DEA Archived Press Releases

Press Releases before January 20, 2025
1079 Results - Showing 911 to 920
PRESS RELEASE

Partner In Stockton And Sacramento Marijuana Businesses Pleads Guilty

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Lynn Farrell Smith, 62, of Stockton, pleaded guilty today to federal marijuana charges that include conspiracy to manufacture and distribute marijuana, two counts of manufacturing marijuana and six counts of distributing marijuana from storefronts in Stockton and Sacramento, Drug Enforcement Administration Acting Special Agent in Charge Bruce...
PRESS RELEASE

Leader Of Azusa Street Gang Involved In Drug Trafficking And Hate Crimes Sentenced To Nearly 20 Years

JAN 15 - LOS ANGELES - A “keyholder” who oversaw the criminal activities of the Azusa 13 street gang and its long-running plot to violate the civil rights of African-Americans in the City of Azusa was sentenced to 235 months in federal prison. Santiago Rios, also known as “Chico,” 48...
PRESS RELEASE

South Lake Tahoe Man Pleads Guilty To Marijuana Trafficking

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Gennaro DiMatteo, 43, of South Lake Tahoe, pleaded guilty today to count two of the indictment, possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Anthony D. Williams and United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced. This case is the product of...
PRESS RELEASE

Ten Members Of Fraudulent Prescription Ring Arrested

OAKLAND, Calif. - On December 18, 2012, ten people were arrested for their participation in a network that obtained significant quantities of prescription narcotics through forged prescriptions, Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Anthony D. Williams and United States Attorney Melinda Haag announced. Among those arrested were Letitia Montgomery...
PRESS RELEASE

Bakersfield Marijuana Business Owner Pleads Guilty

FRESNO, Calif. - David Chavez Sr., 53, of Bakersfield, pleaded guilty today to conspiring to distribute marijuana, Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Anthony D. Williams and United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced. This case is the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal...
PRESS RELEASE

Second Devil’s Den Marijuana Cultivator Pleads Guilty

FRESNO, Calif. - Ramon Manjarrez-Del Vaal, 36, of Sinaloa, Mexico, pleaded guilty today to conspiring to cultivate, distribute and possess with intent to distribute 1,019 marijuana plants grown on a five-acre parcel of land in Devil’s Den in Kings County, Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Anthony D. Williams...
PRESS RELEASE

DEA – LAPD HIDTA Investigation Targets South L.A. Gangs Controlled By Incarcerated Mexican Mafia Member And His Daughter

DEC 6 - LOS ANGELES - Law enforcement authorities this morning arrested 18 defendants named in three federal grand jury indictments stemming from Operation Roman Empire, a 2½-year investigation into South Los Angeles street gangs allegedly controlled by a Mexican Mafia member who directs criminal activities through his daughter. A...
PRESS RELEASE

Traffic Stops In San Joaquin, Shasta, And Nevada Counties Lead To Federal Narcotic Trafficking Charges

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Five defendants have been charged in three separate cases with narcotic trafficking, Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Anthony D. Williams and U.S. Attorney Benjamin Wagner announced. A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment Wednesday charging Enrique Amezcua, 25, and Michael Anthony Robles, 23, both...
PRESS RELEASE

Large Scale Methamphetamine Distributor In Stanislaus County Indicted

FRESNO, Calif. - Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Anthony D. Williams and United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced today that a federal grand jury returned a two count indictment charging Juan Venegas, 40, of Newman, with conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The...
PRESS RELEASE

“Marvin Gardens” Defendant Sentenced For Stockton Indoor Marijuana Growing Scheme

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - United States District Judge Edward J. Garcia sentenced Michael Giang, 39 of San Francisco, today to two years and eight months in prison for mortgage fraud in an indoor marijuana growing scheme, Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Anthony D. Williams and U.S. Attorney Benjamin B...