DEA Archived Press Releases

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

Leaders of Colombian Drug Trafficking Organization Plead Guilty to Conspiring to Smuggle over 43,000 Kilos of Cocaine into the United States

TAMPA, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Jorge Hernan Gonzalez-Ortiz, 50, of Colombia, and Carlos Andres Aldana-Gil, 43, also of Colombia, have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States. Each faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. A sentencing date...
PRESS RELEASE

Brevard County Man Sentenced to More Than 11 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing Methamphetamine

Orlando, Fla. – U.S. District Judge Carlos E. Mendoza has sentenced Gerit William Naber, 39, Palm Bay, Fla., to 11 years and 8 months in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine. Naber entered a guilty plea on June 24, 2024. According to the plea agreement, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the...
PRESS RELEASE

Two Orlando Men Sentenced to Federal Prison for Distributing Methamphetamine

Orlando, Fla. – U.S. District Judge Carlos E. Mendoza has sentenced Patrick Hugh Mitchell, 57, of Orlando, to 10 years in federal prison and Kyle Jay Hunter Baronville, 37, Orlando, to 5 years and 10 months in federal prison for their roles in distributing multiple pounds of methamphetamine. Baronville pleaded...
PRESS RELEASE

Woman Sentenced To 25 Years in Federal Prison for Large-Scale Drug Trafficking Conspiracy and Meth Distribution

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Miranda Marie Stafford, 57, of Perry, Florida, was sentenced to 300 months in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of over 500 grams of methamphetamine, distribution of over 50 grams of methamphetamine, and possession with intent to...
PRESS RELEASE

Winter Haven Woman Indicted for Fraud in Using Drug Proceeds to Purchase Home

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Rose Esquilin Rios (34, Winter Haven) with conspiracy to commit wire fraud. If convicted, Esquilin Rios faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Esquilin Rios that the...
PRESS RELEASE

Twelve Individuals in Central Florida, Puerto Rico, and South Carolina Charged with Murder, Drug Trafficking, Money Laundering, Firearms Offenses, and Fraud

Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of four indictments charging a total of 12 individuals with murder in furtherance of drug trafficking, conspiracy to commit drug trafficking, conspiracy to commit money laundering, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, illegal possession of firearms, and bank fraud...
PRESS RELEASE

Australian National Pleads Guilty to Participating in Drug Trafficking and Money Laundering Conspiracy

MIAMI – On July 29, Jordan Curry, 42, an Australian national from Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), pled guilty to participating in a conspiracy to launder money and import cocaine from South America through the United States to Australia. According to the agreed upon factual proffer, from 2019 to 2021...
PRESS RELEASE

Former BVI Premier Sentenced to Prison for Conspiring to Import Cocaine into the U.S.

MIAMI – Former British Virgin Islands (BVI) Premier Andrew Alturo Fahie was sentenced yesterday to 135 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Kathleen M. Williams after having been convicted at trial of cocaine trafficking and money laundering conspiracies for agreeing to facilitate the safe passage of tons of...
PRESS RELEASE

Former Venezuelan Military Official Sentenced for Money Laundering and Bribery Scheme

MIAMI—A former officer in the Venezuelan National Guard was sentenced today to one year and one day in prison for participating in a money laundering scheme that involved bribes to foreign officials and defrauding foreign financial institutions. According to court documents, Nepmar Jesus Escalona Enriquez, 47, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla...
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)...