DEA Archived Press Releases

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

West Haven Woman Who Diverted Narcotics from Dying VA Medical Center Patients is Sentenced

HARTFORD, Conn. - Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that TARA SEVERINO, 58, of West Haven, has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to two years of probation, the first six months of which Severino must serve...
PRESS RELEASE

Hospital in Washington Agrees to Pay $15,000 Penalty and Implement Corrective Actions to Address Theft of Controlled Substances

Spokane, Wash. - Mid-Valley Hospital and Clinic in Omak, Washington, agreed to pay a $15,000 Controlled Substances Act penalty and to institute corrective actions in regard to its pharmacy and controlled substances policy and procedures. To protect the public, the Controlled Substances Act and its implementing regulations place legal responsibilities...
PRESS RELEASE

New Jersey Man Arrested in Sales of Eight Guns, Cocaine and “Pink Cocaine” in Manhattan

A long-term undercover investigation resulted in the arrest of a New Jersey man in connection with sales of eight guns, cocaine and “pink cocaine” in locations across Manhattan. Laboratory analysis of the “pink cocaine,” also known by the street name “tusi,” indicated the presence of ketamine and MDMA. Bridget G...
PRESS RELEASE

Federal Indictment Alleges Alliance Between Sinaloa Cartel and Money Launderers Linked to Chinese Underground Banking

Washington - The Justice Department today announced a 10-count superseding indictment charging Los Angeles-based associates of Mexico’s Sinaloa drug cartel with conspiring with money-laundering groups linked to Chinese underground banking to launder drug trafficking proceeds. During the conspiracy, more than $50 million in drug proceeds flowed between the Sinaloa Cartel...
PRESS RELEASE

Former Nurse Pleads Guilty in Connection to the Diversion of Dangerous Narcotics by Medical Professionals

CONCORD, N.h. – A Newbury woman pleaded guilty in federal court in connection to the diversion of dangerous narcotics by medical professionals, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces. Robin Nichols, 63, pleaded guilty to Tampering with Consumer Products. U.S. District Court Judge Samantha Elliott scheduled sentencing for September 24, 2024...
PRESS RELEASE

Malden Men Sentenced For Trafficking Fentanyl And Methamphetamine

BOSTON – Two Malden men have been sentenced in federal court in Boston for trafficking fentanyl and methamphetamine disguised as Adderall, Xanax and oxycodone in and around the Malden area. Matthew Ramos, 26, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper to 90 months in prison and...
PRESS RELEASE

St. Louis Area Doctors Accused of Illegally Administering Ketamine

ST. LOUIS – Two doctors from the St. Louis area were indicted Wednesday and accused of illegally administering ketamine to patients and fraudulently billing Medicare for certain services related to a psychiatric clinic. Dr. Asim Muhammad Ali, 53, and Dr. Mohd Azfar Malik, 70, were each indicted on 22 felony...
PRESS RELEASE

Former University of Arizona Student Sentenced to 84 Months in Prison for Drug Trafficking and Firearms Offenses

TUCSON, Ariz. – Jonathan Edward Mayer, 22, of Tacoma, Washington, was sentenced on June 30, 2023, by U.S. District Judge Scott H. Rash to 84 months in prison. Mayer previously pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Marijuana, Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana, Possession of a...
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

Former Alaska Advanced Nurse Practitioner Sentenced to 30 Years for Illegally Prescribing Millions of Opioids Causing Five Deaths

ANCHORAGE, ALASKA—Former Advanced Nurse Practitioner Jessica Joyce Spayd (52) was sentenced in U.S. District Court yesterday to 30 years (360 months) imprisonment for illegally prescribing and dispensing opioids outside the scope of legitimate medical practice that resulted in the deaths of five people between 2014 and 2019. United States District...