DEA Archived Press Releases

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

Final Defendant Arrested in 41-Person Drug Trafficking Scheme Enters Guilty Plea

SEATTLE, Wash. – The final defendant of 41 arrested in an extensive drug trafficking investigation, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute and unlawfully possessing a firearm. Kendle Rashen Hawkins, 34, of Goodyear, Arizona, will be sentenced by U.S. District...
PRESS RELEASE

First of Six-Member Drug Trafficking Ring Bringing Hundreds of Pounds of Narcotics to Western Washington Sentenced to 8.5 Years in Prison

SEATTLE, Wash. –The first of six defendants tied to a significant drug trafficking ring that used recreational vehicles to transport massive quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl pills, cocaine and heroin was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 102 months in prison. Ernesto Casillas, 48, has been in custody...
PRESS RELEASE

Business Owner Pleads Guilty to Wiring Drug-Trafficking Profits to Mexico

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The owner of an Olathe, Kansas, business pleaded guilty in federal court today to her role in a money-laundering conspiracy to transfer the proceeds of heroin and methamphetamine trafficking to Mexico. A Kansas City, Mo., woman also pleaded guilty to her role in the drug-trafficking conspiracy...
PRESS RELEASE

Suburban Chicago Man Sentenced to 16 Years for Selling Fentanyl-Laced Heroin

CHICAGO — Sheila G. Lyons, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Chicago Field Division, and Morris Pasqual, acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois announced that a suburban Chicago man has been sentenced to 16 years in federal prison for selling fentanyl-laced heroin. Calvin Carter...
PRESS RELEASE

Fourth Honduran National Extradited to the U.S. in Prosecution of Tenderloin District Drug Trafficking Organization

SAN FRANCISCO – On May 8, 2024, the government of Honduras extradited convicted felon Victor Viera-Chirinos to the United States. The extradition marks the fourth in the case against 14 defendants alleged to have been trafficking large quantities of heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine base, and cocaine in San Francisco. Information about...
PRESS RELEASE

Bellingham, Washington, Man Sentenced to Eight Years in Prison for Dealing Fentanyl While Carrying Firearms

SEATTLE– A 42-year-old Bellingham, Washington, man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to eight years in prison for drug distribution and illegal firearms possession announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Adam Wisniewski is the fifth and final defendant to be sentenced in a case involving fentanyl distribution...
PRESS RELEASE

Member of Skagit and Whatcom Drug Distribution Ring Sentenced to Prison

SEATTLE, Wash. – A 38-year-old resident of Maple Falls, Washington was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to six years in prison for his role in distributing fentanyl and methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Jesse Witteveen was arrested November 1, 2022, when he fled at high...
PRESS RELEASE

Former Guinea-Bissau President’s Son Sent to U.S. prison for International Drug Trafficking

HOUSTON – The leader of a transnational drug trafficking organization has been imprisoned for his involvement in an international heroin trafficking conspiracy, announced Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux, Houston Division and U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Malam Bacai Sanha Jr., 52, pleaded guilty Sept. 6...
PRESS RELEASE

Drug Trafficker Who Created Fortified Compound at Bellingham Homeless Encampment Pleads Guilty

SEATTLE, Wash. – A 32-year-old citizen of Mexico pleaded guilty today to drug trafficking and firearms charges related to his distribution of narcotics at a Bellingham homeless encampment, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Rigoberto Vasquez-Martinez has been in federal custody since he was arrested on August 29, 2023, following...
PRESS RELEASE

Extradition of Honduran Nationals in Fight Against Fentanyl Trafficking in the Tenderloin District of San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO – U.S. Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey convened a press conference today with Brian Clark, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration and Robert K. Tripp, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, to announce that the government of Honduras extradited three of its...