United States Drug Enforcement Administration

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...

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...

McALLEN, Texas - Jose Luis Tovar, 47, and his brother Jerry Tovar, 40, both of Mission, are heading to federal prison as a result of their convictions related to a corruption investigation in Duval County, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today. Today, U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez sentenced Jose...

CORPUS CHRISTI, Tex. - A luxury condominium located in South Padre Island alleged to be owned by former Tamaulipas Mexico Governor Tomas Yarrington has been successfully forfeited to the government, Drug Enforcement (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Javier F. Peña and United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today. The real...

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...

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...

HOUSTON, Texas - The Drug Enforcement (DEA) continues to warn the public about criminals posing as DEA Special Agents or other law enforcement personnel. This criminal activity continues to occur, despite significant public attention to the illicit scheme. DEA offices nationwide regularly receive telephone calls from concerned citizens who are...

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...

LAREDO, Texas - Samuel Walker, 29, an active duty U.S. Army member, of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Calvin Epps, aka Beef, 28, of Hopkins, S.C., have been found guilty on a variety of charges in relation to a murder-for-hire and drug trafficking conspiracy, Drug Enforcement (DEA) Special Agent in Charge...

HOUSTON - Francisco Santibanez, 33, has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison following his conviction for use of interstate commerce facilities in murder-for-hire, Drug Enforcement (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Javier F. Peña and United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today. Santibanez, of Houston, pleaded guilty Dec. 5...