Category: Security Intelligence

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Mississauga — RCMP and CBSA arrest passengers attempting to smuggle over $175,000 of cannabis to the UK

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

The Central Region Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) are cautioning travelers to be aware that it is illegal to bring any amount of cannabis onto any international flight.

On November 14th two separate individuals arrived at Toronto Pearson International Airport with a scheduled departure flight to London, United Kingdom (UK). Outbound baggage examinations by the CBSA uncovered two separate cases of alleged cannabis concealed inside the luggage, amounting to an approximate total of 45 kilograms with an estimated street value of $175,000.

The CBSA seized the cannabis and arrested the travelers. The Central Region Toronto Airport Detachment, Border Integrity Response team has charged:

  • Krystle Lee Paula Cormack (40), having possessed 21.95 kilograms of cannabis was arrested and charged with Export contrary to section 11(2) of the Cannabis Act.
  • Channelle Monique Atherton (32), having possessed 22.5 kilograms of cannabis was arrested and charged with Export contrary to section 11(2) of the Cannabis Act.

Both accused have been released on an undertaking and are expected to appear at the A. Grenville and William Davis Courthouse in Brampton on February 12, 2025.

“If you are a victim, or believe you have been targeted by a criminal organization to transport cannabis, report the incident to your local police. Don’t carry luggage for others, awareness is your best defence. Be suspicious of any offer that sounds too good to be true, as you will be held responsible and that dream vacation could end up turning into a trip to prison.” – Inspector John McMath Officer in Charge, RCMP Toronto Airport Detachment.

“CBSA’s Border Services Officers work tirelessly to stop the illegal importation and exportation of drugs. Together, the CBSA and the RCMP keep our borders safe and hold those who violate Canada laws accountable. Their efforts support public safety both in Canada and globally.” – Lisa Janes, Regional Director General, Canada Border Services Agency, Greater Toronto Area Region

Fast Facts

  • The RCMP supports the CBSA’s mandate at the ports of entry from inbound and outbound criminal threats through criminal investigations and prosecutions related to narcotic smuggling.
  • With a presence across Canada, the RCMP is uniquely positioned to protect our border between ports of entry, but also conduct follow-up investigations when necessary.
  • The RCMP and the CBSA work closely in an investigative capacity, along with other domestic and international law enforcement partners, to combat the impact that cross border criminal activity is having on our communities.

If you have any information related to smuggling, drug importation, trafficking, or possession, or wish to report other criminality, you can contact the Ontario RCMP at 1-800-387-0020, the confidential CBSA Border Watch toll-free line at 1-888-502-9060 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), at any time.

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Nain — Search continues for missing woman Elizabeth Jararuse in Nain

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Search efforts are ongoing for 51-year-old Elizabeth Jararuse in Nain, who has been missing since December 30, 2024.

Searchers with Nain Ground Search and Rescue, joined by local residents, have saturated the town and surrounding area over the last week in an effort to locate Jararuse. She remains missing.

Poor weather conditions continue to prevent aerial searches. Aircraft remain on standby waiting for deployment.

Anyone having information on the location of Jararuse or who may have seen her on or since December 30, 2024, is asked to contact Nain RCMP at 709-922-2862.

The investigation is continuing.

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Secretary Mayorkas and Secretary Blinken Announce Designation of Romania into the Visa Waiver Program

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

Today, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas, in consultation with Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, designated Romania as a participating country in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). The collaboration and information sharing at the core of the VWP will significantly enhance the security interests of the United States in addition to encouraging legitimate travel and commerce between the two nations. 

Secretary Mayorkas and Secretary Blinken commend Romania for meeting the stringent security requirements to join the VWP. Romania is an exceptional U.S. partner, and our strategic relationship has only grown stronger over the past several years. Romania’s entry into the VWP is evidence of our strategic partnership and our shared commitment to security and economic prosperity. 

The VWP is a culmination of comprehensive security partnerships between the United States and designated countries that meet strict requirements related to counterterrorism, law enforcement, immigration enforcement, document security, and border management. Program requirements include that the country have a rate of nonimmigrant visitor visa refusals below 3 percent during the previous fiscal year; issues secure travel documents; extends reciprocal travel privileges to all U.S. citizens and nationals without regard to national origin, religion, ethnicity, or gender; and works closely with U.S. law enforcement and counterterrorism authorities. Romania put forth a significant whole-of-government effort to meet all program requirements, including entering into partnerships with the United States to share information on terrorism and serious crimes with U.S. law enforcement and security agencies, and enhancing its vetting of individuals traveling to and through Romania. As with all VWP participating countries, DHS will continually monitor Romania’s compliance with all program requirements and, as required by statute, conduct a comprehensive assessment of Romania’s continued designation in the VWP on the national security and law enforcement interests of the United States at least once every two years. 

CBP anticipates the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) online application and mobile application will be updated on or around March 31, 2025, to allow most citizens and nationals of Romania to apply to travel to the United States under the VWP for tourism or business purposes for up to 90 days without first obtaining a U.S. visa. These authorizations are generally valid for two years. Travelers with valid B-1/B-2 visas may continue to use their visa for travel to the United States, and B-1/B-2 visas will remain an option for Romanian citizens. ESTA applications may be found at esta.cbp.dhs.gov or download the “ESTA Mobile” application through the iOS App Store or the Google Play store. 

U.S. citizens already enjoy visa-free travel to Romania and are eligible to stay in Romania for up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes if they have a passport that is valid for at least three months from the date of arrival. 

Romania is the 43rd member of the VWP and the fourth country added under Secretary Mayorkas’s tenure (Croatia (2021), Israel (2023), and Qatar (2024)). Additional information on the VWP can be found at www.dhs.gov/visa-waiver-program. 

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Stephenville — Bay St. George RCMP locates stolen vehicle, two individuals arrested

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Bay St. George RCMP arrested two individuals, a 25-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman, who were operating a stolen vehicle in Kippens on January 9, 2025.

At approximately 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, police observed a SUV with a licence plate attached that did not belong to the vehicle. Subsequent checks determined that the vehicle was stolen from Deer Lake on January 2, 2025.

The two occupants departed the vehicle on foot and were subsequently arrested a short distance away by Bay St. George RCMP for possession of property obtained by crime. Both were released from custody and are set to appear in court at a later date. The man faces charges of possession of property obtained by crime over $5000 and possession of a prohibited weapon. The woman faces charges of possession of property obtained by crime over $5000 and failure to comply with a condition of an undertaking.

RCMP NL continues to fulfill its mandate to protect public safety, enforce the law, and ensure the delivery of priority policing services in Newfoundland and Labrador.

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INTERPOL publishes first Silver Notice targeting criminal assets

Source: Interpol (news and events)

LYON, France – INTERPOL has published its first-ever Silver Notice to help trace and recover criminal assets, combat transnational organized crime and enhance international police cooperation.

The Notice, requested by Italy, seeks information on the assets belonging to a senior member of the mafia.

The Silver Notice is the newest addition to the Organization’s suite of colour-coded Notices and Diffusions, which enable countries to share alerts and requests for information worldwide. It is being launched as part of a pilot phase involving 52 countries and territories, which will run at least until November 2025.

Through Silver Notices and Diffusions, member countries can request information on assets linked to a person’s criminal activities such as fraud, corruption, drug trafficking, environmental crime and other serious offenses. It will facilitate locating, identifying, and obtaining information about laundered assets including properties, vehicles, financial accounts and businesses. Countries may subsequently use such information as a basis for bilateral engagement, including bilateral requests for seizure, confiscation or recovery of assets, subject to national laws.

Valdecy Urquiza, INTERPOL Secretary General said:

“Stripping criminals and their networks of illegal profits is one of the most powerful ways to fight transnational organized crime, especially considering that 99 per cent of criminal assets remain unrecovered. By targeting their financial gains, INTERPOL is working to disrupt criminal networks and reduce their harmful impact on communities worldwide.”

Prefect Raffaele Grassi, Deputy Director General of Public Security and Director of the Italian Criminal Police, said:

“Italy is proud to chair INTERPOL’s Expert Working Group on Asset Tracing and Recovery.  We are confident the Silver Notice and Diffusion will bring positive results, encouraging global law enforcement to enhance asset recovery efforts. It is of particular significance that this inaugural Notice has been issued at the request of investigators from the Guardia di Finanza in Palermo—a city synonymous with the Transnational Organized Crime Convention and its emphasis on the ‘follow-the-money’ principle.”

In 2023, INTERPOL’s 91st General Assembly, held in Vienna, Austria, outlined the development and implementation of the Silver Notice and Diffusion pilot through Resolution GA-2023-91-RES-11. The resolution tasked the Expert Working Group on Asset Tracing and Recovery, in collaboration with the General Secretariat, with designing the pilot’s scope, format, conditions and safeguard measures.

While Notices are shared with all 196 member countries, Diffusions may be directed to selected relevant countries. The General Secretariat will review every Silver Notice and Diffusion for compliance with the Organization’s rules prior to its publication or circulation. This includes ensuring they are not used for political purposes, in contravention of Article 3 of INTERPOL’s Constitution. During the pilot phase, extracts of Silver Notices will not be published on INTERPOL’s website.

Participating countries in the pilot will be able to collectively request up to 500 Silver Notices and Silver Diffusions, with the total divided equally among all participating countries.

Countries and territories participating in the pilot phase:

Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Burundi, China, Colombia, Congo, Ecuador, Estonia, France, Gabon, Georgia, Gibraltar (UK), Guinea, Hungary, India, Iraq, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Korea (Rep. of), Kuwait, Latvia, Malawi, Malta, Moldova, Mozambique, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Pakistan, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Trinidad & Tobago, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

INTERPOL Expert Working Group on Asset Tracing and Recovery

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Strengthening Global Nuclear Emergency Preparedness: Registration Open for 2025 ConvEx-3 Exercise

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

This year’s ConvEx-3 exercise introduces three new elements to enhance preparedness and response capabilities. First, recognizing the transboundary impacts of nuclear or radiological accidents, significant focus is placed on regional collaboration. This includes harmonizing protective measures, such as evacuation zones and iodine distribution, across borders to ensure consistent, effective actions and to build public trust.

Second, the exercise integrates a nuclear security component, simulating threats to regulatory control, physical protection and computer security in a realistic setting. This approach features collaboration among participating countries and international organizations to counter threats to the secure use of nuclear and other radioactive material.

Finally, a more integrated method for planning, conducting and evaluating the exercise will be used. This includes an expanded social media simulator, which challenges participants to manage real-time crisis communication to test the public communication strategies of participating organizations.

To ensure that the knowledge gained during ConvEx-3 has a lasting impact on national and international emergency arrangements, the exercise will be followed by a technical meeting that will provide a forum for sharing lessons learned, discussing best practices and identifying actionable improvements.

Official contact points registered on the IAEA’s USIE platform are invited to submit their country’s registration form to participate in this exercise by 31 January 2025.

For more information, contact the IAEA Incident and Emergency Centre.

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U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force Captures Beaver Falls Homicide Suspect

Source: US Marshals Service

Pittsburgh, PA – U.S. Marshal Stephen Eberle, Western District of Pennsylvania, announces the arrest of fugitive Daniel Lance Felo II, on January 9, 2025, in Connellsville, Pennsylvania.

Daniel Lance Felo II is charged by the Beaver Falls Police Department with criminal homicide, possession of a firearm, and robbery. These charges stem from an incident on December 30, 2024, in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania where a 48-year-old male was found deceased.

The U.S. Marshals Western Pennsylvania Fugitive Task Force received a request from the Beaver Falls Police Department asking for assistance in locating and apprehending Felo. Through their investigation, the U.S. Marshals Western Pennsylvania Fugitive Task Force developed information that Felo may be staying in Connellsville, Pennsylvania. On January 9, 2025, the U.S. Marshals Task Force members, assisted by the Connellsville Police Department and Beaver Falls Police Department, arrested Felo without incident at the 500 block of North Pittsburgh Street in the City of Connellsville.

The arrest of this fugitive is the direct result of the cooperative investigative efforts between, U.S. Marshals Western Pennsylvania Fugitive Task Force, the Allegheny County Police Department, the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office, the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, the Pennsylvania State Police, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police.

“The partnerships we have with city, county, state, and federal law enforcement is key to the overall success of the U.S. Marshal Service and our mission of capturing the most violent and dangerous fugitives. The members of the Fugitive Task Force work tirelessly to keep our communities safe.”

Tips can be submitted to the U.S. Marshals service directly and anonymously by downloading the USMS Tips App to your Apple or Android device. You can also follow the latest news and updates about the U.S. Marshals Service on Twitter: @USMarshalsHQ.

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Reduce, Reuse, Irradiate: IAEA Supports Partnerships in Asia and the Pacific to Recycle Plastic Waste

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

A unique combination of rapid population growth, urbanization and a shortage of available real estate has produced an acute housing crisis in the Philippines, whose population of nearly 110 million faces a shortage of approximately 6.5 million homes, projected to rise to 22 million by 2040.

Following a national stakeholder meeting organized through the ongoing IAEA project in 2023, the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) and Envirotech Waste Recycling Inc. formed a partnership in July 2023 that aims to address both the country’s housing crisis and its plastic waste problem.

Construction materials made from recycled plastic—including tiles, bricks, lumber and boards—are being provided by Envirotech for irradiation by PNRI experts to improve their tensile and sheer strength, abrasion resistance and other mechanical properties.

These efforts correspond closely to the objectives of the Philippines’ Post-radiation Reactive Extrusion of Plastic Wastes (PREx Plastic) Project, a national development plan supported by the NUTEC Plastics initiative that aims to use radiation to enhance the thermomechanical strength of materials produced from plastic wastes, which would enable more uses for recycled plastics.

The collaboration between PNRI and Envirotech Waste Recycling Inc. uses the company’s facility for upscaling experiments. “This enables the investigation and translation of lab-scale findings to real manufacturing setups,” said Jordan Madrid, Head of PNRI’s Chemistry Research Section.

“Through industry collaboration, the objectives of applied research are more precisely targeted, thereby enhancing its industrial relevance and, as a result, its national impact,” Madrid added.

For more information and to join NUTEC Plastics, visit the NUTEC Portal.

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Bible Hill — Update: Northeast Nova Major Crime Unit investigating suspicious death as a homicide

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

The RCMP Northeast Nova Major Crime Unit (NEN MCU) is investigating the suspicious death of a woman in Bible Hill on January 3 as a homicide.

On January 3 at approximately 9:30 am, Colchester County District RCMP responded to a home on Bomber Dr. as part of a wellbeing check and located a deceased 42-year-old woman and an unconscious man who was transported to hospital.

The woman’s death was considered suspicious and NEN MCU took lead of the investigation, supported by Colchester County District RCMP, Truro Police Service, RCMP Forensic Identification Services (FIS) and the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service.

The Medical Examiner Service has ruled the death a homicide. Investigators have executed search warrants to collect supporting evidence and NEN MCU continues to lead the investigation with support from RCMP Forensic Identification Services (FIS). There is no evidence to suggest a risk to the public or that the homicide is an incident of intimate partner violence.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the NEN MCU at 902-896-5060 and reference file number 2025-10877. To remain anonymous, contact Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers toll free at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips App.

Our thoughts continue to be with the woman’s loved ones at this difficult time.

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Deer Lake — Arrest warrant issue for Shane White

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Deer Lake RCMP and the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) in Corner Brook are looking to arrest wanted man, 39-year-old Shane Roderick White of Benoit’s Cove, who is actively evading police.

White is wanted in relation to a number of charges including:

  • Robbery
  • Robbery with the use of a firearm
  • Extortion with a firearm
  • Unauthorized possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle
  • Failure to attend court – two counts
  • Failure to comply with a condition of a release order – eight counts

Anyone having information about the current location of Shane White is asked to contact Deer Lake RCMP (709-635-2173) or Corner Brook RNC (709-637-4100). To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers: #SayItHere 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), visit www.nlcrimestoppers.com or use the P3Tips app.