PHOENIX - As U.S. overdose deaths reach a devastating new height, claiming a new victim every five minutes, the Drug Enforcement Administration has revealed a direct link between fentanyl-related overdose deaths and criminal drug networks in Mexico. These groups are harnessing social media platforms to bring drugs laced with fentanyl...

FRESNO, Calif. — Genaro Serrato-Calles (“Serrato”), aka “Alejandro,” aka “Meno,” 49, of Michoacán, Mexico, was sentenced Tuesday to 148 months in prison for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine and heroin, Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Wade R. Shannon and Acting United States Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. His sentencing...

FRESNO, Calif. — Jesus Adrian Pena-Gamez, 33, a citizen of Mexico, pleaded guilty Tuesday to possessing with the intent to distribute fentanyl, Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Wade R. Shannon and Acting United States Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. Pena-Gamez is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District...

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Christopher Kegan Williams, 26, of Sacramento, was sentenced on Tuesday by United States District Judge John A. Mendez to 2.5 years in prison for distribution of fentanyl, Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Wade R. Shannon and Acting United States Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. According...

PHOENIX - On December 9th, 2021, the DEA Phoenix Field Division Task Force and the Goodyear Police Department arrested Brian Meza-Raya, 18, of Phoenix, Arizona, who is facing multiple felony charges related to alleged drug distribution. Law enforcement served a search warrant on December 9th, at a residence in Phoenix...

FRESNO, Calif. — Randal Jason Newell, 41, of Bakersfield, pleaded guilty today to possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Wade R. Shannon and Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert. According to court documents, on Dec. 5, 2020, Newell drove from Bakersfield to...

PHOENIX - On October 2, 2021, thirteen Yavapai County community members proudly graduated from the Phoenix Field Division's (PFD) first ever DEA Citizen's Academy. The community-based training program provided civilians from the local community with a first-hand understanding of the critical mission and work conducted every day by the men...

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Physician Edmund Kemprud, 78, of Dublin, was convicted today of 14 counts of illegally prescribing opioids and other controlled substances patients, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. According to evidence presented at trial, Kemprud was a physician licensed to practice medicine in California and worked in...

FRESNO, Calif. — Uriel Ivan Portillo, 35, of Bakersfield, pleaded guilty today to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Wade R. Shannon and Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. According to court documents, on Nov. 21, 2019, Portillo distributed 5,000...

FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned two indictments today, charging two Fresno County men with possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute it, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. In addition to being charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, Uriel Diaz-Santos, 19, of Fresno, was...