DEA Archived Press Releases

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

Leader of Guatemalan Drug Trafficking Organization that Smuggled Multi-Ton Quantities of Drugs Sentenced to 17.5 Years

SAN DIEGO - William Estuardo Lemus-Lara, aka “Humilde,” a high-level cartel boss from Guatemala, was sentenced in federal court today to 210 months in federal prison. According to public documents, Lemus-Lara was identified as the leader of a transcontinental criminal organization that moved multi-ton quantities of cocaine from South America...
PRESS RELEASE

Thirteen Defendants Charged in Imperial Valley Takedown of Drug Trafficking Network

SAN DIEGO – An indictment was unsealed in federal court today charging 10 alleged members of an Imperial Valley-based methamphetamine distribution network with drug trafficking and money laundering offenses. In addition, three more related defendants were charged today via complaint with drug trafficking offenses. In a coordinated multi-state takedown that...
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

Former U.S. Marine Angel Dominguez Ramirez Jr. Sentenced for Leading International Cocaine Distribution Organization

SAN DIEGO – Angel Dominguez Ramirez Jr., a former U.S. Marine with dual U.S. and Mexican citizenship, was sentenced in federal court to 195 months in prison for leading an international organization that transported ton-quantities of cocaine from South America to Mexico and into the United States. Dominguez had previously...
PRESS RELEASE

Guatemalan National Indicted on International Cocaine Trafficking and Maritime Smuggling Charges

SAN DIEGO – A federal grand jury indictment was unsealed in San Diego today against Guatemalan national Axel Bladimir Montejo Saenz, aka “Mosh,” aka “Kraken.” The indictment returned on November 1, 2018, charges Montejo Saenz with Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine Intended for Unlawful Importation and Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine on...
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

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...