DEA Archived Press Releases

Press Releases before January 20, 2025
50 Results - Showing 21 to 30
PRESS RELEASE

Trio Arrested in Large-Scale Drug Conspiracy

OCALA, Fla. – An indictment was unsealed today charging Devonne L. Walker, 35, of Lady Lake, Florida, Tymane D. Hamilton, 29, of Phoenix, Arizona, and Kanisha D. Savage, 28, of Phoenix, Arizona with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. If convicted, each faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison...
PRESS RELEASE

Bradenton Man Convicted of Possessing Fentanyl with Intent to Distribute, and Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm

TAMPA. Fla. - A federal jury has found Larome D. Waiters (31, Bradenton) guilty of possession of fentanyl and heroin with the intent to distribute, and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Waiters faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years, and up to life, in federal...
PRESS RELEASE

Heroin and Fentanyl Dealer Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Drug Conspiracy Resulting in Death

ORLANDO, Fla. - Irving Cepeda-Chico (39, Kissimmee) was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison for 12 counts of distribution of controlled substances and 1 count of conspiracy to distribute such substances. Cepeda-Chico had pleaded guilty on November 20, 2020. According to court documents, Cepeda-Chico was involved in obtaining and...
PRESS RELEASE

Orlando Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiring and Distributing Fentanyl-Laced Heroin

ORLANDO, Fla. - Freddie Miguel Velez-Gonzalez (53, Orlando) has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl and more than 100 grams of heroin, and to six counts of distribution and possession with the intent to distribute controlled...
PRESS RELEASE

44 Charged Following 18 Month Investigation Into Drug Trafficking Organization

SANTA ROSA BEACH, Fla. – A total of 15 defendants have been indicted on federal drug-trafficking charges and an additional 29 co-conspirators face state drug-trafficking charges as a result of a multi-agency effort to bring down an organized drug trafficking operation in North Florida. Lawrence Keefe, United States Attorney for...
PRESS RELEASE

DEA Announces Launch of Project Safeguard

MIAMI – Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Acting Administrator Timothy J. Shea today announced that the DEA will direct resources to help reduce violent crime in communities throughout the country. Under this initiative, called Project Safeguard, DEA will identify and prioritize ongoing drug trafficking investigations with a nexus to violent crime...
PRESS RELEASE

Multi-Agency Operation Nets more than 70 arrests in Highlands County

SEBRING, Fla . – On September 30, 2010, a multi-agency federal, state, and local task force conducted an operation in which more than 70 people were arrested on drug trafficking and gun marcharges. For more than a year, federal, state, and local law enforcement worked on a massive operation dubbed...
PRESS RELEASE

Eight Robles Park gang members and associates indicted for drug trafficking violations

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...
PRESS RELEASE

Thirteen individuals charged for their involvement in six fatal opioid overdoses across Hillborough, Pasco, and Pinellas Counties

TAMPA, Fla. – A federal grand jury returned six indictments and one arrest pursuant to a criminal complaint charging 13 individuals for their roles in six fatal opioid overdoses. The indictments also notify the defendants that the United States intends to forfeit any assets that are alleged to be traceable...
PRESS RELEASE

Pensacola man sentenced to 15 years federal prison for possession of methamphetamine and firearms

PENSACOLA, Fla. - Samuel Gomez, 30, was sentenced to a 15 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to drug and weapons charges related to drug trafficking. Gomez pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of...