WICHITA, KAN. – A Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) operation led to the dismantling of a drug trafficking ring in Kansas operated on behalf of a Mexican drug cartel. Ringleader, Euriel Talavera, 32, of Wichita and 14 other defendants pleaded guilty to criminal charges following a multi-agency investigation which included...

Pensacola, Fla. – Dr. Twan Phanijphand, M.D., a gastroenterologist located in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., agreed to pay $300,000 to resolve allegations that he unlawfully prescribed opioids and other controlled substances in violation of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). As part of the settlement, Dr. Phanijphand also agreed to not...

Gainesville, Fla. – Eddie Jerome Scott, 39, of Gainesville, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for distribution of 5 grams or more of methamphetamine, distribution of 5 grams or more of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl, possession of...

Ocala, Fla. – Jimmy Deon Lofton (46, Ocala) has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber to eight years and one month in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. Lofton pleaded guilty plea on May 28, 2026. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the...

Sherman, TX – An Arizona woman and a Dallas man have been sentenced to federal prison as part of a Homeland Security Task Force investigation into a deadly fentanyl overdose. Pamela Esquivias, also known as Azalea, 25, of Maricopa, Arizona, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute...

TUCSON, Ariz. – On Sep. 9, 2026, Special Agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Tucson District Office, conducted a multi-state enforcement operation resulting in the arrest of Alastair Mark Sanderson, 39, of Overland Park, Kansas; William Robert Norris, 43, of Westworth Village, Texas; and Michael Christian Packard, 36, of Fort...

CHICAGO — A woman has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for using information stolen from physicians to fraudulently write opioid prescriptions. AMANI IBRAHIM fraudulently caused prescriptions for oxycodone, hydrocodone, and other controlled substances to be issued under the names of real medical providers and often in the...

ST. PAUL – Hudeife Muhamud Mire, aka “Juice,” 24, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl resulting in death. His plea hearing was before U.S. District Judge Jerry W. Blackwell on September 8, 2026. Mire faces a statutory minimum of 20 years in prison and supervised release...

ST. PAUL – Erick Emilio Diaz-Aguilar, aka “Homie,” 34, was sentenced to 240 months in prison for one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. The defendant was sentenced before U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson on September 9, 2026. According to court documents, Diaz-Aguilar managed the “Diaz-Aguilar Drug Trafficking Organization...

BOSTON – A Pittsfield pharmacist has been charged in federal court in Boston with allegedly diverting Adderall and Dextroamp-amphetamin (generic Adderall) from a national pharmacy chain. Joshua Bradley, 30, of Pittsfield, was charged with five counts of acquiring a controlled substance by fraud, deception and subterfuge. The defendant will make...