PHOENIX - DEA led multiple enforcement operations in Tucson and the surrounding area this morning as part of a long-term federal investigation involving the sales and distribution of synthetic cannabinoids, aka “spice.” DEA coordinated the service of 32 federal search warrants in Tucson, Arizona; Denver, Colorado and Long Beach, California...

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...

PHOENIX - DEA Special Agent in Charge Doug Coleman and Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced the indictment of Dr. Harinder Kumar Takyar following a 42-count indictment by a state grand jury alleging Dr. Takyar prescribed controlled substances with no medical necessity and provided compensation for the referral of patients to...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

PHOENIX - DEA announced today the sentencing of Robert South to over five years in prison after pleading guilty to drug and money laundering charges stemming from his role as the head of a steroid trafficking organization based in Phoenix, Arizona. South used underground laboratories in Phoenix to convert raw...