United States Drug Enforcement Administration

OAKLAND, Calif. – Jose Luis Garcia, the co-owner of Envios Express, a money transmitting business in Oakland, was sentenced this week to 12 months in federal prison. The Honorable Haywood S. Gilliam, Jr., United States District Judge, handed down the sentence on Jan. 15, 2025. Garcia, 57, of Oakland, was...

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Yvette Porras-Ochoa, 42, of Wittmann, was sentenced last week by United States District Judge Steven P. Logan to 180 months in prison. Porras-Ochoa pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute 50 grams or more of Cocaine, Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Prescription...

A long-term wiretap investigation resulted in the arrest of a Brooklyn man and netted over 39 kilograms (more than 85 pounds) of cocaine and fentanyl, eight loaded firearms, and approximately $420,000 cash from the defendant’s car, which was parked outside of a residential building he owns at 151 Leonard Street...

BOSTON – A Lebanese man has been sentenced for his for his participation in a money laundering conspiracy. Andres Rached Farah, 55, a Lebanese citizen who resided in Colombia, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to 52 months in prison. In August 2024, Farah pleaded guilty...

BOSTON – A member of a nationwide drug trafficking ring was sentenced on Oct. 25, 2024, in federal court in Boston for drug trafficking and money laundering. During the investigation, over 160 pounds of pure methamphetamine, as well as an AK-47, a Glock with no serial number, two loaded Smith...

Baltimore, Maryland – Erek L. Barron, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland and Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Division, announced that their agencies have formed the Maryland Fatal Fentanyl Overdose Task Force (“MFFOTF”). The alarming rate of overdoses in Maryland has...

WHEN: Thursday October 24 at 10 a.m. MST. WHERE: Federal Justice Building, DEA Training Room Second Floor, 660 S. Mesa Hills Dr., El Paso TX 79912 WHAT: DEA Special Agent in Charge Towanda R. Thorne-James will discuss why the star on the mountain will shine red October 23-31. WHO: DEA...

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- National Red Ribbon Week, the nation’s longest-running drug prevention program, kicks off today, Wednesday, October 23rd. To mark the occasion, Louisville’s Big Four Bridge will be illuminated in red lights this evening. “The Drug Enforcement Administration would like to thank the Waterfront Development Corporation for helping us...

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Rose Esquilin Rios (34, Winter Haven) with conspiracy to commit wire fraud. If convicted, Esquilin Rios faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Esquilin Rios that the...

OMAHA, Neb. – The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Omaha Division will join with millions of Americans October 23, to kick off Red Ribbon Week, the nation’s oldest and largest drug misuse prevention awareness program. Over the course of nine days, members of DEA will provide drug education presentations to communities...