cocaine

More than 20 years after Jam Master Jay of Run-DMC was shot to death in a New York recording studio, a man admitted to his role in the killing.

Jay Bryant, 52, pleaded guilty to a federal murder charge, telling U.S. Magistrate Judge Peggy Cross-Goldenberg that he helped others gain access to the building where the hip-hop icon, born Jason Mizell, was shot in 2002.

“I knew a gun was going to be used to shoot Jason Mizell,” Bryant told the judge, per the Associated Press. “I knew that what I was doing was wrong and a crime.”

Bryant didn’t name the people he helped, but in 2024, Karl Jordan Jr. and Ronald Washington were convicted of Mizell’s murder in a case that prosecutors had been working for decades.

“Y’all just killed two innocent people,” Washington yelled at the jury at the time of the verdict.

Jordan Jr., Mizell’s godson, won an appeal last year to overturn his conviction, with a judge finding that the prosecutors’ case against him didn’t add up. The judge said the evidence didn’t support the contention that he was motivated by anger after he was cut out of a $200,000 drug deal. Earlier this month, U.S. District Judge LaShann DeArcy approved Jordan Jr.’s $1-million bond package.

Washington has challenged his conviction as well.

According to Courthouse News, prosecutors claimed that Washington and Jordan both confessed to the murder, based on witness testimony that both men discussed being involved in Mizell’s shooting while they were in prison.

As for Bryant’s role in the murder, his uncle Raymond Bryant testified in 2024 that his nephew confessed to killing Mizell, saying he “did it.”

Additionally, a hat with Bryant’s DNA that law enforcement officers found in the recording studio placed Bryant at the scene of the crime.

Bryant told the court Monday that he was in cahoots with people who were wrapped up in a drug deal with the DJ and that he played a part in the killing by helping them gain entry to the recording studio. According to the Associated Press, Bryant flashed a thumbs up to a person in the courtroom before leaving.

Bryant faces 15 to 20 years in prison for his role in the murder, as well as separate narcotics trafficking and firearms charges to which he already pleaded guilty.

“More than two decades after the cold-blooded, execution-style killing of Mr. Mizell, an exhaustive investigation revealed Bryant’s role and today he finally admitted his guilt,” stated U.S. Atty. Joseph Nocella in a news release.

“Justice in the murder of Jam Master Jay has been pursued with determination and resolve for more than two decades. The defendant’s role in facilitating access for the killers was integral to this crime,” added Bryan DiGirolamo, special agent in charge for ATF New York field division.

Although Mizell’s public persona as the “master of the disco scratch” promoted the wholesome side of hip-hop and encouraged a drug-free lifestyle, officials said he turned to dealing after the group’s heyday had come and gone. According to prosecutors, Mizell became involved in arranging the sale of kilogram-size quantities of cocaine.

In August 2002, Mizell was fronted 10 kilos of cocaine from a supplier. Prosecutors alleged that Jordan Jr. and Washington planned to deal the drugs in Maryland, but a dispute led to the men being cut out of the $200,000 deal.

On Oct. 30, 2002, Mizell was playing video games with a friend inside his Queens, N.Y., recording studio, 24/7. According to prosecutors, around 7:30 p.m., Bryant entered the building containing the recording studio and opened a locked fire escape exit door to allow others to slip in without being seen by Mizell.

Two shots were fired and Mizell was hit once in the head, killing him. The second shot struck another individual in the leg.

Former New Zealand all-rounder Doug Bracewell has admitted using cocaine after the first day of Essex’s final County Championship match last year.

Bracewell returned the positive test on 25 September – the second day of the match against Somerset at Chelmsford.

He was notified by the Cricket Regulator in November and responded on 8 December, confirming he had used cocaine after the first day of the fixture, into the early hours of the following morning.

Bracewell, who signed for Essex for the final three Championship matches of the season, opened the bowling on day one, claiming two wickets as Somerset moved to 339-6. He was not required to bat on day two and Essex eventually won the match by seven wickets.

After being notified of the positive test, Bracewell then retired from cricket on 28 December. The Regulator has still issued him with a two-year ban.

Part of a famous New Zealand cricketing family – his uncle John Bracewell played 28 Tests and cousin Michael is a current Black Cap – Doug played 69 international matches across formats.

He also previously served a one-month ban for cocaine use in 2024.

Bracewell has accepted the sanction, while Essex will not face punishment.

“Essex can confirm that Doug Bracewell failed a routine drugs test in September 2025,” said a club statement.

“The club supports the Cricket Regulator’s decision to impose a period of ineligibility of two years. All employees are required to meet the highest standards of professional conduct.

“While the club does not condone Bracewell’s behaviour, we are committed to supporting him through rehabilitation in line with our policies and procedures.”

We analysed dozens of recent local news reports as part of our ongoing investigation into criminal activity on UK High Streets. From Bideford in Devon, to Great Yarmouth in Norfolk, to Belfast in Northern Ireland – we found that drugs, including crystal meth and heroin, had been found in more than 70 shops and linked premises.

Pushing back on Washington

Petro, however, has highlighted his interdiction efforts as a means of refuting Trump’s claims that he has allowed cocaine to flow unchecked.

The subject reportedly came up during a call between the two heads of state in January. Petro suggested that Trump had been unfamiliar with the amounts of cocaine Colombia has seized.

“The United States doesn’t know anything about that,” he told CBS News after the call.

At other times, Petro has leaned on his interdiction record to push back on Trump’s hardline anti-narcotics policy.

In September, Trump and his allies announced a campaign to bomb boats suspected of carrying drugs, arguing the strategy was more efficient than interdiction.

“Interdiction doesn’t work,” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said. “What will stop them is when you blow them up, when you get rid of them.”

Since then, the US military has bombed 47 boats, killing at least 163 people. Petro has condemned the strikes as “murders”, arguing they violate due process and international law.

He has also held up his own interdiction strategy as a more effective model.

When Colombia and the US led a joint maritime operation in February that resulted in nearly 10 tonnes of cocaine seized, Petro touted the outcome as proof that anti-narcotics efforts need not be lethal.

“The Colombian Navy seized the submarine without killing anyone,” Petro said during a cabinet meeting.

Still, experts have pointed out that Petro has bent to US demands in other areas.

While Petro had pledged not to target coca farmers, he announced in December that security forces would deploy drones to spray crops with glyphosate, an herbicide.

That plan — to forcibly eradicate coca crops by air — faced strong local opposition due to concerns over the herbicide’s health and environmental impacts.

Rueda said the move, which has yet to be implemented, signalled that Petro, like many presidents before him, had yielded to US pressure.

“The US government always wins,” said Rueda. “It always has more power over us, and we end up having to give in — and so does Petro.”

Whether Petro’s decision holds weight with his electoral base is less certain. While protests initially erupted in coca-growing regions, they subsided after meetings with his administration.

Rueda suspects officials reassured protesters they wouldn’t carry out the fumigations, which could have cost Petro in the upcoming elections.

“Petro’s decision highlights his inconsistencies when it comes to the policy he put forward,” Rueda said. “But in the end, the fumigations never happened, so the political impact likely wasn’t as significant as it could have been.”

The Apprentice star Kieran McCartney has candidly opened up on his drug addiction, admitting he would spend £400-£500 a week on cocaine

A favourite on The Apprentice has candidly revealed he battled a cocaine addiction and was left with suicidal thoughts. Kieran McCartney opened up on his £500-a-week drug addiction – and the one call that allowed him to change his life.

The TV contestant, who worked as an estate agent, revealed he used his work phone to message dealers in East London during company time – both before and after his time on the BBC show. And he has revealed he “probably wouldn’t be here”if it wasn’t for his mother.

He revealed how his friendship group dwindled as pals grew embarrassed by how he was behaving on drugs or alcohol. But he confessed Lord Alan Sugar’s “you’re fired” catchphrase proved to him that he was able to give it up.

READ MORE: Strictly Come Dancing ‘to have third host’ as final seven contenders revealedREAD MORE: Fears for William Shatner as star forced to undergo surgery at 94 after cancer fight

He admitted he would splurge £400-£500 on cocaine on a weekly basis, spending hours in the pub five times a week. Speaking to The Sun, Kieran said: “It always came if I had a few drinks. I couldn’t drink without doing it. I’d maybe have four pints. Then I might have a little bit. And then have another four pints.”

Ensure our latest headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as your Preferred Source in your Google search settings.

He confessed that he would sometimes find himself still up in the early hours despite having work the next day. He admitted he would feel “awful” but would always go to work.

Kieran denies ever using the drug while filming the reality TV show. And he blasted those who said he looked “wired” during the series.

“The Apprentice was an amazing experience — mentally very stressful,” he said. “But I’m in a good place now. It didn’t even cross my mind once. I would have loved a beer, absolutely. It was summertime. It was hot.

“But drugs? No. Definitely not. I had about 200 cigarettes on me when I went into the house. That was it.” And he told those online to stop and “don’t judge a book by its cover”.

Fans of the show are watching as he continues his bid to get the deal with Lord Sugar. Before appearing on the show, the estate agent said he wanted to rehabilitate his profession’s reputation.

To do so, he said he needed Lord Sugar’s investment to help him to branch out on his own. He said at the time: “I know the property game inside out.

“The wins, the pressure, and the graft it takes to succeed. But now it’s time to stop building someone else’s business and start building my own.”

*Frank offers confidential advice about drugs and addiction (email frank@talktofrank.com, message 82111 or call 0300 123 6600) or the NHS has information about getting help.

*If you’re struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email jo@samaritans.org or visit their site to find your local branch

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .