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

Notorious Mexican Cartel Leader Convicted for International Drug Trafficking and Firearms Offenses

A federal jury convicted Ruben Oseguera-Gonzalez, also known as El Menchito, today of conspiring to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and 500 grams or more of methamphetamine while knowing and intending that they would be imported into the United States, and using, carrying, and brandishing firearms, including destructive...
PRESS RELEASE

Five Defendants, Including Two Doctors, Charged in Connection with Actor Matthew Perry's Fatal Overdose Death Last Year

LOS ANGELES – A licensed physician and an alleged San Fernando Valley drug dealer were arrested today in connection with the death of actor Matthew Perry, who suffered a fatal ketamine overdose in October 2023. In total, five defendants, including two doctors, have been charged in this matter, according to...
PRESS RELEASE

Rolling Hills Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Distributing Fentanyl-Laced Pills that Caused High School Freshman’s Death

LOS ANGELES – A South Bay man, who in May 2020 distributed fentanyl-laced pills to a 15-year-old boy and mocked the victim online as he was dying of an overdose, was sentenced today to 240 months in federal prison. Alexander Declan Bell Wilson, 23, of Rolling Hills, was sentenced by...
PRESS RELEASE

Harbor Area Man Arraigned on Federal Indictment Alleging He Knowingly Sold Fentanyl to Two Victims, One of Whom Later Died

LOS ANGELES – A Los Angeles Harbor region man was arraigned today on criminal charges alleging he is a drug dealer who knowingly and intentionally distributed fentanyl to two victims – one of whom died, and the other was seriously injured by the powerful synthetic opioid. Antjuan Stephone Doss, 33...
PRESS RELEASE

Reseda Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Federal Prison for Selling Dozens of ‘Ghost Guns’ and Pound Quantities of Meth

LOS ANGELES – A San Fernando Valley man was sentenced today to 144 months in federal prison for illegally selling firearms – including dozens of so-called “ghost guns” – and also selling pound quantities of methamphetamine. Julio Ernesto Lopez-Menendez, 27, of Reseda, was sentenced by United States District Judge André...
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

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...
PRESS RELEASE

DEA LA Recognizes National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day

LOS ANGELES – On Sunday, August 21, the Drug Enforcement Administration will recognize National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day by joining the many voices dedicated to educating the public on the serious dangers of fentanyl poisoning from fake pills and other illicit drugs. DEA supports the efforts of several organizations...