WASHINGTON - The Drug Enforcement (DEA) announced several marijuana- related actions, including actions regarding scientific research and scheduling of marijuana, as well as principles on the cultivation of industrial hemp under the Agricultural Act of 2014. DEA Publishes Responses to Two Pending Petitions to Reschedule Marijuana - DEA has denied...

LAREDO, Texas - A total of 11 people are in custody following an enforcement operation in two separate, but related cases involving a heroin trafficking conspiracy, announced Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Joseph M. Arabit, Houston Division and U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson. Those arrested include Alejandro Escobar-Becerra, 35...

HOUSTON, Texas - A federal jury has returned guilty verdicts on all 19 counts as charged against a Houston doctor for distributing oxycodone and hydrocodone, announced Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Joseph M. Arabit, Houston Division and U.S. Atttorney Kenneth Magidson. The jury deliberated for approximately eight hours...

SAN ANTONIO - This afternoon, 45-year-old Mexican National Mauricio Sanchez-Garza made his initial appearance in federal court following his extradition from Mexico yesterday. Sanchez is charged by two federal grand jury indictments in the Western District of Texas with laundering drug distribution proceeds and committing extortion in a scheme involving...

AUSTIN - This morning, federal, state and local authorities arrested nine individuals in the Austin area, including ringleaders Xavier (aka “Javi”) and Eulalio (aka “Chico”), for conspiring to distribute heroin announced Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Joseph M. Arabit, Houston Division and United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin...

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - A 38-year-old resident of Mission has been ordered to prison for 120 months following his conviction of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced Drug Enforcement (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Joseph M. Arabit, Houston Division and U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson. Jose Manuel Ochoa pleaded guilty...

WASHINGTON - Hundreds of thousands of counterfeit prescription pills, many containing deadly amounts of fentanyl and fentanyl-related compounds, have made their way into the U.S. drug market, according to a DEA intelligence report released today. Law enforcement nationwide report higher fentanyl availability, seizures, and known overdose deaths than at any...

SAN ANTONIO - A federal jury convicted a high ranking member and a (“hitman”) for the Los Zetas drug cartel, of conspiring to commit numerous murders and other acts of violence in Northern Mexico in furtherance of a drug distribution operation announced United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr.; Drug...

McALLEN, Texas - A jury has found a former Drug Enforcement (DEA) task force officer/Mission Police Department investigator guilty of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, announced Drug Enforcement (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Joseph M. Arabit, Houston Division and U.S. Attorney...

WASHINGTON - The United States Drug Enforcement (DEA) released the 2016 National Heroin Threat Assessment Summary - (NHTA) today. The report outlines the expanding public health crisis afflicting America due to the use and abuse of heroin and other opioid drugs. Some key facts: The number of people reporting current...