ARIZONA – The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is intensifying its fight against the deadly threat of synthetic opioids with the launch of Fentanyl Free America, a comprehensive enforcement initiative and public awareness campaign aimed at reducing both the supply and demand for fentanyl. This effort underscores DEA's unwavering commitment to...

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – After a week-long, targeted sweep across Kentucky, Tennessee, and West Virginia, the Drug Enforcement Administration, working with our federal, state, and local law enforcement counterparts, arrested 51 individuals with ties to Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel. All of those arrested are facing a wide range of criminal charges related...

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – On Wednesday, August 6, 2025, Nathan Hunter Whitaker, 27, of Bristol, Tennessee, was sentenced to 292 months in federal prison by the Honorable Clifton L. Corker in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Greeneville. Following his incarceration, he will be on...

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Two local men were sentenced last week for conspiracy to possess fentanyl with intent to distribute, possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Special Agent in Charge...

MEMPHIS, Tn. – Quantrese Brazzell, 48, of Memphis has been sentenced to 150 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Interim U.S. Attorney Joseph C. Murphy, Jr. for the Western District of Tennessee announced the sentence...

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Jose Angel Gonzalez-Carrillo, 46, of Modesto, California, and Ethyel Aldahyr Ontiveros-Flores, 25, of Mazatlan, Mexico, were arrested on the evening of June 2, 2025, and charged by criminal complaint for conspiring to distribute over 36 kilograms of fentanyl pills, and over 9 kilograms of fentanyl powder. On...

TUCSON, Ariz. – German Montano-Peralta, 33, of Nacozari, Sonora, Mexico, was sentenced on May 12, 2025, by United States District Judge Angela Martinez to 88 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Montano-Peralta previously pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl and Methamphetamine. On April 30, 2024...

LONDON, Ky. – A Lebanese and Italian national, Alessandro Sabbagh, 27, was sentenced on Friday, April 11, 2025 by U.S. District Judge Robert Wier to 78 months in prison, for conspiracy to sell counterfeit drugs and knowingly causing the sale of a counterfeit drug. According to his plea agreement, between...

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Carlos Rene Montes, 32, a United States Citizen from Tucson, and Miguel Angel Sesma, 30, a legal permanent resident from Mexico living in Phoenix, were charged on Tuesday by federal criminal complaint with Conspiracy to Possess with the Intent to Distribute Fentanyl after agents seized a combined...

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Jefferson Alejandro Lopez Alcaraz, 45, of Phoenix, was sentenced on February 13, 2025, by United States District Judge John T. Tuchi to 180 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release, to run consecutive to the 60-month sentence Lopez Alcaraz is currently serving in CR-21-00451-TUC-JCH...