PORTLAND, Ore.—In related criminal cases, Cole Williams Griffiths and Raleigh Dragon Lau pleaded guilty on April 22, 2019, for their roles in a conspiracy to traffic marijuana grown in Hood River, Oregon and Portland to Virginia, Texas, and Florida. Drug proceeds, in the form of bulk U.S. currency, were returned...

SEATTLE – This Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time, the Drug Enforcement Administration and its local law enforcement, community and tribal partners in the Pacific Northwest will collect expired, unused and unwanted prescription medications at one of 230 collection sites. There are 19 collection sites...

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Christopher Thomas Howard, a/k/a “Indy,” 33, of Fairbanks, has been federally indicted with three counts of distribution of methamphetamine. Howard was arrested on April 5, 2019, based on a criminal complaint. According to the criminal complaint, on Jan. 3, 2019, Howard allegedly negotiated to sell two ounces...

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 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...

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...

SPOKANE, Wash. – Carlos Peraza-Kissi, age 25, of Yakima, Washington, was sentenced April 17, 2019, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. United States District Judge Stanley A. Bastian sentenced Peraza-Kissi to a 188-month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a five-year term of court supervision after he is...

BOISE, Idaho – Roberto Joe Miguel Serpa, 39, of Caldwell, was sentenced this week for his role in two federal drug crimes, announced U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis. Serpa was sentenced on April 16, 2019, to 126 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. Serpa was sentenced...

BOISE, Idaho – Jennifer L. Fanopoulos, 41, of Boise, was sentenced yesterday to three years of probation for obtaining controlled substances by fraud. Fanopoulos was sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge. Fanopoulos pleaded guilty on Oct. 25, 2018. According to court records, Fanopoulos was employed as a...

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...