ALBUQUERQUE – Federal authorities have arrested 16 individuals and seized record-breaking quantities of fentanyl, cash, firearms, and vehicles across multiple states, dismantling one of the largest and most dangerous drug trafficking organizations in U.S. history. “This historic drug seizure, led by the DEA, is a significant blow against the Sinaloa...

EL PASO – On April 3, 2025, Eric Robles was indicted on Texas state charges of Murder and Manufacture/Delivery of a Controlled Substance in Penalty Group 1B Over 4 grams and Under 200 grams. On April 23, 2025, approximately two weeks before completing his sentence on unrelated federal drug charges...

ST. LOUIS –The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) proudly joins community organizations, law enforcement agencies and public health partners in recognizing National Fentanyl Awareness Day, Tuesday, April 29. Fentanyl is the greatest drug threat facing the United States as drug-related overdoses remain the leading cause of death among Americans ages...

ST. LOUIS – The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) St. Louis Division, encompassing Missouri, Kansas and Southern Illinois, is partnering with 196 law enforcement agencies to host the 28th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. More than 219 Take Back sites...

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A southern Illinois jury convicted a Cahokia Heights man of possessing cocaine base with intent to distribute and a firearm to further the drug operation. The jury found Demarkee D. Jimerson, 45, guilty of one count of one count of possession with intent to distribute...

EL PASO – For the first time in its history, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) El Paso Division will be led by an El Pasoan. Omar Arellano, who graduated from Del Valle High and the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), is the new Special Agent in Charge (SAC)...

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A district judge sentenced a California man to 19 years in federal prison after he admitted to trafficking fentanyl to the Metro East. Nefer Ojeda-Elenes, 33, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance: fentanyl and one count of distribution of...

ALBUQUERQUE – An Arizona man was sentenced to 14 years in prison for drug trafficking and firearms offenses following his arrest at a U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint in New Mexico in 2023. There is no parole in the federal system. According to court documents, on April 27, 2023, David Maldonado...

EL PASO, Texas – An El Paso man was sentenced in a federal court to 180 months in prison for trafficking fentanyl and other illicit drugs. According to court documents, Victor Arellano, 40, delivered 1,000 fentanyl pills to an undercover agent in exchange for $1,500 on or about Nov. 28...

EL PASO, Texas – A high-ranking member of the Sinaloa Cartel was extradited from Mexico to El Paso, indicted for criminal charges related to his alleged federal racketeering, narcotics, money laundering, firearms, and continuing criminal enterprise offenses. According to court documents, Daniel Franco Lopez aka “Micha” aka “Neon” aka “Fer,”...