LOS ANGELES - The leader of a narcotics-distribution ring pled guilty this morning to federal drug trafficking charges and admitted importing a powerful synthetic opioid from China that was used to produce homemade pills that were distributed in bulk across the nation. Gary Resnik, 32, of Long Beach, led a...

SAN DIEGO - Sinaloa Cartel Cell Leader Damaso Lopez-Serrano, aka Mini Lic, was arraigned in federal court today following his self-surrender to United States law enforcement authorities at the Calexico West Port of Entry on July 27. Lopez-Serrano, 29, is believed to be the highest-ranking Mexican cartel leader ever to...

LOS ANGELES - The operators of seven sham medical clinics were among 12 defendants taken into custody this morning on federal drug trafficking charges that allege they diverted at least 2 million prescription pills - including oxycodone and other addictive and dangerous narcotics - to the black market. Two indictments...

RENO, N.V. - Local physician Dr. Robert Rand pleaded guilty today to involuntary manslaughter of a patient and unlawful distribution of oxycodone to another patient, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Steven W. Myhre for the District of Nevada. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 23, 2017, before U.S. District Judge Miranda Du...

LOS ANGELES - In the largest-ever health care fraud enforcement action by federal authorities, 14 defendants - including doctors, nurses and other licensed medical professionals - have been charged in the Central District of California for allegedly participating in health care fraud and drug diversion schemes that caused approximately $147...

SANTA ANA, Calif. - A Newport Beach man who orchestrated a wide-reaching conspiracy that smuggled, manufactured and distributed millions of dollars worth of analogue drugs which were used to manufacture synthetic cannabinoids has been sentenced to 120 months in federal prison. Sean Libbert, 41, was sentenced late last night by...

SAN DIEGO - A long-term investigation by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has led to one of the nation’s largest seizures of the deadly synthetic opiate fentanyl and a federal indictment against three alleged traffickers. “The opioid crisis the country is facing right now makes this indictment all the more...

LOS ANGELES - A major narcotics trafficking indictment resulting from an investigation by the Los Angeles Strike Force was unsealed today as authorities arrested seven defendants charged with drug trafficking, money laundering and weapons offenses. The indictment charges a total of 22 defendants who allegedly were members of a drug...

LOS ANGELES - Capping a nearly three-year investigation, federal, state and local law enforcement authorities this morning took into custody a total of 21 members and associates of Mara Salvatrucha, a transnational criminal street gang commonly called MS-13 that was formed in Los Angeles about 30 years ago. Those arrested...

LOS ANGELES - The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and more than 4,200 of its law enforcement and community partners collected more unused prescription drugs than at any of the 12 previous National Prescription Drug Take Back Day events. On Saturday, April 29, the event brought in 900,386 (450 tons) at...