DEA Archived Press Releases

Press Releases before January 20, 2025
57 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

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

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

Ventura Prolific Fentanyl Trafficker Receives 15-Year Federal Prison Sentence

LOS ANGELES – The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Los Angeles Field Division announced the sentencing of a large-scale fentanyl distributor operating within Ventura, California. Stephen Gregory Reid, 61, aka “Racer,” of Ventura, was sentenced to 188 months in federal prison. The DEA announcement, made last week, was the pinnacle point...
PRESS RELEASE

Fentanyl Trafficker Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Angel Valencia-Avendano, 20, of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, was sentenced last week by United States Chief District Judge G. Murray Snow to 84 months in prison. Valencia-Avendano pleaded guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl. On March 6, 2023, Valencia-Avendano was arrested and charged with fentanyl trafficking...
PRESS RELEASE

Operation Hotline Bling

LOS ANGELES – The Drug Enforcement Administration Los Angeles Field Division today announced the results of a multi-agency investigation targeting a Sinaloa drug trafficking network operating within the Inland Empire. Operation “Hotline Bling,” which started in early 2023, culminated last week with 15 arrests and significant drug seizures, including methamphetamine...
PRESS RELEASE

Drug Coordinator Sentenced to 63 Months in Prison

TUCSON, Ariz. – Enrique Heriberto Nunez-Tiznado, 45, of Sasabe, Sonora, Mexico, was sentenced on February 22, 2024, by United States District Judge Scott H. Rash to 63 months in prison. Nunez-Tiznado pleaded guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl, Heroin, Cocaine, and Methamphetamine, and Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments...
PRESS RELEASE

DEA Teams Up with NFL Alumni Health to Spread Awareness about Fentanyl Pills

(LAS VEGAS) – The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has teamed up with NFL Alumni Health ahead of Sunday’s big game to spread its important message, One Pill Can Kill. This outreach and educational opportunity aims to provide greater awareness about fentanyl and fake pills made to look like prescription medications...
PRESS RELEASE

Las Vegas Man Sentenced To 10 Years In Prison For Distributing Thousands Of Fentanyl Pills

LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas resident was sentenced Tuesday by United States District Judge Gloria M. Navarro to 10 years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release for distributing large quantities of fentanyl pills in Las Vegas. According to court documents, Alphaeus Johnson (38) conspired...
PRESS RELEASE

ATF/DEA/LAPD Take Down San Fernando Valley Drug Trafficking Ring

LOS ANGELES – Seven members of a San Fernando Valley drug trafficking crew were indicted on a 15-count federal grand jury indictment alleging they ran an operation that sold cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl. Law enforcement arrested four of the seven defendants earlier this morning. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms...