United States Drug Enforcement Administration

El Paso, Texas – 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 El Paso Division collected 2,086 pounds in West Texas and 4,622 pounds in New Mexico. “Once again, the communities...

El Paso – 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...

ALBUQUERQUE – The last of the eight defendants indicted following a joint law enforcement operation in Carlsbad last year pleaded guilty to federal drug offenses in federal court yesterday. Jesus Alonso Cerezo-Espidio , 51, of Carlsbad, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute 5 grams and more of...

ALBUQUERQUE – A Mexican national was convicted by a federal jury of drug trafficking and firearms offenses after less than 22 minutes of deliberation. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, on February 22, 2022 , Albuquerque Police Department Officers (APD) were dispatched to a stolen vehicle call...

ALBUQUERQUE – A Carlsbad man was sentenced to 240 months in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams and more of methamphetamine and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Manuel Pineda Montoya , 44, was...

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...

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 – 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...

LITTLE ROCK -- Quincy Martez Chambers, multi-convicted felon, will spend the next 30 years in federal prison for illegally possessing ammunition. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, by United States District Judge...

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Administrator Anne Milgram has announced the appointment of Steven L. Hofer as the Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the New Orleans Field Division. SAC Hofer brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this role, having served in various leadership positions within the DEA and...