United States Drug Enforcement Administration

FRESNO, Calif. - Victor Anthony Nottoli, 51, of Hillsborough, Calif., pleaded guilty today to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and one count of causing at least 24 tons of misbranded smokable synthetic (SSC) to be introduced into interstate commerce. Four defendants arrested last week for manufacturing...

FRESNO, Calif. - Mark Jeff Zeldes, 52, of Broomfield, Colo., appeared in federal court today in Fresno to face charges contained in an indictment of cultivating and distributing marijuana. According to court documents, between June 1, 2009 and March 9, 2010, Zeldes was responsible for a large-scale marijuana cultivation and...

SAN FRANCISCO - Central Valley and Northern California citizens showed their support for the Drug Enforcement Administration’(DEA’s) National Prescription Drug Take Back Day program by dropping off more prescription pills than ever during the April 26, 2014 event. Federal, state, and local law enforcement partners collected more than 40,854 -...

FRESNO, Calif. - Douglas Jason Way, of Evanston, Ill.; Timothy Ortiz, 43, of Waukegan, Ill.; and Natalie Middleton, 28, of Clovis, Calif., have been arrested as part of a nationwide law enforcement effort to combat the threat of synthetic drugs. The arrests were announced by United States Attorney Benjamin B...

FRESNO, Calif. - A three-month multi-agency law enforcement operation, “Operation Red Eye,” culminated today with the arrest of several methamphetamine traffickers and the search of more than 30 locations. According to court documents, six individuals are being charged federally with conspiring to distribute methamphetamine and other controlled substances: Luis Tejeda-Hurtado...

FRESNO, Calif. - Leopoldo “Polo” Rodriguez, 42, resident of Bakersfield, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute, marijuana. According to court documents, Rodriguez and his fellow conspirators planned to send large quantities of marijuana from Bakersfield to Memphis, Tennessee. On August 26, 2013...

FRESNO, Calif. - Ana Lilia Angulo, 30, of San Jose, pleaded guilty today to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute nine pounds of heroin. According to court documents, on April 23, 2013, Angulo was stopped for a traffic violation while driving a vehicle northbound on I5 near...

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Ruben Barajas, 37, of Stockton, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Troy L. Nunley to 11 years in prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. According to court documents, Barajas was selling methamphetamine out of his taco truck. He was found in possession of...

OAKLAND, Calif. - Anthony Keslinke was indicted by a federal grand jury yesterday and charged with money laundering, announced U.S. Attorney Melinda Haag, Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Jay Fitzpatrick, and Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, Special Agent in Charge José M. Martinez. The Indictment alleges that between...

FRESNO, Calif. - Miguel Sanchez-(Sanchez), 46, of Mexico, was sentenced today to eight years in prison for conspiring to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine. According to court documents, Sanchez and a co-defendant maintained a stash house in Bakersfield from where law enforcement...