DEA Archived Press Releases

Press Releases before January 20, 2025
1126 Results - Showing 301 to 310
PRESS RELEASE

Fort Myers Drug Trafficker Convicted by Federal Jury

FORT MYERS, Fla. - A federal jury has found Edgar Vazquez (35, Fort Myers) guilty of possessing with the intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine. Vazquez faces a minimum mandatory term of 5 years, and up to 40 years, in federal prison. Vazquez had been indicted on...
PRESS RELEASE

Eight Robles Park gang members and associates indicted for drug trafficking violations

TAMPA, Fla. - An indictment charging eight members of a drug trafficking organization with offenses related to the distribution of cocaine and heroin was unsealed today. (See chart for details). According to court records, this investigation targeted illegal drug traffickers operating an open-air drug market in the Robles Park Housing...
PRESS RELEASE

DEA Implements Ecommerce Outreach Program to Combat Counterfeit Drug Production

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has developed an e-commerce outreach program aimed at reducing the availability of dangerous, often deadly, counterfeit prescription drugs in the United States. This DEA-led initiative focuses on educating online retailers about the sale of pill presses and components used in the production of...
PRESS RELEASE

Eustis man sentenced to 18 years for methamphetamine and gun offenses

OCALA, Fla. - Anthony Michele DeCotis, Jr. (32, Eustis) was sentenced to 18 years in federal prison for possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possessing of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. DeCotis had pleaded guilty on January 29, 2020. According to court records, on August...
PRESS RELEASE

Five Tampa residents charged in $21 million money laundering conspiracy of drug trafficking proceeds

TAMPA, Fla. - A 37-count indictment was unsealed today charging five individuals with money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison per count. The indictment also notifies the defendants that the United States is seeking a...
PRESS RELEASE

Former Jacksonville healthcare worker sentenced to five years in federal prison for opioid distribution conspiracy

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Rhiannon Rader (34, St. Marys, Georgia) was sentenced to five years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute oxycodone, hydrocodone, and alprazolam (Xanax). Rader had pleaded guilty on October 29, 2019. According to court documents, as an employee of a Jacksonville Beach physician’s office, Rader had access...
PRESS RELEASE

Port Richey man sentenced to 12 years for drug dealing and gun possession

TAMPA, Fla. - Angelo Salvarezza (38, Port Richey) was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for possessing with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of that drug trafficking crime. Salvarezza had pled guilty on February 12, 2020. According to...
PRESS RELEASE

DEA to announce Operation 360 campaign to address substance abuse, prescription misuse, and violent crime in Central Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Special Agent in Charge Keith Martin, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Detroit Field Division and Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC) Mauricio Jimenez, Columbus Division Office, announced Central Ohio will become the 17th site where the DEA will implement its comprehensive Operation 360 initiative to address prescription misuse...
PRESS RELEASE

Thirteen individuals charged for their involvement in six fatal opioid overdoses across Hillborough, Pasco, and Pinellas Counties

TAMPA, Fla. – A federal grand jury returned six indictments and one arrest pursuant to a criminal complaint charging 13 individuals for their roles in six fatal opioid overdoses. The indictments also notify the defendants that the United States intends to forfeit any assets that are alleged to be traceable...
PRESS RELEASE

Four Alachua County residents arrested for federal drug-trafficking crimes

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -Four residents of Alachua, Florida, were arrested on federal criminal charges alleging an armed drug-trafficking conspiracy. The defendants arrested are: ● Lorenza Aaron Durr, Jr., 29, Alachua, Florida; ● Elboric Quadarius Robinson, 29, Alachua, Florida; ● Morris Robinson, 55, Alachua, Florida; and ● Roddrae Antonio Williams, 28, Alachua...