MIAMI – Clarence G. Kelley, III, a/k/a “Kemp,” 42, of Lake Worth, Florida, was sentenced by a federal district judge in West Palm Beach to a mandatory term of five years in prison for possessing with the intent to distribute more than a kilogram of cocaine. In March 2021, law...

MIAMI, Fla. – The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the U.S. Department of State today announced a new reward for information that will lead to the location, arrest, and/or conviction of People’s Republic of China (PRC) national Jian Zhang, a key leader of a transnational criminal organization known as...

WASHINGTON—The Drug Enforcement Administration today announced a comprehensive review of DEA’s international operations and foreign footprint, including administrative and financial support for those operations from DEA headquarters. Administrator Anne Milgram has recommended a top to bottom review of foreign operations that will be overseen by an independent team. As part...

PENSACOLA, Fla. – Defendants previously indicted and later convicted in multiple cases for their participation in a methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and marijuana ring operating in Crestview, Fla., were sentenced last week in the Northern District of Florida. The prosecutions were the result of a large-scale multi-agency investigation spearheaded by the...

PENSACOLA, Fla. – Defendants previously indicted and later convicted in multiple cases for their participation in an opioid, methamphetamine, and cocaine distribution ring operating in Okaloosa County, Fla., were sentenced last week in the Northern District of Florida. The prosecutions were the result of a large-scale multi-agency investigation spearheaded by...

WASHINGTON – A Chinese national and naturalized U.S. citizen pleaded guilty yesterday to his involvement in a conspiracy to launder at least $30 million in drug proceeds on behalf of foreign drug-trafficking organizations. Another Chinese national was sentenced to seven years in prison today for his role in the same...

TAMPA, Fla. – David Burkes (52, Safety Harbor) was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment for distributing narcotics, resulting in death to one individual and seriously bodily injury to another. Burkes had pleaded guilty on April 21, 2021. According to the plea agreement, beginning on Aug. 12, 2019, Burkes distributed fentanyl...

TAMPA, Fla. – Jared Collins (28, Pasco County) was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment for distributing narcotics, resulting in death. Collins had pleaded guilty on April 27, 2021. According to the plea agreement, on Dec. 16, 2019, Collins distributed narcotics to M.B. in Wesley Chapel. M.B. injected the narcotics and...

WASHINGTON – DEA Administrator Anne Milgram and U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Audrey Strauss today announced the extradition two Pakistani citizens, who will face charges for attempting to import large quantities of heroin into the United States. Maulabaksh Gorgeech and Niamatullah Gorgeech were taken into custody...

TAMPA, Fla. – A federal jury has found Wilis A. Santiago Rivera (60, St. Petersburg) guilty of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. Santiago faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 10 years, and up to life, in federal prison. A sentencing date...