DEA Archived Press Releases

Press Releases before January 20, 2025
1748 Results - Showing 1 to 10
PRESS RELEASE

Four People Sentenced to Prison for Distributing Fentanyl

MIAMI – Four South Florida residents have been sentenced to federal prison for distributing fentanyl and meth. On Jan. 16, Gito St. Fort, 35, of West Palm Beach, Fla., a career criminal, was sentenced to 320 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to distribution of a controlled substance resulting...
PRESS RELEASE

Leaders of Colombian Drug Trafficking Organization Plead Guilty to Conspiring to Smuggle over 43,000 Kilos of Cocaine into the United States

TAMPA, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Jorge Hernan Gonzalez-Ortiz, 50, of Colombia, and Carlos Andres Aldana-Gil, 43, also of Colombia, have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States. Each faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. A sentencing date...
PRESS RELEASE

New Jersey Man Sentenced to 6 1/2 Years for Cocaine Trafficking

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Alfred Cooke, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration-Merrillville, Indiana, and U.S. Attorney Clifford D. Johnson for the Northern District of Indiana announced that Juan Aquino, 53, of Elizabeth, New Jersey, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading...
PRESS RELEASE

DEA Announces Three New Telemedicine Rules that Continue to Open Access to Telehealth Treatment while Protecting Patients

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is announcing three new rules to make permanent some temporary telemedicine flexibilities established during the COVID-19 public health emergency while also establishing new patient protections. In developing these rules, DEA has focused on the patient to ensure telemedicine is accessible for medical care...
PRESS RELEASE

Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Selling Fentanyl and Other Synthetic Opioids

MIAMI– On Dec. 10, Blake Alfonso Kolessa, 27, of Greenacres, Fla., was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge Donald M. Middlebrooks for possessing with intent to distribute metonitazene, N-desethyl isotonitazene, and methamphetamine. Kolessa previously pled guilty...
PRESS RELEASE

Former Fugitive Found Guilty at Trial of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine

Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that a federal jury has found Billy Ruiz (46, California) guilty of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Ruiz faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each count. His...
PRESS RELEASE

DEA’s OD Justice Devotes Critical Resources to Fatal Drug Poisoning and Overdose Death Investigations Across the United States

WASHINGTON – Operation OD Justice is a DEA initiative born out of a critical need to investigate drug poisoning and overdose deaths across the U.S. The initiative, launched in 2021 by DEA’s Los Angeles and San Diego Field Divisions, offers training, resources, and poisoning response coordinators to assist State and...
PRESS RELEASE

Indiana Man Sentenced to Nearly 24 Years for Distribution of Fentanyl Resulting in Death

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Alfred A. Cooke III, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration-Merrillville, Indiana, and U.S. Attorney Clifford D. Johnson for the Northern District of Indiana announced that Jarin Devon Noojin, 26, of Mishawaka, Indiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Cristal C. Brisco...
PRESS RELEASE

Indiana Man Sentenced to 14 Years for Meth Trafficking

HAMMOND, Ind. - Alfred Cooke, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration-Merrillville Indiana, and U.S. Attorney Clifford D. Johnson for the Northern District of Indiana announced that Erik P. Grant, 32, of Schererville, Indiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Gretchen S. Lund after pleading guilty...
PRESS RELEASE

11 Charged Following Takedown of Indianapolis Meth Trafficking Conspiracy

INDIANAPOLIS — Michael Gannon, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration-Indianapolis, and U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers for the Southern District of Indiana announced the charging of 11 individuals in a federal indictment alleging a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Indianapolis and elsewhere. The charges follow a...