Day: August 21, 2018

A government news release from Gibraltar on 21 August announced that HM Customs in Gibraltar had provided assistance in an international anti-drugs operation that has resulted in the arrest of 5 individuals and the seizure of several bales of cocaine, weighing in excess of 300 kg.  The drugs were detected by the Spanish Authorities ion 19 August on board the HCH-X, a Gibraltar-registered vessel, whilst it sailed through international waters.

https://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/new/sites/default/files/press/2018/Press%20Releases/478-2018.pdf

https://www.plenglish.com/index.php?o=rn&id=32623&SEO=spain-intercepts-luxury-yacht-with-300-kilos-of-cocaine

Prensa Latina says the yacht was seized off Ibiza, the men detained were 4 Dutch and 1 German, and that the investigation began in mid 2016, when a ship was detected in Palma de Mallorca, linked to a criminal organisation dedicated to the introduction of narcotics into Europe.  It says that the method used was to transport illicit cargo is known as “drop-off” [or “coopering”], which consists of using a larger ship to transport the narcotic substance to Europe, with the drugs thrown into the sea and is later collected by a smaller vessel.

The Daily Mail on 21 August reported that former Comoros president, Ahmed Abdallah Sambi, has been detained and charged in connection with misappropriating funds linked to a vast passport selling scam, his lawyer said.  The scandal dates back to 2008 when Comoros launched a programme, in cooperation with the UAE and Kuwait, to give citizenship to stateless individuals from the Gulf known as bidoons.  In return, Comoros was expected to receive significant investment from the oil-rich nations.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-6083561/Ex-Comoros-president-charged-passport-sale-scandal.html

On 21 August, the Law Society Gazette reported that preliminary results of a study by the Law Commission had concluded that no change in the law is necessary for electronic signatures to meet a statutory requirement for a signature on a document.  The Gazette says that nearly 2 decades after the Electronic Communications Act 2000 created a statutory basis for electronic signatures and 2 years after the Law Society and City of London Law Society issued a practice note about using them to execute commercial contracts, uncertainty still abounds about the legal status of digitally signed documents.

https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/law/commission-gives-green-light-to-electronic-signatures-/5067290.article

The Law Commission study is available at –

https://www.lawcom.gov.uk/project/electronic-execution-of-documents/

Reuters on 21 August reported that Denmark said it is targeting US and British companies and individuals as it expands a global campaign to recoup billions it alleges were paid out in fraudulent tax refunds between 2012 and 2015.  Danish tax authorities said they have opened 388 civil cases against firms or individuals in several countries, including Britain and the US, bringing claims to $1.95 billion.

CPH Post Online reports that, according to the judicial news site Law 360, 71 individuals and companies from the UK are being sued for taking part in the huge swindle. SKAT reportedly filed 71 lawsuits at the High Court in London in late July.

http://cphpost.dk/news/business/tax-authority-gunning-for-british-connection-in-fraud-case.html?src=ilaw

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-denmark-tax/denmark-expands-legal-campaign-to-recoup-tax-fraud-billions-idUSKCN1L60ZR

The Huffington Post on 21 August reported that the Mumbai mafia don’s right-hand-man is now facing extradition to the US.  Jabir Motiwala was detained by officers from Scotland Yard’s Extradition Unit as he left the Hilton hotel in Park Lane, London.  His boss, a61-year-old Indian national, who uses 21 aliases, is estimated to be worth $6.7 billion, while rewards totalling $25 million are on offer for his capture.

https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/jabir-motiwala-detained-london_uk_5b7bef56e4b05906b4174b5e?src=ilaw

On 21 August, OFAC add 2 Russian individuals, 3 Russian shipping and logistics companies and 1 Slovakian company to its list of designated persons and entities.  It also added 6 Russian-flagged vessels said to be linked to one of the Russian companies – GUDZON SHIPPING CO LLC.

https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/OFAC-Enforcement/Pages/20180821.aspx

https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-treasury-sanctions-russian-firms-for-allegedly-helping-north-korea-1534860141

The Trump administration has levied new sanctions against Russian firms it accused of violating trade bans on North Korea and breaches of US laws against co-operation with Russia’s intelligence services.

https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm462

AUSTRALIA: INDUSTRY SEES SURGE IN DEFENCE EXPORT APPLICATIONS

Defence Connect on 21 August reported that there has been a boost in the confidence for Australian businesses to reach for opportunities in foreign defence markets, showing the growing capacity of Australia’s defence industry.  Data shows a 25% surge in the number of defence and dual-use export permit applications received in the last quarter of 2017-18 compared with the same period last year.

https://www.defenceconnect.com.au/key-enablers/2744-industry-sees-surge-in-defence-export-applications

IS AUSTRALIA VIOLATING TREATY BY SUPPLYING WEAPONS FOR YEMEN CIVIL WAR?

Meanwhile, The Feed from SBS in Australia asks this question.  It says that the Australian Government has granted 16 licences to export defence goods to Saudi Arabia and potentially 33 licences for defence exports to the UAE – these countries are among the key aggressors in Yemen. Australia has also authorised exports of weaponry to Oman and Jordan. It says that the government is refusing to disclose what exactly has been authorised for sale to Saudi Arabia.

https://www.sbs.com.au/news/the-feed/is-australia-violating-treaty-by-supplying-weapons-for-yemen-civil-war

The Washington Times on 20 August reported that plans for 3D-printed guns have spread across the internet over the past three weeks despite the efforts of a federal judge and some of the largest US social media companies to try to impose limits.

https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/aug/20/3d-printed-guns-plans-explode-across-internet-amid