DEA Archived Press Releases

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

DEA Reports Nearly 4.7 million Lethal Doses of Fentanyl Seized in Five State Omaha Division

OMAHA – Throughout 2022, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Omaha Division seized nearly 4.7 million lethal doses of fentanyl in both pill and powder form. Nationally, DEA investigators reported seizing more than 379 million potentially deadly doses of fentanyl in a 12 month span, enough to kill every American. “The...
PRESS RELEASE

DEA Special Agent Paul Seema Remembered in Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS – The family of fallen Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent Paul S. Seema was recognized during a bench dedication ceremony honoring Seema November 16, in New Prague, Minnesota. Seema died February 6, 1988, from gunshot wounds he received the previous day during an undercover operation in Pasadena, California...
PRESS RELEASE

Federal Jury Convicts Albuquerque Man of Drug Trafficking Offenses

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, announced that a federal jury returned a guilty verdict on Rafael Columbie on Dec. 1. The jury convicted Columbie, 53, of Albuquerque, on one count each of conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute 50 grams...
PRESS RELEASE

Large-Scale Drug Traffickers Convicted by Federal Jury

EL PASO, Texas – A federal jury convicted two men Tuesday of multiple counts of drug trafficking. Additionally, one of the defendants was convicted of domestic and international money laundering. Jorge Sanchez-Morales aka “Capulina,” 47, was convicted of two counts of Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute; two counts...
PRESS RELEASE

DEA El Paso to Host Family Summit

WHEN: Tuesday, November 15 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. MST. WHERE: Hope City Community Church, 6115 Woodrow Bean, El Paso , TX 79924 WHAT: Summit for families who have suffered the loss of a loved one due to illicit substances or have a loved one currently suffering through illicit...
PRESS RELEASE

Juárez Cartel Leader Sentenced to Prison for Drug Trafficking

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, announced that Luis Carlos Vásquez-Barragán, 51, of Nicolás Bravo, Chihuahua, Mexico, was sentenced to prison for possession with intent to distribute at least 50 kilograms but less than 100 kilograms of marijuana. Vásquez-Barragán was arrested...
PRESS RELEASE

Barrio Azteca Gunmen Who Committed Consulate Murders in Ciudad Juarez Sentenced to Life in Prison

El Paso - The Barrio Azteca gunmen directly responsible for the March 2010 murders in Juarez, Mexico of a U.S. Consulate employee, her husband, and the husband of another U.S. Consulate employee were sentenced to life in prison today. “The gunmen who viciously shot and killed Leslie Enriquez, Arthur Redelfs...
PRESS RELEASE

Red Ribbon Week Begins October 23

OMAHA, Neb. – The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Omaha Division will join with communities across the nation in kicking off Red Ribbon Week, the nation’s oldest and largest drug misuse prevention awareness program, on Sunday, October 23. Landmarks across the five state division will light red in recognition of the...
PRESS RELEASE

Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 23 years in Prison

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, announced that Richard Orlinski “Sugar” Sanchez, 44, of Dexter, New Mexico, was sentenced to 23 years in prison on Oct. 12. On Aug. 26, 2021, Sanchez pleaded guilty to: one count of conspiracy to distribute...
PRESS RELEASE

Omaha Division Reaches Rural Community at State Fair and Farm Shows

OMAHA, Neb. – Agents and investigators with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Omaha Division engaged with members of rural communities while attending the Farm Progress Show, Husker Harvest Days and Minnesota State Fair in August and September. “The latest trends we’re seeing in the Midwest show all too well that...