U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials seized 190,000 lethal doses of cocaine at the Laredo Port of Entry in Texas during Valentine's Day week, according to Fox News. The drugs, worth $6.8 million, were discovered in a truck delivering flowers. Meanwhile, in Europe, tensions remain high as the UK and its allies accused Russia of assassinating opposition leader Alexei Navalny using a toxin derived from a dart frog, as reported by BBC World.
The cocaine seizure occurred on Tuesday at the World Trade Bridge in Laredo, Texas. A 2018 T3 International tractor and trailer, carrying a shipment of "rosesfresh flowers," was referred for inspection by a CBP officer, according to Fox News. The discovery of the drugs highlights ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking at the southern border.
The accusations against Russia regarding Navalny's death were made at the Munich Security Conference. The UK and other European allies stated that samples taken from Navalny's body showed the presence of epibatidine, a toxin found in poison dart frogs native to South America. According to a statement released by the foreign ministries of Britain, France, Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands, the toxin is not naturally found in Russia. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, speaking at the conference, said "only the Russian government had the means, motive and opportunity" to use the poison while Navalny was imprisoned, as reported by BBC World. Moscow has dismissed the findings as "an information campaign," according to Tass news agency.
The Munich Security Conference also saw U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio address concerns about the transatlantic alliance. Rubio assured European leaders that the U.S. does not plan to abandon the relationship, stating that its destiny "will always be intertwined" with the continent's, according to BBC World. He added, "We do not seek to separate, but to revitalise an old friendship and renew the greatest civilisation in human history." This statement comes amid ongoing tensions, with some European officials expressing concerns about the unpredictability of U.S. foreign policy.
Four years ago, American officials arrived at the Munich Security Conference with evidence of Russian troop movements, arguing that an invasion of Ukraine was imminent, according to the NY Times. However, European officials dismissed the evidence. Now, the roles are reversed, with European officials arguing that even a cease-fire or peace deal will not end Russia's campaign.
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