DEA Archived Press Releases

Press Releases before January 20, 2025
787 Results - Showing 11 to 20
PRESS RELEASE

OCDETF Investigation Results in Convictions of Six Defendants for Nearly 100 Combined Years in Prison for Meth and Heroin Trafficking Conspiracy

MONROE, La. – An Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (“OCDETF”) case in Monroe has resulted in the convictions and sentencings of six defendants to nearly 100 years (1,200 months) in federal prison, announced United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. Chief United States District Judge Terry A. Doughty sentenced the...
PRESS RELEASE

Tenth Bilateral Drug Intelligence Working Group in Shanghai, China

From November 12-13, 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice, led by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), along with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) participated in the tenth Bilateral Drug Intelligence Working Group in Shanghai, China. DOJ, DEA, and CBP officials met with law enforcement counterparts from China’s Ministry of...
PRESS RELEASE

Former Decatur Oncologist Sentenced for Illegal Opioid Prescribing

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A former oncologist in Decatur has been sentenced for illegally prescribing drugs, including oxycodone and hydrocodone, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Steven L. Hofer. Judge Madeline H. Haikala sentenced Sammy Fuad Becdach, 58, to 24 months in prison...
PRESS RELEASE

DEA’s Third Annual National Family Summit on Fentanyl Highlights Progress in Fight to Save Lives

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration hosted the third annual National Family Summit on Fentanyl on November 14 and 15. For the past three years, DEA has invited families who have lost a loved one to a fentanyl drug poisoning or overdose to gather in the nation’s capital and...
PRESS RELEASE

Alabama Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for Selling Fentanyl Pills that Resulted in Another Man’s Death

Montgomery, Ala. – Today, Acting United States Attorney Kevin Davidson and DEA New Orleans Division Special Agent in Charge Steven Hofer announced the sentencing of a Montgomery, Alabama man previously convicted on charges of distribution of a controlled substance resulting in death and possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute...
PRESS RELEASE

New Orleans Division Collects 37,000 Pounds of Medication for 27th Take Back Day

NEW ORLEANS – Communities across the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Orleans Division discarded more than 18 tons of unwanted medication on Oct. 26, marking another successful Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Individuals from Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi collectively dropped-off a combined 37,109 pounds of unused, unneeded, or expired medication...
PRESS RELEASE

Communities Nationwide Turn in Nearly 630,000 Pounds of Unneeded Medications on DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

WASHINGTON – On Oct. 26, DEA and over 4,400 law enforcement partners collected nearly 630,000 pounds of unused medications at 4,600 locations nationwide. This effort to empty medicine cabinets helps to prevent drug misuse before it starts. Since its inception, DEA’s National Prescription Take Back Day has removed nearly 19.2...
PRESS RELEASE

Drug Trafficking Organization Sentenced to More than 47 Combined Years in Federal Prison for Fentanyl Trafficking

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The final member of a Northwest Arkansas drug trafficking organization was sentenced to federal prison for crimes related to the distribution of fentanyl. The Honorable Judge Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearings in the United States District Court in Fayetteville. According to court documents and...
PRESS RELEASE

Mississippi Man Sentenced to Over 15 Years for Possessing Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute

GREENVILLE, Miss. – Dennis Vernandale Phillips, 42, was sentenced today to over 15 years in prison for his possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute the controlled substance. The investigation began when law enforcement purchased over 30 grams of methamphetamine from Phillips using a confidential informant. During a subsequent...
PRESS RELEASE

DEA Hosts the 27th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday to Remove Unneeded Medications from Homes

WASHINGTON, DC – The Drug Enforcement Administration, in collaboration with more than 4,000 law enforcement partners across the country, will host the 27th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day this Saturday, October 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. National Prescription Drug Take Back Day encourages the safe and anonymous...