,” the SP mentioned.

    The smuggled areca nut industry prospers in India at the price of native growers. Two days in the past, Mizoram MP Okay Vanlalvena raised the problem in Parliament. He had insisted the smuggling of areca nuts from Myanmar had to be stopped.

    “I kindly request the Indian govt not to be perplexed. Our personal areca product and overseas areca product are two various things. Overseas areca product is dry. Our local product is contemporary,” the MP had mentioned.

    Vanlalvena mentioned the areca nut growers in Mizoram have been dealing with a large number of hardships after failing to move their merchandise out of doors the state. He lauded the central govt for its more than a few measures towards smuggling.

    The areca nut growers in Mizoram in addition to Tripura expressed anguish that their merchandise, transported in vans, are incessantly seized by way of the police and different companies in Assam, because of their lack of ability to tell apart between homegrown areca nuts and the smuggled merchandise.

    Previous, the House Ministry had reportedly issued directions to crack down on vans smuggling areca nuts.

    Ultimate month, areca nut growers in Mizoram staged a protest for a number of days towards the federal government’s failure to handle their plight.

  • Vultures smuggling racket probe: Egyptian vultures sourced in all probability for being offered to unique species fans

    Through Categorical Information Provider

    BHOPAL: The continued probe into the rustic’s first vultures smuggling racket busted on board a Mumbai sure educate in Madhya Pradesh on January 19, has printed that the extremely endangered Egyptian vultures have been sourced from the Anwarganj space of Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur town.

    A father-son duo hailing from the Unnao district of Uttar Pradesh has been arrested in reference to the alleged inter-state racket.

    Whilst 60-year-old Fareed Sheikh was once arrested from the Mumbai sure educate at the side of seven Egyptian vultures on January 19 at Khandwa railway station of MP, his son Shamim was once arrested 5 days again. Shamim informed the investigators that the vultures have been stuck from the Anwarganj space of Kanpur, which in all probability properties buffalo slaughterhouses and centres the place the animal cover is peeled for the leather-based business.

    The inflow of the Egyptian vultures is prevalent within the Anwarganj space, from the place males engaged for lengthy in catching birds, stuck those vultures and equipped them via intermediaries to the courier, Fareed and his son Shamim.

    No longer best have been vultures given to them for being dropped at Malegaon resident Hashim at Manmad railway station of Maharashtra, however turtles sourced from UP have been additionally smuggled to Maharastra at the identical educate. Whilst the Egyptian vultures have been seized from Fareed Sheikh on January 19, the turtles that have been hid in some other trainer of the similar educate the similar day remained untraced, resources aware about investigations in Khandwa district confided to The New Indian Categorical.

    Regardless of efforts to track the turtles, investigators couldn’t monitor them any place in Maharashtra until Lokmanya Tilak Terminal station, which was once the terminating level of the involved educate.

    The investigators, performing on inputs generated right through quizzing of the arrested father-son duo have carried out raids at a couple of puts in Maharashtra and UP, however the remainder individuals of the racket, stay untraceable up to now.

    Number one knowledge generated from the arrested duo means that the Egyptian vultures seized from the educate on January 19 weren’t being taken for being slaughtered or for feeding on useless poultry as claimed by means of the arrested.

    As a substitute, the uncommon vultures may have been destined for investors dealing in unique species. Such investors promote those uncommon species to unique species fans (who stay those as pets) at top costs. The potential for those being offered in another country (together with the Center East) can’t be dominated out, however the rest concrete may just come to the fore, best when the remainder gamers of the racket are nabbed from Maharashtra and UP, claimed investigators.