Latest news with #USDEA
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Greek port workers jailed pending trial on drug smuggling charges
ATHENS (Reuters) -Six workers at Greece's largest port Piraeus, arrested for allegedly participating in a gang smuggling cocaine hidden in shipping containers from Latin America, were jailed pending trial on Friday, legal sources said. The case is the third investigation since 2023 that has led to the arrest of port workers on drug trafficking charges. The suspects, employed by a private company handling cargo operations at Piraeus port were arrested on Monday. On Friday they responded to charges including participation in an international criminal organisation at least since 2024, according to police officials. They have denied wrongdoing. The drugs were concealed in refrigerated containers loaded with bananas which were shipped from Ecuador, the police said. Greek police said the investigation, which revealed the gang's tactics and included surveillance of their communications, was launched after a tip-off by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. The criminal ring, led by an Albanian gang, exploited the workers' access to port facilities and knowledge of loading and unloading cargo procedures, the police officials said. The alleged gang members were tasked with locating the ships and extracting the cocaine parcels from the containers, and one of them was in contact with the drug buyers in Albania, the officials added. Three guns and bullets were confiscated during the operation. Defence lawyer Nikos Aletras told Reuters that the initial investigation was "rushed" and the charges were aggravated, as seven suspects appeared before a prosecutor on Friday to respond to the accusations. Six of them were later detained pending trial and a seventh suspect was released. South American production of cocaine has surged over the past decade, with traffickers helping to turn Europe into a major consumer and a transit point for cocaine. European countries have been seizing record quantities of cocaine annually since 2017.
Reuters
4 days ago
- Reuters
Greek port workers jailed pending trial on drug smuggling charges
ATHENS, July 25 (Reuters) - Six workers at Greece's largest port Piraeus, arrested for allegedly participating in a gang smuggling cocaine hidden in shipping containers from Latin America, were jailed pending trial on Friday, legal sources said. The case is the third investigation since 2023 that has led to the arrest of port workers on drug trafficking charges. The suspects, employed by a private company handling cargo operations at Piraeus port were arrested on Monday. On Friday they responded to charges including participation in an international criminal organisation at least since 2024, according to police officials. They have denied wrongdoing. The drugs were concealed in refrigerated containers loaded with bananas which were shipped from Ecuador, the police said. Greek police said the investigation, which revealed the gang's tactics and included surveillance of their communications, was launched after a tip-off by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. The criminal ring, led by an Albanian gang, exploited the workers' access to port facilities and knowledge of loading and unloading cargo procedures, the police officials said. The alleged gang members were tasked with locating the ships and extracting the cocaine parcels from the containers, and one of them was in contact with the drug buyers in Albania, the officials added. Three guns and bullets were confiscated during the operation. Defence lawyer Nikos Aletras told Reuters that the initial investigation was "rushed" and the charges were aggravated, as seven suspects appeared before a prosecutor on Friday to respond to the accusations. Six of them were later detained pending trial and a seventh suspect was released. South American production of cocaine has surged over the past decade, with traffickers helping to turn Europe into a major consumer and a transit point for cocaine. European countries have been seizing record quantities of cocaine annually since 2017.
News18
01-06-2025
- Politics
- News18
Elon Musk Brushes Off Ketamine Claims, Says Eye Bruise Came From ‘Fight' With Son
Last Updated: The New York Times revealed that during Donald Trump's campaign, Elon Musk's ketamine use intensified, worrying those close to him. A 'bruised eye' Elon Musk appeared at his final White House press conference alongside US President Donald Trump on Friday. As the visible bruise sparked curiosity from reporters, Musk attributed it to a friendly fight with his son X. His remark followed during the conference which formally marked his departure as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). 'I wasn't anywhere near France. I was just horsing around with little X, and I said 'punch me in the face and he did." The 53-year-old billionaire said. His reference to France alluded to a recent viral moment involving French President Emmanuel Macron, whose wife was caught on camera 'smacking" him during their official trip to Vietnam. Macron had downplayed the incident. But the internet is not convinced about Musk's explanation and many are wondering if it has anything to do with his drug use. This aspect of Musk's life gained fresh momentum on Friday when the New York Times released a report detailing his relationship with ketamine, a dissociative anaesthetic that has some hallucinogenic effects. According to NYT, during Trump's 2024 presidential campaign, Musk's drug use intensified and he took large amounts of ketamine. He also used Ecstasy and mushrooms, and carried a medication box with about 20 pills, the report added. Musk has admitted to taking prescribed ketamine for depression about every two weeks. The NYT report also cited Musk's aides to suggest that he struggles with binge eating. When Musk was asked about the NYT coverage during the press conference, he questioned the publication's credibility and told the reporter to 'move on." According to the US Drug Enforcement Administration (US DEA), a ketamine overdose can lead to unconsciousness and dangerously slowed breathing, posing serious risks to a person's health. Last year, as Musk entered politics, people close to him grew concerned about his frequent drug use. The NYT report added that they were worried over his mood swings and unpredictable behaviour, which are common side effects of ketamine. The US DEA website also states that besides hallucination, ketamine can also lead to users feeling disconnected and out of control. Its side effects also include depression, memory loss, muscle stiffness, and nausea as well as prolonged visual disturbances.
