DEA Archived Press Releases

Press Releases before January 20, 2025
23 Results - Showing 1 to 10
PRESS RELEASE

Four People Sentenced to Prison for Distributing Fentanyl

MIAMI – Four South Florida residents have been sentenced to federal prison for distributing fentanyl and meth. On Jan. 16, Gito St. Fort, 35, of West Palm Beach, Fla., a career criminal, was sentenced to 320 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to distribution of a controlled substance resulting...
PRESS RELEASE

Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Selling Fentanyl and Other Synthetic Opioids

MIAMI– On Dec. 10, Blake Alfonso Kolessa, 27, of Greenacres, Fla., was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge Donald M. Middlebrooks for possessing with intent to distribute metonitazene, N-desethyl isotonitazene, and methamphetamine. Kolessa previously pled guilty...
PRESS RELEASE

Orlando Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing Fentanyl

Orlando, Fla. – U.S. District Judge John Antoon II has sentenced Luis Miguel Plaza, 34 of Orlando, to 10 years in federal prison for distributing and possessing with the intent to distribute fentanyl. Plaza entered a guilty plea on July 24, 2024. According to court documents, the Drug Enforcement Administration...
PRESS RELEASE

Driver in High-Speed Chase Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Transporting Fentanyl Pills and Loaded Firearm

Orlando, Fla. – U.S. District Judge Wendy W. Berger has sentenced Jonathan Nicola (23, Sanford) to 15 years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute two kilograms of fentanyl and possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Nicola entered a guilty plea on April 30, 2024. According...
PRESS RELEASE

Man Sentenced to 18 Years in Prison for Selling Fentanyl Linked to Two Fatal Overdoses

TAMPA, Fla. —U.S. District Judge William F. Jung has sentenced Corey Gaddy, 31, of St. Petersburg, Fla., to 18 years in federal prison for c onspiracy to distribute controlled substances including fentanyl and two counts of distribution of fentanyl. Gaddy was found guilty following a trial on November 3, 2023...
PRESS RELEASE

Miami DEA Stress Fentanyl Dangers During Community Stakeholder Meeting

MIAMI—Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Miami Field Division personnel recently hosted an Operation Engage South Florida meeting with community stakeholders at First Baptist Church in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to stress the dangers of fentanyl—especially regarding children. Operation Engage South F lorida is an opportunity to keep fentanyl prevention, awareness, and education...
PRESS RELEASE

Two Charged with Connection with Scheme to Operate Industrial-Scale Illegal Narcotics Pill Pressing Operations Throughout New York City

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; Frank A. Tarentino III, the Special Agent in Charge of the New York Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”); and Darren B. McCormack, the Acting Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of...
PRESS RELEASE

Schenectady Man Sentenced for Drug Charges

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Hason Harres, 47, of Schenectady, New York, was sentenced today to serve 57 months in federal prison for possessing methamphetamine and fentanyl with the intent to distribute. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug...
PRESS RELEASE

Two Charged in Connection with Search of Bronx Drug Mail Distribution Center Containing Approximately 100,000 Pills Suspected of Fentanyl and Meth

NEW YORK CITY - Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; Frank A. Tarentino III, the Special Agent in Charge of the New York Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration; and Erin Keegan, the Acting Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field...
PRESS RELEASE

Year in Review: DEA Innovates to Fight Fentanyl

NEW YORK CITY – In 2023, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration marked its 50th anniversary as the only federal agency dedicated to fighting deadly drugs and drug-related violence. This milestone celebrated a half century of dedication to fighting drug trafficking in the United States and around the world, which threatens...