DEA Archived Press Releases

Press Releases before January 20, 2025
508 Results - Showing 221 to 230
PRESS RELEASE

Two members of the Westside Crips criminal street gang plead guilty to racketeering conspiracy relating to sex trafficking, drug trafficking, and other violent crimes

SAN DIEGO – Two gang members of the Westside Crips pleaded guilty on Aug. 31, 2018, for their participation in a racketeering conspiracy involving sex trafficking, narcotics trafficking, and other violent crimes as well as possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute. “One of the top priorities...
PRESS RELEASE

Investigation into Puente 13 Street Gang leads to federal narcotics, fraud and identity theft charges against 17 defendants

LOS ANGELES - Federal authorities have arrested 12 defendants on federal narcotics and fraud charges stemming from an investigation into the Puente 13 Street Gang. Those arrested last night and this morning are among 17 defendants named in a series of indictments returned by a federal grand jury that allege...
PRESS RELEASE

Leader of International Drug Money Laundering Organization Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison

LOS ANGELES - Geoffrey S. Berman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that Jesus Rodriguez-Jimenez, 47, of Monterrey, Mexico, was sentenced today to 30 years in prison by United States District Judge Katherine B. Forrest in Manhattan federal court. Rodriguez-Jimenez ran an international money laundering...
PRESS RELEASE

Los Angeles Strike Force targets drug trafficking organizations that allegedly smuggled Sinaloa Cartel narcotics into U.S.

LOS ANGELES – Capping a three-year investigation by the Los Angeles Strike Force, authorities this morning arrested 20 defendants named in a series of indictments that allege the smuggling of large quantities of narcotics from Mexico on behalf of the Sinaloa Cartel. Those arrested this morning are among 57 defendants...
PRESS RELEASE

DEA arrests eight defendants linked to Coachella Valley-based drug ring that trafficked in large quantities of methamphetamine

RIVERSIDE, Calif. - Federal authorities this morning concluded a 2½-year wiretap investigation into a drug trafficking organization based in the Coachella Valley by arresting eight defendants linked to the distribution of wholesale quantities of methamphetamine. The eight people arrested today by special agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration are among...
PRESS RELEASE

DEA Arrests Eight Defendants Linked to Coachella Valley-Based Drug Ring that Trafficked in Large Quantities of Methamphetamine

RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Federal authorities this morning concluded a 2½-year wiretap investigation into a drug trafficking organization based in the Coachella Valley by arresting eight defendants linked to the distribution of wholesale quantities of methamphetamine. The eight people arrested today by special agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration are among...
PRESS RELEASE

Launch of outreach and education campaign to combat cartels using youth to smuggle drugs

SAN DIEGO - The San Diego Division of the DEA, along with federal and state law enforcement officials, have launched an outreach campaign in San Diego and Imperial Counties to prevent middle and high school students from acting as drug mules for cartels. Billboards, located in San Diego and Imperial...
PRESS RELEASE

“Bitcoin Maven” sentenced to federal prison in virtual currency money laundering case

LOS ANGELES - The so-called “Bitcoin Maven,” who admitted to operating an unlicensed bitcoin-for-cash exchange business and laundering bitcoin that was represented to be proceeds of narcotics activity, was sentenced today to 12 months and one day in federal prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $20,000...
PRESS RELEASE

Federal criminal complaint alleges La Mirada man who is currently on parole sold more than one pound of methamphetamine

(SANTA ANA, Calif.) - A man currently on both state parole and federal supervised release has been charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances for selling more than one pound of methamphetamine, as well as cocaine. Matthew Belling, 28, of La Mirada, who goes by the moniker “Miagi,” was arrested...
PRESS RELEASE

O.C. Psychiatrist arrested on federal charges alleging illegal prescriptions for opioids without medical need

(SANTA ANA, Calif.) - A psychiatrist who practices at a Santa Ana clinic has been arrested on federal charges that allege he issued prescriptions for dangerous and addictive narcotics, such as the opioid oxycodone, without a medical purpose. Dr. Robert Tinoco Perez, 56, of Westminster, was arrested Friday by special...