LEXINGTON, Ky. - In early 2015, as part of a comprehensive approach to combat the opioid epidemic facing the state of Kentucky, the United States Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Drug Enforcement (DEA) established an Overdose Prosecution Initiative, which has become an important tool in the battle against illegal drug...

PHOENIX - DEA led multiple enforcement operations in Tucson and the surrounding area this morning as part of a long-term federal investigation involving the sales and distribution of synthetic cannabinoids, aka “spice.” DEA coordinated the service of 32 federal search warrants in Tucson, Arizona; Denver, Colorado and Long Beach, California...

PHOENIX - DEA Special Agent in Charge Doug Coleman and Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced the indictment of Dr. Harinder Kumar Takyar following a 42-count indictment by a state grand jury alleging Dr. Takyar prescribed controlled substances with no medical necessity and provided compensation for the referral of patients to...

DETROIT - A medical doctor has been sentenced on charges of unlawfully distributing prescription drug controlled substances, including the Schedule II prescription drug (oxycodone), and health care fraud, U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade announced today. McQuade was joined in the announcement by the Timothy J. Plancon, Special Agent in Charge...

DETROIT - A Detroit Police Lieutenant and a second police officer from the now-disbanded Narcotics Unit of the Detroit Police Department were convicted today by a federal jury in Detroit on charges of robbing drug dealers and stealing drugs and money obtained in police searches, U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade...

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Thomas A. Coates, 30, formerly of Columbus, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today to one count of racketeering conspiracy. Coates was originally scheduled to stand trial on July 11th, 2016, in the second of three trials involving the organized criminal enterprise known as the Short North...

MARQUETTE, Mich. - U.S. Attorney Patrick A. Miles, Jr. announced today that Damon Ramone Belcher, 43, of Detroit, Michigan, Corrie Venta Ruth, 36, of Flint, Michigan, and Stephanie Rae Hatch, 41, of Lake Linden, Michigan, were sentenced to prison by U.S. District Judge R. Allan Edgar for their roles in...

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Lance Green, 36, formerly of Columbus, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today to one count of racketeering conspiracy and two counts of murder in aid of racketeering. Green was scheduled to stand trial on July 11 in the second of three trials involving the organized criminal...

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Tysin L. Gordon, 30, of Columbus, was sentenced to 96 months in prison in connection with a racketeering case involving the organized criminal enterprise known as the Short North Posse. Benjamin C. Glassman, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Timothy J. Plancon, Special...

PHOENIX - DEA announced today the sentencing of Robert South to over five years in prison after pleading guilty to drug and money laundering charges stemming from his role as the head of a steroid trafficking organization based in Phoenix, Arizona. South used underground laboratories in Phoenix to convert raw...