SAN FRANCISCO – United States Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) San Francisco Division Special Agent in Charge Bob Beris, DEA New York Division Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino, along with our law enforcement partners Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”) , U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector...

SAN FRANCISCO – On October 25, 2025, DEA joined 4,263 law enforcement agencies across the country who came together for the 29th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. At 4,317 collection sites nationwide, Take Back events removed 571,054 pounds of unneeded and expired medications from home medicine cabinets to prevent...

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Philip Yen, M.D. has agreed to pay the United States $125,000 to resolve allegations that he failed to comply with federal statutory requirements related to his role as the Drug Enforcement Administration registrant at Sutter Imaging Capitol Pavilion, Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith and Drug Enforcement Administration...

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The United States has filed a civil complaint against nurse practitioner Joan Rubinger, registered in Stockton, that alleges a long-running nationwide scheme to sell illegal opioid prescriptions for cash, Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Bob P. Beris announced. The...

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...

The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Rocky Mountain Field Division (RMFD) is proud to be part of the 26th annual National Prescription Drug Take Back Day this Saturday, April 27, 2024 from 10:00am to 2:00pm MST at dozens of locations across Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and Montana. “DEA’s Take Back events serve as...

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced the arrest of and filing of charges against Dr. Arash Padidar, a Santa Clara County doctor accused of illegally prescribing opioids to patients. The arrest and charges are the result of an investigation into an alleged two-years-long illegal prescription...

FRESNO, Calif. — Sawtantra Chopra, 76, of Modesto, pleaded guilty Wednesday to three counts of illegally prescribing opioids and other medication, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Brian M. Clark announced. According to court documents, Chopra admitted prescribing drugs — including hydrocodone, alprazolam...

DENVER — The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announced that People’s Pharmacy, Inc. and its owner and pharmacist-in-charge, Mahnaz Abharian, have agreed to resolve allegations that the pharmacy unlawfully dispensed controlled substances, including dangerous opioids and drug combinations. People’s Pharmacy operated a pharmacy located in Lakewood...

Bozeman, Mont. – Rocky Mountain Division Diversion Investigator (DI) Aaron St. Peter was recently named “Outstanding Citizen of the Year” at the Montana Narcotic’s Officers Association (MNOA) Conference in Bozeman. DI St. Peter was nominated by a colleague from the Montana Department of Justice, Criminal Investigation Division (MT CID). The...