DEA Archived Press Releases

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

Houston Marijuana Ringleader Sentenced to 18 years in Federal Prison

SAN ANTONIO - In Del Rio yesterday, a federal judge sentenced Houston resident Michael Dewayne Dennis, aka Michael Spiller, to 18 years in federal prison for leading a conspiracy that distributed over 11,000 kilograms of marijuana throughout the country, announced Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Daniel C...
PRESS RELEASE

2 get combined 197 years in federal prison

McALLEN, Texas – Two men have been ordered to federal prison for decades following their more than a dozen convictions of drug crimes, carjacking, robbery and firearms offenses, announced Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery and Special...
PRESS RELEASE

South Texas siblings plead guilty for their roles in marijuana smuggling venture

LAREDO, Texas – Two South Texas men have admitted they organized the smuggling of approximately 170 kilograms of marijuana from El Cenizo to Laredo, announced Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Steven S. Whipple and U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. Roberto Chavarria, 38, pleaded guilty today, while his...
PRESS RELEASE

13 Arrested in Connection with an LSD, Fentanyl and Methamphetamine Trafficking and Money Laundering Scheme Occurring in the West Campus Area of the University of Texas at Austin

Federal, state and local authorities have arrested 13 individuals, including current and former University of Texas (UT) students, charged in connection with trafficking LSD, fentanyl and methamphetamine pills to UT students in Austin. That announcement was made today by U.S. Attorney Gregg N. Sofer; Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent...
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

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

Twenty one defendants face federal methamphetamine and cocaine conspiracy charges

AUSTIN, TX - Over the past two weeks, federal, state and local authorities have arrested 21 individuals in connection with a cocaine and methamphetamine trafficking operations based in the Austin area, announced Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Steven S. Whipple, Houston Division and U.S. Attorney John F...
PRESS RELEASE

Two imprisoned for drug conspiracy involving high speed chase

LAREDO, TX – Two Laredo men have been ordered to federal prison after their involvement in a drug trafficking event, announced Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Steven S. Whipple and U.S. Attorney Ryan Patrick. Raul Gomez, 36, and Enrique Gonzalez, 39, pled guilty on August 6, 2019. Today...
PRESS RELEASE

Man heads to prison in multi-state marijuana conspiracy

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A 39-year-old Florida man has been sentenced to federal prison for his role in a Rio Grande Valley-based drug conspiracy, announced DEA Acting Special Agent in Charge Steven S. Whipple and U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. Roberto Santos-Gonzalez pleaded guilty on June 4 to conspiracy with intent...
PRESS RELEASE

Laredo drug smuggler pleads guilty in marijuana conspiracy

LAREDO, Texas – A 28-year-old Laredo native has admitted to conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute more than 135 kilograms of marijuana, announced DEA Acting Special Agent in Charge Steven S. Whipple and U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. On Sept. 13, authorities observed a man – later identified...