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Man dubbed “The Professor,” accused leader of world’s largest “narco sailboat” crime ring, is captured in Colombia
A Norwegian man dubbed “The Profesor” who is accused of leading a crime ring that trafficked cocaine from South America to Europe on sailboats was captured in Bogota, Colombian police said Tuesday.
Pazooki Farhad was detained at El Dorado airport, while his alleged right-hand man and fellow Norwegian Bernsten Bjarte was captured in the Caribbean coastal city of Barranquilla, a police statement said.
“According to investigations by various international agencies, the captured citizen (Pazooki Farhad) had criminal links with the so-called Clan del Golfo (the largest Colombian cartel) and Mexican cartels such as Sinaloa and Jalisco Nueva Generacion,” police said.
The Bogota mayor’s office released video showing the detained Farhad, who is accused of leading the largest “narco sailboat” organization in the world.
Earlier this month, Spanish police reported the arrest of 50 people allegedly linked to Farhad in Spain and in seven other countries, as well as the seizure of 1.5 tons of cocaine and eight “drug-shipping sailboats.” Europol released a video showing authorities opening bricks of cocaine on one of the ships as well as officers raiding properties and making arrests.
Europol said it had previously designated Farhad as a “high value target.” He has had “more than 20 years” in the business, winning him the “full confidence of the Colombian and Mexican drug cartels” with whom he coordinated the shipments, it added.
Farhad’s arrest comes just days after authorities announced the extradition of another international drug trafficker with a colorful nickname. Earlier this week, U.S. authorities announced a Montenegro citizen dubbed the “Pirate of the Unknown” was extradited to New York City from Italy to face charges connected to an alleged international drug ring that transported tons of cocaine aboard ships around the world.
Colombia remains the world’s leading producer of cocaine, despite decades of war against the cartels.
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Sean “Diddy” Combs taken into federal custody in New York
Sean “Diddy” Combs has been taken into custody by federal authorities in New York, CBS News confirmed Monday night.
In recent months, the hip-hop mogul has faced multiple accusations of sexual abuse and physical violence. In March, Combs’ homes in Los Angeles and Miami were raided by Homeland Security Investigations agents and other law enforcement officers due to a possible ongoing sex trafficking investigation, U.S. officials said at the time, but no charges were filed then.
The charges against Combs on Monday were not immediately known.
“We are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs by the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” Marc Agnifilo, an attorney for Combs, said in a statement. “Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is a music icon, self-made entrepreneur, loving family man, and proven philanthropist who has spent the last 30 years building an empire, adoring his children, and working to uplift the Black community. He is an imperfect person but he Is not a criminal. To his credit Mr. Combs has been nothing but cooperative with this investigation and he voluntarily relocated to New York last week in anticipation of these charges. Please reserve your judgment until you have all the facts. These are the acts of an innocent man with nothing to hide, and he looks forward to clearing his name in court.”
Combs has faced a number of lawsuits in recent months involving allegations of sexual misconduct and violence. Combs and his representatives have denied all the accusations.
In May, Combs apologized for a security video aired by CNN that appeared to show him attacking Cassie, whose legal name is Casandra Ventura, in a Los Angeles hotel hallway in 2016. He said his behavior was “inexcusable” and he takes “full responsibility” for his actions.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
contributed to this report.
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White House seeks to boost Secret Service funds after 2nd Trump shooting
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9/16: The Daily Report with John Dickerson
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