WASHINGTON – Ecuadorian authorities, supported by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), conducted a series of coordinated enforcement operations today targeting transnational criminal organizations involved in international cocaine trafficking. The Ecuadorian National Police conducted simultaneous operations at multiple locations across Ecuador following a years-long investigation. The...

Washington, D.C. - A federal grand jury in the District of Columbia returned an indictment today charging Ramon Alvarez Ayala, 44, and Rafael Alvarez Ayala, 42, both Mexican nationals, with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine for importation into the United States and possessing a firearm, including a machinegun, in...

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 50-year-old man has been ordered to prison for his role in the distribution of cocaine. Michael Casas pleaded guilty May 27. U.S. District Judge David S. Morales has now ordered Casas to serve 60 months in federal prison followed by four years of supervised release...

HOUSTON- On Friday, August 21, 2026, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will join Facing Fentanyl , to unite families, communities, and organizations across the country in recognizing National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day. This year marks the fifth anniversary of the national observance which honors and remembers the lives lost...

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Viking Motorsports are taking the Fentanyl Free America message to two additional NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races this season, using the reach of motorsports to promote fentanyl prevention, raise awareness, and help save lives. Today’s announcement coincides with National Fentanyl...

Washington – On Friday, August 21, 2026, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will join Facing Fentanyl , to unite families, communities, and organizations across the country in recognizing National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day. This year marks the fifth anniversary of the national observance which honors and remembers the lives...

Kingwood- A Texas physician was sentenced yesterday to 12.5 years in prison for operating her Kingwood medical clinic as an illegal pill mill that issued prescriptions for over 3 million opioid pills. According to court documents, Maryam Qayum, M.D., 68, of Montgomery County, Texas, owned, operated, and was the sole...

McALLEN, Texas – A 45-year-old Edinburg resident has been ordered to federal prison for possession with intent to distribute meth and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Alvaro Salinas Jr. pleaded guilty April 27. Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane has now handed Salinas a 140-month term of...

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today the Department of Justice, in coordination with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and National Coordination Center (NCC) announced new charges...

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 38-year-old resident of Rock Hill, South Carolina, has been ordered by a federal judge to prison for conspiring to “straw purchase” firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. A straw purchase of firearms involves the illegal purchase of a firearm for or on behalf...