PHOENIX, Ariz — DEA Special Agent in Charge Apolonio Ruiz Jr. joined Maricopa County Sheriff Jerry Sheridan, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes and HIDTA Director Dawn Mertz to announce the results of a major multi-agency drug operation targeting criminal organizations operating in Arizona communities. “This extraordinary investigation saved countless lives,”...

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 45-year-old Falfurrias resident has pleaded guilty to conducting multiple narcotics transactions in the Corpus Christi area, announced Acting Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge of the Houston Division Brian Leardo and U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck. The investigation into Rodolfo Alvarado began in...

HOUSTON – A 43-year-old Conroe man has been sentenced to federal prison for his role in operating a fentanyl-laced pill distribution network, announced Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge of the Houston Division Brian Leardo and Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck. Johnny Quoc Tran pleaded guilty Oct...

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Eduardo Valenzuela Lopez, 33, of Cajeme, Sonora, Mexico, and Jael Gonzalez Banuelos, 22, of Phoenix, Arizona, were arrested on the morning of Feb. 24, 2026, by members of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for conspiring to distribute fentanyl. Valenzuela Lopez and Gonzalez Banuelos were charged by criminal...

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 36-year-old Mexican national who illegally resided in Houston has been ordered to federal prison for his role in a conspiracy involving large quantities of cocaine, announced Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Brian Leardo of the Houston Division and U.S. Attorney Nicholas J...

HOUSTON – A 40-year-old Houston man has been ordered to federal prison for his role in the distribution of multiple narcotics, announced Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Brian Leardo of the Houston Division and U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. Fredrick Jermaine Dunbar pleaded guilty Oct. 15, 2025...

Tucson, Ariz. – Ramon Renteria, 33, of Avondale, Arizona, was sentenced on Jan. 15, 2026, by U.S. District Judge Angela M. Martinez to 64 months in federal prison followed by four years of supervised release, with community restitution and a fine totaling $7,000. Renteria previously pleaded guilty to Possession with...

TUCSON, Ariz. – Aaron Leopoldo Aguirre-Gutierrez, 50, of Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, was sentenced on Jan. 20, 2026, by U.S. District Judge Raner C. Collins to 48 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Aguirre-Gutierrez previously pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine. Between Feb. 24, 2024, to...

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 29-year-old Mexican national has been ordered to federal prison for possessing narcotics with the intent to distribute, announced Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge of the Houston Division Brian Leardo and U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. Azael Sotelo-Espinoza pleaded guilty Oct. 22, 2025...

SAN ANTONIO – Two San Antonio men were arrested Tuesday on criminal charges related to their alleged conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, announced Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge of the San Antonio Division Miguel Madrigal and U.S. Attorney for the Western District of...