DEA Archived Press Releases

Press Releases before January 20, 2025
19 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

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

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

‘Avengers’ actor Jeremy Renner joins forces with 750 students for purposeful Northern Nevada Opioid Youth Summit

RENO, Nevada – Over 700 students representing multiple high schools and middle schools in Washoe County and Douglas County participated in the Northern Nevada Opioid Youth Summit, on Tuesday, September 24. ‘Avengers’ actor Jeremy Renner and ‘Wolf Pack’ announcer Taylor Morgan were among presenters, who stepped up to the plate...
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

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

Federal and Local Law Enforcement Announce New Public Education Campaign to Highlight Danger of Fentanyl – “Death in Disguise”

RIVERSIDE, California – Inland Empire law enforcement officials today rolled out a public outreach education campaign to address the ongoing fentanyl crisis and the skyrocketing number of fentanyl poisonings. Anchored by a new public service announcement titled “ Death in Disguise” that expands on the DEA-led “One Pill Can Kill”...
PRESS RELEASE

Historic Methamphetamine Bust for DEA Los Angeles Division

LOS ANGELES - The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Los Angeles Field Division, Southwest Border Initiative (SWB) Group 2, along with the Fontana Police Department, seized approximately 3,552 pounds of methamphetamine and 66 kilograms of cocaine in Norco, California. This is the largest seizure of methamphetamine for the DEA Los...
PRESS RELEASE

Former LAX TSA Officer Sentenced for Drug Trafficking Charges

LOS ANGELES – A federal judge last week sentenced a former Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Officer to 2 years and 3 months in federal prison for participating in a narcotics-trafficking conspiracy. United States District Judge John A. Kronstadt on Thursday, September 1st sentenced ex-TSA Officer Ronald McCrea, 32, who pleaded...
PRESS RELEASE

Downey Man Arrested on Federal Charges Alleging He Sold Fake Prescription Pills that Caused Fatal Fentanyl Overdose

LOS ANGELES – A Downey man has been arrested on federal charges of selling counterfeit prescription pills containing fentanyl to a 17-year-old Downey female who suffered a fatal overdose from the synthetic opioid, the Justice Department announced today. Jonathan Limas-Reyes, 26, was taken into custody Tuesday afternoon by special agents...