Caryn has focused on organised crime in South Africa and how this ties into globally operating syndicates. Here are some of her articles published on Daily Maverick and in the Daily Maverick 168 newspaper.
SA caught in Bulgaria’s underworld web of dirty global politics as ‘links’ between oligarch and Prigozhin emerge Daily Maverick can now reveal that allegations previously surfaced that Krasimir Kamenov was associated with Vasil Bozhkov, nicknamed The Skull, who is also accused of political meddling and recently been linked, via allegations, to Yevgeny Prigozhin, who headed the Wagner mercenary group until his apparent death in a jet crash in Russia last month.
Constantia killings and FBI-wanted ‘Cryptoqueen’ Ruja Ignatova’s intriguing SA links The murder in Cape Town of Bulgarian Krasimir Kamenov last month has thrown up links to a billion-dollar fraud ‘cryptoqueen’ who is wanted by the FBI. She, in turn, has her own ties to South Africa.
‘Gold Mafia’ whistle-blower places wanted terrorist Dawood Ibrahim in Gupta, Zuma circles Dawood Ibrahim is one of India’s most wanted terror suspects and is accused of working with the Taliban. An Al Jazeera exposé places him in this country during Jacob Zuma’s presidency – and in State Capture circles.
Dubye to justice – alleged drug kingpin wanted by the Dutch also freed in Gupta-style UAE extradition saga In November, alleged drug kingpin Edin ‘Tito’ Gacanin was arrested in Dubai in a global crackdown and the Netherlands wanted him sent there. Instead, he was freed amid claims that the extradition paperwork wasn’t correct. This case mirrors that of the Guptas.
South Africa ensnared in deadly global web of violence as Israeli criminal underworld spreads its tentacles One of Israel’s most wanted crime suspects was arrested in Johannesburg in November. It turns out he is linked to an unprecedented investigation into a globally powerful organised crime syndicate stemming from his home country.
Cross-country killings – Evidence suggests rival gangs in Israel brought their fight to South Africa Assassinations in South Africa have been linked to battles between opposing crime organisations in Israel. It strengthens suspicions that these gangs use this country when things get too hot at home.
B(l)ooming ecological crime ravaging SA exposed after three Saudi Arabians caught stealing 1.6m seeds and flora The case is yet another matter pointing to a time-sensitive crime crisis ravaging critical ecosystems in South Africa. Prosecuting authorities have warned that criminals targeting plants pose an immense and potentially irreversible problem. Some plants, like succulents, that are stolen and retrieved by police cannot simply be returned to the wild.
US claims South Africa targeted in Russia’s global hack attack campaigns South Africa has emerged as one of about 135 countries the US claims Russian government employees targeted as part of two massive hacking campaigns aimed at disrupting energy companies and critical infrastructure. The alleged aim was to ‘undertake a sophisticated campaign to target and compromise (i.e. ‘hack’), and maintain persistent access to the networks of critical infrastructure and energy companies worldwide.’
Red flagged: Terror-linked networks in South Africa a ticking time bomb Two weeks before the US warned that Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (Isis) members in South Africa were increasingly helping to transfer funds to the militant group’s branches across the continent, Parliament heard that the South African authorities are failing to properly profile terrorist financiers.
South Africa’s lucrative drugs highway to the land Down Under DM168 has established, via two sources linked to policing, that Australian syndicates have tapped into South African ones, using local drug networks to sell illicit substances. Pointsmen in this country are also used to ensure consignments are delivered to Australia. It also appears that some of the cocaine moving through South Africa is from Colombia and that coastal hubs here have been earmarked as ‘hotspot destinations’ for selling the drug.
Former Mafia-linked banker Vito Palazzolo tells South African government: ‘I’m back, but I’m no threat’ One of the most controversial figures to have called South Africa home and who was suspected of having links to the Mafia, underworld figures as well as high-ranking local politicians, has apparently received the green light to enter this country again – which he has done. DM168 can reveal that Vito Roberto Palazzolo, who now goes by the name Robert von Palace Kolbatschenko, recently visited South Africa. And there is nothing to suggest the former jailbird – who has been imprisoned in Switzerland, Thailand and Italy – will not do so again.
No business like blow business: Encrypted devices unravel knots of worldwide organised crime A multimillion-rand cocaine crackdown in SA is linked to high-level investigations in the US and Australia involving multinational criminals and encrypted communication devices.
Hits and highs: South Africa in the crossfire of warring drug cartels South Africa has been the scene of a string of startling assassinations over the past few decades, some with possible links to large-scale local and international drug dealing. Cocooned in a thick layer of suspected state collusion, these crime battles are exceptionally difficult and dangerous to properly unravel.
US digs deeper to reveal South Africa’s links to global drug trafficking networks An Indian drug lord and a Cuban dealer, who were both previously based in this country, have been the focus of separate court cases in the US. Details gleaned from these two matters hint at the depth of secrets the US likely has on South Africa and its organised crime terrain.
Escobar man’s ‘Narcos’-styled life: How a Cuban drug lord ran a global cartel from the safe haven of South Africa For about two decades one of the world’s most notorious drug dealers, Nelson Pablo Yester-Garrido, called South Africa home; and he is suspected of running his empire from this country, despite being arrested in connection with a multimillion-rand cocaine bust in Port Elizabeth and being wanted in the United States.
From Zim, with Love: The Russian roulette of explosives smuggling In early January, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that South Africa’s land borders would be closed until at least mid-February due to the Covid-19 crisis. This includes the Beitbridge crossing between South Africa and Zimbabwe, a border that is exceptionally dangerous thanks to what some risk their lives trying to smuggle through it – explosives that could ignite at any moment.
All that glitters: A look into illicit gold networks The Midas touch connecting South Africa to global smugglers, terrorists and Dubai’s dubious gold industry. South Africa has surfaced as a key transit point for bullion smugglers wanting to channel the precious metal to and from one of the world’s most prolific players in the gold industry – Dubai. Piecing together a number of arrests that have led to local police and South African Revenue Service (SARS) investigations, conducted over several years, a picture emerges of just how much of a cog this country has become in illicit gold networks.
Charges against murdered ‘Steroid King’ reveal a global web of crime cases Next month three suspects are expected in a Cape Town court in connection with the 2017 murder of steroid smuggler Brian Wainstein. Another local figure named in related court papers is on an Interpol wanted list. A closer look at allegations against Wainstein reveals an intricate network of court cases and suspects linking South Africa to Ireland, the US, UK, Canada and China.