A NEW Netflix doc explores the dark underbelly of a rural part of California dubbed "Murder Mountain" – where dozens of naïve weed smokers have vanished after finding work in the area’s cannabis farms. The show details the killing of Garret Rodriguez – who vanished in 2013 after working in the drug trade in Humboldt County in the north of the state. His family tells how Garret, from San Diego, was shot and buried before later being dug up by vigilantes desperate to solve the crime which local police appeared unable to do. Humboldt is one-third of the infamous “Emerald Triangle” – which also includes Mendocino and Trinity Counties – which is known across the weed-smoking world for its abundant cannabis cultivation. The area, which has the highest missing person’s rate per capita in California, has a dark and violent recent history. Alderpoint, in Humboldt, was dubbed “Murder Mountain” in 1982 after serial killers Michael … [Read more...] about Mysterious ‘Murder Mountain’ run by black market cannabis farms where dozens of naive weed smokers have been kidnapped and murdered
Black market trade
Rocketing cost of stamps sees ‘black market’ boom on Ebay as Christmas card season approaches
SHOPPERS are beating the rising cost of postage by buying re-used stamps online for as little as 16p on the likes of eBay. An investigation by The Daily Telegraph has shown that the country’s largest online marketplace advertises more than 2,100 listings for re-used first and second class stamps. The publication said that just one online seller claimed to sell 20,000 re-used stamps a month – without a problem. Another seller said that some charities are selling on their received envelopes in large numbers to help boost incomes – to “stamp collectors” – allowing used stamps to be sold on. A spokesperson for eBay told the Telegraph that the stamp listings brought to the site’s attention would be checked. The Royal Mail says that it’s a “crime to knowingly use counterfeit or re-used stamps to avoid paying Royal Mail the full amount required for the postal service received. “Anyone who does so may face criminal prosecution or … [Read more...] about Rocketing cost of stamps sees ‘black market’ boom on Ebay as Christmas card season approaches
King crab boom creates giant black market
King crab on the barbecue. Photo: Vidar Ruud / NTB scanpix Booming demand for king crab, both in Norway and from export markets, is fueling a growing black market, Norway's fishing ministry has warned. The crab, which invaded Norwegian waters in the 1990s and 2000s, now sells in the centre of major Norwegian cities for close to 1000 kroner a kilo. "We believe the volume is significant and perhaps increasing," Ton-Ola Rudi, Senior Advisor at Norway's fishing ministry, told state broadcaster NRK of the illegal catches and sales. Industry trade body Seafood Norway estimates that hundreds of tons of the succulent delicacy are being caught this year in excess of the 2018 quota of 1,850 tonnes. The illegal fishing comes as Norway is exporting record quantities of live crab to meet soaring demand and benefit from record prices in markets such as South Korea, the US, and Japan. In autumn, Norway's biggest illegal crab … [Read more...] about King crab boom creates giant black market
Colorado’s black market marijuana: Are authorities wrongly blaming cartels?
Editor’s note: The Gazette continues its Collateral Impact series, which takes a look at the effects and sometimes unintended consequences of legalized marijuana in Colorado.A frequently used criticism by law enforcement of Colorado’s legalized marijuana industry is that it invited dangerous drug cartels into the state, where they operate in black market shadows.Law enforcement in El Paso, Teller and Pueblo counties say it in news releases when perpetrators are of Cuban or Mexican descent. Rep. Doug Lamborn, R-Colorado Springs, said it in January, alleging “cartels have rushed into Colorado, resulting in 19 cartel operation busts in the last 18 months.”And 4th Judicial District Attorney Dan May repeated it to a crowd of community leaders May 1.“We have cartels from around the world,” May said. “You name any South American country, we have it here.”The shock value is immediate, as it conjures images of a city overrun by violence and … [Read more...] about Colorado’s black market marijuana: Are authorities wrongly blaming cartels?
Colorado’s black market marijuana: If data is correct, authorities wrongly blaming cartels
Editor’s note: The Gazette continues its Collateral Impact series, which takes a look at the effects and sometimes unintended consequences of legalized marijuana in Colorado.A frequently used criticism by law enforcement of Colorado’s legalized marijuana industry is that it invited dangerous drug cartels into the state, where they operate in black market shadows.Law enforcement in El Paso, Teller and Pueblo counties say it in news releases when perpetrators are of Cuban or Mexican descent. Rep. Doug Lamborn, R-Colorado Springs, said it in January, alleging “cartels have rushed into Colorado, resulting in 19 cartel operation busts in the last 18 months.”And 4th Judicial District Attorney Dan May repeated it to a crowd of community leaders May 1.“We have cartels from around the world,” May said. “You name any South American country, we have it here.”The shock value is immediate, as it conjures images of a city overrun by violence and … [Read more...] about Colorado’s black market marijuana: If data is correct, authorities wrongly blaming cartels