#illegal search and seizure

[dontmeantobepoliticalbut]

Republican state legislators In North Carolina are establishing a new investigative body that Democratic critics have aptly compared to a “secret police force.”

This new entity, formally known as the Joint Legislative Committee on Government Operations, or “Gov Ops” for short, will be chaired by Senate Leader Phil Berger (R) and House Speaker Tim Moore (R). It grants the state the authority to investigate various matters, including “possible instances of misfeasance, malfeasance, nonfeasance, mismanagement, waste, abuse, or illegal conduct.”

Gov Ops, a product of North Carolina’s most recent state budget, was established via a comprehensive bill passed in late September. Despite Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s refusal to sign the legislation, the Republican majority in the state legislature pushed it through just 10 days later, thanks to their veto-proof majority and the state’s laws restricting the governor’s ability to make line-item vetoes. Gov Ops is slated to take effect next week.

Any way you slice it, Gov Ops seems like a recipe for government overreach and abuse. If you find yourself under investigation by Gov Ops, you won’t be allowed to publicly discuss any alleged constitutional violations or misconduct by the investigators. All communications with committee personnel would be treated as “confidential.” Shockingly, you’d also be denied the right to seek legal counsel regarding your rights if Gov Ops were to search your property without a warrant, irrespective of whether it’s in a public or private space.

Nora Benavidez, a senior counsel with the nonprofit advocacy group Free Press, told The Daily Beast, “This is a question for the courts ultimately. But the powers granted to the Gov Ops appear to give them overreaching investigative authority, which invokes constitutionality questions.”

A critical aspect of Gov Ops development lies in the language within the statute itself. The key phrase, as highlighted by Republican state legislators, is the investigation of “possible instances of misfeasance.”

It’s unsettling that North Carolina’s Republican state legislators are poised to wield unchecked partisan authority, devoid of any form of accountability, to determine what qualifies as “possible instances of misfeasance.” This newfound investigative power threatens to have far-reaching repercussions on fundamental civil liberties, particularly those closely intertwined with the state legislature—such as voting rights and abortion.

Consider the 2020 election aftermath. Following the election’s conclusion, several North Carolina Republican lawmakers—mirroring Trump and other far-right figures nationwide—demanded access to voting machines, relying on dubious sources and unfounded claims of voter fraud.

Initially, North Carolina Republicans asserted that they would work with police to obtain warrants for such inspections. However, with the advent of Gov Ops, committee leaders could now allege “possible instances of misfeasance,” eliminating the need for a warrant and keeping the public in the dark.

With the 2024 election looming, Republicans in the state legislature will redraw voting maps after the new conservative majority on the state’s Supreme Court legalized partisan gerrymandering. (The Princeton Gerrymandering Project called North Carolina one of the most gerrymandered states in the country.)

The redistricting process in the state has been grueling; since 2011, six different versions of maps have been drawn. The process has been conducted mainly behind closed doors, and North Carolinians continue to express frustration over how they’ve been locked out of the process.

A provision of Gov Ops will likely permit lawmakers drawing the maps to bypass public records requests: “lawmakers responding to public records requests will have no obligation to share any drafts or materials that guided their redistricting decisions.”

Now, let’s look at abortion. During a legislative hearing, state Sen. Graig Meyer (D) asked lawmakers, in a hypothetical scenario, if Gov Ops could access personal health records (like ultrasounds) that are required by the state to receive abortion pills. Sen. Meyer found that Gov Ops, with its widespread ability to investigate with zero oversight, could release information like this “to the public in a hearing” if it wanted to.

Benavidez explained, “At the end of the day, Gov Ops actions and requests for information are all protected as confidential, adding a layer of opacity which means people in North Carolina will have largely no idea what the Gov Ops entity is really doing.”

The consolidation of power by Republicans in North Carolina through Gov Ops is not just a cause for concern; it is a stark warning sign. The ability of state legislators to wield unchecked authority—shielded from the scrutiny of the voters they are obliged to serve—strikes at the heart of democratic principles.

Transparency and accountability are not optional in a democracy; they are its lifeblood.

When the process of drawing voting maps becomes cloaked in secrecy, when mechanisms to hold our elected officials accountable are dismantled, we risk losing our most cherished rights to our legislators, who should be our staunchest defenders.

Government powers like Gov Ops can potentially erode the very foundations of our democracy—which can’t work if politicians refuse to work for the people and have any accountability.

[hauscrashburn]

I know fuck all about British law but Barnaby broke into someone's house to find evidence. That's illegal search and seizure. How can you even prosecute the man? Could be the confession was coerced based on evidence found during illegal search.

Then again maybe it's different in the UK.

[townpostin]

Illegal Meat Seized in Dhatkidih, Two Suspects Flee

Police raid seizes 350 kg of banned meat in Jamshedpur; suspects remain at large. Acting on a tip-off, police seized 350 kg of banned meat from two houses in Dhātakīdīh. JAMSHEDPUR – Banned meat was seized by police from two houses in Dhātakīdīh following a raid. The raid took place in the Dhātakīdīh area of Jamshedpur, where police, acting on secret information, targeted the homes of Mohd. G…

[destielmemenews]

"Adams has consistently said he is cooperating with the investigations and has denied wrongdoing through the steady drumbeat of searches, seizures and departures of top members of his administration.

But as news of the indictment spread Wednesday night, he began to mount a defiant defense that he was being targeted by the federal government for his political views, adopting language similar to former President Donald Trump and other politicians accused of crimes."

"The indictment alleges illegal actions stretching back to 2014, from when he was Brooklyn Borough president.

“For nearly a decade, Adams sought and accepted improper valuable benefits, such as luxury international travel, including from wealthy foreign businesspeople and at least one Turkish government official seeking to gain influence over him,” the indictment reads."

source 1

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[thestarfishinjootsoffice]

Hey I was thinking of something really cute and I couldn't get it out of my head 😅 what if slashers ( Michael Myers, Jason Voorhees, Thomas Hewitt, Freddy Krueger.) Reaction to child! Reader putting a bandaid on them and kissing it when they get like a scratch or something. My little niece does that to me and I think it's so cute 🥹

AHH MY REQUEST IS SUCH A MESS RN BUT THIS IS TOO CUTE sorry if this was choppy, it's 10 pm rn and I have no energy.

My gm asked me where the bandaids were while I was writing this woah.

Michael 🔪

Michael always got hurt during his killings. Of course he did it was consequnces for his actions it was no biggie.

But one little person didn't think so.

You secretly got a bandaid from the bathroom the night before since you knew when Michael would attack and get hurt.

Your parents were sure that they weren't gonna get hurt this night since they never did. But still didn't allow you to go out.

But that didn't stop you, you waited till it was 12 or 1 am and climbed down from your window (pretend you live in the ground floor if you don't) and worked your tiny legs away to your waiting friend.

You saw your massive friend behind a tree and you ran up to him with the bandaid in your hand and you saw that he had a small cut on his bicep.

And you immediately went to the rescue.

Michael had spotted you as per usual but what he didn't understand was why did you have a bandaid in your hand. Did you get hurt?

His question was soon answered as you took out the seal and gently placed it on his wound. Michael, confused but felt something warm inside him at this interaction.

But made him look like my profile picture was when you placed a small kiss on the bandaid. Omg.

"I hope you get better Michael." baby you said with a cute small and he thought he was having a seizure because his body shook from the wholesomeness and wanted to go pounce on someone so it'd go away.

Every now and then he purposely gets small scratches or wounds, just small enough not to freak you out but big enough to alert you. He loves likes them get better kisses from his illegally adopted kid.

Jason 🪓

Jason in the winter, sometimes gets scratched by carrying big logs of trees and although it was nothing compared to the injuries he gets from victims, you still wanted your dad to be unscathed nonetheless. There wasn't much visitors in the the camp in winter anyway.

He placed the fire wood inside the fireplace but he was careless and small little red lines on his forearm appeared after dropping them near his arm. You were watching him while it happened, he brushed it off and turned to you but saw you nowhere.

After 3 minutes of searching you around the house, with a non pleasant feeling coiling in his stomach, he saw you coming out of the bathroom.

He was about to mutely scold you but you held something in your hands.

He waited for you to reveal what you were holding but you pointed to the chair in the room and he figured you wanted him to sit down. And so he did.

You went over to his side and bought his arm out and carefully placed the bandaid on his lined arm. Jason was a bit shocked but slowly melted as he giggled at the thought of his child caring for him.

And he almost died when you kissed it. He placed his huge arms around you and almost cried thinking about what he did to deserve such an angel baby like you.

He had been so lonely without his momma, he was so lucky to have you by his side. Besides his anger, you were one of the many reasons he still wants to live.

Pamela just adores his baby boy with his grandchild bonding.

"don't be so clumsy next time dad :)"

He was one lucky daddy.

Thomas 🩸 ⛓️

Thomas didn't get love nor cared for, that was for sure. And he thought you wouldn't be any different but he still loved you regardless.

You heard your dad rear his chainsaw as your family had found yet another bodies of food. One victim was persistent and your dad almost cut his leg off! It was unfortunate he couldn't see how on edge you were.

But you made sure today, you were show him how much you cared for him. And so that he should be more careful from now on.

Though he wasn't hunting, but he got burned by accidentally brushing the palm of his hand against the hot pan luda was cooking on.

Now he sat on the couch looking at his now red palm. Seeing this, you rushed to the garage and found a med kit, now looking through the med kit you finally found a bandaid.

Now walking back the living room you saw hoyt yelling at Thomas for whatever reason and went back to his car. Thomas getting ready to get up, was pushed back down by a small, weak, body.

He looked over and saw you, showing him a bandaid and quickly ripping off the seal and placing it cautious on his palm. This was a surprise to Thomas but he didn't budge, scared that he might mess u somehow and make you angry.

He was so happy to have received something so pure and lovely from his little kid. He was smiling so big. And he made sure to always protect and be with you when he realised you had kiss on where the aid was placed.

"be careful papa"

Freddy 💤

Such things as scratches or wounds never bothered Freddy, as he could always just regenerate them back in an instant.

And he was always in the dream world anyways. But his intentions weren't harmful when it was towards you. But didn't really think you would patch him up if he got hurt, if anything you probably think he's a scary high ranked dream demon who is unbeatable.

After messing with some poor people, he had a deep cut on his shoulder and he thought what your reaction would be of you saw it. Would you freak out? Would you cry? Would you scream?

Fun was all about freddy's life so why not test it out. He brought himself into the outside world and found you in your couch.

He surprised you by yelling boo in your face and it worked, now the shocked expression on your face was even wider when you saw the leceration on his shoulder. He was laughing at your face but shut up and looked at you as you ran somewhere.

Well... He had his answer now. How boring though. As he was about to mess with you more, you appeared with a bandaid in your hand as you climbed on the couch and placed it on his shoulder. It was now Freddy's turn to get shocked.

Now he couldn't believe what he saw when you kissed on the yellow thin piece of paper. "I don't like seeing you get hurt."

He was shocked but he couldn't help the smile creeping on his face, out of nothing but pure happiness. Damn you reminded him of his mom... So angelic like.

[beardedmrbean]

Federal agents have raided the homes of top aides and confidants to New York Mayor Eric Adams, including the city’s police commissioner, in what appeared to be a major corruption probe at the heart of America’s biggest city.

In addition to NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban, the raids on Wednesday and Thursday targeted the city’s deputy mayor for criminal justice, Philip Banks III, his brother, schools Chancellor David Banks, First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, and a third Banks brother, Terrence Banks, who is not a city official, local media reported.

"Investigators have not indicated to us the mayor or his staff are targets of any investigation," Lisa Zornberg, the mayor’s chief counsel, said in a statement. "As a former member of law enforcement, the mayor has repeatedly made clear that all members of the team need to follow the law."

As he left City Hall in lower Manhattan on Thursday afternoon, Adams, a former police captain, told reporters, “The goal is to follow the law and that is what this administration always stood for and what we’re going to continue to stand for.”

The search warrants at the homes of the deputy mayors and the schools chancellor were first reported by the nonprofit news outlet The City. The seizure by federal agents of the police commissioner’s phones was first reported by Spectrum News NY1.

While New York, like most big cities, has had its share of scandals, the search warrant on Police Commissioner Caban, by investigators from the U.S. attorney’s office in Manhattan, was striking.

“It’s unprecedented for a commissioner to even be mentioned in the context of a federal criminal investigation,” said Hank Sheinkopf, a veteran Democratic political consultant. While other police commissioners oversaw the NYPD during federal probes of the department’s practices, and of individual officers, “not one of them had a federal search warrant served on them,” Sheinkopf said.

A spokesman for the U.S. attorney’s office in Manhattan declined to comment, as did the FBI.

More: NYC Mayor Eric Adams wants changes to sanctuary city laws, increased cooperation with ICE

Adams is known for keeping a tight circle of friends and confidants, many of whom date back to his days in the police department.

Deputy Mayor Philip Banks is a former top NYPD official who was named as an unindicted co-conspirator in an earlier federal bribery probe. His brother, schools Chancellor David Banks, is the romantic partner of First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright.

Adams adviser Timothy Pearson, who was also reportedly served with a search warrant, is a former police inspector. Pearson and Terrence Banks could not be reached for comment.

This week’s raids were unrelated to an ongoing federal investigation into possible illegal Turkish financing of Mayor Adams’ 2021 campaign, a source familiar with that probe said. The FBI seized Adams’ mobile phones and computer in November 2023, and searched the home of his campaign treasurer.

“The FBI is more engaged in municipal corruption cases around this country than it has ever been,” Sheinkopf said. “You know, those 5:30AM wakeup calls don’t come out of thin air.”

[allthebrazilianpolitics]

Bolsonaro's 'Parallel Brazilian Intelligence Agency' spied on justices, parliamentarians and journalists

The case's rapporteur, Justice Alexandre de Moraes, made the investigation public

The Federal Police operation, launched on Thursday (11), arrested four suspected members of the criminal organization set up within the Brazilian Intelligence Agency (Abin, in Portuguese) to illegally monitor justices of the Brazilian Supreme Court, journalists and political opponents of former president Jair Bolsonaro (Liberal Party). One person is still at large.

Brazil's Federal Police also carried out search and seizure warrants as part of the investigation into the use of the First Mile intelligence system (developed by the Israeli company Cognyte) by police chiefs, officers, and civil servants for illegal purposes.

The people arrested on Thursday are Mateus Sposito, a former advisor to the Secretariat for Social Communication of the Presidency of the Republic; Giancarlo Gomes Rodrigues, a military officer and former Abin employee; Marcelo de Araújo Bormevet, a federal police officer who worked at Abin; and Richards Dyer Pozzer. The latter and Rogério Beraldo de Almeida, who is still at large, are named in the investigation as responsible for spreading disinformation on social media using fake profiles.

The case's rapporteur at the Supreme Court, Justice Alexandre de Moraes, ordered confidentiality to be lifted. This makes public a list of authorities from the three branches of government, including Moraes himself, among those who were illegally spied on during Bolsonaro's administration. Justices Dias Toffoli, Luís Roberto Barroso and Luís Fux were also victims of the so-called "parallel Abin".

Continue reading.

[mysticstarlightduck]

Villain Crimes Tag!

Let's go with the main villains from What Lurks In The Hollow for this one. Again: given that this is a post about very, very bad people (after all they are the villains of this WIP) it will contain TWs for some pretty nasty things.

Rules: List all the real-world crimes your villains are guilty of committing!

Mayor Samuel Whitaker

Serial Killings/Multiple First Degree Murders (most of the victims were minors, ages 5-17, but some adults as well)

Demonic Rituals + Ritualistic Sacrifices of Human Beings

Ritualistic Torture, most notably the torture of a 15-year-old (Jace Donovan, Savvanah Hahn's stepbrother who went missing kidnapped by a "mysterious psycho" was actually held captive by the Mayor himself, and only died 6 days later to bloodloss + ritualistic stabbings, his body was never recovered)

Multiple accounts of kidnapping

Abuse of Power, Corruption

Fraud/Embezzlement

Sending his henchmen to vandalize and damage property belonging anyone who stands in his way

Racketeering

Insider Trading

Forgery

Environmental Vandalism

False Imprisonment

Harassment/Having his henchmen stalk his "rivals"

Blackmail and Threats

Brainwashing and Cult Activity

Using Dark Magic to maintain influence over an entire town, gain longevity and make people adore him through the power of his venomous words

Bribing and Lobbying

Assault & Battery

Stalking Minors

Mrs. Adelaide Draycott

Harassment of a Sexual Nature

Attempted Sexual Exploitation (At multiple points in the story Mrs Draycott tries to get Dylan, 23M, to sleep with her or "fall in love" with her by using blackmail and trying to corner him into situations where he wouldn't have a choice. Luckily he manages to avoid all her attempts.)

Persistent Stalking

Breaking and Entering

Defamation/Slander/Libel

Emotional Manipulation (Gaslighting/Blackmailing/Threatening)

Indecent Contact/Unwanted Touching

Damaging of Property

Intimidation of a Minor (Mrs Draycott often implies to Amy, Dylan's 16-year-old sister, that Dylan is gonna get hurt if he keeps being "stubborn" and that he is already an outcast to the town so no one would care if something happened to him or Amy herself)

False Accusations/False Complaints/Perjury

Sheriff Isaac Clarke

First Degree Murder, covered up

Abuse of Power (as a police officer)

Excessive Use of Force/Police Brutality

False Arrest

Intimidation/Blackmail

Criminal Conspiracy/Colluding with Criminals

Obstruction of Justice/Aiding and Abetting (covering up the literal serial killer crimes of the Mayor in exchange for a hefty paycheck)

Threats of Violence

Misuse of Surveillance

Wrongful Seizure of Property

Fabricating Evidence (against someone completely innocent)

False Search Warrants/Invasion of Property

Fraudulent Reports

Manslaughter/Second Degree Murder

Attempted Murder (of multiple people, including minors)

Extortion

Torture (disguised as interrogation)

Soliciting Bribes

Aiding in Racketeering

Branden Heddam

Extreme Child Abuse & Child Neglect

Child Endangerment

Abandonment of Parental Responsibilities

Threats of Extreme Violence/Threats of Death

Psychological/Emotional Abuse

Attempted Kidnapping of a Minor (While Zach, his stepson, is on-the-run from him and hiding at Amy & Dylan's place, Branden and his biker gang attempt to kidnap him)

Multiple Accounts of Assault & Battery

Attempt to Contribute to Minor Delinquency

Terrorizing

Aggravated Assault/Battery of a Man in front of his ward + Intentional Psychological Trauma

Theft/Burglary/Robbery/Mugging

Gang Activities + Gang Involved Violence

Drug Dealing

Bearing Illegal Weapons

Illegal Hunting/Poaching

Environmental Damage

Reckless/Drunk Driving

Cathleen "Cath" Edwards

Economic Duress

Blackmail/Emotional Manipulation

Attempted Title Deed Forgery

Rent Gouging/Unlawful Rent Increases

Loan Sharking

Illegal Fees and Charges

Stalking

Predatory Lending

Debt Bondage

Coercive Collection Practices

Conspiracy to Commit Murder/Conspiracy to Commit Kidnapping

Racketeering

Sabotage

Blackmail of a Minor

Disturbing the Peace

Tagging (gently): @sleepy-night-child, @kaylinalexanderbooks, @smol-feralgremlin, @wyked-ao3, @topazadine @littleladymab,

@winterandwords, @eccaiia, @sarahlizziewrites, @illarian-rambling

@agirlandherquill, @anoelleart, @ray-writes-n-shit

@writernopal, @anyablackwood, @unstablewifiaccess, @forthesanityofstorytellers

@the-golden-comet

@i-can-even-burn-salad, @cakeinthevoid @thecomfywriter

@thepeculiarbird, @clairelsonao3, @memento-morri-writes, @starlit-hopes-and-dreams @amaiguri

@cherrychiplip @thecomfywriter @thelovelymachinery @bookwormclover

@differentnighttale, @leahnardo-da-veggie

[spanishskulduggery]

got a weird question for you, not really about Spanish itself.

I came across a post talking about citizen rights that apply when interacting with the police in the United States (https://www.tumblr.com/silvergrovezelda/761993895199522816/rat-detector-fymo-blogs-fuckingradfems?source=share hopefully the link works). I'm sure the law is different in, say, Mexico and other Spanish speaking countries.

Do you happen to have any knowledge on similar rights that apply when speaking to the police in Mexico?

Cheers & sorry if this question is out of scope!

Yes, most countries have some version of these types of laws. In the US what you're talking about tends to be referred to as "Miranda rights" or things under the 4th Amendment about Search and Seizure laws regarding warrants etc

Spanish-speaking countries (and most countries worldwide) have some similar version to this that makes some searches illegal or disqualifying, or the right to remain silent. It tends to be written about in the penal code or ley de enjuiciamiento criminal or it comes up with detención ilegal "illegal detention" which is holding someone against their will (though that's usually like if you kidnap someone, but I think it's still understood as "unlawful imprisonment" for police too)

Each country varies, and the police force varies, but the laws and the Constitutions of different countries usually protect against this; and many countries in Latin America used the American Constitution and Declaration of Independence as guides when they were gaining independence from Spain

It's definitely out of my area of expertise, but a lot of the rules still apply

There might be corruption and police brutality and illegal searches etc just like everywhere else, but on paper there are protections

It's usually in their penal code or in the Constitution itself

[ftl-faster-than-life]

I was contemplating watching that Flash TV show soon but I don't need to see Bally (I hear the "Barry" of the show is more like putting Barry and Wally in a blender and saying a prayer to remove the gay) being a cop enabler - so thanks! For saving me time! And will to live!

Putting my thoughts under the cut because I know some of my followers don't wanna see me Joe-bashing...

tbh the copaganda on the show is pretty bad, and it's made worse because the principle vehicle of it is Joe, and Joe's actor is a very handsome, charismatic Black man. So I think a lot of people don't even really pick up on the copaganda. It's very much a show where you are expected to accept that it's okay if the 'good guys' do the 'wrong thing' (ranging from summary execution to illegal search and seizure) as long as they're keeping people safe. There's some baffling plot holes as a result of Joe's hunches, too--and I don't need to tell you how much all of that diverges strongly from comics canon, where Barry is so relentlessly committed to evidence based conviction that it results in months and months of cases being re-opened as soon as he gets back from the dead, where acting on hunches and confession based convictions are portrayed as a bad thing, and where the majority of his interactions with the cops he works with serve to underscore how much they do not like him because of all of the above.

They also made Ralph a dirty cop and you KNOW that's wrong 😭

Idk. The actors on the show are pretty people, good actors by CW standards, and charismatic, but there's a lot of fridge horror involved in how terribly they treat human rights. And while they SOMETIMES make the point that the cops can be corrupt, lazy, or just wrong, overall the message tends to lean more towards "it's okay as long as in the end the Right Person goes to jail or dies!" And I completely understand if people can't stomach that. It leaves a weird taste in my mouth.

TBH my major criticisms of that Barry as a character is that he enables or participates in really shady police work, he pursues Iris (which is already wrong, Iris should always initiate and Barry never should) beyond the point where she clearly states disinterest, and he's reliant on other people thinking for him. He's not even the one who makes his own suit! It may seem silly, but I feel like those three things really show how the writers fundamentally don't understand the character. As adaptations go, it's not the worst I've seen, but the bar is being set by Ezra Miller's Flash. So.

[mariacallous]

Spanish authorities have intercepted 13 tons of prohibited chemicals, including potential precursors for chemical weapons, intended for Russia.

According to Reuters, citing a joint statement from Spain’s National Police and the tax authority, four suspects were arrested in connection with a criminal organization allegedly attempting to bypass Western sanctions by illegally supplying chemical products to Russia. The operation revealed that the suspects were using a shell company managed by individuals of Russian descent.

The investigation uncovered evidence that internationally sanctioned chemicals, some potentially usable as components for chemical weapons or nerve agents, had previously been exported through this network. The recent seizure occurred at the port of Barcelona, where the chemicals were found in a container.

The arrested individuals face charges of sustained smuggling of banned goods. Police reported that the Spanish company involved had established a complex logistical and financial framework to export these chemicals, utilizing a subsidiary based in Moscow to facilitate the delivery. Additionally, several shell companies were set up in countries such as Armenia and Kyrgyzstan to obscure the actual destination of the goods before they were rerouted to Russia.

The European Union has been actively enforcing sanctions against Moscow since 2022 and is focusing on curtailing the sale of dual-use goods to Russia through Central Asian nations. The United States and the United Kingdom have also accused Russia of violating international laws against chemical weapons on the battlefield in Ukraine, prompting London to impose sanctions on military personnel allegedly involved in their use.

Earlier, Russian diplomat Igor Skryabin was involved in acquiring sniper ammunition and lab equipment in Switzerland, raising concerns about his ties to Russian military intelligence (GRU). Swiss authorities monitored his covert dealings, but diplomatic immunity prevented them from searching the Russian trade office in Bern.

[proceduralpassion]

Walls Closing In

Day 20 of Narcoctober- Create a fanwork about a character getting exactly what they need from someone unexpected

Character(s): Amado Carrillo Fuentes x Reader

CW: claustrophobia

WC: 552

A/N: A lil Amado ficlet, mwah bbs.

“You’re braver than you think.” 

Your head snaps back, unaware that you were not alone as you looked out at the night sky on the balcony. Your stomach settles when you realize it’s your client, Amado. You turn back around and roll your eyes as you register his statement.

“It wasn’t bravery so much as it was either fight or flight.”

Amado shrugs as he joins your leaned figure on the railing, “And alas, you made the decision to take flight, even though you hate tunnels.”

It wasn’t so much as you hate tunnels so much as you hated the feeling of the walls closing in on you. Your claustrophobia was clinically dreadful and having to escape across the border through underground channels was one of your worst nightmares. You had found out only minutes before that there were feds on their way to one of Amado’s properties for a search and seizure. You couldn’t so much as defend your client if you were in jail yourself for being in that same location that was infested with contraband and illegal arms. 

Amado and his entourage were self-assured in their decision to flee through the underground tunnels and though he probably would’ve dragged you down there had you resisted much more than you already had, those steps to escape were heavy like lead. You had vertigo about as soon as you had entered the tunnel and found yourself barely breathing and drenched in sweat by the time you came up for air.

Now, you found yourself on another one of the man’s probably dozen properties enjoying the liberty that came with free air and no walls. 

“I’m sorry I put you in this position.”

It’s probably the first time in a long time he’s ever expressed regret and definitely the first time he’s ever apologized to you. Your client-attorney privilege was usually cold and emotionless. Amado declared orders and sniped his irritation without an ounce of decorum. You, giving as good as you got, made snide remarks and regularly insinuated that he was not a smart person. Your entire career consisted of dealing with professional criminals and it was the same with your life even before that due to being raised by a money launderer and conwoman. It gave you a fearless disposition when working with such dangerous men, something Amado found amusing given how scared you were of small spaces. 

Still, his apology is sincere and you take it as it is instead of throwing back a snarky response. 

You don’t say “it’s fine,” because it’s not, but you nod at his earnestness. 

A beat passes and he speaks again, “I had someone bring clothes and necessities to your guest room. We’ll probably need to lay low for a few days. And you’re to let someone know if you need anything that’s not already available in the house.”

He walks away, heading back into the main room of the property. His last words to you before closing the sliding doors is “good night.”

Before he had walked out here, you had relegated yourself to sleeping out here on the balcony, too pinned up to want to sleep in the confines of four walls. Alas, there's something in the mix of his sincere words and emotionless orders that's hauling your tired body inside.

Click here if you wanna be added to the taglist! Taglist: @asirensrage @drabbles-mc @ashlingnarcos @narcosfandomdiscord

[snickers-the-fluffy-boi]

Abusive Sexual Contact

Advocating Overthrow of Government

Aggravated Assault/Battery

Aggravated Identity Theft

Aggravated Sexual Abuse

Aiming a Laser Pointer at an Aircraft

Airplane Hijacking

Anti-racketeering

Antitrust

Armed Robbery

Arson

Assassination

Assault with a Deadly Weapon

Assaulting or Killing Federal Officer

Assisting or Instigating Escape

Attempt to commit Murder/Manslaughter

Bank Burglary

Bankruptcy Fraud/Embezzlement

Bank Larceny

Bank Robbery

Blackmail

Bombing Matters

Bond Default

Breaking and/or Entering Carrier Facilities

Bribery Crimes

Certification of Checks (Fraud)

Child Abuse

Child Exploitation

Child Pornography

Civil Action to Restrain Harassment of a Victim or Witness

Coercion

Commodities Price Fixing

Computer Crime

Concealing Escaped Prisoner

Concealing Person from Arrest

Concealment of Assets

Conspiracy (in matters under FBI jurisdiction)

Conspiracy to Impede or Injure an Officer

Contempt of Court

Continuing Criminal Enterprise

Conveying False Information

Copyright Matters

Counterfeiting

Counterintelligence Crimes

Credit/Debit Card Fraud

Crime Aboard Aircraft

Crimes on Government Reservations

Crimes on Indian Reservations

Criminal Contempt of Court

Criminal Forfeiture

Criminal Infringement of a Copyright

Cyber Crimes

Damage to Religious Property

Delivery to Consignee

Demands Against the U.S.

Destruction of Aircraft or Motor Vehicles Used in Foreign Commerce

Destruction of an Energy Facility

Destruction of Property to Prevent Seizure

Destruction of Records in Federal Investigations and Bankruptcy

Destruction of Corporate Audit Records

Destruction of Veterans’ Memorials

Detention of Armed Vessel

Disclosure of Confidential Information

Domestic Security

Domestic Terrorism

Domestic Violence

Drive-by Shooting

Drug Abuse Violations

Drug Smuggling

Drug Trafficking

DUI/DWI on Federal Property

Economic Espionage

Election Law Crimes

Embezzlement

Embezzlement Against Estate

Entering Train to Commit Crime

Enlistment to Serve Against the U.S.

Environmental Scheme Crimes

Escaping Custody/Escaped Federal Prisoners

Examiner Performing Other Services

Exportation of Drugs

Extortion

Failure to Appear on Felony Offense

Failure to Pay Legal Child Support Obligations

False Bail

False Pretenses

False Statements Relating to Health Care Matters

Falsely Claiming Citizenship

False Declarations before Grand Jury or Court

False Entries in Records of Interstate Carriers

False Information and Hoaxes

False Statement to Obtain Unemployment Compensation

Federal Aviation Act

Federal Civil Rights Violations (hate crimes, police misconduct)

Female Genital Mutilation

Financial Transactions with Foreign Government

First Degree Murder

Flight to Avoid Prosecution or Giving Testimony

Forced Labor

Forcible Rape

Forgery

Fraud Activity in Connection with Electronic Mail

Fraud Against the Government

Genocide

Hacking Crimes

Harboring Terrorists

Harming Animals Used in Law Enforcement

Hate Crime Acts

Homicide

Hostage Taking

Identity Theft

Illegal Possession of Firearms

Immigration Offenses

Impersonator Making Arrest or Search

Importation of Drugs

Influencing Juror by Writing

Injuring Officer

Insider Trading Crimes

Insurance Fraud

Interference with the Operation of a Satellite

International Parental Kidnapping

International Terrorism

Interstate Domestic Violence

Interstate Violation of Protection Order

Larceny

Lobbying with Appropriated Moneys

Mailing Threatening Communications

Major Fraud Against the U.S.

Manslaughter

Medical/Health Care Fraud

Missile Systems Designed to Destroy Aircraft

Misuse of Passport

Misuse of Visas, Permits, or Other Documents

Molestation

Money Laundering

Motor Vehicle Theft

Murder by a Federal Prisoner

Murder Committed During Drug-related Drive-by shooting

Murder Committed in Federal Government Facility

Narcotics Violations

Obstructing Examination of Financial Institution

Obstruction of Court Orders

Obstruction of Federal audit

Obstruction of Justice

Obstruction of Criminal Investigations

Officer Failing to Make Reports

Partial Birth Abortion

Penalties for Neglect or Refusal to Answer Subpoena

Peonage

Perjury

Picketing or Parading

Pirating

Possession by Restricted Persons

Possession of False Papers to Defraud the U.S.

Possession of Narcotics

Possession of Child Pornography

Private Correspondence with Foreign Government

Probation Violation

Product Tampering

Prohibition of Illegal Gambling Businesses

Prostitution

Protection of Foreign Officials

Public Corruption Crimes

Racketeering

Radiological Dispersal Devices

Ransom Money

Rape

Receiving the Proceeds of Extortion

Recording or Listening to Grand or Petit Juries While Deliberating

Reentry of an Alien Removed on National Security Grounds

Registration of Certain Organizations

Reproduction of Citizenship Papers

Resistance to Extradition Agent

Rescue of Seized Property

Retaliating Against a Federal Judge by False Claim or Slander of Title

Retaliating Against a Witness, Victim, or an Informant

Robbery

Robberies and Burglaries Involving Controlled Substances

Sabotage

Sale of Citizenship Papers

Sale of Stolen Vehicles

Searches Without Warrant

Second Degree Murder

Serial Murders

Sexual Abuse

Sexual Abuse of a Minor

Sexual Assault

Sexual Battery

Sexual Conduct with a Minor

Sexual Exploitation

Sex Trafficking

Shoplifting

Smuggling

Solicitation to Commit a Crime of Violence

Stalking (In Violation of Restraining Order)

Stolen Property; Buying, Receiving, or Possessing

Subornation of Perjury

Suits Against Government Officials

Tampering with a Witness, Victim, or Informant

Tampering with Consumer Products

Tampering with Vessels

Theft of Trade Secrets

Torture

Trafficking in Counterfeit Goods or Services

Transmission of Wagering Information (Gambling)

Transportation into State Prohibiting Sale

Transportation of Slaves from U.S.

Transportation of Stolen Vehicles

Transportation of Terrorists

Trespassing

Treason

Unauthorized Removal of Classified Documents

Use of Fire or Explosives to Destroy Property

Use of Weapons of Mass Destruction

Vandalism

Video Voyeurism

Violation of Prohibitions Governing Atomic Weapons

Violence at International airports

Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering Activity

Willful Wrecking of a Train Resulting in Death

Wire Fraud

That’s the list of all of my crimes

[darkmaga-returns]

Whoa! If you give a policeman your phone for any reason, and you have a biometric ID turned on (facial recognition or fingerprint), you will expose all the data on your phone: pictures, passwords, financial information, chat streams, email, mapping data, etc. Don’t let that happen! Immediately turn off all biometric ID features on your phone and use a password instead. If your phone has an anti-theft feature to block repeating guessing of your password, turn it on! The same logic applies to tablets and laptops.

⁃ Patrick Wood, TN Editor.

Without a warrant and specific proof of incriminating evidence, police should never be allowed past your phone’s lock screen.

Growing police power has gravely distorted interactions between cops and citizens. Officers arrive with not just a gun and body armor but with wide-ranging legal immunities and both the privilege and training to lie to you during questioning.

Now they want to force you to unlock your phone. [Don’t ever do this! – ed.]

The amount of personal data we keep on our smartphones is almost immeasurable, a reality the Supreme Court recognized in 2014 when it ruled that police must comply with the Fourth Amendment warrant requirement to search your device. But your phone has a simpler safeguard: a password that, under the Fifth Amendment, you shouldn’t have to reveal unless the government overcomes your right against self-incrimination.

It’s a right with deep roots, dating back to fourth-century Christian thinker St. John Chrysostom, who argued that no one should be required to confess their sins in public because it would discourage people from confessing at all.

By the 17th century, English common law had begun to develop these ideas into a right not to be interrogated under oath. The right achieved major recognition after the infamous Star Chamber sentenced prominent natural rights thinker John Lilburne to approximately 500 lashes for refusing to testify against himself. Lilburne remained a significant English philosopher and politician for decades while the Star Chamber was abolished just four years later.

Lilburne’s case was so influential that colonial America enshrined the privilege against self-incrimination in nine state constitutions before it even became part of the Bill of Rights. Today, police act as if smartphones and digital technology invalidate those protections. They don’t.

It doesn’t matter if you haven’t broken the law or you think you have nothing to hide. What matters is whether police believe—rightly or wrongly—that you have done something illegal or that you have something to hide. Police are incentivized not to protect rights but to arrest people allegedly (or actually) breaking laws.

Without a warrant and specific proof of incriminating evidence, police should never be allowed past your phone’s lock screen.

Unfortunately, your Fourth Amendment right against warrantless searches and seizures is insufficient to stop police from scouring the trove of personal data on your phone for information unrelated to their investigation. Police can seize your device before they get a warrant and if they have the passcode nothing stops them from performing an off-the-record search—even if they might be later prevented from introducing that information in court.

Once police get warrants to perform specific searches—which courts regularly grant—they often retain smartphones far longer than needed to execute the narrow bounds of the warrant. They may try to introduce the evidence they “coincidentally” discovered, even if it falls outside the warrant’s scope.

[prep4tomoro]

10 Questions You Should Never Answer if the Police Pull You Over:

'What seems to be the problem, officer?' When you see those flashing red and blue lights in your rearview mirror, your heart might skip a beat, even if you think you've done nothing wrong. But knowing what questions you're not obligated to answer can make the experience less stressful and protect your rights. Here's a guide to the queries that should set off your internal "do-not-answer" alarm.

(1) 'Can I search your car?' Ah, the Fourth Amendment, the guardian of our personal spaces. Remember, unless there's probable cause, you have every right to politely decline a search of your vehicle, even if you have nothing to hide. If the police do not have a warrant, they cannot search you or your car without your consent.

(2) 'Where are you coming from?' While it might appear as casual chit-chat, answering this query can have unintended implications. Law enforcement might use your response to build a case around the idea that you were in a location associated with illegal activity. For instance, if you were coming from a neighborhood known for drug trafficking, your answer could set the stage for further scrutiny and potentially, an unwarranted search. Under the Fifth Amendment, you have the right to remain silent and not offer any information that might be self-incriminating. Remember, you can simply and politely decline to answer such questions.

(3) 'Have you been drinking?' There's no right answer to this question. Acknowledging that you've had even one drink can give the police reason to administer field sobriety tests or delve into further investigation. On the flip side, lying could lead to other complications if subsequent testing shows alcohol in your system. So it is better to keep mum; again, thank you, Fifth Amendment, for letting us remain silent to avoid self-incrimination. Trust your constitutional wingman, and opt for discretion over confession.

(4) 'Do you know why I pulled you over?' This question seems innocent enough, but answering it could be a legal minefield. The officer is not just making small talk; your response could be seen as an admission of guilt, making it easier to justify a ticket or further investigation.

Your right to avoid self-incrimination comes into play here. While you do have to provide identification, you don't have to volunteer any information that might lead to your own legal jeopardy. You can politely decline to answer the question. Instead, you could respond with something like, "No, officer, why did you pull me over?" to put the onus back on them to explain their actions.

(5) 'Do you have any weapons in the car?' The officer may be trying to gauge the level of risk involved in the stop, but admitting to having a weapon in the vehicle might give them the pretext to search your car without a warrant, which could lead to more complications.

The Fourth Amendment protects against unreasonable searches and seizures, and the Second Amendment upholds your right to bear arms. This creates a complex legal landscape when it comes to weapons in your vehicle. If you're carrying legally, you might be required by state law to disclose that information to the police; however, you're not obligated to consent to a search of your vehicle.

Instead of answering, you can respond with a question like, "Do you have a reason to believe that, officer?" It's crucial to keep the dialogue directed toward understanding the reason for their inquiry rather than volunteering information that could be used against you later.

(6) 'Who is this person with you?' You're not required to disclose the identity or relationship of passengers in your vehicle. According to the Fifth Amendment, you have the right to remain silent to avoid self-incrimination, and this extends to identifying others who might be implicated in a perceived or real legal issue.

Remember, your passengers also have Fourth and Fifth Amendment rights. Your answer might lead to their being questioned or searched, which can complicate matters even more, especially if they have anything to hide.

A cautious approach would be to respectfully inform the officer that you're not required to answer that question. This could be phrased as, "I don't believe I'm obligated to answer that question, officer." By not revealing unnecessary information, you're maintaining your own legal protections as well as those of your passengers.

(7) 'Is this your current address?' Some may argue that you're obligated to provide identification, but giving more details than that might not be necessary. Tread carefully. The Fourth Amendment protects against unreasonable searches and seizures. Sharing your address could potentially give law enforcement additional avenues for investigation or surveillance that you're not legally obligated to provide. It's best to remember that you have the right to remain silent under the Fifth Amendment, and you can politely decline to answer.

(8) 'Have you ever been arrested?' Although it may seem like casual conversation, your answer could be used against you in various ways, impacting how the police officer treats you during the interaction. Importantly, the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects you from self-incrimination, meaning you are under no obligation to answer this or similar questions. By choosing to remain silent or politely stating that you do not wish to answer, you can better preserve your rights without providing any information that might be detrimental to you.

(9) 'Where are you going?' This question is a trap. The police are trying to see if you will admit to having a plan to commit a crime. Take the fifth and remain silent.

(10) What are you doing in this neighborhood? This one is often a hot-button issue because it can carry implications of racial profiling or discriminatory policing. The Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution grants you equal protection under the law, which means you shouldn't be questioned purely based on your appearance or the neighborhood you're in.

The Fifth Amendment also protects you from self-incrimination, meaning you don't have to answer questions that could potentially incriminate you. If asked this question, it's entirely within your rights to politely decline to answer. Your location in a neighborhood generally isn't something you need to explain to law enforcement unless they have a specific and legally justifiable reason for asking.

[Resource Link]

Obey the Police or Get Arrested; It's YOUR Call "A Policeman" by Paul Harvey If We Take Away Religion, We Can't Hire Enough Police

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[zerosecurity]

Operation Kaerb - A Global Sting Cripples Phishing Empire and Secret Chat Network

In a series of coordinated global raids, law enforcement agencies have targeted a phishing-as-a-service (PhaaS) platform and an encrypted communications network. These operations have led to numerous arrests and disrupted illegal activities spanning multiple continents. Operation Kaerb: Takedown of iServer Phishing Platform Europol announced the successful takedown of an international criminal network that operated a PhaaS platform called iServer. This platform was primarily used to unlock stolen or lost mobile phones, affecting over 483,000 victims worldwide. The operation, dubbed "Operation Kaerb," involved law enforcement agencies from Spain, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Key points of the operation include: - Arrest of an Argentinian national responsible for developing and running iServer since 2018 - 17 total arrests and 28 searches were conducted - Seizure of 921 items, including mobile phones, electronic devices, vehicles, and weapons - An estimated 1.2 million mobile phones have been unlocked illegally to date

The iServer platform targeted Spanish-speaking nationals from European, North American, and South American countries. It offered a web interface that allowed low-skilled criminals, known as "unlockers," to harvest device passwords and user credentials from cloud-based mobile platforms.

How the iServer phishing SaaS worked Ghost Platform Dismantled in Global Action In a separate but equally significant operation, Europol and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) announced the dismantling of an encrypted communications network called Ghost. This platform facilitated serious organized crime activities worldwide, including drug trafficking, money laundering, and violent acts. Highlights of the Ghost takedown include: - 51 suspects arrested across multiple countries - Seizure of weapons, drugs, and €1 million in cash - Takedown of a drug lab in Australia - Infiltration of the platform's infrastructure by the AFP The Ghost platform, which operated on custom Android smartphones, used three encryption standards and offered message self-destruction capabilities to evade detection. Cryptocurrency-Related Law Enforcement Actions In addition to the phishing and encrypted network takedowns, authorities have been active in combating cryptocurrency-related crimes: - German authorities seized 47 cryptocurrency exchange services that enabled illegal money laundering activities for cybercriminals, including ransomware groups and darknet dealers. - The U.S. Department of Justice charged two suspects with conspiracy to steal and launder over $230 million in cryptocurrency from a victim in Washington D.C. Read the full article