DEA Archived Press Releases

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

Madera Pharmacist Sentenced to over 7 Years in Prison for Illegally Trafficking Hundreds of Thousands of Opiate Pills

FRESNO, Calif. — Ifeanyi Vincent Ntukogu, 49, of Fresno, was sentenced today to seven years and three months in prison for illegally distributing oxycodone and hydrocodone. Ntukogu was a pharmacist in Madera who dispensed more than 450,000 oxycodone and hydrocodone pills based on fraudulent prescriptions, all in exchange for cash...
PRESS RELEASE

East Bay Doctor Sentenced to Prison for Distributing Opioids Outside the Scope of Medical Practice

OAKLAND, Calif. – Parto Karimi, a former Bay Area doctor, has been sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison for distributing powerful opioids outside the scope of medical practice, announced United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), San Francisco Field Division, Special Agent...
PRESS RELEASE

San Jose Doctor Convicted of Twelve Counts of Illegally Prescribing Opioids

SAN JOSE, Calif. – A federal jury yesterday convicted family medicine physician Donald Siao of twelve counts of distributing the controlled substances Oxycodone and Hydrocodone outside the scope of his usual professional practice and without a legitimate medical purpose, announced United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)...
PRESS RELEASE

Mexican National Found at Massive Merced County Marijuana Cultivation Operation Sentenced for Firearm Charge

FRESNO, Calif. — Roberto Carlos Leon-Garcia (Leon), 49, a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced today to 18 months in prison for being in possession of a firearm while being in the United States without lawful status, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Brian...
PRESS RELEASE

Former Modesto Doctor Pleads Guilty to Illegally Prescribing Opioids

FRESNO, Calif. — Sawtantra Chopra, 76, of Modesto, pleaded guilty Wednesday to three counts of illegally prescribing opioids and other medication, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Brian M. Clark announced. According to court documents, Chopra admitted prescribing drugs — including hydrocodone, alprazolam...
PRESS RELEASE

San Jose Man Sentenced to 3 Years in Prison for Interstate Marijuana Distribution Conspiracy

FRESNO, Calif. — Tan Minh Vo, 50, of San Jose, was sentenced today to three years and one month in prison for conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana that was shipped from Fresno for distribution in Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert and Drug...
PRESS RELEASE

Siskiyou Man Convicted of Bribery of a Public Official, Conspiracy to Commit Bribery, and Manufacturing More than 100 Marijuana Plants

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — On March 18, 2022, a federal jury convicted Chi Meng Yang, 36, of Montague, of bribery of a public official, conspiracy to commit bribery, and manufacturing more than 100 marijuana plants, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Wade R. Shannon...
PRESS RELEASE

Doctor Convicted of Illegally Prescribing Opioids to Patients

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Physician Edmund Kemprud, 78, of Dublin, was convicted today of 14 counts of illegally prescribing opioids and other controlled substances patients, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. According to evidence presented at trial, Kemprud was a physician licensed to practice medicine in California and worked in...
PRESS RELEASE

Madera and Fresno Men Sentenced for Interstate Drug Shipments

FRESNO, Calif. — Patrick Maldonado, 45, of Madera, and Elias Zambrano Jr., 41, of Fresno, have been sentenced to eight years in prison and two years and three months in prison, respectively, for an interstate drug conspiracy involving shipments of marijuana to the Midwest, Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert...
PRESS RELEASE

Fresno Man Pleads Guilty to Interstate Marijuana Shipments

FRESNO, Calif. — Elias Zambrano Jr., 41, of Fresno, pleaded guilty today to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana that was shipped from Fresno to Kansas City, Missouri, Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Wade R. Shannon and Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced...