SAN DIEGO and IMPERIAL, Calif. – With enthusiastic participation nationwide, DEA and its law enforcement partners have now collected nearly 12 million pounds of unused or expired prescription medications over the course of 17 successful DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back events. During the 17th semiannual event on April 27...

CALEXICO, Calif. – On May 1, 2019, Ezequiel Godinez-Cervantes was arrested at the Calexico Port of Entry on two warrants for violating the terms of supervised release. Godinez-Cervantes is a 77-year-old U.S. citizen. A warrant was issued for Godinez-Cervantes’ arrest in October 2018 by the U.S. District Court, Central District...

FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment today against Edilberto Vidrio, 53, and Elena Castillo, 46, both of Fresno, charging them with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin, and possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine and...

SAN DIEGO – With robust public participation over the course of 16 prior events, the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Initiative continues to remove ever-higher amounts of opioids and other medicines from the nation’s homes, where they are vulnerable to misuse, theft or abuse by family members and visitors...

SAN DIEGO – Drug dealer Trevon Antone Lucas pleaded guilty in federal court yesterday, admitting that he sold pills containing fentanyl to a La Jolla man, causing his fatal overdose last year. Lucas, a resident of Highland, California, admitted in his plea agreement that he posted online advertisements for the...

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Ruben Ruiz Jr., 27, of Escondido, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez to 10 years in prison for possessing heroin for distribution, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Chris Nielsen announced. Ruiz pleaded guilty on June...

SAN FRANCISCO – With exceptional public participation during16 prior events, the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Initiative continues to collect increasing amounts of opioids and other medicines from the nation’s homes, where they may be vulnerable to misuse, theft or abuse. In continuation of this effort, DEA and its...

SAN DIEGO – Three South American men were convicted by a federal jury late yesterday of trafficking approximately 1,230 kilograms (2,706 pounds) of cocaine worth more than $28 million on the high seas. The verdict came after a weeklong trial before U.S. District Judge Roger T. Benitez. “These traffickers attempted...

FRESNO, Calif. – A Madera pharmacist and two others were arrested today in connection with a conspiracy to distribute oxycodone and hydrocodone, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced. On April 11, a federal grand jury returned a 42-count indictment, charging Ifeanyi Vincent Ntukogu, 44, of Fresno, a pharmacist, with one...

FRESNO, Calif . – Haitham Eid Habash, aka Eddie Habash, 55, of Hawthorne, was sentenced today to five years and three months in prison for his role in supplying synthetic drugs to wholesale internet drug traffickers, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott and DEA Special Agent in Charge Chris Nielsen announced...