DEA Archived Press Releases

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

Operation Overdrive in Tampa Leads to Dozens of Arrests and Significant Drug Seizures

TAMPA – Today, a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)-led joint task force, designed to bring justice to Tampa’s most violent drug traffickers, announced the results of a 5-month, concentrated law enforcement effort. Deanne Reuter, the DEA Miami Field Division Special Agent in Charge (SAC), and Roger Handberg, United States Attorney (USA)...
PRESS RELEASE

Orlando Man Sentenced to 9 Years in Federal Prison on Cocaine and Ecstasy Charges

TAMPA , Fla . – U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber sentenced Eric Joen Brenes-Colon (34, Orlando) to 9 years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute cocaine and possession with the intent to distribute cocaine and MDMA (Ecstasy) . Brenes-Colon had pleaded guilty on October 26, 2023. According to...
PRESS RELEASE

Jury Finds Felon Guilty of Possessing Firearm and Multiple Bags of Drugs for Distribution

ORLANDO, Fla. – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that a federal jury has found Curtis Tyrone Johnson (35, Melbourne) guilty of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon and possession with the intent to distribute various controlled substances. Johnson faces a minimum mandatory term of...
PRESS RELEASE

Arizona Man Sentenced to More Than 16 Years for Role in Drug Conspiracy

OCALA , Fla . – U.S. District Judge Roy B. Dalton, Jr. sentenced Tymane D. Hamilton (30, Phoenix, Arizona) to 16 years and 8 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. Hamilton had pleaded guilty on April 19, 2022. According to court documents and evidence presented in...
PRESS RELEASE

Clearwater Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing Methamphetamine

TAMPA , Fla . – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that Justin Roberson (34, Clearwater) pleaded guilty to possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. Roberson faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set...
PRESS RELEASE

Gulfport Man Sentenced to More Than 11 Years in Federal Prison for Armed Drug Trafficking

TAMPA, Fla . –Calfus W. Drummond (37, Gulfport) has been sentenced to 11 years and 6 months in federal prison for possession with the intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl; 500 grams or more of methamphetamine; cocaine and marijuana; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of...
PRESS RELEASE

Multi-Kilogram Drug Trafficker Convicted at Trial, After Spending More than Four Years on the Lam

TAMPA, Fla. – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that a federal jury has found Derrick Samuel Lewis (51, Sarasota) guilty of conspiracy, possession with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, and possession with the intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana. Lewis...
PRESS RELEASE

Trafficker of Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Fentanyl, and Marijuana Sentenced to Federal Prison

TAMPA, Fla. –Raymond Malara (38, Tampa) was sentenced to nine years in federal prison for trafficking cocaine, fentanyl, and marijuana. The Court also ordered Malara to forfeit $ 37,820, which is traceable to proceeds of the offense. Malara had pleaded guilty on August 3, 2021. According to court documents, between...
PRESS RELEASE

Lake County Man Sentenced to 25 Years for Running Large-Scale Drug Conspiracy

OCALA, Fla. –Devonne L. Walker (36, Lady Lake) was sentenced in federal court today to 25 years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. Walker had pleaded guilty on July 28, 2021. According to evidence presented at the sentencing hearing, Walker was the leader and organizer of a...
PRESS RELEASE

Central Florida Law Enforcement Warns of THC-Laced Edibles that Resemble Common Snack Foods

ORLANDO, Fla. - With Halloween right around the corner, law enforcement officials are urging parents to check their children’s candy. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Orlando District Office has issued a warning to the public about products that look identical to common snack foods and candy, but actually contain high...