NEW ORLEANS - After collecting and destroying about 6.4 million pounds-about 3,200 tons-of unused prescription drugs in the past six years, the U.S. Drug Enforcement (DEA) is continuing its efforts to take back unused, unwanted and expired prescription medications. The DEA invites the public to bring their potentially dangerous, unwanted...

SAN DIEGO - America is presently experiencing an epidemic of addiction, overdose and death due to abuse of prescription drugs, particularly opioid painkillers. 6.4 million Americans age 12 and over-2.4 percent of the population-abuse prescription drugs, according to the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health released last month...

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Cinthia Banegas-Ruiz, 23, was sentenced to serve 46 months in federal prison today for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, announced Drug Enforcement (DEA) Assistant Special Agent in Charge Matthew Barden and Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas. According to court documents, in January...

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Jose Maria Calderon, 48, of Springdale, Arkansas, was sentenced to serve 65 months in federal prison Wednesday for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. The sentence was announced by Drug Enforcement (DEA) Assistant Special Agent in Charge Matthew Barden and Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the...

FORT SMITH, Ark. - A major drug trafficker was sentenced to serve 12 ½ years in federal prison today, announced Drug Enforcement (DEA) Stephen G. Azzam and Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas. Jose Mendez-Alvarado, 39, of Fort Smith, was sentenced to 150 months in...

JACKSON, Miss. - Multiple defendants face conspiracy and drug charges in the Southern District of Mississippi, announced Drug Enforcement (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Stephen G. Azzam. The multi-count indictment is the result of a two-year investigation by the federal Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task (OCDETF) in this district...

BATON ROUGE, La. - The Drug Enforcement (DEA) announced yesterday that Aaron Lambert, 33, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin and money laundering. During a September 13, 2016, hearing, Lambert entered his plea before a Chief U.S. District...

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Francisco Sanchez, 37 of Rogers, Arkansas was sentenced today to 20 years in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, announced Drug Enforcement (DEA) Assistant Special Agent in Charge Matthew Barden and Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western...

SAN DIEGO - Physician Naga Raja Thota, a pain specialist with an office in El Cajon, was arrested this morning and charged with distributing oxycodone and other highly addictive drugs without any legitimate medical purpose in exchange for sex acts. The doctor was taken into custody by San Diego Drug...

BATON ROUGE, La. - The results of another federal prosecution relating to a multi-state heroin trafficking ring were announced today by Drug Enforcement (DEA) Assistant Special Agent in Charge Brad L. Byerley and United States Attorney Walt Green. On August 24, 2016, a Chief U.S. District Judge sentenced Daryl Walker...