DEA Archived Press Releases

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

Money Launderer for Cartel Sent to Prison

HOUSTON – A 40-year-old Mexican citizen has been sentenced for international drug trafficking and money laundering conspiracy, operating on behalf of the Gulf Cartel in Mexico, announced Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux of the Houston Division and U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Ezequiel Alanis...
PRESS RELEASE

Three Sentenced in Austin for Distribution of Fentanyl Resulting in 18 Year Old’s Death

AUSTIN, Texas – An Austin man and two co-conspirators were sentenced in a federal court in Austin for their roles in the distribution of fentanyl resulting in death. According to court documents, David Lee Jr., 46, of Austin, Virginia Zepeda, 43, of Austin, and Jackie Lynne Chester, 37, of Taylor...
PRESS RELEASE

Man Admits Laundering Money for Drug Dealers in St. Louis

ST. LOUIS – A man from Lake St. Louis, Missouri, on Monday admitted laundering money for methamphetamine dealers operating in the St. Louis area. Melvin Hayes, 66, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to misprision of a felony. Hayes admitted working on behalf of Demond Bernard McDaniels...
PRESS RELEASE

Leader of Drug Trafficking and Money Laundering Organization with Ties to Mexican Cartel Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison

BOSTON – A coordinator for a large-scale international fentanyl trafficking and money laundering conspiracy, operating on behalf of the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico, has been sentenced in federal court in Boston. Fermin Castillo, 43, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young to 25 years in prison...
PRESS RELEASE

Over 110 Pounds of Fentanyl and Methamphetamine with a Street Value Worth Up to $10 Million Uncovered in the Bronx

An investigation into fentanyl trafficking in New York City resulted in a significant seizure of 33 kilograms (over 65 pounds) of suspected fentanyl, including thousands of fentanyl pills, and more than 29 kilograms (over 45 pounds) of suspected methamphetamine in an apartment in the University Heights neighborhood of the Bronx...
PRESS RELEASE

La Oficina De Envigado Member Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Role in Drug Trafficking Conspiracy Tied to Medellin Cartel

BOSTON – A Colombian man has been sentenced in federal court in Boston for his role in a drug trafficking, money laundering and extortion conspiracy connected to organized crime in the Republic of Colombia. Fabio Yepes Sanchez, 57, of Medellín, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin...
PRESS RELEASE

Former Employee of San Francisco Money Services Business Charged with Conspiring to Launder Drug Proceeds

SAN FRANCISCO – The United States Attorney’s Office has charged Yessenia Margarita Barrientos-Lainez—a former employee of a money services business in the Tenderloin district—with conspiring to launder drug proceeds by wiring large sums of money abroad for a known drug trafficker in the San Francisco Bay Area, announced United States...
PRESS RELEASE

Bank Insider Charged with Accepting Brides to Facilitate Millions of Dollars of Money Laundering

NEWARK, NJ. – A New Jersey-based employee of an international financial institution was arrested today for accepting bribes to facilitate millions of dollars of money laundering, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) New Jersey Field Division Cheryl Ortiz U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced. Oscar Marcelo...
PRESS RELEASE

DEA El Paso to Host Family Summit

WHEN: Thursday, November 9 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. MST. WHERE: Hope City Community Church, 6115 Woodrow Bean, El Paso, TX 79924 WHAT: Summit for New Mexico and West Texas families who have suffered the terrible loss of a loved one to fentanyl or other illicit substances WHO: DEA...
PRESS RELEASE

New Jersey Man Admits to Conspiring with India-Based Company to Mail Illicit Pharmaceutical Meds to U.S.

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A New Jersey man admitted guilt in a U.S. District courtroom in southern Illinois Tuesday to acting as a middleman between an India-based pharmaceutical distribution company and customers in the United States. Moises A. Sanabria, 32, of Bloomfield, New Jersey, pled guilty to one count...