United States Drug Enforcement Administration

HOUSTON – A total of three Colombian nationals associated with the National Liberation Army(Ejército de Liberación Nacional aka ELN), a paramilitary group designated as a foreign terrorist organization, have been taken into Colombian custody at the request of the United States on charges alleging a 20-year international drug conspiracy. “When...

FORT MYERS, Fla. - A federal jury has found Edgar Vazquez (35, Fort Myers) guilty of possessing with the intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine. Vazquez faces a minimum mandatory term of 5 years, and up to 40 years, in federal prison. Vazquez had been indicted on...

WACO, TX - Federal and state authorities arrested seven individuals in McLennan, Bell and Coryell counties for their roles in a methamphetamine distribution operation, announced Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Steven S. Whipple, Houston Division; U.S. Attorney John F . Bash; and, Texas Department of Public Safety...

WASHINGTON – Today, Attorney General William P. Barr and Drug Enforcement Administration Acting Administrator Timothy J. Shea announced the results of Operation Crystal Shield, DEA’s six-month-long effort targeting the command and control elements of Mexican cartels that operate major methamphetamine “transportation hubs” in the United States. At a press conference...

AUSTIN, TX - Over the past two weeks, federal, state and local authorities have arrested 21 individuals in connection with a cocaine and methamphetamine trafficking operations based in the Austin area, announced Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Steven S. Whipple, Houston Division and U.S. Attorney John F...

TAMPA, Fla. - An indictment charging eight members of a drug trafficking organization with offenses related to the distribution of cocaine and heroin was unsealed today. (See chart for details). According to court records, this investigation targeted illegal drug traffickers operating an open-air drug market in the Robles Park Housing...

HOUSTON – A 26-year-old man has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute meth in the Houston area, announced Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Steven S. Whipple, Houston Division and U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. Carlos Solorio aka...

OCALA, Fla. - Anthony Michele DeCotis, Jr. (32, Eustis) was sentenced to 18 years in federal prison for possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possessing of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. DeCotis had pleaded guilty on January 29, 2020. According to court records, on August...

HOUSTON– A federal grand jury sitting in Austin has returned a six-count indictment against a 31-year-old paralegal specialist with the U.S. Attorney’s Office (USAO) for the Western District of Texas, announced Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Steven S. Whipple, Houston Division and U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick of...

BEAUMONT, Texas - Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Steven S. Whipple, Houston Division and U.S. Attorney Stephen J. Cox announced today that eight individuals have been arrested in the Eastern District of Texas pursuant to a federal indictment which alleges drug and money laundering violations. A federal grand...