WASHINGTON - DEA Special Agent Joseph Piersante today became the first-ever member of DEA to receive the Secretary of Defense Medal for the Defense of Freedom - . Piersante was struck by enemy gun fire while on a counter-terrorism and narcotics mission in Afghanistan in 2011. The Defense of Freedom...

PHOENIX - DEA special agents and Casa Grande Police detectives arrest a spice manufacturer and distributor known for the local spice brand “Headrush.” Over 500 pounds of the synthetic cannabinoid was seized after detectives purchased 1000 packets of the illicit product during an undercover operation in Casa Grande. DEA agents...

WASHINGTON - The United States Drug Enforcement (DEA) today issued a nationwide alert about the dangers of fentanyl and fentanyl analogues/compounds. Fentanyl is commonly laced in heroin, causing significant problems across the country, particularly as heroin abuse has increased. This alert was issued through the multi-agency El Paso Intelligence (EPIC)...

PHOENIX - DEA Special Agents and Tempe Police Narcotics Detectives working as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task (OCDETF) Strike Force, and in partnership with the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, recently completed a 30-month investigation resulting in the dismantling and ‘take down’ of an extensive drug trafficking network...

WASHINGTON - DEA Administrator Michele M. Leonhart today issued the following statement on the arrest in Mexico of Zetas leader Omar Trevino Morales: "The Drug Enforcement Administration proudly congratulates the Government of Mexico and their leadership in the arrest of Omar Trevino Morales, head of the Zetas cartel. The Zetas...

WASHINGTON - DEA Administrator Michele M. Leonhart today issued the following statement in response to the capture of Knights Templar Cartel Leader Servando Gomez-Martinez, a.k.a. “La Tuta” by the Mexican Federal Police: "The arrest of Servando Gomez-Martinez, a.k.a. "La Tuta," is another win for Mexico in the fight against brutal...

TUCSON, Ariz. - Joel Sesma-Garcia, 40, was sentenced on February 10, 2015, and Gerald Fidel Herrera, 41, was sentenced on Jan. 30, 2015, by U.S. District Judge Jennifer G. Zipps to 25 years and 15 years imprisonment, respectively, for their roles in a cocaine distribution ring that operated from 2008...

PHOENIX - Drug Enforcement (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Doug Coleman announced the conclusion of Operation Bad Mussels - with the sentencing of the remaining defendants indicted for their participation in one of the largest steroid enforcement investigations in Arizona. During the investigation, DEA’s Tactical Diversion (TDS) identified members who...

PHOENIX - On January 13, 2015 a special TV report on the growing perils of heroin and opioid use in Arizona will broadcast simultaneously and commercial-free on 32 TV Stations in Phoenix, Tucson and Yuma and most of the state’s radio stations. The air time will be 6:30 p.m. (MST)...

WASHINGTON - DEA Deputy Administrator Thomas Harrigan and Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York today announced that Michael Filter was extradited from Estonia where he had been arrested for conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States and conspiracy to distribute cocaine on...