Police believe organized crime to is to blame for a shootout that ended in a Tijuana hospital. At least three people have been killed. The gun battle began in the streets near the central bus station and continued at the city's general hospital.
Around mid-morning, police in Tijuana began following a suspicious vehicle. It turned into a chase and the vehicle ultimately crashed. Two men got out and started shooting at police, one was killed.
The Red Cross rushed another person who was injured to the General Hospital. Moments later, a group of heavily armed men arrived at the hospital to free their comrade. Two policemen were killed in the parking lot.
Hundreds were evacuated from the hospital, as a tense stand off with police began. After exchanging gunfire for a long period of time, the police finally arrested two suspects and are possibly looking for more.
Monday, May 7, 2007
Biker for the Hell's Angel's Involved in Organized Crime
The trial of Hells Angel Ian Grant has entered a new phase, as the Crown attempts to prove Grant was involved with organized crime.
Grant has pleaded not guilty to nine charges, including extortion, drug trafficking and participating in a criminal organization.
So far, the Canada has presented evidence alleging Grant sold kilogram-sized amounts of cocaine and methamphetamine to a civilian police agent. Much of the evidence involved recordings and testimony by Franco Atanasovic, a civilian police agent who was paid more than $500,000 for his participation in police operations.
Both Canada and the defence have acknowledged that Grant is a member of the Hells Angels. Now Canada is presenting arguments intended to prove that the group is a criminal organization.
Grant has pleaded not guilty to nine charges, including extortion, drug trafficking and participating in a criminal organization.
So far, the Canada has presented evidence alleging Grant sold kilogram-sized amounts of cocaine and methamphetamine to a civilian police agent. Much of the evidence involved recordings and testimony by Franco Atanasovic, a civilian police agent who was paid more than $500,000 for his participation in police operations.
Both Canada and the defence have acknowledged that Grant is a member of the Hells Angels. Now Canada is presenting arguments intended to prove that the group is a criminal organization.
West Balkan Nations say No to Organized Crime
Ministers and officials from Serbia, Bosnia, Croatia, Albania, Macedonia and Montenegro all put their names to the document during a two-day conference. The document calls for better police action toward organized crime. “For Hungary, because of our European Union role and Schengen membership, it is very important that we work together against cross-border crime and illegal migration,” Hungarian Justice Minister József Petrétei told a press conference. Hungary, Slovenia and Romania form the EU's land border with the Balkans.
The Schengen zone is an area where EU member countries have agreed to remove all internal borders. Hungary is due to completely implement the agreement by March 2008, making it imperative that illegal immigrants are caught before they enter the zone and can move more freely. Organized criminals are regularly caught attempting to smuggle illegal migrant workers into the EU via Hungary. The workers' final destination is usually Italy, Austria or countries further west where higher wages can be earned.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has noted that the importance of the heroin smuggling route through Hungary via the Balkans had diminished, but Afghan heroin still made its way to Europe via this route.
The Schengen zone is an area where EU member countries have agreed to remove all internal borders. Hungary is due to completely implement the agreement by March 2008, making it imperative that illegal immigrants are caught before they enter the zone and can move more freely. Organized criminals are regularly caught attempting to smuggle illegal migrant workers into the EU via Hungary. The workers' final destination is usually Italy, Austria or countries further west where higher wages can be earned.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has noted that the importance of the heroin smuggling route through Hungary via the Balkans had diminished, but Afghan heroin still made its way to Europe via this route.
Military ambushed by Organized Crime
In Carácuaro, Mexico a patrol of soldiers were heading out to responded to a call of a "complaint." About eighty miles south of the capital city the convoy was ambushed by criminals suspected of being involved in organized crime. A colonel and four enlisted men were killed along with many others wounded in the ambush. One criminal had been killed but most of the others managed to escape.
This after Carácuaro Mayor Ismael Garduño Ortega, earlier in the evening, had called for help due to threats of a kidnapping by organized crime. He reportedly asked for the speedy intervention of some 6,000 soldiers involved in the permanent campaign against narcotics trafficking in Michoacán.
Later however Garduño claimed he had not called for help. “That was never the situation, conversely I think they have used me to justify their violent entry,” he told Mexican reporters.
This after Carácuaro Mayor Ismael Garduño Ortega, earlier in the evening, had called for help due to threats of a kidnapping by organized crime. He reportedly asked for the speedy intervention of some 6,000 soldiers involved in the permanent campaign against narcotics trafficking in Michoacán.
Later however Garduño claimed he had not called for help. “That was never the situation, conversely I think they have used me to justify their violent entry,” he told Mexican reporters.
Tycoon Asks for Help from Organized Crime
On May 7th, A police official said a South Korean tycoon enlisted the help of an organized crime ring to abduct and beat up bar workers in apparent revenge for an attack on his son last month. The Tycoon and the organized crime ring have not been identified.
An official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that a man believed to head of an organized crime ring was at two of the alleged abduction and beatings along with other members. The man, only identified by his surname "Oh," has been out of the country since April 27. He has not commented further.
An official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that a man believed to head of an organized crime ring was at two of the alleged abduction and beatings along with other members. The man, only identified by his surname "Oh," has been out of the country since April 27. He has not commented further.
Mexican Mafia
The next generation of organized crime can be seen on the streets we live on today. Gangs have grown to proportions that rival most mafia families. They can organize criminal activities from jail, reach across state lines and borders, and infiltrate our inner cities.
The drug trade is a large part of the Mexican Mafia's income. The sheriff's dept along with other law enforcement agencies are cracking down on the Mexican Mafia's strangle hold on California and other states.
Just this week, police arrested a drug kingpin and thirteen others associated with the Mexican Mafia in the Coachella Valley. Drugs and paraphernalia were found along with hand guns and intelligence at the residence. This is just one bust in a recent sweep of Southern California that has police targeting these dangerous organized criminals.
The drug trade is a large part of the Mexican Mafia's income. The sheriff's dept along with other law enforcement agencies are cracking down on the Mexican Mafia's strangle hold on California and other states.
Just this week, police arrested a drug kingpin and thirteen others associated with the Mexican Mafia in the Coachella Valley. Drugs and paraphernalia were found along with hand guns and intelligence at the residence. This is just one bust in a recent sweep of Southern California that has police targeting these dangerous organized criminals.
Sicilian Mafia can Reproduce Itself
The Sicilian Mafia operates like a business, and while its leaders can be removed, it can regenerate itself like no legitimate organization in Italy. On Sunday, the interior minister, Giuliano Amato, made the comments in Palermo, Sicily, on the sidelines of a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the Mafia slaying of Pio La Torre.
"We can decapitate the mafia but let's remember that it's an organism that has the capacity to reproduce itself, perhaps like no other in Italy," the ANSA news agency quoted.
He said La Cosa Nostra has such wealth and independence that it operated like its own economy in a large part of Sicily and mainland Italy. In a message for the anniversary, Italian President Giorgio Napolitano said "only a great movement of people, opinions and culture can defeat the Mafia."
"We can decapitate the mafia but let's remember that it's an organism that has the capacity to reproduce itself, perhaps like no other in Italy," the ANSA news agency quoted.
He said La Cosa Nostra has such wealth and independence that it operated like its own economy in a large part of Sicily and mainland Italy. In a message for the anniversary, Italian President Giorgio Napolitano said "only a great movement of people, opinions and culture can defeat the Mafia."
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