United States Drug Enforcement Administration

TAMPA, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Jorge Hernan Gonzalez-Ortiz, 50, of Colombia, and Carlos Andres Aldana-Gil, 43, also of Colombia, have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States. Each faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. A sentencing date...

Orlando, Fla. – Senior U.S. District Judge Gregory A. Presnell has sentenced Jackie Jamal Hines, 47, of Melbourne, Fla., to 10 years in federal prison for possessing with intent to distribute multiple kilograms of cocaine. Hines pleaded guilty on May 30, 2024. According to court documents, a traffic stop was...

ALBUQUERQUE – This week, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the U.S. Marshal Service, the Las Cruces Police Department, and the Doña Ana Sheriff’s Office, conducted a coordinated operation to dismantle a significant drug trafficking network in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The operation targeted 15...

ALBUQUERQUE – Five members of a drug trafficking organization based in Albuquerque have been charged in federal court with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine. Tomas Rubalcaba, 45, Joaquin Rubalcada, 40, and Humberto Gastelum, 65, appeared before a federal judge last week and will remain in custody pending...

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday has sentenced Matias Sanchez Cardosa, Jr. (53, Orlando) to 14 years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. Cardosa entered a guilty plea on June 10, 2024. According to court documents, on March...

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Antoine D. Wilson, 41, currently incarcerated in Yazoo City, Mississippi, was found guilty by a federal jury for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine and conspiracy to use communication facility to facilitate a drug trafficking offense. The guilty...

MIAMI – On Sept. 16, Hubert Ramon Santiesteban, 55, pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance and attempt to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance. According to the court record, Santiesteban, of Sebring, Fla., negotiated the purchase of 30 kilograms of cocaine...

TAMPA, Fla. – Senior U.S. District Judge Charlene Edwards Honeywell sentenced Robert Lubin (36, Haines City) to 12 years and 6 months in federal prison for attempted possession with the intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more...

EL PASO, Texas – Twenty-one individuals suspected of being affiliated with the Chuco Tango street gang were arrested Thursday in and around El Paso on criminal charges related to their alleged involvement in trafficking of fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine, and/or the unlawful possession of firearms. The following defendants were indicted...

Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of four indictments charging a total of 12 individuals with murder in furtherance of drug trafficking, conspiracy to commit drug trafficking, conspiracy to commit money laundering, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, illegal possession of firearms, and bank fraud...