TUCSON, Ariz. – Reynaldo Parra-Villagrana, 27, of Tucson, was sentenced last week by United States District Judge Rosemary Márquez to 33 months in federal prison, followed by 60 months of supervised release, for his role in a cross-border narcotics distribution conspiracy. Parra-Villagrana pleaded guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute...

TUCSON, Ariz. – Rodrigo Paez-Quintero, a Mexican national, has been extradited from Mexico to the United States to face charges related to drug trafficking. Paez-Quintero’s surrender to U.S authorities after an extradition proceeding in Mexico demonstrates the ongoing cooperation between the United States and Mexico to combat the influx of...

SALT LAKE CITY – The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Rocky Mountain Field Division (RMFD) seized approximately 170,000 fentanyl pills in Utah operations last month. In less than two weeks in June, 170,000 fentanyl pills were seized across the state. This represents 25.6% of the total fentanyl pill seizures in Utah in...

DENVER – As most schools are out and Summer 2024 is unofficially underway, DEA’s Rocky Mountain Field Division is on pace to eclipse fentanyl pill seizure records set just last year. “It is an unfortunate reality that seizures of fake fentanyl pills across our Division – Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and...

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Angel Valencia-Avendano, 20, of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, was sentenced last week by United States Chief District Judge G. Murray Snow to 84 months in prison. Valencia-Avendano pleaded guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl. On March 6, 2023, Valencia-Avendano was arrested and charged with fentanyl trafficking...

PHOENIX, Ariz. - DEA and its local law enforcement partners collected 5,702 pounds of unused medications in Arizona during the 26th National Drug Take Back Day on April 27, 2024. This is an increase from last October of 5,414 pounds collected. Nationwide, 670,136 pounds of unused medications were turned in...

(PHOENIX) – The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Phoenix Division and Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes are Huddling Up with NFL Alumni Health and Rise Up Glendale this Friday, May 17th to raise awareness and bring the community together to save lives. This community outreach and educational opportunity aims to provide...

DENVER – Fentanyl continues to be the leading cause of death for Americans between the ages of 18 and 45. In 2023, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seized nationally more than 77 million fentanyl pills and nearly 12,000 pounds of fentanyl powder. Across the DEA Rocky Mountain Field Division –...

Today, May 7, 2024 is National Fentanyl Awareness Day. This annual observance is held to bring needed attention and awareness to the threats from fentanyl and fake pills – and the lives lost to poisonings and overdoses. Fentanyl is the most significant drug threat the United States has faced in...

Thanks to community members, community partners, volunteers and members of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Rocky Mountain Field Division (RMFD) the 26th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day was again a success. This past Saturday, often in challenging weather, people brought in their unneeded, unwanted or expired prescription medications to dozens...