DEA Archived Press Releases

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

Rocky Mountain Field Division Removes Almost 900,000 Potentially Deadly Doses of Fentanyl from its Communities During Operation Last Mile

DENVER– Last week, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration announced the results of a year-long national initiative, “Operation Last Mile,” which targeted operatives, associates, and distributors affiliated with the Sinaloa and Jalisco Cartels. Specifically, the operation targeted those in our communities responsible for the last mile of fentanyl and methamphetamine distribution...
PRESS RELEASE

Coordinated Operation Results in Ten Arrests on Indian Reservations throughout Montana

BILLINGS, Mt. — Ten people were arrested on allegations of trafficking methamphetamine on the Crow and Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservations and in Yellowstone, Big Horn and Rosebud counties earlier this month. Seven defendants face charges in a multi-count indictment alleging meth trafficking, firearms and money laundering crimes. Four additional defendants...
PRESS RELEASE

Former Paramedic Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for Stealing Medical-Grade Fentanyl

DENVER - 41-year-old Christopher Robert Pattinson of Commerce City, was sentenced to three years in prison for tampering with fentanyl intended for patient use according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado. According to the plea agreement, Pattinson was a Paramedic Field Lieutenant Supervisor at a Denver-area...
PRESS RELEASE

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day to Remove Unneeded Prescriptions, Prevent Addiction

DENVER – The Drug Enforcement Administration will host its 24th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event offers anonymous disposal of unneeded medications at more than 4,000 local drop-off locations nationwide. For more than a decade, Take Back Day...
PRESS RELEASE

DEA Rocky Mountain Field Division and the Office of the Attorney General Host First Family Summit in Montana

HELENA – Today the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Rocky Mountain Field Division, in partnership with the Office of the Attorney General for the state of Montana, hosted a Family Summit in support of those who have lost loved ones to the drug poisoning and overdose epidemic. A dozen families from around...
PRESS RELEASE

Colorado Pharmacy and Pharmacist Agree to Resolve Allegations that They Unlawfully Filled Dangerous Prescriptions for Controlled Substances

DENVER — The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announced that People’s Pharmacy, Inc. and its owner and pharmacist-in-charge, Mahnaz Abharian, have agreed to resolve allegations that the pharmacy unlawfully dispensed controlled substances, including dangerous opioids and drug combinations. People’s Pharmacy operated a pharmacy located in Lakewood...
PRESS RELEASE

Rocky Mountain Diversion Investigator Named “Outstanding Citizen of the Year”

Bozeman, Mont. – Rocky Mountain Division Diversion Investigator (DI) Aaron St. Peter was recently named “Outstanding Citizen of the Year” at the Montana Narcotic’s Officers Association (MNOA) Conference in Bozeman. DI St. Peter was nominated by a colleague from the Montana Department of Justice, Criminal Investigation Division (MT CID). The...
PRESS RELEASE

Greenwood Village Psychiatrist Pleads Guilty to Illegal Distribution of Controlled Substances and Financial Crimes

DENVER – Howard Weiss of Greenwood Village pleaded guilty on March 8, 2023 to distributing a controlled substance outside the usual course of professional practice and for no legitimate medical purpose, structuring financial transactions in a way to evade reporting requirements, and engaging in monetary transactions greater than $10,000 in...
PRESS RELEASE

Colorado Springs Man Convicted of Drug Trafficking

DENVER – A federal jury found Thomas O’Hara II, age 56, of Colorado Springs, guilty of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. According to facts presented at trial, on June 1, 2021, the Rocky Mountain Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the...
PRESS RELEASE

Grand Junction Man Sentenced to Life in Federal Prison for Distribution of Fentanyl Resulting in Death

DENVER – 57-year-old Bruce Holder of Grand Junction, CO has been sentenced to life in federal prison. In April 2021, Holder was convicted of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and counterfeit substances, distribution of fentanyl resulting in death, distribution of fentanyl, and distribution of a counterfeit substance, following an 11-day trial...