Latest news with #Pregabalin
Daily Tribune
a day ago
- Daily Tribune
Appeals court to rule on boatman convicted over fatal sea crash that killed two Bahrainis
The High Criminal Appeals Court will deliver its verdict on July 31 in the case of a boatman convicted over a sea crash that killed two Bahraini men. The defendant was earlier sentenced by the Minor Criminal Court to seven months in jail, fined BD1,150, and had his boat and nets confiscated. Bail was set at BD100, suspending the prison term pending appeal. Two Asian crew members were also sentenced to 40 days in jail and ordered deported for illegal fishing and overstaying their visas. Prosecutors accused the main defendant of causing death by negligence while operating the vessel under the influence of Pregabalin, a controlled substance he was not authorised to possess. He was also charged with multiple safety violations, including lacking essential equipment such as life jackets, a fire extinguisher, and first aid supplies. His vessel was also missing navigation lights and a tracking device, increasing the risk of collision. The court originally sentenced him to six months for manslaughter and breaching marine safety regulations, and an additional month plus a BD100 fine for drug possession. He was also fined BD1,000 for illegal bottom trawling and vessel misidentification, and BD50 for missing safety equipment. The crew received one-month sentences for unlawful fishing and an additional 10 days for immigration violations. They face permanent deportation after serving their terms. The incident occurred near Al Mohammadiya Islet, where two boats collided. The boatman was later found towing the damaged vessel near Malkiya, with one victim's body on board. The second body was recovered near Budaiya port. Civil claims related to the incident have been referred to the civil courts.
Saba Yemen
02-07-2025
- Saba Yemen
Ministry of Interior destroys large quantities of drugs in capital
Sana'a (Saba) – The Ministry of Interior and the Specialized Criminal Prosecution in the capital destroyed a large quantity of drugs. The destroyed items included 18 tons and 884 kilograms of hashish, 205,000 Captagon pills, and 12,367,673 Pregabalin pills. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print
Time of India
20-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Smugglers exploit delays at opiod assisted treatment centre amid misuse of Pregabalin
ROPAR: Delays and overcrowding at the Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment (OOAT) centre in Ropar have sparked serious concerns. Drug smugglers are reportedly exploiting the chaos to openly sell banned drugs to recovering addicts. Notably, a pilot project for digitised patient registration is underway at the centre. According to on-ground investigations by TOI, patients queued up for hours to get medicines, with some often returning empty-handed due to delayed registrations. The resulting frustration has created a vacuum that smugglers are filling with illegal sales of high-dose 'Pregabalin' capsules - a medicine often misused by addicts despite its sale being prohibited without a prescription. "Although Pregabalin is yet to be covered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, its usage has been restricted, especially the high dosage, and it cannot be given without a doctor's prescription. It falls under the category of 'sedative'. We will get the matter checked and take appropriate action against anyone involved in this," said Gulneet Singh Khurana, SSP, Ropar. "The recovering addicts, failing to get medicines, can take an overdose of Pregabalin to get immediate relief from pains. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo The patient can also get addicted to Pregabalin. Only buprenorphine is the appropriate drug to treat the addicted patients under the supervision of a doctor. Consumption of such drugs without medical guidance can prove dangerous for recovering addicts who may become addicted to it," said a Ropar psychiatrist. Outside the Ropar OOAT centre, smugglers were found selling 300 mg Pregabalin capsules for Rs 200 to Rs 300 per strip of 10. When approached by this TOI reporter as a decoy customer, one smuggler said: "I only have two strips left as all others have been sold out. Each costs Rs 250. If you want both these strips, I'll give you each for Rs 230." However, the final deal was struck for Rs 200 per strip. A recovering addict in the queue shared his ordeal while assuming TOI reporter to be just another patient. "I have been standing for hours, but my turn still hasn't come. A day before yesterday, I returned empty-handed as the window closed before I could register," he said. Health officials fear the situation could snowball into a major crisis if immediate steps were not taken. They are now urging the simplification of the digital portal and the deployment of more human resource to manage patient inflow. "In Punjab, Pregabalin was once commonly used by veterinarians to treat horses for nerve pain. Its popularity among addicts, who call it 'Ghode Wale Capsules' (capsules for horses), stems from its intense psychoactive effects. Despite its medical use for nerve pain, epilepsy, anxiety disorders, and opioid withdrawal, the misuse of Pregabalin, particularly the 150mg and 300mg doses, has escalated in Punjab. These formulations are widely known among addicts by the street name 'Signature', referring to a popular brand," said a doctor. In Sept last year, all district magistrates in Punjab banned the sale and stocking of Pregabalin above 75mg to tackle its misuse, and the crackdown targeted wholesalers, medical shops, and even hospital pharmacies. Following this, Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav directed district police chiefs to enforce the ban strictly and conduct regular inspections. However, without a legal classification under the NDPS Act, enforcement remains a challenge.
Sunday World
16-06-2025
- Sunday World
Killer fined and sister gets suspended sentence after prison visit drug exchange
Thomas Valliday (37) has been in jail since 2008 when he battered and bludgeoned former IRA man Frank 'Bap' McGreevy to death A convicted murderer has been handed a fine and his sister a suspended jail sentence after a drug exchange during a prison visit. Thomas Martin Valliday and Ellen Louise Valliday were sentenced at Antrim Crown Court. Judge Alistair Devlin said the gravity of the case was not the amount of drugs but rather 'that drugs were brought into a supposedly drug-free environment.' Thomas Valliday (37), who has been in jail since 2008 when he battered and bludgeoned former IRA man Frank 'Bap' McGreevy to death, was handed a £500 fine 'with an immediate warrant' so he will serve seven days in default. Thomas Valliday His sister Ellen (31) Valliday, from Conway Street in Belfast, was handed a nine month jail sentence, suspended for two years. At an earlier hearing, Thomas Valliday entered guilty pleas to having class C prescription-only drugs Pregabalin and Gabapentin on December 18 2019. Ellen Valliday entered guilty pleas to supplying the class C drugs and conveying 'list A articles' into HMP Magilligan. Thomas Valliday News in 90 seconds - 16th June 2025 A second sister, 35-year-old Karen Valliday from the Stewartstown Road, was also due to be sentenced but after she failed to attend court, Judge Devlin issued a warrant for her arrest. He outlined how the sister had gone to the prison to visit their brother but Ellen Valliday had 'thrown an item' over the barrier between them. Despite a prison officer's 'commendable efforts' to grab the package, Thomas Valliday 'swiftly' grabbed it and shoved it in his mouth. While the sisters were detained until police arrived, Thomas Valliday was taken to a separate room. Warned that he would be subject to a full body search, Valliday conceded 'OK I'll hand it over' and on examination, the package transpired to be a single Pregabalin and a single Gabapentin. During his sentencing remarks, Judge Devlin said it was clear 'there had been some pre-planning' on the part of the sisters and also that he had to take account of Thomas Valliday's 'significant record,' including the entry for murder. But the judge said he also had to take cognisance of not only their guilty pleas, but also the 'culpable delay' of more than five years in a case which 'was fairly simple and straightforward.' Frank 'Bap' McGreevy Thomas Valliday is coming towards the end of the minimum sentence he received for the murder of Mr McGreevy. At the end of his trial in February 2010 Valliday was convicted of killing the 51-year-old west Belfast father-of-two. Valliday was high on a cocktail of drink and drugs when he battered the victim with a variety of weapons including a pick-axe handle in his flat in Ross Street in March 2008. Imposing a life sentence and ordering Valliday to serve a minimum of 17 years behind bars, Mr Justice Hart said the convicted killer 'has shown no remorse whatever for his crime and I am satisfied that there are no mitigating factors in the case.' In 2016 Valliday had an extra year added to the sentence after he went on the run for four days after escaping from prison guards at the Ulster Hospital.
Daily Tribune
17-05-2025
- Daily Tribune
Fatal sea crash case deepens: drugs, forged meds and fishing violations
A forensic toxicology review has been ordered by the Lower Criminal Court in connection with a deadly boat crash off the coast of Bahrain that left two men dead near Al-Muharraq Island. One of the boats involved was later towed ashore at Malkiya, where a body was discovered onboard. A second victim was found near the Budaiya slipway. The court has instructed the Public Prosecution to secure an expert report from the state's toxicology lab as part of the ongoing investigation. Three men — a Bahraini national and two men of Asian nationality — stand accused in the case, which has since expanded to include allegations of drug use, poor safety protocols, and unauthorised fishing. The first defendant has been released on BD100 bail, while the other two remain in custody. Prosecutors allege the Bahraini defendant caused the deaths through reckless boat operation while under the influence of drugs. He also faces additional charges for possessing Pregabalin without a medical permit and failing to equip the vessel with basic safety gear. Authorities said the boat had no life jackets, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, identification system, or working navigation lights. All three men have also been charged with bottom trawling in Bahraini waters using banned 'Karaf ' fishing nets. Meanwhile, the two Asian nationals face further charges related to overstaying their residency permits. During the trial, defence lawyer Hussain Jawad argued that his client had not consumed any banned substances. He said the man suffers from chronic disc-related back pain and regularly takes prescribed medication. While on a trip to Saudi Arabia to purchase engine oil, the defendant reportedly experienced pain and visited a pharmacy in Dammam, a visit Jawad claims is supported by mobile phone records. The pharmacist gave him medication to ease the discomfort, unaware that the pills may have contained Pregabalin. Jawad suggested that the substance detected in his client's system could have been a legally prescribed painkiller, and called for further lab testing and full access to the toxicology findings. An officer from the Maritime Safety Directorate testified that his review of witness statements, technical documents, and scene reports failed to establish who was at fault. He added that electronic tracking data was outdated and offered no clear record of either vessel's movements on the day of the crash. Only one version of events had been documented, with no supporting evidence. In his expert opinion, both parties bore equal responsibility for the fatal incident. The court has adjourned the case pending submission of the toxicology report and additional evidence.
