Press Releases - all

HOUSTON – Another alleged associate of one of the most serious transnational organized criminal organizations will make his initial appearance in U.S.

LAREDO, Texas – Two South Texas men have admitted they organized the smuggling of approximately 170 kilograms of marijuana from El Cenizo to Laredo, announced Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Steven S. Whipple and U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.

Roberto Chavarria, 38, pleaded guilty today, while his brother  - Daniel Chavarria, 35, entered his plea Dec. 1, 2020. The El Cenizo men admitted to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute marijuana.

HOUSTON – As part of its continuing efforts to reduce drug misuse and overdose, the Drug Enforcement Administration is launching a winter campaign urging the public to “Secure Your Meds.” The current health crisis has magnified the importance of addressing the issue of controlled prescription drug misuse. With Americans spending more time at home due to the pandemic, now is a good opportunity to clean out your medicine cabinets and secure unused medications.

Federal, state and local authorities have arrested eight individuals on federal drug trafficking charges, including 41-year-old Texas Syndicate Lieutenant Hilario Nieto who previously received a pardon from President Barack Obama, announced Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in

WASHINGTON – A Houston-area pain clinic owner and a clinic employee who posed as a physician were sentenced to 240 months and 96 months in prison, respectively, today for their roles at a “pill mill” where they and their coconspirator illegally prescribed hundreds of thousands of doses of opioids and other controlled substances.

Federal, state and local authorities have arrested 13 individuals, including current and former University of Texas (UT) students, charged in connection with trafficking LSD, fentanyl and methamphetamine pills to UT students in Austin.

HOUSTON – A 28-year-old Mexican citizen who illegally resided in Houston is set to appear in federal court on charges of conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute meth, announced Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Steven S. Whipple, Houston Division and U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.

Eduardo Leon-Mata is a suspected member of the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación. Today, he is set for an arraignment and detention hearing at 3 p.m. before U.S. Magistrate Andrew M. Edison.

HOUSTON – A total of eight people have been taken into custody on charges involving a five-year drug trafficking and money laundering conspiracies, announced Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Steven S. Whipple, Houston Division and U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.

BEAUMONT, Texas - Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Steven S. Whipple, Houston Division and U.S. Attorney Stephen Cox of the Eastern District of Texas today announced the expansion of the Criminal Division, Fraud Section’s existing Gulf Coast Health Care Fraud Strike Force to include the Eastern District of Texas.  The Strike Force is a joint law enforcement effort that brings together the resources and expertise of the Health Care Fraud Unit in the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section (HCF Unit), the U.S.