DEA Archived Press Releases

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

Antelope Valley Man Faces New Charge Alleging He Knowingly Sold Fentanyl to Second Victim Who Died

LOS ANGELES – A Palmdale man already facing one charge of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death has been charged by federal grand jury indictment with an additional count of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death related to the death of a Palmdale man in August, the Justice Department announced...
PRESS RELEASE

China-Based Chemical Company, Its Director and Senior Employees Indicted for Alleged Fentanyl Manufacturing and Distribution

LOS ANGELES – A chemical company, its director and three senior employees have been charged in a 13-count federal grand jury indictment alleging they sold deadly fentanyl precursor chemicals and xylazine – known as “tranq” – globally, fueling the fentanyl crisis in the United States, the Justice Department announced today...
PRESS RELEASE

Fentanyl Dealer Implicated in Two Fatal ODs Sentenced to 22+ Years in Prison

DALLAS, TX - A fentanyl dealer who admitted he was involved in at least three overdoses, two of them fatal, was sentenced Thursday to nearly 23 years in federal prison. Rhett Barclay, 23, was indicted in September 2023 and pleaded guilty in February to conspiracy to possess with intent to...
PRESS RELEASE

Ventura Prolific Fentanyl Trafficker Receives 15-Year Federal Prison Sentence

LOS ANGELES – The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Los Angeles Field Division announced the sentencing of a large-scale fentanyl distributor operating within Ventura, California. Stephen Gregory Reid, 61, aka “Racer,” of Ventura, was sentenced to 188 months in federal prison. The DEA announcement, made last week, was the pinnacle point...
PRESS RELEASE

Operation Hotline Bling

LOS ANGELES – The Drug Enforcement Administration Los Angeles Field Division today announced the results of a multi-agency investigation targeting a Sinaloa drug trafficking network operating within the Inland Empire. Operation “Hotline Bling,” which started in early 2023, culminated last week with 15 arrests and significant drug seizures, including methamphetamine...
PRESS RELEASE

Fentanyl Dealer Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison

DALLAS, TX - A Dallas fentanyl trafficker who admitted to dealing more than 142,000 counterfeit pills was sentenced today to 20 years in federal prison. Terrill Antwan Ray, 48, pleaded guilty in April 2023 to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance and was sentenced Monday by...
PRESS RELEASE

Mom Pleads Guilty to Providing Fentanyl That Killed Her Sons’ Father

Dallas, TX - An Albuquerque mother who concealed a deadly dose of fentanyl inside her children’s luggage pleaded guilty yesterday to a federal drug crime. Magdalena Silva Banuelos, 47, was indicted in November 2022. She pleaded guilty Wednesday to distribution of fentanyl before U.S. District Judge Barbara M.G. Lynn. In...
PRESS RELEASE

DEA Teams Up with NFL Alumni Health to Spread Awareness about Fentanyl Pills

(LAS VEGAS) – The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has teamed up with NFL Alumni Health ahead of Sunday’s big game to spread its important message, One Pill Can Kill. This outreach and educational opportunity aims to provide greater awareness about fentanyl and fake pills made to look like prescription medications...
PRESS RELEASE

Las Vegas Man Sentenced To 10 Years In Prison For Distributing Thousands Of Fentanyl Pills

LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas resident was sentenced Tuesday by United States District Judge Gloria M. Navarro to 10 years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release for distributing large quantities of fentanyl pills in Las Vegas. According to court documents, Alphaeus Johnson (38) conspired...
PRESS RELEASE

ATF/DEA/LAPD Take Down San Fernando Valley Drug Trafficking Ring

LOS ANGELES – Seven members of a San Fernando Valley drug trafficking crew were indicted on a 15-count federal grand jury indictment alleging they ran an operation that sold cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl. Law enforcement arrested four of the seven defendants earlier this morning. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms...