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Balkan Cartel Busted

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Diaspora Watch by Excel Global Media Group

Balkan Cartel Busted: Eight Tons of Cocaine Seized, Dozens Arrested Across Europe

European police forces have arrested around 40 individuals in a prolonged operation targeting a significant drug smuggling cartel, resulting in the seizure of eight tons of cocaine, Europol announced Thursday.

The cartel, with leaders based in Turkey and Dubai, suffered a major setback following a final series of arrests on Wednesday, according to the Hague-based police coordination agency.

Oscar Esteban Remacha, head of the anti-drug trafficking unit at Spain’s Guardia Civil, stated at a news conference in Madrid that the network had “the capacity to transport tons and tons of cocaine all over the world.”

Europol released images and a nearly 10-minute video on Thursday, showing K-9 dogs and officers uncovering bags of suspected drugs and detaining multiple suspects. The video also captures a boat being intercepted at sea, with officers unloading bags of suspected narcotics.

The final phase of the operation commenced in August 2023, when the Guardia Civil discovered 1,540 pounds of cocaine on a boat off the Canary Islands, crewed by Croatian and Italian citizens. Spain, due to its ties with Latin America and proximity to Morocco, serves as a major entry point for drugs into Europe.

Upon sharing their findings with other police forces, investigators identified connections to previous seizures, leading to the identification of the cartel’s leaders. Europol indicated that many network members were from Balkan countries.

Approximately 40 individuals were arrested across six countries, including two top Croatian members detained in Istanbul late last year. The last four arrests occurred on Wednesday in Spain.

An AFP journalist reported that heavily armed Guardia Civil officers arrested a 40-year-old suspect during a dawn raid at his home in Marbella, a Mediterranean seaside resort.

“This is one of the biggest operations against the Balkan cartels to date,” said Tomislav Stambuk, a Croatian police officer, at the news conference. “Serious assessments are that the Balkan cartel is responsible for the supply of more than half of the cocaine in Europe.”

Europol noted that the network’s assets, valued at several tens of millions of euros, had been seized or frozen. The smugglers transported cocaine from South America to logistical hubs in West Africa and the Canary Islands, before distributing it to centers in Belgium, Croatia, Germany, Italy, and Spain.

The bust occurs amid a surge in cocaine production, according to Robert Fay, head of Europol’s narcotics department. Cocaine seizures at European ports have reached record levels, and Fay expressed concern over the rise in drug-related violence across the continent.

“We see bombings, killings, professional assassinations, shootings happening almost every day in the European Union,” Fay said.

The arrests in Spain follow the country’s “biggest-ever seizure” of crystal meth, 1.8 tons, attempted by Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel last month.

Globally, other major cocaine busts have been reported. Recently, Colombian naval officers seized two semisubmersible vessels carrying nearly five tons of cocaine in the Pacific Ocean. The U.S. Coast Guard offloaded $63 million worth of cocaine in Florida after a high-speed shootout in the Caribbean Sea, and the French Navy confiscated 2.4 tons of cocaine from a fishing boat in the Atlantic Ocean.

Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine producer, responsible for about 60% of global production.

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Guyana Government Approves $123 Million For CARICOM Nations

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Guyana Government Approves $123 Million For CARICOM Nations - Diaspora Watch newspaper

In a move to strengthen regional stability and provide humanitarian support, Guyana’s National Assembly has approved $123 million (approximately $587,940 USD) for CARICOM nations, Diaspora Watch can report. This decision was made during the 89th Sitting of the National Assembly, where Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd, emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting its neighbors in need.

Diaspora Watch was told the funds will primarily support Haiti, which has been plagued by severe gang violence, resulting in over 2,500 people killed or wounded between January and March this year. Recall that the violence has led to a shortage of food, water, and other essential items, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. Minister Todd highlighted Guyana’s history of providing support to its Caribbean neighbors, citing the recent example of Hurricane Beryl, which devastated several Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) in the region.

Guyana provided contributions in kind to affected OECS countries, demonstrating its commitment to regional solidarity. The approval of these funds comes on the heels of a recent meeting between Heads of Government of Caribbean nations in Guyana, where they discussed the pressing issues of crime and gang violence in the region. The meeting highlighted the need for collective action to address these challenges, which have resulted in a 154% increase in regional security budgets between 2019 and 2024. In July, Guyana provided its first shipment of relief aid to Grenada, comprising vital items such as generators, water purification tablets, and hygiene products. This donation demonstrates Guyana’s commitment to providing tangible support to its neighbors in need.

Guyana Government Approves $123 Million For CARICOM Nations - Diaspora Watch newspaper

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Cybersecurity and Data Protection in Africa

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Map of Africa

Kimma Wreh (CIO, Excel Global Media Group Inc) provided keynote address on Cybersecurity and Data Protection in Africa at the Innovate Africa Conference 2024. The conference was held at George Washington University in Washington DC in September 2024.

To book Kimma, send email to exceltekay@gmail.com or call 832-483-4864.

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Olojo Festival: Honoring the Gods and Celebrating Yoruba Heritage

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Olojo Festival - Diaspora Watch -Vol. 23 (Nov. 4-10, 2024)

The Olojo Festival, an ancient and vibrant Yoruba festival, is a grand celebration held annually in Ile-Ife, Nigeria, to honor Ogun, the god of iron and war, and the rich heritage of the Yoruba people. This deeply spiritual festival brings thousands of people together, showcasing traditional customs, colorful attire, music, and rituals that highlight Yoruba history and mythology.

The highlight of the event is the appearance of the Ooni of Ife, who dons the sacred Are Crown, believed to hold immense spiritual power. Through processions, sacrifices, and community gatherings, the Olojo Festival strengthens cultural identity, unites people, and pays homage to the gods. As an enduring celebration of Yoruba pride, it captivates locals and visitors alike, reminding all of the deep cultural legacy of Ile-Ife.

Olojo Festival: Honoring the Gods and Celebrating Yoruba Heritage

Welcome to the highly anticipated 23rd volume of Diaspora Watch, your indispensable source connecting the vibrant African diaspora around the world! This edition is packed with captivating stories and in-depth analysis.

FREE Digital View: https://www.flipsnack.com/excelglobalmedia/diaspora-watch-vol-23-nov-4-10-2024/full-view.html

Print on Demand: https://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/2935447?__r=1069759

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