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04/05/14 19:54 from Mike Nova's Shared Newslinks

"This case exemplifies that those involved in the distribution of narcotics and other contraband will be vigorously investigated and prosecuted," said Angel M. Melendez, special agent in charge of HSI San Juan. "HSI thanks our local, state and federal law enforcement partners for their significant cooperation in dismantling this drug trafficking organization."

APRIL 29, 2014

SAN JUAN, PR

Operation Root Canal nets 35 arrests for drug trafficking, possession of illegal firearms

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Thirty-five alleged members of a drug trafficking organization were arrested Tuesday as a result of a law enforcement operation dubbed "Root Canal," a joint investigation led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

"This case exemplifies that those involved in the distribution of narcotics and other contraband will be vigorously investigated and prosecuted," said Angel M. Melendez, special agent in charge of HSI San Juan. "HSI thanks our local, state and federal law enforcement partners for their significant cooperation in dismantling this drug trafficking organization."

The indictment, handed down April 22 by a federal grand jury and unsealed Tuesday, charges 41 alleged members of a drug trafficking organization with conspiracy to knowingly and intentionally possess with the intent to distribute cocaine base (crack), cocaine and marijuana, all for significant financial gain and profit. The 35 arrests took place at the Nemesio Canales public housing project.

According to court documents, the organization established drug distribution points at the area known as "El Medio" which constitutes the basketball court, the gym and the administration office of the Nemesio Canales public housing project. Other places of drug distribution also included the areas between buildings 4, 5, 32, 33, 50, 51, 60 and 61 of the housing project. Some of the defendants would routinely possess, carry, brandish and use firearms to protect themselves and the drug trafficking organization from rival gangs.

The indictment alleges that some of the defendants and their co-conspirators had access to different vehicles in which they transported money, narcotics and firearms and that they used these vehicles to conduct drive by shootings and to go out and "hunt" rival gang members. Some of these vehicles were altered with hidden compartments to conceal drugs and firearms. The indictment further alleges that the 41 co-conspirators had many roles in order to further the goals of the conspiracy. The following are the roles as alleged in the indictment: nine leaders (drug point owners/administrators), one supplier, two enforcers, five runners, 18 sellers and six facilitators. Thirty-one of the defendants are facing one count of using and carrying firearms during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.

This enforcement operation is part of HSI's Operation Community Shield, a global initiative in which HSI partners with existing federal, state and local anti-gang efforts to identify violent street gangs and develop intelligence on gang members and associates, gang criminal activities and international movements to arrest, prosecute, imprison and/or deport transnational gang members.

Since the inception of Operation Community Shield in February 2005, HSI special agents working in conjunction with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies across the nation have arrested more than 33,000 street gang members and associates linked to more than 2,600 different gangs. At least 43 percent of those arrested had a violent criminal history. More than 438 of those arrested were gang leaders, and more than 4,500 were MS-13 gang members or associates. Through this initiative, HSI has seized more than 5,615 firearms nationally.

The National Gang Unit within HSI identifies violent street gangs and develops intelligence on their membership, associates, criminal activities and international movements to deter, disrupt and dismantle transnational criminal gang operations by tracing and seizing cash, weapons and other assets derived from illicit activities.

ICE encourages the public to report suspected weapons and narcotics smuggling and related information by calling at 1-866-DHS-2ICE. For more information, visit www.ice.gov.

You may also visit us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, or access this news release on your mobile device.

(Reuters) - Puerto Rico's governor announced a $1.4 billion cut in public spending on Tuesday as the commonwealth government agencies braced for measures that will be taken to produce the first balanced budget in years

UPDATE 1-Puerto Rico governor announces $1.4 billion budget cut

Tue Apr 29, 2014 6:49pm EDT

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(Updates throughout with details from speech, adds announcement)

(Reuters) - Puerto Rico's governor announced a $1.4 billion cut in public spending on Tuesday as the commonwealth government agencies braced for measures that will be taken to produce the first balanced budget in years.

Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla unveiled his $9.64 billion budget proposal for 2015 in an address to the legislature that included a $775 million payment for Puerto Rico's long-term debt.

The current general fund budget is $9.835 billion for fiscal year 2014, which runs through June 30.

"We are beginning to pay for today's expenses with today's earnings. This balanced budget complies with my commitment to prepare a budget without deficit financing nor refinancing of debt," the governor said.

"We have accomplished this without firing anyone, respecting the daily bread of public workers," the governor said.

The governor said that he would cut government spending by an average 8 percent and would freeze hiring but added he would not make cuts to the Police Department or the University of Puerto Rico.

The governor also announced the fusion of 25 government entities, which he said would be undertaken without affecting services or employee rights. He also said he ordered a 10 percent cut in the budget for senior executive staff positions and for professional service contracts.

The government will also seek savings of $236 million in government payroll expenses through negotiated cuts in marginal employee benefits, as well as transferring school transportation service to island municipalities. Officials also said the least utilized and most obsolete schools would be shut down to save money.

There will also be savings through changes to Christmas bonus and sick leave benefits to public workers.

On a positive note the governor highlighted plans and recent achievements in the areas of manufacturing, high tech and financial services, tourism and agriculture.

Hundreds of public workers gathered outside the Capitol building in the afternoon to pressure the government to respect their collective bargaining contracts.

In February, when Garcia Padilla pledged to investors to deliver a balanced budget, he said making the government's public corporations self-sufficient is "one of the most significant, greatest challenges" facing Puerto Rico.

"We have to adjust to the reality of a smaller economy with less resources and we can't maintain a government structure as if this was an economy with much greater productive capacity," said economist Jose Joaquin Villamil, of Estudios Tecnicos.

While no new taxes are expected following a year in which the administration levied $1.5 billion in new taxes, the government could see added revenue because some new taxes are still being implemented, including a levy on Internet purchases and a plan to charge the sales and use tax on goods imported into the island.

Earlier this year, concerns over the Puerto Rico government's ability to deal with its debt, with an economy and population in decline since 2006, prompted all three credit ratings agencies to cut Puerto Rico's credit to non-investment grade, or a junk bond rating.

Last month's $3.5 billion bond deal gave the Puerto Rico government "breathing room" and analysts have awaited the budget to see how the administration will address fiscal challenges.

The commonwealth government is seeking to make the case that the economy is turning the corner.

In March, the island economy fell for a 16th straight month, but the 0.8 percent year-over-year decline was the smallest drop in more than a year, according to the Government Development Bank Economic Activity Index.

While the EAI is down 3.4 percent overall through the first three quarters of the current fiscal year, it has been on the rise for three straight months. (By Reuters in San Juan.; Editing by David Adams, David Gregorio and Ken Wills)

Suspected Notorious 'Murderer for Hire' Captured

Suspected Notorious 'Murderer for Hire' Captured

San Juan, PR – The U.S. Marshals led Puerto Rico Violent OffendersFugitive Task Force with the assistance of the Puerto Rico police department, Caguas sector agents, captured Jose A. Gomez-Lopez also known as “COCO” at a motel in Bayamon. This fugitive is wanted by the state authorities on 28 criminal charges stemming from murder to weapons law violations, and has a $22,400,000 bond imposed in absence. This is the largest imposed bond amount in the history of theCommonwealth. Gomez-Lopez is wanted for his alleged involvement in a quadruple homicide that occurred on May 5 in the municipality of Aguas Buenas. During this incident, which is locally known as the “Aguas Buenas Massacre”, a mother and her daughter, alongside a local merchant were among the 4 victims that were brutally murdered in the flurry of automatic weapon fire.

Although the arrest was conducted without incident, Deputies seized a Glock model firearm which was modified to fire as a fully automatic weapon. Also arrested at the same location was an alleged associate of Gomez-Lopez known as Angel Gabriel Rodriguez Lopez who was also allegedly in the possession of an additional firearm modified to fire as a fully automatic weapon. The United States Attorney’s office is evaluating the possibility of adding additional federal charges.

“It is with great pleasure to announce this significant arrest and congratulate those who committed long hours to remove this violentfugitive from our communities,” said Orlando Rivera, U.S. Marshal for the District of Puerto Rico.

20 Arrested in Puerto Rico on drug, gun charges

» Massive Police Sweep in Puerto Rico Nets 30 Drug Gang Members - Hispanically Speaking News
30/04/14 08:52 from puerto rico police department - Google News
Latin American Herald Tribune Massive Police Sweep in Puerto Rico Nets 30 Drug Gang Members Hispanically Speaking News Collaborating in this operation have been the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Puerto...

20 Arrested in Puerto Rico on drug, gun charges

Published May 01, 2014

EFE

Twenty people were arrested on Thursday by U.S. and Puerto Rican authorities in different public housing projects in San Juan for drug trafficking, illegal use of weapons and armed car theft.

"The group devoted itself mainly to robbery ... thus furthering its illegal activities, obtaining profits and continuing with its criminal activities," FBI spokesman Moises Quiñones told Efe on Thursday.

He said that the 20 people arrested - all of whom are men - belong to the Rompe ONU organization and he added that most of the arrests were made in the Los Clavales, Los Laureles and Jardines del Paraiso housing developments.

Quiñones, however, said that no weapons or drugs were found during the operation, in which agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives participated.

The arrests are another heavy blow against criminal organizations in Puerto Rico after on Tuesday authorities arrested almost 200 people around the island for different crimes.

Of that total, 30 were taken into custody in the Nemesio Canales public housing project in San Juan, which is very near the Puerto Rico Police Department headquarters and the Plaza Las Americas, the largest shopping mall in the Caribbean. EFE

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Puerto Rico Presents First Balanced Budget In Over A Decade - AP | Governor raises status issue in speech | Caldero takes oath as PR’s top cop - CB

Governor raises status issue in speech

Issued: April 29, 2014

Gov. Alejandro García Padilla pledged Tuesday to present legislation before ...

full story

Caldero takes oath as PR’s top cop

Issued: April 28, 2014

Police Superintendent José Caldero officially took the reins of the embattled department after a swearing in ceremony in San Juan on Monday.

full story

» Puerto Rico Presents First Balanced Budget In Over A Decade 30/04/14 10:35 from Latino Voices on HuffingtonPost.com SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Puerto Rico's governor on Tuesday presented the territory's first balanced budget in more than a decade, fulfilling a promise to cut spending at a time when the island's economic problems have spread fear amo... Puerto Rico Presents First Balanced Budget In Over A Decade   | by  DANICA COTO Posted: 04/30/2014 9:37 am EDT Updated: 04/30/2014 9:59 am EDT Print Article Share9 Tweet0 0 Email0 Comment0 MORE: Puerto RicoAlejandro Garcia PadillaPuerto Rico Balanced BudgetPuerto Rico EconomyAlejandro Garcia Padilla Puerto RicoPuerto Rico Economic SituationPuerto Rico BudgetPuerto Rico Economic Crisis SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Puerto Rico's governor on Tuesday presented the territory's first balanced budget in more than a decade, fulfilling a promise to cut spending at a time when the island's economic problems have spread fear among U.S. investors. Gov. Alejandro Garcia Padilla proposed more than $1.4 billion in cuts and adjustments by consolidating 25 government agencies and imposing an average 8 percent spending cut for most agencies, among other things. He also pledged $775 million to pay off debt — $525 million more than in last year's budget. The $9.64 billion budget aims to strengthen and revive the economy as the U.S. territory enters its eighth year in recession and struggles to reduce some $73 billion in public debt. The budget does not call for layoffs or new taxes. "We are finally paying off the debts of the past," Garcia said during a televised address to a joint legislative session. "Our island needs radical changes. For too long, previous proposals have only been cosmetic or sought a collective applause." The governor is scheduled to formally submit the budget Wednesday, and legislators will debate it in upcoming weeks, with approval needed before June 30. Last year's budget stood at $9.77 billion. U.S. investors and bondholders were awaiting details of the budget and are expected to monitor its impact on the economy after Puerto Rico sold a record $3.5 billion in general obligation bonds last month in part to generate more liquidity and refinance debt. David Tawil, co-founder and portfolio manager of New York-based Maglan Capital, praised Garcia's push for a balanced budget, although he said reservations remain. "It's an important achievement beyond the financial soundness," Tawil said. "It is all critical and goes a long way but may not necessarily be sufficient." Opposition legislator Lourdes Ramos criticized Garcia for not acknowledging the island's contracting economy, the lack of jobs and dwindling funds. "It was disappointing," she said of his speech. Hundreds of unionized workers gathered outside the seaside Capitol to protest the cuts. Puerto Rico economist Gustavo Velez said the last balanced budget for the U.S. territory's government was in 1999, with governors borrowing over the past 14 years to finance deficits while violating the island's constitution requirement for balanced budgets. He said the government borrowed an estimated $29 billion from 2004 to 2013, adding that the money wasn't put into public works but rather was just used to let the island live beyond its means. "That should never have occurred," he said, adding he feels Garcia had no other option but to balance the budget. "This is happening because of the current fiscal reality. They cannot go to the market to borrow more money. ... They have no choice but to face reality, to operate with the resources they have." Garcia, a lawyer who became governor in January 2013, inherited a more than $2.2 billion deficit and the highest unemployment rate compared with any U.S. state, among other economic problems. He has sought to diversify the economy and strengthen its industrial base, attracting international companies with tax incentives while also courting wealthy investors such as New York hedge fund executive John Paulson. Earlier this month, German company Lufthansa Technik announced it would invest $20 million on a facility for aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul, while Arizona-based Honeywell Aerospace said it would spend $24 million to expand its business on the island. Garcia also has made changes to two major public pension systems, noting they would run out of money soon if nothing was done. He also previously implemented new taxes and various measures to help generate some $1.5 billion in new revenue. The island of 3.67 million people is struggling economically. More than 450,000 people have left in the past decade, and just 41 percent of working-age Puerto Ricans are in the labor force, compared to 63 percent in the U.S. UPDATE 1-Puerto Rico governor announces $1.4 billion budget cut Tue Apr 29, 2014 6:49pm EDT 0 COMMENTS inShare1 Share this Email Print RELATED TOPICS Bonds » Markets » (Updates throughout with details from speech, adds announcement) (Reuters) - Puerto Rico's governor announced a $1.4 billion cut in public spending on Tuesday as the commonwealth government agencies braced for measures that will be taken to produce the first balanced budget in years. Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla unveiled his $9.64 billion budget proposal for 2015 in an address to the legislature that included a $775 million payment for Puerto Rico's long-term debt. The current general fund budget is $9.835 billion for fiscal year 2014, which runs through June 30. "We are beginning to pay for today's expenses with today's earnings. This balanced budget complies with my commitment to prepare a budget without deficit financing nor refinancing of debt," the governor said. "We have accomplished this without firing anyone, respecting the daily bread of public workers," the governor said. The governor said that he would cut government spending by an average 8 percent and would freeze hiring but added he would not make cuts to the Police Department or the University of Puerto Rico. The governor also announced the fusion of 25 government entities, which he said would be undertaken without affecting services or employee rights. He also said he ordered a 10 percent cut in the budget for senior executive staff positions and for professional service contracts. The government will also seek savings of $236 million in government payroll expenses through negotiated cuts in marginal employee benefits, as well as transferring school transportation service to island municipalities. Officials also said the least utilized and most obsolete schools would be shut down to save money. There will also be savings through changes to Christmas bonus and sick leave benefits to public workers. On a positive note the governor highlighted plans and recent achievements in the areas of manufacturing, high tech and financial services, tourism and agriculture. Hundreds of public workers gathered outside the Capitol building in the afternoon to pressure the government to respect their collective bargaining contracts. In February, when Garcia Padilla pledged to investors to deliver a balanced budget, he said making the government's public corporations self-sufficient is "one of the most significant, greatest challenges" facing Puerto Rico. "We have to adjust to the reality of a smaller economy with less resources and we can't maintain a government structure as if this was an economy with much greater productive capacity," said economist Jose Joaquin Villamil, of Estudios Tecnicos. While no new taxes are expected following a year in which the administration levied $1.5 billion in new taxes, the government could see added revenue because some new taxes are still being implemented, including a levy on Internet purchases and a plan to charge the sales and use tax on goods imported into the island. Earlier this year, concerns over the Puerto Rico government's ability to deal with its debt, with an economy and population in decline since 2006, prompted all three credit ratings agencies to cut Puerto Rico's credit to non-investment grade, or a junk bond rating. Last month's $3.5 billion bond deal gave the Puerto Rico government "breathing room" and analysts have awaited the budget to see how the administration will address fiscal challenges. The commonwealth government is seeking to make the case that the economy is turning the corner. In March, the island economy fell for a 16th straight month, but the 0.8 percent year-over-year decline was the smallest drop in more than a year, according to the Government Development Bank Economic Activity Index. While the EAI is down 3.4 percent overall through the first three quarters of the current fiscal year, it has been on the rise for three straight months. (By Reuters in San Juan.; Editing by David Adams, David Gregorio and Ken Wills)