BROOKLYN, NEW YORK – Earlier today, a federal jury in Brooklyn convicted Mustafa Goklu, also known as “Mustangy,” of money laundering and operating an unlicensed money transmitting business as part of a scheme to launder the purported Bitcoin proceeds of drug trafficking. The verdict followed a four-day trial before United...

ROCHESTER, NEW YORK – Deshan Scott, 23, of Rochester, NY, who was convicted of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, was sentenced to serve 60 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katelyn M. Hartford, who handled the...

RIVERHEAD, N.Y. – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today, along with the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New York Division Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino III announced the arrests of four defendants, Angel Garces-Diaz, Anuedy Garces-Medrano, Yadaris Baez-Rivera and Everado Hernandez, on Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance...

NEW YORK CITY – One person was arrested and approximately 15,000 fentanyl pills were seized as part of an ongoing investigation into a fentanyl trafficking organization. The fentanyl pills, in various colors, were destined for distribution throughout New York City and had been concealed in a LEGO box to deter...

GREENBELT, MARYLAND – Today, a federal jury convicted Luis Flores-Reyes, a/k/a “Maloso,” “Lobo,”’ and “Viejo Lovvon,” age 41, of Arlington, Virginia; Jairo Jacome, a/k/a “Abuelo,” age 40, of Langley Park, Maryland; and Brayan Contreras-Avalos, a/k/a “Anonimo,” and “Humilde,” age 27, of Langley Park, Maryland, on federal charges related to a...

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Dr. Omar Guesmia, of Phoenix, New York will pay $60,000 to resolve allegations that he, and his dentistry practice, “Gentle Dental Care,” violated the Controlled Substances Act by enabling an office staff member to use an electronic prescription system to obtain oxycodone for their own use...

ALBANY, NEW YORK – RGIS LLC (RGIS) and its affiliated company, Retail Services WIS Corporation (WIS), agreed to pay $158,760 to resolve allegations that they caused violations of the Controlled Substances Act. RGIS and WIS employees were implicated in the theft of controlled substances from pharmacies in upstate New York...

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration today announced the results of an enforcement operation that spanned from May to September and resulted in significant fentanyl seizures across the United States. As part of the One Pill Can Kill initiative, the DEA and its law enforcement partners seized more than...

BUFFALO, NEW YORK – James Brandow, 34, of Jamestown, NY, pleaded guilty before Senior U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, heroin and fentanyl. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A...

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK – Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Central Islip, United States District Judge Gary R. Brown sentenced Donta Riddick to 198 months in prison for possessing and distributing heroin and fentanyl. As part of his guilty plea, Riddick also admitted to the distribution of heroin and...