Monthly Archives: April 2018

The Crime-Terror Convergence: Countering Hezbollah’s Growing Criminal Empire in Latin America

Editor’s Note: See also Primeiro Comando da Capital and Hezbollah Strengthen Deadly TiesInsisten en que contrabando de cigarrillos financia a Hezbollah, and Will Menthol Cigarettes Become Hezbollah’s Newest Cash Cow?

From: Derek Maltz/Center for a Secure Free Society

For Full coverage of the event “The Crime-Terror Convergence: Countering Hezbollah’s Growing Criminal Empire in Latin America,” held March 22, 2018 in the Rayburn House Office Building.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1iZ4…

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UNTOC Watch

Editor’s Note: See Adopted 18 years ago, why has the UNTOC still not achieved its aim?

From: Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime

UN-TOC Watch is a new project from the Global Initiative that seeks to monitor and analyze how the UN System is responding to organized crime. Through analysis by experts inside and external to the UN System, UN-TOC Watch aims to support the UN to respond more effectively and systematically to threats posed by organized crime

Subscribe to UN-TOC Watch 

 

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Seneca man’s tax fight with NY goes to state’s highest court

From: WGRZ.com

The outcome of a state court of appeals decision could determine once and for all if New York State can collect sales tax on any items sold on Indian reservations.

Author: Dave McKinley

BUFFALO, NY – A prominent Buffalo attorney is at the center of a case before the state’s highest court, the outcome of which could determine once and for all if New York State can collect sales tax on any items sold on Indian reservations.

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Paraguay’s new president to continue cigarette smuggling-friendly policies?

From: Financial Times

Paraguay’s new president to continue business-friendly policies

Mario Abdo Benitez’s father was key aide to former dictator Alfredo Stroessner

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The tobacco magnate, twice imprisoned on fraud charges before becoming president, is also accused of making more than $100m a year from selling contraband cigarettes to Brazil. He denies all the charges.

“It is extremely strange that Brazil does not control its border. It is very easy, the cigarettes cross in huge lorries,” said Mr Alegre, who questioned whether its much larger neighbour had won political favours from Mr Cartes, who is considered to be the most pro-Brazilian president in Paraguay’s history.

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The Corrupting Power of Contraband: Federal Indictments Unsealed; 14 Former SCDC Employees and Correction Officers Arrested by the FBI

From: Department of Justice/U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of South Carolina

Columbia, South Carolina——-United States Attorney Beth Drake announced the indictment and arrest of fourteen former employees of the South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC) on federal charges related to accepting bribes and bringing contraband into South Carolina prisons.

The federal violations include: Use of Interstate Facilities to Facilitate Bribery, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1952; Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Depriving South Carolina of the Right to Honest Services, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349; and Possession with Intent to Distribute Narcotics, in violation 21 U.S.C. § 841.

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