Monthly Archives: May 2017

From: Voice of America

As the world has grown increasingly interconnected, fast-evolving technologies, globalization, and trade liberalization have all but removed many traditional barriers to free movement of goods and people, and facilitated rapid transnational business, trade, and banking transactions.

Transnational criminal networks are among the great beneficiaries of these developments. Today, such organizations “employ the latest technological advances and use commercial jets, fishing vessels, and container ships to move drugs, people, small arms, crude oil, cigarettes, counterfeit and pirated goods, and toxic waste through the region, generating massive profits,” said Senior Director for National Security and Diplomacy Anti-Crime Programs at the State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, David Luna.

From: Greek Reporter

From: U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Mexico

US Marshals capture 2 federal prisoners who escaped from western Virginia US penitentiary

After nearly 3 weeks on the run, both escaped prisoners in custody in Mexico

WASHINGTON – Two federal prisoners who escaped from U.S. Penitentiary Lee in Lee County, Virginia, May 3 were apprehended in Mexico today.

U.S. Marshals worked closely with Mexican law enforcement authorities to locate and apprehend Salah Mohamed, 35, and Kamal Qazah, 37.

Qazah was sentenced in the Western District of North Carolina in 2012 to 18 years in prison for his role in a cigarette smuggling ring operating in North and South Carolina from August 2009 to November 2011.

From: United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime

30 May 2017 –  Despite global efforts in fighting drug trafficking, transnational organized crime and acts of terrorism, such crimes continue to take place in the airports. In this context, the Airport Communication Project (AIRCOP) – a UNODC, World Customs Organization (WCO) and the International Police Organization (INTERPOL) initiative – aims to enhance the capacity of international airports in the detection and interdiction of illicit trafficking and suspicious passengers in origin, transit and destination countries.

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From: EurActiv

By Craig Stobie | Domino

Craig Stobie is global life sciences manager at Domino, a British-based developer of commercial inkjet printing, thermal transfer printing, print and apply machines, digital printing presses and laser printing products.

The EU wants to tackle counterfeit pharmaceuticals and tobacco. Tracking, tracing and authentication (TT&A) has a big role to play in this. But who should be tasked with implementing and monitoring it? Craig Stobie explains how the problem should be handled.

Last year, the European Commission reported that more than 40 million products suspected of violating an intellectual property right, with a total value of nearly €650m, were detained at the EU’s external borders.