Face of Defense: Authorities Apprehend Smugglers, Seize $46.2M in Cocaine

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO 02.04.2020 Photo by Ricardo Castrodad U.S. Coast Guard District 7 PADET San Juan, Crew members of the Coast Guard Cutter Bear (WMEC-901) offload 3,086 pounds of cocaine Tuesday in San Juan, Puerto Rico Feb. 4, 2020. The drugs were seized following two separate interdictions in the Caribbean Sea by the Coast Guard and the United Kingdom Royal Navy Jan. 24 and Jan. 30, which resulted in the detention of nine smugglers.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – The Coast Guard, United Kingdom Royal Navy and U.S. law enforcement partners seized 1,400 kilograms (3,086) pounds of cocaine and detained nine suspected smugglers following the interdiction of two separate drug smuggling events in the Caribbean Sea Jan. 24 and Jan. 30, 2020.

The seized drug shipments are estimated to have a wholesale value of more than $46.2 million.

The interdiction was a result of an international, multi-agency law enforcement effort in support of Operation Unified Resolve, Operation Caribbean Guard, Campaign Martillo (a joint, interagency, 20-nation collaborative counter narcotic effort), and the Caribbean Corridor Strike Force (CCSF), and will be prosecuted by the U.S. Federal District Court for the District of Puerto Rico.

“These interdictions highlight the importance of working with our allied partners such as the United Kingdom Royal Navy, as well as our joint interagency collaboration with the Department of Defense and our local and federal law enforcement in the region, said Rear Adm. Eric C. Jones, commander of the Coast Guard Seventh District. “These efforts, underpinned by our unwavering resolve to stop drug smuggling vessels at sea, greatly contribute to safeguarding our citizens in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and protecting our shared interests of a safer and more secure Caribbean.”

“These interdictions highlight the importance of working with our international partners as we combat drug trafficking,” said W. Stephen Muldrow, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “These large drug seizures make our community safer by keeping the narcotics out of our neighborhoods. We commend all of our partner agencies for their steadfast efforts.”

\”These operations reiterate the significance of intelligence and resource sharing amongst agencies,” said A.J. Collazo, DEA Caribbean Division special agent in charge. “Successful interdictions like these, will continue to happen as a result of the collaborative efforts between DEA, USCG, HSI, FBI, the USAO and our foreign counterparts. We will continue to aggressively target and disrupt drug trafficking organizations operating in the Caribbean.\”

In the first interdiction, the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy RFA Mounts Bay (L3008), while on patrol with a U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) and a Coast Guard Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) armed helicopter onboard, detected two suspicious go-fast vessels, approximately 74 nautical miles south of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands.

The RFA Mounts Bay launched the Coast Guard HITRON helicopter and the ship’s pursuit vessel with the Coast Guard LEDET to interdict both suspect vessels.

The Coast Guard LEDET boarding team, with the assistance of RFA Mounts Bay crewmembers, boarded both suspect vessels, apprehending the seven men and seizing 42 bales of suspected contraband.

In the second interdiction, a marine patrol aircraft detected a northbound target of interest, southeast of Isla Beata, Dominican Republic. The cutter Bear along with a helicopter responded to interdict the go-fast. Cutter Bear’s Over the Horizon cutter boat and embarked helicopter arrived on scene and stopped the go-fast. Cutter Bear’s boarding team detained the two men aboard the go-fast, after discovering 13 bales of suspected contraband.

The cutter Bear delivered the seized contraband and detainees from both cases to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE)-HSI, and DEA special agents in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Tuesday.

Between October 2019 and December 2019, the Coast Guard and Caribbean Border Interagency Group authorities have seized 12,060 kilograms of cocaine and 407 pounds of Marijuana during law enforcement operations surrounding Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The wholesale value for these seizures is worth more than $314 million.

These cases are part of the CCSF, a multiagency OCDETF strike force comprised of federal and state law enforcement agencies, including the DEA, DHS, ICE, FBI, USCG, U.S. Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service and the Puerto Rico Department of Public Safety.

The Coast Guard’s efforts under Operation Unified Resolve contribute to the interagency results being achieved each and every day locally under Operation Caribbean Guard, which coordinates efforts between the Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Commonwealth and Territorial law enforcement partners, who are working diligently to deter, detect and disrupt illicit maritime trafficking to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Cutter Bear (WMEC-901) is a 270-foot medium endurance cutter homeported in Portsmouth Va.

The RFA Mounts Bay is a Bay-class auxiliary landing ship dock belonging to the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA), which provides logistical support to the United Kingdom Royal Navy.

Things to Do to Keep Safe While Traveling by Air

olive-wolverine-471793.hostingersite.com (February 6, 2020)–At a time when the entire world has gotten under the grip of the Coronavirus, it becomes important to talk about the ways in which we can handle ourselves and look after our health while traveling by air. Air travel is one of the easiest ways and the most convenient means of moving across long distances. But the same convenience and comfort can turn to ashes in the mouth when you have a virus at large, floating freely across volumes of air. It is not just about battling Coronavirus when you are traveling by air; it is about staying safe by all means and under every circumstance. The outbreak of this particular virus might not be a long-term affair. It shall subside like every other epidemic after a short while, but that is not a blank check to throwing caution to the air and not paying much attention to one’s health while traveling via air.

The article that we have put together talks about the ways in which we can stay safe while catching that plane, not just from a virus but also from unforeseen circumstances like the loss of documents and valuables while traveling.

Take Care of Your Health While Traveling:

You cannot hope to survive the ravages of any demanding situation if you have to keep worrying about your deteriorating health. It is imperative that you pay the utmost attention to your body while traveling by air. We shall, therefore, talk about the ways in which you can look after your health and then move on to the other aspects of air travel. Traveling by a domestic flight or not, booked via

Jettly

, prioritizing your health is primal.

Remember to Wear Masks-

You might not understand the importance of wearing masks while traveling by air, but it is time that you do. The air surrounding us is a disease-carrying vector, and it only takes less than a second to fall prey to the nuisance of a virus. Therefore, always use a mask even if you are seated within the confines of the aircraft.

Wash Your Hands Before and After Using the Toilet in the Plane-

You never know the kind of diseases that people are capable of carrying in them. Therefore, you must make it a point to sanitize your hands or at least wash it with plain water after you use the toilet. The toilet is the place where you are more prone to getting infected, and thus, you cannot afford to take any chances.

Drink Up-

As some would say, water solves everything. And the need for water by your body increases all the more when you are traveling. Therefore, make sure that you are hydrated; enough to sustain the long haul by air.

Keep One Eye On Your Travel Documents, Always:

Now that we have covered the discussion on how to take care of your health while boarding the flight, it is time to pay attention to the travel documents. You cannot afford to lose your documents or your valuables while traveling via air. Therefore, it is essential to understand how you could keep your documents safe or at least deal with a situation where one or more of your documents go missing.

Always Keep a Backup of Your Documents-

A photocopy might not serve the exact purpose as that of an original, but you could rest assured that the photocopies can at least serve as pieces of vital evidence. In case your documents go missing, you can always furnish your photocopies and apply for a set of new ones.

Keep Your Passport Handy-

Keep your passport safe, but do not pack it with your clothes. Keep your passport in your handbag so that you can always keep an eye on it and reach out for it when required. You cannot afford to lose your passport while flying.

Do Not Keep Your Documents in the Check-in Baggage-

Airlines take the utmost care in keeping your check-in baggage safe. But there is always a slim chance of losing a piece of your luggage or two. Therefore, you must avoid keeping your important documents in the check-in baggage.

Conclusion:

It is important to be safe while you are traveling by air. Airlines might have their own sweet ways of taking care of their passengers. But, you, as an aware and responsible passenger, must take up the measures of keeping yourself safe and protected against threats of all kinds.

Features of Real Estate Insurance in the USA

olive-wolverine-471793.hostingersite.com (February 6, 2020)–The US insurance market is considered the most developed in the world. Thousands of insurance organizations work in the country. Relations in the field of property insurance are regulated in each state separately, and not by federal laws. This system, along with geographical and climatic features in different regions, has led to the formation of various tariffs and features of the damage coverage package. In addition to property insurance against fires, residents of different states try to protect themselves from floods, hurricanes, and earthquakes. Many take the opportunity to insure title rights to real estate in order to avoid problems when disputes arise with other applicants. Therefore, if you plan to secure your property, make sure to visit

www.americaninsurance.com

Volunteering and Obligations

According to the law, the conclusion of an agreement with insurers is an exclusively voluntary decision. But many people are simply forced to purchase policies. The grounds may be the following:

Tenant association requirements;

Bank conditions when applying for a mortgage.

Residents of regions prone to frequent natural disasters ensure real estate so as not to stay on the streets after another natural disaster. Many also seek to protect themselves from damage caused by fires. According to statistics, they are the most common reason for contacting insurers for payments.

Many states have special natural disaster insurance programs that commercial structures have traditionally been abandoned. This includes floods and earthquakes. They are being developed at the federal level and with the local government. Home or other property insurance is conditionally voluntary for participation in such programs. Anyone can refuse to do this. But in the event of natural disasters, such people will not be able to rely on state aid, loans, and subsidies if the building was damaged during a devastating event typical of the region.

A real estate insurance policy takes effect only 30 days after its conclusion. This reduces the chances of attempts to pay security fees only when an immediate threat arises. For example, if you were insured against a hurricane and it erupted in a week, you will not be able to receive compensation.

Title Insurance

Here we are not talking about an honorary title, but about the right to a specific property. As a rule, after acquiring property, people receive identification documents. Before the transaction, the legal purity of the object is checked. But this does not exclude a dispute. After all, sometimes documents that no one has seen for hundreds of years can come up, and the court will review the rights of the owners, giving the recently acquired property to other people. Title insurance protects against such cases.

The cost of the policy is less than one percent of the value of the object. However, if an insured event occurs, the damage is calculated based on the prices that exist at the time the payment becomes necessary. For example, a house is worth a million. When buying, the price was 50,000. In case of loss of ownership, the owner who insured the title will receive a million.

Celebrate Gloucester Catholic Pride on Maroon & Gold Day

gostrum

January 2020

/ Comments are Disabled

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ–Join us in a celebration of Gloucester Catholic pride as GC will sponsor a Maroon & Gold Day Exposition on Saturday, February 8, 2020 in which Ram students will display their talents in the arts. During the day’s activities, come view beautiful art work displayed by Gloucester Catholic students, who are mentored by GCHS faculty member Mr. Dave Sipple. Art work will be on display on the first floor of the St. Mary’s Building from 12 noon through 2 pm.

DRPA Announces Bond Rating Upgrades by Moody’s Investors Service

Ratings agency cites DRPA’s solid metrics in recent fiscal years and management’s tight control over costs

Camden, NJ – Today, Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) officials announced that the independent credit agency, Moody’s Investors Service (Moody’s) has upgraded the ratings on the bi-state agency’s outstanding Revenue Bonds to A1 from A2 and the rating on its outstanding Port District Project (PDP) bonds to Baa1 from Baa2. Moody’s previously upgraded these bonds in 2017.

Moody’s cites “solid metrics in fiscal year 2018 and expected for 2019” and projects that “management will continue to maintain a tight control over costs” as reasons for the ratings upgrade rationale. The ratings report also reflects Moody’s view of the following DRPA strengths:

Very strong liquidity with a decline slightly with cash on hand in the next few years due in part to fund a $810 million 5-year capital plan for 2020-2024;

No toll increases through at least 2023. Tolls were last increased in 2011;

Changes in debt structure including the elimination of swaps and variable rate debt;

No debt issuances planned in the next 24 months; and

Investment in enterprise resource planning and other technology.

“With this ratings upgrade, the financial community is recognizing the unprecedented levels of investment DRPA is making in our bridges and PATCO line, and also in our people through training and technology,” said John T. Hanson, DRPA CEO and President, PATCO. “We are able to continue to do all this while making a commitment to freezing tolls until at least 2023.”

“The upgrades by Moody’s, reinforces the fact that the DRPA has achieved and sustained a superior level of financial performance for almost a decade,” said James M. White, DRPA Chief Financial Officer. “This rating action also reflects a high level of operational excellence at the DRPA’s bridges, on the train line, and among administrative support staff.”

These latest upgrades join several other upgrades over the past several years by both Moody’s and S&P Global Ratings (S&P), in recognition of DRPA’s continued financial stability and financial performance. DRPA’s excellent financial state and annual cash flows support the funding of the Authority’s $810 million in capital projects necessary to maintain, improve and upgrade four bridges and the PATCO transit line. Major projects include: Ben Franklin Bridge Suspension Span & Anchorage Rehabilitation ($217M); Whitman Bridge Corridor Rehabilitation at I-76 ($74M); PATCO Franklin Square Station Reopening ($29M); bridge painting ($161M); and elevator installations at PATCO stations ($38M).

To view the Moody’s Investors Service press release,

click here

Democratic Candidate Harrison Supports Legalization of Marijuana

[February 5, 2020 – Longport, New Jersey] – Last week, Brigid Callahan Harrison, Democratic candidate for Congress in New Jersey\’s second congressional district, met with leaders at the

National Cannabis Industry Association

. The following is a summary statement Brigid provided regarding her stance on the legalization of cannabis and criminal justice reform:

I support the legalization of regulated buying and selling of marijuana.

The federal government should decriminalize marijuana by removing cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act, because families should not be torn apart due to a loved one being incarcerated on a minor marijuana charge.

It is imperative that the federal government take the lead on this issue. Currently, because of varying state laws, over 31,000 New Jerseyans and 660,000 Americans are arrested each year for doing something that many states have legalized. Federal, state, and municipal governments invest $3.6 billion enforcing marijuana laws, costing governments about $4390 per arrest, while ten states have legalized marijuana. This perpetuates an unequal system in which the poor are often subject to different rules than those who can travel to use marijuana recreationally, and one in which taxpayers are forced to bear the enormous fiscal burden of enforcement.

For me, the most important component of legalization centers on issues of social justice and legal fairness: I support policy that directs the federal courts to expunge prior convictions, allows prior offenders to request expungement with the help of an

expungement attorney

, and requires courts to conduct re-sentencing hearings for those still under supervision. Today prior convictions create a form of economic discrimination that prevent those convicted of low-level marijuana possession charges from attaining employment and may be used against those convicted in civil matters, including in custody

determinations and adoption decisions.

I want to ensure all people are given the same rights and are not discriminated against, so in Washington I will support legislation to prohibit the denial of any federal public benefit because of the possession of marijuana or prior conviction of a marijuana offense.

Another important consideration of legalization centers on social justice and economic fairness. As Congresswoman from the second congressional district, I would support the levying of a 5 percent sales tax on marijuana and marijuana products to create a dedicated revenue stream to assist those negatively impacted by the policy of criminalized marijuana, including job training and re-entry and other services needed by those returning to their communities.

Communities, too, need to be made whole, and small business development grants should be funded to ensure that communities that have paid the price for criminalized marijuana are given the opportunity to thrive and prosper through legalization.

Finally, an important component of legalization involves the creation of a regulatory structure that serves to address the public policy concerns of each cannabis product that would be available to consumers. In Congress, I would support the creation of such a structure housed in existing government agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration and the Tobacco Tax Bureau, which are specifically and uniquely qualified address the important public policy questions associated with the legalization various cannabis products.

Arrests for low level marijuana possession have disproportionately decimated the lives of people of color. High levels of incarceration have torn apart families, wreaked havoc on communities, and burdened municipal governments that often are not only charged with enforcing existing drug laws, but then also providing the support for those left behind when a loved one is sent to jail for a low level drug conviction. The implementation of a legalization policy must lead attempt to remedy the injustices that have been perpetrated in the past.

American Water Implements Temporary Treatment Change in Water Treatment Plants

February, 2020

CAMDEN City, N.J.–(

BUSINESS WIRE

)–As part of an annual maintenance program for its water distribution system, New Jersey American Water will temporarily change the water treatment process from a chloramine (combined) residual to free chlorine residual at the company’s Raritan-Millstone and Canal Road Water Treatment plants. These surface

water treatment plants serve New Jersey American Water customers in the following counties: Essex, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Somerset and Union.

“This periodic, scheduled change in disinfectant is a standard water treatment practice that allows us to continue to ensure safe, high-quality water for our customers,” said Matthew Csik, Director of Water Quality and Environmental Compliance, New Jersey American Water. “We perform this distribution system maintenance program every year as an added measure to further disinfect the pipelines in our distribution system.”

The temporary treatment process will begin on Monday, February 10, 2020, and continue until the end of April 2020. During this period, some customers may notice a slight taste and smell of chlorine in their water. This is normal and will only be temporary until the system maintenance is complete. Customers who wish to reduce the taste of chlorine can place water in an uncovered glass container in the refrigerator overnight to dissipate chlorine faster.

“As always, we will continue to monitor water quality in the system to ensure that customers receive water that meets or is better than federal and state drinking water standards,” Csik said.

The temporary treatment change applies to New Jersey American Water customers in the following communities. (Communities with an asterisk purchase water from New Jersey American Water.)

Essex County

Irvington, Maplewood, Millburn and West Orange

Hunterdon County

: Flemington Borough*, Raritan Township, Readington Township and Tewksbury Township

Mercer County

: Hopewell Township, Lawrence Township, Princeton Borough, Princeton Junction, Princeton Township, Trenton* and West Windsor Township

Middlesex County

: Cranbury Township, Dunellen Borough, Edison Township, Jamesburg Borough, Middlesex Borough, Monroe Township, North Brunswick*, Piscataway Township, Plainsboro Township, South Brunswick Township and South Plainfield Borough

Morris County

: Chatham Township, Florham Park Borough, Long Hill Township, Mendham Township and Mendham Borough

Somerset County

: Bedminster Township, Bernards Township, Bernardsville Borough, Bound Brook Borough, Branchburg Township, Bridgewater Township, Far Hills Borough, Franklin Township, Green Brook Township, Hillsborough Township, Manville Borough, Millstone Borough, Montgomery Township, North Plainfield Borough, Peapack & Gladstone Borough, Raritan Borough, Rocky Hill*, Somerville Borough, South Bound Brook Borough, Warren Township and Watchung Borough

Union County

: Berkley Heights Township, City of Rahway*, Clark Township, Cranford Township, City of Elizabeth (Liberty)*, Fanwood Borough, Garwood Borough, Hillside Township, Kenilworth Borough, Linden City, Mountainside Borough, New Providence Borough, Plainfield City, Roselle Borough, Roselle Park Borough, Scotch Plains Township, Springfield Township, Summit, Union Township, Westfield Township and Winfield Park Township*

New Jersey American Water has used

chloramines

in its water treatment process since the 1970s. For more information, visit

newjerseyamwater.com

About New Jersey American Water

New Jersey American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 2.7 million people. For more information, visit

www.newjerseyamwater.com

and follow New Jersey American Water on

Twitter

and

Facebook

About American Water

With a history dating back to 1886, American Water is the largest and most geographically diverse U.S. publicly traded water and wastewater utility company. The company employs more than 7,100 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and market-based drinking water, wastewater and other related services to more than 14 million people in 46 states. American Water provides safe, clean, affordable and reliable water services to our customers to make sure we keep their lives flowing. For more information, visit

amwater.com

and follow American Water on

Twitter

Facebook

and

ICE removes Kazakhstan national convicted of weapons trafficking to Russia

PHILADELPHIA — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) removed Eldar Rezvanov on Jan. 16, to his home country of Kazakhstan via commercial aircraft.

Rezvanov was convicted for international arms trafficking by exporting defense articles without obtaining a license or authorization.

Rezvanov and his coconspirator attempted to conceal the export of the firearms and firearm parts by using aliases to purchase the components and by providing false information on federal forms about the final destination of the articles. They smuggled the firearms and firearm parts onto overseas flights using false shipping inventories and concealed the disassembled firearm components by taping them to metal kitchen utensils before shipping them overseas.

“This individual took advantage of the many opportunities this country granted him,” said ICE Philadelphia Field Office Director Simona Flores-Lund. “Eldar Rezvanov started out as an international student, and three years later he was attempting to export an incredible number of firearms and ammunition to Russia. Thanks to our local and federal partners, this individual has served time and is now removed from the United States.”

In January 2013, Rezvanov was admitted into the U.S. as a F-1 non-immigrant student for the duration of his student status at Virginia International University. Rezvanov was granted employment status until February 2015. He then transferred to the American College of Commerce and Technology, and in November 2015, they terminated his student status in SEVIS for failure to enroll.

On Nov. 10, 2016, the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police arrested Rezvanov and charged him with kidnapping and abduction of a foreign national. Rezvanov and his codefendants allegedly kidnapped an individual, held him hostage, beat him, and forced him to meet ransom demands.

On Nov. 29, 2016, the D.C Department of Corrections remanded Rezvanov to ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington custody. On the same date, HSI Washington turned Rezvanov over to ERO Washington custody, who detained him at the Farmville Detention Center in Farmville, VA. On April 11, 2017, an immigration judge (IJ) issued Rezvanov bond, and he posted bond.

On Oct. 20, 2017, after being notified by local law enforcement that Rezvanov was possibly involved in the illegal export of AECA controlled items, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) identified and examined several packages Rezvanov shipped at the Park Fairfax Post Office. These packages contained: 395 firearms parts such as firing pins, springs and extractors; 75 magazines for Glocks and AK 47 rifles; and 20 barrels and slides for Glock pistols.

The Arms Export Control Act (AECA) requires individuals to obtain a license from the Department of State (DOS) Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) to export Defense Articles on the United States Munitions List (USML) from the United States to another country.

On Nov. 2, 2017, Rezvanov attempted to ship another package to Chechnya, Russia containing gun barrels taped to metals spatulas and gun slides taped to small wheels in an effort to conceal them as casters for kitchen cabinets. USPIS seized both of these shipments.

Without obtaining the required license, Rezvanov and his coconspirator purchased and attempted to export from the United States to Grozny, Chechnya: 7 full pistols; 130 assembled lower receivers; 266 firearm slides; 158 firearm barrels; 996 firearm magazines; 10 stocks; 133 firearm frames; and 453 firearm parts, including springs and firing pins. Purchasers were under aliases, and the firearm components were taped to kitchen utensils.

On Feb. 22, 2018, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia (EDVA) issued an arrest warrant for Rezvanov for violating AECA. On Feb. 27, 2018, HSI Washington arrested Rezvanov in Arlington, VA.

On July 24, 2018, Rezvanov was convicted of violating the AECA and international traffic in arms regulations. On April 15, 2019, ERO Philadelphia encountered Rezvanov at the Moshannon Valley Correctional Center (MVCC) in Philipsburg, PA and lodged an Immigration Detainer. On Nov. 8, 2019, MVCC remanded Rezvanov to ERO Philadelphia custody, who detained him at the Clinton County Correctional Facility (CCCF) in McElhattan, PA.

On Dec. 12, 2019, an IJ ordered Rezvanov removed from the United States to Kazakhstan. Rezvanov waived appeal. On Jan. 16, 2020, Rezvanov was removed from the United States.

Society’s Most Feared Disease

(NAPS)—Even more than cancer, there’s one disease most people fear. The thought of falling prey to Alzheimer’s disease and to the inevitable desecration of the mind is something that can make even the

bravest shudder.

After all, if you’re robbed of your sense of who you really are, you’re doomed to live your last days without the dignity that defines you and that you hold dear. Perhaps the ultimate horror of Alzheimer’s disease is that it is as indiscriminate, merciless, and devastating as a wind-swept wildfire.

As a result, a disease-modifying treatment for Alzheimer’s disease has become a Holy Grail of sorts in the biotech industry. The disease is so ubiquitous, it casts a shadow over just about everyone’s family. At the same time, it exacts a devastating financial toll on society—perhaps even greater than cancer—with Alzheimer’s disease patients needing 24-hour care for an average of eight years and sometimes as many as 20 years.

The estimated cost for caring for Americans with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias is well in excess of a quarter of a trillion dollars per annum. This doesn’t even include unpaid caregiving. Also, Alzheimer’s disease is ranked as the third leading cause of death of seniors in the United States, surpassed only by heart disease and cancer. Approximately 6 million Americans have become its victims, and this number rises each year as lifespans increase due to advancements in medical science.

Progress From Pharmaceuticals

Fortunately, a few pharmaceutical companies, including Biogen, AC Immune SA and NervGen Pharma, have come up with ways to potentially treat the condition and perhaps slow it down. NervGen’s medical researchers are working on what may become an important breakthrough for Alzheimer’s and other afflictions that are defined by nerve damage.

Could This Be Modern Medicine’s Holy Grail?

Until recently, NervGen’s focus has mostly been on developing nerve regeneration for the treatment of spinal cord injuries. In fact, some remarkable results have been achieved in preclinical trials, including one where the treated rodents regained substantial functionality in their legs after sustaining severe spinal cord damage.

Assuming it also works in humans, the medical science world will be paying very close attention because there are no known therapies that can stimulate human nerve regeneration now.

In addition, NervGen intends to commence a Phase 2 clinical trial for treating multiple sclerosis. The company’s drug candidate is expected to treat many of such debilitating symptoms as numbness, loss of sensation, chronic and debilitating pain, partial loss of movement, paralysis, and even incontinence due to additional mechanisms of action called “remyelination” and “plasticity.”

The research team also believes that the same nerve-rejuvenating biotechnology can be adapted to treat Alzheimer’s disease, not just mitigate its symptoms due to its truly novel and innovate approach.

The essence of this technology is that it unlocks a damaged nervous system’s natural ability to repair itself. Proprietary molecules “unstick” nerves and prevent new ones from getting stuck by interfering with synaptic-like connections so the nerves can regrow in places that are normally highly inhibited by scar tissue.

The co-inventor of NervGen’s technology, Dr. Jerry Silver, is one of the world’s most foremost neuroscience researchers of spinal cord injury. Dr. Silver, who is also Professor of Neurosciences at Cleveland’s Case Western Reserve University’s School of Medicine, has been working this unique approach to nerve rejuvenation biotechnology since the early ’90s by focusing on a protein called CSPG that inhibits the body’s natural ability to grow and regenerate.

Heretofore, no drugs have been approved anywhere in the world for nerve regeneration and remyelination, as well as improved plasticity in damaged nerves. Additionally, existing treatments are not considered very effective. So, the stakes are especially high for NervGen to create a blockbuster drug candidate that promises to even outshine any other Alzheimer’s disease drug. This is a wonderful opportunity to pioneer nerve repairing drug therapies that target some of the most devastating and pervasive diseases known to humankind.

Learn More

For further facts and figures about NervGen Pharma, go to

www.nervgen.com

Authorities Investigate Bias Incident in Swainton

Cape May Court House, New Jersey (February 4, 2020)– Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland announces the Middle Township Police Department reported a racial, white supremacist slur was discovered on January 31, 2020, painted on a telephone pole, located on a utility power access road, in the Swainton neighborhood of Middle Township.

Middle Township Police took immediate steps to remove/obscure the racist slur. The public creation/display of such a racial slur is known as a “bias incident”; which is defined as a negative act which occurs to a person, private property or public property on the basis of race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, national origin or ethnicity.

New Jersey has a specific bias crime criminal statute that provides that a “person is guilty of a crime of bias intimidation if he commits, attempts to commit, conspires to commit, or threatens the immediate commission of …” certain criminal offenses (.e.- theft, assault, property damage, homicide, etc.) “with the purpose to intimidate an individual or group of individuals because of race, color, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, or ethnicity”. As of now, the racial slur that was found in Swainton is considered a “bias incident” although there is an ongoing investigation. It is important that any bias incident is reported to local law enforcement even if you do not believe it was a “bias crime”.

Chief of Detectives Paul Skill of the Cape May County Prosecutor’s office states; “We have zero tolerance for bias crimes in Cape May County. Law enforcement needs to know about any such incident (whether or not it is a crime) to first make sure that any victim’s needs are addressed, to assure the public that law enforcement will act when there is any bias incident or crime and that any perpetrators are found and criminal charged.”

County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland states; “We need to know about any bias incidents to provide law enforcement with an accurate picture of activities that even if they are not currently a crime – they could lead to crimes in the future; or be evidence of hate groups in our community or being organized in our community and planning or engaged in potential bias crimes.”

If you are a victim of or witness a bias incident or bias crime in Cape May County report the incident to your local police by dialing 911, or contacting the Cape May County Prosecutor’s office (609) 465-1135, ex. 3331 or the New Jersey Department of Criminal Justice Bias Crime Tip line (800) 277-BIAS(2427).