United States Drug Enforcement Administration

WASHINGTON - In an effort to combat the growing epidemic of prescription drug and heroin abuse, leaders of the FBI and DEA today unveiled a documentary aimed at educating students and young adults about the dangers of the addiction. “Chasing the Dragon” is a 45-minute documentary film that profiles the...

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Four defendants were arrested on Tuesday, February 2nd, 2016, on charges related to running a marijuana ring between Tucson, Ariz. and Columbus, Ohio. Investigators have seized more than 2,000 pounds of marijuana and more than $1.2 million in cash in connection with the investigation. Carter M. Stewart...

WASHINGTON - The United States Drug Enforcement (DEA) today announced significant enforcement activity including arrests targeting Lebanese Hizballah’s External Security Organization Business Affairs (BAC), which is involved in international criminal activities such as drug trafficking and drug proceed money laundering. These proceeds are used to purchase weapons for Hizballah for...

DETROIT - Marcus Coates, 36, formerly of Detroit, Michigan, was sentenced today to 72 months in federal prison for his role in a money laundering conspiracy, announced United States Attorney Barbara L. McQuade. McQuade was joined in the announcement by Joseph P. Reagan the Special Agent in Charge of the...

COLUMBUS, Ohio - William J. Pate, 45, of Columbus, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 15 years in prison for possessing cocaine and firearms in furtherance of distributing drugs. Carter M. Stewart, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Joseph P. Reagan, Special Agent in Charge...

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Simon Velazquez-Gonzalez, 27, formerly of Hilliard, Ohio was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 170 months in prison for his role in trafficking more than nine kilograms of methamphetamine. During this investigation, U.S. Drug Enforcement (DEA) Agents seized more than 20 pounds of “ice,” a highly potent...

WASHINGTON - The capture of Joaquin “Chapo” Guzman-Loera is a victory for the rule of law and the Mexican people and government. The arrest is a significant achievement in our shared fight against transnational organized crime, violence, and drug trafficking. It is further evidence of our two countries’ resolve to...

WASHINGTON - The United States Drug Enforcement (DEA) recently eased some of the regulatory requirements imposed by the Controlled Substances (CSA) for those who are conducting FDA-approved clinical trials on (CBD), an extract of the marijuana plant. These modifications will streamline the research process regarding CBD’s possible medicinal value and...

MARQUETTE, Mich. - Richard Jon Hill, age 39, known in the Ironwood, Michigan area as “Rock Star Rick,” was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison for his conviction on federal drug charges. The sentence represents the culmination of a two-year investigation by the U.S. Drug Enforcement (DEA) and the...

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Richard Spriggs, Sr., 47, of Columbus, was sentenced on December 2, in U.S. District Court to 46 months in prison. Spriggs’ sentence was the result of his conviction for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute marijuana, conspiring to commit money laundering and for the unlawful possession...