Category: Security Intelligence

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Drug trafficking and terrorism focus of INTERPOL European Regional Conference

Source: Interpol (news and events)

29 May 2019

KATOWICE, Poland – Increased drug flows into Europe and the threat of returning foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs) are two key security concerns being addressed at an INTERPOL conference for the region.

The liberation of all Daesh-held population areas in Syria means FTFs are now likely to scatter around the globe, to other conflict zones, their countries of origin, or to carry out attacks such as the Sri Lanka bombings.

Ensuring frontline officers have access to information contained in INTERPOL’s global databases, including details of more than 50,000 FTFs and 86.2 million lost and stolen travel documents, is key for enhancing national and regional security.

Poland’s Under Secretary of State Renata Szczęch officially opened the 47th INTERPOL European Regional Conference.

Opening the 47th INTERPOL European Regional Conference, Poland’s Undersecretary of State Renata Szczęch said, “With criminal networks often the early adopters of technological solutions, we need to do our best to stay one step ahead, and INTERPOL has a key role to play in this regard.

“The need to further strengthen our cooperation persists and keeping this in mind, we commit ourselves to making another step on the way to a more secure Europe,” said Undersecretary Szczęch.

INTERPOL President Kim Jong Yang said the European region continued to spearhead police cooperation and innovation to address today’s global security challenges.

“As the saying goes, ‘the future belongs to those who prepare for it today’. This conference once again sees Europe at the forefront of INTERPOL’s work to make the world a safer place,” said President Kim.

INTERPOL President Kim Jong Yang said the European region continued to spearhead police cooperation and innovation to address today’s global security challenges.

Commander in Chief of the Polish National Police, Jarosław Szymczyk said: “These three days will help us focus on key issues and challenges faced by law enforcement in all European countries, and strengthen our ties in combating drug crime, money laundering and terrorism financing.”

To assist European member countries combat drug trafficking which is reaching record levels, in April this year INTERPOL launched the RELIEF database which was developed for the Organization by the Czech Republic.

Jarosław Szymczyk, Commander in Chief of the Polish National Police, which is this year hosting the INTERPOL European Regional Conference.

RELIEF’s purpose is to help law enforcement better identify the origin and routes of drug deliveries and shipments through automatically comparing the tool-marks, logos and chemical compositions of drug packages.

INTERPOL Secretary General Jürgen Stock said whilst the threat of terrorism continues to dominate headlines, every day police officers on the ground continue to tackle a wide spectrum of crimes.

“Today there are no purely regional criminal threats.  Women, children and men are enslaved by human traffickers and smuggled across borders, an unprecedented supply of drugs is being routed to Europe from Latin America, whilst cyber criminals carry out attacks from all corners of the globe.

INTERPOL Secretary General Jürgen Stock said whilst the threat of terrorism continues to dominate headlines, every day police officers on the ground continue to tackle a wide spectrum of crimes.

“When an officer begins an investigation, they do not know where it will take them, but one thing is certain, INTERPOL’s global network means assistance can be provided from around the world. It also means there is nowhere for criminals to hide,” added the Secretary General.

More than 170 senior police officials from 54 countries are attending the INTERPOL European Regional Conference.

The 47th INTERPOL European Regional Conference is being held in Katowice, Poland from 29 to 31 May.

The European Regional Conference brings together heads of police to discuss security issues that affect the region.

Host of the 47th INTERPOL European Regional Conference, the Polish National Police is celebrating its centenary this year.

Increased drug flows into Europe and the threat of returning foreign terrorist fighters are high on the agenda of the INTERPOL European Regional Conference.

(L–R) INTERPOL Secretary General Jürgen Stock, INTERPOL President Kim Jong Yang, Poland’s Under Secretary of State Renata Szczęch and Commander in Chief of the Polish National Police Jarosław Szymczyk at the INTERPOL European Regional Conference.

INTERPOL’s European region is the most active, having already conducted more than 1.2 billion searches of the Organization’s databases in 2019, nearly half of all checks made globally.

More than 170 senior police officials from 55 countries are attending the three-day (29 – 31 May) meeting which will also address stolen works of art links to money laundering and enhancing biometric information sharing to counter terrorism.

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New operation against criminal network smuggling Syrian migrants to Germany: five arrests

Source: Eurojust

Eurojust has supported the German and Dutch authorities in a coordinated action against an organised crime group (OCG) smuggling mainly Syrian migrants to Germany. In a joint operation, five suspects were arrested in Germany, the Netherlands and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Since 2021, at least 500 migrants have been irregularly transported via the so-called Balkan route. The network itself, however, boasts about much higher numbers of migrants being trafficked and has been advertising these figures on social media. The proceeds from the migrant smuggling are estimated to be at least EUR 1.4 million.

The arrested suspects are all Syrian nationals who arranged the transport of migrants in vehicles over land from Greece to Germany. On average, they asked for a fee of EUR 4 500 per person for the irregular transports. Investigations into the OCG were supported by information obtained via a Eurojust-supported joint investigation team into a similar network, which led to 29 arrests in October and November of last year. 

These investigations also enabled contact with the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where three suspects were taken into custody. Both in Germany and the Netherlands, one suspect was arrested. The OCG members occasionally resorted to severe physical violence and used state-of-the-art communication tools. 

During this week’s coordinated action, four places were searched and a wide range of evidence was seized, including smartphones used in the smuggling activities, as well as various vehicles and small quantities of illicit drugs. Eurojust assisted the German and Dutch authorities in preparing for the action day, including organising seven coordination meetings between all the involved authorities. 

Today’s actions were carried out at the request of and by the following authorities: 

  • Germany: Public Prosecutor’s Office (PPO) Weiden; Federal Police Inspection Munich (Bundespolizeiinspektion Kriminalitätsbekämpfung)
  • The Netherlands: National PPO; Royal Netherlands Marechaussee (Koninklijke Marechaussee)
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina: Special Department for Organised Crime – Economic Crime and Corruption Service of the Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina; State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA)
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Missing Juvenile Recovered During Fugitive Operation

Source: US Marshals Service

Baltimore, MD – The U.S. Marshals Service Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force (CARFTF), in coordination with the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office (MD), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) – Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) recovered a missing juvenile during a fugitive apprehension operation yesterday in Frederick, Maryland.

During the operation law enforcement personnel arrested Denis Misael Dominguez Reyes, 27, a citizen of El Salvador and an alleged member of the MS-13 street gang, pursuant to a Final Order of Removal issued by federal immigration authorities. Information obtained during the investigation indicated that Dominguez Reyes may have been harboring a 16-year-old female juvenile, also from El Salvador, who had been reported missing to the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office.

Given the elevated risk factors associated with the case, the U.S. Marshals Service mobilized to support local law enforcement in the recovery of the minor. Dominguez Reyes was located and taken into custody near 501 W. 7th Street in Frederick, MD. During the arrest, the missing juvenile was safely recovered and turned over to local authorities for appropriate care and reunification with her family.

“Assisting our state and local partners to recover critically missing children is a top priority of the United States Marshals Service,” stated Clinton J. Fuchs, U.S. Marshal for the District of Maryland. “We will continue to do everything we can to find these children and safely reunite them with their families.”

Dominguez Reyes is currently in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and remains subject to removal proceedings.

Participating partners in this investigation included: U.S. Marshals Service; Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Enforcement and Removal Operations; Homeland Security Investigations; and Frederick County Sheriff’s Office.

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DHS Releases Video Honoring Illinois Woman Katie Abraham Who Was Killed by an Illegal Alien Charged with DUI in Hit and Run

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

Today, Secretary Noem is in Chicago highlighting the worst of the worst arrested in the Sanctuary City

WASHINGTON—In January 2025, a 20-year-old Illinois woman, Katie Abraham and her friend Chloe Polzin, were killed in an drunk driving hit-and-run car wreck caused by criminal illegal alien Julio Cucul-Bol. According to the Urbana Police Department, Cucul-Bol, an illegal alien from Guatemala, is charged with leaving the scene of a crash resulting in death, aggravated driving under the influence resulting in death, and reckless homicide.

Additionally, the Department of Justice charged Cucul-Bol with possession of a false permanent resident card, possession of a false social security card, false use of passport, and making a false statement on a bank application.

DHS released the below video to honor Katie’s life and share her tragic story.

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Watch the full video here.

The release of this video comes as Secretary Noem is in Chicago highlighting the worst of the worst criminals ICE arrested in the sanctuary.

“These two young women—college students with their entire lives ahead of them—were killed by an illegal alien who should have NEVER been in our country. This tragedy was senseless and completely preventable,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “Sanctuary policies and politicians like JB Pritzker who protect illegal aliens are endangering American lives. ICE will continue to arrest the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens and put the safety of Americans first. President Trump and Secretary Noem stand with the victims of illegal alien crime while Governor Pritzker stands with criminal illegal aliens.”

Unfortunately, many other American families have similar stories to the Abraham family. The following names are just a handful of Americans whose lives were taken too soon at the hands of illegal aliens driving under the influence.

DHS law enforcement is protecting American communities every day from another senseless tragedy like these from taking place in another town, to another family. Victims of illegal alien crime may receive support from the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement Office (VOICE) by contacting 1-855-488-6423.

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IAEA Launches New Outlook on Nuclear Power for Development in Africa at G20

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

A growing number of African countries are interested in adding nuclear to their energy mix, with Egypt building its first nuclear power plant and countries including Ghana and Kenya working with the IAEA to develop the requisite infrastructure to launch their programmes. The latest IAEA projections have nuclear capacity in Africa increasing tenfold by 2050 in the high case scenario, while even in the low case scenario the current figure grows by a factor of five.

The publication surveys the continent’s current energy landscape, highlighting the prospects for nuclear power to address the lack of electricity that is a daily reality for about half a billion people across Africa. The report also takes an in-depth look at what is required to deploy enough nuclear to meet the continent’s significant energy needs, underscoring the importance of addressing financing challenges, implementing strong, supportive government policies and adopting a regional approach to nuclear power development, and details IAEA support in these and other areas.

“Access to reliable and low-carbon energy sources such as nuclear can enable Africa to further explore and more importantly also add benefits and value to its vast natural resources, including uranium,” said Frederik Reitsma, Head of the IAEA’s Nuclear Power Technology Development Section. “History has shown that the development of a nuclear power programme, and the development of the associated supply chain, drives industrial growth and leads to advanced technology development in other areas.”

The publication also discusses how SMRs could play a major role in Africa, highlighting benefits such as their suitability for the relatively small electric grids that are common in Africa as well as lower capital costs. Uranium mining is also identified as a significant growth opportunity for the continent, which is already home to three of the world’s top ten uranium producers: Namibia, Niger and South Africa.

“As the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) contributes to the development of an energy security framework for G20 nations, insight-rich resources such as the IAEA’s Outlook for Nuclear Energy in Africa are essential to address regional resource expansion and inform development across continents,” said Emma Wong, Nuclear Principal Lead for Innovation, Quantum Technology and International Development at EPRI in remarks delivered during the launch event. “By together leveraging every resource at our disposal, we can amplify the value of global efforts to deliver the economic, environmental, and societal benefits of energy abundance to society.”

“The Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) provides a trusted and inclusive platform where countries can engage in informed dialogue on the opportunities and challenges of nuclear energy, and advance practical cooperation aligned with their national priorities” said Jean-François Gagné, Head of the CEM Secretariat. “As a key international platform, the CEM supports governments in advancing their nuclear energy ambitions, including in emerging and developing economies. In Africa, the CEM NICE Future Initiative has actively worked with countries such as Ghana and Kenya, helping them explore the potential role of nuclear energy in their broader clean energy transitions. The CEM works in close partnership with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), fostering international collaboration and knowledge exchange in support of national and regional goals.”

Looking ahead, the IAEA is preparing to engage at the G20’s Energy Transitions Ministerial Meeting, scheduled for October in South Africa. The IAEA is currently developing a publication on the coal-to-nuclear transition which covers the economic benefits of converting former coal sites for nuclear power deployment and provides an overview of the technical aspects of the repurposing process. This report is set to be released just ahead of the meeting.    

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Sri Lanka Makes Strides in Prevention and Care of Cervical Cancer

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

The imPACT review team spent a week in March 2025 gathering firsthand information about cancer services in Sri Lanka. (Photo: WHO Sri Lanka)  

An international review has found that Sri Lanka has made strides in cancer control in the past five years, boosting vaccination against the human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer screening, and expanding access to treatment services and palliative care. The country now plans to address a growing burden of oral cancers and to reinforce childhood cancer programmes as part of its upcoming health strategy.  

The imPACT review, concluded in March 2025, was carried out jointly by the IAEA, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), with technical engagement from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the MD Anderson Cancer Center in the United States of America.  

The review covered Sri Lanka’s capacities and progress in cancer management since a previous assessment in 2019, which laid the groundwork for the National Strategic Plan on Prevention and Control of Cancer (2020-2024).   

The 2025 review team comprised 17 international experts nominated by the three organizations. Evaluation areas, as identified by the Sri Lanka Ministry of Health, included prevention initiatives at the primary care level, early detection initiatives, cancer services at major hospitals, and oncology workforce capacities and needs.  

“We noted key areas of progress in the past five years across the continuum of care, including in prevention and access to treatment services,” said Arsen Juric, IAEA Programme Officer and imPACT review team leader. First dose HPV vaccination coverage surpassed 90% and cervical cancer screening exceeded 50% in 2022. Advancements were also made in clinical services, including the installation of new radiation therapy machines and the establishment of outpatient chemotherapy services. Palliative care consultation services are now available in 11 institutions, with 230 public health nursing officers providing palliative home care.  

“The recommendations from the review are timely and will help to inform the new National Strategic Plan on Cancer Control, set to take effect from 2025, as well as the National Health Strategic Master Plan 2026-2035,” said Asela Gunawardena, Director General of Health Services at Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Health and Mass Media. “The journey ahead is critical, as Sri Lanka works to combat a growing burden of cancer and to improve health outcomes for its population,” Gunawardena added.  

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DHS Debunks Georgia Senator’s False Allegations About ICE Detention Centers

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today released the following statement and fact-checked U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff’s report titled, “The Abuse of Pregnant Women & Children in U.S. Immigration Detention.”  

“Politicians stayed quiet as the Biden administration lost 450,000 unaccompanied migrant children and opened our border to terrorists and gang members. Yet now, these same politicians are peddling FALSE claims that rely on inaccurate reporting to score political points,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “Senator Ossoff’s false allegations of subprime conditions have been debunked time and time again by DHS. ICE detention facilities have higher standards than most U.S. prisons that detain American citizens. All detainees are provided with comprehensive medical care, proper meals, and are given the opportunity to call their family members and attorneys. These false allegations are garbage and are part of the reason ICE agents are now facing an 1,000% increase in assaults against them.” 

CLAIM: Obstruction of Congressional oversight by the Department of Homeland Security has been an impediment to site visits. 

REALITY: Senator Ossoff has never been denied a tour or access to an ICE facility. The Senator’s staff member has never been denied access to any ICE facilities and have been afforded tours to multiple locations. At no time during any ICE facility visits were any concerns or complaints raised to facility staff.  

CLAIM: Senator Ossoff “identified 18 reports of children as young as two years old, including U.S. citizens, being mistreated in DHS custody. Three of these children reportedly experienced severe medical issues while in detention and were denied adequate medical treatment.”  

REALITY: It is a longstanding practice to provide comprehensive medical care from the moment an alien enters ICE custody. This includes medical, dental, and mental health intake screening within 12 hours of arriving at each detention facility, a full health assessment within 14 days of entering ICE custody or arrival at a facility, and access to medical appointments and 24-hour emergency care. For many of these children this is the best healthcare they have received in their entire lives.  

CLAIM: Senator Ossoff “identified 14 credible reports that pregnant women have been mistreated in DHS custody, including not receiving adequate medical care and timely checkups, not receiving urgent care when needed, being denied snacks and adequate meals, and being forced to sleep on the floor due to overcrowding.” 

REALITY: Pregnant women receive regular prenatal visits, mental health services, nutritional support, and accommodations aligned with community standards of care. Detention of pregnant women is rare and has elevated oversight and review. No pregnant woman has been forced to sleep on the floor.  

CLAIM: Senator Ossoff claims illegal aliens were “denied snacks and adequate meals, and being forced to sleep on the floor.”  

REALITY: ICE is regularly audited and inspected by external agencies to ensure all facilities comply with performance-based national detention standards. Any claim there is a lack of food or subprime conditions at ICE detention centers are false. ICE has higher detention standards than most U.S. prisons that hold actual U.S. citizens. All detainees are provided with proper meals, medical treatment, and have opportunities to communicate with their family members and lawyers. Meals are certified by dieticians. 

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ICE Lodges Detainer for Venezuelan Tren de Aragua Affiliate Gang Member Charged in Killing of Woman in Sanctuary City of Aurora, Colorado

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

This criminal illegal alien with ties to Tren de Aragua (TdA) entered the U.S. in 2023 and was RELEASED by the Biden Administration

WASHINGTON — The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodged an arrest detainer against Michel Jordan Castellano Fonseca, a criminal illegal alien from Venezuela with ties to Tren de Aragua (TdA). 

On Sunday, August 3, 2025, Castellano Fonesca forcibly entered an apartment and shot two women—one allegedly being his sister-in-law and the other being his wife— in front of five children who were present in the home. The shooting resulted in the death of his sister-in-law and left his wife critically injured. The Aurora Police Department charged him with homicide and arrested him on Monday August 4, 2025.

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“Michel Jordan Castellano Fonseca, a criminal illegal alien with ties to TDA, was released into our country by the Biden Administration in 2023. On Sunday, this monster shot two women, killing one, in front of five innocent children,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “Aurora, Colorado—a sanctuary city—has given cover to Tren de Aragua gang members to terrorize our communities. The brave men and women of ICE will be relentless in their efforts to ensure Tren de Aragua terrorists are removed from our country for GOOD.”  

Castellano Fonseca entered the United States illegally in December 2023, under the Biden administration. He was released into the country with a Notice to Appear before an immigration judge.

In October 2024, Castellano Fonseca was arrested by the Port Richey Police Department for driving without a valid license.

At the time of the August 3 arrest, this criminal illegal alien also had a domestic violence warrant for his arrest out of Arapahoe County. 

On January 20, 2025, President Donnald J. Trump signed the Designating Cartels And Other Organizations As Foreign Terrorist Organizations And Specially Designated Global Terrorists Executive Order, designating Tren de Aragua as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. TdA gang members rape, maim, and kill for sport. Under Secretary Noem, ICE has been unleashed to ensure these public safety threats are removed from U.S. communities.

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CISA issues emergency directive requiring federal agencies to update systems to prevent Microsoft Exchange vulnerability

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

WASHINGTON – Today, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued Emergency Directive 25-02 in response to a vulnerability that impacts hybrid Microsoft Exchange users. This post-authentication vulnerability allows a cyber threat actor with administrative access to an Exchange server to escalate privileges and exploit vulnerable hybrid-joined configurations against the organization’s connected cloud environment. Federal civilian agencies are directed to take immediate action and implement vendor mitigation guidance.

At this time, CISA is not aware of active exploitation. However, the new common vulnerabilities and exposure (CVE), CVE-2025-53786, could severely impact an organization’s identity integrity and administrative access across cloud-connected services if it is not addressed. 

“As America’s cyber defense agency and the operational lead for federal civilian cybersecurity, CISA is taking urgent action to mitigate this vulnerability that poses a significant, unacceptable risk to the federal systems upon which Americans depend,” said CISA Acting Director Madhu Gottumukkala. “The risks associated with this Microsoft Exchange vulnerability extend to every organization and sector using this environment. While federal agencies are mandated, we strongly urge all organizations to adopt the actions in this Emergency Directive.”  

As federal civilian agencies implement this mandate, CISA will assess and support agency adherence and provide additional resources as required. CISA is committed to using its cybersecurity authorities to gain greater visibility and drive timely risk reduction across federal civilian agencies.

For more information on CISA Directives, visit Cybersecurity Directives.

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About CISA 

As the nation’s cyber defense agency and national coordinator for critical infrastructure security, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency leads the national effort to understand, manage, and reduce risk to the digital and physical infrastructure Americans rely on every hour of every day.

Visit CISA.gov for more information and follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram. 

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Criminal Illegal Alien Charged with Driving While Intoxicated Kills Lawn Mower Operator in Louisiana

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

DHS confirms ICE placed a detainer on this criminal illegal alien to ensure he can never wreak havoc in American communities again

WASHINGTON — Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodged an arrest detainer against Roberto Romero-Hernandez, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, following his arrest by the Louisiana State Police in connection with the tragic death of 59-year-old Rickey G. Maddox of Alexandria, Louisiana.  

According to local reports, on August 3, 2025, Romero-Hernandez—driving drunk and without a license—crashed into Maddox while he was operating his lawn mower along Highway 1. Maddox was transported to a nearby hospital with life-threating injuries and was later pronounced dead.

Police charged Romero-Hernandez with vehicular homicide and driving while intoxicated. An arrest detainer was immediately issued following his arrest to ensure he is not released back into the community following any local proceedings.

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This criminal illegal alien entered the country at an unknown date and location.

“This criminal illegal alien’s reckless decision to drink and drive killed an innocent man. The senseless tragedy should have never happened because Romero-Hernandez should have never been in our country,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “Illegal aliens drinking and driving and killing American citizens happens far more often than the media wants you to know about. Just over the past two weeks, an illegal alien driving under the influence killed a mother and her 11-year-old daughter in New Jersey and two high school sweethearts in Wisconsin. Every death caused by an illegal alien is preventable.”  

DHS law enforcement is protecting American communities every day from another senseless tragedy like this taking place in another town, to another family. Victims of illegal alien crime may receive support from the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement Office (VOICE) by contacting 1-855-488-6423.

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