CHICAGO – DEA Acting Administrator D. Christopher Evans and DEA Chicago Division Special Agent in Charge Robert J. Bell announced the release of the 2020 National Drug Threat Assessment, DEA’s annual publication outlining the threats posed to the United States by domestic and international drug trafficking and the abuse of...

SEATTLE– DEA Acting Administrator D. Christopher Evans today announced the release of the 2020 National Drug Threat Assessment, DEA’s annual publication outlining the threats posed to the United States by domestic and international drug trafficking and the abuse of illicit drugs. “This year’s report shows the harsh reality of the...

SEATTLE - With opioid overdose deaths increasing during the pandemic, the Drug Enforcement Administration announced its 20th Take Back Day scheduled for April 24, 2021. At its last Take Back Day in October, DEA collected a record-high amount of expired, unused prescription medications, with the public turning in close to...

MERRILLVILLE, Ind. – Special Agent in Charge Robert J. Bell, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Chicago Division, announced that the DEA Merrillville District Office, with assistance from the United States Marshal Service, arrested Nurse Practitioner (N.P.) Chijioke Richard Jimonu, 63, of Hammond, Indiana, for illegally prescribing controlled substance medications. N.P. Jimonu...

Anchorage, Alaska – Today the United States Drug Enforcement Administration launched a new comprehensive law enforcement and prevention initiative aimed at reducing drug use, abuse, and overdose deaths. “Operation Engage” allows participating field divisions to focus on the biggest drug threat and resulting violence in their respective geographic areas. The...

SPOKANE, Wash., - Today, Todd Earl Bridges, age 38, a resident of Spokane, Washington, was sentenced to 180 month term of imprisonment for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual (pure) methamphetamine. United States District Judge Rosanna Malouf Peterson also ordered a 5 year term of...

MADISON, Wis. – Robert J. Bell, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration- Chicago Division and Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Phillip Thomas, Madison, Wisconsin, pleaded guilty and was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 100 months...

CHICAGO – Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Robert J. Bell, Chicago Field Division announced the expansion of Operation Crystal Shield. This expansion includes the designation of two additional methamphetamine “transportation hubs” in 2021. Through this effort, DEA is attacking the entire supply chain, locating and seizing meth...

MADISON, Wis. – Robert J. Bell, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration – Chicago Division and Scott C. Blader, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Jeffrey Costillo, 33, Blaine, Minnesota, and Denise Kraimer, 27, Columbia Heights, Minnesota, were sentenced by U.S. District Judge William...

KENNEWICK, Wash., -- Frank A. Tarentino, Special Agent in Charge of the Seattle Field Division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and William D. Hyslop, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington presented the Tri-City Metro Drug Task Force with $132,876 in asset forfeiture equitable sharing funds. Kennewick...