DEA Archived Press Releases

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

U.S. Attorney’s Office and DEA Announce Fatal Fentanyl Overdose Task Force

Baltimore, Maryland – Erek L. Barron, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland and Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Division, announced that their agencies have formed the Maryland Fatal Fentanyl Overdose Task Force (“MFFOTF”). The alarming rate of overdoses in Maryland has...
PRESS RELEASE

Long Island Man Charged with Distributing Fentanyl, Heroin, Cocaine and Oxycodone

Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Central Islip, a two-count indictment was unsealed charging Ryan Mueller, of Lynbrook, New York, with distributing fentanyl that caused the death of a victim (Victim‑1) and with conspiring to distribute heroin, cocaine, and oxycodone. Mueller was arrested this morning and is scheduled to...
PRESS RELEASE

North Tonawanda Man Arrested, Charged with Selling Fentanyl and Cocaine Causing a Death

BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Ernest Green a/k/a Fire a/k/a Burn a/k/a Ern the Burn a/k/a Dread a/k/a B Love, 41, of North Tonawanda, NY, with distribution of fentanyl causing death, and conspiracy to possess with intent...
PRESS RELEASE

Defendants Sentenced for Drug Trafficking that Resulted in Two Deaths

GREENSBORO – Two defendants whose 18-month long drug conspiracy resulted in the death of one college student and contributed to the death of another have been sentenced, announced United States Attorney Sandra J. Hairston of the Middle District of North Carolina (MDNC). CYE LEANCE FRASIER, also known as “The Barber,”...
PRESS RELEASE

DEA Washington Division Saw a Surge of Over 250% in Fentanyl Pill Seizures in 2023

Washington, DC – The Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Division, which covers the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) confiscated more than 639,000 fentanyl pills and 189 pounds of fentanyl powder in 2023. This amount represents more than a three-fold increase in the number of fake pills laced with...
PRESS RELEASE

Organized Drug Crime Ring Attempted to Flood Alaskan Villages with Fentanyl, 54 Indicted

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The U.S Attorney’s Office for the District of Alaska announced today that 54 people have been charged through nine indictments in connection with a large-scale organized crime ring operating within the state of Alaska. U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker of the District of Alaska, Assistant Special Agent...
PRESS RELEASE

Nassau Doctor Sentenced to Up to 15 Years in Prison for Overprescription of Opioids that Led to Five Deaths

MINEOLA, N.Y. – Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced today that a Nassau County doctor has been sentenced to up to 15 years in prison for prescription practices that led to the deaths of five patients between 2016 and 2018. George Blatti, 78, pleaded guilty on October 10...
PRESS RELEASE

DEA Washington Division Holds Second Annual Family Summit on Fentanyl

WASHINGTON, DC – On October 6, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Washington Division hosted their 2nd Family Summit in support of those who have lost loved ones to fentanyl poisoning in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. The Summit was very emotional and educational to all those who attended...
PRESS RELEASE

Leader of Drug Delivery Service Responsible for Three Fentanyl Poisoning Deaths Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison

NEW YORK CITY - Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that Billy Ortega, a/k/a “Jason,” was sentenced to 30 years in prison today for running a drug delivery service that distributed dangerous drugs for over seven years, including the fentanyl that killed...
PRESS RELEASE

Long Island Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Distributing Heroin that Caused the Fatal Overdose of Victim in Jericho

CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. – Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Central Islip, James Tunstall, also known as “Math,” was sentenced by the Honorable Joan M. Azrack, United States District Judge, to 30 years’ imprisonment, for distributing heroin, the use of which resulted in the fatal overdose of 24-year-old Sergio...