According to records obtained by the AP, Delcy Rodríguez, the acting president of Venezuela, has been a priority target of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration for years, with a detailed intelligence file dating back to 2018. The DEA’s interest stems from allegations of drug trafficking, gold smuggling, and money laundering, including ties to Maduro’s alleged bag man, Alex Saab. Despite these investigations, the U.S. government has not publicly accused Rodríguez of any criminal wrongdoing, and Trump has praised her. These investigations highlight the complex relationship between the U.S. and Venezuela, particularly as the U.S. seeks to navigate a post-Maduro Venezuela.
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President Trump signed an executive order to reclassify marijuana as a Schedule III drug, a significant change in federal policy that aligns with many states’ stances. This reclassification, similar to a proposal by his predecessor, would move cannabis away from its current classification alongside heroin. The shift could alter regulation and reduce taxes for the cannabis industry, though it wouldn’t legalize recreational use nationwide. Despite this move, some Republicans oppose the change, citing concerns about safety and potential impacts.
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In late August, a coordinated series of raids across New England by federal authorities resulted in the seizure of over 500 pounds of drugs and the arrest of nearly 200 individuals. The DEA presented the operation as a major crackdown on the Sinaloa Cartel, claiming the arrests targeted high-level members. However, a Spotlight Team investigation revealed that many of those arrested were low-level offenders, including addicts and petty criminals, not high-ranking cartel members. This misrepresentation, according to the investigation, aimed to justify the administration’s actions within the war on drugs and the escalating war against Latin American drug cartels.
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Venezuelan authorities have reported the seizure of nearly 3.7 metric tons of cocaine and the arrest of several individuals, including a purported DEA agent. The intercepted speedboat, carrying the illicit cargo, originated from Colombia’s Guajira region and was linked to a trafficking group. According to Venezuelan officials, the detainees confessed the shipment was part of a “false flag operation” aimed at falsely implicating Venezuela in international drug trafficking. The announcement comes amid ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela over drug enforcement and accusations of the country becoming a hub for cocaine shipments.
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Trump says Putin may not want to make a deal on Ukraine. That’s the crux of it all, isn’t it? All this time, there was the expectation that Putin was eager to end the war he started by invading Ukraine. The narrative seemed to be that peace was on the horizon, that this situation could be resolved easily. The whole idea of Trump “solving the problem on day one” seemed utterly ludicrous. It’s a reality that no one could have foreseen, yet it’s the reality.
The proposed plan seemed to be to wait and see for “two weeks,” then drag his feet to finally meet with Putin in three months.… Continue reading
DEA chief says meth surge ‘frightens’ him, especially meth-laced pills targeting college-age adults, and honestly, it’s a scary headline. The idea of a flood of meth, especially when it’s cleverly disguised in pills that look like common prescription drugs, is unsettling, particularly when it’s aimed at young adults in college. This isn’t just about the individual users; it’s about the potential for widespread addiction, health crises, and the disruption of communities.
I have to admit, though, it’s hard to ignore the immediate reactions. It’s difficult not to question if this is a sudden priority shift. The fact that the DEA is sounding the alarm now, after so many years of the opioid crisis, the widespread over prescription of highly addictive pain medication, feels a bit… selective.… Continue reading
A patrol near the Canadian border in Lynden, Washington yielded a significant drug bust last Thursday. Two backpacks containing approximately $1.1 million worth of cocaine were discovered and subsequently seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents. The cocaine, totaling 30 brick-like packages, was transferred to the DEA. While no arrests have been publicly reported, the agency lauded the agents’ vigilance in preventing the narcotics from reaching communities.
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Private equity firm Blackstone has acquired a majority stake in Jersey Mike’s Subs for approximately $8 billion, marking the end of its independent run. Founder and CEO Peter Cancro will retain a significant equity stake and continue leading the company. This investment will fuel Jersey Mike’s expansion domestically and internationally, along with technological advancements. The deal follows Subway’s own sale to Roark Capital, making it the second-largest sandwich chain transaction in recent history.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood