DEA Archived Press Releases

Press Releases before January 20, 2025
1631 Results - Showing 461 to 470
PRESS RELEASE

Fresno man charged with illegally possessing thousands of fentanyl pills and a firearm

FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment today against Armando Chavez Jr., 19, of Fresno, charging him with possessing over 40 grams of fentanyl with intent to distribute it and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott and...
PRESS RELEASE

Gulf Coast health care fraud strike force expanded to include Eastern District of Texas

BEAUMONT, Texas - Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Steven S. Whipple, Houston Division and U.S. Attorney Stephen Cox of the Eastern District of Texas today announced the expansion of the Criminal Division, Fraud Section’s existing Gulf Coast Health Care Fraud Strike Force to include the Eastern District...
PRESS RELEASE

Several area residents arrested in ongoing drug trafficking and money laundering conspiracies

HOUSTON – A total of eight people have been taken into custody on charges involving a five-year drug trafficking and money laundering conspiracies, announced Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Steven S. Whipple, Houston Division and U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. Federal authorities arrested Houston residents Brenda Natalie...
PRESS RELEASE

Jefferson County doctor convicted of health care fraud violations

BEAUMONT, Texas — A 43-year-old physician practicing in Beaumont has been found guilty of federal health care fraud violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Steven S. Whipple, Houston Division and U.S. Attorney Stephen J. Cox. Grigoriy T. Rodonaia, of Port...
PRESS RELEASE

Operators of large-scale drug trafficking organization in Kern County face federal charges

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned three indictments against nine individuals on Thursday, charging the defendants with conspiring to distribute methamphetamine in Kern County, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux announced. The first indictment charges Miguel Zuniga Arteaga...
PRESS RELEASE

Mexican National sentenced to 26 years in prison for drug trafficking conspiracy and gun possession

FRESNO, Calif. — Francisco Javier Ochoa-Anaya, 49, residing in Denair, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd to 26 years in prison for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine and possessing a gun in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott and Drug Enforcement Administration...
PRESS RELEASE

Driver in armed robbery of Madera pharmacy indicted

FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment today against Michael Erin Vandeventer, 21, of Sparks, Nevada, charging him with interference with commerce by robbery, known as Hobbs Act Robbery, and conspiracy to commit interference with commerce by robbery, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott and Drug Enforcement...
PRESS RELEASE

Former federal employee sentenced for cocaine distribution and threatening fellow agent

HOUSTON – A 39-year-old former Border Patrol (BP) agent has been ordered to prison following his conviction on multiple drug trafficking charges and threatening a federal agent with bodily harm, announced Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Steven S. Whipple and U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. A federal jury...
PRESS RELEASE

Trucker guilty of hauling nearly $2 million in drug proceeds

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A 52-year-old man has entered a guilty plea to one count of money laundering, announced Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Steven S. Whipple and U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. Edgardo Serrano admitted he drove $1,758,465 in proceeds from the sale of illegal narcotics from Florida...
PRESS RELEASE

DEA and partners collect a record amount of unwanted medications during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

WASHINGTON – DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day brought in nearly a million pounds of unused, expired, and unwanted medications across the country, the largest amount ever collected in the program’s ten years. Americans once again showed their dedication to remove prescription pills from their homes to prevent addiction...