PHOENIX - On August 13, 2017, Drug Enforcement (DEA) Phoenix Field Division agents and Tempe Police Department detectives seized 30,000 fentanyl pills, during an enforcement operation against a Sinaloa Cartel-related drug trafficking organization. This is the largest seizure of fentanyl tablets in Arizona’s history. The pills were discovered after a...

TUCSON, Ariz. - The DEA announced today the sentencing of Gustavo Nunez to 38.25 years in prison for performing illegal cosmetic surgeries on seven victims, three of whom were hospitalized, one with life-threatening injuries. In April 2017, Nunez pleaded guilty to 28 felony charges after performing illegal liposuction procedures. “Gustavo...

ATLANTA, Ga. - Cathine Lavina Sellers of Roswell, Georgia, has been arraigned on federal charges of possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl, and two synthetic opioids, furanyl-fentanyl and U-47700. A search warrant affidavit in the case alleges that Sellers was selling counterfeit 30mg (oxycodone) pills out of her residence...

PHOENIX, Ariz. - The Drug Enforcement (DEA) and Homeland Security (HSI) executed multiple search and arrest warrants today, closing two valley pharmacies and arresting a pharmacist as part of an ongoing OCDETF-designated investigation. On June 28, 2017, agents obtained an indictment from a federal grand jury charging pharmacist Vilawoe Aku...

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - On June 28, 2017, Darius Jermaine Blakemore, a.k.a. Tank, 28, of Chattanooga, Tennessee pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute heroin resulting in death, distribution of heroin resulting in death, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession with intent to distribute crack, and possession with intent to distribute...

ROME, Ga. - Bryson-Taylor Wayne Banks, 31, of Cartersville, Georgia, has been arraigned on multiple federal charges, including unlawfully accessing a law enforcement database and disclosure of confidential information. Banks was a Cartersville Police Officer who was assigned to a DEA task force and allegedly used his access to law...

PHOENIX, Ariz. - The DEA announced the sentencing of Dale Thomas Ratcliffe, a former Doctor of Osteopathy, to 5 years’ probation and the surrender of his medical license, after Ratcliffe was indicted on multiple federal charges earlier this year. Ratcliffe plead guilty to conspiracy to furnish false information after the...

ATLANTA - Georgians participating in the United States Drug Enforcement Administration’(DEA’s) thirteenth National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Initiative held on Saturday, April 29, 2017, turned in 9,635 pounds of unwanted or expired medications for safe and proper disposal at sites set up throughout the state. This amount exceeded the...

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - North Carolinians participating in the United States Drug Enforcement Administration’(DEA’s) thirteenth National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day (NTBI) held on Saturday, April 29, 2017, turned in 26, 420 pounds of unwanted or expired medications for safe and proper disposal at sites set up throughout the state. This amount...

COLUMBIA, S.C. - South Carolinians participating in the United States Drug Enforcement Administration’(DEA’s) thirteenth National Prescription Drug Take Back Day (NTBI) held on Saturday, April 29, 2017, turned in 7,404 pounds of unwanted or expired medications for safe and proper disposal at sites set up throughout the state. This amount...