PRESS RELEASE

South Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Participating in a Conspiracy to Distribute Protonitazene from China

… conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a synthetic opioid, protonitazene. Will Catis, Sr. (Catis), 42, of … into Chinese chemical companies that were sending synthetic opioids, such as protonitazene, to the U.S. and Mexico, …
PRESS RELEASE

First Regional Family Summit on Fentanyl Held in Utah

… neighbor – who has been affected by the terrible scourge of opioid overdose, especially from fentanyl.  These deaths … 541 lives were lost in Utah last year to a drug overdose.  Opioids, such as fentanyl, contributed to 74% of those …
ALERT

DEA Reports Widespread Threat of Fentanyl Mixed with Xylazine

… a fatal drug poisoning. Because xylazine is not an opioid, naloxone (Narcan) does not reverse its effects. … with 66 percent of those deaths involving synthetic opioids like fentanyl. The Sinaloa Cartel and Jalisco Cartel …
PRESS RELEASE

Dominican citizen extradited to U.S. for drug trafficking through sham internet pharmacy

… analogue p-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl, and the synthetic opioid U-47700, distribution of controlled substances over … a drug trafficking organization that distributed dangerous opioids to individuals throughout the United States through …
PRESS RELEASE

20 defendants charged in drug indictments; One alleged trafficker charged in death of carfentanil user

… dangerous drugs to include carfentanil – a synthetic opioid 100 times more potent than fentanyl,” said DEA … to fighting violent street gangs and their impact on the opioid epidemic.”     According to charging documents, the … were involved in the distribution of prescription opioids and counterfeit prescription opioids laced with …
PRESS RELEASE

Methuen Man Sentenced To Seven Years In Prison For Role In Fentanyl Trafficking Conspiracy

… a danger to our communities. This individual pumped deadly opioids into our neighborhoods and, when he was finally …
PRESS RELEASE

DEA Rolls Out Operation Engage

… 360 Strategy, which aimed its resources specifically at opioids, and allows field divisions to customize plans and … over the coming year to help prevent misuse of meth and opioids in Albuquerque. “I’m very excited about Operation … an alarming rise in drug overdose deaths, with synthetic opioids driving record-high fatalities. The vast majority of …
PRESS RELEASE

DEA Launches Project Wave Breaker to Stop Flood of Deadly Fentanyl

… Wave Breaker are credited with 85 percent of all synthetic opioids seized by DEA in 2020. They include: Phoenix, New … recorded in a 12-month period. Deaths involving synthetic opioids increased nearly 60 percent during the same 12-month …
PRESS RELEASE

Four People Sentenced to Prison for Distributing Fentanyl

… National Drug Threat Assessment , nitazenes are synthetic opioids, like fentanyl, but some nitazenes can match or … Control and Prevention (CDC), fentanyl and other synthetic opioids are the most common drugs involved in overdose …
PRESS RELEASE

DEA Washington Division Rolls Out Operation Engage

… past strategies that aimed resources specifically at opioids, and allows the DEA Washington Division to combat …
PRESS RELEASE

Norton doctor pleads guilty to illegally prescribing prescription drugs

… and seek to remove their ability to contribute to the opioid epidemic.” According to evidence, Moore issued prescriptions for opioids and benzodiazepines without a legitimate medical …
PRESS RELEASE

Pocatello Woman Sentenced to Over 15 Years in Federal Prison for Distribution of Fentanyl

… to the charge on July 20, 2023. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50-100 times stronger than morphine. … pills.  The pills are made to look like prescription opioids such as oxycodone (Oxycontin, Percocet), hydrocodone …
PRESS RELEASE

DEA Los Angeles Special Agent in Charge David J. Downing to retire on May 31

… drug trafficking organizations and the spread of opioid narcotics.”   After retirement, Mr. Downing plans to … two major diversion initiatives that significantly reduced opioid overdoses, the naming of Los Angeles as a 360 Pilot …
PRESS RELEASE

DEA Launches Project Wave Breaker to Stop Flood of Deadly Fentanyl

… Wave Breaker are credited with 85 percent of all synthetic opioids seized by the DEA in 2020.  They include: Phoenix, … recorded in a 12-month period.  Deaths involving synthetic opioids increased nearly 60 percent during the same 12-month …
PRESS RELEASE

Costco Wholesale Corp. To Pay $11.75 Million To Settle Allegations Of Weak Pharmacy Controls

… to ensure it complies with regulations that help prevent opioids and other dangerous drugs from being misused or …
PRESS RELEASE

Costco Wholesale To Pay $11.75 Million To Settle Allegations Of Lax Pharmacy Controls

… McQuade stated, “In light of the prescription pill and opioid overdose epidemic we are seeing across the country, … to ensure it complies with regulations that help prevent opioids and other dangerous drugs from being misused or …
PRESS RELEASE

More than 50 pounds of fentanyl recovered in investigation of trafficking group with tentacles from Mexico to U.S. cities; Organization flooded the Bronx with heroin and fentanyl

… Bronx and elsewhere are lacing narcotics with the highly addictive opioid, creating a more desired product among its …
PRESS RELEASE

Medical Professionals Performed Perfunctory Exams On Longshoremen And Filled Scripts For Narcotics In Elaborate Scheme To Rip Off Insurance Companies

… is another example of criminals perpetuating and exploiting addiction, at great risk to the public's safety. It is … and operate machinery under the influence of narcotics and opioids. We will continue to use our investigative, …
PRESS RELEASE

Justice Department announces release of new fentanyl safety video for first responders

… when exposure occurs, and when individuals exhibit signs of opioid intoxication. "Exposure to synthetic opioids like fentanyl is one of the most dangerous threats …
PRESS RELEASE

Several Million Dollars’ Worth of Narcotics Including Fentanyl Seized in Mount Vernon

… are making street drugs highly potent and highly addictive by adding fentanyl. This is a warning that local … streets and out of our communities and to help fight opiate addiction. We are grateful for the hard work of the New York … is no doubt that this investigation saved lives, prevented addiction, and made our communities safer. Large-scale …
PRESS RELEASE

Pharmacy Owners Convicted of Illegally Selling 10 Million Hydrocodone Pills Over The Internet, Laundering $20 Million in Proceeds and Failing to Pay Taxes

… any drugs without proper medical supervision can result in addiction, injury or death.” “IRS-Criminal Investigation is … units per pharmacy. Hydrocodone is a dangerous and highly addictive narcotic painkiller. Moreover, the evidence showed … of hydrocodone knowing that some of their customers were addicts. According to trial testimony, Sodipo and Nwaehiri …
PRESS RELEASE

Three Drug Traffickers Convicted of Drug and Money Laundering Conspiracies

… the pills while seeking treatment for his own drug addictions at spa-like resorts in Costa Rica and Mexico … case. Woolard was convicted of being a drug user and drug addict in possession of firearms. Isham was convicted of …
PRESS RELEASE

Northeast Heights Heroin Trafficking Ring Dismantled By Multi-Agency Investigation

… available customer, including our children, to push highly addictive and dangerous drugs in the Albuquerque metro … abuse, and advocate for treatment for those who have become addicted with the goal of preventing drug overdose deaths.  … in Charge Joseph M. Arabit of the DEA.  “Heroin abuse and addiction exacts a tremendous toll on society, and these …
PRESS RELEASE

Loudoun County To Host DEA Exhibit

… and Consequences explains the science behind illegal drug addiction, and the countless costs and consequences of … programs that we have implemented to prevent drug abuse and addiction,” stated Karl C. Colder, Special Agent in Charge, … the dangers of illegal drug use and the damage caused by addiction. As parents, community leaders, and employers, …
PRESS RELEASE

Seven Charged after Federal Investigation Disrupts Massive Counterfeit Pill Manufacturing Operation

… Diversion/Medical Practitioner 571-362-9171 Synthetic opioid pills trafficked from Connecticut throughout U.S. … and trafficking of counterfeit pills containing synthetic opioids and other substances: KELLDON HINTON , 45, of New …
PRESS RELEASE

13 Arrested in Connection with an LSD, Fentanyl and Methamphetamine Trafficking and Money Laundering Scheme Occurring in the West Campus Area of the University of Texas at Austin

… heroin, cocaine, LSD, MDMA, Benzodiazepine and other opioids during this investigation.  Approximately $163,000 …
PRESS RELEASE

DEA’s Commitment to Expanding Access to Medication-Assisted Treatment

… when the United States is suffering tens of thousands of opioid-related overdose deaths every year, the DEA’s top … to medication-assisted treatment for those suffering from opioid-related substance use disorder. Beginning in March … and methadone, to treat patients experiencing acute opioid withdrawal symptoms. DEA, in partnership with the …
GENERAL INFORMATION

Community Outreach

March 28, 2025
… declines. The longer youth and young adults delay drug use, addiction and/or substance use disorders are significantly … the consequences of drug use, as well as topics about addiction, impaired driving, and true stories about teens …
March 28, 2025
PRESS RELEASE

DEA and Partners Announce Results of 20th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

… once again showed their dedication toward helping prevent addiction and potential overdose by removing prescription … critical to helping reduce overdose deaths and alleviate addiction by safely disposing of prescription medications …
PRESS RELEASE

Long Island Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Distribute Fentanyl That Contributed to Two Overdose Deaths

… a woman, which only added to pain and anguish caused by an opioid epidemic that has harmed so many on Long Island,” … overdose involving heroin. From 2013 to 2019, the synthetic opioid death rate increased by more than 1,000 percent. Of … those deaths, over 70% involved a prescription or illicit opioid. Among New York State residents, the number of …