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...

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...

S AN ANTONIO - The United States Attorney’s Office has collected $792,000 in civil penalties as two more civil Controlled Substances Act (CSA) investigations have settled, announced Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Steven S. Whipple, Houston Division and U.S. Attorney Gregg N. Sofer. These civil settlements, coupled...

SAN ANTONIO - U.S. District Judge Fred Biery sentenced 45-year-old Luther Otis Foster IV, to a total of 90 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release for pointing a shotgun at federal agents during the execution of a search warrant at his Bandera County residence, announced...

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...

BEAUMONT, Texas – A 62-year-old Vidor, Texas woman has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Steven S. Whipple, Houston Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei today. Catherine Ardis pleaded guilty...

HOUSTON – Another alleged associate of one of the most serious transnational organized criminal organizations will make his initial appearance in U.S. federal court today on charges of distributing kilogram quantities of cocaine from Colombia, announced Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Steven S. Whipple and U.S. Attorney...

LAREDO, Texas – Two South Texas men have admitted they organized the smuggling of approximately 170 kilograms of marijuana from El Cenizo to Laredo, announced Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Steven S. Whipple and U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. Roberto Chavarria, 38, pleaded guilty today, while his...

HOUSTON – As part of its continuing efforts to reduce drug misuse and overdose, the Drug Enforcement Administration is launching a winter campaign urging the public to “Secure Your Meds.” The current health crisis has magnified the importance of addressing the issue of controlled prescription drug misuse. With Americans spending...

Federal, state and local authorities have arrested eight individuals on federal drug trafficking charges, including 41-year-old Texas Syndicate Lieutenant Hilario Nieto who previously received a pardon from President Barack Obama, announced Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Steven S. Whipple, Houston Division; U.S. Attorney Gregg N. Sofer...