DEA Archived Press Releases

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

DEA Reveals Criminal Drug Networks Are Flooding the U.S. with Deadly Fentanyl

NEWARK, N.J. – As U.S. overdose deaths reach a devastating new height, claiming a new victim every five minutes, the Drug Enforcement Administration has revealed a direct link between fentanyl-related overdose deaths and criminal drug networks in Mexico. These groups are harnessing social media platforms to bring drugs laced with...
PRESS RELEASE

DEA Reveals Criminal Drug Networks Are Flooding the U.S. with Deadly Fentanyl

Washington, D.C. - As U.S. overdose deaths reach a devastating new height, claiming a new victim every five minutes, the Drug Enforcement Administration has revealed a direct link between fentanyl-related overdose deaths and criminal drug networks in Mexico. These groups are harnessing social media platforms to bring drugs laced with...
PRESS RELEASE

International Drug Trafficking Organization Member Sentenced for Trafficking Over a Thousand Kilograms of Cocaine

RICHMOND, Va. – A Guatemalan national was sentenced today to 172 months in prison for his role as a maritime transportation manager in a large-scale Guatemalan drug trafficking organization (DTO). According to court documents, beginning in 2016, Amilcar Chavez-Barrera, 42, conspired to distribute over 1,000 kilograms of cocaine for distribution...
PRESS RELEASE

DEA, HIDTA, and 18th Judicial District Announce Takedown of Colorado Based Fentanyl and Methamphetamine Drug Trafficking Organization

DENVER – Today, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Denver Field Division, alongside Rocky Mountain HIDTA and the 18th Judicial District, announced the indictment of 19 individuals and arrest of 10 individuals as a part of an investigation into a poly-drug trafficking organization operating in the greater Denver area of Colorado. In...
PRESS RELEASE

Two MS-13 Leaders Convicted of Racketeering Conspiracy and Conspiring to Commit Multiple Murders

Greenbelt, Md., – A federal jury convicted El Salvadorian nationals Junior Noe Alvarado-Requeno, a/k/a “Insolente” and “Trankilo,” age 24, of Landover, Maryland, and Miguel Angel Corea Diaz, a/k/a “Reaper,” age 41, of Long Branch, New Jersey yesterday for conspiring to participate in La Mara Salvatrucha, a transnational criminal enterprise also...
PRESS RELEASE

Red Ribbon Week Education Reaches Thousands Across the Midwest

OMAHA, Neb. -- Investigators with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Omaha Division reached thousands of individuals with messages of drug prevention and safety during annual Red Ribbon Week celebrations that began October 23. In addition to in-person presentations, 15 landmarks across the five-state division were lit with red lights, three...
PRESS RELEASE

DEA Kicks Off Annual Red Ribbon Campaign

WASHINGTON – The United States Drug Enforcement Administration kicked off its annual Red Ribbon Campaign, the nation’s largest drug prevention effort, on October 23. “Learning about the dangers of drugs, and talking about this with family and friends, reduces drug use, drug misuse, and addiction—especially for young people,” said DEA...
PRESS RELEASE

Landmarks Across Five State DEA Division Light Red for Red Ribbon Week

OMAHA, Neb.– The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is kicking off Red Ribbon Week, Saturday, October 23, with 15 landmarks across the five state Omaha Division lighting up red to recognize the nation’s oldest and largest drug misuse prevention awareness program. Red Ribbon Week began following the death of DEA Special...
PRESS RELEASE

Iconic Chicago Buildings to Light Up Red for DEA’s Red Ribbon Week

CHICAGO – As part of a pledge to live drug free, several iconic buildings visible along the Chicago skyline, including Willis Tower, Blue Cross Blue Shield Tower, Prudential Plaza and 875 North Michigan will illuminate red lighting and display messaging in support of Red Ribbon Week on Saturday, Oct. 23...
PRESS RELEASE

25th Operation High Tide Defendant Sentenced for Drug and Gun Crimes

NORFOLK, Va. – A Portsmouth man, who was the 25th defendant associated with Operation High Tide, was sentenced today for his role in trafficking firearms and selling heroin. According to court documents, in 2017, Shon E. Melton, 32, of Portsmouth, was attributed with trafficking 19 firearms, including a concealable short...