DEA Archived Press Releases

Press Releases before January 20, 2025
7 Results - Showing 1 to 7
PRESS RELEASE

Santa Clarita Man Charged with Distributing Opioid More Powerful than Fentanyl and Causing Victim’s Overdose Death

LOS ANGELES – A Santa Clarita man has been arraigned on an indictment alleging he distributed protonitazene – a novel synthetic opioid that is up to three times more powerful than fentanyl – which resulted in a victim’s fatal overdose this spring, the Justice Department announced today. Benjamin Anthony Collins...
PRESS RELEASE

Texas Man Sentenced to Over Six Years in Federal Prison for Distributing Spice to Alaska

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – A Texas man was sentenced to six and a half years in prison and three years supervised release for trafficking more than 21 kilograms of the drug known as Spice from Texas to Alaska. “Spice” is a generic term for synthetic cannabinoids, which are mind-altering chemicals that...
PRESS RELEASE

Leader of Wholesale Drug Distribution Network, Shipping Drugs Across Country & Laundering Millions, Sentenced

ALEXANDRIA, Va., – A Los Angeles man was sentenced today to 14 years in prison for leading a conspiracy involving the distribution of wholesale quantities of synthetic cannabinoids—commonly known as “spice” or “K2”—and laundering millions of dollars in the proceeds of the sale of that spice. According to court documents...
PRESS RELEASE

Federal Consent Decree Permanently Bans Baltimore-Based Physician Assistant from Prescribing Opioids and Controlled Substances

Baltimore, Md., – U.S. District Judge Deborah L. Boardman has approved a consent decree that permanently enjoins Elizabeth J. Allen, a Baltimore-based physician assistant, from prescribing opioids and other controlled substances, resolving the United States’ civil allegations that Allen violated the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) in illegally prescribing opioids. Under...
PRESS RELEASE

Leader of Wholesale Drug Distribution Network Pleads Guilty to Distributing Synthetic Cannabinoids and Laundering Millions in Proceeds

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Los Angeles man pleaded guilty today to being the head of a conspiracy involving the distribution of wholesale quantities of synthetic cannabinoids—commonly known as “spice” or “K2”—and laundering millions of dollars in the proceeds of the sale of that spice. According to court documents, from 2017...
PRESS RELEASE

DEA Washington Chief Issues Public Safety Alert: Dangerous Increase in Fake Rx Pills Containing Fentanyl

Washington, D.C. – Today, Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Washington Division issued a Public Safety Alert warning Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. residents of the alarming increase in the lethality and availability of fake prescription pills containing fentanyl in our area. This DEA Public Safety Alert...
PRESS RELEASE

St. Joseph Man sentenced for $6 million in synthetic cannabinoid conspiracy

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A St. Joseph, Missouri, man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute nearly $6 million of synthetic cannabinoid products, also known as K2. The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration-St. Louis Division and IRS-Criminal Investigation. Shakeel Khan...