DEA Archived Press Releases

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

Operation Overdrive in Tampa Leads to Dozens of Arrests and Significant Drug Seizures

TAMPA – Today, a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)-led joint task force, designed to bring justice to Tampa’s most violent drug traffickers, announced the results of a 5-month, concentrated law enforcement effort. Deanne Reuter, the DEA Miami Field Division Special Agent in Charge (SAC), and Roger Handberg, United States Attorney (USA)...
PRESS RELEASE

Nurse Sentenced to Federal Prison for Illegal Prescription Scheme

TAMPA , F la. – U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber has sentenced Debora Ryder (56, New Port Richey) to three years in federal prison for drug conspiracy . Ryder entered a guilty plea on September 19, 2023. She has also agreed to forfeit her nursing licenses. According to court...
PRESS RELEASE

Jury Convicts Pain Clinic Doctor of Unlawful Drug Distribution, Money Laundering, and Filing a False Tax Return

TAMPA , F la. – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that a federal jury found Dr. Qing McGaha guilty of 14 counts of unlawful drug distribution, four (4) counts of money laundering, and one (1) count of filing a false tax return. McGaha faces a maximum penalty of...
PRESS RELEASE

Defendants Convicted and Sentenced in Long-Term Methamphetamine and Oxycodone Drug Trafficking Investigation in Bay County

PENSACOLA, Fla. – A federal judge sentenced the seventh defendant in a large-scale methamphetamine and oxycodone trafficking organization operating primarily in Bay County. The convictions and sentences were announced by Jason R. Coody United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. “Our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners...
PRESS RELEASE

Arizona Man Sentenced to More Than 16 Years for Role in Drug Conspiracy

OCALA , Fla . – U.S. District Judge Roy B. Dalton, Jr. sentenced Tymane D. Hamilton (30, Phoenix, Arizona) to 16 years and 8 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. Hamilton had pleaded guilty on April 19, 2022. According to court documents and evidence presented in...
PRESS RELEASE

Gulfport Man Sentenced to More Than 11 Years in Federal Prison for Armed Drug Trafficking

TAMPA, Fla . –Calfus W. Drummond (37, Gulfport) has been sentenced to 11 years and 6 months in federal prison for possession with the intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl; 500 grams or more of methamphetamine; cocaine and marijuana; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of...
PRESS RELEASE

Multi-Kilogram Drug Trafficker Convicted at Trial, After Spending More than Four Years on the Lam

TAMPA, Fla. – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that a federal jury has found Derrick Samuel Lewis (51, Sarasota) guilty of conspiracy, possession with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, and possession with the intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana. Lewis...
PRESS RELEASE

Trafficker of Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Fentanyl, and Marijuana Sentenced to Federal Prison

TAMPA, Fla. –Raymond Malara (38, Tampa) was sentenced to nine years in federal prison for trafficking cocaine, fentanyl, and marijuana. The Court also ordered Malara to forfeit $ 37,820, which is traceable to proceeds of the offense. Malara had pleaded guilty on August 3, 2021. According to court documents, between...
PRESS RELEASE

Pain Clinic Doctor and Staff Member Charged with Unlawful Distribution of Opioids

TAMPA, Fla. – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced the return of an indictment charging Dr. Qing McGaha (55, Tampa) with conspiracy to commit unlawful distribution of controlled substances and unlawful distribution of controlled substances for no legitimate medical purpose and outside the usual course of professional practice, as...
PRESS RELEASE

Naples Doctor Who Operated a Pill Mill Sentenced to Three Years in Federal Prison

FORT MYERS, Fla. – U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell today sentenced Gerald Michael Abraham, 76, of Naples, Florida. to three years in federal prison for dispensing controlled substances (oxycodone and amphetamine) for no legitimate medical purpose. The court also ordered Abraham to forfeit the following items to the United...