"Freddy Kruegers" and "Peaky Blinders": The mafias terrorizing Ecuador
A flood of cocaine from Colombia and Peru through Ecuadoran ports has created a plethora of mafias with striking names and ferocious reputations.
Drug Trafficking
Fugitive leader of notorious Ecuador drug gang is indicted in U.S.
José Adolfo Macías Villamar — known as "Fito" — has led Los Choneros and its "network of assassins and drug and weapon traffickers" since at least 2020, federal prosecutors said.
Top cartel brothers charged in U.S., accused of murders and torture
Brothers Miguel and Omar Trevino Morales led one of Mexico's most powerful and feared organized crime groups.
Kuwait frees jailed Americans, including veterans held on drug charges
Private consultant Jonathan Franks said that additional Americans he represents are expected to be released by Kuwait later.
Accused drug trafficker wanted in U.S. is captured in Mexico
One of Guatemala's most wanted drug traffickers, Aler Baldomero Samayoa Recinos, was captured in Mexico and awaits extradition to the U.S., officials said.
Son of ruthless cartel leader gets life in U.S. prison for trafficking drugs
Rubén Oseguera, known as "El Menchito", is the son of Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera, the fugitive cartel boss of the Jalisco New Generation cartel.
22 killed, 3 wounded in narco gang gun battles in Ecuador
A police source told AFP the gunfights involved opposing factions of a powerful gang called Los Tigerones.
Woman accused of testing cocaine quality faces charges in U.S.
Irma Elvira Cruz, a 60-year-old woman known as "Madre," has been extradited from Mexico to face federal charges, according to the Justice Department.
Dutch drug trafficker who once faked his own death killed in Mexico
Marco Ebben, 32, is listed by Europe's law enforcement agency's "most wanted fugitives" list for international drug smuggling.
Coast Guard releases images after crew seizes $91 million in drugs at sea
A Coast Guard crew seized roughly 8,061 pounds of cocaine during a recent mission in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific Ocean.
One of Europe's most-wanted fugitives spotted at religious service
Jos Leijdekkers — also known as "Omar Sheriff" and "Chubby Jos" — is accused of trafficking cocaine and ordering a murder.
Ecuador gangs turn to "death saint" for protection — and human sacrifices
"They stole children from other towns and sacrificed them in front of her (Santa Muerte) when they wanted to land a big hit," a former gang member said.
Trump says Canada tariffs would fight fentanyl, though it's not a major source
Drug policy researcher Jonathan Caulkins said there were 21 large fentanyl seizures at the Mexican border for every one along the Canadian border.
"Narco-sub" breaks apart while being towed by fishing boat
Drug traffickers, especially from Colombia, have been caught using submarines to transport cocaine into Mexico, and from there into the U.S.
Cartel leader in plea talks with U.S., keeps lawyer who represented son
Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada decided to stick with the lawyer defending him from U.S. drug trafficking charges despite a possible conflict of interest.
Japan mafia leader pleads guilty in U.S. to nuclear material trafficking
Takeshi Ebisawa allegedly conspired to traffic uranium and plutonium from Myanmar in the belief that Iran would use it for nuclear weapons.
Sons of "El Chapo" are negotiating plea deals with U.S. prosecutors
Ovidio Guzmán López and Joaquin Guzmán López didn't appear at the hearing in Chicago on Tuesday where prosecutors said they needed more time.
How Assad propped up the Captagon drug trade
Analysts estimate Bashar al-Assad's regime raked in $5 billion per year from the Captagon drug trade, dwarfing Syria's official budget and making it a lifeline for the bankrupted country. Imtiaz Tyab has new details about what was discovered about the trade after Assad's rule collapsed.
Police across U.S. illegally selling firearms
A CBS News investigation found dozens of law enforcement leaders buying and illegally selling guns. A review of government audits and court records over the last 20 years uncovered instances in 23 states across the U.S., plus Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., for more than 50 cases. CBS News crime and public safety producer Erin D. Cauchi has the details.
Law enforcement raises warning over "pink cocaine"
Law enforcement is raising alarm bells over a drug called pink cocaine. It doesn't actually contain cocaine, but is instead a combination of other substances. Tom Hanson has more on the spread of the potentially deadly drug.
Arizona border towns on drug trafficking
Voters in Arizona's border towns are considering the effects of drug trafficking as the battleground state prepares to vote. CBS News' Omar Villafranca spoke to Americans who live on the U.S.-Mexico border.
Border towns dealing with drug smuggling
CBS News' Omar Villafranca has been traveling all week from Texas to California along the U.S.-Mexico border to speak with local officials and residents about immigration. On Wednesday, he made several stops in Arizona, where officials expressed concerns about drug smuggling.
6 million pills seized, 47 arrested in major drug smuggling bust
The pills seized had an estimated street value of $13.6 million, officials said.
Man accused of selling fake pills across U.S. out of garage "lab"
Federal law enforcement officials called the case one of the largest counterfeit pill busts ever in New England.
Longtime Mexican drug cartel leader pleads not guilty in New York
Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada said he was forcibly kidnapped and brought to the U.S. by another fugitive cartel leader, Joaquín Guzmán López.
Pope Francis has died at the age of 88, the Vatican says
Pope Francis made it his mission to change the perception of the Catholic Church around the world.
live updates
Pope Francis mourned worldwide as Catholic Church prepares for next chapter
Pope Francis died Monday at the age of 88. As tributes pour in from around the world, the Vatican faces a transition.
Hegseth shared details of Yemen strike in another Signal chat: sources
The messages were sent the same day Hegseth shared similar details in a separate Signal chat that inadvertently included The Atlantic's editor-in-chief.
What scientists fear most about bird flu spread in the U.S.
Bird flu infections have been rare among people, but the pathogen is evolving, which has scientists worried about a possible pandemic.
Vance, Modi set to meet in India with Trump's tariffs taking center stage
Vice President JD Vance is in India on a four-day visit as New Delhi looks to avoid U.S. tariffs, negotiate a bilateral trade deal with Washington and strengthen ties with the Trump administration.
Russia, Ukraine accuse each other of breaking Easter ceasefire
According to the Kremlin, the ceasefire will last from 6 p.m. Moscow time on Saturday to midnight following Easter Sunday.
Trump takes aim at Biden, "Radical Left Lunatics," courts in Easter message
Minutes after sharing a more traditional Easter message on Truth Social, President Trump posted a longer, grievance-filled message.
Van Hollen: El Salvador didn't want him to see Abrego Garcia
Sen. Chris Van Hollen traveled to El Salvador last week, where he met with Abrego Garcia after he said his attempts were repeatedly turned down by the Salvadoran government.
Officers who attended Jan. 6 rally ask SCOTUS to allow anonymity in records
Current and former Seattle Police officers who attended President Trump's Jan. 6 rally are seeking to keep their identities out of public records related to the insurrection.
U.S.
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Hegseth shared details of Yemen strike in another Signal chat: sources
The messages were sent the same day Hegseth shared similar details in a separate Signal chat that inadvertently included The Atlantic's editor-in-chief.
Salvadoran Catholic leader urges Bukele not to turn country into U.S. prison
El Salvador's top Catholic leader on Sunday urged President Nayib Bukele not to turn the country into a Guantanamo-style U.S. prison.
Full transcript of "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," April 20, 2025
On this "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" broadcast, Sen. Chris Van Hollen and EPA administrator Lee Zeldin join Weijia Jiang.
Officers who attended Jan. 6 rally ask SCOTUS to allow anonymity in records
Current and former Seattle Police officers who attended President Trump's Jan. 6 rally are seeking to keep their identities out of public records related to the insurrection.
Trump takes aim at Biden, "Radical Left Lunatics," courts in Easter message
Minutes after sharing a more traditional Easter message on Truth Social, President Trump posted a longer, grievance-filled message.
MoneyWatch
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Vance, Modi set to meet in India with Trump's tariffs taking center stage
Vice President JD Vance is in India on a four-day visit as New Delhi looks to avoid U.S. tariffs, negotiate a bilateral trade deal with Washington and strengthen ties with the Trump administration.
What's open and closed on Easter 2025?
Check out the list of the supermarkets, retailers, and fast food chains that are open on Easter and which are closed.
Trump is studying how to remove Fed Chair Powell, adviser says
Trump administration economist Kevin Hassett said Powell's removal is being studied by the president and his team.
Here's the magic number Americans say they need for retirement
Americans have big financial goals for what they think they'll need for a comfortable retirement, a new survey finds.
Ford says it could raise prices this summer if tariffs remain in effect
Ford's vehicle prices could rise this summer if 25% auto tariffs remain in place, the company said in a memo to dealers.
Politics
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Vance, Modi set to meet in India with Trump's tariffs taking center stage
Vice President JD Vance is in India on a four-day visit as New Delhi looks to avoid U.S. tariffs, negotiate a bilateral trade deal with Washington and strengthen ties with the Trump administration.
Hegseth shared details of Yemen strike in another Signal chat: sources
The messages were sent the same day Hegseth shared similar details in a separate Signal chat that inadvertently included The Atlantic's editor-in-chief.
Full transcript of "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," April 20, 2025
On this "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" broadcast, Sen. Chris Van Hollen and EPA administrator Lee Zeldin join Weijia Jiang.
Officers who attended Jan. 6 rally ask SCOTUS to allow anonymity in records
Current and former Seattle Police officers who attended President Trump's Jan. 6 rally are seeking to keep their identities out of public records related to the insurrection.
Trump takes aim at Biden, "Radical Left Lunatics," courts in Easter message
Minutes after sharing a more traditional Easter message on Truth Social, President Trump posted a longer, grievance-filled message.
HealthWatch
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Her sore throat turned into a month-long ICU stay. Doctors were stumped.
Vanessa Abraham thought her symptoms were a bad flu — until she collapsed to the floor struggling to breathe.
Trump administration replaces COVID websites
The Trump administration has moved to replace websites that previously offered health information and access to COVID tests and treatment.
About 429,200 wireless phone chargers recalled over fire hazard
Casely received 51 consumer reports of the charger's lithium-ion batteries catching fire while in use, resulting in burn injuries.
Obesity doctor touts new weight loss drug
There may soon be a new medication option for losing weight. Eli Lilly's experimental pill appears to work as well as the injected drug Ozempic to lower the weight of diabetes patients. Dr. Jon LaPook has more.
CDC scraps plan to help Texas schools curb measles over layoffs, employee says
Some employees working on the CDC's measles response were warned they could face layoffs.
World
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live updates
Pope Francis mourned worldwide as Catholic Church prepares for next chapter
Pope Francis died Monday at the age of 88. As tributes pour in from around the world, the Vatican faces a transition.
Looking back at Pope Francis' impact on the Catholic Church
A longtime Vatican correspondent shares his insights on the legacy of Pope Francis, a populist leader who sought to bring the Church closer to the people.
Pope Francis has died at the age of 88, the Vatican says
Pope Francis made it his mission to change the perception of the Catholic Church around the world.
Salvadoran Catholic leader urges Bukele not to turn country into U.S. prison
El Salvador's top Catholic leader on Sunday urged President Nayib Bukele not to turn the country into a Guantanamo-style U.S. prison.
German police hunt for a suspect who fatally shot 2 Turkish men
German police in a spa town north of Frankfurt were expanding a manhunt for one or more suspects still on the loose after two Turkish men were fatally shot a day earlier.
Entertainment
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Entertainment
Extended interview: David Hyde Pierce
In this web exclusive, "Frasier" star David Hyde Pierce, now appearing on Broadway in "Pirates! The Penzance Musical," talks with correspondent Martha Teichner about playing physical comedy; tweaking Gilbert & Sullivan's "The Pirates of Penzance" for today's audience; his early television roles that led to the part of Dr. Niles Crane on "Frasier"; and his relationship with his husband, Brian.
David Hyde Pierce, the very model of a modern Major-General, in "Pirates! The Penzance Musical"
The "Frasier" star is back on the Broadway stage in a jazzy re-working of the Gilbert & Sullivan classic, transplanted to New Orleans.
David Hyde Pierce in "Pirates! The Penzance Musical"
"Frasier" star David Hyde Pierce is back on the Broadway stage in "Pirates! The Penzance Musical," a jazzy re-working of the Gilbert & Sullivan classic, transplanted to New Orleans. The former aspiring concert pianist talks with correspondent Martha Teichner about the thread that Gilbert & Sullivan has run throughout his life. He also talks about his comedy influences, and what it means to him to make people laugh.
Passage: In memoriam
"Sunday Morning" remembers some of the notable figures who left us this week, including veteran TV game show host Wink Martindale.
Amy Sherman-Palladino and Dan Palladino: Curtain up on "Étoile"
The Emmy-winning couple behind "Gilmore Girls" and "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" are now debuting "Étoile," a new comic-drama about two struggling ballet companies.
Technology
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Fake job seekers are flooding the market, thanks to AI
Companies say fake job seekers are using artificial intelligence to get remote jobs, often in an attempt to steal insider secrets.
Scientist on reviving extinct dire wolves
Biotech company Colossal Bioscience has made headlines for saying it brought the dire wolf species back from extinction. CBS News' Lindsey Reiser spoke with the company's chief science officer, Beth Shapiro, who broke down the science and motivations behind the project.
How AI powered robots are helping small farms
From labor shortages to environmental impacts, farmers are looking to AI to help revolutionize the agriculture industry. One California startup, Farm-ng, is tapping into the power of AI and robotics to perform a wide range of tasks, including seeding, weeding and harvesting.
About 429,200 wireless phone chargers recalled over fire hazard
Casely received 51 consumer reports of the charger's lithium-ion batteries catching fire while in use, resulting in burn injuries.
Judge: Google is online advertising monopoly
A federal judge ruled Thursday that Google is a monopolist in markets for online advertising technology. CBS News' Kelly O'Grady has the details.
Science
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NASA spacecraft to zoom past asteroid this weekend at 30,000 mph
The flyby is a dress rehearsal for 2027 when Lucy reaches its first so-called Trojan asteroid near Jupiter.
Breaking down the return of dire wolves
Colossal Biosciences says it successfully gene-edited gray wolves to carry traits of the extinct dire wolf. Founder and CEO Ben Lamm and Chief Science Officer Beth Shapiro discuss the research and rising controversy.
Scientists find "strongest evidence yet" of life on distant planet
A British-U.S. team of researchers detected signs of two chemicals in the planet's atmosphere long considered to be "biosignatures" indicating extraterrestrial life.
Can climate change really create zombie fungi, like in "The Last of Us"?
As the HBO series "The Last of Us" returns, fans wonder: How much of the chilling storyline about a fungal zombie pandemic is rooted in reality?
NOAA could face 25% budget cut, slashing climate research, in draft proposal
An internal government document proposes significant changes for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, hitting its research functions hardest.
Crime
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Was an Oregon teen the mastermind behind her father's murder?
After Aaron Friar and his 15-year-old daughter Ellie vanished from their Medford, Oregon, home, investigators arrived to discover a horrific scene – and soon after, evidence of a murder plot is revealed.
FSU president reacts to the campus' mass shooting
Classes resume Monday at Florida State University, the scene of the nation's latest mass shooting. Two people were killed when a gunman opened fire near the student union on Thursday. Kati Weis spoke with the university's president on the tragedy.
Judge to allow "bushy eyebrows" testimony in Bryan Kohberger trial
Kohberger, 30, is charged with murder in the stabbing deaths of Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves at a rental home in Idaho near campus.
Gunmen disguised as soldiers kill 12 spectators at cockfight
Footage of the shooting, circulated on social media, showed spectators flinging themselves to the ground and taking cover under their seats.
FSU shooting victim speaks out from hospital
Tallahassee police said there was no connection between the Florida State University shooting suspect, 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, and the victims. CBS News' Kati Weis and Anna Schecter have more details.
Space
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NASA's most senior astronaut returns to Earth with 2 cosmonauts
Don Pettit, NASA's oldest active astronaut, marked his 70th birthday by landing on the steppe of Kazakhstan after 220 days in space.
NASA spacecraft to zoom past asteroid this weekend at 30,000 mph
The flyby is a dress rehearsal for 2027 when Lucy reaches its first so-called Trojan asteroid near Jupiter.
Astronomer on new evidence pointing to life
Astronomers say they have discovered "the strongest evidence yet" of life on a distant planet, although, they stress that more research is needed. Chief astronomer and planetarium director of the Franklin Institute Derrick Pitts joins "The Daily Report" to discuss.
Scientists find "strongest evidence yet" of life on distant planet
A British-U.S. team of researchers detected signs of two chemicals in the planet's atmosphere long considered to be "biosignatures" indicating extraterrestrial life.
Gayle King on how space flight changed her
A day after her flight to space, Gayle King speaks with "CBS Evening News" co-anchor Maurice DuBois about how the trip has changed her.
Latest Galleries
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"No Kings": Protesters across country march against Trump, Musk
Protests against the Trump administration took place across the U.S. Saturday. The demonstrations were held to mark the 250th anniversary of the start of the Revolutionary War.
Notable Deaths in 2025
A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.
"Hands Off!": Americans across country protest Trump, Musk
Hundreds of thousands took to the streets, in Washington, D.C. and other cities across the United States, in opposition to the policies of Donald Trump, in the largest protests since he returned to the presidency.
Husband pieces together wife's last movements to find out how she was killed
A look into a grieving husband Jan Cilliers' investigative work after his wife Christy Giles and her friend Hilda Marcela Cabrales died after a night out.
The Scott Peterson case: New evidence?
Peterson's death sentence for the murder of his pregnant wife Laci has been overturned. Now his supporters are pushing for a complete retrial.
Latest CBS News Videos
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Lawmakers face rising anger from constituents
With Congress on break, many lawmakers are seeing increased anger from their constituents, as townhalls have become contentious affairs. Mark Strassmann reports.
Tension over conservation efforts in California
The Channel Islands of California are teeming with life and rich biodiversity, but a loophole allowing the use of gill nets to trap ocean wildlife is rankling conservationists. Itay Hod reports.
Pastor on state of religion in America
Jericka Duncan reports on a new Pew Research study about how Americans view religion and spirituality and speaks with a New York City pastor about the young people he's seeing in his congregation.
Supreme Court, Trump at odds over deportations
The Supreme Court temporarily halted the deporation of a group of Venezuelans under the Alien Enemies Act. Willie James Inman has the latest.
At least 2 killed in Oklahoma flooding
At least two people were killed as flooding hit Oklahoma amid a string a severe weather impacting the U.S. over Easter weekend. Shanelle Kaul reports.