SAN FRANCISCO — As synthetic drugs continue to evolve and threaten American lives, DEA chemists and forensic science professionals play an essential role in helping the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration identify emerging threats, connect evidence to investigations, and provide timely information that can save lives. From analyzing suspected fentanyl and...

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – On Sept. 18, 2026, DeCarlos L. Smallwood, 51, of South Bend, was convicted of eight felony counts after a four-day jury trial before U.S. District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty. Smallwood was found guilty of drug and firearm offenses, including conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or...

CHICAGO – Todd C. Smith, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Chicago Field Division, announced drug-related charges filed with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office against two men. Burhan C. Ozerdinc, 33, of Oak Lawn, Illinois, and Ahmad S. Sanducka, 33, of Mount Prospect, Illinois, were...

BOSTON – A Boston man has been sentenced in federal court in Boston for felony narcotics charges. Michael Lagasse, 45, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Myong J. Joun to time-served (approximately 10 months) followed by three years of supervised release. The government recommended a sentence of 40 months...

STAMFORD, Conn. - David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that RAMION BAKER, also known as “Ray Ray,” 46, of Stamford, has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 162 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for...

BOSTON – A Las Vegas man, formerly of Northborough, Mass., pleaded guilty on Sept. 10, 2026 in federal court in Worcester for conspiring to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute large quantities of anabolic steroids and methamphetamine. The defendant also pleaded guilty to firearms charges. Mark Taslakian, 52...

BOSTON –A Southbridge man has been sentenced in federal court in Worcester for conspiring to distribute cocaine in Central Massachusetts. Luis Sastre Pagan, 37, of Puerto Rico and formally of Southbridge, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman to eight years in prison, to be followed by...

FRESNO, Calif. — Three individuals were charged today following a multi‑agency investigation that dismantled a clandestine methamphetamine conversion laboratory in Terra Bella, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Bob P. Beris announced. Jose Diarte-Perez, 46, and Carlos Beltran-Ochoa, 27, both from Mexico and illegally...

CHICAGO — A woman has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for using information stolen from physicians to fraudulently write opioid prescriptions. AMANI IBRAHIM fraudulently caused prescriptions for oxycodone, hydrocodone, and other controlled substances to be issued under the names of real medical providers and often in the...

CONCORD, N.H. – A Milton man was sentenced in federal court to 100 months in prison with four years of supervised release for one count of conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, in a case brought by New Hampshire’s Homeland Security Task Force. Jacob D...