DEA Archived Press Releases

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

Three Carlsbad Residents Indicted On Federal “Spice” Trafficking Charges

LAS CRUCES, N.M. - A federal grand jury in Las Cruces, N.M., yesterday returned an indictment charging Garlan R. Plumlee, 60, Justin E. Thompson, 32, and Phillip Larez, 31, all of Carlsbad, N.M., with conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance analogue, distribution of a controlled substance analogue, and possession of...
PRESS RELEASE

Seven Members Of Las Cruces-Based Prescription Drug Trafficking Ring Facing Federal Charges

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - A federal grand jury has indicted seven residents of Las Cruces, N.M., on conspiracy and prescription drug trafficking charges, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth J. Gonzales and Joseph M. Arabit, Special Agent in Charge of the El Paso Field Division of the Drug Enforcement (DEA). Michael Garret Schavier...
PRESS RELEASE

Project Below The Beltway Targets Sinaloa And Juarez Cartels And Affiliated Violent Street Gangs Nationwide

EL PASO, Texas - The Drug Enforcement (DEA) today announced the results of “Project Below the Beltway”, a two-year series of investigations targeting the Sinaloa and Juarez Cartels and associated violent street gangs as part of on-going strategy against the cartels and their distribution networks in the United States. The...
PRESS RELEASE

Albuquerque Man Arrested On Federal Methamphetamine Trafficking Charges

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - - Earlier today, Charles Padilla, 44, of Albuquerque, N.M., made his initial appearance in federal court on a criminal complaint charging him with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Padilla is temporarily detained pending a preliminary hearing and a detention hearing, both of which are scheduled...
PRESS RELEASE

Fifty Individuals Indicted For Drug Trafficking

JUANA DIAZ, Puerto Rico - On October 26, 2012, a federal grand jury returned two five-count indictments charging 50 individuals with drug trafficking as a result of an investigation led by the Drug Enforcement (DEA) and the Puerto Rico Police (PRPD)- Ponce Strike Force, announced today by United States Attorney...
PRESS RELEASE

Former El Paso County Commissioner Willie Gandara, Jr. Sentenced To Federal Prison

EL PASO, Texas - In El Paso this afternoon, former El Paso County Precinct 3 Commissioner Guillermo “Willie” Gandara, Jr., 37, of El Paso, was sentenced to 78 months imprisonment on federal drug trafficking and money laundering charges announced Drug Enforcement (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Joseph M. Arabit, U.S...
PRESS RELEASE

Alert - Extortion Scam - Alert

DENVER - The Drug Enforcement Administration is warning the public about criminals posing as DEA special agents or other law enforcement personnel as part of an international extortion scheme. This criminal activity has occurred in the Rocky Mountain region in the past, but is now occurring with much more frequency...
PRESS RELEASE

Federal Investigation Dismantles Deming-Based Methamphetamine Trafficking Organization

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Nine individuals, who allegedly participated in a Deming, N.M., based conspiracy to distribute large quantities of methamphetamine, have been charged with narcotics trafficking offenses in a federal indictment that was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico in Las Cruces. The indictment...
PRESS RELEASE

Federal Prison Sentences Handed Down In Columbus, NM Firearms Trafficking Investigation

LAS CRUCES, N.M. - Special Agent in Charge, Joseph Arabit, Drug Enforcement Administration-El Paso Division, and United States Attorney Robert Pitman announced that in Las Cruces, NM, today, United States District Judge Robert C. Brack sentenced four defendants to federal prison for their roles in a firearms trafficking operation. Judge...
PRESS RELEASE

53 Individuals Indicted For Drug Trafficking And Money Laundering

FAJARDO, Puerto Rico - On September 27, 2012, a federal grand jury charged 53 individuals in a superseding indictment as a result of an investigation led by the Drug Enforcement (DEA), the U.S. Immigration and Customs (ICE) Homeland Security (HSI), and the Puerto Rico Police (PRPD)- Fajardo Strike Force, United...