drug trafficking
60 stories related to this topic, newest first.
thehindu.comU.S. Military Strikes Vessel Linked to Narco-Trafficking Terrorist Group in Eastern Pacific, Killing Three
The attack on May 31, 2026, marks the fourth announced this week. The death toll from strikes that began in early September now stands at 205.
france24.comColombians Vote in Presidential Election Expected to Reach June Runoff
Millions of Colombians cast ballots Sunday in a presidential election that polls indicate will advance to a June 21 runoff. Three candidates lead the field ahead of the first-round vote.
winnipegfreepress.comFARC Dissidents Resume Armed Conflict in Colombia’s Catatumbo Region
Al Jazeera reported that a rebel FARC faction says it returned to war after a historic peace deal failed to deliver security and social change. The group is fighting rivals for control of territory and drug trafficking routes in the Catatumbo region.
france24.comColombians Vote Sunday in Presidential Election Expected to Reach June Runoff
Voters will choose among 14 candidates on May 31. No candidate is projected to reach the 50 percent threshold needed to win outright, making a June 21 runoff between the top two finishers nearly certain.
globalresearch.caMissoula Man Receives 55-Month Sentence for Methamphetamine and Fentanyl Trafficking
A Missoula man who brought methamphetamine and fentanyl from Washington state into Montana was sentenced to 55 months in federal prison. The term triggers three years of supervised release and closes one link in the regional supply chain that supplies both urban and rural markets…
foxnews.comCambridge Man Sentenced to 13 Years for Large-Scale Fentanyl and Meth Counterfeit Pill Operation
A federal judge in Boston sentenced a Cambridge, Massachusetts, man to 13 years in prison for manufacturing and distributing counterfeit pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine. The sentence concludes a case that exposed direct procurement of precursor chemicals from suppli…
U.S. Military Strikes on Suspected Drug Boats Continue After Nine Months
The Trump administration has conducted dozens of attacks on small boats off South America, killing nearly 200 people. Researchers tracking street prices, overdose deaths, purity levels and border seizures report no measurable drop in cocaine availability inside the United States.
uctoday.comU.S. Designates Two Brazilian Gangs as Foreign Terrorist Organizations
The United States has added Brazil's two largest drug trafficking organizations to its list of foreign terrorist groups. The designation applies the same approach previously used against certain Mexican cartels.
foxnews.comU.S. Military Interdicts Suspected Drug Vessel in International Waters, Kills One
A U.S. military strike hit a vessel officials described as involved in drug trafficking, killing one person and leaving two survivors at sea. The strike marked the 58th such action against boats accused of smuggling.
winnipegfreepress.comMexican authorities arrest suspect linked to drug trafficking network
Security officials in Mexico detained a man identified only as Isai "N" in Sonora state. The arrest occurred Tuesday during coordinated operations that also yielded weapons and narcotics at a separate site.
rediff.comSuspected Drug Trafficker Arrested After Florida Plane Crash
A man deported from the U.S. more than a decade ago survived a plane crash off Florida and was later arrested. Federal agents allege he carried cash in a bag labeled with a Bahamian politician's name and discussed a large cocaine shipment.
Fox NewsU.S. and China Leaders Meet as Summit Raises Questions on Commitments
U.S. and Chinese officials held a summit last week. The White House released a fact sheet on Sunday outlining commitments from Beijing. The meeting occurred amid ongoing issues including drug trafficking and regional tensions.
usmagazine.comUK Authorities Seize Cocaine Hidden in Skims Shipment from Netherlands
British officials intercepted a truck carrying 90 kilograms of cocaine concealed inside a clothing shipment from the Netherlands. The shipment was labeled as Skims apparel. The brand had no involvement in the incident.
nbcnews.comFederal Prosecutors Open New Criminal Probe Into Former Venezuelan Leader
Federal prosecutors in Miami opened a new criminal investigation targeting detained former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. The probe follows concerns that existing charges against him are weak. The investigation was assigned to a Miami-based prosecutor with support from multipl…
nypost.comPolish Truck Driver Sentenced to 13 Years for Cocaine Hidden in Skims Shipment
A Polish truck driver received a 13-year prison sentence after British authorities found 198 pounds of cocaine concealed in a shipment of Skims clothing. The legitimate cargo originated in the Netherlands and was bound for the United Kingdom.
mexiconewsdaily.comTwo Former Sinaloa Officials Surrender to U.S. Authorities on Cartel Charges
Two former Sinaloa state officials surrendered to U.S. authorities last week on charges of ties to the Sinaloa cartel. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum denied links between her government and organized crime while resisting extradition requests.
upi.comFormer Sinaloa State Security Chief Arrested in Arizona on U.S. Bribery Charges
A former Sinaloa state security chief accused by U.S. authorities of accepting bribes from drug-cartel leaders was arrested in Arizona this week. The case has affected diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Mexico. The arrest occurred days after the charges were made public.
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewJustice Department Directs Prosecutors to Use Terrorism Laws in Drug Cases Against Mexican Officials
The Justice Department has instructed federal prosecutors to build criminal drug cases against Mexican officials by applying terrorism statutes. The move represents a new tactic in efforts to combat drug trafficking. Officials said the approach aims to strengthen legal tools avai…
foxnews.comHighest-Ranking Tren de Aragua Member Extradited to U.S. on Drug Conspiracy Charges
Jose Enrique Martinez Flores, accused of leading criminal operations for the Venezuelan gang designated a foreign terrorist organization in 2025, arrived in Houston on Thursday after Colombia transferred him at U.S. request. FBI Director Kash Patel called the extradition history…
nypost.comTallahassee Drug Trafficker Pleads Guilty to Cocaine and Methamphetamine Distribution
Tedrick Childs, 46, of Tallahassee, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court on May 15, 2026 to one count of distribution of cocaine and one count of distribution of methamphetamine. The plea triggers a mandatory minimum sentence calculation and removes the case from trial docket…
en.antaranews.comWaterbury Man Charged With Drug Trafficking and Firearm Offenses After Brattleboro Arrest
A federal grand jury indicted Matthew L. Lawrence, 37, of Waterbury, Vermont, on charges of cocaine and fentanyl distribution plus possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. The charges trigger mandatory minimum sentences and require Lawrence to appear in U.S. Di…
nypost.comOhio cocaine seizures surpass 700 pounds in Homeland Security task force probe
Investigators seized an additional 244 kilograms of suspected cocaine this week from two Southwest Ohio relatives already in custody. The total haul now exceeds 700 pounds with an estimated street value of $5.8 million.
foxnews.comTennessee Man Receives 17-Year Sentence for Selling Over 50 Grams of Methamphetamine
John David Forrest, 36, of McKenzie, Tennessee, was sentenced to 17 years in federal prison after selling methamphetamine to confidential informants on multiple occasions in spring 2024. The term triggers mandatory supervised release and removes one distributor from western Tenne…
deadline.comGreer Man Receives 12.5 Years in Federal Prison for Cocaine Trafficking
Gerald Larson II, 52, of Greer, South Carolina, received a sentence of more than 12 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine. The conviction triggers mandatory federal sentencing guidelines that now require the Bureau of Prison…
upi.comU.S. Grand Jury Adds Meth Trafficking and Money Laundering Charges Against Alleged Jalisco Cartel Leader Audias Flores Silva
A federal grand jury added methamphetamine trafficking and money laundering conspiracy charges against Audias Flores Silva, 45, known as El Jardinero, who was arrested April 27 in Nayarit after El Mencho's death. Mexican Navy special forces captured him hiding in a roadside ditch…
foxnews.comTren de Aragua Leader Extradited to Face Terrorism and Drug Charges in Houston
A 24-year-old Venezuelan national linked to the Tren de Aragua gang arrived in the United States after extradition on charges of providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization and international drug distribution. The case triggers federal proceedings in Houston th…
Honduran National Sentenced to 49 Months for Smuggling 23 Migrants and Cocaine
A federal judge sentenced extradited Honduran national Jairo Josue Martinez-Ramos to over four years in prison for his role in an international conspiracy that moved 23 illegal aliens and multiple kilograms of cocaine into the United States. The conviction adds one more completed…
benzinga.comHonduran National Sentenced to 49 Months for Smuggling 23 Migrants and Cocaine into US
A federal judge sentenced extradited Honduran national Jairo Josue Martinez-Ramos to more than four years in prison for his role in an international conspiracy that moved 23 illegal aliens and multiple kilograms of cocaine into the United States. The case triggers continued enfor…
thecanary.coBangor Man Receives Six Years in Prison for Drug Trafficking
Bradley Bellfleur, 33, was sentenced in federal court to six years in prison followed by five years of supervised release. The sentence triggers standard federal post-conviction requirements including potential asset forfeiture and entry into the Bureau of Prisons system.
680news.comMadison Man Receives Over 8 Years for Drug Trafficking and Gun Possession
A federal judge sentenced a Madison man to 97 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to distributing methamphetamine and possessing a firearm as a felon. The sentence triggers mandatory supervised release and asset forfeiture that closes a local trafficking operation previously…
foxnews.comMaryland Man Receives 70 Months for Role in Multi-Kilogram Cocaine Distribution Network
Marcus Devonta Williams, 47, of Brookeville, Maryland, received a 70-month prison sentence in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C. on May 14, 2026 for acting as the Washington metropolitan area distributor in a cocaine trafficking conspiracy. The sentence concludes one defenda…
foxnews.comMinnesota Man Convicted in Methamphetamine and Cocaine Trafficking Conspiracy
A federal jury in Minnesota convicted one defendant of participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine. The conviction triggers mandatory minimum sentences and continues a Justice Department push against large-scale drug trafficking networks.
propublica.orgMultiple Defendants Indicted on Federal Drug Trafficking Charges in Southern District of Georgia
A federal grand jury in the Southern District of Georgia returned indictments against multiple defendants on drug trafficking charges. The cases trigger mandatory minimum sentences, asset forfeiture proceedings and coordinated enforcement actions by federal agencies.
foxnews.comTren de Aragua Leader Extradited to Houston on Terrorism and Drug Charges
A 24-year-old Venezuelan national named in a Homeland Security Task Force investigation arrived in Houston federal court to face charges of providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization and international drug distribution. The extradition triggers an initial appe…
freepressjournal.inSix Drug Traffickers Including One Illegal Alien Sentenced to Decades in Federal Prison
A federal court in South Dakota sentenced six defendants to prison terms ranging from 15 years to more than 40 years for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine. The sentences conclude prosecutions that removed 4,486 kilograms of drugs from c…
nationalpost.comPittsburgh Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 12 Years for Supplying Kilogram Quantities of Cocaine
A federal judge sentenced Pittsburgh resident Jamar Brooks to 12 years in prison on May 14 2026 for his role in a cocaine trafficking network. The conviction triggers mandatory supervised release and asset forfeiture that closes one supply channel into western Pennsylvania street…
abcnews.go.comErik Fleming Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Supplying Ketamine That Killed Matthew Perry
Erik Fleming, a licensed drug addiction counselor, was sentenced to two years in federal prison on May 13, 2026, for distributing ketamine to Matthew Perry, including doses that led to the actor's death in October 2023. Fleming admitted to obtaining the drug from dealer Jasveen S…
bbc.co.ukMiddleman Sentenced to Two Years for Supplying Ketamine That Killed Matthew Perry
A middleman who helped supply ketamine to "Friends" actor Matthew Perry was sentenced to two years in prison in California on Wednesday. The sentencing concludes one part of the case surrounding the actor's death from the effects of ketamine. Authorities have pursued charges agai…
israelnationalnews.com (News photo)Neo-Nazi Cult Leader Sentenced to 15 Years for Inciting Violence
Michail Chkhikvishvili, known online as Commander Butcher, received a 15-year prison term Wednesday in Brooklyn federal court for leading the Maniac Murder Cult and soliciting attacks that prosecutors linked to a 2025 Nashville school shooting. Separately, drug counselor Erik Fle…
foxnews.comChicago woman receives 10-year sentence for oxycodone trafficking
A federal judge sentenced Chicago resident Sadiyyah M. Eason to 10 years in prison after she pleaded guilty to distributing more than 4,400 oxycodone pills. The conviction triggers mandatory supervised release and asset forfeiture requirements that close the trafficking operation…
uctoday.comTexas Man Pleads Guilty in Cross-Country Cocaine Conspiracy From Mexico
Ian Dyer, 26, of Texas, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in the Western District of New York to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. The conviction triggers a mandatory minimum 10-year prison sentence and carries a maximum of lif…
winnipegfreepress.comBelgrade Man Receives 18 Years in Prison for Cocaine Distribution and Firearm Possession
A federal judge sentenced a Belgrade man to more than 18 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to distributing cocaine and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. The sentence triggers mandatory supervised release and asset forfeiture requirements that now take effect immedi…
abcnews.go.comIndianapolis Felon Receives Five Years Probation for Cocaine Sales and Illegal Firearm Possession
Melvin May, 44, was sentenced May 7, 2026, in U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois to five years of federal probation after pleading guilty to four counts of cocaine distribution and two counts of felon-in-possession of a firearm. The sentence means May avoids…
allhiphop.comAsian Boyz Gang Member Receives 11 Years for Methamphetamine Distribution Conspiracy
A federal judge in Boston sentenced an Asian Boyz gang member to 11 years in prison for conspiring to distribute counterfeit Adderall pills containing methamphetamine. The sentence triggers mandatory supervised release and removes one distributor from a gang-linked network that p…
france24.comTwo illegal immigrants and two felons sentenced in Atlanta-based Mexican drug trafficking ring
A federal court in the Northern District of Georgia sentenced four men to prison terms ranging from 57 months to 15 years for importing cocaine and laundering proceeds from Mexico through Atlanta. The convictions trigger asset forfeitures and signal continued federal focus on dis…
apnews.comBridgeport Man Receives 37 Months for Role in Southwestern Connecticut Drug Ring
Gerald Coley, also known as “G Rock,” was sentenced to 37 months in prison and four years of supervised release in U.S. District Court in Hartford. The sentence concludes one defendant's role in a regional narcotics trafficking operation that supplied multiple towns in southweste…
jpost.comOhio Man Pleads Guilty in Fentanyl Distribution Case
Nathan C. Stimmel of Ohio entered a guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. The conviction triggers mandatory minimum sentencing requirements and feeds into the Justice Department's ongoing prosecutions of fentanyl trafficking networks.
vtdigger.orgWinooski Pair Charged With Intent to Distribute Cocaine Base and Fentanyl
A Winooski man and woman face federal charges for possession with intent to distribute cocaine base and fentanyl. The case triggers mandatory minimum sentences and asset forfeiture proceedings in the U.S. District Court for the District of Vermont.
foxnews.comLaurens County Meth Trafficker Sentenced to Federal Prison
A Laurens County man with prior convictions received a federal prison term for distributing methamphetamine. The sentence adds to the Justice Department's ongoing enforcement actions against methamphetamine trafficking networks in Georgia.
SemaforCIA Conducts Targeted Operation Killing Cartel Leader in Mexico
The CIA conducted a secret operation that killed a cartel boss in Mexico on or before May 13, 2026. The action forms part of President Donald Trump's second-term priorities to stop drug flows across the southern border and crack down on cartels. Semafor reported the killing as th…
foxnews.comEcuadoran Judge Fatally Shot in Machala During State of Emergency
An Ecuadoran judge was shot dead while traveling by car to a gym in the southwestern city of Machala. The killing occurred during a state of emergency declared to combat organized crime. Police said her bodyguards were not present and that she had received prior threats.
deadline.comErik Fleming Sentenced in Matthew Perry Ketamine Case After Guilty Plea and Cooperation
Prosecutors seek 2 1/2 years in prison for the 56-year-old former drug counselor who connected the "Friends" actor to his ketamine supplier. Defense lawyers request three months in prison plus nine months in residential treatment, citing Fleming's immediate cooperation. Sentencin…
nbcnews.comCIA Conducts Deadly Operations Against Cartel Members in Mexico
CIA operatives have participated directly in lethal attacks on several mid-level cartel members in Mexico since last year as part of an expanded campaign. One such operation in March killed Francisco Beltran, known as “El Payin,” a mid-level Sinaloa Cartel figure, when an explosi…
yahoo.comTangipahoa Man Receives 37 Months for Methamphetamine and Fentanyl Distribution
Garrett McClain Jr. of Tangipahoa Parish was sentenced to 37 months in prison on May 7 2026 after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 40 grams or more of fentanyl. The conviction triggers three years of supervised releas…
en.antaranews.comLexington Man Convicted on Drug Trafficking and Firearms Charges
A federal jury in Lexington convicted Christopher Miller on charges including cocaine and methamphetamine distribution plus possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. The conviction triggers mandatory minimum sentences on the firearms counts and sets a July 2026…
nationalpost.comDetroit Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Trafficking Fluorofentanyl into Lexington
A federal judge sentenced Detroit resident Jermaine Wilson to 15 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to distributing fluorofentanyl that caused a fatal overdose in Lexington, Kentucky. The case triggers mandatory minimum sentencing provisions under the Controlled Substances A…
rove.meNew Jersey charges two men in largest methamphetamine seizure in state history
Federal prosecutors charged two men with conspiring to distribute more than 260 pounds of methamphetamine into New Jersey. The seizure triggers mandatory minimum sentences under federal drug trafficking statutes and escalates penalties for large-scale distribution networks supply…
newsismybusiness.comSix Puerto Rico defendants charged with RICO violations in transnational drug ring
A federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico indicted six members and associates of a transnational criminal organization based in Añasco on 23 counts including racketeering, murder, drug trafficking, money laundering and firearms offenses. The charges trigger mandatory as…
rnz.co.nzPeoria Felon Receives 10 Years for Methamphetamine Distribution and Felon-in-Possession
Wallace Jordan, 56, of Peoria, Illinois, received a 120-month sentence for distributing methamphetamine and a concurrent 24-month sentence for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon on May 7 2026 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois. The penalties es…
U.S. Department of the TreasuryICE Arrests Cuban National With Fentanyl and Cocaine in Virginia Sanctuary City
On May 4 2026 agents arrested Eduardo Perez-Legra in Newport News and seized 19.5 grams of cocaine 101 oxycodone pills 5 fentanyl pills and 27 suboxone films. The arrest highlights continued federal drug interdiction in jurisdictions that ended 287(g) agreements and failed to exe…