DEA Archived Press Releases

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

Gang Leaders Receive Life Sentences for Racketeering Conspiracy and Murder

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. - Five leaders of the Gangster Disciples, a gang with a long history of lawlessness and violence, were sentenced in the Southern District of Illinois for their participation in a years-long interstate racketeering conspiracy involving drug trafficking, witness tampering, and multiple murders. The following are the...
PRESS RELEASE

Four Gangster Disciples Leaders Convicted of Racketeering Conspiracy and Murder

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A federal jury convicted four leaders of the Gangster Disciples today for their participation in a years-long interstate racketeering conspiracy involving drug trafficking, witness tampering, and multiple murders. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, the four defendants were members of the Gangster...
PRESS RELEASE

Drug Dealing Husband and Wife Sentenced to Federal Prison

EUGENE, Ore.—A Douglas County couple known for distributing drugs was sentenced to federal prison today after they were linked to the overdose death of man to whom they had sold drugs to for more than a year. Brian Joseph Ramos, 49, and Christine Marie Ramos, 41, residents of Yoncalla, Oregon...
PRESS RELEASE

Sovah Health to Pay United States $4.36 Million to Settle Claims of Controlled Substance Act Violations

ABINGDON, Va. – Sovah Health has agreed to pay the United States $4.36 million to settle claims that the hospital system violated the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) on numerous occasions between 2017 and 2020. As part of the resolution, Sovah Health further agreed to be subject to a period of...
PRESS RELEASE

Richland Physician Sentenced for Conspiring to Distribute Medically Unnecessary Fentanyl Patches, Opioid Pills and Other Controlled Substances

SPOKANE, Wash. – Senior U.S. District Judge Edward F. Shea has sentenced Dr. Janet Sue Arnold, age 63, of Benton City, Washington, to 48 months in federal prison for conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute opioid pain medications and other controlled substances without a legitimate medical purpose...
PRESS RELEASE

Former Nurse at Danville Hospital Sentenced for Tampering with Prescription Opioid Drugs, Making False Statements

DANVILLE, Va. – A former registered nurse working at Sovah Health-Danville was sentenced today to 36 months in federal prison for tampering with consumer products (fentanyl and hydromorphone) and making false statements. Emilee Kathryn Poteat, 31, pleaded guilty in May 2021 to one count of tampering with consumer products (fentanyl...
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

Former Virginia Veterinarian Pleads Guilty to Drug Charges

LYNCHBURG, Va. – A Madison Heights, Virginia man and former veterinarian pleaded guilty to a pair of misdemeanor drug charges related to his diversion of hydromorphone, an opioid drug also known under the trade name of “Dilaudid.” Patrick Gries, 54, pleaded guilty last week to one count of adulteration of...
PRESS RELEASE

Pain Clinic Doctor and Staff Member Charged with Unlawful Distribution of Opioids

TAMPA, Fla. – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced the return of an indictment charging Dr. Qing McGaha (55, Tampa) with conspiracy to commit unlawful distribution of controlled substances and unlawful distribution of controlled substances for no legitimate medical purpose and outside the usual course of professional practice, as...