WASHINGTON – The United States Drug Enforcement Administration launched its annual Red Ribbon Campaign – the nation’s largest drug prevention effort – on October 23 to unite communities across the country in the shared goal of preventing drug use and addiction. This year’s theme, “Celebrate Life. Live Drug Free,” reminds...

SAN DIEGO - The United States Attorney’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations today announced the creation of, and first case brought by, the newly formed Fentanyl Abatement and Suppression Team in partnership with the District Attorney’s Office, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Federal Bureau...

WASHINGTON – Yesterday, DEA and the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor for the City of New York announced a significant seizure of fentanyl. Two individuals in New York have been charged following the seizure of approximately 300,000 rainbow fentanyl pills, 20 pounds of fentanyl in white and blue powder...

SAN DIEGO - Victor Hugo Anez Vaca Diez, aka Chi Chi, alleged leader of a large-scale transnational criminal organization, was arraigned in federal court yesterday following his extradition to the United States from Argentina. On August 18, 2017, a federal grand jury sitting in the Southern District of California returned...

SAN DIEGO - A jury convicted Nameer Mohammad Atta yesterday in federal court of distributing the fentanyl that led to the fatal overdose of an active-duty lance corporal in the United States Marine Corps on May 21, 2020. According to evidence presented at trial, Atta sold fake “M30” pills containing...

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration today announced the results of an enforcement operation that spanned from May to September and resulted in significant fentanyl seizures across the United States. As part of the One Pill Can Kill initiative, the DEA and its law enforcement partners seized more than...

SAN DIEGO - Anthony Souza of Ocean Beach was sentenced in federal court today to 12.5 years for conspiracy to distribute 400 grams and more of fentanyl. Souza’s distribution of fentanyl resulted in the fatal overdose of 28-year-old Chad Stevens, also of Ocean Beach. According to his plea agreement, Souza...

WASHINGTON - On Friday, September 9, 2022, the Drug Enforcement Administration dedicated a memorial at DEA Headquarters in Arlington, Virginia to DEA New York Drug Enforcement Task Force Officers who have lost their lives from illness or disease caused by their work at Ground Zero after the terrorist attacks of...

SAN DIEGO – An indictment was unsealed in federal court today charging 10 alleged members of an Imperial Valley-based methamphetamine distribution network with drug trafficking and money laundering offenses. In addition, three more related defendants were charged today via complaint with drug trafficking offenses. In a coordinated multi-state takedown that...

WASHINGTON – The Drug Enforcement Administration is advising the public of an alarming emerging trend of colorful fentanyl available across the United States. Since August 2022, DEA and our law enforcement partners seized brightly-colored fentanyl and fentanyl pills in 26 states. Dubbed “rainbow fentanyl” in the media, this trend appears...