Const. Gibson and K9 Teak Awarded Meritorious Service

The Importance Of It All...

22 November 2012 - Media release Nearly 400 victims of child trafficking rescued across Burkina Faso in INTERPOL-led operation OUGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso – Nearly 400 child trafficking victims, some as young as six years old, forced to work in illegally-operated gold mines and cotton fields have been rescued following an operation by police in Burkina Faso coordinated by INTERPOL. Some 165 police officers, together with officials from customs, social and health services took part in Operation Tuy which targeted sites in Ougadougou, Houndé and Bobo Dioulasso, resulting in 73 individuals being arrested in connection with child trafficking and labour offences. During the two-day (29 and 30 October) operation, 387 children were discovered working under extreme conditions, lowered into narrow, airless mining holes up to 70 metres in depth, receiving no salary or education, with young girls often also subjected to sexual abuse. The victims have now been returned to their families or taken into care by social services. “This was the largest operation of its kind run in Burkina Faso supported by INTERPOL and its success is a direct result of the commitment and support of the government, police and other agencies,” said Henri Guida Blemin, specialist officer with INTERPOL’s Trafficking in Human Beings unit which helped coordinate the operation. “The conditions under which these children are forced to live and work are horrific, and INTERPOL will continue to work closely with all its member countries to identify and stop the exploitation of these innocent victims and help them regain the childhood they deserve,” added Mr Blemin. Prior to Operation Tuy, more than 100 officials from the national police, gendarmerie, customs, welfare, water and forestry services took part in a three-day specialist course. Training was provided by specialist officers from the INTERPOL International Trafficking in Human Beings Task Force, including from Canada, the Regional Bureau in Abidjan as well as its National Central Bureau in Ougadougou, in addition to police, health and education specialists from Burkina Faso. “The success of the operation is not just about the number of victims rescued, but it is also about making sure the infrastructure and knowledge is in place for this important work to continue, which is why the training is just as important as the fieldwork. If the officers don’t have the skills they cannot do their work and efforts achieved cannot be sustained,” said Mr Blemin. “Information gathered during the operation will also help in identifying and dismantling the criminal networks behind this crime at the national, regional and international levels,” he added. Tuy is INTERPOL’s fifth operation targeting forced child labour in Africa. Operations Bia (2009), Cascades and Bana (2010) and Bia II (2011) have already led to the rescue of more than 400 children across Central and Western Africa and the arrest of 93 individuals.

11/27/1974..The Importance Of It All,Happy B-Day Carl..Love Mom!

11/27/1974..The Importance Of It All,Happy B-Day Carl..Love Mom! 28 November 2012 Last updated at 07:48 ET Share this pageEmailPrint 427 Largest trial of 'Dirty War' crimes starts in Argentina Many victims were killed during "death flights", their bodies dropped into the Atlantic Ocean Continue reading the main story Related Stories Argentina ex-junta leaders jailed Argentine 'Dirty War' body named Argentina's Dirty War lessons for the world A court in Argentina is beginning hearings in the largest trial of crimes committed during the so-called "Dirty War" between 1976 and 1983. Sixty-eight former officials face 800 charges of kidnap, torture and murder associated with an elite naval college. Among the defendants are Alfredo Astiz, known as the Blonde Angel of Death, and eight former "death flight" pilots. Tens of thousands of Argentines were kidnapped and killed by the military junta during their years in power. The deadliest of the regime's secret detention camps was the Naval School of Mechanics (Esma) in the capital, Buenos Aires. Five thousand people were sent to the grandiose three-storey stone building in an upmarket northern suburb. Very few survived their time in cells in the basement and attic and the bodies of many have never been recovered. A heart carved into the wall in a detention cell at the Naval School of Mechanics (Esma) where the crimes in this trial were committed Some were allegedly burnt and their remains disposed of. Others were drugged and dropped from planes flying over the Atlantic Ocean. For the first time in Argentina, the pilots of those "death flights" are on trial, among them former naval lieutenant Julio Poch, who was extradited to Argentina from Spain in 2010 after allegedly confessing to the part he played to colleagues at the Dutch airline Transavia. Another defendant, former naval captain Emir Sisul Hess, allegedly told relatives of the dead how sleeping victims "fell like little ants" from his plane. The trial is part of a continuing series of actions against Argentine officers and other officials associated with the military dictatorship. Amnesty Legal action began once democracy returned to Argentina in 1983, but President Raul Alfonsin brought an end to the trials in 1986, arguing the country needed to look to the future and not the past. Three laws granting amnesty for crimes committed during the Dirty War were passed in 1986 and 1987. These were overturned in 2003. Since then some of the most high-profile figures from the regime have been convicted, including the de facto presidents Jorge Videla and Reynaldo Bignone. Continue reading the main story Justice in Argentina 1976: Military overthrow President Isabel Martinez de Peron 1983: Raul Alfonsin elected president after collapse of dictatorship 1985: Gen Jorge Videla convicted 1986: Full Stop Law passed granting immunity to military 1990: President Carlos Menem issues pardons to Gen Videla and other officers 2003: Repeal of blanket amnesty 2010: Gen Videla reconvicted Gen Videla had already been convicted of homicide, torture and kidnap amongst other crimes in 1985, but he was given an amnesty by President Carlos Menem in 1990. About 250 convictions have been secured, including Alfredo Astiz, who last year was given a life sentence for the part he played in infiltrating left-wing groups and betraying their members to the regime. A number of Esma officials have already been tried but human rights lawyer Rodolfo Yanzon told the Associated Press: "This was, is and will be the largest trial of crimes against humanity. "There are 68 defendants charged in 800 cases, and we estimate there will be some 900 witnesses," Among the witnesses will be Graciela Palacio Lois, whose husband Ricardo never returned from a meeting of the Peronist University Youth movement in 1976. She says she is nervous about giving evidence. "It's one thing looking at them from the other side of the glass in the viewing gallery. But it's another thing sitting in the witness area with them in front of you." The trial is expected to last two years.

09/08/1991..Happy B-Day Christopher Joseph..Love Mom

The Importance Of It All,Happy B-Day Carl..Love Mom! 427 Largest trial of 'Dirty War' crimes starts in Argentina Many victims were killed during "death flights", their bodies dropped into the Atlantic Ocean Continue reading the main story Related Stories Argentina ex-junta leaders jailed Argentine 'Dirty War' body named Argentina's Dirty War lessons for the world A court in Argentina is beginning hearings in the largest trial of crimes committed during the so-called "Dirty War" between 1976 and 1983. Sixty-eight former officials face 800 charges of kidnap, torture and murder associated with an elite naval college. Among the defendants are Alfredo Astiz, known as the Blonde Angel of Death, and eight former "death flight" pilots. Tens of thousands of Argentines were kidnapped and killed by the military junta during their years in power. The deadliest of the regime's secret detention camps was the Naval School of Mechanics (Esma) in the capital, Buenos Aires. Five thousand people were sent to the grandiose three-storey stone building in an upmarket northern suburb. Very few survived their time in cells in the basement and attic and the bodies of many have never been recovered. A heart carved into the wall in a detention cell at the Naval School of Mechanics (Esma) where the crimes in this trial were committed Some were allegedly burnt and their remains disposed of. Others were drugged and dropped from planes flying over the Atlantic Ocean. For the first time in Argentina, the pilots of those "death flights" are on trial, among them former naval lieutenant Julio Poch, who was extradited to Argentina from Spain in 2010 after allegedly confessing to the part he played to colleagues at the Dutch airline Transavia. Another defendant, former naval captain Emir Sisul Hess, allegedly told relatives of the dead how sleeping victims "fell like little ants" from his plane. The trial is part of a continuing series of actions against Argentine officers and other officials associated with the military dictatorship. Amnesty Legal action began once democracy returned to Argentina in 1983, but President Raul Alfonsin brought an end to the trials in 1986, arguing the country needed to look to the future and not the past. Three laws granting amnesty for crimes committed during the Dirty War were passed in 1986 and 1987. These were overturned in 2003. Since then some of the most high-profile figures from the regime have been convicted, including the de facto presidents Jorge Videla and Reynaldo Bignone. Continue reading the main story Justice in Argentina 1976: Military overthrow President Isabel Martinez de Peron 1983: Raul Alfonsin elected president after collapse of dictatorship 1985: Gen Jorge Videla convicted 1986: Full Stop Law passed granting immunity to military 1990: President Carlos Menem issues pardons to Gen Videla and other officers 2003: Repeal of blanket amnesty 2010: Gen Videla reconvicted Gen Videla had already been convicted of homicide, torture and kidnap amongst other crimes in 1985, but he was given an amnesty by President Carlos Menem in 1990. About 250 convictions have been secured, including Alfredo Astiz, who last year was given a life sentence for the part he played in infiltrating left-wing groups and betraying their members to the regime. A number of Esma officials have already been tried but human rights lawyer Rodolfo Yanzon told the Associated Press: "This was, is and will be the largest trial of crimes against humanity. "There are 68 defendants charged in 800 cases, and we estimate there will be some 900 witnesses," Among the witnesses will be Graciela Palacio Lois, whose husband Ricardo never returned from a meeting of the Peronist University Youth movement in 1976. She says she is nervous about giving evidence. "It's one thing looking at them from the other side of the glass in the viewing gallery. But it's another thing sitting in the witness area with them in front of you." The trial is expected to last two years.

11/27/1974..The Importance Of It All,Happy B-Day Carl..Love Mom!

28 November 2012 Last updated at 07:48 ET Share this pageEmailPrint 427 Largest trial of 'Dirty War' crimes starts in Argentina Many victims were killed during "death flights", their bodies dropped into the Atlantic Ocean Continue reading the main story Related Stories Argentina ex-junta leaders jailed Argentine 'Dirty War' body named Argentina's Dirty War lessons for the world A court in Argentina is beginning hearings in the largest trial of crimes committed during the so-called "Dirty War" between 1976 and 1983. Sixty-eight former officials face 800 charges of kidnap, torture and murder associated with an elite naval college. Among the defendants are Alfredo Astiz, known as the Blonde Angel of Death, and eight former "death flight" pilots. Tens of thousands of Argentines were kidnapped and killed by the military junta during their years in power. The deadliest of the regime's secret detention camps was the Naval School of Mechanics (Esma) in the capital, Buenos Aires. Five thousand people were sent to the grandiose three-storey stone building in an upmarket northern suburb. Very few survived their time in cells in the basement and attic and the bodies of many have never been recovered. A heart carved into the wall in a detention cell at the Naval School of Mechanics (Esma) where the crimes in this trial were committed Some were allegedly burnt and their remains disposed of. Others were drugged and dropped from planes flying over the Atlantic Ocean. For the first time in Argentina, the pilots of those "death flights" are on trial, among them former naval lieutenant Julio Poch, who was extradited to Argentina from Spain in 2010 after allegedly confessing to the part he played to colleagues at the Dutch airline Transavia. Another defendant, former naval captain Emir Sisul Hess, allegedly told relatives of the dead how sleeping victims "fell like little ants" from his plane. The trial is part of a continuing series of actions against Argentine officers and other officials associated with the military dictatorship. Amnesty Legal action began once democracy returned to Argentina in 1983, but President Raul Alfonsin brought an end to the trials in 1986, arguing the country needed to look to the future and not the past. Three laws granting amnesty for crimes committed during the Dirty War were passed in 1986 and 1987. These were overturned in 2003. Since then some of the most high-profile figures from the regime have been convicted, including the de facto presidents Jorge Videla and Reynaldo Bignone. Continue reading the main story Justice in Argentina 1976: Military overthrow President Isabel Martinez de Peron 1983: Raul Alfonsin elected president after collapse of dictatorship 1985: Gen Jorge Videla convicted 1986: Full Stop Law passed granting immunity to military 1990: President Carlos Menem issues pardons to Gen Videla and other officers 2003: Repeal of blanket amnesty 2010: Gen Videla reconvicted Gen Videla had already been convicted of homicide, torture and kidnap amongst other crimes in 1985, but he was given an amnesty by President Carlos Menem in 1990. About 250 convictions have been secured, including Alfredo Astiz, who last year was given a life sentence for the part he played in infiltrating left-wing groups and betraying their members to the regime. A number of Esma officials have already been tried but human rights lawyer Rodolfo Yanzon told the Associated Press: "This was, is and will be the largest trial of crimes against humanity. "There are 68 defendants charged in 800 cases, and we estimate there will be some 900 witnesses," Among the witnesses will be Graciela Palacio Lois, whose husband Ricardo never returned from a meeting of the Peronist University Youth movement in 1976. She says she is nervous about giving evidence. "It's one thing looking at them from the other side of the glass in the viewing gallery. But it's another thing sitting in the witness area with them in front of you." The trial is expected to last two years.

Treasury Designates Ibarra Cardona Drug Trafficking Organization 11/20/2012 Action Targets Major Methamphetamine Precursor Import Network WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) today designated five individuals and three entities operating out of Tijuana, Mexico as Specially Designated Narcotics Traffickers (SDNTs) pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (Kingpin Act). OFAC designated Luis Gerardo Ibarra Cardona, the leader of a methamphetamine precursor import network which is responsible for supplying multiple tons of methamphetamine precursor material to the Sinaloa Cartel. In July 2009, Mexican authorities arrested Luis Gerardo Ibarra Cardona, and Subprocuraduría de Investigación Especializada en Delincuencia Organizada (SEIDO) charged Luis Gerardo Ibarra Cardona with the unlawful acquisition and procurement of ephedrine, a precursor used in the manufacture of methamphetamine. “Today’s designation of the Ibarra Cardona family and business network will significantly impair this organization’s ability to import methamphetamine precursor material from the United States and will disrupt the Sinaloa Cartel’s methamphetamine precursor supply chain,” said OFAC Director Adam J. Szubin. In addition to Luis Gerardo Ibarra Cardona, the network is comprised of his family members, including his father, Jose Gerardo Ibarra Favila, mother, Mayela Cardona Martinez, brother, Carlos Jesus Ivan Ibarra Cardona, and uncle, Pedro Cardona Martinez, all of whom were designated today. Additionally, the network operates three distributor companies, Distribuidora Germay S.A. de C.V., Distribuidora Germay de Sonora, S.A. DE C.V., and Comercializadora Cacho S.A. de C.V., all three of which are designated today. Today’s action is the latest in a series of efforts by OFAC to thwart transnational drug cartels. The Sinaloa Cartel is responsible for distributing significant amounts of cocaine, marijuana, and methamphetamine to the United States. President Obama identified the Sinaloa Cartel as a significant foreign narcotics trafficker under the Kingpin Act in April 2009. Today’s action, supported by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Joint Field Command Arizona, and the U.S. State Department Bureau of Diplomatic Security, is part of OFAC’s ongoing efforts under the Kingpin Act to apply financial measures against significant foreign narcotics traffickers worldwide. Internationally, OFAC has designated more than 1,200 businesses and individuals linked to 97 drug kingpins since June 2000. Penalties for violations of the Kingpin Act range from civil penalties of up to $1.075 million per violation to more severe criminal penalties. Criminal penalties for corporate officers may include up to 30 years in prison and fines of up to $5 million. Criminal fines for corporations may reach $10 million. Other individuals face up to 10 years in prison and fines for criminal violation of the Kingpin Act pursuant to Title 18 of the United States Code.