United States Drug Enforcement Administration

SEATTLE –Agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration, working in teams with the FBI and the Seattle Police Department, arrested 21 people yesterday, April 07, 2021, on indictments and criminal complaints charging an extensive drug conspiracy, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman and DEA Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino...

WASHINGTON, DC – DEA Special Operation Division Special Agent in Charge Wendy C. Woolcock and United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York Audrey Strauss announced today that Juan Antonio Hernandez Alvarado, aka “Tony Hernandez,” 42, was sentenced to life in prison for cocaine-importation, weapons, and false-statements offenses...

NEW YORK – DEA Special Operation Division Special Agent in Charge Wendy C. Woolcock and United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York Audrey Strauss announced today that Juan Manuel Avila Meza, a former member of the Honduran National Police, was sentenced today to 12 years in prison...

NEWARK, N.J. – Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Jersey Division Susan A. Gibson and Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey announced two Newark men made their initial appearances today on charges stemming from a Feb. 22, 2021, attempted carjacking in Newark during...

WASHINGTON – The Drug Enforcement Administration is warning the public of a widespread fraud scheme in which telephone scammers impersonate DEA agents in an attempt to extort money or steal personal identifiable information. A new public service announcement aims to raise awareness that DEA will never phone demanding money or...

WASHINGTON – DEA Acting Administrator D. Christopher Evans today announced the release of the 2020 National Drug Threat Assessment, DEA’s annual publication outlining the threats posed to the United States by domestic and international drug trafficking and the abuse of illicit drugs. “This year’s report shows the harsh reality of...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – With opioid overdose deaths increasing during the pandemic, the Drug Enforcement Administration announced its 20th Take Back Day scheduled for April 24. At its last Take Back Day in October, DEA collected a record-high amount of expired, unused prescription medications, with the public turning in close to...

NEWARK, N.J. – Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Jersey Division Susan A. Gibson and Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Rachael A. Honig announced a Suffolk County, New York, man was arrested today for illegally possessing a firearm. Keith Richter, aka “Conan,”...

TRENTON, N.J. – Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Jersey Division Susan A. Gibson and Attorney General for the State of New Jersey Gurbir S. Grewal today announced the arrests of four individuals, including the former registered pharmacist-in-charge, who allegedly conspired to illegally obtain and distribute...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration launched a comprehensive law enforcement and prevention support initiative aimed at reducing drug use, abuse, and overdose deaths. “Operation Engage” allows participating field divisions to focus on the biggest drug threat in their respective geographic areas. The initiative builds on...