Threat Matrix: May 2007

EVENT:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1842967/posts

PERSECUTION.ORG
http://www.persecution.org

#

http://www.onenewsnow.com/2007/06/bible_college_raided_in_india_.php

“Bible college raided in India; Ministry leader claims ‘bogus charges’”

Allie Martin OneNewsNow.comJune 1, 2007

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_920.html

Travel Warning
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520

This information is current as of today, Fri Jun 01 2007 02:18:14 GMT-0700.

IRAN

May 31, 2007

The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens to carefully consider the risks of travel to Iran. Dual national Iranian-American citizens may encounter difficulty in departing Iran. This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning for Iran issued October 10, 2006.

Some elements of the Iranian regime and the population remain hostile to the United States. As a result, American citizens may be subject to harassment or arrest while traveling or residing in Iran. Recently, Iranian authorities have prevented a number of Iranian-American citizen academics, journalists, and others who traveled to Iran for personal reasons from leaving, and in some cases have detained and imprisoned them on various charges, including espionage and being threat to the regime. Americans of Iranian origin should consider the risk of being targeted by authorities before planning travel to Iran. Iranian authorities may deny dual nationals access to the United States Interests Section in Tehran, because they are considered to be solely Iranian citizens.

The Iranian regime continues to repress its minority ethnic and religious groups, including Azeris, Kurds, Bahai, ethnic Arabs, and others. Consequently, some areas within the country where these minorities reside, including the Baluchistan border area near Pakistan and Afghanistan, the Kurdish northwest of the country, and areas near the Iraqi border, remain unsafe. Armed attacks on the road between Bam and Kerman this May also render this area unsafe.

Large-scale demonstrations have taken place in various regions throughout Iran over the past several years as a result of a sometimes volatile political climate. U.S. citizens who travel to Iran despite this Travel Warning should exercise caution.

The U.S. government does not have diplomatic or consular relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran and therefore, cannot provide protection or routine consular services to American citizens in Iran. The Swiss government, acting through its Embassy in Tehran, serves as protecting power for U.S. interests in Iran. Neither U.S. passports nor visas to the United States are issued in Tehran. The Iranian Government does not recognize dual citizenship and generally does not permit the Swiss to provide protective services for U.S. citizens who are also Iranian nationals. In addition, U.S. citizens of Iranian origin who are considered by Iran to be Iranian citizens have been detained and harassed by Iranian authorities. Former Muslims who have converted to other religions, as well as persons who encourage Muslims to convert, are subject to arrest and prosecution.

Americans who travel or reside in Iran despite this Travel Warning are strongly encouraged to register through the State Department’s travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov . If they are in Tehran, American citizens may also register in person at the U.S. Interest Section of the Swiss Embassy at Africa Avenue, West Farzan Street, no. 59, Tehran. The local telephone numbers are 021-8878-2964 and 021-8879-2364, fax 021-8877-3265, e-mail: tie.vertretung@eda.admin.ch.

U.S. citizens should also consult the Department of State’s Consular Information Sheet for Iran, and the current Worldwide Caution and Middle East and North Africa Public Announcements, which are located on the Department’s Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov . American citizens may also obtain updated information on travel and security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States or Canada, or, from overseas, 1-202-501-4444.

NOTE: The following text is a quote:

http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_venezuela.html

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
This information is current as of today, Fri Jun 01 2007 02:21:40 GMT-0700.

VENEZUELA

May 31, 2007

This Public Announcement is being issued to alert American citizens to continuing nationwide demonstrations throughout Venezuela in the wake of the government’s decision not to renew the broadcasting license of Radio Caracas Television. In light of the current environment, it is recommended that the American public carefully consider the risks of travel to Venezuela. This Public Announcement expires June 29, 2007.

Demonstrations, which began the weekend of May 27-28, continue in Caracas, Maracay, Maracaibo, Merida, Porlamar, Valencia, and other major cities. Demonstrators are congregating in main streets and plazas in support of freedom of speech. Students are calling for university strikes to protest President Chavez’s decision not to renew Radio Caracas Television’s (RCTV’s) broadcast license. The government is organizing counter-demonstrations. Riot police are out in force near congregations of demonstrators and near government buildings in Caracas and other major cities. While some demonstrations are occurring without incident, police in Caracas used tear gas, water cannons, and plastic pellets to disperse crowds over the weekend of May 27-28. There are reports of at least one fatality.

The U.S. Embassy urges U.S. citizens in Venezuela to exercise caution in and around the country’s major cities and to monitor local media and other information sources in order to avoid areas in which demonstrations are occurring. American citizens are reminded that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful may turn violent.

In light of the current circumstances, U.S. citizens are advised to consider the risks before traveling to Venezuela at this time. American citizens already in Venezuela should monitor regularly the Department’s Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Consular Information Sheet for Venezuela, the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, and other travel information can be found. Up to date information on security also can be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada. Callers outside the United States and Canada may call a toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are answered from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

All Americans in Venezuela are urged to register either online at https://travelregistration.state.gov , or by phone or in person directly with the U.S. Embassy in Caracas. Registering gives U.S. citizens access to updated information on travel and security within Venezuela and makes it easier for the Embassy to contact citizens in case of emergency. Security updates are e-mailed to all registered Americans with an e-mail address.

The U.S. Embassy is located at Calle 7 con calle Suapure, Urb. Colinas de Valle Arriba. The 24-hour telephone number is (58) 212-975-6411. The U.S. Embassy website is http://caracas.usembassy.gov/ . In the event of an after-hours emergency, please call the above number and ask to be transferred to the duty officer.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_3245.html

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
This information is current as of today, Fri Jun 01 2007 02:24:06 GMT-0700.

Hurricane Season

May 31, 2007

https://www.osac.gov/Reports/report.cfm?contentID=69002

you are here: Home > Reports > Consular Affairs Bulletins > Report
“Warden Message: Accidental Explosions in Yemen”
Consular Affairs Bulletins
Middle East / N. Africa - Yemen
31 May 2007

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Related Reports
21 May 2007
Warden Message: Yemen Explosions
16 May 2007
Warden Message: Sanaa Demonstration, May 16
30 Apr 2007
Warden Message: Sanaa Crowds Likely May 1-4
28 Apr 2007
Warden Message: Yemen Demonstration
10 Apr 2007
Worldwide Caution Public Announcement
U.S. Embassy Sanaa issued the following Warden Message on May 31, 2007:

REPORT SNIPPET: “The U.S. Embassy has reports of several explosions in Sanaa at a Yemeni government ammunition dump in the mountains north of the Movenpick hotel. The explosions appear to be accidental. The Embassy advises all U.S. citizens to exercise caution in this area of city, and will report any further information that may become available.”

https://www.osac.gov/Reports/report.cfm?contentID=68999

you are here: Home > Reports > Consular Affairs Bulletins > Report
“Warden Message: Ecuador Crime Increase”
Consular Affairs Bulletins
Americas - Ecuador
31 May 2007

ON THE NET...

http://www.rewardsforjustice.net/english/index.cfm?page=Bin_Laden

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http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=ubl
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=binladen
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=911
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=september112001

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http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=28544

“Osama’s House of Horrors”
By Patrick Poole
FrontPageMagazine.com | June 1, 2007

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http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=28562

“MPAC and CAIR Praise Osama bin Laden”
By Daniel Pipes
FrontPageMagazine.com | June 1, 2007

ON THE NET...

http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/016709.php
(THE GUARDIAN)

June 1, 2007
“Talk to foreigners and we will view you as a spy, Iran warns academics”

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http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=ahmadinejad

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=search_videos&search_query=ahmadinejad&search_sort=video_date_uploaded&search_category=0

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=iran

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=search_videos&search_query=iran&search_sort=video_date_uploaded&search_category=0

#

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3wko0bO7_Y

“Ahmadinejad visits Iranian defensive equipment exhibition”
(Added May 31, 2007)

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YC8K7HNDe74

“Iranian people protests against regime in May 2007”
(Added May 30, 2007)

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http://www.memritv.org/Search.asp?ACT=S5&P1=148

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http://www.truthusa.com/IRAN.html

http://www.memri.org/jihad.html

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http://memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=subjects&Area=jihad&ID=SP160507

Special Dispatch Series - No. 1605
June 1, 2007 No.1605

“Islamist Websites Monitor No. 106”

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases/articles/070530chicago.htm

May 30, 2007

Operator of a Chicago “Little Village” photo shop - Nuevo Foto Muñoz - charged with participating in fraudulent identification document conspiracy

CHICAGO - The operator of a photo studio in Chicago’s “Little Village” community was charged yesterday with conspiracy to produce false identification documents and aiding and abetting. The charges came a month after federal agents searched the shop and nearly two-dozen defendants were charged with participating in a bustling counterfeit identification document business that allegedly generated between $2 million and $3 million annually. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are investigating the case.

The new defendant, Elias Muñoz, operates Nuevo Foto Muñoz at 3105 W. 26th St., in the Little Village Discount Mall, where customers and undercover ICE agents allegedly obtained photos that were later affixed to bogus government-issued identification cards.

Muñoz, 62, of Chicago, had an initial court appearance this morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge Geraldine Soat Brown in U.S. District Court. Muñoz was charged in a criminal complaint filed yesterday, announced U.S. Attorney Patrick J. Fitzgerald, Northern District of Illinois, and Elissa A. Brown, special agent-in-charge of the ICE Office of Investigations in Chicago.

The local offices of the U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the FBI are also participating in the investigation.

The complaint against Muñoz - part of an ICE investigation dubbed “Operation Paper Tiger” - incorporates charges brought last month against 22 defendants accused of participating in a 3 1/2-year conspiracy to illegally produce identification documents, authentication features and false identification documents. Thirteen of the 22 defendants have been arrested in Chicago since April 24, including Julio Leija-Sanchez, the alleged leader of the Chicago cell of a Mexican-based criminal organization.

Also on April 24, ICE and other federal agents executed search warrants at four locations, which included Nuevo Foto Muñoz. According to the complaint filed today, the items seized from inside the studio included:

717 blank blue State of Illinois resident identification cards;
228 blank red U.S. identification cards;
About 900 blank green Illinois resident identification cards, bearing a State of Illinois seal embossed in the background of the cards;
717 blank pink U.S. identification cards;
An ink-based stamp, asking for the following information in English: name, address, city, social security number, date of birth, weight, height and eye color;
879 two-inch-by-two-inch pieces of paper, with the above stamped information in English and Spanish;
One package of blank laminates, which were located on the camera counter; and
A three-foot-by-two-foot display, entitled “Identificaciones Personales,” which means “Personal Identification.” Inserted and taped to the display are 12 identification cards, 10 of which purport to be government identification cards, such as a “United States of America Illinois Resident Identification” card with the State of Illinois seal in the background, and a “United States of America Identification” card with an identification number and expiration date. All 12 identification cards have passport-sized photos. All but three bear identification information such as social security number, date of birth, hair color, and eye color. Elias Muñoz is pictured in at least two of the identification cards.
The complaint also alleges that on three consecutive days starting April 3, 2007, two undercover ICE agents visited the Discount Mall and had photos taken at Foto Muñoz by Muñoz or another individual. The photos were taken during the course of purchasing and obtaining sets of counterfeit identification documents, including driver’s licenses purporting to be issued by Michigan, Wisconsin, New York and Iowa, Resident Alien Cards (aka “green cards”) and Social Security Cards.

According to the complaint affidavit, a confidential informant, told agents that he used Nuevo Foto Muñoz since he began selling fraudulent identity documents in the Discount Mall parking lot for the alleged Castoreña Family Organization in 1996. As a “miquero” or vendor, the informant solicited customers to buy such fraudulent identification documents as social security cards, driver’s licenses, and green cards, or “micas.” The informant and other miqueros accompanied customers into Nuevo Foto Muñoz, where they obtained the customer’s information and finished negotiating transactions.

The miqueros always obtained the blank order forms from Nuevo Foto Muñoz, and the Organization required the miqueros to include the completed order form with every order submitted to the “office,” where fraudulent identification documents were manufactured. Muñoz allegedly kept a box of blank order forms, in English and Spanish, on a desk in the shop’s entryway. Sometimes the box was empty, and the informant asked Muñoz to get more order forms, and he did. Once the order form was completed, the miquero told Muñoz or another individual that the customer needed a photo for an ID.

The miqueros told Muñoz whether there needed to be a blue or white background for the photo - blue background for driver’s licenses, and white background for green cards. Sometimes the miqueros simply told Muñoz if the photo was for an ID (driver’s license) or a mica (green card), and then Muñoz knew whether to use a blue or white background. If the miquero did not specify what color background or what type of document, Muñoz would ask if the photo was for an ID or mica.

The complaint alleges that each miquero was in Nuevo Foto Muñoz taking orders for fraudulent identification documents about five or six times a day. Usually seven or eight miqueros worked at a time in two different shifts, and usually there were two or three miqueros at any one time taking orders in the photo shop.

Muñoz allegedly kept envelopes on the desk near the box of order forms, and the miquero put the completed order and photo in one of those envelopes. The miquero wrote his own nickname on the outside of the envelope and what type of document was being ordered. After a miquero put the completed order form and photo from Nuevo Foto Muñoz in an envelope, the miquero hid all the envelopes in one spot. This way, a “runner” could pick up all the orders from the hiding spot whenever he was making a trip to the “office,” and, if a miquero was stopped by law enforcement, the miquero would not have any orders or money with him if he was searched. On busy days, runners brought about 20 orders each time they went to the office, and made about five or six trips to the office each day, the affidavit states.

“ICE is committed to investigating and dismantling this criminal organization - one of the largest and most sophisticated illegal document fraud rings operating in the United States,” Ms. Brown said. “Criminals and even terrorists can use fraudulent documents to conceal themselves in our society, which poses a major homeland security vulnerability. Working with our law enforcement partners, ICE will continue to identify and shut down these vulnerabilities,” she added.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michelle Nasser Weiss, Andrew Porter and David Buvinger, Northern District of Illinois, are prosecuting this case.

If convicted, conspiracy to produce fraudulent identification documents carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Note, however, that the court would determine the appropriate sentence to be imposed. The public is reminded that a complaint contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

— ICE —

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases/articles/070530guttenberg.htm

May 30, 2007

ICE street gang taskforce and Hudson County Prosecutors Office uproot major Latin King drug and crime ring
Six month operation nets 19 arrests and drugs

Guttenberg, N.J. - Members of the Gang Investigation Unit (GIU), led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, today announced a significant enforcement operation that shut down a criminal enterprise run by members of the Latin Kings international gang in northern Hudson County.

Tito Lopez, a.k.a. “King Chino,” 28, from Guttenberg, an allegedly high-ranking Latin King gang member and leader of the drug distribution organization, was arrested and charged with conspiracy to possess and distribute cocaine, in violation Title 21 of United States Code. “King Chino” Lopez is allegedly responsible for leading fellow gang members to a host of criminal actions including drug distribution, burglaries, witness intimidation, assaults and weapon sales. In all, the operation netted five federal, 12 state and two ICE administrative arrests. Additionally, 340 grams of cocaine and over one pound of marijuana were seized.

The Hudson County arrests, part of ICE’s Operation Community Shield, were the result of a six-month investigation led by ICE, with close coordination from the Hudson County Prosecutors Office-Municipal Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Guttenberg Police Department, Paterson Police Department, Union City Police Department, and West New York Police.

Operation Community Shield is a national law enforcement initiative that partners ICE with other federal, state and local law enforcement, combining resources, authorities and expertise in an effort to target gangs.

“The key to the success of Operation Community Shield lies in criminally prosecuting and removing gang members from the United States, and dismantling gang operations by tracing and seizing their cash, weapons and other assets,” said Kyle Hutchins, special agent in charge for ICE’s office of investigations in Newark. “Today’s announcement is an outstanding example of how ICE works with county and local law enforcement partners to make neighborhoods safer by identifying violent transnational gangs and using our investigative authority to develop intelligence on their membership, associates and organizations.”

Arrest and seizure operations were conducted between April 30, 2007 and May 24, 2007 by over 30 ICE special agents and over 30 state and local law enforcement officials. Other significant arrests as part of this operation include:

Jorge Paula, a.k.a. “Mono,” 32 years old, New York, NY, conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
Oscar Williams a.k.a “Matute”, 25 years old, Secaucus, NJ, conspiracy to distribute cocaine and ecstasy.
David Rodriguez, a.k.a. “Chapo,” a 26-year-old Jersey City resident, charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
Pablo Figueroa, a.k.a. “Pablito,” 31, Jersey City, charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
Juan Carlos Cortes, 27, Jersey City, charged with possession of heroin.
Jerry Serrano, a.k.a. “Jay,” 29, Jersey City,conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
Rene Reyna, 29, charged with contempt of court for failing to appear for underlying narcotics charges.
Jair Davila a.k.a “JR”, 22, Guttenberg, NJ, a criminal alien unlawfully present in the United States.
Walter Martinez, 29, Guttenberg, NJ, conspiracy to distribute marijuana.
Orlando Blue a.k.a “OHIO”, 20, North Bergen, NJ, conspiracy to distribute marijuana.
Pedro SANTOS-JIMENEZ a.k.a “P”, 24, North Bergen, NJ, conspiracy to distribute marijuana.
Fausto Marcelino a.k.a “Papito”, 27, West New York, NJ, a criminal alien unlawfully present in the United States.
Miguel Maldonado, 23, Jersey City, NJ, conspiracy to distribute a controlled dangerous substance (CDS).
Miguel Munoz, 35, North Bergen, NJ, possession of CDS.
Misael Roman, 23, Paterson, NJ, conspiracy to distribute CDS.
Ralph Gonzalez a.k.a “Attica”, 37, Jersey City, NJ, conspiracy to distribute CDS.
Jose Santos a.k.a. “King Vengeance”, 33, West New York, NJ, conspiracy to distribute CDS.
Alexander Serrano a.k.a “King Indio”, 42, Jersey City, NJ, conspiracy to distribute CDS.
ICE/Newark’s Gang Investigation Unit utilized criminal statutory authority under New Jersey and Federal law and combined those powers with the administrative authority granted under U.S. Immigration law to dismantle the drug distribution organization and remove criminal alien gang members unlawfully present in the United States.

“Our successful partnership with ICE led to this significant suppression of street gang activity in Hudson County. We anticipate more joint investigations in the near future,” said Hudson County Prosecutor Edward DeFazio.

ICE initiated Operation Community Shield in February 2005, to address the public safety threat posed by transnational gangs. ICE field offices across the country conducted threat assessments to identify gangs within their areas of responsibility and the associated criminal activity. The results of the assessment showed that most major metropolitan areas were experiencing a surge in gang activity. Additionally, the survey showed that membership of these violent transnational gangs was comprised largely of foreign-born nationals.

Since the inception of Operation Community Shield, ICE agents across 76 field offices, working in conjunction with hundreds of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, have arrested over 4,800 gang members representing over 350 different gangs. Along with the arrests of gang members, ICE has seized over 215 firearms.

— ICE —

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases/articles/070531detroit.htm

May 31, 2007

Cameroonian couple sentenced for human trafficking
Young girl forced to perform as a domestic

DETROIT - A married man and woman from Cameroon were sentenced yesterday to 17 and five years in prison, respectively, for involuntary servitude and related charges, announced U.S. Attorney Stephen J. Murphy, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Special Agent in Charge Brian M. Moskowitz.

U.S. District Court Judge Arthur J. Tarnow, Eastern District of Michigan, found Joseph Djoumessi, 49, guilty of conspiracy, involuntary servitude, and harboring for financial gain. He was sentenced to 17 years in prison, to run concurrent with a 9-to-15-year sentence he is currently serving for a Michigan state conviction related to the same crime. A jury also convicted Djoumessi’s wife, Evelyn Djoumessi, 42, of conspiracy and involuntary servitude. She was sentenced to five years in prison. The couple was also ordered to pay $100,000 in restitution to the victim.

ICE agents in Detroit began an investigation in 2000 after receiving information from the Farmington Hills Police Department regarding a young girl who was possibly being held against her will. A 17-year-old girl from Cameroon was discovered in the Djoumessi home, living under a false identity and in questionable circumstances.

The investigation revealed that the girl had been brought into the United States illegally when she was 14 years old. During the time the girl lived at the couple’s home, she was forced “by beating and threats,” according to court documents, to care for their children and perform household chores without pay. They also limited her contact with the outside world and did not permit her to attend school.

“It is a basic and fundamental human right to be free, and no child should be forced to live in a world of fear and involuntary servitude,” said Brian M. Moskowitz, special agent in charge of the ICE Office of Investigations in Michigan. “The sentences in this case are a testament to our solemn commitment to protect those who cannot protect themselves. While we cannot restore someone’s childhood, we can bring their abusers to justice.”

U.S. Attorney Stephen J. Murphy said, “Yesterday’s sentence gives fair warning to all human traffickers and any others who would ever seek to force an innocent teenager to become the equivalent of a personal slave: you will pay a steep price for your crime. This office will continue to pursue and aggressively prosecute such heinous offenses.”

The Farmington Hills PD. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gary Felder, Eastern District of Michigan, provided assistance and Jacqueline Spratt of the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, jointly prosecuted this case.

— ICE —

placemark

EleventyBillion to one. Sounds like the premise for a Michael Crichton book.

Yep...shameful indeed. Plus his own daughter was marrying this guy. Certainly a strange situation all around.

Thanks for the ping, Cindy.

You’re welcome bd476.

Off Topic- Gardasil Vaccine Info. from Judicial Watch via Freedom of Information Act

Just received this information from a lawyer friend of mine, regarding the Gardasil vaccine. I am personally against this vaccine, but I don't have daughters, so I want to pass this on for those who may have daughters, nieces, sister, etc. I will be watching to see when this makes it out to the MSM as one of the top stories...like it was when they were touting how great it is! Please note that info. has been know by the FDA since May 11, 2007.

Judicial Watch Reports 371 Serious Adverse Events From Gardasil Public interest group Judicial Watch reported 371 serious adverse events in patients who received Merck*s cervical cancer vaccine Gardasil, including three deaths. As of May 11, 1,637 side effects were reported to the FDA through the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), the group said. Judicial Watch received the information through a Freedom of Information Act request.

Approximately 77 percent of the adverse reactions were typical, including pain at the injection site, itching, fever, nausea and dizziness, the group noted. However, one female patient died of a blood clot three hours after receiving the vaccine, the group said.

A 19-year-old patient died of heart failure partially caused by large blood clots two weeks after getting the vaccine. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, both patients were taking birth control pills, which can cause clotting. In addition, a 12-year-old patient died of heart complications six days after receiving Gardasil, according to the VAERS reports.

Eighteen of the 42 women who received Gardasil while pregnant experienced adverse side effects, ranging from spontaneous abortion to fetal abnormalities. Clinical trials used in the FDA*s review of Gardasil last year showed five cases of birth defects among women who received the vaccine within 30 days of conception. Gardasil is not recommended for pregnant women, according to the product*s label.

Merck recently submitted a supplemental biologic license application to the FDA to market Gardasil to prevent vaginal and vulvar cancers.

Thanks for the Ping!