DEA Archived Press Releases

Press Releases before January 20, 2025
2024 Results - Showing 1 to 10
PRESS RELEASE

Antelope Valley Man Faces New Charge Alleging He Knowingly Sold Fentanyl to Second Victim Who Died

LOS ANGELES – A Palmdale man already facing one charge of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death has been charged by federal grand jury indictment with an additional count of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death related to the death of a Palmdale man in August, the Justice Department announced...
PRESS RELEASE

Drug Trafficker and Money Launderer Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Yvette Porras-Ochoa, 42, of Wittmann, was sentenced last week by United States District Judge Steven P. Logan to 180 months in prison. Porras-Ochoa pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute 50 grams or more of Cocaine, Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Prescription...
PRESS RELEASE

Over 85 Pounds of Cocaine and Fentanyl, 8 Guns and $420,000 Cash Seized in Williamsburg, Brooklyn: Man Charged as Major Trafficker

A long-term wiretap investigation resulted in the arrest of a Brooklyn man and netted over 39 kilograms (more than 85 pounds) of cocaine and fentanyl, eight loaded firearms, and approximately $420,000 cash from the defendant’s car, which was parked outside of a residential building he owns at 151 Leonard Street...
PRESS RELEASE

Three Charged in Fentanyl/Heroin Packaging Operation in the Bronx: Over 13 Pounds of Illicit Drug Mixtures Seized

As part of an ongoing investigation into fentanyl/heroin trafficking in New York City, federal, state and local law enforcement officers recovered over 13 pounds of drug mixtures, including fentanyl, heroin, xylazine, methamphetamine, and cocaine, from inside a packaging mill. The drugs are estimated to carry a street value of over...
PRESS RELEASE

Head of Drug Trafficking Organization Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Heriberto Lopez-Landeros, 44, of Avondale, was sentenced last week by United States District Judge Steven P. Logan to 14 years in prison. Lopez-Landeros pleaded guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine on August 5, 2024. Lopez-Landeros was the head of an Arizona-based drug trafficking organization responsible...
PRESS RELEASE

Santa Clarita Man Charged with Distributing Opioid More Powerful than Fentanyl and Causing Victim’s Overdose Death

LOS ANGELES – A Santa Clarita man has been arraigned on an indictment alleging he distributed protonitazene – a novel synthetic opioid that is up to three times more powerful than fentanyl – which resulted in a victim’s fatal overdose this spring, the Justice Department announced today. Benjamin Anthony Collins...
PRESS RELEASE

Arizona Communities Turn In 5,367 Pounds of Unneeded Medications on DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

Phoenix, Ariz. – DEA and local law enforcement partners collected 5,367 pounds of unneeded medications in Arizona during the 26th National Take Back Day on October 26, 2024. Nationwide, 630,000 pounds of unneeded medications were turned in at 4,600 locations. Since its inception, DEA’s National Prescription Take Back Day has...
PRESS RELEASE

China-Based Chemical Company, Its Director and Senior Employees Indicted for Alleged Fentanyl Manufacturing and Distribution

LOS ANGELES – A chemical company, its director and three senior employees have been charged in a 13-count federal grand jury indictment alleging they sold deadly fentanyl precursor chemicals and xylazine – known as “tranq” – globally, fueling the fentanyl crisis in the United States, the Justice Department announced today...
PRESS RELEASE

DEA New York Division and NY Attorney General Announce Takedown of Major Gun Trafficking Operation in Queens

NEW YORK – DEA New York Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino and New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced the indictments of three individuals for their roles in a gun trafficking operation that illegally trafficked and sold 184 firearms in Queens County. The 579-count indictment charges Deundre Wright...
PRESS RELEASE

16 Defendants Charged in Superseding Indictment Alleging Bulk Shipments of Cocaine to Canada, Four Murders

LOS ANGELES – A Canadian former Olympic snowboarder and 15 other defendants have been charged in a 16-count superseding indictment for allegedly running and participating in a transnational drug trafficking operation that routinely shipped hundreds of kilograms of cocaine, from Colombia, through Mexico and Southern California, to Canada and other...