WASHINGTON – During the unprecedented health emergency caused by the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the health and safety of our communities is DEA’s top priority. DEA is responding appropriately to ensure Americans continue to have access to necessary medications and controlled substances. DEA’s efforts include supporting prescribing practices that limit...

PORTLAND, Ore.—The leader of a Salem-area drug distribution network was sentenced on March 11, 2020, to federal prison for his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine in and around Salem, Oregon. Isaias Alvarado, 38, a Mexican citizen residing in Salem, was sentenced to 120 months in federal...

SEATTLE – A Bothell, Washington, man is charged in an eight-count complaint for operating an illegal money exchange business involving bitcoin. Kenneth Warren Rhule, 26, made his initial appearance on the criminal complaint in U.S. District Court in Seattle on March 10, 2020. Rhule is charged with conducting an unlicensed...

WASHINGTON – The Justice Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration today announced the results of Project Python, a DEA-led interagency operation encompassing all global investigations and related disruption activities targeting the Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG). This announcement marks the successful conclusion of six months of investigative and enforcement...

SEATTLE - The head of a drug distribution ring who was convicted at trial of drug and gun crimes was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to15 years in prison, announced U.S. Attorney Brian T. Moran. Rhett Irons, 41, of Lynnwood, Washington was convicted on December 12, 2019...

WASHINGTON – A dual U.S.-Mexican citizen had her initial appearance in federal court in the District of Columbia Wednesday on charges related to her alleged involvement in five business entities designated by the Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) as providing material support to the international narcotics...

WASHINGTON – The Drug Enforcement Administration today announced an important step to improve access to medication assisted treatment, especially in rural areas where those suffering with opioid use disorder may have limited treatment options. “Thankfully, prescription opioid overdose deaths have declined more than 13 percent, but thousands of Americans still...

WASHINGTON – Drug Enforcement Administration Acting Administrator Uttam Dhillon today announced that the DEA will direct enforcement resources to methamphetamine “transportation hubs” — areas where methamphetamine is often trafficked in bulk and then distributed across the country. While continuing to focus on stopping drugs being smuggled across the border, DEA’s...

SEATTLE - Drug Enforcement Administration Acting Administrator Uttam Dhillon today announced that the DEA will direct enforcement resources to methamphetamine “transportation hubs” — areas where methamphetamine is often trafficked in bulk and then distributed across the country. While continuing to focus on stopping drugs being smuggled across the border, DEA’s...

The DEA is grateful for the President’s leadership on this issue as we continue our fight to combat the nation’s opioid epidemic. This legislation is critical to DEA’s mission - to keep Americans safe by keeping these dangerous drugs off the streets. We look forward to working with our partners...