ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Today the United States Drug Enforcement Administration launched a new comprehensive law enforcement and prevention initiative aimed at reducing drug use, abuse, and overdose deaths. “Operation Engage” allows participating field divisions to focus on the biggest drug threat and resulting violence in their respective geographic areas. The...

OMAHA, Neb. – Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) investigators took an estimated $2.8 million worth of methamphetamine and marijuana off the streets of Iowa in 2020 and reported an increase in cocaine and fentanyl seizures. Agents from DEA offices in Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Sioux City and the Quad Cities removed...

OMAHA, Neb. – Marijuana and methamphetamine were the top two drugs seized by Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) investigators in Nebraska in 2020, with 2.5 kilograms of fentanyl, or the equivalent of one-and-a-half million lethal doses, also making its presence known across the state. Methamphetamine seizures jumped 68 percent in 2020...

OMAHA, Neb., – Last week, the Omaha Division Diversion Group engaged local registrants through virtual presentations on topics including Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) guidance during civil unrest and regulations as they apply to veterinary clinics. Minnesota District Office Diversion Group Supervisor Chenin Donahue provided a 30 minute virtual presentation Feb...

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Joseph Matney, 40, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, pleaded guilty in federal court on Feb. 4 to armed robbery of a pharmacy, theft of medical products and possession with intent to distribute Oxycodone and Alprazolam. According to his plea agreement, Matney entered and robbed an Albuquerque pharmacy on...

OMAHA, Neb., – Justin C. King was named Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Omaha Division in January and beginning Feb. 1, he oversees 11 offices within a five-state territory. The third SAC of the Omaha Division, King replaces Richard Salter Jr., who retired from...

EL PASO - Today in El Paso, federal authorities filed two criminal complaints charging five individuals for smuggling an estimated $5.4 million worth of marijuana and methamphetamine and 77 illegal aliens, announced U.S. Attorney Gregg N. Sofer, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Erik P. Breitzke, Drug Enforcement...

ESTHERVILLE, IOWA - An Estherville, Iowa, police officer is being honored by the United States Attorney’s Offices for the Northern and Southern Districts of Iowa and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for his commitment to reducing drug abuse. The recipient of the Enrique S. Camarena Award is Captain Nathaniel Dunlavy...

OMAHA, Neb. – United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Reiko Elio Penunuri, 42, of Arizona, was sentenced January 13 in federal court in Omaha for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and for use of facilities in interstate commerce in aid of racketeering. A cellular phone is a “facility” as used...

FARGO, N.D., – On January 7, Drew Wrigley, U.S. Attorney for the District of North Dakota, announced charges against 26 defendants involved in Operation Blue Prairie, a drug pipeline connecting individuals in Detroit, Michigan, to the Spirit Lake, Turtle Mountain and Fort Berthold Indian Reservations in North Dakota. Drug Enforcement...