DEA Archived Press Releases

Press Releases before January 20, 2025
5 Results - Showing 1 to 5
PRESS RELEASE

El Paso Fentanyl Dealer Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison

EL PASO, Texas – An El Paso man was sentenced in a federal court in El Paso to 240 months in prison for distribution of a controlled substance causing serious bodily injury. According to court documents, Patrick Harley Chaires, 28, sold a counterfeit M-30 pill containing fentanyl on Jan. 10...
PRESS RELEASE

Seventeen Charged and Twelve Arrested in Joint Enforcement Operation in Carlsbad, New Mexico

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Today, Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, Eric Castañeda, Acting Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration El Paso Division, and Francisco B. Burrola, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations El Paso, and Jeffrey C. Boshek II...
PRESS RELEASE

DEA’s Work in New Mexico HIDTA Initiative Earns National Award

EL PASO – Last week, the New Mexico High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program (NM HIDTA) received a national recognition for its work in southeastern New Mexico under Operation Shape Shifter. White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) Director Dr. Rahul Gupta made the announcement. The NM HIDTA...
PRESS RELEASE

Mexican Cartel Member Sentenced to Life in Prison for Violating RICO Statute

EL PASO – A Mexican national was sentenced today to life in prison for his role in the Sinaloa Cartel’s narcotics distribution operations. According to court documents, Arturo Shows Urquidi, aka “Chous,” 50, of Juarez, was a former Chihuahua State police officer and a long-time member of the Sinaloa Cartel...
PRESS RELEASE

Former Corrections Officer Arraigned on Drug Trafficking and Contraband Charges

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Dennis Dean Garcia, Jr., 34, of Grants, New Mexico, was arraigned in federal court on Feb. 2 on one count each of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams and more of methamphetamine and attempt to provide contraband in prison. Garcia was indicted by a federal grand...