PHOENIX, Ariz — DEA Special Agent in Charge Apolonio Ruiz Jr. joined Maricopa County Sheriff Jerry Sheridan, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes and HIDTA Director Dawn Mertz to announce the results of a major multi-agency drug operation targeting criminal organizations operating in Arizona communities. “This extraordinary investigation saved countless lives,”...

WASHINGTON – Marking a powerful start to 2026, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration dealt a significant blow to drug trafficking networks during Phase II of Operation Fentanyl Free America. Between January 12 and February 10, 2026, DEA seized more than 4.7 million fentanyl pills and nearly 2,396 pounds of fentanyl...

WASHINGTON – Following an increase in the trafficking and abuse of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) throughout the United States, the Drug Enforcement Administration has emergency scheduled bromazolam, a synthetic benzodiazepine used to make counterfeit Xanax tablets. The emergency scheduling of bromazolam places it into Schedule I under the Controlled Substances...

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 45-year-old Falfurrias resident has pleaded guilty to conducting multiple narcotics transactions in the Corpus Christi area, announced Acting Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge of the Houston Division Brian Leardo and U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck. The investigation into Rodolfo Alvarado began in...

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Sebastian Enrique Marset Cabrera, 34, an alleged cocaine trafficker from Uruguay, made his initial appearance in federal court today on charges relating to his alleged role in a money laundering conspiracy. Marset was added to the DEA’s Most Wanted Fugitive List in May 2025. Court documents alleged...

HOUSTON – A 43-year-old Conroe man has been sentenced to federal prison for his role in operating a fentanyl-laced pill distribution network, announced Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge of the Houston Division Brian Leardo and Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck. Johnny Quoc Tran pleaded guilty Oct...

HOUSTON – A 26-year-old Mexican national who illegally resided in Houston has been sentenced for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge of the Houston Division Brian Leardo and U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. Andres Reyes-Morales pleaded guilty Oct. 31...

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Eduardo Valenzuela Lopez, 33, of Cajeme, Sonora, Mexico, and Jael Gonzalez Banuelos, 22, of Phoenix, Arizona, were arrested on the morning of Feb. 24, 2026, by members of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for conspiring to distribute fentanyl. Valenzuela Lopez and Gonzalez Banuelos were charged by criminal...

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 36-year-old Mexican national who illegally resided in Houston has been ordered to federal prison for his role in a conspiracy involving large quantities of cocaine, announced Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Brian Leardo of the Houston Division and U.S. Attorney Nicholas J...

HOUSTON – A 40-year-old Houston man has been ordered to federal prison for his role in the distribution of multiple narcotics, announced Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Brian Leardo of the Houston Division and U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. Fredrick Jermaine Dunbar pleaded guilty Oct. 15, 2025...