NEW YORK CITY – In 2023, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration marked its 50th anniversary as the only federal agency dedicated to fighting deadly drugs and drug-related violence. This milestone celebrated a half century of dedication to fighting drug trafficking in the United States and around the world, which threatens...

NEWARK, N.J. – A Bronx, New York, man today admitted distributing heroin and fentanyl into New Jersey from two drug mills in the Bronx, which resulted in the death of a 15-month-old child, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced. Jhan Carlos Capellan Maldonado, 35, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge...

Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, a five-count indictment was unsealed charging Ariana Charles with conspiring to illegally traffic 18 firearms to Brooklyn. The defendant is charged under the gun trafficking provisions of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which Congress and the President enacted in June 2022. The...

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that Francisco Javier Mecina Barrera, a/k/a “Angel,” was sentenced to 21 years in prison for MECINA’s leadership of a large-scale firearms trafficking and methamphetamine distribution and importation operation he called the “ Cartel de Houston”...

(NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y.) – Niagara County District Attorney Brian D. Seaman, Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino III of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) New York Division, Niagara Falls Police Department (NFPD) Chief of Police John Faso, and New York State Police (NYSP) Acting Superintendent Dominick Chiumento announced the...

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Steven Gonzalez a/k/a Steven Hernandez, a/k/a Steve, a/k/a Stevie, a/k/a Unc, 47, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of narcotics conspiracy, was sentenced to serve 188 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara. Gonzalez was also...

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Brendan Farver, 29, of Jamestown, NY, who was convicted of conspiring to possess with intent to distribute, and distributing, heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine, was sentenced to serve 24 months in prison by Senior U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny...

BUFFALO, NY—U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Justin Whitfield, 24, of Cincinnati, OH, was charged by criminal complaint with narcotics conspiracy, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti, who is handling the case...

BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Elina Martinez, 67, of Miami, FL, who was convicted of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, was sentenced to serve 85 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara. On December 7, 2022, a...

ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Savannah Gross, 31, of Jamestown, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 10...