Anchorage, Alaska – Today the United States Drug Enforcement Administration launched a new comprehensive law enforcement and prevention initiative aimed at reducing drug use, abuse, and overdose deaths. “Operation Engage” allows participating field divisions to focus on the biggest drug threat and resulting violence in their respective geographic areas. The...

SPOKANE, Wash., - Today, Todd Earl Bridges, age 38, a resident of Spokane, Washington, was sentenced to 180 month term of imprisonment for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual (pure) methamphetamine. United States District Judge Rosanna Malouf Peterson also ordered a 5 year term of...

TAMPA, Fla. - Vistapharm, Inc. has agreed to pay the United States $325,000 to resolve allegations that Vistapharm violated the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) by failing to maintain records required by the CSA. In addition to paying a civil penalty, Vistapharm has agreed to sign separately a Memorandum of Agreement...

ORLANDO, Fla. - Antonio Walthour (28, Clarksville, TN) was sentenced to three years and six months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. Walthour pleaded guilty on January 16, 2020. According to court documents, this investigation began in February 2016 in response to a fatal drug overdose occurring...

KENNEWICK, Wash., -- Frank A. Tarentino, Special Agent in Charge of the Seattle Field Division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and William D. Hyslop, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington presented the Tri-City Metro Drug Task Force with $132,876 in asset forfeiture equitable sharing funds. Kennewick...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Armando Arizmendi-Garcia, 24, Bianey Gonzalez-Arizmendi, 28, and Oscar Daniel Martinez-Nunez, 21, have been charged with conspiring to distribute over 30 pounds of crystal methamphetamine. The three defendants are Mexican nationals. Two of the defendants made their initial appearances today in federal magistrate court in West...

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Bryron Shontell McFadden, 41 and Roberta Ruth Sielak, 30, of Utqiagvik, Alaska, were indicted on drug trafficking charges, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and attempt to possess controlled substances with intent to distribute. The criminal complaint alleges that on or about January 12, 2021, U.S. Postal Inspectors...

SPOKANE, Wash., - Joshua Isaac Stine, age 34, a resident of Ephrata, Washington, was sentenced today by Senior United States District Court Judge Wm. Fremming Nielsen to a 240 month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a 10 year term of court supervision after he is released from federal...

SEATTLE - A 22-year-old Mount Vernon, Washington, woman pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. Rosaliana Lopez-Rodriguez sold counterfeit oxycodone pills tainted with fentanyl in Skagit and Whatcom Counties. The pills are connected to at least two overdoses, including the overdose death of...

PANAMA CITY, Fla. - Gerry F. Carter, 34, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced yesterday to a total of 30 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to drug trafficking and weapons charges stemming from an organization that distributed methamphetamine in North Florida. “Drug traffickers have one thing in common: They...