Oregon, the first state to decriminalize possession of small amounts of hard drugs, has reversed course and recriminalized such offenses. The new law, which takes effect on Sunday, offers individuals caught with drugs the option of choosing between a misdemeanor charge or participating in treatment programs. While the legislation aims to address the ongoing drug crisis, critics argue its complexity and inconsistencies could create confusion and disparities.
Roorkee taluka in Uttarakhand has emerged as a major source of heroin distribution across India, with Mumbai serving as a significant hotspot. The Mumbai Anti Narcotics Cell has apprehended over seven individuals linked to drug-related activities from this region in the past two years, including a recent seizure of 3.1 kilograms of heroin worth Rs 1.25 crore. The accused, who hail from the Haridwar district, are believed to have been involved in this illegal activity for several years, with their operations extending to Shukrunda Village in Uttarakhand.
Habys Omar Meran, a 38-year-old Dominican Republic native, was sentenced to 6 1/2 years in federal prison for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy. In January 2016, Meran was found with over $2 million worth of heroin hidden in his van during a traffic stop in Pennsylvania. He and his passenger, Juan Wilquin Hernandez-Bourdier, were charged with various drug-related offenses. Hernandez-Bourdier was convicted and sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2018. Meran, however, managed to flee the country before his trial but was eventually arrested in the Dominican Republic in 2023 and extradited back to the United States. The investigation and extradition involved the U.S. Marshals Service, the Department of Homeland Security, state police, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
