Zetas leader arrested for role in San Fernando massacres

Greg Garraway
4/16/2011
Blog 12
11:45 PM

Zetas leader arrested for role in San Fernando massacres
In the article I chose, Mexican marines arrested a Zetas cell leader and five other people for their alleged roles in a series of massacres that took place in San Fernando, Tamaulipas. "Mexico's Naval Secretary Mariano Saynez reported on his Twitter account on Saturday afternoon that Omar Martin Estrada-Luna is in custody. Estrada-Luna, who goes by the nicknames "Comandante Kilo" or "El Kilo," is believed be one of the authors of the massacres. The Mexican Navy (SEMAR) confirmed the arrest and said in a statement the Estrada-Luna is believed to be responsible for a series of mass graves recently found in San Fernando. Authorities have recovered 145 bodies but fear there may be more than 200 hidden in graves throughout the area."
Estrada-Luna played a part in recent massacres as well as other slaughters back in August 2010. His arrest exposed his rank as a plaza boss. There are still a case with around 39 suspects including 16 San Fernando police officers involved.
Analysis: Overall the crime issues seem to be growing steady as well as arrest and captures increasing as well. By the many drug busts and arrests the balance is leveled. By taking down a leader of a gang that can hinder the group's activity until the group finds a new leader or moves on its own. The arrests do help but it still seems that crime activity is always active and young members of society still seem to be always joining in and the society in certain parts of the world can easily form or accept gang members to join in numbers.


http://www.valleycentral.com/news/story.aspx?list=195019&id=606459

UK to join fight against human trafficking

Greg Garraway
4/8/11
Blog 11
7:30 A.M
UK to join fight against human trafficking
In this article I chose, the United Kingdom is going to sign up to Europe wide measures against human trafficking. Britain and Denmark had not signed up and the government was criticized for failing to opt in to the directive earlier. The new law brings about better protection for the victims of trafficking as well as increase the chance of prosecuting the gangs that exploit them. "More than 700 suspected cases of trafficking were referred to the UK Human Trafficking Centre, a multi-agency body, in the year to March 2010. Three-quarters of the victims were women and almost half the cases involved sexual exploitation."
Analysis: Human trafficking is becoming a huge problem and due to the rising numbers in such crime it is necessary for countries to step up their laws and punishment for commiting such crimes. Human trafficking is the illegal trade in human beings for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation or forced labor , a modern-day form of slavery. It is great that many countries are stepping up to prevent this from occurring. The exploitation people for another ones gain is wrong. The future will bring about more crime but it is also good that many nations are stepping up their enforcement and are trying to protect its people. The crime everywhere is getting worse and it only shows how the future is looking more grim. Thus it is time for other nations to look to one another and see how others are trying to protect its people and change laws to help and prevent more crime.




http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/uk-to-join-fight-against-human-trafficking-2250047.html

Mob chiefs reeling as crime war now global

Greg Garraway
4/1/2011
Blog 10
7:42 A.M

Mob chiefs reeling as crime war now global

The article I chose is about Italy's most powerful mafia organization, and how several members were arrested. The police operation spanned over three continents, and involved Italy, Germany, and arrest warrants were issued for other people in Canada and Australia. "The 41 suspects are all alleged members of the 'Ndrangheta, the organisation based in Calabria that is now considered to be more powerful than the Cosa Nostra of neighbouring Sicily. Police said the extent of the operation showed how the 'Ndrangheta had spread beyond its provincial roots to become one of the world's most effective cocaine-trafficking networks." The gang's name 'Ndrangheta means "virtue" in the local dialect, and the gang makes billions of euros a year trafficking cocaine around the world from South America. Those who were arrested were charged with a variety of offenses such as drug trafficking, money laundering, and possession of firearms. This operation was a follow up to a raid in Italy from last year July, where 300 'Ndragheta gang members were arrested.
Analysis: The widespread range of these criminals not only in their own country but in other continents as well is a global issue. The members are growing even though about 300 were arrested last year the numbers still seem to rise from time to time. The gangs and crime will never go away but police are doing good on cracking down and arresting members of gangs. Its seems that no matter that thousands of people are arrested each year, it seems that the numbers still seem to grow and crime rates remain steady. Global crime is spreading and perhaps becoming more due to other currents events transpiring in the present time.

http://www.independent.ie/world-news/europe/mob-chiefs-reeling-as-crime-war-now-global-2571283.html

Organised crime: the $2 trillion threat to the world's security

Greg Garraway
Blog 9
3/25/2011
7:23 pm

Organised crime: the $2 trillion threat to the world's security
The article I chose is about international organized crime that has become a 2$trillion mountain that is overwhelming and fueling the levels of global inequality. The takings of the criminal gangs around the world are "equivalent to Britain's GDP, or twice the world's combined defence budgets. Half of that amount is paid as bribes, which tend to make the rich and powerful even wealthier." The article states that there is more than $520 billion dollars that flows through the world's black economy from counterfeiting and piracy. Drug trade is the other big earner with $320 billion in takings. Human trafficking is another problem that is around $44 billion dollars. " over the next 10 years but the principal threats to this optimism appear to come from such effects as poverty levels, global warming, water shortages and organised crime. The last may be the most dangerous because of its capacity to subvert decision making and because there is little concerted international action to combat the threat. "It is time for an international campaign by all sectors of society to develop a global consensus for action against [transnational organised crime] which has grown to the point where it is increasingly interfering with the ability of governments to act," the report says."
Analysis: The article explains how the organized crime is growing and billions of dollars in crime money is making the global economy unequal. The organized crime and drug trades are only going to increase the problem is getting worse and the debt is only going to increase. The global economy is getting worse and it seems as if the globe is stuck in this problem unless something give either more criminals get arrested or the government figures out a plan to fix this global issue.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2007/sep/12/topstories3.mainsection

38 Scammers Charged In Global Crime Ring

Greg Garraway
3/18/11
Blog #8
7:57pm

38 Scammers Charged In Global Crime Ring
The article I chose was about 38 scammers getting charged for theft of personal and identifying information over the internet due to a phishing scam run by a global crime ring. The based crime was set in Romania. The scammers tricked thousands of internet users into handling over personal information, such as names, credit card data and social security information. Over millions of dollars were stolen due to the phishing. Going to the US even the scammers can be found, " in Connecticut, seven Romanians were accused of tricking consumers out of personal information by enticing them to visit a bogus site that appeared to be from the web site of several legitimate financial institutions, including Citibank, Wells Fargo and PayPal. The seven Romanians -- two of which were involved in the Los Angeles scam -- were indicted in January with fraud and identity theft charges, which were released last week."
Analysis: This article shows how there are many ways crime is being spread now through the internet is the new age of crime. This type of crime seems to be spreading and is easier to accomplish now with new technology and the developing ways to attain money from innocent people. This is a global issue and needs to be more focused on as crime is continuing to


http://www.crn.com/news/security/207801067/38-scammers-charged-in-global-crime-ring.htm;jsessionid=aoM0WkXSZUfHH+uB6qsTww**.ecappj01

Suspected head of global crime empire is arrested in Spain

Greg Garraway
3/4/2011
Blog 7.
6:15 pm.

Suspected head of global crime empire is arrested in Spain.
The article I chose goes on and explains how the suspected head of global crime empire is arrested in Spain. In his mansion, along with a vast amount of international drugs, guns, and money was found. 53 year old Christy Kinahan was detained with his two sons, he was born in Britain grew up in Dublin. He is the alleged head of a "£200m crime network which traded in drugs and guns, and was involved in money laundering. The Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca) and Irish authorities described his criminal operations as "prolific".
He used a British passport in order to travel freely across Europe. The police claimed to have dealt a major blow to the gang activity by arresting Christy. He was a top target for SOCA.

Analysis: I believe that the gang activity and money laundring, guns, and others are still going to continue. It is great that major head's like this are found and arrested but the crime rate is increasing all over the world. Especially now in times were people would steal for anything crime is still going up. The major drug lords and gang leaders getting arrested should help a tremendous amount by them being the main ring leaders pulling the strings behind the scenes.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/suspected-head-of-global-crime-empire-is-arrested-in-spain-1982948.html

Acid attacks: facing a heinous crime

Greg Garraway
2/24/2011
10:40 A.M

Acid attacks: facing a heinous crime
The article I chose focused on acid attacks. There is an Acid Survivors Foundation it reported that there has been more than 3,000 reported acid attacks in Bangladesh since 1999. There should be a higher amount of victims but the government does not record official figures. The majority of attacks are on women and children mainly between 78%-90%. The attacks happen everywhere but mostly in Bangladesh, Cambodia and India due to the cheap and easy availability of acid. "The results of an acid attack can be heinous. It eats through skin and bone, leaving burns which permanently disfigure, maim and kill. The motivations for such attacks vary widely, but domestic violence, divorce and land disputes are among the most common. Often women are attacked with acid to mar their physical attractiveness and to prevent other men marrying them, which is why their faces are targetted." These attacks highlight on gender inequality .
Analysis: This is an attack on women and their freedom, for the fact that the men do this over violence, divorce and disputes its disgusting. This is a social problem many people are getting affected by this and it seems to be only getting worse. The society as a whole can do things to stop the attacks, like limiting the acid that is being sold and distributed to the general public. I am not sure protesting or other women joined groups would change much in their society but it could raise the awareness of these attacks. The police could specify on the attacks and threaten law breakers to a harsh punishment upon committing the attacks. Its sad that mainly woman have to remain in fear for the attacks but with enough help from ones society and social push for the acid to stop being sold to people perhaps without a license things could look brighter in the future.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/acid-attacks-facing-a-heinous-crime-2204294.html

Corrupt leaders may have cost Egypt $57.2b

Greg Garraway
2/14/2011
2:4 PM
Corrupt leaders may have cost Egypt $57.2b

The article I found was about Dubai Corruption including tax evasion and crime which cost Egypt a huge amount. Approximately $6 billion (Dh22.03 billion) annually and a total of $57.2 billion from 2000 to 2008 in illicit financial activities and government corruption, according to a report by Washington-based Global Financial Integrity (GFI)." "Deposed President Hosni Mubarak and his family have a personal fortune worth $40 billion to $70 billion accumulated during his 30 years in power, according to recent estimates. Others place the Mubarak family fortune at $1 billion to $5 billion stashed in foreign banks, an anonymous US intelligence official told the news channel ABC." The leader as well as other leader have huge assets set away. Switzerland froze Mubarak's assets after he stepped down from power. Many of the people in Egypt suffer and earn only 20-40 cents per day live in poverty. While the corrupt leaders make more than enough money to cover Egypt's 32billion foreign debt. The people and government are investigating some of these former ministers and businessmen for looting the public wealth. They are confined to living in Egypt and can not travel outside Egypt. Their accounts have been frozen as well. The majority of the leader's money come from the disposal of large state-owned companies, such as transport, and tele-coms, public funds from international bodies, and defense deals.

Analysis. I believe the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. It sad but this global issue has been around for ages. Its almost cliche the corrupt leaders dominate and collect all the money while low class workers are forced into labor which they make a few cents a day. It is good do see most of the leader's are getting busted for the dirty behind the scene deeds and their accounts are being frozen as well as they cannot flee the country. It is a socio problem due to the many people getting affected by the bad of the people which should be good and helping their country out.


© Gulf News 2011. All rights reserved.

Pet crematorium woman jailed for dumping bodies in field

Greg Garraway
2/8/2011
10:45 AM

Pet crematorium woman jailed for dumping bodies in field.
This article I chose was about a woman in the UK. Emma Bent,35 of Derbyshire had a contract to collect the bodies of animals and clinical waste from a veterinary group for disposal, she offered individual cremation. She instead dumped the bodies of the pets in a field while their owners were charged with the cremation price. She was charged and sentenced to eight months in jail. There is further depth as the Environmental Agency reported she was not registered to do this work. In August a man walking his dog noticed a horrible smell and discovered the bodies of four dogs in a drainage. He notified the RSPCA who contacted the police, and the Environment Agency. The animals were able to be traced back due to their microchips. The woman who was charged also sent fake ashes to the owners.
Analysis: This article seems to show that people are becoming more desperate for money and are finding new was to con people. All around the world people are committing crimes and they don't even have to be dangerous crimes such as this one was mainly fraud. It is good that we have technology such as microchips in pets and new technology to trace back to them. It helps when loosing your pets as well as tracing back pets for other reasons such as this. She should have been sentenced to more than 8months in jail for fraud and lying and for even sending back fake ashes.

http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/303230

South Africa: Husband arrested for bride's murder

Greg Garraway
2/1/2011
12:15 AM

South Africa: Husband arrested for bride's murder
This article is based in Johannesburg, South Africa where the murder took place. The arrest was in England, Shiren Dewani was the groom of the murdered bride. Honeymoon in Cape Town and the taxi is carjacked by gunman she is murdered he survives. Shiren Dewani age 31 was arrested, and his Swedish wife Anni age 28 was found shot in the neck in the taxi. The taxi driver Zolo Tongo was sentenced to trail as he was an accomplice getting payed 15.000 rand about $2,165 us dollars. Shiren needed a hit man and asked Zolo to arrange it, he agreed. "At the bail hearing today, Dewani's lawyer argued that the allegations by South African police had been made to protect the country’s tourism industry. The British tabloid the Daily Mail has reported that South African police have been under pressure to pin the murder on a non-South African, and accused police of leaking their suspicions about Dewani to the media."

Analysis, I believe that the crime was murder and Dewani belongs where he is, as well as the taxi driver due to being an accomplice. The whole setup seems legitimate but there could be other factors driving the motive. The rate of crime is increasing and perhaps people think it is easier to get away with stuff if they do the crime in another country far away.

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/south-africa/101208/south-africa-husband-arrested-brides-murder

Celebrity Rape in Mexico.

Greg Garraway
1/27/2011
10:48 AM

Celebrity Rape in Mexico.
This article is about a rape incident in Mexico. It all happened when Kalimba Marichal, a 28-year old Latin crooner, is accused of hitting a raping a 17-year old girl after a concert in the Caribbean city of Chetumal. The accused celebrity denies the charges. Kalimba has another factor that affects his image, he is mixed with Mexican and African descent. Black mixed Mexicans are rarely seen in the public light and many people are still hold a racist mindset. Many people are seeing him as being attacked by the establishment and are defending him. Some people believe this is a conspiracy or that he is being framed. The case involves 17-yr old escort Diana Gomez who was sent to accompany Kalimba at the nightclub where he played the concert, Dec. 18th. Gomez said in a TV interview that she and another escort aged 16 indeed were invited back to the hotel expecting a party. Back in the hotel, Gomez says she saw the fellow escort go into a room with three naked men and the door being closed. Kalimba then hit her, told her to shut up and raped her, she claims.
In his own interview, Kalimba on the verge of tears said Gomez is lying. “I didn’t rape anyone. I didn’t abuse anyone. It was a small hotel. Someone would have heard if I attacked her. How come I have no marks on me?” he said. “I have many women in my family. I would never abuse women.” If convicted, Kalimba could face up to 50 years in prison."

Analysis. This article was part of the "Underworld: a global crime blotter," a semi-regular series covering crime and punishment around the world. I find this intriguing it could be a setup as Kalima claims and a racial hatred making people press hard on this issue. In many countries people are setup and I wouldn't put it past others out of hatred or to see people fail to accuse the singer in this scandal. The trial is going to happen when more evidence if found hopefully it all turns out right in the end.


http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/mexico/110118/celebrity-rape-kalimba-marichal

Major Crime Ring Busted in Cobb.

Greg Garraway
1/20/11
10:36 PM

The article I chose was about a 21 month investigation in a local organized crime ring and it was finally busted today. All in all there were "15 indictments, the total sum of more than one million dollars, and heaps of illegal drugs along with fire arms" - according to the US Department of Justice. This happened in Cobb and it was called by cops as the "takedown."
The authorities searched businesses that were used by criminal organizations for illegal activities. "Those searches resulted in the arrest of 13 of the 15 in the dicted, 22 guns, several kilograms of cocaine and methamphetamine, a methamphetamine lab, more than thirty thousand dollars and several vehicles." "Those seizures supplement the approximately $1 million, 75 kilograms of cocaine, over 11 pounds of methamphetamine, 16 firearms, and two grenade hulls already seized in the investigation,” according to the U.S. Department of Justice. When i read this article I just sit and think how crime is becoming more rapid and people are still finding new ways to continue this. There will always be crime in the news and it is rising due to the economic difficulties and financial situations people have. It is great that the authorities are doing there best but it is becoming difficult with new technology and methods people are finding and creating.


http://www.mdjonline.com/view/full_story/11079426/article-BREAKING-NEWS--Officials-say-major-crime-rings-busted-in-Cobb-?instance=home_news_left