DEA Archived Press Releases

Press Releases before January 20, 2025
808 Results - Showing 351 to 360
PRESS RELEASE

“Operation Wu Block” defendant pleads guilty

ATHENS, Ga. – A defendant charged in an ongoing, large-scale drug trafficking investigation dubbed “Operation Wu Block,” has pleaded guilty for her crime, said Charlie Peeler, the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia. Latasha Bishop, 33, of Athens-Clarke County, pleaded guilty to one count distribution of methamphetamine before...
PRESS RELEASE

Fourteen members of methamphetamine trafficking ring charged with drug conspiracy and related charges

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Fourteen members of a methamphetamine trafficking ring have been charged with federal drug conspiracy and related drug and firearms offenses, announced Robert J. Murphy, the Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division and Andrew Murray, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina...
PRESS RELEASE

Former Union General Hospital CEO and two Blairsville doctors sentenced to federal prison for illegally prescribing and obtaining pain pills

GAINESVILLE, Ga. - John Michael “Mike” Gowder, James Heaton, and George David Gowder have been sentenced to federal prison. Both Mike Gowder and Heaton were convicted on October 24, 2019, after a two-week jury trial on 102 counts related to illegally prescribing and obtaining more than 15,000 doses of prescription...
PRESS RELEASE

Baxley pharmacist sentenced to four years in federal prison for conspiracy involving healthcare fraud, opioids

BRUNSWICK, Ga. - A pharmacist who owned and ran Fulghum Pharmacy in Baxley, Ga. was sentenced today to 48 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to a conspiracy that involved health care fraud and illegal distribution of opioids. Ray Ashley Dixon, R.Ph., 42, of Baxley, Georgia, was sentenced by...
PRESS RELEASE

Chatham County added to Atlanta/Carolinas regional High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area

SAVANNAH, Ga. - Chatham County has been added to the Atlanta-Carolinas Region High Intensity Drug Trafficking area (HIDTA) in an effort to assist in the community’s fight against drug trafficking. The designation, by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), means Chatham County will gain access to...
PRESS RELEASE

Hidden cocaine shipment seized from container

SAVANNAH, Ga - Three Florida men have been charged in a conspiracy to import and distribute cocaine after authorities discovered and seized a shipment with nearly $2 million worth of cocaine. Juan De Jesus Gutierrez, 45, Jonathan Mejia, 41, and Ricardo Sanchez Ortiz, 46, all of Kissimmee, Fla., are charged...
PRESS RELEASE

Asheville man sentenced to more than nine years in prison for drug trafficking

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Today U.S. District Judge Martin Reidinger sentenced Shannon Dale Henson, 46, of Asheville, to 112 months in prison, announced Andrew Murray, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Judge Reidinger also ordered Henson to serve four years under court supervision upon completion of his prison...
PRESS RELEASE

Five indicted on federal charges for drug manufacturing, trafficking conspiracy

SAVANNAH, Ga - Five Savannah-area residents are charged in a seven-count federal indictment handed down by a U.S. District Court grand jury meeting in virtual session in accordance with the COVID-19 pandemic. The four men and one woman named in the indictment face charges with possible penalties of up to...
PRESS RELEASE

Operation Boyztown Results in Rare Life Sentence for Methamphetamine Distributor

OMAHA, Neb. – Between March 2015 and September 2018, the DEA Omaha Division office in cooperation with the Douglas and Sarpy County Sheriff’s Offices, Omaha Police Department and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nebraska, conducted a complex, multi-jurisdictional investigation into a methamphetamine distribution organization with direct links to...
PRESS RELEASE

DEA Reminds Americans to Keep Medications Secure

OMAHA, Neb. – The Omaha Division Drug Enforcement Administration is reminding people to secure prescription medications in an effort to avoid misuse, abuse and diversion during this time in which families are staying home over concerns of the Coronavirus pandemic. In 2018, 67,367 people died from a drug overdose with...