DEA Archived Press Releases

Press Releases before January 20, 2025
40 Results - Showing 1 to 10
PRESS RELEASE

Second-in-Command of Drug Distribution Organization Tied to Aryan Prison Gang Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison

Tacoma – A 61-year-old Auburn, Washington, man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to twelve years in prison for his leadership role in a multi-state drug distribution ring announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Thomas Carver has a lengthy criminal history that includes multiple prior convictions related...
PRESS RELEASE

Hospital in Washington Agrees to Pay $15,000 Penalty and Implement Corrective Actions to Address Theft of Controlled Substances

Spokane, Wash. - Mid-Valley Hospital and Clinic in Omak, Washington, agreed to pay a $15,000 Controlled Substances Act penalty and to institute corrective actions in regard to its pharmacy and controlled substances policy and procedures. To protect the public, the Controlled Substances Act and its implementing regulations place legal responsibilities...
PRESS RELEASE

Communities Nationwide Turn In Nearly 630,000 Pounds of Unneeded Medications on DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

SEATTLE – On Oct. 26, DEA and over 4,400 law enforcement partners collected nearly 630,000 pounds of unused medications at 4,600 locations nationwide. This effort to empty medicine cabinets helps to prevent drug misuse before it starts. Since its inception, DEA’s National Prescription Take Back Day has removed nearly 19.2...
PRESS RELEASE

DEA Hosts the 27th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday to Remove Unneeded Medications from Homes

SEATTLE –The Drug Enforcement Administration, in collaboration with more than 4,000 law enforcement partners across the country, will host the 27th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day this Saturday, October 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. National Prescription Drug Take Back Day encourages the safe and anonymous disposal of...
PRESS RELEASE

Former Division Chief of Logistics for Kootenai County EMSS Sentenced in Drug Diversion Scheme

COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho--Scott Higgins, 57, of Coeur d’Alene, was sentenced yesterday on charges for theft from a program receiving federal funds and acquiring controlled substances by fraud, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced today. Both charges relate to a drug diversion scheme that Higgins carried out over multiple years while employed...
PRESS RELEASE

DEA and its Partners Remove More than 670,000 Pounds of Unused Medications from Communities Nationwide

SEATTLE – DEA and its local law enforcement partners collected 670,136 pounds of unused medications during the 26th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on April 27, 2024. The DEA Seattle Field Division, which includes Washington, Oregon, Alaska, and Idaho, collected 18,214 pounds of unneeded prescription medication with the help...
PRESS RELEASE

DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Enters 15th Year of Removing Unneeded Medications from Communities

SEATTLE – Together with its law enforcement partners, the Drug Enforcement Administration will host its 26th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event aims to remove unneeded prescriptions from homes to help prevent medication misuse by offering anonymous disposal...
PRESS RELEASE

Idaho Doctor Pays $96,000 to Settle Allegations That He Wrote Unlawful Prescriptions

POCATELLO – Dr. Gerald Knouf, a family medicine doctor formerly of Pocatello, Idaho, agreed to pay $96,000 to resolve allegations that he wrote unlawful prescriptions, prescribed dangerous combinations of drugs, and billed Medicare and Medicaid for services that were not performed, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced today. The settlement also...
PRESS RELEASE

DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Day Removes Almost 600,000 Pounds of Unneeded Prescription Medications Across the Country

SEATTLE, Wash. – On Oct. 28, 2023, the community once again emptied their medicine cabinets to help dispose of old, unwanted, and expired medications. Nationwide, DEA and its law enforcement partners collected 599,897 pounds of unneeded medications at 4,675 collection sites nationwide. Locally, the DEA Seattle Field Division collected 15,799...
PRESS RELEASE

DEA Hosts 25th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

SEATTLE, Wash. – The Drug Enforcement Administration Seattle Field Division and its partners will host the 25th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event offers an easy, no-cost opportunity for the community to anonymously dispose of unneeded medications at...