CENTENNIAL, CO – The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Rocky Mountain Field Division (RMFD) surged into 2026 with Phase II of Operation Fentanyl Free America – part of a nationwide effort that dealt a significant blow to drug trafficking networks. Between January 12 and February 10, 2026, the RMFD in CO, UT...

SAN DIEGO – A superseding indictment unsealed today charges René Arzate-García, aka “La Rana,” alleged Tijuana plaza boss for the Sinaloa Cartel, with Narcoterrorism and Material Support of Terrorism in connection with trafficking massive amounts of fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana into the United States. Also today, the U.S. Department...

DENVER – The DEA Rocky Mountain Field Division (RMFD) shattered records for fentanyl pill and methamphetamine seizures in 2025. Last year, approximately 8,729,000 fentanyl pills were seized in the RMFD – comprised of Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and Montana – along with approximately 1,400 kilograms (nearly 3,100 lbs.) of methamphetamine. “These...

SAN DIEGO – Edgar Herrera Pardo, aka Caiman, an admitted violent cartel enforcer who ordered the killing of a Tijuana police officer, was sentenced in federal court today to 28 years in prison for trafficking large quantities of methamphetamine and heroin into the United States. Herrera Pardo was indicted in...

SAN DIEGO – Four indictments were unsealed in federal court charging 16 individuals throughout San Diego County with distributing large quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl and heroin and laundering drug-trafficking proceeds. In a coordinated takedown yesterday, more than 115 federal, state and local law enforcement officials arrested 10 defendants and executed...

SAN DIEGO – U.S. District Court Judge Todd Robinson sentenced Lucresia Stone-Rojas of San Diego today to 86 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm on November 12, 2023, and possession with intent to distribute heroin on December 27, 2023. Stone-Rojas previously pleaded guilty in...

DENVER – The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Rocky Mountain Field Division (RMFD) – in conjunction with federal and local partners – executed a federal search warrant on 6600 Federal Boulevard in Adams County, Colorado just before 5 a.m. MT today. Based on months-long investigative work, it was determined this makeshift nightclub...

SAN DIEGO – Alleged Sinaloa Cartel cell leader Octavio Leal-Hernandez, aka Chapito Leal, who is believed responsible for trafficking large amounts of methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin and marijuana into the United States from Mexico, appeared in federal court today following his extradition from Mexico yesterday. Leal-Hernandez was indicted by a federal...

DENVER – The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Rocky Mountain Field Division (RMFD) announces it has seized nearly 2.7 million fentanyl pills – or “fake” pills – in Colorado, with one month remaining in the year. This breaks last year’s record-setting 2.61 million pills seized in the state. “It is an unfortunate...

COLORADO SPRINGS – An incoming tip based on the premise of “see something, say something” leads to the seizure of approximately 670,000 fentanyl pills in Colorado and New Mexico. Earlier this month, a tip out of Albuquerque led to the arrest of a man in Colorado Springs, suspected of transporting...