DEA Archived Press Releases

Press Releases before January 20, 2025
1079 Results - Showing 311 to 320
PRESS RELEASE

Fresno man sentenced to over 21 years prison for methamphetamine trafficking, possession of a firearm and interstate transportation for prostitution

FRESNO, Calif . – On June 17, 2019, Carlos Montano, aka “Loco,” 29, of Fresno, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. O'Neill to 21 years and 10 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, being a felon in possession of a firearm and interstate transportation for prostitution...
PRESS RELEASE

Mexican national indicted for drug trafficking and firearm possession

SACRAMENTO, Calif . – A federal grand jury returned a four-count indictment today against Arturo Zavaleta, 39, of Mexico, charging him with trafficking in heroin, methamphetamine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug crime, United States Attorney McGregor Scott announced. According to court documents, on June 3, 2019...
PRESS RELEASE

Aryan Brotherhood members and associates charged with racketeering for directing murders and other violent crimes from inside California prisons

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Sixteen members and associates of a prison-based gang have been charged after a long-running investigation into drug trafficking and murders inside and outside of California’s prisons. Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott, and Special Agent in...
PRESS RELEASE

Nicaraguan national pleads guilty to conspiring to distribute cocaine and marijuana on the darknet

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Eddy Steven Sandoval Lopez, 23, a Nicaraguan national residing in Sacramento, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. According to court documents, Sandoval Lopez distributed cocaine and marijuana on a darknet site, Dream Market, using the vendor accounts “CokeWave,” “SafeDealsDirect,” and “HerbanFarmer.” The Dream Market...
PRESS RELEASE

Two Mexican nationals indicted for transporting counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment Thursday against Ivan Lopez, 34, of Mexico, and Erick Olivas Lopez, 39, of Mexico, charging them with conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute at least 400 grams of a substance containing fentanyl. According to court documents, on April...
PRESS RELEASE

Tulare County man indicted on methamphetamine trafficking charges

FRESNO, Calif. – A federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment today against Alejandro Cabrera-Gallegos, 37, of Porterville, charging him with distribution of methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott and DEA Special Agent in Charge Chris Nielsen announced. According to court documents, on...
PRESS RELEASE

South Bay methamphetamine trafficker sentenced to 10 years in prison

SAN FRANCISCO – Alejandro Ramirez-Suarez was sentenced today to 120 months in prison for his role in a conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and related charges announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson and DEA Special Agent in Charge Chris Nielsen. The sentence was handed down...
PRESS RELEASE

Major financial sanctions announced against Mexico’s largest drug cartel investigated by DEA Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES – DEA’s Los Angeles Division continues to lead the global investigation into Mexico’s most violent and largest drug cartel, the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG) and it’s leader Nemesio Oseguera-Cervantes, aka "El Mencho." DEA Los Angeles Division indicted El Mencho on federal drug trafficking charges in 2014...
PRESS RELEASE

Stockton counterfeit pill manufacturing ring dismantled

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents dismantled an alleged Stockton-based counterfeit pill manufacturing ring and arrested six individuals as a result of the investigation, announced DEA Special Agent in Charge Chris Nielsen. According to court documents, the DEA Sacramento District Office began this investigation in April 2016, when...
PRESS RELEASE

DEA Los Angeles Special Agent in Charge David J. Downing to retire on May 31

LOS ANGELES – After 24 years of dedicated service to the United States, Special Agent in Charge (SAC) David J. Downing III of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Los Angeles Division will retire on May 31. “This decision was not an easy one,“ said SAC Downing. “But it’s time.” Mr. Downing...