United States Drug Enforcement Administration

LOS ANGELES - After collecting and destroying 5.5 million pounds-2,762 tons-of unused prescription drugs in the past five years, the U.S. Drug Enforcement (DEA) is continuing its efforts to take back unused, unwanted and expired prescription medications. The DEA invites the public to bring their potentially dangerous, unwanted medicines to...

WASHINGTON - Special Agent in (SAC) Karl C. Colder of the Drug Enforcement Administration’(DEA) Washington Division announced today that the DEA will be hosting a Prescription Drug Awareness (PDAC) in Towson, Maryland. The PDAC is a part of DEA’s 360 Strategy, an overall approach to combating opioid and heroin abuse...

LOS ANGELES - A San Gabriel Valley doctor pleaded guilty to a federal drug trafficking charge for illegally distributing the powerful painkiller best known by the brand name OxyContin. Dr. Daniel Cham, 48, of Covina, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of oxycodone and one count of money laundering...

GREENBELT, Md. - U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang sentenced Deon Thornton, age 32, of Suitland, Maryland, today to eight years in prison, followed by four years of supervised release, for distribution of crack cocaine and for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The sentence was announced by...

BALTIMORE - A federal criminal complaint has been filed charging four individuals for a conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine. The criminal complaint was filed this afternoon, following the defendants’ arrests on Friday evening, April 8, 2016. Charged in the criminal complaint are: Hector M. Hernandez-Villapando, age 63...

PHILADELPHIA - DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge David Cali and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge William F. Sweeney hosted a screening of Chasing the Dragon: The Life on an Opiate Addict for local educators and media representatives at the William J. Green Federal Building in Philadelphia...

LOS ANGELES - A Mexican Mafia member who is also a member of the El Monte Flores street gang, and another man who was a “shot caller” of the gang, have pleaded guilty to federal racketeering offenses. The two gang leaders pleaded guilty Thursday in United States District Court after...

HARRISONBURG, Va. - A Maryland man, who authorities said was responsible for selling heroin that led to at least six overdoses in the Winchester, Virginia, area, three of which were fatal, was sentenced today in federal court. Christopher Rojuan Giles, a.k.a. “C” and “Charlie,” 28, of Randallstown, Maryland, previously pleaded...

LOS ANGELES - Two former baggage handlers who worked at Los Angeles International (LAX) were arrested today by law enforcement authorities investigating the use of employee credentials to breach airport security. Adrian Ponce, 27, and Alberto Preciado Gutierrez, 26, both of South Gate, were arrested this morning without incident by...

BALTIMORE - Walter Moffett, age 51, of Chestertown, Maryland pleaded guilty today to his participation in a drug conspiracy in connection with the operation of purported pain management clinics that were actually “pill mills.” Eight co-conspirators previously pleaded guilty to the same charge. The guilty plea was announced by Special...