More American workers cheating to pass workforce drug tests
According to data obtained by Quest Diagnostics, the number of U.S. employees who allegedly tampered with their drug tests increased by more than six times in 2023 compared to the previous year. This surge represents the highest rate recorded in over 30 years.
“Some American workers are going to great lengths to attempt to subvert the drug testing process,” a senior director at Quest Diagnostics said.
Approximately 5.5 million drug tests were collected from the U.S. workforce, with 6,000 classified as substituted urine specimens. That is an increase of 633% over last year. Substituted urine could mean a person used someone else’s urine, an animal’s or synthetic urine purchased online.
An additional 25,000 tests came back as “invalid,” marking a 45% increase over a year ago. Invalid tests include samples with additives used to hide drug use, as reported by The Wall Street Journal.
Drug screens with positive results increased in industries associated with “office work.” Real estate and lending saw a 17% increase and professional, scientific and technical services rose by 9.3%. Additionally, educational services rose by 7.9% and public administration increased by 5%.
Marijuana positivity increased in 13 out of 15 industries, with finance and insurance representing the largest jump. That sector saw a 35.7% jump in positive marijuana tests in 2023.
Positive cocaine tests among U.S. workforce members also increased by 9.1% last year. However, positive heroin tests decreased by 16.7%, and opiates followed suit with a decline of 12.5%.
115 million fentanyl pills seized in 2023, agent says ‘cartel controls border’
Government officials have been raising concerns over the dramatic increase in fentanyl in the U.S. According to the International Journal of Drug Policy, there were roughly 50,000 fentanyl pills seized by law enforcement in 2017. In 2023, there were more than 115 million pills confiscated. That is 2,300 times more than six years ago.
The year-over-year jump is also substantial. In 2022, there were 71 million pills confiscated by officials. That means the U.S. saw a 62% increase in one year.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) said fentanyl is the deadliest drug threat the U.S. has ever faced, killing 40,000 Americans in the first six months of 2023. The drug kills more than 200 people per day in the U.S.
More often than not, it’s because people are taking other drugs that are illegally laced with fentanyl, according to the DEA Administrator Anne Milgram. Milgram said it makes the drugs cheaper, more powerful, more addictive and more dangerous.
When addressing how fentanyl gets into the U.S. in droves, Milgram said it is largely controlled by two cartels.
“The Sinaloa and Jalisco Cartels are at the heart of this crisis,” Milgram wrote in the DEA’s National Drug Threat Assessment for 2024. “These two cartels are global criminal enterprises that have developed global supply chain networks. They rely on chemical companies and pill press companies in China to supply the precursor chemicals and pill presses needed to manufacture the drugs. They operate clandestine labs in Mexico where they manufacture these drugs, and then utilize their vast distribution networks to transport the drugs into the United States.”
This ties the fentanyl crisis directly to the one at the southern border. An unidentified Border Patrol agent told NewsNation the U.S. Border Patrol isn’t in control at the border — the cartels are.
“The biggest thing is that we do not control the border,” the agent said. “The cartel controls the border. Everything that we do is a reaction to things that they have planned. Usually, we’re chasing around pawns while the kings and queens are doing whatever they want.”
The cartels have a history of bribing officials to turn a blind eye in exchange for millions of dollars. This happened as recently as last year, according to the DEA’s 2024 drug assessment.
“The Sinaloa Cartel is able to operate freely in some parts of Mexico because they have a network of corrupt law enforcement, military and political contacts,” the report said. “In February 2023, Genaro Garcia-Luna — the former Secretary of Public Security in Mexico — was convicted in the Eastern District of New York on international drug trafficking and conspiracy charges resulting from a DEA-led investigation.”
For the cartels, fentanyl is a multi-billion dollar industry at the cost of hundreds of American lives a day.
Senate Democrats want to deschedule marijuana as Biden moves to reschedule
The Biden administration wants to reclassify marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act. The proposed change will need to go through a formal rule-making process which includes interagency reviews, public input and regulatory analysis.
According to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Schedule I drugs have no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. Those drugs include heroin, LSD and ecstasy. Schedule III drugs are those with a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence, including ketamine, anabolic steroids and testosterone.
The White House said this effort is a step toward fulfilling a pledge President Joe Biden made during his campaign.
“He said no American who only possesses marijuana should go to jail,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. “It is affecting communities across the country, including communities of color.”
“It’s time for Congress to wake up to the times and do its part by passing the cannabis reform that most Americans have wished for,” Schumer said. “It’s past time for Congress to catch up with public opinion and to catch up with the science.”
The bill addresses public health and safety, taxation, research, entrepreneurship and what the sponsors describe as “restorative justice.”
The bill would:
Remove marijuana from the controlled substances list.
Expunge the criminal records of Americans with non-violent marijuana offenses.
Establish the Center for Cannabis Products to regulate the cannabis industry including production, labeling, distribution, and sales.
Require the FDA to create standards for labeling potency, doses, servings, place of manufacture and directions for use.
Create an excise tax on cannabis sales, opening up the industry to banks.
“Our bill’s about individual freedom and basic fairness,” Schumer said. “We cannot tolerate any longer the tragedy of a young person getting arrested because they have a small amount of marijuana in their pocket. For years, that’s all it took. Getting caught with a little bit of marijuana for you to get saddled with a serious criminal record that prevented a person from getting a good job, buying a good home, getting ahead in life.”
“When you drive large portions of a population into poverty because of those criminal convictions, when you see that our precious law enforcement resources are being used to go after nonviolent marijuana users,” Sen. Booker said. “You see this is a waste of law enforcement resources that is hurting our communities.”
This bill goes beyond other proposals like the SAFE Banking Act, which would open the banking industry to marijuana distributors. That bill has 117 bipartisan co-sponsors in the House. The Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act does not appear to have as much support.
“I think there’s gonna be a lot of resistance on our side to that,” Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., said.
Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, said marijuana policy needs to be better balanced.
“When I talk to families back home in Ohio, is, you know, they don’t want somebody arrested or have their life ruined for having a small amount of pot,” Vance said. “They also would like to be able to take their kids to a public park without smelling like weed everywhere. I think that we have to do a better job of balancing private liberties with the public’s ability to enjoy public spaces without it being infected by the smell of marijuana.”
It’s unclear exactly how long it would take for the new policy to be approved. Federal rules changes can sometimes take years.
Dozens arrested at Columbia as NYPD clears Hamilton Hall, encampments
Dozens of protesters were arrested after Columbia University calls in the NYPD. Dave and Buster’s is adding something new to its arcade games — a betting option. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Wednesday, May 1, 2024.
Dozens arrested as NYPD clears Hamilton Hall, Columbia encampments
NYPD officers moved in a little after 9 p.m. at the university’s request, using a police vehicle with a ramp to access the second floor of Hamilton Hall after protesters had barricaded themselves inside.
Columbia’s president has requested the NYPD to remain on campus until at least May 17, two days after graduation, to “maintain order and ensure that encampments are not re-established.”
Columbia University said its decision to call in the police was in response to the actions of the protesters, not their cause.
Additionally, the NYPD was called to the City College of New York after it was reported that a large group of people marched from Columbia to its campus. At least 25 people were arrested there.
Speaker Johnson announces House crackdown on antisemitism on campuses
At a press conference, Johnson described the situation at Columbia University as “out of control” and urged President Joe Biden to adopt a firmer stance on the issue.
House Republicans are advocating for cuts in federal funding to colleges that host these protests and have initiated an investigation into how university administrations manage these demonstrations. They are also pushing for a congressional hearing with several university presidents to further address the situation.
Meanwhile, the House is preparing to vote on the “Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2023.” This legislation aims to clarify the definition of antisemitism for the application of anti-discrimination laws, though it has encountered opposition from some Democrats over the act’s definition of antisemitism.
Trump fined $9,000 as trial continues with second week of testimony
Tuesday’s proceedings began with the judge fining Trump $9,000 for violating the judge’s gag order — $1,000 for each violation. The judge warned the former president that future violations could lead to jail time.
Jurors heard testimony from Gary Farro, the banker who assisted Trump’s former attorney Michael Cohen in opening the account used to pay adult film star Stormy Daniels the $130,000 hush money payment at the center of the prosecution’s case.
Keith Davidson, a lawyer who represented Daniels, also testified about how he negotiated the deal between his client and Cohen.
The judge did make one decision in Trump’s favor on Tuesday, announcing there would be no court on May 17 so the former president can attend his son Barron’s high school graduation.
DEA will move to reclassify marijuana in historic shift
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is on the brink of a historic move that could reshape American drug policy. On Tuesday, April 30, the Associated Press reported that the agency is preparing to reclassify cannabis as a less dangerous drug, recognizing its medical uses and low potential for abuse.
The move comes after Biden’s call for a review of federal cannabis laws in October 2022. He also pardoned thousands of Americans convicted of simple possession.
Recent polls show growing support for legalization with 70% of adults in favor, according to Gallup.
However, not everyone is on board with the DEA’s decision. Former DEA Deputy Administrator Jack Riley expressed concerns about the potential risks, citing cannabis as a possible gateway drug.
Earlier mammogram screenings could save more lives
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force now recommends that women start getting mammograms every other year beginning at age 40, a shift from previous guidelines that advised starting at age 50.
While the American Cancer Society recommends annual screenings starting at age 45 and the American College of Radiology suggests beginning at age 40, the task force found that biennial screenings minimize the occurrence of false positives and unnecessary procedures without significantly compromising health outcomes.
Insurance companies often follow the task force guidelines for coverage, though most insurers already cover breast cancer screenings at the age of 40.
Dave & Buster’s to allow betting on its arcade games
Heading to Dave and Buster’s with your friends could soon earn you some money. The entertainment chain announced Tuesday, April 30, it will allow customers to wager on its arcade games.
The company is partnering with a gaming provider to create a betting feature in its app. There will be a limit to the size of the bets, but exactly how much has not been disclosed.
The betting function is expected to launch in the next few months.
Report: DEA set to reclassify cannabis as support for legalization grows
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is on the brink of a historic move that could reshape American drug policy. On Tuesday, April 30, The Associated Press reported that the agency is preparing to reclassify cannabis as a less dangerous drug, recognizing its medical uses and low potential for abuse.
Five sources familiar with the matter, speaking anonymously, confirmed the DEA’s proposal to the AP. If approved by the White House Office of Management and Budget, this change would mark the most significant shift in the agency’s drug policy in over 50 years.
Under the proposed plan, cannabis would be moved from Schedule I to a Schedule III drug, alongside substances like ketamine and some anabolic steroids. However, the reclassification would not legalize cannabis outright.
Despite the reclassification, cannabis would remain a controlled substance under federal law. This means individuals and business operating in the cannabis industry must still comply with federal regulations.
Following the public comment period, the DEA will review the feedback and, if necessary, make adjustments to the proposal. Eventually, the agency will publish the final rule.
The move comes after President Joe Biden’s call for a review of federal cannabis laws in October 2022. He also pardoned thousands of Americans convicted of simple possession.
In an election year, the announcement could help Biden boost support among young voters, who overwhelmingly support cannabis legalization. In addition, recent polls show growing support for legalization with 70% of adults in favor, according to Gallup.
However, not everyone is on board with the DEA’s decision. Former DEA Deputy Administrator Jack Riley expressed concerns about the potential risks, citing cannabis as a possible gateway drug.
High-speed boat chase leads to seizure of nearly 4 tons of cocaine
Planes and military ships chased down a speedboat off the coast of Colombia on Tuesday, March 26. The speedboat was reportedly carrying 3.7 tons of cocaine, worth an estimated $113 million. The cocaine seizure is reported to be the largest along the Colombian Caribbean Sea this year.
The Colombian navy released video showing the speedboat’s crew tossing packages overboard, then maneuvering the boat erratically to shake authorities. The high-speed water chase reportedly went on for several miles until authorities could intercept the boat. Eventually, authorities said they detained three Colombians, one Honduran and one Venezuelan, according to CBS News.
Just days before this most recent chase, officials announced that an American patrol aircraft and a British warship pursued another speedboat. The crew reportedly threw drugs into the water near the U.S. Virgin Islands. The smugglers were allegedly carrying 3 tons of cocaine and other drugs, according to U.K. officials.
In February, a joint search-and-rescue mission by the Colombian and Ecuadorian navies for two missing fishermen off Colombia’s coast led to the discovery of a so-called narco-sub. The sub was loaded with more than 4 tons of cocaine with a cash value of more than $200 million.
Colombia has a rich supply of cocaine. The country accounts for 70%-80% of the world’s cocaine supply, according to the Drug Enforcement Agency. Additionally, a United Nations report in September shows potential coca production in Colombia has risen 24% since 2021.
US charges alleged Yakuza boss in plot to sell nuclear materials to Iran
In what seems like a plot lifted from an international thriller, U.S. authorities charged a 60-year-old alleged Japanese Yakuza boss, Takeshi Ebisawa, with attempting to sell nuclear materials to Iran, officials announced Feb. 21. Ebisawa is accused of trying to distribute uranium and weapons-grade plutonium to an undercover agent from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), who was posing as a trafficker in drugs and weapons.
Reuters
In 2020, Ebisawa reportedly initiated contact with the undercover agent, claiming to possess a significant quantity of nuclear materials for sale. He is said to have provided photos of rocks next to radiation detectors and supposed lab reports to demonstrate the presence of dangerous substances like thorium and uranium.
As part of an extensive investigation, the agent orchestrated a mock meeting between Ebisawa and an individual posing as an Iranian general interested in purchasing the materials for a nuclear project. Prosecutors allege that Ebisawa boasted he could supply “plutonium,” citing its superior power compared to uranium.
DOJ Announces Nuclear Materials Trafficking Charges Against Japanese Yakuza Leader
Takeshi Ebisawa, Leader within the Yakuza Transnational Organized Crime Syndicate, Allegedly Trafficked Nuclear Materials, Including Uranium & Weapons-Grade Plutonium
— National Security Division, U.S. Dept of Justice (@DOJNatSec) February 21, 2024
In exchange for the nuclear materials, Ebisawa allegedly sought surface-to-air missiles for armed groups in Myanmar and Sri Lanka.
“The defendant stands accused of conspiring to sell weapons-grade nuclear material and lethal narcotics from Burma, and to purchase military weaponry on behalf of an armed insurgent group. It is chilling to imagine the consequences had these efforts succeeded,” Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen said, highlighting the grave implications of the scheme.
The materials obtained in the sting operation were later confirmed to be of weapons-grade quality, suitable for constructing a nuclear weapon. Ebisawa and his associates reportedly claimed access to over 4,409 pounds of thorium-232 and more than 220 pounds of uranium, specifically as “yellowcake” uranium, suggesting this could yield up to 5 tons of nuclear material.
DEA Administrator Anne Milgram condemned the accused’s actions, stating, “As alleged, the defendants in this case trafficked in drugs, weapons, and nuclear material — going so far as to offer uranium and weapons-grade plutonium fully expecting that Iran would use it for nuclear weapons.”
Florida begins cleanup after Hurricane Idalia: The Morning Rundown Aug. 31, 2023
Florida begins to assess the damage after Hurricane Idalia slammed its Gulf Coast. And Tesla is under investigation for alleged secret plans involving a glass house for Elon Musk. These stories highlight The Morning Rundown for Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023.
Hurricane Idalia barrels through Florida
Florida residents are hopeful they avoided grave devastation after Gulf Coast communities were slammed by Category 3 Hurricane Idalia on Wednesday, Aug. 30. While much damage was done from the storm’s high winds and floods, the early reports of life lost remain low.
Cleanup efforts are underway in Florida. Hundreds of thousands of residents already have their power restored. Meanwhile, Idalia weakened to a tropical storm – but still packed a punch amid its arrival in South Carolina and Georgia.
One person in Georgia has been reported dead, while two traffic deaths in Florida are being investigated as possibly storm-related.
More than 70 killed in Johannesburg building fire
At least 73 people have died and dozens more are injured after a five-story building went up in flames in the South African city of Johannesburg in the early morning hours of Thursday, Aug. 30.
The building was occupied by hundreds of homeless people, according to emergency officials at the scene. By daybreak, the flames were extinguished but recovery operations remained.
Officials say they expect to find more victims as they continue to work their way through the building.
HHS recommends reclassification of marijuana as less serious drug
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has recommended the reclassification of marijuana that would make it more accessible to Americans. The government agency is calling for an easing of federal restrictions on marijuana, something President Joe Biden has been vouching for.
HHS recommends marijuana be moved from a Schedule I to a Schedule III controlled substance, meaning the agency believes it has a low potential for abuse and dependence.
Rescheduling the drug would reduce or potentially eliminate criminal penalties for possession. The Drug Enforcement Administration will now review its recommendation and make a final decision.
Sen. McConnell appears to freeze for a second time in weeks
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell appeared to freeze up at an event in Kentucky on Aug. 30, just weeks after a similar episode in Washington.
Video shows McConnell freezing up in front of reporters. It was a lengthy pause after one reporter asked the 81-year-old Kentucky senator his thoughts on running for re-election.
After McConnell’s aide stepped in to check on the senator, she called for further assistance. A member of his security detail was heard asking the senator if he needed to step outside.
McConnell remained at the podium for a few more minutes before closing questioning. The senator froze for about 20 seconds at a news conference at the Capitol in late July.
In March, the senator suffered a concussion and broken rib after a fall.
WSJ: Tesla under investigation over ‘secret glass house project’
Tesla is under investigation for its use of company funds over an alleged secret initiative known as “Project 42,” which is believed to involve plans to build a glass house for owner Elon Musk.
According to a report from the Wall Street Journal, people familiar with the matter say the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and the Securities and Exchange Commission have each launched separate investigations into the project.
The Journal says federal prosecutors are looking into whether Tesla used its own funds for Musk’s personal use. This is the second time in one week that Elon Musk has been the center of a Department of Justice investigation. The DOJ is suing the company over alleged “discriminatory hiring practices.”
In addition, the Justice Department and SEC are also investigating the performance of Tesla’s autopilot driver assistance system.
As for “Project 42,” the Wall Street Journal reports the plans call for the glass home to be built near Tesla’s factory in Austin, Texas. Tesla did not respond to the Journal’s request for comment.
New world record set for women’s sport attendance
A new record in the world of sports has been set and this one is about the fans. Ninety-two thousand and three people filled Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska on Aug. 30 – becoming the largest crowd to witness a women’s sports event.
The venue is normally the home of Nebraska football. The fans got to see the Cornhuskers defeat Omaha 3-0 as part of a celebration called “Volleyball Day in Nebraska.”
The previous world record for women’s sport attendance was set during a 2022 Champions League soccer match – 91,648.
Cocaine found near Situation Room in White House prompts investigation
Recent reports have revealed that cocaine was discovered near to the West Executive Entrance of the White House, close to the Situation Room. Law enforcement officials are currently investigating how this substance, classified as a Schedule 2 drug by the Department of Justice and Drug Enforcement Agency, ended up in one of the most secure government buildings in the world.
The media coverage of this incident appears to vary among news outlets, with right-leaning sources giving it more prominence than left-leaning outlets, while some outlets are presenting their own spin on the story.
Online betting websites have also joined in on the speculation, listing Hunter Biden among a list of potential owners of the drugs. However, it remains unclear who brought the cocaine into the highly-trafficked area. One law enforcement official familiar with the ongoing investigation reportedly told Politico that it is unlikely the culprit will ever be found due to the nature of the discovery.
When asked about the incident, the White House referred to the Secret Service, stating that the investigation falls under their “purview.” The White House expressed confidence in the Secret Service’s ability to uncover the truth.
“We’re going to allow certainly the investigation to continue,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. “And we have confidence the Secret Service will get to the bottom of this.”
President Biden has not responded directly to questions about the cocaine discovery. House Republicans have now initiated an investigation into the matter.
“The presence of illegal drugs in the White House is unacceptable and a shameful moment in the White House’s history,” House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer wrote.
The House Oversight Committee says it plans to assess White House security practices and determine the failures that led to the evacuation of the building and the discovery of the illegal substance.
According to NBC, the bag containing the drugs is being tested for fingerprints and DNA as part of an investigation of the incident by the Secret Service. The agency’s inquiry is also reviewing visitor logs and camera footage to gather further information.
“I don’t think that this stayed around very long undetected, which gives the Secret Service a leg up because they will have some type of time frame to look through what White House pass holders, some press people, whoever else came through that West Wing tours, to see who came through the West Wing during a set time period,” former Secret Service Agent Charles Marino said.
Colombia seizes largest recorded narco-submarine carrying massive cocaine haul
Colombia’s navy successfully intercepted the largest narco-submarine ever seized in the country since data started being recorded in 1993. Measuring 100 feet in length and 10 feet in width, the submarine was found to be carrying three tons of cocaine with an estimated street value exceeding $100 million.
Colombia has long been recognized as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, fueling the global drug trade, as the United States stands as the largest consumer of cocaine worldwide. It is against this backdrop that the submarine was apprehended in the Pacific Ocean, en route to Central America, which is a common transit route for drug smuggling to the U.S.
Law enforcement authorities apprehended three crew members who were operating the narco-submarine. If convicted, these individuals could face up to 14 years in prison, underscoring the severity of penalties imposed on drug traffickers in Colombia.
The detained crew are all Colombians and claimed to have been “forced by a drug trafficking organization” to take the sub to Central America, per a statement released by the navy.
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, cocaine ranks as the second most trafficked drug into the U.S., following methamphetamine. While authorities continue to confront cocaine smuggling, they have also prioritized their efforts in cracking down on fentanyl smuggling across the U.S. border. In 2022, the DEA announced fentanyl seizures had more than doubled from the year prior, highlighting the growing problem posed by this powerful synthetic opioid.
