BROOKLYN, NY – José Adolfo Macías Villamar, aka "Fito,” a citizen of Ecuador, was arraigned in federal court in the Eastern District of New York on Monday for crimes allegedly committed as the leader of the Los Choneros Transnational Criminal Organization. Based in Ecuador, Los Choneros is believed to be...

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Thirteen people have been charged and arrested for their roles in a New York City-based drug trafficking ring, with federal agents seizing nearly 500 kilos of cocaine. The announcement was made by Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge, New York Division, Drug Enforcement Administration...

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration today announced the release of the 2025 National Drug Threat Assessment (NDTA), DEA’s comprehensive review of the threats posed to the United States by deadly illicit drugs and the violent domestic and international drug trafficking organizations responsible for producing and trafficking the drugs...

WASHINGTON – DEA and nearly 4,500 law enforcement agencies joined forces last month to dispose of more than 620,000 pounds of unneeded and expired medications in an effort to prevent drug misuse and abuse. The spring collection event marked DEA’s 28th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Since its inception...

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi joined DEA Leadership, and the men and women of the DEA El Paso Field Division, on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 to announce the single largest seizure of fentanyl pills in DEA history. During an enforcement operation the last week of April, agents from the DEA...

WASHINGTON - DEA proudly joins community organizations, law enforcement, and public health partners in recognizing National Fentanyl Awareness Day on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. Fentanyl is the greatest drug threat facing the United States as drug-related overdoses remain the leading cause of death among Americans aged 18-44. [1] DEA will...

WASHINGTON, DC –The Drug Enforcement Administration, in coordination with more than 4,400 law enforcement partners across the country, will host the 28th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., offering communities across the United States a safe, convenient, and anonymous way to...

U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) New York Division Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino III, New York City’s Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennan, and New York City Police Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch issued statements today on the resolution of charges against Jonathan HUERTAS, aka “El Don,” who is...

Two men were indicted following a long-term investigation into fentanyl/heroin packaging and distribution in New York City. During a court-authorized search of a narcotics packaging mill, located in an apartment in the Inwood neighborhood of Upper Manhattan, local, state, and federal law enforcement officers recovered thousands of glassine envelopes of...

NEW ORLEANS – With so much attention ahead of Sunday’s big game, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is once again teaming up with NFL Alumni Health to encourage football fans to join us in the fight to save lives. The need is critical and the game plan simple: understand the...