SAN FRANCISCO — As synthetic drugs continue to evolve and threaten American lives, DEA chemists and forensic science professionals play an essential role in helping the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration identify emerging threats, connect evidence to investigations, and provide timely information that can save lives. From analyzing suspected fentanyl and...

WICHITA, KAN. – A Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) operation led to the dismantling of a drug trafficking ring in Kansas operated on behalf of a Mexican drug cartel. Ringleader, Euriel Talavera, 32, of Wichita and 14 other defendants pleaded guilty to criminal charges following a multi-agency investigation which included...

Pensacola, Fla. – Dr. Twan Phanijphand, M.D., a gastroenterologist located in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., agreed to pay $300,000 to resolve allegations that he unlawfully prescribed opioids and other controlled substances in violation of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). As part of the settlement, Dr. Phanijphand also agreed to not...

FRESNO, Calif. — Three individuals were charged today following a multi‑agency investigation that dismantled a clandestine methamphetamine conversion laboratory in Terra Bella, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Bob P. Beris announced. Jose Diarte-Perez, 46, and Carlos Beltran-Ochoa, 27, both from Mexico and illegally...

CHICAGO — A woman has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for using information stolen from physicians to fraudulently write opioid prescriptions. AMANI IBRAHIM fraudulently caused prescriptions for oxycodone, hydrocodone, and other controlled substances to be issued under the names of real medical providers and often in the...

BOSTON – A Pittsfield pharmacist has been charged in federal court in Boston with allegedly diverting Adderall and Dextroamp-amphetamin (generic Adderall) from a national pharmacy chain. Joshua Bradley, 30, of Pittsfield, was charged with five counts of acquiring a controlled substance by fraud, deception and subterfuge. The defendant will make...

DETROIT – As students return to school, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Detroit Field Division is reminding communities in its area of responsibility in Michigan, Ohio and northern Kentucky, about the hidden threat of drug trafficking through social media platforms, while also encouraging families to have conversations about the potentially...

EL PASO - A Mexican national, Luis Carlos Davalos-Lopez, 29, pleaded guilty today in El Paso, Texas, to conspiracy to bring in aliens to the United States. According to court documents, Davalos-Lopez conspired with others to smuggle migrants through an underground tunnel from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, to El Paso, Texas...

Washington, D.C. — The Justice Department, together with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), today announced a $50 million settlement with Walmart Inc. (Walmart) to resolve allegations that Walmart pharmacies illegally filled thousands of invalid prescriptions for opioids and other controlled substances in violation of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). “This...

NEWARK, N.J. - Special Agent in Charge of the DEA's New Jersey Field Division Towanda R. Thorne-James, New York City's Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennan, New York City Police Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, New Jersey State Police Acting Superintendent Jeanne Hengemuhle, and Port Authority...