DEA Archived Press Releases

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

Duval County Corruption Investigation Leads To Two Prison Sentences, More Coming

McALLEN, Texas - Jose Luis Tovar, 47, and his brother Jerry Tovar, 40, both of Mission, are heading to federal prison as a result of their convictions related to a corruption investigation in Duval County, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today. Today, U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez sentenced Jose...
PRESS RELEASE

United States Seizes Luxury Condo Allegedly Owned By Former Mexican Governor

CORPUS CHRISTI, Tex. - A luxury condominium located in South Padre Island alleged to be owned by former Tamaulipas Mexico Governor Tomas Yarrington has been successfully forfeited to the government, Drug Enforcement (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Javier F. Peña and United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today. The real...
PRESS RELEASE

DEA – LAPD HIDTA Investigation Targets South L.A. Gangs Controlled By Incarcerated Mexican Mafia Member And His Daughter

DEC 6 - LOS ANGELES - Law enforcement authorities this morning arrested 18 defendants named in three federal grand jury indictments stemming from Operation Roman Empire, a 2½-year investigation into South Los Angeles street gangs allegedly controlled by a Mexican Mafia member who directs criminal activities through his daughter. A...
PRESS RELEASE

DEA Scam Alert -- Extortion Scheme

HOUSTON, Texas - The Drug Enforcement (DEA) continues to warn the public about criminals posing as DEA Special Agents or other law enforcement personnel. This criminal activity continues to occur, despite significant public attention to the illicit scheme. DEA offices nationwide regularly receive telephone calls from concerned citizens who are...
PRESS RELEASE

Verdict Returned Against Two Remaining Defendants In Murder-for-Hire And Drug Trafficking Conspiracy

LAREDO, Texas - Samuel Walker, 29, an active duty U.S. Army member, of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Calvin Epps, aka Beef, 28, of Hopkins, S.C., have been found guilty on a variety of charges in relation to a murder-for-hire and drug trafficking conspiracy, Drug Enforcement (DEA) Special Agent in Charge...
PRESS RELEASE

Houston Man Handed Federal Sentence For Murder-for-Hire

HOUSTON - Francisco Santibanez, 33, has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison following his conviction for use of interstate commerce facilities in murder-for-hire, Drug Enforcement (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Javier F. Peña and United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today. Santibanez, of Houston, pleaded guilty Dec. 5...
PRESS RELEASE

Drug Trafficking Co-conspirators Head To Federal Prison

LAREDO, Texas - Two drug and money laundering co-conspirators are headed to federal prison as a result of a long-term Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Investigation dubbed “Operation Havoc,” Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge and Javier F. Peña and United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today. One...
PRESS RELEASE

More Los Zetas Money Launderers Convicted, Others Head To Prison

LAREDO, Texas - Two men have entered pleas of guilty and two more have received sentences for their roles in a money laundering investigation relating to the laundering of millions of drug proceeds by Los Zetas, Drug Enforcement (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Javier F Peña and United States Attorney...
PRESS RELEASE

Federal Authorities Arrest 12 People Involved In Operation Of Nine Illegal Marijuana Storefronts In Orange And Los Angeles Counties

LOS ANGELES - A dozen people associated with a chain of nine marijuana stores that operated across Orange and Los Angeles counties were arrested this morning on federal drug trafficking charges. The 12 arrested are among 14 people named in a 14-count indictment returned last week by a federal grand...
PRESS RELEASE

Grand Jury Indicts New Defendants And Brings Additional Charges Against L.A.-Based OxyContin Ring That Allegedly Bilked Medicare

LOS ANGELES - A federal grand jury has returned a superseding indictment that charges 16 defendants with being part of a drug trafficking organization that illegally obtained and distributed more than 900,000 OxyContin pills obtained in part through fraud against public insurance programs such as Medicare. One of the defendants...