NEW YORK – United States Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) New York Division Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino III, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton, and New York City Police Department (“NYPD”) Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch, announced today the unsealing of charges against...

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Last week, John Avendano, 21, of Phoenix, Arizona, was charged by federal criminal complaint in Phoenix, Arizona with Possession with the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. According to the complaint, on September 22, a Task Force Officer with the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) East Valley Drug Enforcement Task...

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Thirteen people have been charged and arrested for their roles in a New York City-based drug trafficking ring, with federal agents seizing nearly 500 kilos of cocaine. The announcement was made by Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge, New York Division, Drug Enforcement Administration...

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Jefferson Alejandro Lopez Alcaraz, 45, of Phoenix, was sentenced on February 13, 2025, by United States District Judge John T. Tuchi to 180 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release, to run consecutive to the 60-month sentence Lopez Alcaraz is currently serving in CR-21-00451-TUC-JCH...

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Miguel Angel Gaytan-Ramirez, 34, an undocumented Mexican National living in Phoenix, was sentenced last week by United States District Judge Diane J. Humetewa to 151 months, followed by three years supervised release. Gaytan-Ramirez pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl on November 5...

A long-term wiretap investigation resulted in the arrest of a Brooklyn man and netted over 39 kilograms (more than 85 pounds) of cocaine and fentanyl, eight loaded firearms, and approximately $420,000 cash from the defendant’s car, which was parked outside of a residential building he owns at 151 Leonard Street...

As part of an ongoing investigation into fentanyl/heroin trafficking in New York City, federal, state and local law enforcement officers recovered over 13 pounds of drug mixtures, including fentanyl, heroin, xylazine, methamphetamine, and cocaine, from inside a packaging mill. The drugs are estimated to carry a street value of over...

NEWARK, N.J. – A Columbian citizen admitted conspiring to import 15 kilograms of cocaine into the United States from Columbia, DEA New York Division Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino, and U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced. Savier Cervantes, 37, of Cartagena, Colombia, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Evelyn...

A long-term undercover investigation resulted in the arrest of a New Jersey man in connection with sales of eight guns, cocaine and “pink cocaine” in locations across Manhattan. Laboratory analysis of the “pink cocaine,” also known by the street name “tusi,” indicated the presence of ketamine and MDMA. Bridget G...

A cache of more than 12 kilograms (25 pounds) of suspected fentanyl and cocaine and $100,000 were recovered after members of the U.S. Marshals NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force executed an unrelated arrest warrant at a residence in Spuyten Duyvil in the Bronx. When officers with the Fugitive Task Force...