Month: March 2020

CBP Officers in El Paso Seize Large Shipment of Altered and Prohibited Household Cleaning Products


Smuggling can be a dirty business even when it involves cleaning supplies.

CBP officers working at the Bridge of the Americas commercial import facility at the El Paso port of entry, learned this when they encountered a large shipment of what appeared to be cleaning supplies arriving from Mexico on March 16.

The products appeared to be tampered with and prohibited for sale in the U.S.

“In the current environment it is reprehensible that someone would attempt a scheme like this to prey upon the concerns and fears of our community, likely for financial gain,” said CBP El Paso Director of Field Operations Hector Mancha. “Our officers remain focused and attentive to all threats they may encounter.”

During the inspection, the driver of a box truck presented CBP officers with a manifest showing the shipment included cleaning supplies and toilet paper. CBP officers selected the shipment for inspection and found that it contained 168 boxes of Clorox bleach (127 oz.), 75 boxes of Pinol cleaner (33.81 oz.), 28 boxes of Fabuloso cleaner (169 oz.), 23 boxes of Pinol cleaner (27.99 oz.), 9 boxes of Clorox cleaner (31.44 oz.), and 20 boxes of Adorable brand toilet paper.

During a dock exam of the products inspection, CBP officers and National Guard soldiers noted that many of the bottles had no safety seals and appeared to have been tampered with. Bottles containing bleach also lacked the familiar bleach scent.

Initial field-testing showed that the products contained water. Further CBP laboratory testing indicated that the primary ingredient in many of the items sampled was only water and not what labeling suggested.

A representative from the Clorox Company also advised CBP that the Spanish labeled product was not permitted for sale in the U.S. and importation is a violation.

All products were seized pending further investigation.

CBP.gov (March 2020) CBP Officers in El Paso Seize Large Shipment of Altered and Prohibited Household Cleaning Products

Global operation sees a rise in fake medical products related to COVID-19


Coronavirus outbreak sparks a new trend in counterfeit medical items

Counterfeit facemasks, substandard hand sanitizers and unauthorized antiviral medication were all seized under Operation Pangea XIII, which saw police, customs and health regulatory authorities from 90 countries take part in collective action against the illicit online sale of medicines and medical products.

The operation resulted in 121 arrests worldwide and the seizure of potentially dangerous pharmaceuticals worth more than USD 14 million.

The outbreak of the coronavirus disease has offered an opportunity for fast cash, as criminals take advantage of the high market demand for personal protection and hygiene products.

Law enforcement agencies taking part in Operation Pangea found 2,000 online links advertising items related to COVID-19. Of these, counterfeit surgical masks were the medical device most commonly sold online, accounting for around 600 cases during the week of action.

The seizure of more than 34,000 counterfeit and substandard masks, “corona spray”, “coronavirus packages” or “coronavirus medicine” reveals only the tip of the iceberg regarding this new trend in counterfeiting.

“Once again, Operation Pangea shows that criminals will stop at nothing to make a profit. The illicit trade in such counterfeit medical items during a public health crisis shows their total disregard for people’s wellbeing, or their lives,” said Jürgen Stock, INTERPOL’s Secretary General.

Compared to the week of action in 2018, this latest edition of the operation reported an increase of about 18 per cent in seizures of unauthorized antiviral medication, and an increase of more than 100 per cent in seizures of unauthorized chloroquine (an antimalarial medication), which could also be connected to the COVID-19 outbreak.

During the week of action (3 – 10 March 2020) authorities in participating INTERPOL countries inspected more than 326,000 packages of which more than 48,000 were seized by customs and regulatory authorities.

Overall, authorities seized around 4.4 million units of illicit pharmaceuticals worldwide. Among them were:

  • erectile dysfunction pills
  • anti-cancer medication
  • hypnotic and sedative agents
  • anabolic steroids
  • analgesics/painkillers
  • nervous system agents
  • dermatological agents
  • vitamins.

More than 37,000 unauthorized and counterfeit medical devices were also seized, the vast majority of which were surgical masks and self-testing kits (HIV and glucose), but also various surgical instruments.

Information received from the participating countries during the operation points to a considerable decrease in international shipments of small parcels (by about 40 per cent), probably due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The operation has already closed down more than 2,500 web links, including websites, social media pages, online marketplaces and online adverts for illicit pharmaceuticals with a similar number in the process of being closed down. The combined efforts of the authorities disrupted the activities of 37 organized crime groups.

Under Operation Pangea XIII, INTERPOL member countries also reached out to the general public – through videos, brochures, exhibitions and talks at hospitals and schools – to raise awareness of the dangers of buying pharmaceuticals from unregulated online sources.  

“As reducing demand is an important aspect in Operation Pangea, Malaysia is strongly promoting awareness activities to the public. These include the distribution of car stickers, video broadcasts via electronic billboards as well as radio and television interviews”, said Norlida Binti Abdul Rahman, Senior Principal Assistant Director, Ministry of Health, Malaysia.

Fake medicines often contain the wrong amount of active ingredient (too little, too much, or none at all). In other cases, the medicines may be genuine but have been stolen and then badly stored or may have expired. This means they could be ineffective or contaminated.

https://www.interpol.int/en/News-and-Events/News/2020/Global-operation-sees-a-rise-in-fake-medical-products-related-to-COVID-19

Interpol.int (March 2020) Global operation sees a rise in fake medical products related to COVID-19

Pakistani Doctor Charged With Attempting To Provide Material Support To ISIS


On Thursday, Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers and U.S. Attorney Erica H. MacDonald for the District of Minnesota announced a federal criminal complaint against Muhammad Masood, 28, charging him with attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization.

Masood, who was arrested earlier today at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, made his initial appearance before Magistrate Judge David T. Schultz in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Masood was ordered to remain in custody pending a formal detention hearing, which is scheduled for Tuesday, March 24, 2020.

According to the allegations in the complaint, Masood, a licensed medical doctor in Pakistan,was formerly employed as a Research Coordinator at a medical clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, under an H-1B Visa.

Between January 2020 and March 2020, Masood made several statements to others, including pledging his allegiance to the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) and its leader, and expressing his desire to travel to Syria to fight for ISIS.

Masood also expressed his desire to conduct “lone wolf” terrorist attacks in the United States. On Feb. 21, 2020, Masood purchased a plane ticket from Chicago, Illinois to Amman, Jordan, and from there planned to travel to Syria.

On March 16, 2020, Masood’s travel plans changed because Jordan closed its borders to incoming travel due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Masood made a new plan to fly from Minneapolis to Los Angeles to meet up with an individual who he believed would assist him with travel via cargo ship to deliver him to ISIS territory.

On March 19, 2020, Masood traveled from Rochester to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) to board a flight bound for Los Angeles, California. Upon arrival at MSP, Masood checked in for his flight and was subsequently arrested by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force.

Defendant Information: MUHAMMAD MASOOD, 28, Rochester, Minn.

Charges: Attempt to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization (ISIS), 1 count

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew R. Winter and Timothy C. Rank, with assistance from Trial Attorney Katie Sweeten of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.

Justice.gov (2020) Pakistani Doctor Charged With Attempting To Provide Material Support To ISIS

North Carolina Sheriff: Thousands of pounds of toilet paper found in stolen tractor-trailer

Thousands of pounds of toilet paper found in stolen tractor-trailer


If news of the toilet paper shortages in stores across the U.S. as the coronavirus spreads isn’t enough, now comes a news break story where 18,000 pounds of commercial bathroom paper products was found in a stolen tractor-trailer in North Carolina.

On March 18, 2020, the Guilford County North Carolina Sheriff’s Office reported initiating an investigation involving a violation of North Carolina’s Motor Vehicle law by a driver of an 18-wheeler tractor trailer traveling on Interstate 40 in Whitsett, North Carolina.

Soffe Men’s 3 Pack-USA Poly Cotton Military Tee

Deputies had followed the vehicle to a warehouse/dock facility a short distance off the Interstate and encountered the driver. After further investigation, it was determined that the 53 foot Hyundai dry-van trailer was reported stolen locally and was being utilized to transport nearly 18,000 pounds of commercial bathroom paper products.

The investigation continues and no arrests have been made at this time.

A statement released this past Monday by the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) CEO and President Heidi Brock, stated that the industry is working diligently to respond to the spike in demand for tissue products.

 “American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) members are committed to the safety of our workforce and our end-users. This situation is highly dynamic and changing daily, and the industry is working diligently to respond to the spike in demand for tissue products due to coronavirus (COVID-19) purchases. Rest assured tissue products continue to be produced and shipped – just as they are 52 weeks each year as part of a global market. 

“AF&PA members operate a safe and highly automated process to create and maintain tissue supply, and the paper and wood products industry remains committed to providing customers and businesses worldwide with these essential, everyday products.”

Guilford County North Carolina Sheriff’s Office; American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) (March, 2020) North Carolina Police: Thousands of pounds of toilet paper found in stolen tractor-trailer; American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA)

Law Enforcement Seek Alabama Mother of 3 Missing Since Feb. 17

Osborne, a mother of three small children, left her Midfield home Feb. 17, 2020 on foot and has not been seen since.


(Update): A decomposing body found wrapped and concealed under a mattress in Bessemer, Alabama on Wednesday has been identified as missing 30-year-old mother Tiffany Smitherman Osborne, authorities said.

On Tuesday, Tiffany Smitherman Osborne’s family marked her 31st birthday as law enforcement in the small Alabama town continued to search for her nearly a month after she vanished.

Osborne, a mother of three small children, left her Midfield home Feb. 17, 2020 on foot and has not been seen since.

“She was last seen wearing a black jacket, blue jeans and dark boots,” a flier from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said. “Her direction of travel is unknown at this time.”

Osborne’s disappearance has garnered national attention. Her mother, Cathy Smitherman, told “Dateline” earlier this month that her daughter would never abandon her family, the youngest of whom is a 3-month-old baby boy.

On February 17, 2020, Tiffany Smitherman Osborne left her residence on foot and has not returned. She was last seen wearing a black jacket, blue jeans, and dark boots, her direction of travel is unknown at this time.

Status:Missing
Name:Osborne ,Tiffany Smitherman
Gender:Female
Race:White
Ethnicity:White
Eye Color:Hazel
Hair Color:Blonde or Strawberry
Height:5’5
Weight:140 lbs.
Current Age:31 Year(s)
Age Last Seen:
Location Last Seen:Midfield, Alabama
Scars, Marks, & Tattoos
Tattoos – Back(Summer and Kylie)
Tattoos – Abdomen(“Tinker Bell”)

If anyone has any information regarding the whereabouts of Tiffany Osborne, please contact the Midfield Police Department at 205-923-7575.

App.alea.gov; wsbradio.com (March, 2020)   Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Community Information Center; Police seek Alabama mother of 3 missing since Feb. 17