DEA Archived Press Releases

Press Releases before January 20, 2025
1471 Results - Showing 561 to 570
PRESS RELEASE

Mexican national sentenced to over 20 years in prison for setting fire to drug smuggling vessel during U.S. Coast Guard interdiction

TAMPA, Fla. - Jesus Soto-Martinez (41, Michoacan, Mexico) was sentenced to 21 years and 3 months in federal prison for conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine while onboard a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, forcibly interfering...
PRESS RELEASE

Fort Myers Drug Trafficker Convicted by Federal Jury

FORT MYERS, Fla. - A federal jury has found Edgar Vazquez (35, Fort Myers) guilty of possessing with the intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine. Vazquez faces a minimum mandatory term of 5 years, and up to 40 years, in federal prison. Vazquez had been indicted on...
PRESS RELEASE

International money laundering, drug trafficking and illegal wildlife trade operation dismantled

SAVANNAH, GA: An international conspiracy that profited from drug trafficking and the illegal wildlife trade and conspired to hide the illegal nature of the proceeds has been shut down in a multi-agency law enforcement operation. Initiated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)...
PRESS RELEASE

Eight Robles Park gang members and associates indicted for drug trafficking violations

TAMPA, Fla. - An indictment charging eight members of a drug trafficking organization with offenses related to the distribution of cocaine and heroin was unsealed today. (See chart for details). According to court records, this investigation targeted illegal drug traffickers operating an open-air drug market in the Robles Park Housing...
PRESS RELEASE

Florida man charged in drug distribution indictment

SAVANNAH, GA: A Florida man arrested after a high-speed chase in Liberty County has been indicted on a federal drug charge. Sherick Sharari Leshane Brinson , 26, of Eatonville, Fla., is charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine and Methamphetamine, said Bobby L. Christine, U.S. Attorney for the Southern...
PRESS RELEASE

Eustis man sentenced to 18 years for methamphetamine and gun offenses

OCALA, Fla. - Anthony Michele DeCotis, Jr. (32, Eustis) was sentenced to 18 years in federal prison for possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possessing of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. DeCotis had pleaded guilty on January 29, 2020. According to court records, on August...
PRESS RELEASE

Prolific small-town meth dealer faces prison in larger wiretap case

ALBANY, Ga. – A prolific small-town methamphetamine dealer involved in a larger wiretap investigation into methamphetamine trafficking in South Georgia has pleaded guilty for his crime, said Charlie Peeler, the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia. Phil Grim, 43, of Cairo, Georgia, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess...
PRESS RELEASE

“Operation Wu Block” defendant pleads guilty

ATHENS, Ga. – A defendant charged in an ongoing, large-scale drug trafficking investigation dubbed “Operation Wu Block,” has pleaded guilty for her crime, said Charlie Peeler, the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia. Latasha Bishop, 33, of Athens-Clarke County, pleaded guilty to one count distribution of methamphetamine before...
PRESS RELEASE

Fourteen members of methamphetamine trafficking ring charged with drug conspiracy and related charges

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Fourteen members of a methamphetamine trafficking ring have been charged with federal drug conspiracy and related drug and firearms offenses, announced Robert J. Murphy, the Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division and Andrew Murray, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina...
PRESS RELEASE

Five Tampa residents charged in $21 million money laundering conspiracy of drug trafficking proceeds

TAMPA, Fla. - A 37-count indictment was unsealed today charging five individuals with money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison per count. The indictment also notifies the defendants that the United States is seeking a...