DEA Archived Press Releases

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

Antelope Valley Man Faces New Charge Alleging He Knowingly Sold Fentanyl to Second Victim Who Died

LOS ANGELES – A Palmdale man already facing one charge of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death has been charged by federal grand jury indictment with an additional count of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death related to the death of a Palmdale man in August, the Justice Department announced...
PRESS RELEASE

16 Defendants Charged in Superseding Indictment Alleging Bulk Shipments of Cocaine to Canada, Four Murders

LOS ANGELES – A Canadian former Olympic snowboarder and 15 other defendants have been charged in a 16-count superseding indictment for allegedly running and participating in a transnational drug trafficking operation that routinely shipped hundreds of kilograms of cocaine, from Colombia, through Mexico and Southern California, to Canada and other...
PRESS RELEASE

Five Defendants, Including Two Doctors, Charged in Connection with Actor Matthew Perry's Fatal Overdose Death Last Year

LOS ANGELES – A licensed physician and an alleged San Fernando Valley drug dealer were arrested today in connection with the death of actor Matthew Perry, who suffered a fatal ketamine overdose in October 2023. In total, five defendants, including two doctors, have been charged in this matter, according to...
PRESS RELEASE

Ventura Prolific Fentanyl Trafficker Receives 15-Year Federal Prison Sentence

LOS ANGELES – The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Los Angeles Field Division announced the sentencing of a large-scale fentanyl distributor operating within Ventura, California. Stephen Gregory Reid, 61, aka “Racer,” of Ventura, was sentenced to 188 months in federal prison. The DEA announcement, made last week, was the pinnacle point...
PRESS RELEASE

Local Man Sent to Prison for Trying to Intimidate Witnesses

McALLEN, Texas – A 20-year-old Mission man has been ordered to federal prison for obstructing justice by threatening communication and assault on a federal officer, announced Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux, Houston Division and U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Hector Reyes Jr. pleaded guilty March...
PRESS RELEASE

Operation Hotline Bling

LOS ANGELES – The Drug Enforcement Administration Los Angeles Field Division today announced the results of a multi-agency investigation targeting a Sinaloa drug trafficking network operating within the Inland Empire. Operation “Hotline Bling,” which started in early 2023, culminated last week with 15 arrests and significant drug seizures, including methamphetamine...
PRESS RELEASE

Meth “Cooks” Sent to Prison in Custom Importation Scheme

McALLEN, Texas – Three men have been sentenced for their roles in a scheme to traffic and “cook” custom meth orders in the McAllen area, announced Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux, Houston Division and U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Alfredo Duarte, 32, Fullerton, California, and...
PRESS RELEASE

Violent Drug Dealer Off the Streets for Possessing Meth and Pistol

McALLEN, Texas – A 26-year-old Edinburg man has been sentenced for drug charges and possession of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, announced Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux, Houston Division and U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Lauro Gonzalez Jr. pleaded...
PRESS RELEASE

41 Charged in Massive Poly-Drug Indictment Linked to Cartel

GALVESTON, Texas – A total of 23 people were taken into custody following the return of a 50-count indictment alleging cocaine, fentanyl, heroin and meth trafficking and related crimes in the Houston and Galveston areas, announced Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge, Daniel C. Comeaux, Houston Division and...
PRESS RELEASE

Las Vegas Man Sentenced To 10 Years In Prison For Distributing Thousands Of Fentanyl Pills

LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas resident was sentenced Tuesday by United States District Judge Gloria M. Navarro to 10 years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release for distributing large quantities of fentanyl pills in Las Vegas. According to court documents, Alphaeus Johnson (38) conspired...