DHS Highlights Successful Fentanyl Seizures and Arrests in Observance of National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day

President Trump and Secretary Mullin are putting drug traffickers and smugglers out of business

WASHINGTON - The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the following statement in observance of National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day, highlighting examples of the most successful seizures and arrests by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in connection to fentanyl trafficking and smuggling under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump.

"On this National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day, I want to thank the brave men and women of DHS who work so hard to hunt down fentanyl traffickers and smugglers, get them out of our communities, and get their poison off of our streets," said DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin. "We have lost too many American lives to fentanyl, especially after years of disastrous open-border policies that made it even easier for the cartels to bring their drugs to our country. Thanks to President Donald J. Trump's strong leadership, we are bringing the hammer down on drug traffickers and smugglers, putting them out of business and behind bars."

"HSI special agents stand on the front lines of the fight against fentanyl, working tirelessly with our Homeland Security Task Force partners to disrupt the criminal networks that traffic this deadly poison into our communities," said HSI Executive Associate Director John Condon. "Their dedication, skill, and courage are putting dangerous drug dealers behind bars while saving American lives. Every seizure, every arrest, and every investigation reflects HSI's unwavering commitment to taking deadly drugs off our streets."

Among recent examples of successful fentanyl seizures are:

During a joint Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) case with United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Des Moines, approximately 76.14 pounds of methamphetamine and 1 kilogram of fentanyl had been purchased through USPIS undercover (UC) drug buys.

On August 12, 2026, HSTF Des Moines, USPIS, and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement (DNE), conducted a buy/bust in California. After the arrest, a search warrant was conducted at a primary residence resulting in the seizure of $1,371,980 in U.S. currency contributed to narcotics proceeds.

On August 10, 2026, HSI Fresno reported the sentencing of Austin Kerns, a United States citizen, by U.S. District Judge Kirk E. Sherriff to twelve years in prison for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. The investigation began following a fatal fentanyl overdose of a 24-year-old Fresno man. The victim died after using counterfeit oxycodone M30 tablets containing fentanyl that he obtained directly from Kerns after being referred by a co-conspirator who was also federally indicted and sentenced to eight years in federal prison. Two other federal co-conspirators are awaiting sentencing.

On July 20, 2026, Special Agents and Task Force Officers assigned to the HSI Indianapolis Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF), in cooperation with the Indiana State Police (ISP), conducted a controlled delivery and subsequent search warrant following the seizure of approximately five kilograms of methamphetamine imported from Mexico and destined for a residence in Indianapolis. This enforcement operation resulted in the arrest of two U.S. citizens for narcotics and weapons possession violations and the seizure of methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, marijuana, narcotics paraphernalia, electronic media, a firearm, and ammunition from the residence. The case will be presented for federal prosecution in the Southern District of Indiana.

In July 2026, HSI Newark HSTF executed search warrants in Newark, New Jersey, resulting in two individuals being charged by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, and maintaining a drug-involved premises.

During the search, HSI Newark HSTF seized 16 kilograms of fentanyl, more than one kilogram of heroin laced with fentanyl, approximately 900 grams of cocaine, and a firearm equipped with a large-capacity magazine containing 51 rounds of 9-millimeter ammunition. Some of the narcotics were concealed in a hidden trap compartment operated remotely by key fobs. The charged individuals have affiliations with the Trinitarios gang, a foreign terrorist organization.

In June 2026, HSTF New Jersey conducted an enforcement action in Fairfield, New Jersey, resulting in the seizure of 14 kilograms of fentanyl. Investigative efforts determined the fentanyl entered the United States through the Mexico and California border region, and that the DTO operates in New Jersey, New York City, Nogales, Laredo, and Los Angeles. HSI Newark HSTF arrested an individual responsible for the interstate transportation of the seized fentanyl. The individual has a criminal history that includes narcotics distribution-related arrests in three other states, as well as a conviction in Arkansas for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.

In June 2026, a jury in the Southern District of New York convicted Francisco Alberto Lopez Reyes and Edward Eustate Jimenez, two criminal aliens from the Dominican Republic, for their involvement in a scheme to manufacture and distribute counterfeit pharmaceutical pills through fake online pharmacies, with the pills containing fentanyl and para-fluorofentanyl.

The fake pills that the defendants tried to sell

Francisco Alberto Lopez Reyes (left) and Edward Eustate Jimenez (right)

Reyes was found guilty of serving as a principal administrator of a continuing criminal enterprise, conspiracy to distribute narcotics resulting in death, narcotics distribution, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Jimenez was convicted for conspiracy to distribute narcotics resulting in death and narcotics distribution.

In April 2026, HSI agents, along with Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents, executed a search warrant of a residential apartment in Brooklyn that had been converted into a "Pill Mill" for the manufacture, storage, and selling of kilograms of drugs, including fentanyl. The Pill Mill contained an industrial-scale pill-press machine capable of manufacturing approximately 4,800 tablets per hour, a hand-cranked pill-press machine, two-kilogram presses, and other industrial-grade equipment. Agents also recovered two loaded guns hidden in a speaker, with one of the guns having an extended magazine.

Two suspects, Kareem Antoine Turner and Alexander Daravina, were arrested on narcotics and firearms charges.

Since 2025 and throughout 2026, HSI New Jersey HSTF has investigated a Mexico-based drug trafficking organization (DTO) responsible for moving significant quantities of narcotics throughout the United States. This investigation has resulted in enforcement actions in New Jersey, New York, and California, leading to the seizure of 53 kilograms of narcotics, including illicitly manufactured fentanyl pills.

These seizures and related enforcement actions led to the discovery of narcotics ledgers identifying a nationwide distribution network spanning more than a dozen major cities, including locations in New Jersey, California, Illinois, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, Georgia, Nevada, Louisiana, and Florida. The ledgers indicate that the DTO is responsible for the distribution of more than 2,200 kilograms of narcotics, including fentanyl. These investigative and enforcement efforts were conducted with the support of HSI New Jersey federal, state, and local partners, with HSI New Jersey serving as the lead investigative agency.

Below are examples of illegal aliens with fentanyl-related criminal histories who have been arrested by ICE under the Trump Administration:

Heriberto Hernandez-Sosa, a criminal illegal alien from the Dominican Republic, convicted for fentanyl trafficking in Worcester, Massachusetts. ICE arrested him in August.

Walter Perez-Perello, a criminal illegal alien from Cuba, convicted for possession to sell schedule II-fentanyl, as well as convictions for TWO counts of domestic battery, possession of drugs, obtain or possess credit or debit card without owner's consent, and driving under the influence in Las Vegas, Nevada. ICE arrested him in July.

Orlando Eugenio Parada-Mancia, a criminal illegal alien from El Salvador, convicted for distribution of fentanyl in Boston, Massachusetts. ICE arrested him in June.

Luis Jose Ramirez-Encarnacion, a criminal illegal alien from the Dominican Republic, convicted for drug possession with intent to distribute - Class B drugs and drug possession with intent to distribute Class A - fentanyl in Salem, Massachusetts. ICE arrested him in June.

Luis Manuel-Ventura, a criminal illegal alien from the Dominican Republic, convicted for distribution of fentanyl in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. ICE arrested him in June.

Miguel Mejia-Santana, a criminal illegal alien from Dominican Republic, convicted for distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, as well as a conviction for dealing firearms without a license in Boston, Massachusetts. ICE arrested him in May.

Eduardo Perez-Legra, a criminal illegal alien from Cuba, whose criminal history includes FOUR felony convictions for drug trafficking and TWO felony convictions for cocaine - possession. He was arrested by ICE in Newport News, Virginia in May, and was found to be in possession of drugs including fentanyl, narcotics, and cocaine.

Cristel Daniela Cruz-Banegas, a criminal illegal alien from Honduras, convicted for distribution of fentanyl in the United States District Court, Northern District of California. ICE arrested her in May.

Ader Aldair Ramirez-Quiroz, a criminal illegal alien from Honduras, convicted for importation of fentanyl in San Diego, California. ICE arrested him in April.

Angel Geovanni Garcia-Bermudez, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted for trafficking fentanyl in Franklin County, Ohio. ICE arrested him in March.

Yancarlos Marte-Morel, a criminal illegal alien from The Dominican Republic, convicted for conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl by the United States District Court of Massachusetts. ICE arrested him in March.

Julio Cesar Pimentel-German, a criminal illegal alien from the Dominican Republic, convicted for possession to distribute fentanyl and trafficking fentanyl, as well as a conviction for possession of a firearm in Massachusetts. ICE arrested him in February.

Rafael Agustin Soto-Baez, a criminal illegal alien from the Dominican Republic, convicted for EIGHT counts of possession to distribution Class A drugs and distributing or dispensing Class A fentanyl in Massachusetts. ICE arrested him in January.

Anel Billy Irigoyen Portillo, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted for importation of fentanyl in the United States District Court of Arizona. ICE arrested her in December 2025.

Claudio Alejandro Ayvar, a criminal illegal alien from the Dominican Republic, convicted for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl in Lynn, Massachusetts. ICE arrested him in November 2025.

Osiris Alexander Rodriguez-Guzman, a criminal illegal alien from Dominican Republic, convicted for trafficking a controlled substance (Fentanyl) 200 grams or more in Essex Superior Court, Massachusetts. ICE arrested him in October 2025.

Jaime Barajas, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances: fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine in the United States District Court Southern District of Illinois. ICE arrested him in October 2025.

Jose Aguilar-Zuniga, a criminal illegal alien from Honduras, convicted for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, and with previous arrests for two counts of transport/sell narcotics/controlled substance, two counts of possess controlled substance, two counts of possess or purchase for sale controlled substance, a home detention violation, two counts of criminal attempt to commit murder, illegal discharge of a firearm, and menacing. He also has an outstanding warrant dated 2022 from Denver, Colorado Police Department for the offense of homicide. ICE arrested him in October 2025.

Perez Benancio, a criminal illegal alien from the Dominican Republic, convicted for possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ICE arrested him in September 2025.

Erwin Jose Roa-Mustafa, a criminal illegal alien from Dominican Republic, who pled guilty on federal charges of conspiracy and intent to distribute a controlled substance. He was also convicted for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl in Luzerne County. ICE arrested him in September 2025.

Victor Alexander Gonzalez-Gonzalez, a criminal illegal alien from the Dominican Republic, convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, and fentanyl in Boston, Massachusetts. ICE arrested him in August 2025.

Jhan Carlos Caceres-Peguero, an illegal alien from the Dominican Republic, convicted for trafficking fentanyl in Essex County, Massachusetts. ICE arrested him in August 2025.

Cesar Porras, an illegal alien from Mexico, convicted for possession with intent to distribute a quantity of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl in Pecos, Texas. ICE arrested him in July 2025.

Angel Francisco Ortega-Rodriguez, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, convicted for importation of fentanyl. ICE arrested him in June 2025.

Lusbel Lopez Feliz, an illegal alien from the Dominican Republic, whose criminal history includes seven charges for distributing heroin/fentanyl and five different arraignments for distributing cocaine in Massachusetts. ICE arrested her in May 2025, after she had previously been released by sanctuary politicians despite ICE lodging a detainer.

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