United States Drug Enforcement Administration

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...

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...

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...

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...

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced today that two individuals have been charged with murder in connection with the fentanyl overdose death of 31-year-old Connor Gerhart. Defendants Sheri Cavanaugh, 59, and her co-conspirator, Micah Seau, 31, are both charged with murder and conspiracy to commit a crime. The...

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...

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...

SAN DIEG O - Derek Neal Turfler of San Diego was sentenced in federal court today to 97 months in prison for his role in selling fentanyl pills to a 27-year-old woman who fatally overdosed on May 9, 2022. According to his plea agreement, Turfler arranged a meeting to deliver...

San Diego– 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 the public...

MIAMI – The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced the results of a year-long national operation, “Operation Last Mile,” targeting operatives, associates, and distributors affiliated with the Sinaloa and Jalisco Cartels responsible for the last mile of fentanyl and methamphetamine distribution on our streets and on social media. DEA’s top...