DEA Archived Press Releases

Press Releases before January 20, 2025
16 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

DEA Operation Last Mile Tracks Down Sinaloa and Jalisco Cartel Associates Operating within the United States

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...
PRESS RELEASE

Drug Enforcement Administration Announces the Seizure of Over 379 Million Deadly Doses of Fentanyl in 2022

MIAMI – As 2022 comes to an end, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is announcing the seizure of over 50.6 million fentanyl-laced, fake prescription pills and more than 10,000 pounds of fentanyl powder this calendar year. The DEA Laboratory estimates that these seizures represent more than 379 million potentially deadly...
PRESS RELEASE

DEA Miami Field Division Joins with Florida Families to Increase Awareness about the Dangers of Fentanyl

MIAMI – This week the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) hosted regional family summits across the country in support of those who have lost loved ones to fentanyl poisoning. This is the first undertaking of its kind for the DEA field divisions and builds off the momentum of this summer’s Inaugural...
PRESS RELEASE

Fentanyl Dealer Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Overdose Death

MIAMI – A South Florida fentanyl dealer whose product killed a man was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison today. On May 19, 2021, 21-year-old Peterson Nozinord drove another man, age 27, to a motel in Lantana, Florida. Nozinord checked the man into a room by using Nozinord’s identification...