DEA Archived Press Releases

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

Guatemalan National Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Smuggle Over 6,000 Kilograms of Cocaine into the United States

TAMPA, F la. – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that Eliezer De Leon-Lopez (38, Guatemala), a/k/a “Wiro Loco” and “Daniel Martinez,” pleaded guilty today to conspiring to import cocaine into the United States. He faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison...
PRESS RELEASE

Leader of Colombian Criminal Organization Pleads Guilty to Sending Over 19,000 Kilograms of Cocaine Via Semi-Submersible Vessels to Sinaloa Cartel

TAMPA , F la. – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that Nestor Hugo Gomez-Garcia (38, Colombia), a/k/a “Simon,” “Guava,” and “Guavita,” pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute cocaine on vessels subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. He faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 10 years, up...
PRESS RELEASE

Osceola County Convicted Felon Sentenced to Six Years in Federal Prison for Firearm and Drug Offenses

ORLANDO, Fla . – U.S. District Judge Roy B. Dalton, Jr. sentenced Christian Arroyo-Rivera (30, Kissimmee) to six (6) years in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and possessing with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing cocaine. The...
PRESS RELEASE

Jacksonville Beach Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine

JACKSONVILLE, F la. – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that Diandre Murel (29, Jacksonville Beach) pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute over 500 grams of cocaine. Murel faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 5 years, and up to 40 years, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not...
PRESS RELEASE

Jury Convicts Florida Man Who Tampered with Witnesses While Pending Trial with Drug Trafficking, Money Laundering, Obstruction Of Justice, Suborning Perjury, And Contempt Of Court

TAMPA , F la. – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that a federal jury has found Javier Monserrate Vazquez (46, Wesley Chapel) guilty of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, conspiracy to commit money laundering, conspiracy against the United States, obstruction of justice, witness tampering...
PRESS RELEASE

Mexican Cocaine Supplier and Florida Coconspirator Sentenced to Federal Prison For Conspiracy To Distribute Cocaine

TAMPA, Fla. – U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle has sentenced Juan Antonio Ortiz-Valle (54, Mexico) to six (6) years and three (3) months in federal prison for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and for possession with the intent to distribute cocaine. Ortiz-Valle had pleaded guilty...
PRESS RELEASE

Arrests Made in Joint Federal/Local Investigation Targeting Jackson, Calhoun, Liberty, and Gadsden Counties

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – In excess of 50 individuals have been arrested on warrants related to drug-trafficking as part of a long-term investigation conducted by Drug Enforcement Administration, local, and state law enforcement. The arrests were announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. “I...
PRESS RELEASE

Bradenton Man Sentenced to more than 17 Years for Distributing Cocaine Obtained through the Mail

TAMPA, Fla. – U.S. District Judge Mary S. Scriven sentenced Angel Hernandez Coss (38, Bradenton) to 17 years and 6 months in federal prison for conspiring to distribute over five kilograms of cocaine. Hernandez Coss had pleaded guilty on January 17, 2023. According to court documents, Hernandez Coss and his...
PRESS RELEASE

Federal Jury Finds Venezuelan National Guilty of Trafficking $21 Million Of Cocaine on the High Seas

TAMPA, Fla. - United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that a federal jury found Hector Caballero (70, Venezuela) guilty of conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine on a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, as well as possessing with the intent to distribute...
PRESS RELEASE

Armed Leader of Fentanyl and Cocaine Distribution Conspiracy Sentenced to 40 Years in Federal Prison

ORLANDO, Fla . – U.S. District Judge Roy B. Dalton Jr. sentenced Carlos Roman (57, Orlando) to 40 years in federal prison for possession of cocaine and possession of a firearm equipped with a silencer in furtherance of drug trafficking. Judge Dalton also sentenced three individuals who conspired with Roman...