WASHINGTON – During the unprecedented health emergency caused by the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the health and safety of our communities is DEA’s top priority. DEA is responding appropriately to ensure Americans continue to have access to necessary medications and controlled substances. DEA’s efforts include supporting prescribing practices that limit...

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A federal grand jury sitting in Charlotte has returned an indictment against Anthony Blane Byrnes, 19, of Huntersville, N.C., charging him with drug conspiracy and related drug charges for trafficking narcotics he purchased on the dark web, with coordination through Bitcoin ATMs, announced Andrew Murray, U.S. Attorney...

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – U.S. District Judge Martin Reidinger sentenced Eugene “Bo” Mashburn, 58, of Hayesville, N.C. today to 135 months in prison, announced Andrew Murray, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Judge Reidinger also ordered Mashburn to serve five years under court supervision upon completion of his...

WASHINGTON – The Justice Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration today announced the results of Project Python, a DEA-led interagency operation encompassing all global investigations and related disruption activities targeting the Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG). This announcement marks the successful conclusion of six months of investigative and enforcement...

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – U.S. Attorney Andrew Murray announced that Daniel John Hodges, 25, of Concord, North Carolina. appeared in federal court today before U.S. Magistrate Judge David C. Keesler, and pleaded guilty to unlawful distribution of anabolic steroids. Special Agent in Charge Robert J. Murphy of the Atlanta Field Division...

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – U.S. District Judge Martin Reidinger sentenced Charles Michael Ledford, 50, of Conyers, Georgia today to 324 months in prison for trafficking methamphetamine, announced Andrew Murray, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Judge Reidinger also ordered Ledford to serve five years under court supervision. Joining...

WASHINGTON – A dual U.S.-Mexican citizen had her initial appearance in federal court in the District of Columbia Wednesday on charges related to her alleged involvement in five business entities designated by the Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) as providing material support to the international narcotics...

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – A federal grand jury sitting in Charlotte returned a criminal bill of indictment on Feb. 20, 2020, charging Shannon White, 42, an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and resident of the Cherokee Indian Reservation, with distributing fentanyl that resulted in an overdose death...

WASHINGTON – The Drug Enforcement Administration today announced an important step to improve access to medication assisted treatment, especially in rural areas where those suffering with opioid use disorder may have limited treatment options. “Thankfully, prescription opioid overdose deaths have declined more than 13 percent, but thousands of Americans still...

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Acting United States Attorney A. Lance Crick announced today that Brian William Rose of Aiken County was sentenced in federal court for his involvement in a methamphetamine and heroin conspiracy and being a felon in possession of a firearm. United States District Judge J. Michelle Childs of...