Blonde TV host accused of mafia-style hit

Blonde TV host accused of mafia-style hit: "blonde TV host goes on trial in Cyprus on Monday accused of the mafia-style murder of media mogul Andis Hadjicostis in a case that has gripped the Mediterranean island nation.
Elena Skordelli, a 42-year-old mother of two, her brother Tassos Krasopoulis, 37, and Andreas Gregoriou, a 33-year-old meat supplier, deny arranging the contract killing of the millionaire.
Prosecutors say the chat-show presenter hatched the plot to kill her ex-boss — the scion of an influential family — in an alleged conspiracy to take control of his media empire."

Accused gang member on trial for armed robbery

Accused gang member on trial for armed robbery: "Davonta Covin, 17, is charged with armed robbery, aggravated assault, street gang terrorism and possession of a firearm during a felony for the September 2009 robbery of Kenya Hosley.
Several witnesses, including a witness who claims that Covin raped her, testified Tuesday in Dougherty County Superior Court.
The witness testified that she saw Covin the night of the armed robbery of Hosley.
James Finkelstein, defense attorney for Covin, claimed Tuesday that the witness could not have seen Covin that night due to where she was standing and the darkness of that night."

Former Cop Found Guilty Of Armored Car Robberies - News Story - KTVU San Francisco

Former Cop Found Guilty Of Armored Car Robberies - News Story - KTVU San Francisco: "Robert Steven Starling was charged with four felony counts of robbery, two felony counts of conspiracy, felony preventing or dissuading a witness or victim, two misdemeanor counts of false reporting of a crime, and misdemeanor wearing a mask for unlawful purposes.
The jury also found true four enhancements that Starling used a firearm in the robberies. Each enhancement potentially carries a 10-year term.
Police estimate more than $500,000 was stolen in three robberies. At the Bank of America on Grant Street in Novato on April 15, 2009, Starling allegedly grabbed an empty money bag, dropped it and fled.
His accomplice Andrew Cooper Esslinger, 27, of Santa Rosa, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and testified against Starling."

Ex-Chicago FBI agent led double life as gangster :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Chicago Crime

Ex-Chicago FBI agent led double life as gangster :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Chicago Crime: "Ben Tran was a dirty FBI agent, one the agency had been investigating for years after they fired him in 2003 for allegedly bribing a government official when he visited Vietnam, among other offenses"

Man Pleads Guilty To Robbing Same Bank 3 Times - wcco.com

Man Pleads Guilty To Robbing Same Bank 3 Times - wcco.com: "21-year-old man pleaded guilty Wednesday to robbing the same bank on three separate occasions.
Nathan Lamar Stewart, of Minneapolis, pleaded guilty to three counts of bank robbery and one count of carrying a firearm during the commission of a crime. He was indicted, along with three other men, on Nov. 10."

Man Pleads Guilty To Robbing Same Bank 3 Times - wcco.com

Man Pleads Guilty To Robbing Same Bank 3 Times - wcco.com: "21-year-old man pleaded guilty Wednesday to robbing the same bank on three separate occasions.
Nathan Lamar Stewart, of Minneapolis, pleaded guilty to three counts of bank robbery and one count of carrying a firearm during the commission of a crime. He was indicted, along with three other men, on Nov. 10."

Officer shot by bank robbers was focused on ending dangerous crime spree - KWGN

Officer shot by bank robbers was focused on ending dangerous crime spree - KWGN: "suspects open fire. Engaging officers in a rolling gun battle which ultimately ended in a deadly shoot out sixteen blocks north at 120th and Federal.The suspects died. Two officers were shot.It's an experience Westminster Deputy Chief Tim Carlson says he'll never get out of his mind. He and officer Shawn Chandler were both shot by the suspects that day. They've both since recovered from their injuries.Carlson says it's a miracle more people were not hurt or killed.It was all for $8,400."

direct flights from Dubai to Durban could be proving a boon to drug smugglers

introduction of direct flights from Dubai to Durban could be proving a boon to drug smugglers. This week at Durban International Airport police and custom officials seized pure heroin that, once "cut", would have had a street value of more than R2,5-million. A 20-year-old Cape Town woman was arrested and will appear in court next week.Police and airport officials said with Durban opening up to international air traffic, drug syndicates would increasingly target these flights.The 1kg of powder was covered with carbon paper - to make it more difficult to detect - and stitched inside cricket shin pads.Police from Crime Intelligence Gathering were tipped off that a consignment of drugs was en route to Durban from India via Dubai.Police believe the bust could be the "tip of the iceberg" as another woman, who was travelling with the suspect, gave police the slip.
Investigating officer Detective Carl Saunders of the Organised Crime Unit said the bust was linked to international and local crime syndicates who were taking advantage of the new route to bring drugs into Durban.
He said the value of the uncut drugs was about R500 000, but once cut by dealers and sold on the streets was worth five times the amount.The bust was set in motion on Thursday after Crime Intelligence informed custom officials to be on the lookout for suspicious-looking travellers from Dubai. About 275 passengers were on board the Emirates flight from Dubai.Using CCTV footage police and custom officials picked up two women acting suspiciously. One was "nervous and fidgeting" and was called aside for questioning. Her luggage contained sports equipment, which was X-rayed.
Officials noticed there was an "unevenness" in the lining of the shin pads. On further investigation police found brown powder wrapped in carbon paper neatly stitched into the shin pads. "It was really well done. There was no indication that the packaging had been tampered with," a customs official said.Police identified the substance as pure heroin and the woman was arrested. However, her travelling companion gave police the slip and it is believed she may have also been carrying drugs.An official explained that syndicates often used tip-offs as decoys, giving up a small amount of a consignment to distract from a bigger haul.
Saunders said it was not yet clear whether the drugs originated in India, but the woman's steps would be traced.Airports Company of South Africa spokesman Colin Naidoo said they were aware of the increased risk of smuggling due to direct flights to Durban, but that authorities were vigilant."We have a close relationship with the police and customs officials and commend them for their efforts," he said.Naidoo said new technology at King Shaka Airport (due to open on May 1) would make it more difficult to smuggle drugs into Durban.
"We want to assure the public that we are keeping a close eye on activities and that this will increase during the World Cup and beyond," Naidoo said.

Cape Town is as violent as New York was in the late 1950s.

Cape Town is as violent as New York was in the late 1950s."I see a lot of resemblance between the Cape Town gangs today and the ones we had in New York back then. The scale of violence, slick crime syndicates and everything else seems to have been adopted by troublesome youngsters here," he said while on a visit to the Cape Flats this week.Cruz, 71, who led the notorious New York Mau Mau gang in the 1950s, but later became an evangelist and wrote 15 books, was in Manenberg on Friday as part of his global crusade to change the lives of gangsters. Accompanied by bodyguards, relatives, former gangsters who had turned their lives around and curious locals, Cruz took a stroll through the gang-infested area and spoke to residents. Manenberg is home to gangs such as the Fancy Boys, Young Mafia and the Americans.Noting the many police, youngsters hanging out at corners and the security fences of schools, Cruz remarked that the neighbourhood resembled the Brooklyn area in New York when he lived there as a teen.Going door-to-door, the former gangster urged parents to show their children "more compassion", as lack of it led children to look for it in the wrong places.Cruz, born in Puerto Rica, knows more than most what it's like being a hardened criminal.As a child he was abused by his parents, who are said to have practised voodoo. At 15 he was sent to the United States to live with his brother."But I didn't stay with my brother. Full of anger and rage, I chose to make it on my own."After he joined the feared Mau Maus - named after Kenyan rebels - he quickly became a warlord and sowed terror wherever he went.The gang became known all over the world for their killing sprees and organised crime.But after the brutal death of a gangster friend, Cruz decided he had had enough. A priest, David Wilkerson, co-author of the seminal The Cross and the Switchblade, offered him a better life and he grasped the chance to become an evangelist.
Cruz said the syndicated crime, the brutality and the whole nature of gangs "starkly resembles the types of violent crimes committed by gangs in my time".Although he was no longer a criminal, some Mafia families still looked up to him - a fact that he did not approve of."I'm confident, though, that if we - parents, children and the government included - work together we could wipe crime off the face of the Earth," said Cruz.

Versalko spent NZ $4 million on extravagance properties, NZ$3.3 million on prostitutes and NZ$300,000 on wine.

Cash drained from the customer’s investments was openly used for showcasing a luxurious lifestyle of having property, cash and prostitutes by an investment adviser at ASB. Almost NZ$17.8 million was stolen by the banker Stephen Gerard Versalko, 52. For this offence, the accused have been jailed for six years.This has come out to be the first and the biggest single employee case in New Zealand. This case was unveiled after one of the clients of Versalko observed a documentary with behavioral similarities on Bernard Madoff, an US impostor.People who were clawed under the defrauded scheme of Versalko's, largely included elderly females who resided away from New Zealand. The investors were assured that their money will get them high-return as the investments were guaranteed by Government.It is now known that during the year 2000 and 2009, Versalko spent NZ $4 million on extravagance properties, NZ$3.3 million on prostitutes and NZ$300,000 on wine. He also spent the money for buying boats and cars.This case, reported by media has brought into light that during this period of time, a prostitute was offered NZ $2.5 million which she used in erecting a good amount of property that will face a legal action for getting the property back.Addressing the bank authority, two days before the sentencing, he wrote, “The years ahead are going to be very difficult, however I want to make amends even if only in a small way”.

indicted Ahmed Muhammed Dhakane, 24, a Somalia citizen, on two counts of false statements under penalty of perjury to federal authorities concerning his association with global terrorist organizations.

indicted Ahmed Muhammed Dhakane, 24, a Somalia citizen, on two counts of false statements under penalty of perjury to federal authorities concerning his association with global terrorist organizations. United States Attorney John E. Murphy announced the indictment was returned Thursday and unsealed Friday afternoon.
It alleges that on October 28, 2008, the Dhakane “falsely omitted on an application for asylum that from a time prior to September 11, 2001, until January 2003, he was a member of, or was associated with, al-Barakat and Al-Ittihad Al-Islami.”Both organizations have been designated as Specially Designated Global Terrorists by the Department of Treasury.
Dhakane is also alleged to have “provided additional false information concerning his entry into the United States. The defendant allegedly claimed to authorities that he and his wife traveled from Somalia to Mexico via Russia, Cuba, Costa Rica, and Guatemala.”
“While in Mexico, they traveled by bus to the United States/Mexico border, where they were smuggled illegally into the United States. The indictment alleges that defendant failed to disclose to authorities that from June 2006 until March 2008, he resided in Brazil where he participated in, and later ran, a large-scale human smuggling enterprise knowing that such disclosure to authorities would prevent him from receiving asylum in the United States.”
Dhakane surrendered to U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents near Brownsville, Texas in March 2008. While being held in an Immigration Detention Facility located in Pearsall, Texas, he allegedly made the false statements to federal authorities.
If convicted, Dhakane faces up to 10 years in federal prison per count.
This case was investigated by agents with the Joint Terrorism Task Force, the FBI, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the U.S. Border Patrol, and the Department of Homeland Security. Assistant United States Attorney Mark Roomberg is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

Gary Bellchambers (46) oversaw a network selling golfing accessories, clothing and passes for an airline lounge “on a scale that, it is believed, has never been seen before

Gary Bellchambers (46) oversaw a network selling golfing accessories, clothing and passes for an airline lounge “on a scale that, it is believed, has never been seen before”, a court in England was told. head of a global crime network that duped eBay customers into buying fake branded golf clubs has been sentenced to four years and three months in jail.Snaresbrook Crown Court heard that over four years the gang was “responsible for the sale and distribution of hundreds of thousands, maybe millions of pounds worth of counterfeit goods both in the UK and abroad”.
Adam Davis, for the prosecution, said the conspiracy was of a “truly global nature”. Conspirators are thought to have been based in Thailand, Australia, Germany, Singapore, the US, Hong Kong and China, he said. Conspirators were found in Ireland, Wales, Aberdeen, Dorset and Birmingham.
Two gang members were also jailed. Keith Thomas (49), Bellchambers’ book-keeper, was sentenced to 16 months. Roy Cottee (66), a pensioner, was given 12 months. Other gang members were handed suspended sentences.

VIDEO:Masked gunmen stormed an upmarket hotel in Berlin on Sunday and forced staff working at a poker tournament there to hand over millions.,

Hyatt hotel:a group of armed men stormed the hotel during a poker tournament
Masked gunmen stormed an upmarket hotel in Berlin on Sunday (NZT) and forced staff working at a poker tournament there to hand over money, police said.There was "a little panic" among guests during the hold-up at the Grand Hyatt in the central Potsdamer Platz square, during which some were slightly injured, a police spokesperson said.
He declined to confirm media reports said the gang got away with 800,000 euros ($NZ1.56 million)ackpot for the tournament stood at €1 million ($1.36 million), according to a European Poker Tour Web site. The EPT confirmed the heist on the event's blog in an official statement, saying there had been "an armed robbery executed by six men." It was unclear why the number differed from the police count.Olaf Wagner, a photographer for Germany's Bild am Sonntag newspaper, was in the hotel when the raid occurred.
He said: "I was at the entrance to the poker hall when they stormed in.I saw three masked men struggling with security personnel in the room where cash is exchanged for chips.
"I saw one of the men stuffing 500 euro notes into a backpack. A second pinned down a security guard with a machete to his chest.
"As they ran one of the security men pulled a robber to the ground. I couldn't decide if this was all a PR stunt or not; it seemed incredible to believe that it could be a real robbery in the heart of Berlin in daylight.
"I got my camera ready. As the security guard was on the floor a hotel page boy came along and took the bag he had been carrying.I saw next to the robber was his gun, a revolver.
"As they struggle the robber calls for help and the others return. One of them has an empty glass bottle he waves in the face of the security man. They force him to release their accomplice.
"Then I see them, unmasked, running into the tourist filled shopping centre. They left the hotel through the emergency exit."
The tournament organiser, the European Poker Tour (EPT), said the raiders had probably been attracted by the one-million-euro prize on offer to the winner of the event. They did not say how much was stolen.
A statement on their website called on anyone with photo or video footage of the robbery to hand it over to the police.
The tournament, which German tennis legend Boris Becker took part in earlier, resumed around four hours after the attack,

arrested Cody Bertelsen when he surrendered Friday and wrapped up an intense investigation into what police say was a notorious gang of organized thieves

arrested Cody Bertelsen when he surrendered Friday and wrapped up an intense investigation into what police say was a notorious gang of organized thieves. Bertelsen and others face racketeering charges that are normally used for prosecuting the Mafia or other crime syndicates. According to police, Bertelsen's group was an organized gang of thieves who terrorized businesses and individuals for at least a year.Bertelsen had amassed nearly $800,000 in arrest warrants. "Cody is the last piece of the puzzle, the last major player," Capt. T McLachlan of West Valley Police Dept. said.Detectives have served at least two additional search warrants and have recovered thousands of dollars worth of stolen property. Cops say there may be even more stash houses of stolen goods still out there.

Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico and other countries are relaxing penalties for possession and personal use of small amounts of narcotics.

Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico and other countries are relaxing penalties for possession and personal use of small amounts of narcotics.Critics warn drug abuse and violence will rise if the small-scale consumption of cocaine, marijuana and other drugs is tolerated, but policy makers in much of Latin America argue the new laws will free up resources to go after big traffickers and treat addicts.The shift away from zero-tolerance policies has picked up pace in the past year and U.S. President Barack Obama’s administration has voiced little opposition to the changes. That is a dramatic switch after decades of Washington’s resolute opposition to any easing of laws against consumption.Even in countries such as Argentina, where drug violence is still unusual, judges are backing decriminalization because the justice system is congested with small-time busts, leaving prosecutors unable to go after bigger fish.
“The courts were overwhelmed with cases of small consumers. We have a real drug consumption problem in Argentina and we cannot fix it just by punishing,” said Horacio Cattani, a federal judge who is on a high-level commission that drafted new drug laws for Argentina.Most of the world’s cocaine still comes out of the Andean countries of Colombia, Peru and Bolivia, even after billions of dollars spent eradicating crops.In Mexico, the drug war has killed more than 16,000 people since late 2006 when President Felipe Calderon took office and deployed tens of thousands of soldiers to combat ruthless cartels that behead and dismember rivals, and bribe or intimidate police and judges.Drug violence has also soared in Central America, where street gangs have taken over the trade and in some cases infiltrated political parties.Mexico is the world’s biggest producer of marijuana and Paraguay, in the heart of South America, has taken the No. 2 position as demand grows in neighboring Argentina and Brazil.

Martin Anthony Smith, 44, of North Shields, is wanted in connection with the rape of a child

Martin Anthony Smith, 44, of North Shields, is wanted in connection with the rape of a child under 16, gross indecency with a girl under the age of 16, indecent assault of a girl under 16 and the attempted rape of a girl under 16. He may be on the run with his wife and five-year-old daughter.

Mark Ronald Brown, 44, of Liverpool, is accused of being the head of a drug smuggling gang that conspired to bring hundreds of kilos of heroin into Br

Mark Ronald Brown, 44, of Liverpool, is accused of being the head of a drug smuggling gang that conspired to bring hundreds of kilos of heroin into Britain.

Jody Michael Flynn, 28, of Birkenhead, is accused of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm.

Jody Michael Flynn, 28, of Birkenhead, is accused of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm.

Stephen John Burnell, 56, of Scunthorpe, is wanted following a failure to surrender to custody after being convicted of a series of sex crimes. He was

Stephen John Burnell, 56, of Scunthorpe, is wanted following a failure to surrender to custody after being convicted of a series of sex crimes. He was facing a six-year jail sentence for offences including attempted rape, indecent assault and indecency with a child.

Michael Eddleston, 27, of Doncaster, is accused of three counts of illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances

Michael Eddleston, 27, of Doncaster, is accused of three counts of illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances

Fatah Benlaredj, 32, originally from Algeria, is wanted for the rape of a seven-year-old girl.

Fatah Benlaredj, 32, originally from Algeria, is wanted for the rape of a seven-year-old girl.

Joseph Stephen Morley, 46, of Liverpool, disappeared from prison in 2000 while serving a 15-year sentence for conspiracy to import cocaine and heroin

Joseph Stephen Morley, 46, of Liverpool, disappeared from prison in 2000 while serving a 15-year sentence for conspiracy to import cocaine and heroin

Stephen Henry Pitman, 53, of Chislehurst, southeast London, is accused of seven offences of of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

Stephen Henry Pitman, 53, of Chislehurst, southeast London, is accused of seven offences of of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

Paul Walmsley, 40, who is wanted for heroin and cocaine trafficking

Paul Walmsley, 40, who is wanted for heroin and cocaine trafficking. He has been on the run for three years.Police are also appealing for help in finding Martin Smith, 44, suspected of raping a young girl.He is thought to be in hiding in Spain with his wife and five-year-old daughter.

Benjamin Murphy, 29, is wanted for a robbery in which a gang ram-raided a jewellers in Sheffield and escaped with £1.6m worth of diamond rings

Benjamin Murphy, 29, is wanted for a robbery in which a gang ram-raided a jewellers in Sheffield and escaped with £1.6m worth of diamond rings and watches.
Murphy, from Manchester, has been on the run since jumping bail 18 months ago.
Although South Yorkshire Police had confiscated his passport he was able to apply and get a replacement, claiming he had lost the original.
Two of Murphy's cousins are already serving long jail sentences for their part in the robbery, from which most of the jewellery is still missing.
Shop owner Gary Singleton said: "He's done a runner and got away with a lot and is living the high life. If he's done the crime he should be doing the time."
Are criminals hiding among tourists?
Murphy is described as stocky with green eyes, shaved, dark brown hair and Chinese dragon tattoos on his chest and right arm.

serious and persistent breaches of Gibraltar’s financial services legislation.

Financial Services Commission has today, pursuant to Section 11 of the Financial Services (Investment and Fiduciary Services) Act cancelled the licences of the following licensed firms and persons ;
Gibland Secretarial Services Limited ; Licence No FSC00171B
Gibland Nominees Limited ; Licence No FSC00175B
Equity Nominees Limited ; Licence No FSC00174B
Equitar Management Limited ; Licence No FSC00172B
Gibter Management Limited ; Licence No FSC00173B
Cabor Trustees Limited ; Licence No FSC00430B
Meridian Trustees Limited ; Licence No FSC00890B
Marrache, Benjamin John Samuel ; Licence No FSC00736I
Marrache, Solomon S ; Licence No FSC00176I
The decision has been taken following an investigation into the affairs of the licensed entities and persons which in the opinion of the Commission have disclosed serious and persistent breaches of Gibraltar’s financial services legislation.
The Commission,while investigations continue, has taken immediate measures to safeguard the interests of the existing clients of these firms and has appointed Mr Frederick White Managing Director of Grant Thornton (Gibraltar) Limited of 6a Queensway, Gibraltar (Tel. 200 45502) as Authorised Administrator of all the above companies pursuant to the provisions of the Financial Services (Investment and Fiduciary Services) (Temporary Administration of Companies) Regulations 2010.

The Authorised Administrator will work closely with the clients of these firms in assisting them to transfer their business to other licensed entities at the earliest opportunity having regard to the particular needs of individual clients.

Marrache & Co Gibraltar bank account supposed to hold the company’s cash in fact had a balance of less than nine Euros and no credit facility.

Two senior executives at a prominent Gibraltar law firm, brothers Benjamin and Solomon Marrache, appeared before the Magistrates Court yesterday charged with false accounting in respect of E1.8m of client money.The two men were arrested on Tuesday and spent the night in police cells before being ferried to court in a police van.The two Marrache brothers were ushered by police through a side entrance to Central Police station just before 10am and appeared before the magistrate in a crowded courthouse a short while later.Attorney General Ricky Rhoda, appearing for the Crown, urged the magistrate to impose stringent bail conditions for fear that the two men might flee the jurisdiction.Keith Azopardi, the defence lawyer representing the Marrache brothers together with Samantha Sacramento, said there was no risk of them leaving Gibraltar because both were of previous good character and had strong family ties here.Stipendiary Magistrate Charles Pitto granted bail but set tough conditions on each defendant, in the form of two sureties to the value of £300,000 for each brother. The court also set a further financial condition of £150,000 in their own recognizance for each defendant.In simple terms, failure to appear at future court hearings could cost the defendants and their guarantors up to £900,000 in total.Both men also had to hand in their travel documents and agree to reside at their respective family homes, as well as report twice weekly to police.By the end of the day yesterday, a number of persons had stepped up to provide £600,000 in sureties for the release of the two men.At an hour-long hearing in the evening, Mr Pitto questioned the guarantors closely but accepted the sureties. The two brothers were released from custody later that evening.Yesterday’s developments in court were the opening shots in what will undoubtedly develop into a lengthy and complex case.Mr Rhoda said the sums of money involved “could be quite substantial”.He said the two men were currently facing “holding charges” and that more charges could follow at a later stage. The Attorney General also said there could be further arrests as a result of an ongoing police investigation.Earlier this week police raided several commercial and residential properties linked to Marrache & Co and seized documents and computers.Prosecutors allege that in January this year, the brothers falsified documents to conceal a shortfall of E1.8m of funds belonging to a company called Portino Comercio Internacional. One document, a letter signed by Solomon Marrache, purported to show that the money was held by the brothers on the client’s behalf. Another document, a letter signed by Benjamin Marrache, purported to give authority to Natwest bank to transfer the client’s money to a bank in Ireland.But prosecutors said that the Gibraltar bank account supposed to hold the company’s cash in fact had a balance of less than nine Euros and no credit facility.

arrested a 40-year-old man from Arriate, near Ronda, for a crime against public health when he was found to be in possession of 10 grams of cocaine

arrested a 40-year-old man from Arriate, near Ronda, for a crime against public health when he was found to be in possession of 10 grams of cocaine. Further to the arrest, charges have been pressed against the owner of the pub where the man was arrested. Upon search of the bar police found the establishment had no opening licence and found drugs and different weapons. It is also thought the owner permitted patrons to consume drugs freely in his bar.

arrested a 54-year-old man from Velez Blanco charged with a crime against public health after dismantling a drugs sale point

arrested a 54-year-old man from Velez Blanco charged with a crime against public health after dismantling a drugs sale point and seizing 49 grams of cocaine. The operation began after police observed unusual activity of people coming and going from an establishment in Velez after commercial hours. The clients were seen leaving the establishment putting small items in their pockets, making police suspect that drugs were being sold. They confirmed their suspicions and raided the establishment finding extremely pure rock cocaine as well as utensils and substances used for cutting and preparing drugs.

sentences of between two and nine years for three men charged with planning to kill a National Police officer

sentences of between two and nine years for three men charged with planning to kill a National Police officer who had previously arrested one of them for drug dealing. One of the accused, who owned the premises where the drugs were being distributed, is believed to have paid almost 300,000 euros to one of the others to carry out the murder. The hired killer then obtained a weapon and requested help from the third man accused, giving him the weapon. The plan never materialized and the men denied in Alicante Provincial Court ever having planned to kill the officer.

wearing blue overalls and armed with a gun stole 150 euros from a shop

wearing blue overalls and armed with a gun stole 150 euros from a shop in Ciudad Quesada, Rojales. Police are investigating and believe he may not have acted alone

arrested four people believed to have perpetrated a robbery on December 13 at an Orange mobile phone shop near the train station

arrested four people believed to have perpetrated a robbery on December 13 at an Orange mobile phone shop near the train station in the centre of Malaga in which 30,000 euros worth of latest generation mobile phones and laptop computers were stolen over the weekend. They entered the shop via an adjoining empty warehouse. This time, they were caught red-handed by the police after a citizen alerted that they had entered the office of a promoter. Two were caught inside with tools and wearing socks on their hands so they would not leave fingerprints. Outside, two other people were waiting in a car which contained some of the stolen mobile phones.

Man who died in hospital following an argument on the CV-905 road in Rojales, had been stabbed several times in the head.

Man who died in hospital following an argument on the CV-905 road in Rojales, had been stabbed several times in the head. The victim was from Madrid but lived in Torrevieja. The other man involved in the events, a 26-year-old resident of Rojales, is also in a serious condition in hospital as he was stabbed in the lung. He is under police guard and will be arrested by the Guardia Civil as soon as he is well enough and charged with manslaughter.It appears the two drivers had an altercation on the road and began to chase each other along the A-37 until they reached the roundabout in Rojales. Here, they got out of their cars and the deceased allegedly took out a knife and stabbed the other driver in the face and chest, leaving the knife in him. The killer grabbed the knife from his own body and stabbed his attacker, allegedly in self defence.

17 years in prison for a Guardia Civil officer who with the help of a friend who is facing the same sentence, allegedly killed a drug dealer

17 years in prison for a Guardia Civil officer who with the help of a friend who is facing the same sentence, allegedly killed a drug dealer who regularly supplied them with cocaine and who they owed 3,000 euros in 2006. The body was found abandoned in an olive grove in the town of Biar. Also on trial are the officer’s wife, his friend’s brother and a Local Police officer, all of whom are facing two years in prison.The two men used to take drugs together, but in October 2006, they killed their supplier. Now, at trial, each one is accusing the other.The officer admitted to taking cocaine and smoking marijuana, but denied he had any debts and said the deceased dealer always gave him the drugs as a gift. He said they had met when he was doing breathalyser tests and become so friendly that one lent the other more than 1,000 euros for his daughter’s communion. He claims his friend owed the victim money and told him to come to a petrol station in Montesa and he heard shots. Fearing he too might be shot, he claims he dragged the body into the boot of the car and after taking all the dealer’s belongings, they hid the body.His friend, who was a driver of the municipal tow-truck, on the other hand, says the Guardia Civil asked him to come to the meeting with the dealer because he owed him money, and gave him a loaded weapon. He claims they fought with the dealer and the gun went off, but he hid behind the car and heard several more shots.Both agree that they disposed of the body.

7 men and 2 women aged between 18 and 41 have been arrested in a drugs operation against cocaine sales in Torrevieja

7 men and 2 women aged between 18 and 41 have been arrested in a drugs operation against cocaine sales in Torrevieja, charged with illegal association, document forgery and cocaine trafficking, believed to have been carried out in local bars and nightclubs. The operation, codenamed Milor, began nine months ago when Guardia Civil detected drugs sales in leisure areas.On April 16 last year, they seized 626 grams of cocaine and arrested one man, believed to be transporting the drugs from Madrid, leaving them in lockers in supermarkets and shopping centres in Torrevieja, and then giving the keys to the members of the organization.He revealed that one of the ringleaders planned to return to Madrid for more drugs in January, and the assistance of the Guardia Civil in Albacete was required. Blockades were set up on the motorway between Madrid and Alicante, and in Chinchilla, where the suspect was stopped and arrested with more than a kilo of rock cocaine found in his car together with plastic bags containing ground coffee used to throw tracker dogs off the scent. Eight searches were carried out and police seized more cocaine, a press, utensils used for cutting and preparing drugs, audiovisual and computer equipment and money in cash.

attempting to kill the victims with a chainsaw in Estepona Port

sentenced by Malaga Provincial Court to 15 years each in prison for attempted manslaughter, for causing an accident and attempting to kill the victims with a chainsaw. The events took place in Estepona Port in April 2001, where one of the accused put a chainsaw to the neck of one of the victims, although he did not start it. A friend of the victim came forward in his defence and pushed the attacker to the floor.The two men, accompanied by another, got into a car and left, with the three accused in chasing them in another car. During the chase, the accused rammed the other car trying to force it off the road, intending to kill the occupants. The first time was at a roundabout and caused so much damage to the back of the car that the man who was in the back seat had to move into the front. Once on the motorway, they slammed into the car again.The victims took a narrow, winding and unlit path which led to the home of a relative where they intended to take refuge. Despite the 40kph speed limit, the cars were driving at more than 80kph. It was then that the attackers rammed them a third time, making the driver loose control of the car and crash into a wall. The attackers rammed the car a fourth time, and seeing that the occupants were still alive, they threatened them with the chainsaw. However, another vehicle approaching forced them to flee the area thinking it was the police.

sentenced to six years and six months in prison for the attempted manslaughter of a colleague who he said harassed him.

sentenced to six years and six months in prison for the attempted manslaughter of a colleague who he said harassed him. The two men had argued on several occasions and threatened to kill each other, so the company in Marbella reprimanded them both. Two months later, in August 2008, outside in the street after work, they argued again and one of the men stabbed the other. The attacker will also have to pay the victim 1,210 euros in compensation for his injuries and is banned from coming near him or communicating with him for eight years

Marta del Castillo Casanueva, police have still not been able to find her body.

Marta del Castillo Casanueva, police have still not been able to find her body.
According to self-confessed killer and ex-boyfriend of the victim, Miguel Carcaño, 21, Marta's body was thrown into the river Guadalquivir.Carcaño later changed his statement and claimed she was on a rubbish dump just outside the city.The killer told police a year ago that he and his former girlfriend had argued after she told him she wanted to see him to find out about rumours he had allegedly spread about her.In the heat of the moment, Carcaño said he threw an ashtray at her whilst they were in his flat in Camas (Sevilla), knocking her unconscious.Believing her dead, he said he panicked and threw her into the river with the help of his older stepbrother and a friend, whilst another friend was said to have stayed behind to clean up the blood and other evidence.But later statements suggested Marta had been gang-raped and then strangled.More than 200 technicians and members of the armed forces searched the river, and then the rubbish dump.They then combed the area around Miguel's flat after one of his ex-girlfriends said she thought Marta had been dumped in a ditch near the block.MP for Andalucía Juan José López Garzón revealed that searching the rubbish tip alone had cost the taxpayer 200,000 euros.

64-year-old woman has been found dead at her home in Granada with signs of a blow to the head and her maid has been arrested.

The police were called to the building at number 3 cuesta de Escoriaza around 4.30pm today by neighbours who had heard a violent argument going on inside the apartment.
When they entered the apartment, the police found the owner, a 64-year-old woman, dead and with a gash to the head, apparently caused by a blow from a vase.
A search of the apartment revealed the alleged author of the crime, hiding in a wardrobe. The 26-year-old Spanish woman, identified only by the initials A.F.H.M. was employed by the owner as a home help.Sources suggest that the argument was about a debt. The police are not looking for anyone else in connection with the crime.

woman was murdered on Thursday night by her partner at their home in Palma de Mallorca.

woman was murdered on Thursday night by her partner at their home in Palma de Mallorca.National Police were called out to the street in the Camp Redó district of the city at around 22.00hrs by the victim's family, when they were concerned that they had been unable to reach her by telephone all day.Officers found that her throat had been slit and she had been inserted into a plastic bag.They believe she had been killed by her husband, who had fled the scene shortly after the murder.
This is the first reported case of domestic violence in the Balearics so far this year.

Julio Alberto Poch, 57, the Dutch-Argentine pilot convicted for throwing political prisoners out of an aircraft into the sea

Julio Alberto Poch, 57, the Dutch-Argentine pilot convicted for throwing political prisoners out of an aircraft into the sea 30 years ago, has been ordered extradition by the High Court of Spain.He was arrested last year after a conversation between his colleagues and an Argentine judge in Europe, who said that he had boasted about throwing prisoners into the River plate or the Atlantic Ocean. Poch was protected from extradition until September 22, when he landed in Spain on his way to the Netherlands.According to a statement by the High Court, Poch was found guilty of throwing several live people out of aeroplanes and helicopters while serving as naval air officer in the Argentine Navy between 1976 and 1980. About 11,000 people were reported dead or missing during a war, called dirty war, between alleged leftists and other military regime opponents which ruled from 1976 to 1983.
Poch denied the charges but accepted the extradition, saying that he has been treated like a criminal and the only chance he would have to defend himself will be in Argentina.

2009 ended with over 1.5 million unsold homes

Property sales in Spain dropped by 36% in November ‘08 registered figures. The director of TINSA, announced at a press conference that even though many construction projects have been paralized, we are still seeing twice as many constructions complete as they are being sold.

TINSA also predicts that 2009 ended with over 1.5 million unsold homes. This is an increase of over 50 per cent compared to 2008, which ended with 930,000 unsold units.

Marbella planning office, counted a total of 38,194 buildings which do not comply with the current PGOU Urban Plan guidelines

Marbella planning office, counted a total of 38,194 buildings which do not comply with the current PGOU Urban Plan guidelines, which was approved in 1986.
90 per cent of the buildings are homes.

89 year old woman, named with the initials I.R.G., died instantly in Málaga on Wednesday after a woman threw herself from an eighth floor window

89 year old woman, named with the initials I.R.G., died instantly in Málaga on Wednesday after a woman threw herself from an eighth floor window and fell on top of the woman below. The falling woman, said to be 20 and named with the intials M.D.P.M., was only injured in the fall which was a suicide attempt, according to 112 emergency sources. She is reported to have fractures to a leg and an arm as well as head injuries, and was admitted to the Carlos Haya Hospital where she remains under observation.It happened at 1140am in Calle Paco Miranda in Málaga city, and La Opinión de Málaga reports that an argument on the phone with her ex boyfriend was the reason why the younger woman threw herself off the eighth floor balcony. Her mother was in the house at the time.

Narcogangs on the Costa del Sol have been hit hard in recent weeks with some 3.3 tons of the drugs being seized by Guardia Civil

Narcogangs on the Costa del Sol have been hit hard in recent weeks with some 3.3 tons of the drugs being seized by Guardia Civil. The first drugs bust took place in Calahonda, where two people were arrested and 592 kilos seized. The second was on El Moral beach in Estepona when a suspicious boat was detected heading to the Bahia Dorada area. The people on board fled before they could be arrested, but officers recovered 1,650 kilos of hashish.The following night, another boat was seen arriving at Costabella Beach in Marbella, in their haste to get away, the smugglers abandoned their pneumatic boat, a van with five packages of hashish inside and several sacks all over the beach also containing drugs. The whole lot amounted to 1,190 kilos. The vehicle’s original keys and documents were found and as it had not been reported stolen, the 32-year-old owner was arrested.

Bankrobbers entered two banks on the city’s industrial estates over the weekend by making holes in the walls of adjoining premises

Bankrobbers entered two banks on the city’s industrial estates over the weekend by making holes in the walls of adjoining premises. One of the robberies took place at the Cajamar bank on the San Luis Industrial Estate, which the robbers entered via an abandoned warehouse some 20 metres away, by making holes in all the walls they came across in their path, crossing four premises in total, some of which opened to the public on Monday with large holes in the walls.The destination of the robbers, which they had obviously mapped out very well, was a small room where they money was kept. The opened the safe with a radial saw and completely emptied it, taking some 60,000 euros. Despite the fact the alarm went off, by the time the police and the bank had been alerted and arrived on the scene, the culprits had disappeared, although there are security camera images which may help to solve the crime.The same thing happened at the Caja Rural de Granada bank on the Guadalhorce Industrial Estate, however, here they were unable to open the safe and left empty-handed. National Police are investigating both cases and believe the robberies were committed by the same gang.

40 year old Spanish woman, named with the initials J.C.R. has been arrested in Benidorm and faces possible charges of attempted homicide

40 year old Spanish woman, named with the initials J.C.R. has been arrested in Benidorm and faces possible charges of attempted homicide after stabbing her 27 year old Lithuanian sentimental partner in the heart. It’s understood there was a distancing order in place against the man who now in hospital in a serious condition.
It happened at 10,30pm on Saturday night in a residential block in Avenida Portugal in the town, and a full investigation is continuing from the National Police. They found a blood-covered kitchen knife hidden behind a curtain.In a separate tragedy in the Tolosa, Guipúzcoa, in the Basque Country, a woman has died after being stabbed in the neck. The Ertzainta regional police have arrested two men, aged 49 and 44, one of them was her partner, as their investigations continue.

Alicante man then took hold of a shotgun and fired at his wife as he chased her down the street in Gata de Gorgos

Following an argument at home an Alicante man then took hold of a shotgun and fired at his wife as he chased her down the street in Gata de Gorgos.The Guardia Civil told the EFE news agency that the 42 year old woman is now in Dénia hospital after being hit in the back.After shooting his wife the man then turned the gun on himself and shot himself dead just metres from where his wife lay injured.The couple are well known in the village and have two sons aged 20 and 12. Local Mayor, Anan María Soler, said they had been witness to another case of macho violence which had caused great upset taking place as it had in the street.

voodoo prostitutes

sent a Nigerian couple to prison for 12 years 6 months for obliging girls from their country to work in Spain as prostitutes. The girls were told that if they disobeyed a voodoo curse would be placed on them, and voodoo ceremonies were carried out involving the cutting of nails and the removal of all body hair.The couple’s activities were discovered thanks to the statements of one of the victims who declared in the case as a protected witness. She had been promised work in Spain as a secretary, but found herself working at a club in Sevilla. She made her escape in May 2008 and then asked for help from Social Services who informed the immigration authorities and the National Police.The couple were found guilty on charges of clandestine immigration, illegal detention, and inducing into prostitution. Among their possessions was an agenda containing the phone numbers of ‘alternative’ clubs from right across the country.

10,000 illegal properties have been counted in the Axarquía region

Eight mayors from the Axarquia region of Eastern Málaga province travelled to Sevilla on Monday with the President of the Málaga Diputación, Salvador Pendón, in order to discuss the planning problems in their municipalities.They met with the Regional Councillor for Housing and Territorial Planning, Juan Espadas, who met with four of the Mayors at a time.
The idea was to draw up a working plan to draw up definitive plans for housing areas in each municipality so there is a clear guide ahead of the next local elections in 2011.El País reports a ‘positive climate’ during the meetings.10,000 illegal properties have been counted in the Axarquía region, building on land classified as not suitable for building. The Mayors of Alfarnate, Arenas, Canillas de Aceituno, Iznate, Macharaviaya, Moclinejo, Salares and Sedella, all of them Socialist, attended the meeting.A new time scale on a technical coordination plan was also agreed, and Espadas is set to meet with eight more mayors from the region on January 28.

sacking of Juan Antonio Roca from his post as Municipal Real Estate Assessor at Marbella Town Hall was justified

judge in Social Court 11 in Málaga has ruled that the sacking of Juan Antonio Roca from his post as Municipal Real Estate Assessor at Marbella Town Hall was justified, and that the man who is at the centre of the Malaya corruption allegations has no right to his job back or any compensation.Marbella Town Hall had sacked him because of absence from his post after he was first imprisoned on remand when the Malaya case broke in March 2006, but Roca had claimed unfair dismissal.Carlos Rubio, the councillor for personnel in Marbella Town Hall, said that common sense had triumphed, underlining the lack of morals and the cheek of Roca for challenging his own sacking.Roca’s lawyers declined to comment to the La Opinión de Málaga newspaper as they said they had not been officially informed of the verdict.Roca had been working at the Marbella Town Hall since May 1992 and had been earning an official wage of more than 9,000 € a month. If his claim for compensation had proved successful, experts say he could have been awarded some 300,000 €.

flamenco dancer Juan Manuel Fernández Montoya, known as ‘Farruquito’, is a free man after completing his three year prison sentence for a fatal hit an

flamenco dancer Juan Manuel Fernández Montoya, known as ‘Farruquito’, is a free man after completing his three year prison sentence for a fatal hit and run in 2003. Montoya had been out on parole since January last year, after completing two thirds of his sentence and spending the previous six months fitted with a tracking device which allowed him to sleep outside the jail.The dancer was found guilty of negligent homicide for the death of Benjamín Olalla, a 35 year old who was killed by Farrquito’s speeding car on a zebra crossing in the Andalucía capital in September 2003. The dancer, now aged 27, had no insurance or a driving licence at the time and was driving at 80 kilometres an hour on a street with a speed limit of 40 kph.

Eighteen people have been arrested across Spain for the illegal online sale of protected species

Eighteen people have been arrested across Spain for the illegal online sale of protected species, in a Civil Guard operation which began with an investigation into an Iberian Wolf which had been put up for sale on the Web.Dubbed ‘Operation Lobezno’ – ‘Wolf Cub’, a number of exotic animals have been seized, including a number of lions, three pumas, a cheetah and a tiger, in addition to an Iberian Wolf, a European Lynx and several birds of prey. EFE reports that many of the animals were transported from Eastern Europe under false documentation, passing the journey in conditions described as ‘appalling’ in vans which had been rented for the purpose.The organisation is reported to have operated in 10 Spanish provinces where the 18 suspects were arrested. Another two people have been questioned by detectives.

Free Sex on the Net

un-named woman resident in the Cartagena district has been taken into Civil Guard custody for advertising an offer of free sex on the Internet, but giving the contact details of a rival.La Opinión de Murcia said she published the telephone number and even the full address of her enemy, a woman who has now been forced to move house to escape the avalanche of enquiries from men seeking to take up the offer.The adverts have now been removed from the five Web sites where they were published and the woman in question faces charges of serious libel and disclosing secret information.

Málaga woman has accepted a one year sentence for assaulting her son’s teacher

Málaga woman has accepted a one year sentence for assaulting her son’s teacher during an incident at the child’s school in the Palma-Palmilla district of the city. It happened in the first week of the new school year in 2007, when the mother hit the teacher and threw her onto the floor in front of other mothers and also in front of her own son.Málaga Hoy newspaper reports that although the woman was brought before a judge for a minor offence at the time, the private accusation in the case asked for the incident to be investigated further as an assault on a public employee. The preliminary hearing was held this Tuesday, where the mother accepted the one year term and 200 € compensation.It’s reported as the first sentence in Málaga where an assault of a teacher has been viewed as an assault on a person of ‘public authority’. Previously seen as a minor offence, it would have meant a fine of between 30 and 150 €, without a custodial sentence, but, as the newspaper notes, it could now mean a prison term if the accused has a previous record.It’s understood that sentences in cases of public authority assault can range from 1 to 3 years.

counterfeit Osborne black bull

National Police have broken up a network which was importing counterfeit items using the famous Osborne black bull logo from SE Asia, mostly China and Thailand.26,478 articles were recovered in total during the operation which was carried in warehouses in the provinces of Madrid, Crevillente in Alicante, Baleares, Barcelona, Málaga, Valencia and Puerto de Santa María in Cádiz. The items were being distributed from the warehouses across the country and included towels, cushions, key-rings, magnets, drinks coasters and fans among other items.There have been three arrests and eleven more people face charges of importing counterfeit goods.

Juan Antonio Roca.The court considered that his situation was worsening and that with the news that he could have money stored abroad

The Provincial Court in Málaga has once again denied an application for bail from the man at the centre of the Malaya and Saqueo corruption cases in Marbella, the ex municipal real estate assessor, Juan Antonio Roca.The court considered that his situation was worsening and that with the news that he could have money stored abroad and so there is a high risk of flight.Roca has been held in captivity since March 29 2006, but the court ruled that despite that being a long time it had only been because the complexity of the case had meant a delay in it reaching court.
The Malaya case is expected to finally get underway in Málaga this year.

THREE bodies were found in less than 24 hours in Cullera, Sellent and Favara,

THREE bodies were found in less than 24 hours in Cullera, Sellent and Favara, although authorities have said that the deaths do not appear to be related. They were found by passers-by who alerted the Guardia Civil and were each found in a different state of decomposition. One is believed to be that of a man who was murdered two years ago in Sellent, a crime for which Guardia Civil have already arrested three people. Another was found near the Santa Marta campsite in Cullera and had signs of blunt force trauma to the skull. The one found in Favara was found hidden in the bushes and wrapped in plastic. Police are investigating.

LOCAL POLICE in Palma arrested a 32-year-old man

LOCAL POLICE in Palma arrested a 32-year-old man, after he and his brother attacked two officers who had been called to their home after a family argument. The events took place in the early hours of the morning in Son Roca when the officers were called to the scene because of a violent row. When they arrived they found blood on the landing and in a flat where the man, who was in an aggressive and nervous state, was found covered in cuts and bruises. When he saw the officers, he threw an electric fan at them and then attacked one of them. When the other officer went to help, the man’s brother grabbed him by the neck and punched him before running away. The other was arrested and had to be taken to a health centre.

TWO people were arrested by Local Police after they used an umbrella to rob a perfume shop in the centre of Malaga

TWO people were arrested by Local Police after they used an umbrella to rob a perfume shop in the centre of Malaga and attack the shopkeeper. The two men, both from Malaga and aged 29 and 40, hit the shopkeeper on the head with the umbrella, as well as punching and biting him. They then fled with two bottles of perfume worth just over 100 euros. Police began to search the area and found the two near the Atarazanas Market where they were ordered to stop. However, the fled through the streets of Malaga and were caught at the Puente de la Trinidad. The officers identified and searched them, finding the perfume, the umbrella and a bag lined with tin foil to prevent alarms being set off. They were taken to the police station and later appeared before a judge. The stolen goods were given back to the shopkeeper.

Piers Morgan heads to Marbella to investigate a tale of two cities

Marbella, the Costa del Sol’s capital of cool, is set to be the fifth exclusive global destination to be put under the spotlight of Piers Morgan’s Travelogues show on ITV, as part of the second series.Piers Morgan’s Travelogues began last year investigating the inner-workings of some of the world’s most highly regarded cities, following on from his successful three part series looking at the British millionaires hotspot of Sandbanks in Poole. The first series featured the United Arab Emirates goldmine of Dubai, Holywood and Monte Carlo. The new second series will highlight the delights of Las Vegas, Shanghai and Marbella. Kicking off the new series Morgan headed stateside to the Nevada desert for an interesting look at Las Vegas a city with a legacy that can compete with any of the worlds leading destinations.The second week of the show will be the turn of Marbella with the write-up promising that Piers will explore two sides of the famous Costa del Sol city as he tours around the Spanish resort of Marbella investigating the tale of two cities he believes it is – one part swamped with boozed up Brits, vice girls and dubbed the Costa del Crime, the other part home to millionaires.

Piers Morgan on Marbella will be shown on ITV1 at 9pm on Tuesday 12th Jan.

Guardia Civil arrested 13 individuals of Rumanian origin accused of commiting 20 robberies

Guardia Civil arrested 13 individuals of Rumanian origin accused of commiting 20 robberies in recreational spaces and bars, restaurants and hotels of different points of Andalucia. The first crime took place last October in a bar in Grazalema (Cadiz) where the accused forced a window and took the money in the slot machines, the till and the cigarette machine. That same day, three other robberies took place in the locality, two in bars and one in a car.A string of crimes ensued in different localities of Malaga, Huelva and Cordoba, all with a similar modus operandi. They would steal a car and use it to tear out the gates or windows of the establishment they were robbing and then emptied tills and slot and cigarette machines.Finally Police Agents of several towns in Cadiz identified the criminals and they where apprehended in Malaga and Cordoba

Six people have been arrested in Valencia for kidnapping a businessman who was held captive in a countryside cabin

Six people have been arrested in Valencia for kidnapping a businessman who was held captive in a countryside cabin in Chiva for six days before he managed to escape. Europa Press said one of his captors is an employee at the construction company the businessman owns.The victim was snatched on an industrial estate in Chiva and forced at gunpoint into the van which took him to the place where he was held and repeatedly beaten during his captivity. He was handcuffed and kept with a hood over his head after a first failed attempt at escaping, and threatened with being buried in a hole dug in the ground if the ransom was not paid over. The kidnappers were demanding a payment of 300,000 € to secure his release.He finally managed to escape and reached the Civil Guard barracks in Cheste to report his ordeal. None of the kidnappers’ names have been released, but it’s understood that at least three are from Colombia and two are Spaniards.

homeless man who was attacked with an axe in Fuengirola in the early hours of Monday regained consciousness on Tuesday

homeless man who was attacked with an axe in Fuengirola in the early hours of Monday regained consciousness on Tuesday and is now understood to be off assisted respiration. His condition is however still serious and he remains in the Intensive Care unit of the Carlos Haya Hospital in Málaga.The 53 year old, who it’s understood is well known locally, was found with an axe wound to his head on Calle Palangreros shortly after 4am on Monday. Police are investigating any possible connection with a similar, fatal, attack on another homeless man in Fuengirola last month, whose body was found in a local car park with an axe buried in his head.

death of a 42 year old Russian woman whose stabbed body was found in her home in Almería.

Police are investigating the death of a 42 year old Russian woman whose stabbed body was found in her home in Almería. Her flatmate alerted the National Police to the tragedy and they say that all lines of investigation remain open.The body was found in the early hours of Wednesday in the home in Calle Rodrigo Vivas Miras in Almería.

body of another homeless person has been found in Málaga

The body of another homeless person has been found in Málaga. The 45 year old showed no signs of violence, but given the two recent axe attacks on homeless men in Fuengirola, one of which was fatal, the Police say they are investigating and waiting the results of an autopsy.The body was found around 6am on Wednesday close to the Muelle de Heredia, not far from the city centre.

National Police have smashed a drugs gang which smuggled regular consignments of cannabis onto the Algeciras ferry

National Police have smashed a drugs gang which smuggled regular consignments of cannabis onto the Algeciras ferry at Tangiers and which used a rented garage in Algeciras as a warehouse to store the drugs they brought over from Morocco. A quarter of a ton of cannabis was impounded as part of the police operation.Five of the eight suspects taken into custody are reported by the EFE news agency as crew members on one of the ferries which cover the route and employees of companies contracted to supply provisions to the boat.The gang leader was arrested with two other suspects at the Algeciras garage in possession of the latest consignment to have been brought over.

32 year old woman from Peru who was found dead at her home

Two people have been arrested in L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona province, for the death of a 32 year old woman from Peru who was found dead at her home in the city on Wednesday afternoon. The two suspects are also from Peru: the alleged murderer, who is the woman’s partner, and another man who was in the home and saw her being killed.Police have yet to determine if the murder of a 42 year old Russian woman who was found stabbed to death at her home in Almería City early on Wednesday is another case of domestic violence. Ideal newspaper said the fact that she worked at an alternative nightclub could prove key to the investigation.

green light has been given to the Spanish Government’s project to close down any web page which is found to be infringing copyright law.

Green light has been given to the Spanish Government’s project to close down any web page which is found to be infringing copyright law.

Under the legislation the Ministry for Culture would handle and complaints via a new body called the Intellectual Property Commission, and then pass on the information to the National Court which would then have to make a ruling and decide to issue a court order to close the web down within four days or to order that its content be blocked. The website owner will be consulted at the time of the initial complaint and will also have the right to appeal should the site be blocked.The legislation is part of the new Sustainable Economy Law which is currently being modified. Minister for Justice, Fernando Caamaño, said that the new legislation would allow for citizens to place a complaint which would then be investigated and then the judge would be informed so that appropriate action can be taken. He said that a modification of the Judicial Power Organic Law would also be needed in what he said would be the most agile way of dealing with the problem while protecting fundamental rights.Internet users associations are already complaining on social network sites that the law was a short cut that could even lead to the closure of Google.
But Joan Navarro, from the Creators Coalition, was happy at the news which he said to the EFE news agency would have a devastating effect on pirated content.

Andalucia’s most wanted man Jose Luis Maseda, 67,

Andalucia’s most wanted man Jose Luis Maseda, 67, who has apparently disappeared after wheeling and dealing for more than 25 years. Claiming to be a lawyer, financial consultant and tax advisor, Maseda wooed hundreds of clients to invest their money from the confines of his Eurobrokers office, in central Benalmadena.up to 100 former clients, are trying to track him down in a bid to discover what has happened to an estimated 20 million euros invested through him.
But now, the Fraud Squad, and up to 100 former clients, are trying to track him down in a bid to discover what has happened to an estimated 20 million euros invested through him.Most peoples’ accounts are similar, with smooth-talking Maseda having been recommended to them via a series of third parties, or even local banks.
Billed as the key to getting a licence, buying a house, or successfully investing money, they were usually taken in by his excellent English and confident manner.
A joint action has this week been launched by Fuengirola lawyer Juan Carlos Carrasco, who has signed up at least five clients.These include Geoff Gales, 59, who claims that he and his family have lost up to 1.5 million euros through Maseda.
The boss of CG Properties Geoff Gales, 59, who worked closely with Maseda for 10 years, invested the money in a number of plots on a failed golf venture in Villanueva del Rosario, near Antequera.He has spent the best part of the past year investigating the movements and behaviour of Maseda.“I believe he has a questionable track record dating back some 35 years to when he first ventured down to the coast from Madrid,” he explained.I discovered that he had taken out a mortgage in my name without my permission
“I spoke to one British doctor, for example, who claims to have lost money in one of his deals 33 years ago.”Another case involves Fiona Tiernan, 57, from Ireland, who discovered that Maseda had taken out a mortgage in her name without her permission after she gave him her power of attorney.“The first thing I knew was when I was contacted by Bankinter notifying me of a 92,000 euro mortgage that had received no repayments,” said Tiernan. She has now filed a report to the National Police fraud squad in Benalmadena, who are investigating her case.“How Maseda lives with himself confounds me. It would appear he has no conscience,” she added. Getting his clients’ power of attorney, appears to be one of Maseda’s favourite methods.
Linda Smith, 51, from Bedfordshire, also discovered she had a 95,000 euro mortgage through Bankinter after signing power of attorney over to him.The mother-of-two had initially been put in touch with Maseda after visiting the Benalmadena branch of Banco Popular.“I had wanted to sell my house and Banco Popular recommended I spoke to Maseda.
“I went to see him and he told me that he knew people who could take the house off my hands, so I signed over my power of attorney to him and heard nothing.
“Some time later I was notified that I had apparently taken out a 95,000 euro mortgage with Bankinter and the house wasn’t sold.”
It emerged that Bankinter paid off the original 40,000 euro mortgage to Banco Popular and set up a new mortgage in her name.
“I never signed anything,” insists Smith. “No application forms. Maseda handled everything, even disclosing what he thought was my occupation and salary.”
Maseda was an official bank agent for Banco Popular – a very convenient relationship, especially as his offices were a two-minute walk away. His website also claimed to be an authorised agent for numerous other banks, such as Halifax and Sol Bank.
Police confirmed the connection between Banco Popular and Maseda, but were quick to quash any suggestions of impropriety.Detective Juan Martin, who is handling the case, explained: “Although there was definite interaction, I am sure bank employess were equally unaware of the man’s dealings.” The complicated Eurobrokers saga dates back 27 years, when, in 1982, a youthful Maseda opened his own financial advisory company. Born and educated in Madrid, the 39-year-old, like many fast young bucks of the time, saw the chance to make serious money on the Costa del Sol, which had become one of Europe’s holiday playgrounds.His company Eurobrokers aimed to help people looking to invest in the lucrative Spanish property market. Success soon followed and Maseda embarked on setting up “franchises” across the world in places as far flung as Bolivia and Ecuador. One affiliate called Ecuacasa – part of the official ‘Eurobrokers Group’ – promises “to do whatever it takes to ensure the seamless purchase, sale or legalisation” of property bought in Ecuador. However, over the past five years, this apparent success only served to mask the mounting debts that Maseda was racking up with clients back in Spain.
Many of these were caught up in the failed golf development in Villanueva del Rosario, which is now mired in controversy and under investigation in the courts. Maseda was involved in the sale of dozens of plots in the scheme, before it was passed by the authorities.His motivation though seems almost entirely to have been based on one simple thing, money. “He was absolutely obsessed by money, it was what drove him the whole time,” says a former client allegedly owed 174,000 euros by Maseda, who wishes to remain anonymous. “The sole purpose of his existence was making cash. He was a spendaholic.”
And the evidence of Maseda’s work was always on display. Aside from his Malaga home, he also owned properties in El Pinar, close to Torremolinos, as well as Madrid and, allegedly, South America.He carried all the trappings of wealth. He drove a Mercedes and a BMW motorbike
He carried all the trappings of wealth. He drove a black Mercedes, BMW as well as a BMW motorbike. Appearances meant everything to Maseda. He sported a gold Rolex watch, the latest designer suits and would boast about having two house maids to help his wife Dolores. “He lived a life of luxury, every Sunday morning he would religiously wash all six of the family cars,” explains Richard Taylor, former partner of Costa Property Services Spain – a company formerly linked with Maseda. Another client, Victoria Pickles, 36, from Norwich, who bought a 100,000 euro house through Maseda, which, six years later, is still yet to be legalised, was instantly seduced by Maseda. “He seemed very money-orientated and part of that drew me in. What sticks out in my mind is the big gold bracelet he always wore, as well as the pristine leather jacket.”

23-YEAR-OLD man has lost his life during a brawl in Almería

23-YEAR-OLD man has lost his life during a brawl in Almería, National Police report. He was stabbed to death at around 21.00hrs in the street on New Year’s Day in the Venta Gaspar district of the city.Although emergency services rushed to the scene, they were unable to save the young man. Police say his death was the result of a fight between the victim and another man of a similar age, whose whereabouts are as yet unknown.

2 million € worth of heroin at Lidl

2 million € worth of heroin have been recovered by National Police in Madrid after the packages were delivered by error to the Spanish capital’s central wholesale market, Mercamadrid, amongst the cargo of bananas which the drugs gang had used to smuggle them into the country.The alarm was raised on Saturday morning when staff at Lidl supermarkets unpacked the boxes of bananas which had been distributed from Mercamadrid to the company’s stores in the city, and discovered one-kilo packages of heroin hidden beneath the fruit.El Mundo said 25 packets of heroin were recovered by police.

Domestic violence claimed its first victim of 2010

Domestic violence claimed its first victim of 2010 in Sevilla province in the early hours of Sunday, where a 45 year old woman died at the hands of her partner at her home in El Cuervo, a village which lies on the border with Cádiz province. She is named with the initials of J.R.Z.Her 54 year old partner, J.M.C.E., was taken into custody after he contacted the local police confessing to the crime at around 4am on Sunday.The Civil Guard are in charge of the investigation and have told the EFE news agency that there is no known previous history of abuse. An autopsy will now determine the exact cause of death, although there are first indications that the victim died of asphyxiation.

blaze started near the balneario in an area which is popular with day trippers on bank holidays.

forest fire which broke out in Aigües, inland to the north east of El Campello, on Friday afternoon was officially out 24 hours later after destroying an estimated 20 hectares of land. The work to tackle the blaze was hampered by the high winds affecting the area, but it was brought under control by 9 on Saturday morning after three fire-fighting brigades spent the night at the scene attempting to prevent the flames spreading any further.It was originally thought to have been started by a spark from an electricity line, but local Mayor, Pilar Sol, told Diario Información that that has now been ruled out and said negligence is the most likely cause. It’s understood that the blaze started near the balneario in an area which is popular with day trippers on bank holidays.The Civil Guard are in charge of the investigation into what caused the fire.Another wildfire in Millena destroyed 3,000 square metres of land.

Another axe attack on a homeless man in Fuengirola

Another axe attack on a homeless man in Fuengirola has been reported by Diario Sur this Monday morning, after the murder of a man, well-known locally, whose body was found with an axe buried in his head in a local car park last month.The second victim, a 51 year old man, survived the attack, but is seriously ill in the Intensive Care unit of Carlos Haya Hospital in Málaga. He is understood to be on assisted ventilation.Emergency services were called out to Fuengirola’s Calle Palagreros at around 4.30 on Monday morning, where the victim was found with a deep wound to his head consistent with an axe attack. There has been no confirmation as yet of any connection with the fatal attack which took place on Calle Antonio Rubio Torres in December.

kidnapping of a businessman

Six people have been arrested in Valencia for kidnapping a businessman who was held captive in a countryside cabin in Chiva for six days before he managed to escape. Europa Press said one of his captors is an employee at the construction company the businessman owns.The victim was snatched on an industrial estate in Chiva and forced at gunpoint into the van which took him to the place where he was held and repeatedly beaten during his captivity. He was handcuffed and kept with a hood over his head after a first failed attempt at escaping, and threatened with being buried in a hole dug in the ground if the ransom was not paid over. The kidnappers were demanding a payment of 300,000 € to secure his release.He finally managed to escape and reached the Civil Guard barracks in Cheste to report his ordeal. None of the kidnappers’ names have been released, but it’s understood that at least three are from Colombia and two are Spaniards.