DEA Archived Press Releases

Press Releases before January 20, 2025
973 Results - Showing 421 to 430
PRESS RELEASE

Observant bystander travelling through Indiana led DEA Chicago Field Division to historic 225 pound methamphetamine seizure

TERRE HAUTE – DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Michael Gannon said, “On September 15, 2020, an alert citizen noticed six duffle bags in the grass area off of Interstate-70 East by mile marker 37 (halfway between Terre Haute and Indianapolis, Indiana). Upon receiving the information, members of the Putnam...
PRESS RELEASE

Attorney General William P. Barr announces updates in Operation Legend to include charges against 26 defendants alleged to operate a violent drug trafficking organization

MILWAUKEE – At a press conference in Milwaukee today, Attorney General William P. Barr announced updates on Operation Legend. He was joined by Robert J. Bell, DEA Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Field Division, and Matthew D. Krueger, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, who...
PRESS RELEASE

International law enforcement operation targeting opioid traffickers on the Darknet results in over 170 arrests worldwide and the seizure of weapons, drugs and over $6.5 million

WASHINGTON – Today, the Department of Justice, through the Joint Criminal Opioid and Darknet Enforcement team, joined Europol to announce the results of Operation DisrupTor, a coordinated international effort to disrupt opioid trafficking on the Darknet. The operation, which was conducted across the United States and Europe, demonstrates the continued...
PRESS RELEASE

Large methamphetamine and fentanyl distribution network dismantled in Evansville, IN

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Robert J. Bell, Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge, Chicago Division, and United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler, announced the dismantling of a drug trafficking organization that brought large quantities of illegal drugs into southwest Indiana. Eleven defendants were indicted by a grand jury in Evansville...
PRESS RELEASE

Attorney General William P. Barr Joins DEA Acting Administrator Timothy J. Shea to Announce Results of Operation Crystal Shield

WASHINGTON – Today, Attorney General William P. Barr and Drug Enforcement Administration Acting Administrator Timothy J. Shea announced the results of Operation Crystal Shield, a DEA–led effort targeting the command and control elements of Mexican cartels that operate major methamphetamine “transportation hubs” throughout the United States. At a press conference...
PRESS RELEASE

Operation Legend: Update on federal charges

On September 4, 2020, Robert J. Bell, DEA Special Agent in Charge, Chicago Division, announced that on July 8, 2020, U.S. Attorney Matthew D. Krueger joined Attorney General William P. Barr in announcing the launch of Operation Legend, a sustained, systematic and coordinated law enforcement initiative in which federal law...
PRESS RELEASE

Two men charged in federal court with looting pharmacies in Chicago

CHICAGO— Two men have been charged in federal court with looting three pharmacies in Chicago. William Lorenz, 40, of Chicago, and Ivan Bermudez, 42, of Chicago, are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit burglary involving a controlled substance. Bermudez was arrested Tuesday. He is scheduled to make...
PRESS RELEASE

South Bend, Indiana man sentenced to 70 months in prison

SOUTH BEND, Ind.- Robert J. Bell, Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge, Chicago Division, and United States Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II announced Jamar Sims, age 27, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Jon E. DeGuilio upon his plea of guilty to...
PRESS RELEASE

Fort Wayne, Indiana man sentenced to over 21 years in prison for methamphetamine charges

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Robert J. Bell, Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge, Chicago Division, and U.S. Attorney Kirsch announced Juan M. Hernandez, age 40, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced before U.S. District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty following his plea of guilty to possession with intent to...
PRESS RELEASE

Chicago man sentenced to 20 years in prison for methamphetamine charges

HAMMOND, Ind. – Robert J. Bell, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Chicago Division, and United States Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II announced that Jesus Lopez, 42 years old, of Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge James T. Moody after pleading guilty to possession with intent to...