TUCSON, Ariz. – Armando Puentes-Melendez, 38, of Mexico, was sentenced on April 24, 2025, by United States District Judge Scott H. Rash to 60 months in prison. Puentes-Melendez previously pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine. On January 18, 2024, law enforcement agents intercepted a drug transaction involving over 100...

LAREDO, Texas – Two people from Central America have been sentenced for drug trafficking in the United States, announced Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Acting Special Agent in Charge William Kimbell of the Houston Division and U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. Sanmy Elieser Gonzalez, 35, Honduras, and Iris Graciela Hernandez-Castaneda, 34...

DEA was involved in a shooting last night during a drug-related investigation as noted by the Calhoun Police Department. We can confirm our agents, and the officers involved were uninjured. We take violence against our agents and partners extremely seriously. The matter is under investigation, and therefore we will not...

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – FULGENCIO CARDENAS-RIVERA (“CARDENAS-RIVERA”), age 35, a resident of Houston, Texas, pled guilty on April 15, 2025, before United States District Judge Brandon S. Long to possession, with intent to distribute, five hundred (500) grams or more of cocaine, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson. According...

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – An indictment charging 14 defendants in a drug trafficking conspiracy involving fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, and heroin was unsealed today. Eight of the defendants were arrested today and five defendants were already in custody on other offenses, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona. A 59-count indictment filed...

Laredo- A 36-year-old resident of Guadalupe, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, has been charged with trafficking more than 12 kilograms of cocaine and nearly five kilograms of heroin and conspiracy to do so, announced Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Acting Special Agent in Charge William Kimbell of the Houston Division and U.S. Attorney...

TUCSON, Ariz. – Adrian Lopez-Aparicio, 40, of Mexico, was sentenced on April 24, 2025, by United States District Judge Scott H. Rash to 41 months in prison. Lopez-Aparicio previously pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. On October 3, 2024, Lopez-Aparicio was found in possession...

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Timario Gayton, 33 and Quonzy Hope, 36, both of Rock Hill, were each sentenced to 15 years in federal after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. Evidence presented to the court showed that in August 2022, Hope...

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that on April 15, 2025, TRAVIS ENCLADE (“ENCLADE”), age 43, was sentenced to 288 months' imprisonment after previously being found guilty of conspiring to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, 40 grams...

HOUSTON – A civil complaint has been filed seeking monetary penalties against a local pharmacy and its owners following an investigation revealing numerous fraudulent controlled substance prescriptions, announced Acting Special Agent in Charge William Kimbell of the Houston Division and U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. The complaint seeks civil monetary...