DEA Archived Press Releases

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

Omaha Division Special Agent Carlos Lavastida awarded Enrique S. Camarena Award

OMAHA, Neb. – DEA Special Agent Carlos Lavastida is one of three law enforcement officers from Iowa presented with the Enrique S. Camarena Award by the DEA and United States Attorney’s Offices for the Northern and Southern Districts of Iowa. Lavastida, Lieutenant Brad Bollinger of the Sioux City Police Department...
PRESS RELEASE

Wisconsin heroin distributor sentenced to federal prison

OMAHA, Neb., – Jovan Marquis Harris of Milwaukee was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison on each of four counts related to distributing heroin resulting in death or serious bodily injury and 20 years on two final counts as determined by U.S. District Judge Mark W. Bennett, Northern District...
PRESS RELEASE

Lebanese businessman tied by Treasury Department to Hezbollah pleads guilty to money laundering conspiracy in furtherance of violations of U.S. sanctions

WASHINGTON – Kassim Tajideen, the operator of a network of businesses in Lebanon and Africa whom the U.S. Department of the Treasury designated as an important financial supporter to the Hezbollah terror organization, pleaded guilty today to charges associated with evading U.S. sanctions imposed on him. The announcement was made...
PRESS RELEASE

Minneapolis Tactical Diversion Squad talks opioids to Special Investigative Units

OMAHA, Neb. –Two members of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration Minneapolis District Office spoke with the Minnesota chapter of the International Association of Special Investigative Units last November in Eagan, Minn., on the deadliness of opioids in America and how the DEA is addressing the epidemic at the local...
PRESS RELEASE

Methamphetamine seizures rise in DEA's Omaha Division

OMAHA, Neb., – As the nation recognizes National Methamphetamine Awareness Day today, the Drug Enforcement Administration's Omaha Division announces that it has seen a three percent increase in methamphetamine seizures in one year. The division, which includes Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota, registered 817 pounds of seized...
PRESS RELEASE

DEA Museum opens new forensic science exhibit

ARLINGTON, Va. – The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Museum today opened its newest exhibit, “Behind the Scenes: Forensic Science Programs at DEA,” which will be on display through fall 2019. The exhibit is part of the DEA Museum and Visitors Center, located at 700 Army Navy Drive, Arlington, Virginia, 22202...
PRESS RELEASE

DEA announces arrest of former Honduran congressman and brother of current President of Honduras for drug trafficking and weapons charges

NEW YORK – The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and federal prosecutors today announced the arrest of former Honduran congressman Juan Antonio Hernandez Alvarado, aka “Tony Hernandez,” who was charged in Manhattan federal court for drug trafficking, weapons charges, and making false statements to federal agents. Hernandez is the brother of...
PRESS RELEASE

DEA releases 2018 National Drug Threat Assessment

WASHINGTON – DEA Acting Administrator Uttam Dhillon today announced results of the 2018 National Drug Threat Assessment, which outlines the threats posed to the United States by domestic and international drug trafficking and the abuse of illicit drugs. “This report underscores the scope and magnitude of the ongoing opioid crisis...
PRESS RELEASE

DEA achieves significant milestone during 16th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

WASHINGTON – With the robust participation of Americans nationwide, DEA and its law enforcement partners have now surpassed its 10 million pound goal and collected nearly 11 million pounds of unused, unwanted or expired prescription medications over the course of 16 successful DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back events. During...
PRESS RELEASE

Former leader of Kenyan organized crime family and his brother plead guilty to narcotics, weapons, and obstruction offenses

NEW YORK - Raymond P. Donovan, the Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Special Operations Division and Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York announced that Baktash Akasha Abdalla, aka “Baktash Akasha,” and Ibrahim Akasha Abdalla, aka “Ibrahim Akasha,” pled guilty yesterday...