drug-trafficking
60 stories related to this topic, newest first.
rediff.comSophisticated Drug Smuggling Tunnel Discovered Running Between San Diego Retail Store and Tijuana
@CBSNews reported that law enforcement found a tunnel from a San Diego retail store to Tijuana, Mexico. Federal officials said more than $45 million worth of cocaine moved through the passage.
abcnews.go.comMexican President Tells U.S. Ambassador to Avoid Political Interference
Mexico's president told a U.S. ambassador that diplomats should focus on coordination rather than domestic politics. The remarks followed a social media post by the ambassador about drug trafficking cooperation.
bbc.co.ukFour Men Charged After Discovery of 2,000-Foot Cocaine Smuggling Tunnel Beneath San Diego Store
U.S. authorities seized more than a ton of cocaine and dismantled a reinforced tunnel beneath a San Diego store after a six-month investigation that began in December 2025.
usethebitcoin.comFBI Requests Public Tips in Kansas Drug Trafficking and Firearms Case
The FBI is seeking information from the public regarding its investigation of a Kansas man charged with drug trafficking and weapons violations. The request triggers a formal public appeal that can accelerate evidence collection and expand the scope of federal prosecutions in nar…
rnz.co.nzNew Jersey Man Sentenced to 19.5 Years for Distributing Hundreds of Kilograms of Fentanyl Analogues
An Essex County, New Jersey, man received a 234-month prison sentence on June 2, 2026, for distributing hundreds of kilograms of fentanyl analogues and laundering the proceeds. The penalty triggers five years of supervised release and removes a convicted distributor from operatio…
deadline.comLamar County Man Admits to Firearms Possession in Drug Trafficking, Faces Life in Prison
A Lamar County resident pleaded guilty Monday in Macon federal court to possessing firearms in furtherance of drug distribution. The admission triggers a statutory maximum of life in prison and requires sentencing within the next several weeks under federal guidelines.
japantimes.co.jpTwo Florida Men Sentenced to 20 and 15 Years for Fentanyl and Methamphetamine Trafficking
U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell sentenced Clarence Black Jr. of Tampa to 20 years and six months and Jarrek Fabrion Myrick of Fort Myers to 15 years and six months for conspiring to ship methamphetamine and fentanyl from California to Florida. The sentences also cover…
nypost.comTwo Mexican Nationals Indicted in Kansas on Cocaine Trafficking Charges
A federal grand jury in Topeka indicted two Mexican nationals on charges of conspiring to distribute more than 4,486 kilograms of cocaine. The case triggers mandatory minimum sentences of 10 years to life in prison and asset forfeiture proceedings in U.S. District Court for the D…
vox.comTwo Californians Arrested in Del Rio on Federal Charges of Drug Trafficking Resulting in Death
Michael Anthony Vilorio, 31, and Christian Alexander Vilorio, 22, both of California, made initial appearances in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas on charges including conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute oxycodone and alprazolam resulting in death…
abcnews.go.comMexican President Accuses U.S. Far-Right Groups of Coordinating Attacks After DOJ Indicts 10 Officials From Her Party
Claudia Sheinbaum stated Monday that far-right sectors in the United States are working with domestic groups against her administration. The comments follow a weekend rally and April indictments of Mexican officials.
news.sky.comMexican Authorities Discover 869-Foot Underground Tunnel Near Tijuana-San Diego Border
U.S. and Mexican officers searched a property and seized narcotics evidence near Otay Mesa. Federal prosecutors continue the investigation.
oneindia.comFour charged with smuggling 1 ton of cocaine through 1,933-foot cross-border tunnel
Federal prosecutors charged four people with conspiring to traffic more than $45 million worth of cocaine through a sophisticated tunnel running from Tijuana, Mexico to a retail store in Otay Mesa, California. The discovery by a Homeland Security Investigations task force ends on…
matadornetwork.comRapid City Couple Indicted on Federal Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances
A federal grand jury in South Dakota indicted Christopher M. Irey, 42, and Kourtney A. Irey, 32, both of Rapid City, on charges of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. The indictment triggers mandatory court appearances, potential pretrial detention hearings, and sets…
wral.comNorth Dakota Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Cross-State Kidnapping Over Drug Debt
A federal judge sentenced a North Dakota man to 30 years in prison for kidnapping a victim at gunpoint, beating him, and transporting him to Minnesota to extract ransom for an unpaid drug debt. The conviction triggers mandatory federal prison time and removes the offender from ci…
inquisitr.comClemency Recipient Gets 20 Years for New Cocaine Trafficking in Laredo
A 53-year-old Laredo man who received federal clemency now faces a 20-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine and conspiracy. The case shows that prior presidential clemency does not shield recipients from prosecution on fresh fe…
nypost.comOcala Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Charges of Possessing Fentanyl, Methamphetamine and Cocaine for Distribution
Jimmy Deon Lofton, 46, of Ocala, Florida, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Ocala to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine. He now faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a maximum of 40 years in federal prison.
ABC NewsU.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.
menshealth.comMissoula 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.
indianexpress.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…