WASHINGTON - The United States Drug Enforcement (DEA) today announced significant enforcement activity including arrests targeting Lebanese Hizballah’s External Security Organization Business Affairs (BAC), which is involved in international criminal activities such as drug trafficking and drug proceed money laundering. These proceeds are used to purchase weapons for Hizballah for...

BEAUMONT, Texas - A 44-year-old Beaumont woman has been sentenced for bringing prohibited drugs into a federal prison in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales and Drug Enforcement (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Joseph M. Arabit. Lakista Lashau Davis pleaded guilty on Aug. 27, 2015...

LAREDO, Texas - Twelve individuals in multiple cities were arrested on charges alleging their participation in a marijuana conspiracy, announced Drug Enforcement (DEA) Special Agent in-Charge Joseph M. Arabit. U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson and Homeland Security (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Shane Folden also made the announcement with DEA. The...

WASHINGTON - The capture of Joaquin “Chapo” Guzman-Loera is a victory for the rule of law and the Mexican people and government. The arrest is a significant achievement in our shared fight against transnational organized crime, violence, and drug trafficking. It is further evidence of our two countries’ resolve to...

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - One man and three women, all of South Texas, entered guilty pleas to charges of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and conspiracy to commit money laundering, announced Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Joseph M. Arabit, Houston Division and U.S. Attorney...

SAN ANTONIO, Texas - This morning, federal and state authorities in Texas arrested the highest ranking leaders of the Bandidos Outlaw Motorcycle (OMO)--National President Jeffrey Fay Pike, National Vice President John Xavier Portillo and National Sergeant at Arms Justin Cole Forster--based on federal racketeering and drug distribution charges. Pike, age...

WASHINGTON - The United States Drug Enforcement (DEA) recently eased some of the regulatory requirements imposed by the Controlled Substances (CSA) for those who are conducting FDA-approved clinical trials on (CBD), an extract of the marijuana plant. These modifications will streamline the research process regarding CBD’s possible medicinal value and...

McALLEN, Texas - Two U.S. citizens who reside in South Texas have been ordered to federal prison following their convictions of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute large amounts of cocaine and money laundering, announced Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Joseph M. Arabit, Houston Division and U.S...

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - A 40-year-old Brownsville man has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Joseph M. Arabit, Houston Division and U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson. Ricky Joe Urenda pleaded guilty Sept. 3...

BROWNSVILLE, Texas - A father and daughter and another defendant have all been ordered to federal prison following their convictions in a long-running effort to smuggle drugs via the United Parcel (UPS), announced Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Joseph M. Arabit, Houston Division and U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson...