The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "illegal drugs" ...
-
A story of hope, and a lopsided deal
A six-month Boston Globe investigation revealed that a contractor from California was repeatedly employing impoverished, drug-addicted men from an evangelical church to renovate hotels across the country. The story started in Boston, where reporter Casey Ross discovered that the contractor, Installations Plus, was paying illegally low wages to workers trucked up from Victory Outreach Church in Philadelphia. He also traced the illegal behavior to other Massachusetts communities and then to California, where he spent several days tracking down Victory Outreach members who recalled working for the contractor in that state. The result of his reporting was a richly detailed narrative that took readers into a little-known corner of America’s underground economy. After the story’s publication, the state of Massachusetts announced an effort to strengthen labor enforcement against companies that fund and manage projects where significant violations are found. In addition, California labor officials initiated an investigation into the employment practices of Installations Plus.
Tags: Economy; low wages; contractor; workers
-
Off Track: Clandestine Racing in California
This story delved into an unknown world of illegal and clandestine horse racing happening on private tracks throughout the state of California. The straight-track races occur on properties throughout the state. KCRA uncovered a world where drug deals, prostitution, illegal gambling and animal cruelty are the norm. KCRA got the point of view of investigators and a veterinary scientist who found that horses were being dosed with mixtures of cocaine and methamphetamine. Added to this was the fact that few local law enforcement know it's happening and state investigators don't have the resources to stop the racing from happening.
Tags: Horse racing; drug deals; prostituion; gambling; animal abuse; veterinary science; cocaine; methamphetamine
-
War Zone: The Destruction of an All-American City
The hour-long documentary War Zone: The Destruction of an All-American City takes an unprecedented look at the impact of corruption on the East St. Louis, Illinois area, one of the poorest and most violent communities in America. The program was broadcast twice during prime time; Tuesday night at 8 pm on August 28, and the following Saturday night at 7 pm. This project was the result of an ongoing decade-long probe of government waste, corruption, police misconduct, and violence in East St. Louis and the surrounding villages by investigative reporter Craig Cheatham. Our documentary begins with a detailed look at police misconduct and corruption, how it has contributed to the breakdown of public safety in the East St. Louis area, and why local politicians tolerated such outrageous behavior by their officers. The second part of our documentary focuses on the impact of derelict and vacant housing, the slumlords who own the property and the people who live in some of the worst housing in the metro area. Our investigation also uncovered new connections between politicians and legendary slumlord Ed Sieron, who was business partners with a longtime mayor. In addition, KMOV revealed that of the 500 mostly rundown properties that Sieron owns in East St. Louis, only 13 were cited for code violations. That lack of accountability for the notorious slumlord, empowered him and made the people living in his homes feel powerless. War Zone also exposes the way East St. Louis communities have sold their economy to vice-driven businesses like strip clubs, liquor stores, a casino, and convenience marts that had a long history of selling illegal synthetic drugs. Our investigation found that nearly all of these businesses failed to employ a significant number of East St. Louis residents, even though they received millions of dollars in tax incentives that are paid by East St. Louis residents. At the same time East St. Louis is handing out tax breaks to wealthy out-of-town businessmen, it repeatedly refused to provide the same tax incentives for local residents who wanted to create family friendly businesses that would employ people living in the East St. Louis area.
Tags: government corruption; police misconduct; violence; politicians; community; local business
-
Alleged Illegal Drug Searches and Unlawful Marijuana Arrests by NYPD
A two-part investigative series on marijuana arrests and illegal searches by the New York City Police Department and a look into the city's "Stop and Frisk" policy.
Tags: Marijuana; New York City Police Department; NYPD; Stop and Frisk
-
Alleged Illegal Searches & Unlawful Marijuana Arrests by NYPD
The story takes a look into the NYPD's "stop and frisk" policy. The "stop and frisks" are street encounters carried out almost exclusively blacks and Latinos in the city's poorest neighborhoods. The investigation shows that NYPD is likely making false arrests for marijuana possession after recovering marijuana through illegal searches during "stop and frisks."
Tags: stop and frisks; NYPD; police; drugs; radio
-
Cuban Pot Rings
“Cuban-run drug rings dominate Florida’s indoor marijuana-cultivation trade, which supplies the Eastern seaboard state with some of the most potent and expensive marijuana in the US. Court records and interviews with drug agents showed that up to 90 percent of the hundreds of suspects busted each year running illegal grow houses are recently arrived Cuban refugees”.
Tags: cops; police; law enforcement; crime; arrests; drugs; court; Central Florida
-
"Big Pharma's Crime Spree"
David Evans investigates the criminal activity of some of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies. Drug companies are fined billions of dollars for illegally marketing their products, yet continue to do it. Evans asks why.
Tags: Pfizer; Eli Lilly; pharmaceutical; FDA; drugs; Zyprexa; medicaton
-
Juiced in the Valley
"Juiced in the Valley is a series of reports exposing the illegal prescribing of anabolic steroids by a group of doctors at Revolution Medical Centers in Phoenix, Arizona."
Tags: steroid use; prescription fraud; clinics; overdose; suicide; performance-enhancing drugs
-
Coming Home: Soldiers and Drugs
The ABC News investigation probed into the use of illicit drugs by former soldiers after returning home from war in Iraq. Though the military suggests there is no increase in drug abuse after serving in the war, an ABC News team along with six graduate student journalists set out to talk to soldiers for answers. The team traveled to Fort Bragg, NC, Camp Pendelton, CA and Fort Carson, CO to speak with soldiers.
Tags: post-war trauma; illegal drugs; addiction; medication
-
Illegal Methadone Sales
Fox Undercover found that methadone was being "openly sold and consumed on a Camden New Jersey Street right in front of a methadone clinic and just yards away from the Camden County Prosecutor's Office."
Tags: methadone; narcotics; drugs; dealer; methadone clinic; illegal drug; security