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A Senior Police Officer in Zimbabwe has been remanded by a Magistrate court for obstructing the course of justice.
The Officer  Commanding the Police in Mashonaland West province, Commissioner Conneli Dube was arrested by officials of the  Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), attempting  to shield four Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officers, Detective Assistant Inspector Moses Million, Detective Assistant Inspector Newton Musende, Detective Sergeant Never Muchekawaya and Detective Constable Justice Mapfanya, who are facing charges of extorting money from one Washington Ongorani.
The police commissioner allegedly withheld the criminal docket for the four, thereby contravening Section 184 (1)(a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act chapter 9:23.
The docket was prepared by Chief Inspector Elymas Silivani, who proceeded with it to court under prosecutor reference number A225/21.
The court further heard that on March 12, 2021, a public prosecutor returned the docket to the police station with instructions for the investigating officer to return it on March 19, 2021.
The accused, the court heard, instructed one Superintendent Ruwanda to bring the docket to his office, before ordering him to ignore the instruction from the public prosecutor.
The top cop is also said to have ordered Superintendent Ruwanda to keep the docket locked in the district office’s safe until further instructions.
The then Officer Commanding Makonde District, Chief Superintendent Elliot Magomo, the court further heard, approached the accused to inquire why dockets were being kept under lock and key, prompting the accused to claim that it was a directive from his superiors.
On May 13, Magomo wrote to Dube advising him of a complaint from Ongorani who queried why his case was taking too long, but Dube took no action.
The State opposed the bail application on the basis that the accused was a flight risk and was also likely to abscond and interfere with witnesses.

Dube appeared Tuesday before the same court for initial remand, and the matter was rolled over to Wednesday for determination of bail.
ZACC’s senior investigations officer, Patrick Madiye argued if granted bail, Dube could influence or intimidate some of the witnesses who were his subordinates.
Madiye also told the court that the accused had influenced the transfer of two senior officers from the province.
The Provincial magistrate, Ruth Moyo denied Dube bail insisting that the senior police officer could interfere with witnesses.

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Presently,it is very difficult to differentiate believers from unbelievers in terms of attitude.

The Holy Quran 25 : 44,therefore satisfies the curiosity of the just at the waywardness level of adherents of almost all religious bodies in the nation. 

‘’Thinkest thou that most of them listen or understand ? Their holy like cattle,nay, they are farther astray from the way.’’

The Holy Quran 10 :36 further infers,’’Most of them follow nothing but conjecture : truly conjecture can be of no avail against Truth.Verily Allah is well aware of all that they do.’’

In the present time several religious practices have been overwhelmed by false teachings and true riches as suggested in the Holy Bible, 1Timothy 6 :3–10, ‘’As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,

4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:

6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;

7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.

8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;

9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,

10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;’’

The Holy Quran attests to the submissions above by warning in64 : 15–16,’’ Your riches and your children,but a trial :whereas Allah is with Him is the highest reward.So fear Allah as much as ye can; listen and obey; and spend in charity for the benefit of your own souls and those saved from the covetousness of their own souls-they are the ones that achieve prosperity.

In the Holy Quran 2 : 45 the right approach recommended by true religious worship makes this assertion for people that want to get rich, most especially through the dignity of labor. ‘’Nay,seek Allah’s help with patience, perseverance and prayer :It is indeed hard except to those who are humble.’’

The restoration of true teaching and true riches must be based on been scripture compliant as adherents of all sects and denominations in all religious systems.

The Holy Quran 16 :125 refers,’’Invite all to the ways of the Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching(counseling);and argue(dialogue)with them in ways that are best(without hate speech) and most gracious(without holier than thou or air of arrogance and insult) : for thy Lord knowest best,who have strayed from His path and who receive guidance.’’

Therefore,let us avoid false teaching and the quick money making syndrome, but instead follow a righteous path of scripture compliance to have the fear of God for the purpose of restoring our core values of integrity,sanity and a well ordered society bequeath able as a legacy for posterity.

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A call has been made to  International creditors to ensure that the present administration in Nigeria offsets its debts before the end of its tenure on May 29, 2023.

This call was made by an Ex-Officio of the Oyo state council of the Trade Union Congress(TUC), who is also a former Chairman of the union in the state, Comrade Andrew Emelieze in a chat with Poverty Line.

''Internation creditors should make repayment of the loans, the present administration in Nigeria has collected and intends to collect before the end of its tenure on May 29, 2023, as a condition for granting the loans to save the unborn generation from inheriting debts'', Comrade Emelieze stated.

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The whole world is in disarray mainly because it has been overwhelmed by false teachings, whereas only truth can avail a nation.

The Almighty Allah even said in the Holy Quran 29: 44, ''Allah created heaven and the earth in truth: verily in that is a sign of those who believe.''

Allusion from that proves that a house with foundations of falsehood through materials of inferior quality will never stand the test of time.

Any idea, conceived, therefore, through falsehood, may not be able to stand the test of quality and standard certification. This extends to friendship, marriage, business, and the worship of God.

By extension, appointment into positions of power and governance through faulty electoral processes will never be able to deliver the expected services.

Religion ought to be the last resort for human healing and salvation, most especially in the area of correcting the aberration in the land. 

However, the religious sector is now having several self-acclaimed clerics driving the vehicle of divinity through juju or the magical wand. This is why many nations are experiencing injustice, marginalization, insecurity, and poverty.

The Holy Bible in 1 Timothy 4: 1-2 refers, ''Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;''

One can now easily understand while several nations fail in management and administration through poor governance, despite the fact that in such nations they could lay claims to having Doctors of Law, religious leaders, and Professors in various fields of human endeavor and with a countless number of houses of God.

Unfortunately, false teachers with false adherents will ever mislead the nation and plunge resources into waste because they follow false doctrines driven by satanic influences.

False teachers abuse the sacredness of knowledge, purity of wisdom and prevent ultimately the intervention of the power of a discerning mind.

A case study of Moses and Pharoah on false doctrines and genuine tenets refers to the Holy Quran 20: 69-70, ''Throw that which is in thy right hand. Quickly will it swallow up that which they have faked: what they have faked is but a magician's trick: and the magician succeeds not. So the magicians were thrown into prostration. They said we believe in the Lord of Aaron and Moses.''

The above analogy of a case study for a paradigm shift from religious adulteration into accepting the concept of puritanism to be holistic in worship as well as the role modeling of exemplary lifestyles devoid of fraud, corruption, murder, and other satanic symbols of destruction. This is a clear warning for false teachers to pray against deceptive teachings, not to throw the nations into a chaotic situation, and not to render the essence of being alive unrealistic and fatal.

The Holy Quran 4: 50-52 refers, '' Behold! How they invent a lie against Allah! But that by itself is a manifest sin. Has thou not turn thy thought to those who are given a portion of the book? They believe in sorcery, Tagut, and say to the unbelievers that they are better guided in the right way than believers!''

 They are men whom Allah have cursed: and those whom Allah has cursed, thou wouldst find, have no one to help.''

The expectation of God of mankind is that we should use religion to detoxify the bad blood and ferocity of character into that of a loving, harmless human being with beneficial peaceful co-existence.

Stop false teaching and be decisive on the truth in teaching the scriptures to produce good citizens and good governance for the nation. Be just.

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Nigerian have been called upon to put their hopes in God in these perilous times.
This  call was made by a Christian Cleric, Pastor Opyemi Ajayi in a chat with Poverty Line.
''In these torubled times, Nigerians  should put their hopes and trust in God for divine intervetnion. The restorer of hope is God. When all is not going well palce your hopes on God,'' Pastor Ajayi counseled.

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Hope is captured in the Scripture as a state that can only be realized through walking the talk of one's chosen faith, but only in an environment of love.
It, therefore, has a close relationship with one's destiny as a goal of human struggle for survival which can only be realized in part because of the frictions of life against which the energy for the struggle vectorially moves through a relative velocity for one's destiny to be terminated into a destination.
This is why some scholars see hope as a desire accompanied by an expectation of fulfillment. Hope can be viewed through the perspective of self as an individual and we as a community or nation.
Hope realization, therefore, is best driven through a self resolution to meet up with all conditions for him or her to be able to blaze the trail.
This equally subject to the favorable conditions of the 8 pointers of wellness.
Troubled souls are usually faced with frustrations which if not well controlled may lead to a suicidal note for premature termination of hope, age, and the ultimate, a life of fulfillment. Emotional disturbance is another psychological factor that must be controlled otherwise building of hope would be dashed.
Finances and physiological needs determine one's access to a better active life upon which hope can be realized when one falls short of this grace, the hope may not materialize in one's desired goal, cutting short one's destiny into a fatal destination.

Lazy people, therefore, will suffer from dashed hopes, most especially when such a person lacks goodwill and a positive disposition towards others.
Hardworking people who follow due process in realizing their hopes and aspirations may take some much time to be appreciated in an environment where double-dealing and other forms of illegalities are the order of the day through devilish connections.
The hopes of any nation and community, therefore, lie in the ability of their leaders to keep a nation or community without fraud in an environment of zero tolerance to corruption and institutional indiscipline. However, the virtues can only be realized when leaders are visionary with the determination to live by a sense of patriotism for a bequeathable legacy.
It takes two to tango-the government and the people. If leaders are transparent and accountable, they would become dependable and people will overwhelmingly shower such leaders with their trust, sense of patriotism, and unimaginable sense of endurance.

When there is an economic downward effect on such a nation, people will naturally persevere through the troubled times and keep their hopes alive that there would be a better tomorrow based on their leaders' efforts and assurances.
Hope, therefore, is a natural in-built characteristic into every mortal which he or she experiences every day based on the events of the time, most especially in his or her growing period, trying period, and when under the fear of not missing the state of equilibrium in wealth and affluence.
People should, therefore, not lose hope, but make self-adjustment towards having a good disposition, high spirit to supplement the missing pointers in the state of his or her wellness.

                                                                          Press Release

HOUSTON – A 47-year-old man will forfeit three real properties and pay a $5 million money judgement for running a multi-million dollar synthetic narcotics distribution network, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Daniel Bowles, Phoenix, Arizona, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and analogues. He admitted to overseeing call-takers and the operation’s business finances as well as using multiple business entities to conceal the significant amount of its illegal proceeds.

In 2015, authorities began investigating a smoke shop in Laredo. During that time, they discovered a nationwide mail order business that supplied the shop with illegal synthetic cannabinoid products. Call-takers in several states took orders for the products with names such as “Brain Freeze” and “Death Grip” which was delivered to shop owners from California. Payment was set to Arizona, often into accounts Bowles controlled.

During the investigation, authorities tracked payments from multiple retail smoke shops throughout the United States and identified several bank accounts involved in the scheme. Financial records show that from February 2012 through 2019, the network received over $15.4 million in illicit proceeds.

As part of his plea agreement, Bowles also agreed to a money judgment in the amount of $5 million and the forfeiture of three real properties.

U.S. District Judge George Hanks Jr. accepted the plea and set sentencing for Nov. 16. At that time, Bowles faces up to 20 years in prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. He was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing. 

Six others have also pleaded guilty to their involvement in the organization. Ratchanee McAuley, 50, also of Phoenix; Thirawat Athikulrat, 42, and Chuanphit Srithongrung, 44, both of Downey, California; Frank Gonzalez, 60, and Ernesto Salazar, 34, both of Mesa, Arizona; and Don Jessop, 52, Salt lake City, Utah.

McAuley, Athikulrat and Srithongrung each admitted to maintaining warehouses to manufacture the synthetic cannabinoid products. As part of their pleas, Gonzalez and Jessop acknowledged being call-takers, while Salazar admitted to assisting with manufacturing the products and travelling across the county to pick up the proceeds.  

Synthetic cannabinoids are chemical compounds that mimic the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. These chemical compounds can be applied to carrier mediums such as plant material and ingested using rolling papers, pipes, vaporizers or otherwise taken orally. Synthetic cannabinoids are usually sold in small, foil or plastic bags containing dried leaves (resembling potpourri) and are marketed as incense that can be smoked. It is commonly sold and known on the street as synthetic marijuana, fake weed, legal and by its popular brand names such as Spice, K2, Kush, Klimaxx and many others.

The Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and FBI conducted the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation dubbed Operation Brain Freeze with the assistance of Texas Department of Public Safety and sheriff’s offices in Zapata County and Maricopa County, Arizona. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. 

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Graciela Lindberg and Lance Watt are prosecuting the case.

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Charleston, South Carolina --- Acting United States Attorney Rhett DeHart announced today that James Thomas Bramlette, 42, of Salt Lake City, Utah, pled guilty to Wire Fraud and Tax Fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343 and 26 U.S. § 7202, before United States District Judge Richard M. Gergel.  Bramlette will be sentenced at a later date.

The following evidence was presented at the guilty plea:  this investigation involved Melrose Resort on Daufuskie Island, S.C.  Bramlette was a real estate developer in Salt Lake City, Utah.  In 2011, he borrowed $17.5 million from a Dutch investor to purchase the resort out of bankruptcy.  This loan was a short-term bridge loan with high-interest rates.  Bramlette did not put any of his own money into the purchase.  Bramlette thought he could resale the resort soon after the sale, but his attempts to refinance or sell the resort failed repeatedly throughout the case. 

In addition to the Dutch loan, Bramlette and a co-defendant raised more than $10 million from individual investors by issuing promissory notes with high-interest rates.  The promissory notes were not secured by the resort.  Most of the investors resided in the West.

The investment in the resort was difficult from the start.  Bramlette could not make the mortgage payments to the Dutch lender, which led to a $27 million foreclosure judgment in 2014.  Bramlette lost further control of the resort in October 2014 when he pledged ownership of the property to secure a separate $700,000 loan, which he later defaulted on.

Bramlette and his co-defendant struggled every month to raise money from new investors to pay the Dutch lender not to foreclose, to pay previous investors, and to pay employees, utilities, and taxes at the resort.  From 2013 through 2017, Bramlette repeatedly told investors that the resort was on the cusp of being refinanced by a private equity firm.  While several firms considered investing in the resort, none of these deals came to fruition.

After he lost control of Melrose Resort in late 2014, Bramlette was allowed to remain as manager of the resort due to his operational knowledge of the property.  Part of his duties as manager included paying the property taxes for Melrose Resort. 

Concerning the wire fraud charge, in September 2016, Melrose Resort owed $502,759 in past due to property taxes to the Beaufort County Treasurer’s Office.  As a result of this tax delinquency, the Beaufort County Treasurer’s Office notified Bramlette that Melrose Resort would be auctioned at a tax sale if the property taxes were not paid. 

On September 20, 2016, an employee of Bramlette emailed this notice and stated that “we have a week from this Friday, September 30th, 2016 to pay these taxes, which total $502,759.40 or the properties go up for sale on Monday, October 3, 2016.”

It was part of the scheme to defraud that, in order to prevent the resort from being sold at this tax sale, Bramlette created a fake wire receipt that falsely represented that Melrose Resort had wired $502,759 to the Beaufort County Treasurer’s Office to pay the property taxes.  In reality, Melrose Resort had only $121.07 in its bank account at this time, and these funds were not wired as Bramlette represented.

It was further part of the scheme that Bramlette emailed the fraudulent wire receipt to one of his employees, and he caused this employee to send the fraudulent wire receipt to the Beaufort County Treasurer’s Office, in order to have Melrose Resort removed from the tax sale.  After receiving the fraudulent wire receipt, the Beaufort County Treasurer’s Office removed Melrose Resort from the tax sale. 

As to the tax fraud charge, Bramlette was required to collect and pay over federal payroll taxes from the wages of all employees at Melrose Resort.  Bramlette collected payroll taxes from the Melrose employees, but he failed to turn over these taxes to the IRS.  In total, Bramlette collected but failed to turn over to the IRS approximately $1 million in payroll taxes.

In addition to the fraud above, Bramlette used at least $1.8 million from investors for personal use, which was not disclosed to investors.  Bramlette lived a lavish lifestyle, and he spent money on himself even when he failed to pay employees, vendors, and subcontractors.  The accountant at his company urged Bramlette to draw a salary and not use investor money for personal use.  Bramlette ignored this advice and failed to report this income to the IRS or even file income tax returns.

This case was prosecuted by Acting United States Attorney Rhett DeHart.  It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Securities and Exchange Commission in Los Angeles.

Source: FBI

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