The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is responsible for enforcing controlled substance laws and regulations in the United States.
The DEA operates under the jurisdiction of the Department of Justice.
This federal agency enforces controlled substance laws by investigating and preparing cases for domestic and international criminal prosecution.
DEA Investigates Drug Offenses
On July 18, 2018, the DEA seized 7.5 million in suspected heroin and fentanyl from a drug operation in the Bronx. The drug trafficking group was involved in packaging and distributing narcotics on the street.
DEA agents conducted a search of the apartment after arresting another suspect, Luis Guzman-Rojas, who left the apartment with a plastic bag that appeared to contain a kilogram of heroin.
Five defendants were arraigned on charges of criminal possession of a controlled substance and criminally using drug paraphernalia.
Doctor Convicted of Illegal Narcotics Distribution
A medical doctor, Martin Tesher, was convicted in federal court for illegally prescribing opioids to patients he knew were drug addicts.
One of the doctor’s patients died from an overdose of drugs, including oxycodone and fentanyl. Dr. Tesher had prescribed the drug patches knowing the patient had no legitimate medical condition.
Dr. Tesher is now facing a minimum mandatory sentence of 20 years with the possibility of life in prison for causing the death of his patient.
This is not a traditional drug trafficking case, but it shows the DEA is targeting one source of the opioid supply. Since 2017, some 200 medical doctors have been charged with opioid-related offenses.