“King of Heroin” who smuggled large quantities of the drug into the U.S. from Mexico has been sentenced to 22 years in prison.

California authorities say a man dubbed the “King of Heroin” who smuggled large quantities of the drug into the U.S. from Mexico has been sentenced to 22 years in prison.
The Ventura County Star says Jose Antonio Medina Arreguin was sentenced Wednesday in Ventura. He pleaded guilty last month to conspiracy to possess heroin for sale.
The 36-year-old Mexican resident, also known as Don Pepe, was dubbed the King of Heroin by the Mexican media. Authorities claimed he arranged for drugs to be moved across the border into California in vehicles with secret compartments, pocketing up to $260,000 a week.
He was extradited to the U.S. last October.
An attorney for Arreguin says he was a farmer who got involved in the heroin trade and is remorseful.

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Bobby Brown Glad to Be 'Off the Heroin, the Crack, the Coke'

There is no arguing that singer Bobby Brown has led a high-profile life. From his early years with New Edition and his solo music career to his marriage and subsequent divorce from Whitney Houston, he's experienced a wealth of ups and downs that include arrests, drug abuse and reality TV stardom. But these days, however, Brown -- who is engaged to fiancée and manager Alicia Etheridge -- is showing a mellower side and admits to experiencing a happy time in his life.

"I'm definitely in a better place in my life," the singer tells the BoomBox. "Six years sober from drugs. I'm just really grateful that I can get off the heroin, the crack, the coke. I'm glad I just have a beautiful woman in my life who's always there for me. At times when it gets really hard, she's right there, you know, to hold me and let me know, you know, 'Look at where you come from and look at where you are right now.' I'm just grateful."

As far as how domestic life has been for him so far, Brown, who also has a son, Cassius, with Etheridge, says he loves being in love. "I'm definitely in love right now and I'm happy and my little boy is just, like, he's a little me," he explains. "Alicia is just a gem to be around. But we also do business together, so it's just like, you know, she's my lady, man, and when you're happy, you're happy."

As for his music career, the singer is reemerging with a new album, 'The Masterpiece,' which comes out in May. "I've been basically trying to live and grow with myself and find what I wanted to write about," says Brown. "Unfortunately my mom passed [away] and I had to do something quick, so 'The Masterpiece' is just 13 years of my ups and downs and everything that I've been through. I'm just grateful to be able to put this album out because I really feel it is a masterpiece."

Brown is also getting back in touch with his musical past as he and the other members of New Edition are in talks about a reunion to coincide with their 30th anniversary next year. "I'm just, I'm at awe with being able to come together as brothers," he continues. "Business can tear friends apart but we've been working with our friendship and talking every week. It's just a good thing that, you know, I still got five brothers."

The singer also says he and Etheridge are thinking about producing a new reality TV show that would involve themselves and their kids. "I just like being open," Brown says. "I like people to see exactly what I'm about and exactly what kind of person I am and not judge me for, you know, other people's words or what other people think about me."

On how he copes with the tabloid stories about him, Brown recalls what his mother once said -- that "if they're not talking about you, you're not successful." "I'm only human," he says. "I'm going to go through rough patches in my life but it's how I pick myself up from it. And thank God I've been able to pick myself up from everything that has hurt me in the past. You have to know yourself and you have to learn to love yourself and I love myself now. I know how my kids feel about me. I know how I feel about them. And we just try to stay strong for each other."

Brown's life continues to be in the spotlight. Most recently there were media reports about Bobbi Kristina -- his daughter with Whitney Houston -- allegedly using drugs. "I did talk to her," Brown says. "I have all faith in my daughter that she's going to stay strong for herself. My daughter is doing great. I love her dearly."

Besides Bobbi Kristina, he's also the father of three other children: sons Landon and Bobby, Jr., and daughter LaPrincia. He offers these words of wisdom to his kids: "Don't do what I do. Period. Be yourself and always, always know that daddy is gonna be there no matter what."

 

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Family members of executed drug mule in China face alleged recruiter

The parents and brother of Sally Ordinario-Villanueva, one of three executed Filipino drug mules in China, came face to face for the first time with Sally’s alleged recruiter Tita Cacayan at the Department of Justice (DoJ).

During Monday’s preliminary investigation, Cacayan submitted her counter-affidavit in response to the complaint filed against her for large-scale illegal recruitment and violation of Trafficking in Persons Act of 2008.

In Sally’s affidavit, she alleged that Cacayan was the source of drugs she carried to China. She said it was Cacayan who recruited her for a job in Xiamen and provided her an empty suitcase she used for her travel. She said she was not aware that the suitcase contained more than 4,000 grams of illegal drugs.

Jason Ordinario read a handwritten letter which her sister Sally sent to the Philippine Consulate in China where she said Cacayan, whom she called “auntie” was the one who gave her the briefcase.

“I blame her for not telling me the truth. I trusted her so much then, the thing happened…I did everything as she said…my purpose is so [that] my family will get a better life by doing some work for a friend. I don’t have any choice…that was unfair to me,” Villanueva’s hand written letter stated which was read during the preliminary investigation.

Cacayan said the letter was fake.

“When did she write that? It was not even [a] registered [mail]. Do not pin the blame on me. We were all working in Macao,” Cacayan said in a slightly raised voice prompting Assistant Senior State Prosecutor Lilian Doris Alejo to interfere and said that it would be better if the letter could be attached to the reply that Villanueva’s family will submit on April 25 and will be asked to produce during the clarificatory hearing.

“We must not all be combative here. This should be better addressed during the clarificatory hearing,” Alejo said.

 

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What's that in the car, officer? Oh, just a bunch of marijuana, some cocaine, and some ADHD medication thrown in for good measure.


Glenview police arrested Ronald Allen, 39, of 47 W. Division St. in Chicago,for delivery of marijuana, in connection with the 497 grams of marijuana, with a street value of $5,300, that was uncovered. Also found were 0.9 grams of cocaine and five Adderal tablets, which is used to control symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, after pulling him over for an expired registration.


The vehicle was stopped on the 3700 block of East Lake Avenue in Glenview.

The vehicle, police learned, was one of three stolen in October 2009 from a dealership in Hiawatha, Iowa.

Allen was additionally charged with possession of a controlled substance, failure to transfer title and failure to surrender registration.

The passenger, Rosalia Cefalu, 24, of 4422 Lainie Circle in Glenview, was additionally charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana.

Allen’s bond was set at $300,000, and Cefalu’s at $10,000. Both are scheduled to appear in court Friday.

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According to the controversial TV host and author, Americans are addicted to everything from shopping, to fast food, to texting. Are we living in a nation of junkies?

Addict Nation: An Intervention for AmericaTV journalist and author, Jane Velez-Mitchell, has announced the release of her new book, “Addict Nation,” with co-author, Sandra Mohr. Velez-Mitchell examines the growing levels of addiction in America, from illicit drugs and fast food to the Internet. She spares no aspect of modern society and reveals her own battle with addiction to food and alcohol.



“There’s a growing trend in America to try and solve all manner of discomfort, real or imagined, physical or emotional, with a pill,” said Velez-Mitchell. “That tendency has morphed into a cultural addiction. Nationwide, deaths from prescription drug overdoses are the second leading cause of accidental death behind car accidents. In some states, prescription O.D.s are the leading cause of accidental fatalities.”



“Addict Nation” is the intervention and wake up call for which many have been waiting and others will deny. In the pursuit of happiness as laid down by the founding fathers, Americans are sinking ever deeper into addictions of all types. Some are obvious, such as smoking and drinking, illegal drugs and prescription pharmaceuticals. Many are much more insidious and aren’t being addressed as addictions. They take the form of over eating, excessive cleaning and an obsession with gadgets.



Overconsumption is one of the largest problems facing Americans, driving them into self-destructive behavior in all facets of their lives. Velez-Mitchell explores the obesity epidemic and its correlation with the rise in fast food, teens’ addiction to texting and the need to check social media websites multiple times throughout the day. Technology in all its many forms has made it possible to extend life, create more flavorful food and communicate at lightning fast speeds. It’s also created a population that lives from one moment to the next, awaiting its next fix.



As part of America’s addiction, individuals regularly purchase more food than they can eat, clothing they’ll never wear and vehicles they don’t drive. Porn and gambling are freely available on the Internet. There are more TVs than people in the average American household. They’re all signs of addiction, but for those who don’t realize they’re addicts, the self-destructive behavior continues.



“Addict Nation” exposes addictive behavior in the U.S. and points out in stark detail why people can’t consume their way to happiness. Velez-Mitchell writes with wit and wisdom, providing anecdotes throughout the book. She also provides shocking statistics that will make anyone stop and rethink their behaviors. The book also offers some interesting and controversial insights into environmental solutions based on the reduction of consumerism. Velez-Mitchell has provided the intervention that Americans desperately need to understand a growing lack of happiness and disillusionment in today’s society.



An award winning television journalist and New York Times bestselling author, Velez-Mitchell is the host of her own show on HLN, “Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell.” She often provides commentary on high profile issues for CNN, TruTV and E! She’s a guest host for the headline news show, “Nancy Grace,” and reports for “Celebrity Justice.” She’s the author of “Secrets Can Be Murder: The Killer Next Door,” and “iWant: My Journey from Addiction and Overconsumption to a Simpler, Honest Life.”



The book’s co-author, Sandra Mohr, is a director and editor in Los Angeles, CA and assisted Velez-Mitchell in her previous books. Mohr produces programming and commercials for TV, film and the Internet at her company, Mohr Productions, Inc. She co-founded the media site, FreeAnimalVideo.org. She recently released the documentary, “Stock Shock-The Short Selling of the American Dream.” Mohr edited the documentary, “Behind the Mask,” about people imprisoned for helping animals. She's received numerous awards, including Best Documentary Feature at the Independent Features Film Festival and The Other Venice Film Festival.

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Dennis Quaid says his greatest mistake was being addicted to cocaine when he first arrived in Hollywood.

The Big Easy

The “Soul Surfer” actor opens up about his struggles in an interview with Newsweek, where he admits that he began using the drug casually at first, but then found himself falling deeper into a downward spiral as a result of its prevalence in Hollywood.

“Cocaine was even in the budgets of movies, thinly disguised,” he says. “It was petty cash, you know. It was supplied, basically, on movie sets because everyone was doing it. People would make deals. Instead of having a cocktail, you’d have a line.

“So it was insidious, the way it snuck up on everybody. Coming from where I came from – lower-middle-class life, from Houston into Hollywood – and all of a sudden this success starts happening to you, I just didn’t know how to handle that. Doing blow just contributed to me not being able to handle the fame, which, at the time, I guess I felt I didn’t deserve.”

Things spiraled out of control for the actor in the late 1980s, when he was filming “The Big Easy.”


“I was a mess. I was getting an hour of sleep a night. I had a reputation for being a ‘bad boy,’ which seemed like good thing, but basically I just had my head stuck up my ass. I’d wake up, snort a line, and swear I wasn’t going to do it again that day. But then 4 o’clock rolled around, and I’d be right back down the same road like a little squirrel on one of those treadmills.”

Quaid said he entered rehab after having one of those “white-light” experiences one night, but things only became more difficult once he was sober and had to face his problems head on.

“That time in my life – those years in the ‘90s recovering – actually chiseled me into a person. It gave me the resolve and a resilience to persevere in life. In the end, it taught me humility.”

But while Quaid may have conquered his demons, it appears his brother Randy has not been so successful.

Currently on the run from police after failing to appear in court for felony vandalism charges stemming from an incident in October of last year, Randy Quaid, 60, and his wife Evi have sought asylum in Canada. The two have expressed their fear for their lives in the United States after  numerous actors like David Carradine and Heath Ledger have been “murdered” under mysterious circumstances.

Dennis Quaid said of his brother’s situation, “ I love my brother. That’s all I can say. I love my brother and I miss my brother. That’s all I’m going to say.”

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British rocker Pete Doherty has been warned he faces a return to jail after he pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine on Friday.

Beg, Steal or Borrow: The Official Babyshambles Story

The Libertines and Babyshambles frontman was arrested in January last year following the suspected drugs death of filmmaker Robin Whitehead.

In February last year he denied the charge and was ordered to stand trial, but on Friday, Doherty changed his plea to guilty during a hearing at Snaresbrook Crown Court in east London.

The rocker, who has a long history of drug addiction and has served several stints behind bars, has been warned he faces more jail time when he is sentenced next month.

Judge David Radford branded Doherty's criminal record "unattractive" and told his lawyer, "When someone constantly commits the same offence the law must be made very clear. Is your client aware he could face a sentence?"

Doherty had spent time with Whitehead in the days before her death, and the apartment in Hackney, east London, where she died was being rented by his pal, Peter Wolfe.


Wolfe appeared in court with Doherty on Friday and pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine and supplying the drug to Whitehead. Another friend of Doherty's, musician Alan Wass, pleaded not guilty to possessing cocaine.

Doherty was freed on unconditional bail pending his sentencing hearing.

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expressed worry at the rate at which nurse anaesthetists are getting addicted to drugs.

Prof Peter Donkor, Pro-Vice Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), on Thursday expressed worry at the rate at which nurse anaesthetists are getting addicted to drugs.
           
He said it was alarming that most nurse anaesthetists are continually getting addicted to drugs, which is not only bad for their health but posed great danger to their patients whiles disturbing the work of the surgeons they work with at the hospital theater.
           
The situation has arisen partly due to their free access to anaesthesia drugs some of which can cause serious addiction.
           
Professor Donkor was speaking at the opening of the 11th annual update in anaesthesia conference in Kumasi on Thursday.
           
The conference, which is organized annually by the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in collaboration with the University of Utah in the US, aims at refreshing and updating the knowledge and skills of anaesthesia.
           
Professor Donkor, himself a Surgeon and Anaesthetist, said  the Nurses and Dental Council had initiated a programme to regulate anaesthesia practice.
   
He said drug addiction would be one of the issues which would be critically looked into before accreditation is conferred on practitioners.
           
He said anaesthesia is the "oxygen for the surgeon" and this puts a huge responsibility on practitioners to ensure that their skills and knowledge are updated regularly to enable them provide efficient service to their patients.
           
Dr Gabriel Boakye, Head of Directorate of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care at KATH, said feedback on the performance of participants in previous conferences have been very encouraging and appealed to health managers to continuously sponsor their anaesthesia practitioners to attend future conferences to improve their knowledge and skills.
           
Professor Gladys Amponsah, Head of Anaesthesia at the University of Cape Coast Medical School, advised the participants not to lose focus but use the knowledge and skills they will acquire to provide better services to their patients.
GNA

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