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My question is why did the Gleaner choose to put this (white) man's picture instead of Commissioner Ellington's?
Jamaican, US lawmen bring down int'l drug ring
Published: Friday | December 17, 2010 0 Comments and 0 Reactions
This case demonstrates the strong partnership between law-enforcement agencies in the United States and Jamaica to combat corruption - Felice
Just days after the country's image was tarnished by the leak of a United States cable that revealed Cuban officials were concerned about Jamaica's weak approach to tackling drug dealers, local law-enforcement officials have been applauded for their role in cracking an international narcotics ring. A United States federal customs officer based at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and 13 others, including several persons believed to be Jamaicans, were arrested by American authorities for alleged drug trafficking following a large-scale investigation code-named 'Operation Rude Beast'.
The investigation was led by US law-enforcement officers with invaluable work from police personnel in Jamaica.
At a news conference yesterday, American law-enforcement authorities applauded their Jamaican counterparts for their role in cracking what has been described as a major drug gang involved in other criminal activities.
"The amount of Ecstasy in this case is staggering. It appears to be one of the largest such seizures in the country," said United States attorney Sally Quillian Yates.
The commendation came just at the right time for the Government and the local police who have faced accusing stares since the release of the cable on Monday by the whistle-blower website WikiLeaks.
"As commissioner of police, I am proud of the work our members did in partnering with our friends from several United States law-enforcement agencies to smash what has turned out to be a major international drug-trafficking ring," said Police Commissioner Owen Ellington.
"The quality of the investigative work done by our members is not only to be commended but also to be replicated by others.
"This is yet another clear example of the determination of law- enforcement agencies from the United States and Jamaica to cooperate and work together for the common good of defeating international organised crime," Ellington added.
Strong partnership
His comments echoed those of head of the police Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB), Assistant Commis-sioner Justin Felice, in a release that was issued to the international community by the US authorities.
"This case demonstrates the strong partnership between law- enforcement agencies in the United States and Jamaica to combat corruption and bring those who would tarnish their public oaths to uphold the law to justice," Felice said. "The citizens of all countries need to know international cooperation between US law-enforcement agencies and the ACB is essential to reduce the levels of transnational crime and maintain public confidence in law enforcement. Integrity is non-negotiable."
That was a message shared by other law-enforcement officials, including DeKalb County Police Chief William O'Brien.
"This investigation demonstrates the effectiveness and commitment of law-enforcement agencies to prevent drugs from continuing to infiltrate our communities. The multijurisdictional cooperation exhibited in this investigation is evidence that pooled resources can make significant inroads in identifying and prosecuting individuals violating the law," said O'Brien.
According to the American officials, 45-year-old Devon Samuels, a customs and border protection officer from Georgia, was caught in three undercover sting operations to smuggle alleged drug money and guns through Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.
It is alleged that on November 3, an undercover officer posing as a drug money launderer gave Samuels approximately US$22,000, claiming it was the proceeds of the sale of drugs.
It is alleged that Samuels unlawfully used his badge to bypass security and smuggled the money through Atlanta's airport to Jamaica. Once in Jamaica, Samuels delivered the money to a Jamaican undercover police officer, who was posing as an international drug trafficker.
On November 19, Samuels allegedly accepted US$50,000 in 'drug money' from another undercover officer. Samuels and his wife, Keisha Jones, then travelled from Atlanta to Jamaica, where they delivered the money to Jamaican undercover police officers.
Three indictments
Yesterday, US prosecutors unsealed three indictments related to 'Operation Rude Beast', which had been returned by a federal grand jury.
Samuels and two others were charged with offences including conspiring to launder drug money, bulk cash smuggling, and attempting to bring a weapon on to an aircraft.
In the second indictment, 13 people were charged with offences, including conspiracy to traffic MDMA (Ecstasy) and marijuana, and firearms violations.
Samuels and two others were also charged with offences, including conspiracy to commit marriage fraud and making false statements on immigration documents.
The indictments also contain forfeiture provisions seeking to forfeit any/all ill-gotten gains from the criminal activity, including properties, vehicles, and weapons.
Jamaican, US lawmen bring down int'l drug ring
Published: Friday | December 17, 2010 0 Comments and 0 Reactions
This case demonstrates the strong partnership between law-enforcement agencies in the United States and Jamaica to combat corruption - Felice
Just days after the country's image was tarnished by the leak of a United States cable that revealed Cuban officials were concerned about Jamaica's weak approach to tackling drug dealers, local law-enforcement officials have been applauded for their role in cracking an international narcotics ring. A United States federal customs officer based at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and 13 others, including several persons believed to be Jamaicans, were arrested by American authorities for alleged drug trafficking following a large-scale investigation code-named 'Operation Rude Beast'.
The investigation was led by US law-enforcement officers with invaluable work from police personnel in Jamaica.
At a news conference yesterday, American law-enforcement authorities applauded their Jamaican counterparts for their role in cracking what has been described as a major drug gang involved in other criminal activities.
"The amount of Ecstasy in this case is staggering. It appears to be one of the largest such seizures in the country," said United States attorney Sally Quillian Yates.
The commendation came just at the right time for the Government and the local police who have faced accusing stares since the release of the cable on Monday by the whistle-blower website WikiLeaks.
"As commissioner of police, I am proud of the work our members did in partnering with our friends from several United States law-enforcement agencies to smash what has turned out to be a major international drug-trafficking ring," said Police Commissioner Owen Ellington.
"The quality of the investigative work done by our members is not only to be commended but also to be replicated by others.
"This is yet another clear example of the determination of law- enforcement agencies from the United States and Jamaica to cooperate and work together for the common good of defeating international organised crime," Ellington added.
Strong partnership
His comments echoed those of head of the police Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB), Assistant Commis-sioner Justin Felice, in a release that was issued to the international community by the US authorities.
"This case demonstrates the strong partnership between law- enforcement agencies in the United States and Jamaica to combat corruption and bring those who would tarnish their public oaths to uphold the law to justice," Felice said. "The citizens of all countries need to know international cooperation between US law-enforcement agencies and the ACB is essential to reduce the levels of transnational crime and maintain public confidence in law enforcement. Integrity is non-negotiable."
That was a message shared by other law-enforcement officials, including DeKalb County Police Chief William O'Brien.
"This investigation demonstrates the effectiveness and commitment of law-enforcement agencies to prevent drugs from continuing to infiltrate our communities. The multijurisdictional cooperation exhibited in this investigation is evidence that pooled resources can make significant inroads in identifying and prosecuting individuals violating the law," said O'Brien.
According to the American officials, 45-year-old Devon Samuels, a customs and border protection officer from Georgia, was caught in three undercover sting operations to smuggle alleged drug money and guns through Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.
It is alleged that on November 3, an undercover officer posing as a drug money launderer gave Samuels approximately US$22,000, claiming it was the proceeds of the sale of drugs.
It is alleged that Samuels unlawfully used his badge to bypass security and smuggled the money through Atlanta's airport to Jamaica. Once in Jamaica, Samuels delivered the money to a Jamaican undercover police officer, who was posing as an international drug trafficker.
On November 19, Samuels allegedly accepted US$50,000 in 'drug money' from another undercover officer. Samuels and his wife, Keisha Jones, then travelled from Atlanta to Jamaica, where they delivered the money to Jamaican undercover police officers.
Three indictments
Yesterday, US prosecutors unsealed three indictments related to 'Operation Rude Beast', which had been returned by a federal grand jury.
Samuels and two others were charged with offences including conspiring to launder drug money, bulk cash smuggling, and attempting to bring a weapon on to an aircraft.
In the second indictment, 13 people were charged with offences, including conspiracy to traffic MDMA (Ecstasy) and marijuana, and firearms violations.
Samuels and two others were also charged with offences, including conspiracy to commit marriage fraud and making false statements on immigration documents.
The indictments also contain forfeiture provisions seeking to forfeit any/all ill-gotten gains from the criminal activity, including properties, vehicles, and weapons.
Paul Marin -19 is one thing, 20 is a whole other matter. It gets even worse if they win the UCL. *groan*. 
05/18/2011.MU fans naah cough, but all a unuh a vomit?-Lazie 1/11/2015
ELLINGTON... I am proud of the work our members did 
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