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Crumbley Associate Could Face Jail Time; Official Says No Discipline Warranted For Ethan Crumbley Before Attack; Omicron Variant Prompts Global Travel Restrictions; Biden-Putin Virtual Summit Tuesday. Aired 3-4a ET
Aired December 05, 2021 - 03:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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PAULA NEWTON, CNN ANCHOR AND CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A warm welcome to our viewers here in the United States and right around the world. I'm Paula Newton.
Ahead on CNN NEWSROOM, charges could soon be filed against the person who helped the parents of an accused school shooter hide out in the hours after being charged.
New travel restrictions going into effect in an effort to stop the spread of the Omicron variant. The main target: people arriving from southern Africa.
And dozens are missing, at least 13 dead, after a volcano erupts in Indonesia.
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NEWTON: We begin in Michigan and the continuing fallout from Tuesday's deadly school shooting. Police say another person could face charges for helping the parents of the alleged shooter.
James and Jennifer Crumbley have pleaded guilty (sic) to involuntary manslaughter charges and are each being held on a $500,000 bond. I should say, they've pleaded not guilty.
The video of the couple being taken into custody from a warehouse in Detroit after setting off a fugitive manhunt. Police say someone aided the pair while they were there.
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SHERIFF MICHAEL BOUCHARD, OAKLAND COUNTY, MICHIGAN: We believe they were assisted in that location, to get there, to get in. And we're gathering that information. And we're going to have the totality of that done fairly soon and present that to our prosecutor for potential charges, for either aiding and abetting or obstruction of justice.
(END VIDEO CLIP) NEWTON: Now during the Crumbleys' arraignment, their attorneys claimed they had fully intended to turn themselves in. They also deny their clients' son had unrestricted access to the gun he's accused of using in the shooting, of course. CNN's Athena Jones has more now from Michigan.
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ATHENA JONES, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi, there. James and Jennifer Crumbley found hiding in a Detroit warehouse early Saturday morning. They were arraigned later in the morning. Each faces four counts of involuntary manslaughter in the death of the four teens that their son, Ethan Crumbley, is charged with murdering.
Each of these counts of involuntary manslaughter carries up to 15 years in prison and a $7,500 fine and mandatory DNA collection. It is very, very rare to see the parents charged in a high school shooting case. But Oakland County prosecutor Karen McDonald explained why she was making that move, take a listen.
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KAREN MCDONALD, OAKLAND COUNTY PROSECUTOR: Both defendants were aware that he was searching "ammunition" on his phone at school.
Instead of reacting to that as a concerned parent and worried about safety, Ms. Crumbley texted, "LOL, I'm not mad," just next time don't get caught.
And then, obviously on this very tragic day, on the 30th, they were called to the school and -- about their son's drawing, which clearly depicted threats and acts of violence. And instead of disclosing to the school that he had full access to this weapon, they chose not to.
They chose not to take their son home. They chose not to tell anybody that he might be dangerous, when it was clear and they had every likelihood that he was. And instead, they left.
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JONES (voice-over): "And instead they left." The prosecutor saying that these parents, had they acted, could have prevented this tragedy from happening; therefore, they are criminally negligent.
We did hear from the lawyers representing Jennifer and James Crumbley. They insist that even though the Crumbleys did not show up for their arraignment on Friday, they were not, in fact, fleeing. Take a listen to what one of their lawyers had to say.
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SHANNON SMITH, ATTORNEY FOR JENNIFER AND JAMES CRUMBLEY: Last night and throughout the day, we were in contact with our clients. They were scared. They were terrified. They were not at home. They were figuring out what to do, getting finances in order. This case is absolutely the saddest, most tragic, worst case
imaginable. There is absolutely no doubt. But our clients were absolutely going to turn themselves in. It was just a matter of logistics and all the prosecution had to do was communicate with me about it.
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JONES: They say this was all about miscommunication. But the Oakland County prosecutor and sheriff say, look, the Crumbleys went to a nearby ATM, withdrew $4,000.
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JONES: They did this at a place that wasn't far from the place they were expected to turn themselves in. That doesn't seem like someone who was trying to turn themselves in.
One more thing I should note, there was a person, a third person, who police say helped them get into the warehouse where they were found hiding. That person could face charges as well, aiding and abetting or obstruction of justice. Those exact charges will be up to the Oakland County prosecutor -- Athena Jones, CNN, Pontiac, Michigan.
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NEWTON: Joining me from New York is CNN legal analyst Joey Jackson.
Another crazy turn of events in the last 24 hours. I want to get to those most recent developments.
What do you make of those parents, their lawyers and the lawyers' accusations that the prosecutor didn't handle the situation properly?
It was quite a back and forth.
JOEY JACKSON, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: Yes, it really was. I know you're speaking about the arraignment. Just backing up one minute, the whole purpose of the arraignment is to, number one, apprise the parents of what was they're charged with.
Number two, for the parents to enter a plea, which they did, of not guilty. Number three, for bail to be set, which we know it was set. And ultimately, to have the case come back.
And at that particular arraignment, there were some accusations. The defense pretty much indicating that their clients were never absconding from justice, that there was a miscommunication with the prosecutor and that they -- that is, the defendants, who they represent, the Crumbleys -- at all times had intended to turn themselves in.
The only issue with that is that it pretty much belies the facts as we know them. In the event that you get assistance to get into a warehouse, in the event that you're hiding in the warehouse, in the event that you take out $4,000 the day before, which may be indicative of you pretty much planning to go somewhere, it sort of is contrary to an allegation that they were not really absconding.
So ultimately, everything turns on its facts. We'll see what's factually accurate, what's not. We do know that bail was set. We'll see when they appear in court with regard to their criminality and the prosecutor's case, whether there can be a conviction here moving forward.
NEWTON: This must come as relief to the parents at that high school and the kids, now that these parents are in custody. To be clear, Michigan prosecutors will now try and prove that those parents were grossly negligent.
What about the school, Joey?
You know we've had CNN journalists on the ground for days. They reported to us that the parents and students are fuming at school officials, believing that more could have been done.
What were the school's legal obligations here?
JACKSON: Yes, I have to tell you, Paula, that's a valid concern. And we know obviously, as it relates to the parents, you noted it's about their carelessness, it's about them creating this situation and condition which led to the deaths and the injuries. So we know they're being prosecuted.
When you pivot to the school, it's about what they knew, when they knew it, what specifically they did about it. Apparently the school did have knowledge as to this child and misbehavior. There's indication that he was looking on his phone for "ammunition," doing an ammunition search.
That concerned school officials enough, where they spoke with him. Subsequent to that, the following day, we know about a drawing, which was pretty morbid with regard to blood and a dead body and his statement.
And the parents at that time were brought in. And there is where the communication really goes south.
At that particular time, the question to be asked is, if school officials were in possession of that knowledge, should they have mandated that this child was removed from school?
Should they not, withstanding the parents' objections, said you know what, you're taking him home. And if you're not taking him home we're going to put him in a safe place. But he's not staying here.
So I think any investigation into the school will be predicated upon whether they actually fulfilled their responsibility to act reasonably, responsibly and appropriately under the circumstances, knowing them to be at that particular time.
NEWTON: Prosecutors aren't ruling anything out at this point. But listen to school officials and what they say about the situation, take a listen. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TIM THRONE, SUPERINTENDENT, OXFORD COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT: I want you to know that, you know, there's just -- there's been a lot of talk about the student that was apprehended, that he was, you know, called up to the office and all that kind of stuff. No discipline was warranted.
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NEWTON: "No discipline was warranted." They're saying that, look, this kid did not have this kind of history.
Legally, Joey, what will prosecutors be looking at here?
JACKSON: Yes, so there's two tracks.
Number one, I think there are a lot of people who disagree with the superintendent.
When you're talking about a 15-year old, what record should he have?
Should he have a record stemming back since birth?
Should he have a record when he was 10?
The fact is they were possessed of information, the school, at that particular time. There's an indication, if you're searching for ammunition, that's problematic. If you have a picture with dead people on it, that's problematic.
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JACKSON: With blood, et cetera and bullets, that's a concern.
And so you don't have to look back to determine that there's some extensive disciplinary record to do something.
So from a legal perspective, very quickly, there's two tracks. The one track is the criminal track. I don't particularly see criminal culpability for the school. But I see more of a negligence, civil.
What's the difference?
Criminal affects liberty, it's about prosecuting people. And civil court is about monetary damages. Now any one of these parents would say, take your money, give me my child. But that's what the criminal justice process and the law process has, is they a civil avenue.
I would expect that that school will be sued and they will be deemed to have determined that, did you act reasonably under those circumstances?
A lot of people will say they did not.
NEWTON: And we will continue to follow it all. Joey Jackson for us once again. Really appreciate it.
JACKSON: Always, thanks, Paula.
NEWTON: A Republican congressman is facing fierce criticism for his pro-gun tweet just days after the Michigan tragedy.
Thomas Massie posted this photo on Saturday, showing what appears to be his family gathered around the Christmas tree, all holding firearms, as you can see there. The caption reads, "Merry Christmas, ps Santa, please bring ammo."
Gun violence activist Fred Guttenberg responded with a picture of his teenage daughter who was killed in the parkland shooting in 2018.
He tweeted, "Since we are now sharing family photos, here are mine. One is the last photo that I ever took of Jaime. The other is where she is buried because of the Parkland School shooting. Now the Michigan school shooter and his family used to take photos like yours as well," he wrote.
Here at CNN, suspended anchor Chris Cuomo is no longer employed at CNN. His termination was announced on Saturday, going into effect immediately. The move comes after documents from the New York attorney general showing Cuomo effectively worked as an unpaid aide to his brother, then New York governor, Andrew Cuomo, as he faced sexual harassment allegations. CNN's Brian Stelter has more from New York.
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BRIAN STELTER, CNN SENIOR MEDIA CORRESPONDENT: Hey, there. Yes, this is sending shock waves across the television news world. Chris Cuomo was one of the most prominent anchors here on CNN but he has been terminated. And it all stems from the sexual harassment scandal involving his brother, the former New York governor, Andrew Cuomo.
Here is the statement from CNN Saturday night, announcing the news, saying, "Cuomo was suspended earlier this week pending further evaluation of new information that came to light about his involvement with his brother's defense.
"We retained a respected law firm to conduct the review and have terminated him effective immediately. While in the process of that review, additional information has come to light.
"Despite the termination, we will investigate as appropriate."
So reading between the lines there, CNN management retained a law firm to conduct its own investigation. And whatever that law firm found was apparently enough for CNN boss, Jeff Zucker, to take action on Saturday.
I reached out to Chris Cuomo for comment. Here is what he said in a statement.
He said, "This is not how I want my time at CNN to end. But I've already told you why and how I helped my brother. So let me now say, as disappointing as this is, I could not be more proud of the team at "CUOMO PRIME TIME" and the work we did as CNN's number one show in the most competitive time slot."
Chris Cuomo saying here, "I owe them all and will miss that group of special people, who did really important work."
There are a couple of unknowns here.
Number one, what was the additional information that came to light to CNN management this week?
And the company is not commenting.
Number two, how will viewers react to this news?
There were many Chris Cuomo fans who were frustrated by the suspension and wanted to see him back. However, at the same time, there were many CNN staffers, who were very angry at Chris Cuomo for the way that he enmeshed his personal and professional lives, the way that he was working with New York governor's aides in order to try to help his brother survive the sexual harassment scandal.
That kind of detail is what came out in the text messages and in the sworn testimony that was released back on Monday. Monday led to Tuesday's suspension and now to Saturday's termination.
Right now, we do know that Cuomo's staff will not be affected. Chris Cuomo's team will remain in place at CNN. And there will be a new 9:00 pm show at some point in the future.
But ultimately the most important detail here is about journalistic ethics and standards, about having standards and practices and making sure that the CNN brand is not affected by any single person's conflict of interest -- Brian Stelter, CNN, New York.
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NEWTON: International travel plans have been thrown into turmoil this holiday season as countries around the world rush to stop the spread of the Omicron variant. Many of the new travel restrictions are aimed at arrivals from southern Africa, where the new variant was first detected.
The U.S. will impose new rules on Monday that single out arrivals from eight countries in southern Africa. You see them there.
Similar restrictions in the U.K. also begin Monday.
And many of those African nations are now lashing out, saying the new restrictions unfairly target African travelers.
The mayor of Rio de Janeiro announced on Saturday that he was reluctant -- he reluctantly is canceling New Year's Eve celebrations because of the health risks. In Rome, police are enforcing a new outdoor mask mandate as shoppers
fill the city's shops and streets.
In Bethlehem, a towering Christmas tree was lit in Manger Square, amid uncertainty over whether international visitors will be able to attend.
For the second straight day, South Africa reported more than 16,000 new COVID cases. That's four times what it was a few days ago. CNN's Larry Madowo is live in Johannesburg.
Especially troubling here obviously is the speed at which it seems to be spreading.
And yet perhaps some optimistic news from South African authorities today?
LARRY MADOWO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's correct, Paula. A mixed bag here. First, the fact that now 16,000 cases appears to be the average every day that South Africa is reporting of COVID-19.
And you add to the beginning of this week, South Africa was averaging about 4,000 a week. So in three, four days, the cases have quadrupled. And the concern here is that many of these people were unvaccinated.
The president Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the rate of hospitalization is not increasing at an alarming rate. He says that, even though it still needs research and data to ascertain that, early indications from data from here and health authorities in South Africa indicate, even though the Omicron variant is more transmissible, it may not lead to as many hospitalizations.
A promising sign because it may not lead to as many deaths. But early days. They're still not ready to say that definitively, because severe disease takes time to manifest. That's what the experts at South Africa's National Institute of Communicable Diseases say.
So they just can't say definitively yet because South Africa has just entered its fourth wave. Despite the president's optimistic spin, an adviser in his own ministerial COVID task force says South Africa needs to prepare for a surge in hospitalizations and possibly look after the supply chain.
There's a whole lot that is still not known about the Omicron variant. But again, the president also going back to what you were mentioning, these travel bans against South Africa and other neighboring countries, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Botswana. He said it's a slap in the face of South Africa and southern African nations and Africa as a whole.
He repeated something U.N. secretary-general Anthony Guterres said, this is travel apartheid and the world should be applauding African expertise for warning the world of this new variant of the coronavirus.
NEWTON: It was interesting to note, in fact that they did praise South Africa, yet I want to ask you what the plan is now for South Africa in terms of the low vaccination rate.
Are there signs they might have some success in getting more people vaccinated?
MADOWO: So there are people who are hesitant, for whatever reason, either because they have consumed misinformation. One pharmacist I was speaking to yesterday told me, in the last 18 to 24 months, misinformation and conspiracy theories have won; science has lost.
People were hesitant because they have consumed some things from the internet. There's conservative American talk shows and commentators, who are quite influential here in South Africa. And that makes its way into the general population.
The government is encouraging South Africans to get vaccinated. In fact, it has started a vaccine mandate to make it mandatory for some people to get vaccinated if that will provide some protection. So it's still going to be a difficult uphill task for them to convince these people who are hesitant or anti-vaxers.
NEWTON: Many challenges, not just to get people vaccinated but, obviously, on the continent of Africa, to actually get those vaccines in the country. Less than 7 percent of the continent is fully vaccinated. Larry, appreciate the update.
U.S. intel has a new warning about a potential Russian invasion of Ukraine. Coming up, what U.S. President Joe Biden is saying about the troop buildup ahead of a Russia summit.
And the pope is in Greece to draw attention to migrants in the Mediterranean but he also has a warning for European leaders. That's ahead.
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NEWTON: A Russian military buildup near Ukraine is bringing new warning from U.S. intelligence. The Kremlin could be ready to invade within months. Moscow insists that's not going to happen.
But a potential Russian attack is said to be on the agenda for Tuesday's summit between the U.S. and Russia. CNN's Joe Johns has this look from Washington.
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JOE JOHNS, CNN SENIOR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: White House press secretary Jen Psaki putting our a statement, indicating, as her counterpart at the Kremlin already had, that President Biden and Vladimir Putin will have their big telephone call on Tuesday on video.
And one of the major topics to be discussed will be the tens of thousands of Russian troops massing on the Ukraine border.
That statement says, in part, "President Biden will underscore U.S. concerns with Russian military activities on the border with Ukraine and reaffirm the U.S.' support for the sovereignty and integrity of Ukraine."
So one of the big questions is whether Putin is planning on invading Ukraine. The answer to that cannot be known.
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JOHNS: The president, on departure to Camp David this weekend, was asked what he would do if Russia invaded Ukraine.
He did not answer the question. But he did say this.
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JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We've been aware of Russia's actions for a long time. And my expectation is we're going to have a long discussion with Putin.
QUESTION: Do you accept Putin's red line on Ukraine?
BIDEN: I won't accept anybody's red line.
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JOHNS: One of the big reasons it's so difficult to figure out what's going on with the Russian troops is, according to a U.S. intelligence report, they're being moved around in a way so as to obscure their motivations -- Joe Johns, CNN, the White House. (END VIDEOTAPE)
NEWTON: Pope Francis is heading to the Greek island of Lesbos, where he's set to meet with refugees in about a half hour. It's part of a five-day trip to Cyprus and Greece to highlight the plight of migrants in the Mediterranean.
On Saturday the pope met with Greek leaders in Athens. In the birthplace of democracy, he warned about the rise of authoritarianism and populism around the world.
Travel restrictions, lockdowns and canceled plans: coming up on CNN NEWSROOM, we take a look at how countries around the world are trying to slow the spread of the Omicron variant.
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NEWTON: International travelers are again facing severe restrictions and mandatory quarantines as governments scramble to halt the spread of the Omicron variant. Many are saying the new restrictions unfairly target African travelers. For more, we want to bring CNN's Salma Abdelaziz in London.
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NEWTON: There are varying restrictions, different approaches in many, many countries. In the U.K., they were among the first to bring in travel restrictions.
What can you tell us as well about this very extensive booster campaign now under way?
SALMA ABDELAZIZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Paula, this country is trying to ramp up its booster campaign to basically what it was like at the beginning of the vaccines, when everyone was getting their very first shot.
Already GPs, doctors here, are being told to put aside any nonemergent care, delay appointments, put all their staff and focus and resources into getting these boosters done. It is absolutely a priority for this government.
And it's their tool that they believe they'll be able to use against the Omicron variant. But across the globe, people preparing for what scientists might be able to tell us in a few days. Take a look.
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ABDELAZIZ (voice-over): The Omicron variant has put the world on edge, triggering new travel bans and lockdown measures. More than 35 countries have reported cases of the coronavirus variant.
Doctors and scientists are racing to gather data, to determine if it's more transmissible, causes more severe illness and whether it could impact the efficacy of vaccines.
DR. SOUMYA SWAMINATHAN, WHO CHIEF SCIENTIST: The early reports that we have, starting with (INAUDIBLE) province where it was first observed and then across the (INAUDIBLE) provinces of South Africa, we do think that it's quite infectious, quite transmissible.
It is something to worry about. Certainly we didn't want to see another variant emerge and spread around the world at this stage of the pandemic, certainly not what we wanted. But we are not entirely surprised. And I think we're much better prepared to handle it.
ABDELAZIZ (voice-over): But many countries are taking no chances. In Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel announced a nationwide lockdown for all unvaccinated people.
Italy imposed mask mandates in Rome and Sicily ahead of the holidays.
And Ireland introduced new restrictions, closing night clubs and imposing a 50 percent capacity cap for indoor events.
Rio de Janeiro cancelled New Year's Eve celebrations after Brazil detected its first Omicron cases. South African scientists first detected Omicron. COVID cases in the
country nearly quadrupled between Tuesday and Friday, passing the 3 million mark for the first time since the start of the pandemic; 70 to 75 percent of the cases sequenced in South Africa in November were confirmed to be of the Omicron variant.
Health officials continue to underscore how important it is to get vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19.
In the U.K., prime minister Boris Johnson received his booster and urged residents to do the same as soon as possible.
BORIS JOHNSON, U.K. PRIME MINISTER: The target that we have set ourselves is to offer a booster to everyone eligible by the end of January. And as with the first jabs, we'll be working through people by age group, going down in 5-year bands.
ABDELAZIZ (voice-over): While it may be a few more weeks until scientists know more about Omicron, the world continues to act fast to fight the latest obstacle in the coronavirus pandemic.
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ABDELAZIZ: Now while we wait for scientists to tell us more about whether or not Omicron is more transmissible, if it has more severe disease, if it's able to evade some of our vaccines or make them less capable to fight it in any way, we're still waiting for that information.
But everyone's still relying on vaccines and booster jabs as being that main layer of protection. But at the same time, what we're watching here is countries watch out for their own, do their individual choices and individual actions.
But reality is, it's just as the World Health Organization has said over and over again. We are not safe until everyone is safe.
You have to think about the developing world in these situations and wonder, do they have access to booster jabs?
NEWTON: Yes, it is a good question. A lot of challenges in the weeks and months ahead. Salma, appreciate the update.
As you heard, Germany is also cracking down on the unvaccinated. Last hour I spoke with the chief Europe correspondent for "Politico." I asked him what will happen if tougher measures don't work?
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MATTHEW KARNITSCHNIG, CHIEF EUROPE CORRESPONDENT, "POLITICO": Merkel actually hinted at this last week in other remarks that she made. I think she was looking to the south toward Austria, where a vaccine mandate was recently introduced.
And she said even though she's leaving office, she would support a vaccine mandate because it doesn't look like the measures they've announced will work to convince the 30 percent of the German population that's not vaccinated to get the shot in the coming weeks.
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NEWTON: That is a significant portion, when you consider waning immunity.
Now in the near term, even if some of these measures work, what are the immediate challenges facing the health care system there right now?
KARNITSCHNIG: Well, unfortunately, we're seeing hospitals fill up. We're seeing intensive care units in particular get quite full. And a lot of people are worried that, as we head into the holiday season in the coming weeks, that Germany's going to be facing a full-blown crisis in the hospitals.
And the question is whether these lockdown measures are really going to have the necessary effect. And a lot of politicians are already admitting new, tougher lockdown measures are probably going to be necessary. And even the public seems to have come to terms with that.
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NEWTON: In talking about the Omicron variant, it once again highlights the need for more genomic sequencing. This is the scientific process that identifies COVID-19 variants that may be emerging.
It's like an early warning system. And it's a key weapon in containing the spread of the virus. But as CNN's Scott McLean reports, many countries lack the resources to properly conduct this type of research.
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SCOTT MCLEAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In the past few months, the Philippines has seen record COVID case numbers. And, as officials try to contain the virus on the streets, inside this lab in Davao City, they're fighting on a different front.
KAHLIL CORAZO, ACCESSIBLE GENOMICS: The first rule in war is that you have to know your enemy. And for us to know our enemy in this pandemic, we have to sequence it.
MCLEAN (voice-over): In the battle against COVID, the lab has the artillery it needs to sequence the virus, this tiny machine. The problem is that it can barely afford the ammunition, the chemicals that make it work.
They cost about $900 for just a couple hundred test samples. In a given month, they say thousands are needed to fully track the virus.
CORAZO: Recently we've started a crowdfunding campaign. And so far we've raised around 400 euros. A thousand dollars is like two people's monthly salary so it's not significant here.
MCLEAN (voice-over): That relatively small funding gap is a big reason why developing countries are lagging so far behind in identifying COVID-19 variants that might be more deadly or transmissible.
In the West, labs like the U.K.'s Sanger Institute are sequencing the virus on a huge scale, using multimillion dollar machines like these. According to GISAID, the COVID-19 variant database, the biggest contributions are coming from the richest countries.
Some countries haven't sequenced any genomes at all, which means none of us know which variants are circulating there, ready to potentially spread across borders.
LYRE MURAO, DIRECTOR, PHILIPPINE GENOME CENTER MINDINAO: We don't get to do sequencing in many parts of the world. Then definitely we're missing out on possible variants that are, you know, emerging.
MCLEAN (voice-over): We know how rapidly new variants can take hold. The Delta variant first emerged in India in April and was the dominant variant worldwide by mid-July.
Omicron, the new variant first spotted in South Africa, was declared a variant of concern in record time and is predicted by some experts to become the dominant strain in the days ahead. Its emergence highlighting again the importance of real-time virus surveillance.
Getting the necessary technology out to all corners of the globe is part of the challenge and this company, an hour north of London, thinks they have an answer.
MCLEAN: The technology to sequence the virus in remote labs around the world is being manufactured here on an industrial scale. It's small and relatively inexpensive. The challenge has been getting governments to actually use it.
GORDON SANGHERA, CEO, OXFORD NANOPORE: These systems are plug and play. If you're a 16-year-old high school student, you can run the platform. It's that easy to use.
MCLEAN: I just wonder why more countries aren't using it.
SANGHERA: It's a confluence of regulation, governments, lack of awareness. We've been slow to fully understand that we need to look at the variants. But if we got a vaccine escape variant, things could change dramatically overnight.
MCLEAN (voice-over): Back in the Philippines, this lab won't be doing large-scale surveillance anytime soon without a massive influx of cash. But they have proven, with a tiny piece of technology, that even small-scale operations can contribute to COVID sequencing, helping us all stay one step ahead of the virus -- Scott McLean, CNN, Oxford, England.
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NEWTON: Coming up, a volcano erupts with deadly consequences, its ash cloud so enormous and high, planes are getting warnings.
[03:40:00] NEWTON: The very latest after the break.
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NEWTON (voice-over): You're looking at images from the island of Java in Indonesia, where a volcano erupted Saturday. Officials say at least 13 have been killed and scores more injured. Pilots are warned to be on alert with ash clouds towering up to 50,000 feet in the air.
Search and rescue operations are underway and local officials say blocked roads are hindering those efforts. Vacation shelters have been set up for those fortunate enough to escape.
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NEWTON (voice-over): A towering ash cloud engulfs the sky in Indonesia. Panicked villagers run for safety with the giant plumes of smoke from Mount Semeru looming behind them.
Authorities say the volcano, which is the tallest mountain on the island of Java, erupted Saturday afternoon. Some people say it was an eerie scene, with the smell of sulfur in the air and the sky looking like it had turned from day to night.
One woman says, "There was a cloud raining down hot ashes. Then the sky went totally dark."
Thousands of people have fled the area. Authorities say they are unable to reach some villages, because roads are blocked by debris and mud. Heavy rains have further complicated rescue attempts.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): There are families, parents and children, who are not found yet. But considering the hot lava, the hot temperatures, the field is tough. So what we can do is get to the locations that we know we can reach.
NEWTON (voice-over): Officials say dozens have been wounded and suffered severe burns. A restricted zone has been set up within five kilometers of the crater. Many weary families are taking shelter in evacuation centers in village halls and mosques, where they await word on missing loved ones, unsure themselves of when they can return home.
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NEWTON (voice-over): Mount Semeru is one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes. It had a previous major eruption about a year ago. The Volcanic Ash Advisory Center has issued a warning to airlines that one part of the ash cloud could reach as high as 15,000 meters.
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NEWTON: Still to come on CNN, the other pandemic. U.S. officials alarmed over the massive spike in deaths from drug overdoses across the country.
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NEWTON: In the United States, deaths from drug overdoses have reached a record high, over 100,000 during the recent 12-month period. CNN is shining the spotlight on one city facing a growing methamphetamine crisis. Here's Kyung Lah from Fresno, California.
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KYUNG LAH, CNN SENIOR U.S. CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Fresno County sheriff's deputy Todd Burk --
DEPUTY TODD BURK, FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE: Hey, are you OK?
Can you get out of the road, please?
LAH (voice-over): -- on his typical graveyard shift, digging away night after night --
BURK: You're out here doing drugs?
LAH (voice-over): -- at a deadly national crisis.
BURK: Out of the road, we're trying to help you.
Something is causing her to panic and to be paranoid.
LAH (voice-over): That something is likely the drug law enforcement most often sees in Central California County.
BURK: Methamphetamine, when was the last time used?
Very common for meth users that smoke it but this is also a common way to use methamphetamine, is they inject it.
LAH: This needle belongs to this driver.
BURK: Your car is expired big time.
LAH: This man says Deputy Burk can search his car --
BURK: Got any needles in the car?
LAH: -- and then talks to us about his addiction. He asked we don't show his face.
Have you used a lot?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I've been using a lot, like on and off all the time, you know, since, like I said, 13. So --
LAH: Why did you get started when you're 13?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, I have an older brother I looked up to and he just felt like that. He wanted to introduce it to me, I guess. Of course, since I'm a kid, I'm going to say yes to my big brother, you know?
And from there on, it just took control.
LAH: Would you say you're a meth user?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Of course, I'm a drug addict.
LAH: He'd been in and out of prison and says he just lost his job as a forklift driver that paid $25 an hour. He just took meth yesterday, worried about how he'll take care of his family.
How old are your kids?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Seven and five.
LAH: And how old are you?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: 28. That's why I'm trying to stay straight so I can have my kids straight.
LAH: How many people do you know do meth?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Everyone.
BURK: Methamphetamine, it is such an addictive drug, they can't get rid of it. They can't stop it. Even if they want to stop it, they can't. Their body won't allow him to.
LAH (voice-over): Every single stop Deputy Burk makes on the shift involves meth.
BURK: Are you having a hard time?
Do you need a program?
Methamphetamine would be the number one drug used in Fresno. It's so easy to obtain. It's not difficult. It's all over the streets out here.
LAH: New CDC data shows meth is all over the country's streets and it's getting worse. More than one in four overdose deaths this year involved meth and other psychostimulants. That's up nearly 50 percent from last year. In California, deaths were up 64 percent year-on-year. And in Fresno,
no other drug, including fentanyl, comes even close to the death rate of meth.
ROBERT PENNAL, SPECIAL AGENT SUPERVISOR (RET.), CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE: It's not the same dope. It's different.
LAH (voice-over): Former Department of Justice Special Agent Bob Pennal says dealers used to cook meth from ephedrine in super labs.
PENNAL: We had hit these labs and we've seen nothing but blister packs. You had to have to pseudoephedrine there.
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PENNAL: And the minute we stopped it, yes.
LAH: It was over?
So now, Mexican cartels use common chemical agents in mega labs.
PENNAL: They're like Costco. They're just huge, huge industrial-sized buildings. So they're basically warehouses.
LAH: And you can just manufacture it now at a much higher quantity.
LAH (voice-over): Smuggled across the border as liquid, difficult to detect means cheap prices.
BURK: Hey, no warrants, right?
JOHN CHAPMAN, FORMER METH ADDICT: No.
LAH: And high supply impacting life across Fresno.
CHAPMAN: It's not even meth anymore.
LAH: Do you feel different on today's meth and this stuff --
CHAPMAN: More violent.
LAH: More violent.
CHAPMAN: More violent.
LAH (voice-over): John Chapman lives in the neighborhood Deputy Burk patrols. While he shares a common story --
CHAPMAN: I think I was 11, 11.5 years old when I started.
LAH: Who introduced it to you when you were 11?
CHAPMAN: I just have to say my mom did.
LAH: Your mom gave you meth?
LAH (voice-over): -- at age 55, he managed to quit.
CHAPMAN: My legs will start spazzing and stuff like that from it.
LAH: Because of the meth?
CHAPMAN: Yes. It gave me nerve damage. It does actually fry your brain.
LAH: If you had kept going, what would have happened to you?
CHAPMAN: I would be dead.
LAH: There is no live-saving antidote for meth overdoses. That's why Deputy Burk keeps going night after night.
BURK: I want to see somebody who's constantly high on methamphetamine to change their life and become a productive citizen. I think they want it as well.
You're all done?
LAH (voice-over): Kyung Lah, CNN, Fresno, California.
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NEWTON: That does it for us. I'm Paula Newton. Thanks for your company. Kim Brunhuber picks things up from here. He'll be with you in just a moment.
