DEA Archived Press Releases

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

Mom Pleads Guilty to Providing Fentanyl That Killed Her Sons’ Father

Dallas, TX - An Albuquerque mother who concealed a deadly dose of fentanyl inside her children’s luggage pleaded guilty yesterday to a federal drug crime. Magdalena Silva Banuelos, 47, was indicted in November 2022. She pleaded guilty Wednesday to distribution of fentanyl before U.S. District Judge Barbara M.G. Lynn. In...
PRESS RELEASE

DEA Operation Last Mile Tracks Down Sinaloa and Jalisco Cartel Associates Operating within the United States

DALLAS, TEXAS – Today, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced the results of a year-long national operation, “Operation Last Mile,” targeting operatives, associates, and distributors affiliated with the Sinaloa and Jalisco Cartels responsible for the last mile of fentanyl and methamphetamine distribution on our streets and on social media...
PRESS RELEASE

The Dallas Field Division Announces the Seizure of Over 11.4 million Deadly Doses of Fentanyl and over 7,000 Pounds of Methamphetamine in 2022

Dallas, TX – The Drug Enforcement Administration Dallas Field Division announces the seizure of more than 7,000 pounds of methamphetamine and over 1 million fentanyl-laced, fake prescription pills during the 2022 calendar year, the latter representing more than 11.4 million potentially deadly doses of fentanyl. Methamphetamine is a dangerous drug...
PRESS RELEASE

Woman Arrested with Over 350,000 Fake M30 Fentanyl Pills

PHOENIX - Maria Fernanda Granillo-Velazquez, 21, of Mexico, was charged on August 19, 2022, by criminal complaint for Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl. Granillo-Velazquez had her initial appearance on August 22, 2022, before United States Magistrate Judge Michael T. Morrissey. The case is set for trial on November 1...
PRESS RELEASE

Oklahoma Couple Charged with Second-Degree Murder in Child’s Fentanyl Overdose Death

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – DEA Special Agent in Charge, Eduardo A. Chávez announced Attorney General John O’Connor filed charges in Oklahoma County against a couple in the death of their 6-year-old son. Harold Belton, 47, and Grashaunda Brooks, 44, are each charged with one count of second-degree murder. Investigators note...
PRESS RELEASE

40 Alleged Meth Traffickers Charged in Operation Kullvid-20

DALLAS, TX - Fourteen alleged methamphetamine traffickers were arrested on Wednesday in Operation Kullvid-20, to announced Eduardo A. Chávez, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Dallas Field Division. Led by the DEA’s North Texas Strike Force, the investigation has netted a total of 40 federal defendants plus 2,708 kilograms...
PRESS RELEASE

Man Indicted on Suspicion of Trafficking Illicit Drugs

PHOENIX – Special Agent in Charge Cheri Oz and Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced today that Jose Luis Montoya Miranda has been indicted on one count Conspiracy, one count Illegally Conducting an enterprise, one count Transportation of a Narcotic Drug for sale (Fentanyl) in an Amount over the Statutory Threshold...
PRESS RELEASE

Investigation by Tucson Strike Force Leads to Indictment of 13 Involved in Drug Distribution Conspiracy

TUCSON, Ariz. – Today, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona announced the unsealing of a 30-count indictment against 13 individuals for charges related to the distribution of methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin. On May 4, a federal grand jury in Tucson returned the indictment against the...
PRESS RELEASE

DEA Recognizes First Ever National Fentanyl Awareness Day

DALLAS – In an effort to save lives, DEA is proud to join “Song for Charlie” and many of our valued public health, non-profit, and law enforcement partners in recognizing the first ever National Fentanyl Awareness Day. This day is an effort to educate individuals around the dangerous threat that...
PRESS RELEASE

Phoenix Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Selling Fentanyl that Led to Woman's Death

PHOENIX - Reyes Luis Holguin, 29, of Phoenix, Arizona, agreed this week to pay $6,103 in restitution to the family of a young mother whose life was taken by fentanyl she bought from Holguin in August 2019. In December 2021, U.S. District Judge Susan M. Brnovich sentenced Holguin to 10...