Anti-crime effort in Puerto Rico is paying off, officials say - Reuters | US arrests hundreds, seizes weapons in Puerto Rico crackdown - AFP

Anti-crime effort in Puerto Rico is paying off, officials say

• inShare
• Share this
• Email
• Print

Related Topics

• World »

SAN JUAN | Thu Sep 26, 2013 2:48pm EDT

(Reuters) - An anti-crime initiative that put more federal agents in Puerto Rico and boosted coordination with the U.S. mainland is making streets safer in both places, top U.S. and Puerto Rican law enforcement officials said on Thursday.

The effort, Operation Caribbean Resilience, began in July 2012 and has been expanded over the last three months in the U.S. territory.

Over the last 12 months, the operation has resulted in the arrest of more than 320 people and the seizure of more than 170 firearms, 8,000 rounds of ammunition, more than $155,000 in cash, and a wide range of drugs including cocaine, heroin, marijuana, ecstasy, Percocet, and oxycodone.

"Through our joint efforts ... we have not only made the streets of Puerto Rico much safer, but also improved security in the mainland United States," said John Sandweg, acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Sandweg said the operation was entering a new phase targeting drug gangs and criminal organizations responsible for violent crime in Puerto Rico.

The island's non-voting member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Resident Commissioner Pedro Pierluisi, hailed the operation as a success.

"Now, it is critical that we sustain and build upon the gains we have made," said Pierluisi.

The federal government is primarily responsible for securing Puerto Rico's maritime border, and plays a key role in disrupting criminal activity on the Caribbean island, he said.

Puerto Rico had a record 1,117 killings during 2011. The tally dropped to 978 killings in 2012, according to the Puerto Rico Police Department. So far this year, 648 killings were registered through September 25, compared with 719 during the same period last year.

The crime problem, along with a seven-year economic slide, is driving many Puerto Ricans to the continental United States. More Puerto Ricans live stateside than on the island.

Puerto Rico's population has been on the decline for the past several years, with U.S. Census Bureau estimating it at 3.68 million in 2012, down from 3.81 million in 2000.

The operation is a joint initiative led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations unit, with support from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Puerto Rico Police Department and the municipal police departments of San Juan, Ponce, and Toa Alta.

Some 30 additional Homeland Security Investigations agents were assigned to high-crime areas with links to transnational crime. The Coast Guard boosted patrols of smuggling routes around Puerto Rico. Transportation Security Administration officials increased screening efforts to intercept drugs and weapons smuggled in baggage and cargo at airports and seaports.

(Reporting by Reuters in San Juan, Editing by Jane Sutton and Mohammad Zargham)

26 SEPTEMBER 2013 - 21H38  

US arrests hundreds, seizes weapons in Puerto Rico crackdown

US authorities said they have arrested some 320 people in Puerto Rico, seizing more than 170 firearms and some 8,000 rounds of ammunition as they cracked down on a surge in crime.  

US authorities said they have arrested some 320 people in Puerto Rico, seizing more than 170 firearms and some 8,000 rounds of ammunition as they cracked down on a surge in crime.  

AFP - US authorities said Thursday they have arrested some 320 people in Puerto Rico, seizing more than 170 firearms and some 8,000 rounds of ammunition as they cracked down on a surge in crime.
US and local officials more than a year ago launched Operation Caribbean Resilience, a massive crackdown on violent crime, including homicides, that have rocked the US territory.
The Department of Homeland Security announced that in addition to the arrests and the seizure of weapons, the operation has resulted in the confiscation of a range of illegal narcotics including cocaine, heroin, marijuana, ecstasy, Percocet and Oxycodone.
The effort has focused largely on disrupting and dismantling criminal organizations, said John Sandweg, acting director of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE), which carried out the operation with help from other federal agencies.
"No one entity can tackle transnational criminal enterprises alone ? it requires a layered, multi-agency approach," Sandweg said in a statement.
"Through our joint efforts, under Operation Caribbean Resilience, we have not only made the streets of Puerto Rico much safer, but also improved security in the mainland United States," said Sandweg.
He said DHS agents worked alongside personnel from Customs and Border Protection, Transportation Security Administration and the US Coast Guard, as well as local law enforcement officials in Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico in recent years has seen a sharp surge in street crime, which authorities believe is tried to turf battles between drug trafficking gangs.
The island is a key transit point for drug traffickers seeking to ship contraband to the US mainland.

» US arrests hundreds, seizes weapons in Puerto Rico crackdown - FRANCE 24
26/09/13 16:59 from puerto rico - Google News
FRANCE 24US arrests hundreds, seizes weapons in Puerto Rico crackdownFRANCE 24US authorities said they have arrested some 320 people in Puerto Rico, seizing more than 170 firearms and some 8,000 rounds of ammunition as they cracked down ...

» US to target high-level criminals in Puerto Rico
26/09/13 12:16 from Puerto Rico Newswire
Federal agents will start targeting high-level drug traffickers in Puerto Rico with intelligence gathered during a three-month blitz on criminal activity in the U.S. territory, the Department of Homeland Security said Thursday.

» US officials turn focus of smuggling crackdown to high-level drug traffickers in Puerto Rico
26/09/13 11:16 from Puerto Rico Newswire
In this June 6, 2012 file photo, federal agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration escort a handcuffed drug smuggling suspect, at the airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

» US to Target High-Level Criminals in Puerto Rico - ABC News
26/09/13 10:16 from puerto rico - Google News
US to Target High-Level Criminals in Puerto RicoABC NewsFederal agents will start targeting high-level drug traffickers in Puerto Rico with intelligence gathered during a three-month blitz on criminal activity in the U.S. territory, the ...

» US to target high-level criminals in Puerto Rico - WRAL.com
26/09/13 10:32 from political status of puerto rico - Google News
US to target high-level criminals in Puerto RicoWRAL.comSAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Federal agents say they will turn to targeting high-level drug traffickers in Puerto Rico with intelligence gained in a three-month blitz on criminal activit...

» Pierluisi Responds to DHS Announcement Regarding Major Law Enforcement Operation in Puerto Rico
26/09/13 11:52 from Res. Comm. Pedro Pierluisi - Representing the At Large District of PUERTO RICO
Washington, DC—Resident Commissioner Pedro Pierluisi released the following statement in response to this morning’s announcement by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security regarding the results of the major law enforcement o...

» Operación contra el narcotráfico en Puerto Rico
26/09/13 14:30 from Metro - Últimas noticias
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Los agentes federales se concentrarán en los narcotraficantes de alto...

» Investigan si narcotráfico guarda relación con asesinato en Fajardo
26/09/13 13:26 from Primera Hora : Noticias
Como resultado murió un hombre de 39 años quien tenía récord delictivo tras se fichado por robo en el 2008. 

» If Puerto Rico Gains Statehood…
26/09/13 12:41 from Puerto Rico Report
There are currently more Puerto Ricans living in the 50 states than in Puerto Rico. From the 13,000 living in Alabama to the more than […]

___________________________________

» Gobernador participó de foro de la fundación Clinton
26/09/13 16:47 from El Nuevo Día : Política
Habló sobre esfuerzos para “maximizar el uso de nuestros recursos energéticos” 

» Anti-crime effort in Puerto Rico is paying off, officials say
26/09/13 16:18 from Puerto Rico
Thomson Reuters SAN JUAN (Reuters) - An anti-crime initiative that put more federal agents in Puerto Rico and boosted coordination with the U.S. mainland is making streets safer in...

» Se reúne Pierluisi con el vicepresidente de EE.UU.
26/09/13 16:03 from El Nuevo Día : Política
La Casa Blanca congregó a legisladores federales después de la visita de Biden a México 

» Venezuela's President Maduro Says 'Plot' Against Government Forced Him To ... - Fox News Latino
26/09/13 12:32 from puerto rico politics - Google News
Venezuela's President Maduro Says 'Plot' Against Government Forced Him To ...Fox News LatinoMaduro needed the clearance to fly over Puerto Rico, a U.S. commonwealth. Washington has been without an ambassador in Venezuela sinc...

1.3 tons of cocaine found on flight from Venezuela | Matthew Chance reports on an interview in which Pope Francis discusses homosexuality, abortion and women

» Dissecting the pope's interview
23/09/13 12:55 from CNN.com - World
Matthew Chance reports on an interview in which Pope Francis discusses homosexuality, abortion and women. 

» Venezuela's toilet paper takeover

23/09/13 13:07 from CNN.com - World

When you're running low on toilet paper and getting desperate, what do you do? 

» 1.3 tons of cocaine found on flight 
23/09/13 13:04 from CNN.com - World
There was something odd about the 30 suitcases that showed up on a flight from Venezuela. The colorful bags weren't registered to any of the passengers on the plane. 

TSA agent arrested for human smuggling ring | US House to Vote to Require Change in Commonwealth Food Aid Program | Report: PR pension system weakest in US | Asegura modelo económico del ELA colapsó | Puerto Rico is living an impoverished debt nightmare | Senado investiga crisis por bacteria en hospital de UPR en Carolina | Los cómplices del Nuncio - Claridad - News Review - 9.19.13

TSA agent arrested for human smuggling ring

Thursday, September 19, 2013 by: J. D. Heyes
Tags: TSA agent, human smuggling, government corruption

Learn more:
http://www.naturalnews.com/042117_TSA_agent_human_smuggling_government_corruption.html#ixzz2fJhMS1bM

(NaturalNews) The lawlessness of individuals hired to work for the Transportation Security Administration knows no bounds, as the latest incident involving the hapless, feckless agency proves.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents recently arrested TSA officer David Alexander Diaz-Torres for "conspiracy to transport illegal aliens within the United States," according to court documents filed by the U.S. District Attorney's office in Puerto Rico. So now, in addition to theft, sexual deviancy, drug use and gross violations of travelers' privacy, we can add human smuggling to the long and growing list of TSA agent legal violations.

Time for more spin

According to a statement released by the Puerto Rico district attorney's office:

On August 7, 2013, Rafael Severino, Eduard Bueno-Beltran, Luis Raul Sierra-Conde, Juan Severino-Basora and Esther Mary Sanchez-Cruz were indicted for participating in a scheme to bring illegal aliens to the United States. On March 24, 2012, a group of Brazilian nationals were smuggled by an unidentified female to New York through the Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico. It is alleged that David A. Diaz-Torres assisted two co-defendants in smuggling the group of Brazilians by allowing them to pass the security checkpoint area without being questioned. The group continued to New York, Boston and Philadelphia on board commercial flights.

And, of course, the government is spinning this latest TSA embarrassment, as it has all prior embarrassments.

"It is very troubling when law enforcement authorities have to arrest a corrupt federal employee who is alleged to have undermined our nation's security, our overall safety, and the public trust and confidence we place in those chosen to protect and serve," said Rosa Emilia Rodriguez Velez, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. "The Justice Department's commitment to preventing human smuggling, bringing smugglers to justice and assisting victims has never been stronger."

"Mr. Torres was placed in a position of trust and employees of the federal government must be held to a higher standard than the general public," added Angel M. Melendez, special agent in charge of HSI San Juan and U.S. Virgin Islands. "Investigative efforts by HSI alongside our federal partners at the TSA, shows the collaborative effort within federal law enforcement to ensure that no one operates above the law."

This, from an administration that is, in fact, releasing dangerous criminal illegal aliens.

A history of abuses

But I digress. In other recent criminal activity regarding TSA and its employees:

-- The Los Angeles Times reports that a former TSA agent was arrested in connection with "unspecified threats" that were related to the 9/11 attacks. When he was still a TSA employee, Nna Alpha Onuoha, 29, was involved in a high-profile incident in which he shamed and embarrassed a 15-year-old girl over what she was wearing.

The Times reported that Onuoha "was taken into custody in Riverside before midnight after he allegedly made threats against LAX terminals earlier in the day following his resignation from his post as a screener with the Transporation Security Administration. A source familiar with the investigation told The Times that Onuoha is the same agent who was suspended after he criticized the daughter of Mark Frauenfelder, founder of the blog Boing Boing."

-- Eight TSA agents from Dallas-Fort Worth were recently arrested for allegedly dealing in stolen parking passes. Authorities say the agents allegedly bought the passes, which they knew were stolen, for $100, so as to avoid paying some $400 a year to park at the DFW International Airport.

-- TSA agents at scores of airports around the country are regularly accused - and rightfully so - of fondling the genitals of men, women and even small children.

-- In June 2012, In an extremely critical report released in early June, U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn listed 50 crimes that have been committed by TSA agents.

"TSA needs to immediately remove themselves from the human resource business. This report details highly disturbing cases where pedophiles and child pornographers wearing federal law enforcement uniforms are not only patting down unsuspecting travelers, but in many cases stealing valuables from their bags," she said. "Enough is enough. It's time for Congress to step in and demand accountability from Administrator (John) Pistole."


Sources:

http://freebeacon.com/tsa-agent-arrested-for-smuggling-illegal-aliens/

http://www.oig.dhs.gov/assets/pr/2013/oigpr_091213.pdf

http://cnsnews.com

http://www.latimes.com

http://www.naturalnews.com/030302_TSA_naked_body_scanners.html

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/042117_TSA_agent_human_smuggling_government_corruption.html#ixzz2fJhEzUpa

» TSA agent arrested for human smuggling ring
19/09/13 02:00 from Puerto Rico Newswire
... aliens within the United States," according to court documents filed by the U.S. District Attorney's office in Puerto Rico. So now, in addition to theft, sexual deviancy, drug use and gross violations of travelers' privacy, we can a...




» US House to Vote to Require Change in Commonwealth Food Aid Program
19/09/13 01:01 from Puerto Rico Report
The Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote today on a bill that would prevent Puerto Rico from providing 25% of benefits under […]

» Report: PR pension system weakest in US
18/09/13 23:45 from Caribbean Business - More Local News
Report: PR pension system weakest in USIssued: September 17, 2013 Morningstar, Inc., a leading provider of independent investment research, says Puerto Rico’s public pension system is weaker than its counterparts in...García Padil...

» Governor AGP in a municipio near you
18/09/13 22:57 from 
3 Comments, last updated on Wednesday Sep 18 by El cacique

El cacique wrote:

He knows he's in trouble for 16 if things on the trajectory they are on now.
He has to do this "directly the people" routine...Let's see if it will work.
4,000 is not a significant number. But, he has to work with what he has.
http://www.vocero.com/anuncia-creacion-de-4-m...

He knows he's in trouble for 2016 if government figures continue on the trajectory they are on now.

Bond rating, unemployment, crime. Etc.

Fiscalía cuenta con grabaciones contra abogado Junior Cápsula

18 de septiempre de 2013 - Ley y orden, Tribunales, - Melissa Correa Velázquez, EL VOCERO

Así lo informó el fiscal federal Timothy Henwood

EL VOCERO / Dennis A. Jones

•  

Asegura modelo económico del ELA colapsó

18 de septiempre de 2013 - Política, Puerto Rico - Inter News Service

“En solo nueve meses pasamos de la planificación a la improvisación. La realidad es una, el modelo económico del ELA colapsó”

18 de septiembre de 2013

7:34 p.m.Modificado: 08:32 p.m.Política

• A
• A

Imprimir

Se hunde el barco, dice ex secretario McClintock

Ofrece esta noche una charla en la Universidad de Georgetown

McClintock sostuvo que la crisis económica de Puerto Rico es reflejo del agotamiento del modelo económico de la Isla.(Archivo)

Por ELNUEVODIA.COM

WASHINGTON – Puerto Rico es un barco que se hunde mientras los pasajeros se enfocan en los músicos que tocan en la cubierta, diría esta noche el ex secretario de Estado Kenneth McClintock en una charla que tenía previsto ofrecer en la Universidad de Georgetown.

Como ejemplo, McClintock aludió a una conferencia en la que estuvo presente la semana pasada, auspiciada por la Cámara de Comercio de Puerto Rico, en la que sostuvo que los funcionarios del gobierno estaban a la defensiva y los líderes del sector privado reclamaban alivios ante el aumento en los impuestos.

“Casi no se habló de la crisis de Puerto Rico en Wall Street”, agregó McClintock, en referencia a la debilidad de los bonos del gobierno puertorriqueño, según la presentación que tenía preparada.

McClintock sostuvo que la crisis económica de Puerto Rico es reflejo del agotamiento del modelo económico de la Isla.

Pero, afirmó que a la oposición política en Puerto Rico le corresponde también ayudar a enderezar el barco.

“La política tradicional no nos va a sacar de esta situación.  Para los que estamos en la oposición el asunto no es quedarnos mirando y dejar que los incumbentes caven un agujero más profundo y entonces esperar a las próximas elecciones para asumir el control. Si esperamos a las próximas elecciones, al barco le puede haber entrado demasiada agua y no quedar mucho para gobernar en 2017”, agregó.

Tags

• Kenneth McClintock

» Puerto Rico is living an impoverished debt nightmare reminiscent of southern ... - Quartz
19/09/13 02:59 from puerto rico - Google News
Puerto Rico is living an impoverished debt nightmare reminiscent of southern ...QuartzPuerto Rico's poverty rate hit 44.9%, according to new data released today by the US Census Bureau—that's nearly double the poverty rate in Mis...

Puerto Rico’s poverty rate is nearly double that of Mississippi, the most impoverished state in the US.

Puerto Rico’s poverty rate hit 44.9%, according to new data released today by the US Census Bureau—that’s nearly double the poverty rate in Mississippi, the most impoverished of the fifty states. It’s the latest in a string of bad economic news for the self-governing US territory.

» Senado investiga crisis por bacteria en hospital de UPR en Carolina
18/09/13 21:22 from Primera Hora : Noticias
Un empleado de la compañía de limpieza dijo que se les alertó sobre la presencia de la bacteria y se les dieron instrucciones sobre cómo realizar la limpieza. 

» Los cómplices del Nuncio - Claridad
17/09/13 16:38 from roberto gonzález nieves - Google News
Los cómplices del NuncioClaridadLo que sí se conoce y se resiente es la conspiración que montó y a la que le sirvió de manera destacada para tratar de expulsar de su puesto al arzobispo de San Juan Roberto González Nieves. La razón para ...

Los cómplices del Nuncio

Visita la foto galería (1)

	Por Manuel de J. González

Publicado: martes, 17 de septiembre de 2013

Niccolo Machiavelli, quien se hizo famoso dando consejos a los monarcas de su tiempo y del futuro, dijo que cuando muriera prefería que lo mandaran al infierno porque con toda seguridad allí estaría “en compañía de papas, reyes y príncipes”. Al incluir al papa entre las criaturas que estarían ardiendo en azufre, seguramente pensaba en alguno de los que conoció en la Roma de finales del siglo XV y principios del XVI, cuando sobresalió la figura del famoso Papa Borgia, el progenitor de Lucrecia.

Además de papas, entre las llamas infernales debe haber uno que otro nuncio, de esos que desde Roma envían a tierras lejanas y, apoyándose en la inmunidad que le da el título o creyéndose con la infalibilidad de quien los envía, se dedican a la depravación y a la maldad. Debe haber alguno como Jozef Wesolowski, quien portando título de arzobispo (como todos los nuncios) ha dejado una estela de excremento en, al menos, dos de las Antillas Mayores.

Russian Warships in Nicaragua Rekindle Territorial Disputes - Global Voices Online - Political Status of Puerto Rico - News and Blogs Review

Political Status of Puerto Rico - News and Blogs Review

» Russian Warships in Nicaragua Rekindle Territorial Disputes - Global Voices Online
17/09/13 19:18 from nicaragua canal - Google News
The Costa Rica NewsRussian Warships in Nicaragua Rekindle Territorial DisputesGlobal Voices OnlineThe tensions between Costa Rica and Nicaragua arise against the backdrop of a planned inter-oceanic canal to be built by a Hong Kong compan...

» Strategic Posture Review: Venezuela - World Politics Review
17/09/13 16:53 from caribbean drug trade - Google News
Strategic Posture Review: VenezuelaWorld Politics ReviewThese cells are alleged to primarily exist in western Venezuela, along the border with Colombia, and to traffic drugs, primarily cocaine, across the border with assistance from the ...

» New US ambassador arrives in Brazil amid spying scandal - People's Daily Online
16/09/13 21:50 from russia and the caribbean - Google News
New US ambassador arrives in Brazil amid spying scandalPeople's Daily OnlineAyalde, who replaces Thomas Shannon after his three-year tenure as ambassador, previously served as deputy assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Af...

» Venezuelan Technology Enters ALBA and MERCOSUR - Prensa Latina
16/09/13 18:37 from alba bloc - Google News
Venezuelan Technology Enters ALBA and MERCOSURPrensa Latina16 de septiembre de 2013, 17:24Caracas, Sep 16 (Prensa Latina) The Venezuelan telecommunications company Vtelca, created in late 2007, will be exporting cell phones to member cou...

» Correa to focus on healthcare during Cuba visit - Cuba Standard.com
16/09/13 18:09 from alba bloc - Google News
Cuba Standard.comCorrea to focus on healthcare during Cuba visitCuba Standard.comSince the death of Hugo Chávez in March, Correa has taken on a leadership role in the ALBA bloc, which recently took steps towards creating a common medica...

» UN Report: 'Convincing Evidence' Of Syria Chemical Attack - Mintpress News
16/09/13 14:50 from russia china puerto rico caribbean - Google News
UN Report: 'Convincing Evidence' Of Syria Chemical AttackMintpress NewsSecretary of State John Kerry briefed U.S. allies on a broad agreement reached over the weekend with Russia to end Syria's chemical weapons program, press...