United States Drug Enforcement Administration

Albuquerque, N.M. – As part of Operation Engage, DEA is hosting its fourth annual Citizen’s Academy this coming May and is now accepting applications. The deadline to submit an application is Tuesday April 30 at 11:59 p.m. The DEA Citizens Academy allows community leaders to gain an understanding of DEA’s...

ALBUQUERQUE – Three of the eight defendants indicted following a joint enforcement operation last year in Carlsbad, pleaded guilty in federal court to federal drug offenses. Carlos Venegas, Jr., 24, of Carlsbad, pleaded guilty on March 4, 2024, to one count each of conspiracy to distribute 50 grams and more...

NEWARK, N.J. – The owner of a New Jersey company today admitted mislabeling hazardous chemicals entering the United States and evading customs duties, DEA New Jersey Field Division Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz and U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today. George Volpe, 60, of Roseland, New Jersey, owner...

ALBUQUERQUE – A federal judge sentenced an Albuquerque man to 57 months in federal prison for maintaining a drug-involved premises in southeast Albuquerque. As the manager of the Best Choice Inn, Kamal Bhula, 44, of Albuquerque, profited from in a kickback scheme that required drug traffickers and users to pay...

NEWARK, N.J. – A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging two brothers with conspiring to distribute and possessing with intent to distribute 49 kilograms of cocaine, DEA New Jersey Field Division Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz and U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today Nelson Santos Munoz, 30...

CAMDEN, N.J. – An Essex County woman was convicted for possession with intent to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine, DEA New Jersey Field Division Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz and U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today. Mahogany Hawkins, 32, of Newark, was convicted on one count possession with intent...

NEWARK, N.J. – A member of the Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips gang was sentenced today to 84 months in prison for his role a racketeering conspiracy, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today. Amir Edmonds, aka “G Baby,” 22, of Newark, pleaded guilty on Sept. 13, 2023, before U.S. District...

ALBUQUERQUE – Towanda R. Thorne-James, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration's El Paso Division, and Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, announced today that Kassandra Lee Perales and Jared Michael Moore, two of the 12 defendants arrested during a joint enforcement...

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Towanda R. Thorne-James, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration's El Paso Division, and Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, announced that Danyell Kerr, Jr. was sentenced to 11 years in prison. Kerr, 32, of Albuquerque, pled guilty to...

NEWARK, N.J. – A member of the Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips gang admitted to his role in a racketeering conspiracy and to possessing firearms and ammunition as a convicted felon, Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz of the DEA New Jersey Field Division and U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced...