DEA Archived Press Releases

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

Leader of Sophisticated Sinaloa Cartel Money Laundering Organization Sentenced to 120 Months

SAN DIEG O - Luis Reinaldo Ramirez of Mesa, Arizona, was sentenced in federal court today to 120 months in prison for his role as a leader in a transnational criminal organization that laundered $16.5 million dollars in narcotics proceeds for the Sinaloa Cartel. Ramirez was also sentenced for his...
PRESS RELEASE

Sophisticated Sinaloa Cartel Money Laundering Organization Dismantled

SAN DIEGO – A two-year investigation by FBI and DEA has resulted in the indictment of twelve people, the takedown of a transnational criminal organization that allegedly laundered at least $16.5 million for the Sinaloa cartel, and the rescue of two victims of an extortion plot. Defendant Cristian Amaya Nava...
PRESS RELEASE

San Diego Resident Charged for Maintaining a Steroid Distribution Center in Spring Valley

SAN DIEGO - Today, the U.S. Attorney’s Office unsealed a complaint charging San Diego resident, Edgar Lopez Feliciano, with maintaining a steroid distribution center in Spring Valley. As detailed in the complaint, Feliciano’s network is allegedly involved in the creation and distribution of significant quantities of anabolic steroids throughout the...
PRESS RELEASE

Federal Charges Filed Following Record-Breaking Methamphetamine Seizure

SAN DIEGO – Four men were charged today with federal drug trafficking offenses following the seizure of more than 5,000 pounds of methamphetamine discovered already inside the U.S. in two trucks in National City, California. This is believed to be one of the largest methamphetamine seizures in San Diego County...
PRESS RELEASE

50,000 Fake Pills Seized in San Diego

SAN DIEGO – Approximately 50,000 fake pills containing fentanyl were seized in a single enforcement operation in San Diego on June 28, 2022. Investigators from the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Narcotic Task Force (NTF) and the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) worked together to prevent the fake pills from being distributed...
PRESS RELEASE

Multi-Year Investigation Leads to Indictment

SAN DIEGO – A two-year investigation has led to the indictment of 26 defendants for international drug smuggling, drug trafficking, and related conspiracy offenses. One of the defendants, Raul Barajas-Padilla, appeared in federal court yesterday for an initial appearance on the indictment. So far, 17 defendants have been arrested. Efforts...
PRESS RELEASE

Large Hexane Hash Oil Extraction Lab Seized in El Cajon

EL CAJON, Calif. -- On December 2, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Narcotic Task Force and El Cajon Police Department executed a state search warrant at a warehouse located at 1478 Fayette Street in El Cajon. Investigators uncovered an active and sophisticated hexane hash oil extraction laboratory operation. Additional DEA personnel...
PRESS RELEASE

Angel Dominguez Ramirez Jr. Admits to Leading Vast Drug-Smuggling, Money Laundering Empire

SAN DIEGO - Angel Dominguez Ramirez Jr. of Tamaulipas, Mexico, pleaded guilty in federal court today to drug and money laundering charges, admitting that he was the leader of a trafficking organization that transported ton-quantities of cocaine from South America to Mexico and into the United States. According to court...
PRESS RELEASE

Federal Charges Filed Following Record-Breaking Drug Seizure

SAN DIEGO – Acting U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman announced federal drug charges today against Defendant Carlos Gerardo Symonds Saavedra following the seizure of more than 2,500 kilograms of methamphetamine and 50 kilograms of fentanyl found in a commercial trailer at the Otay Mesa, California Cargo Port of Entry (POE). The...
PRESS RELEASE

Sixty Defendants Charged in Nationwide Takedown of Sinaloa Cartel Methamphetamine Network

SAN DIEGO – An indictment was unsealed today in federal court charging 60 members of a San Diego-based international methamphetamine distribution network tied to the Sinaloa Cartel with drug trafficking, money laundering and firearms offenses. During the last month, hundreds of federal, state, and local law enforcement agents and officers...