A man suspected of drug trafficking was apprehended near the California shoreline this week when federal agents uncovered cocaine valued at $6.4 million on an oil tanker linked to a Mexican drug cartel.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California revealed that Ceasar Tubay Gelacio Jr., a 43-year-old Filipino national, faces charges for importing a controlled substance.

Authorities reported that Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the U.S. Coast Guard executed a collaborative mission on Thursday on the Motor Tanker Aquatravesia. This crude oil vessel was stationed at the Port of Los Angeles.

During the operation, a narcotics detection dog from the Coast Guard signaled the presence of illicit materials, leading investigators to verify that the shipment included 500 pounds of cocaine, with an estimated street value of $6.4 million, as stated by the Department of Homeland Security.

THE COAST GUARD CUTTER MUNRO RETURNS TO CALIFORNIA FOLLOWING A RECORD-BREAKING 11-TON COCAINE BUST

Federal agents seized roughly 500 pounds of cocaine aboard an oil tanker off the California coast, authorities said. (Department of Homeland Security)

“This operation highlights Homeland Security Investigations’ unwavering commitment to combating transnational crime and safeguarding the United States from illicit narcotics,” HSI Los Angeles Special Agent in Charge Eddy Wang said in a statement.

“HSI’s swift response and investigative expertise were instrumental in identifying and seizing over 226 kilograms of cocaine destined for our communities,” Wang continued. “We remain dedicated to pursuing those who attempt to exploit our ports and transportation systems, and to working with our partners to disrupt criminal organizations that threaten public safety.”

Capt. Stacey Crecy, sector commander for Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach, called the seizure a “testament to the coordinated efforts” of DHS agencies working to dismantle drug-smuggling operations.

BONDI, PATEL ANNOUNCE SEIZURE OF OVER $509M IN COCAINE LINKED TO CARTELS

Authorities said the cocaine discovered aboard the oil tanker had an estimated street value of $6.4 million. (Department of Homeland Security; U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California)

“Through stellar coordination, we effectively detained the suspect and removed the contraband from the vessel to protect the maritime transportation system and facilitate commerce as quickly as possible,” Crecy said.

According to an affidavit filed in the case, authorities received information that the Greek-owned, Liberian-flagged Aquatravesia, which last departed from Ecuador, was traveling to the United States carrying a large shipment of drugs intended for a Mexican cartel.

Crew members allegedly discovered numerous packages hidden inside the ship’s garbage room that were believed to contain narcotics, according to the affidavit.

COAST GUARD HELICOPTER SNIPER TAKES OUT NARCO-BOAT ENGINES IN STUNNING EXCLUSIVE VIDEO

The U.S. Coast Guard and Homeland Security Investigations conducted a joint boarding operation aboard the tanker in the Port of Los Angeles. (Department of Homeland Security)

Prosecutors said the ship’s captain interviewed crew members and learned the drugs allegedly belonged to Gelacio. The captain then moved the narcotics to another part of the vessel.

While the Aquatravesia was still in Mexican waters, the captain was allegedly told cartel members would be waiting roughly 80 nautical miles offshore on the evening of May 14 and the early morning of May 15 to retrieve the drugs, according to the complaint.

If the narcotics were not delivered, additional boats would allegedly intercept the vessel in Mexican waters and recover the contraband.

$20M WORTH OF COCAINE, MARIJUANA INTERCEPTED BY COAST GUARD

Packages of suspected cocaine were recovered from aboard an oil tanker during a joint federal drug-smuggling investigation off the California coast, authorities said. (Department of Homeland Security)

Prosecutors also said the captain received radio calls from cartel members attempting to communicate with the Aquatravesia before boarding or seizing the vessel.

U.S. authorities directed the tanker to continue to the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, where law enforcement boarded the vessel Thursday.

Authorities allege Gelacio received the narcotics in Ecuador and intended to distribute them to another party while the ship traveled near Mexico.

If convicted, Gelacio faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.

DHS said two additional individuals were also taken into custody in connection with the operation.

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DENVER — The Colorado Avalanche, who dominated the NHL regular season, find themselves in a precarious position, facing a formidable Vegas Golden Knights team reinvigorated by a recent coaching change.

“I don’t think anyone expected this,” admitted Golden Knights defenseman Dylan Coghlan. “But we believed we could make it happen.”

In a surprising turn of events, Jack Eichel and Ivan Barbashev netted goals just 2:07 apart in the third period, leading the Golden Knights to a 3-1 victory over the Avalanche on Friday night. This win gives Vegas a commanding 2-0 lead in the Western Conference Final.

Eichel first brought the score level before assisting Barbashev on the decisive goal with 8:38 left on the clock. Barbashev later secured the win with an empty-net goal with 1:03 remaining, overturning the Avalanche’s initial 1-0 advantage and leaving the home crowd in disbelief.

With two victories at Ball Arena, the Golden Knights have placed the top-seeded Avalanche in a difficult situation. Historically, since 1982, teams that have taken a 2-0 lead on the road in the conference finals have maintained a perfect 13-0 series record.

“They understand the situation,” said Vegas coach John Tortorella, who has watched his team go 17-4-1 since he took over on March 29. “I’m not sure where the series goes. I’m not sure where Game 3 goes. But I know I’m not going to have to worry about that, because they get it.”

Carter Hart had another stellar performance, stopping 29 shots. He made 36 saves in a 4-2 win on Wednesday.

Colorado was cruising after Ross Colton opened the scoring in the first period. But things unraveled for the Avalanche in the third. Eichel lined a shot past Scott Wedgewood for his first goal in 11 games to get Vegas on the board.

“I haven’t scored in a million days,” he cracked.

The Golden Knights then took advantage of a miscue — Devon Toews and Brock Nelson struggled to clear the puck along the boards in the Avalanche end — as Eichel sent a pass to Barbashev, who rang in a shot off the post.

This was the fourth third-period comeback by the Golden Knights in this postseason, the most in a single playoffs in team history, according to NHL Stats.

“Just resiliency,” Hart said. “That’s the key word for our group here — we’ve just stuck in games and just grinded it out, and just battled. Resiliency, that’s a term that describes our group really well. We’re never out of the fight, and we’re always grinding in games.”

Game 3 is Sunday night in Las Vegas. The Avalanche are hoping to have star defenseman Cale Makar back in the lineup. He has missed the last two games because of an upper-body injury.

“There’s urgency to get him back since he got hurt,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said. “He’s doing all the work he can possibly do to get back as fast as he can.”

Before the Golden Knights’ rally, the Avalanche were 45-0-0 when leading after two periods in the regular season and playoffs combined.

“It stings for sure right now,” Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog said. “But tomorrow we’ll wake up, have a meeting, fly to Vegas and regroup. That’s all you can do.”

Vegas struggled on the power play, going 0 of 4. The team also saw defenseman Brayden McNabb limp to the locker room in the first period soon after taking a check along the boards. He returned for the third period. The hard-checking Golden Knights finished with 32 hits and 16 blocked shots.

“We know how hard it is to win,” Eichel said. “A lot of that falls on playing hard defensively.”

Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson briefly left late in the second period after delivering a check on Barbashev and then ramming his face into the boards.

Wedgewood had 22 saves.

“We can’t ride the emotional roller-coaster like fans,” Bednar said. “If you lose Game 1, you’re getting swept. If you win Game 1, we’re sweeping them. That’s not reality. You have to deal with the task at hand and what’s to come. We’re not going to try and win four games the next night in Vegas. We’re going to try to win one game.”

The debate over the correct way to enjoy a cream tea has persisted for generations, with both Devon and Cornwall advocating staunchly for their own traditions. Now, Prince William has stirred the pot by revealing that his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, favored the Devonian method—spreading cream on her scones before adding jam.

This disclosure, made during a visit to Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly in his capacity as Duke of Cornwall, is certain to fuel the ongoing rivalry. Many had assumed that the late Queen preferred the Cornish way, which opts for jam before cream.

Adding to the intrigue, the Queen’s former chef had previously asserted that Buckingham Palace always adhered to the Cornish tradition during their garden parties. Remarkably, such events passed without a single complaint from Her Late Majesty, suggesting her quiet endorsement of the practice.

Prince William shared this insight during an appearance on Heart FM’s breakfast show when he was asked about his own preference while being offered scones. This revelation is bound to keep the debate alive, as enthusiasts from both sides continue to advocate for their regional customs.

In an interview with Heart FM’s breakfast show, William was offered some scones and asked which way he preferred them.

The royal said: ‘I love that I’m the authority on the scones. I can only tell you what I learned from my grandmother, and she would definitely, she would have the cream on first.’

But he added, diplomatically: ‘It tastes delicious either way.’ While the origins of the rivalry are debatable, Cornish aficionados believe their own clotted cream should be the crowning glory of the sweet treat, while devoted Devonians believe the cream acts as butter to stop the jam sliding off.

The prince also told the show, which was broadcast live from St Mary in the Isles of Scilly, of his pride at the way in which his wife has come through her cancer battle, describing her as an ‘amazing mum and wife’.

Prince William waded into the scone debate while appearing on Heart radio’s breakfast programme

The Duke of Cornwall said his grandmother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, preferred her scones the ‘Devonian way’, with cream first then jam

He revealed Catherine came back ‘buzzing’ from her recent work trip to Italy, the first solo foreign visit she has undertaken for four years since she was diagnosed and underwent treatment.

‘She’s an amazing mum and an amazing wife, and literally our family couldn’t cope without her so she’s been absolutely stunning,’ he said.

William, 43, also spoke of the ‘chaos’ of school runs with Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis as their elder brother, Prince George, is already boarding at school in Berkshire.

Louis, in particular, has a habit of leaving fingerprints from his jam sandwiches in the car.

Speaking to his family on show, he said: ‘Charlotte and Louis, because George is boarding, Charlotte and Louis if you’re listening, make sure you’re on time please, make sure you’re not fighting over who listens to what, this morning.’

He also waxed lyrical about the Isles of Scilly, where he would frequently holiday with his parents as a young boy.

Speaking about their family holidays, he described it as a ‘place like no other. It’s kind of a different world down here, it’s beautiful’.

He now holidays on Tresco, another of the islands in the archipelago 28 miles from the coast of Cornwall, with his own family.

On Friday William took a trip on the island’s new pilot boat and was left in stitches by a cheeky care home resident.

Dot Elvin, 94, asked him ‘are you coming to stay?’ before interjecting ‘I don’t care,’ when the prince pointed out there was only one bed.

In a tragic incident at a San Diego mosque this week, one of the teenagers involved in the fatal attack had previously caught the attention of law enforcement. Last year, concerns were raised about Caleb Vazquez, who exhibited disturbing behaviors and expressed admiration for Nazi ideologies. This led to a significant police intervention, as court records reveal.

During a welfare check at the Vazquez residence, officers noted Caleb’s suspicious activities, including his fixation on Nazis and mass shooters. Consequently, on January 29, 2025, they obtained a court order to remove 26 firearms from the home. This action was in line with a 2014 California law that permits the confiscation of weapons from individuals deemed a threat.

Initially, Caleb’s father, Marco Vazquez, resisted police requests to inspect the storage of his firearms. However, it was later confirmed through an affidavit signed by Marco that the family had already moved the guns to a secure storage facility several days before the police’s arrival.

Authorities have disclosed that Caleb, 18, and his accomplice, Cain Clark, 17, connected online and underwent a process of radicalization together. Despite this information, law enforcement has not provided further details about the nature of their relationship or specified which weapons were involved in the shooting. The investigation continues as the community grapples with the aftermath of this senseless act of violence.

Authorities have said Vazquez, 18, met Cain Clark, 17, online, where they both were radicalized. Police haven’t shared more details about how they knew each other, or specified whose weapons were used in the shooting.

Cain Clark’s mother told law enforcement that weapons were missing from her home on Monday, kicking off an hourslong search for the teens before they committed the shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego and then killed themselves, police said.

Court filings indicate mental health struggles

Court filings show Vazquez decided to “secure all sharp knives in the home” and removed from the house the firearms that they had previously kept in a secure gun safe into an outside storage facility. The affidavit also mentions unspecified serious allegations against their son, who was also previously committed to an involuntary psychiatric hospitalization. The court filings, first reported by The New York Times, didn’t say what he was admitted for.

The Vazquez family said in a statement released Thursday that Caleb Vazquez was on the autism spectrum and had grown to resent parts of his identity — but didn’t specify what aspects were challenging to him.

“Coming from a diverse family that not only includes immigrants but Muslims as well, we always taught the importance of acceptance, compassion, and love for one another. We are proud of the different backgrounds, cultures, ethnicities, and religions within our family and community,” their statement said.

“We believe this, combined with exposure to hateful rhetoric, extremist content, and propaganda spread across parts of the internet, social media, and other online platforms, contributed to his descent into radicalized ideologies and violent beliefs,” said their statement, released through their attorney Colin Rudolph.

His family said they tried to get him help

In writings by Vazquez and Clark that expressed white supremacist views, Vazquez wrote of having “some mental health issues” and being rejected by women. They suggest both teenagers idolized previous shooters who have died while carrying out mass shootings. The writings expressed hatred toward Jewish people, Muslims, Black people and a range of other groups.

Clark was enrolled in a virtual high school in the district, Canning said.

Police began searching for the teens on Monday after Clark’s mother called to say her son was suicidal and ran away. She told them he was dressed in camouflage, had taken multiple weapons from the home, and was with an acquaintance, San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said earlier this week.

Officers were still interviewing the mother about places the teens might be when the shooting began at the county’s largest mosque.

De-radicalizing people is becoming more difficult

Vazquez’s father said in a 2025 court statement that his family made a concerted effort to steer Caleb Vazquez back onto the right track. He said when they locked away their weapons, they were in communication with his school, were monitoring his social media presence closely and he was in therapy twice a week.

“We observe all of his online activities, who he talks to, what he talks about, and who he is friends with,” Marco Vazquez wrote, emphasizing that he didn’t support his son’s ideology.

Some experts say it’s increasingly difficult to help people drawn to the kind of radicalism Vazquez and Clark expressed.

Samira Benz works for the Violence Prevention Network, which conducts interventions when people are radicalized into believing in violent extremism. Benz said the work has become increasingly complicated as the internet blurs ideologies and creates niche, meme-based languages that can be fleeting and hard to decipher.

“Even if a parent is looking at the phone of their child, they don’t necessarily see something bad is going on,” Benz said.

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A graduate’s cap bearing the message “Learn to Change the World” was a standout sight during Harvard University’s commencement ceremony on May 29, 2025, held in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The celebratory event took place amidst increasing tensions between Harvard and the Trump administration, following the administration’s directive to terminate federal contracts worth around $100 million.

‘IMPACTFUL MOVE:’ In a significant initiative to address longstanding grade inflation, Harvard faculty have decided to limit the allocation of ‘A’ grades to 20% of students.

‘CHOOSING LIFE:’ A middle school student in Colorado claims she was prohibited from presenting a poem with a pro-life theme to her class.

‘QUESTIONABLE FUNDS:’ A substantial grant linked to the Southern Poverty Law Center is under scrutiny after a watchdog group revealed its connections to middle school programs.

The Southern Poverty Law Center wields considerable influence over educational programs. In a related matter, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and SPLC interim President and CEO Bryan Fair are featured in a composite image, as the Justice Department advances legal action against the SPLC.

GRAD DAY BIAS: Democrats outnumber Republicans 6-to-1 among college graduation speakers, report finds

SPEECH SILENCED: Las Vegas school district sued for allegedly expelling student for pro-ICE signs deemed racist