United States Drug Enforcement Administration

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Federal criminal complaints were unsealed today in federal court, following the arrest of eight individuals involved in a drug trafficking organization operating in and around Union County, announced U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina Andrew Murray. Agents and officers with the FBI, ATF, DEA...

HOUSTON – Three Colombian citizens are set to appear in federal court for their alleged roles in a drug smuggling attempt involving more than 1,300 kilograms of cocaine, announced DEA Acting Special Agent in Charge Steven S. Whipple and U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. Jesus Alfredo De La Cruz Orobio...

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A 39-year-old Florida man has been sentenced to federal prison for his role in a Rio Grande Valley-based drug conspiracy, announced DEA Acting Special Agent in Charge Steven S. Whipple and U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. Roberto Santos-Gonzalez pleaded guilty on June 4 to conspiracy with intent...

HOUSTON – A 34-year-old Mexican foreign national who illegally resided in Houston has been ordered to prison for conspiracy and meth smuggling, announced DEA Acting Special Agent in Charge Steven S. Whipple and U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. The jury deliberated for less than three hours following a three-day trial...

HOUSTON – An alleged ranking member of the Clan Del Golfo has been extradited to the United States to face numerous drug trafficking and money laundering charges, announced DEA Acting Special Agent in Charge Steven S. Whipple, along with U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick and FBI Special Agent in Charge...

LAREDO, Texas – A 24-year-old Laredo resident has admitted he conspired to possess with intent to distribute a large quantity of marijuana, announced Drug Enforcement Administration Acting Special Agent in Charge Steven S. Whipple and U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. On July 18, authorities observed six individuals carrying bundles near...

LAREDO, Texas – A 28-year-old Laredo native has admitted to conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute more than 135 kilograms of marijuana, announced DEA Acting Special Agent in Charge Steven S. Whipple and U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. On Sept. 13, authorities observed a man – later identified...

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 25-year-old Pharr resident has been ordered to federal prison following her conviction of conspiring to distribute nearly six kilograms of methamphetamine, announced Drug Enforcement Administration Acting Special Agent in Charge Steven S. Whipple and U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. Sadie Elaine Canales pleaded guilty Feb...

ATLANTA – Allen Ifechukwu Athan Onyema, the Chairman, CEO, and founder of Air Peace, a Nigerian airline, has been charged with bank fraud and money laundering for moving more than $20 million from Nigeria through United States bank accounts in a scheme involving false documents based on the purchase of...

ASHEVILLE, N.C. –U.S. District Judge Martin Reidinger has sentenced Frank Michael Lucas, 33, of Sylva, N.C. to 160 months in prison on drug trafficking charges, announced U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina Andrew Murray. Judge Reidinger also ordered Lucas to serve five years under court supervision and...