LOS ANGELES - The so-called “Bitcoin Maven,” who admitted to operating an unlicensed bitcoin-for-cash exchange business and laundering bitcoin that was represented to be proceeds of narcotics activity, was sentenced today to 12 months and one day in federal prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $20,000...

NEW YORK – Valerie A. Nickerson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Jersey Division, Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Judy Ramos, the Acting Inspector in Charge of the New Jersey Office of the United States Postal...

(SANTA ANA, Calif.) - A man currently on both state parole and federal supervised release has been charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances for selling more than one pound of methamphetamine, as well as cocaine. Matthew Belling, 28, of La Mirada, who goes by the moniker “Miagi,” was arrested...

(SANTA ANA, Calif.) - A psychiatrist who practices at a Santa Ana clinic has been arrested on federal charges that allege he issued prescriptions for dangerous and addictive narcotics, such as the opioid oxycodone, without a medical purpose. Dr. Robert Tinoco Perez, 56, of Westminster, was arrested Friday by special...

(LOS ANGELES) - David J. Downing, Special Agent in Charge of the Los Angeles Division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), announced today that Luis Eduardo Rodriguez has been charged for his role in laundering hundreds of thousands of dollars in narcotics proceeds through Las Vegas real estate, and...

(LOS ANGELES) - A former Los Angeles Police Department officer whose garage explosion revealed the makeshift lab where he used butane to extract hash oil containing tetrahydrocannabinol, or “THC,” from marijuana plants, was sentenced to five years in federal prison. Joseph Jay Spadafore, 64, of Menifee was sentenced this morning...

(LOS ANGELES) - David J. Downing, Special Agent in Charge of the Los Angeles Division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today the extradition of Filippo Magni, who is charged, along with co-defendant...

(TRENTON, N.J.) – Valerie A. Nickerson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Jersey Division, and Craig Carpenito, U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, announced two California men were arrested in Mercer County, New Jersey, with over 50 pounds of crystal methamphetamine and nine kilograms...

(Newark, N.J.) – The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced today at a press conference that the City of Newark has been designated to be part of a comprehensive law enforcement, diversion control, and community outreach/prevention “360 Strategy” to help cities dealing with the heroin and prescription drug abuse...

LOS ANGELES - More than 500 law enforcement personnel executed a major operation this morning, taking into custody 32 defendants who are charged in two federal racketeering indictments, one of which outlines how members of the Mexican Mafia were able to control drug smuggling, narcotics sales and the extortion of...