DEA Archived Press Releases

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

Long Island Man Convicted of Drug Trafficking and Firearms Offenses Defendant Distributed Fentanyl that Caused the Overdose Death of Selden Man

BROOKLYN, N.Y. – Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Central Islip, a federal jury convicted Marlon Thompson on all four counts of an indictment charging him with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, heroin and cocaine base, the distribution of fentanyl that caused the death of the victim Fredrick Koenig, 36...
PRESS RELEASE

Long Island Medical Doctor Charged with Illegally Distributing Oxycodone Pills

BROOKLYN, N.Y. – Late yesterday, in federal court in Central Islip, an 18-count indictment was returned charging Dr. Roya Jafari-Hassad with illegal distribution of oxycodone and witness tampering. Hassad was arrested this morning and is scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Steven L. Tiscione. Breon...
PRESS RELEASE

Jamestown Man Pleads Guilty to Selling Heroin/Fentanyl that Led to Overdose Death and Serious Bodily Injury

BUFFALO, NEW YORK – James Brandow, 34, of Jamestown, NY, pleaded guilty before Senior U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, heroin and fentanyl. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A...
PRESS RELEASE

Man Sentenced to Prison for Heroin and Fentanyl Trafficking Related Death of Massapequa Woman

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK – Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Central Islip, United States District Judge Gary R. Brown sentenced Donta Riddick to 198 months in prison for possessing and distributing heroin and fentanyl. As part of his guilty plea, Riddick also admitted to the distribution of heroin and...
PRESS RELEASE

Leader of “Mike’s Candyshop” Drug Delivery Service Sentenced to 22 Years in Prison In Connection with the Overdose Death of Colin Kroll

NEW YORK CITY – Ariel Tavarez, a/k/a “A,” a/k/a “Mike,” was sentenced to 264 months in prison in connection with his conspiring to distribute heroin, cocaine, fentanyl, and a fentanyl analogue, and to distributing narcotics that caused the 2018 death of Colin Kroll, the co-founder of the video hosting service...
PRESS RELEASE

Buffalo Man Going to Prison for 10 Years for Selling Fentanyl that Led to a Death

BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Octavio Cruz, 39, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, butyryl fentanyl, was sentenced to serve 120 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremiah...
PRESS RELEASE

Convicted Felon Going to Prison on Methamphetamine Charge Involving a Death

BUFFALO, N.Y. –U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Jason Yelder, 39, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of possessing with intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine, was sentenced to serve 135 months in prison and eight years supervised release by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J...
PRESS RELEASE

Narcotics Dealer Arrested in Connection with Multiple Overdose Deaths

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. – Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Tim Foley, the Acting Special Agent in Charge of the New York Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration, and Kirk Imperati, the Acting Sheriff of the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office, announced today the...
PRESS RELEASE

First Arrests in New York of DEA’s Operation Overdrive

NEW YORK CITY –Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Timothy Foley, the Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New York Division, and Keechant L. Sewell, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department, announced the unsealing of a...
PRESS RELEASE

DEA Launches New Initiative to Combat Drug-Related Violence and Overdoses in Communities across America

NEW YORK – The Drug Enforcement Administration announced a new initiative, Operation Overdrive, aimed at combatting the rising rates of drug-related violent crime and overdose deaths plaguing American communities. Last fall, DEA initiated a data-driven approach using national crime statistics and CDC data to identify hot spots of drug-related violence...