DOJ NEWS: Darkweb They'll Find YOU
Gregory Kielma • June 29, 2025
Law Enforcement Seize Record Amounts of Illegal Drugs, Firearms, and Drug Trafficking Proceeds in International Operation Against Darknet Trafficking of Fentanyl and Opioids; 270 Arrested Across Four Continents
Law Enforcement Seize Record Amounts of Illegal Drugs, Firearms, and Drug Trafficking Proceeds in International Operation Against Darknet Trafficking of Fentanyl and Opioids; 270 Arrested Across Four Continents
For Immediate Release
Office of Public Affairs
Today, the Attorney General and the Department of Justice’s Joint Criminal Opioid and Darknet Enforcement (JCODE) team, and international law enforcement partners announced the results of Operation RapTor, including the arrests of 270 dark web vendors, buyers, and administrators in Austria, Brazil, France, Germany, the Netherlands, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Operation RapTor resulted in the highest number of seizures of any JCODE operation, including more than $200 million in currency and digital assets, over two metric tons of drugs, 144 kilograms of fentanyl or fentanyl-laced narcotics, and over 180 firearms.
Operation RapTor was a global, coordinated effort by law enforcement in the United States, Europe, South America, and Asia to disrupt fentanyl and opioid trafficking, as well as the sales of other illicit goods and services, on the darknet, or dark web. Operation RapTor builds on the successes of prior years’ operations and takedowns of marketplaces, which resulted in the seizure of darknet infrastructure from Nemesis, Tor2Door, Bohemia, and Kingdom Markets, providing investigators across the world with investigative leads and evidence. JCODE and Europol’s European Cybercrime Centre (EC3) continue to compile intelligence packages to identify entities of interest. These leads allow U.S. and international law enforcement agencies to identify darknet drug vendors and buyers, resulting in a series of coordinated, but separate, law enforcement investigations, reflected in the statistics announced today. In furtherance of Operation RapTor and in its first action as a JCODE member agency, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) additionally sanctioned Iranian national Behrouz Parsarad for his role as the founder and operator of Nemesis Market following seizure of the market. Parsarad was also indicted by a federal grand jury in the Northern District of Ohio on drug trafficking charges related to the illegal business he ran on the dark web.
“This historic international seizure of firearms, deadly drugs, and illegal funds will save lives,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi. “Criminals cannot hide behind computer screens or seek refuge on the dark web – this Justice Department will identify and eliminate threats to the American people regardless of where they originate.”
“By cowardly hiding online, these traffickers have wreaked havoc across our country and directly fueled the fentanyl crisis and gun violence impacting our American communities and neighborhoods. But the ease and accessibility of their crimes ends today,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “The FBI could not do this work without our partners both at home and abroad, and the staggering success of this year's record-breaking amount of fentanyl, guns, and drugs seized prove that our efforts are working. Anyone looking to anonymously harm our citizens through illicit darknet trafficking: your days of recklessness are numbered.”
“These predators who peddled poison on the dark web might have thought they are untouchable — hiding behind screens, pushing fentanyl, fueling overdoses, and cashing in on misery. However, Operation RapTor just proved them wrong,” said DEA Acting Administrator Robert Murphy. “DEA and our global partners reached across borders, across platforms, and across currencies to rip their networks apart. Let this stand as a warning: no mask, no marketplace, and no digital wallet can hide you from facing justice.”
“Operation RapTor shows that the dark web is not beyond the reach of law enforcement,” said Head of Europol’s European Cybercrime Centre, Edvardas Šileris. “Through close cooperation and intelligence sharing, officers across three continents identified and arrested suspects, sending a clear message to those who think they can hide in the shadows. Europol will continue working with our partners to make the internet safer for everyone."
“This unprecedented operation is a testament to the power of global partnership and the unwavering dedication of our team,” said Chief Guy Ficco of IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI). “Working through the JCODE initiative, IRS Criminal Investigation and our international partners led the largest and most impactful takedown to date—seizing over $200 million in assets, removing deadly drugs and weapons from circulation, and holding more than 270 individuals accountable. This critical strike against dark web networks fueling the fentanyl crisis marks a proud moment in our ongoing effort to protect communities worldwide.”
“This record-breaking operation sends a clear message to every trafficker hiding behind a screen—your anonymity ends where our global reach begins,” said Acting Director Todd Lyons of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). “Thanks to the unwavering efforts by ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Europol and our international partners, we’re cracking the code of the so-called ‘safe spaces’ for cybercriminals—they are in our sights and we’re not backing down.”
“Operation RapTor shows what’s possible when the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and our partners around the world stand united,” said Chief Postal Inspector Gary Barksdale of the United States Postal Inspection Service. “No matter where criminals hide, we will find them, dismantle their operations, and bring them to justice. This operation was about protecting innocent people from predatory criminals who profit from violence, addiction, and fear. Our commitment is unwavering.”
“The FDA is committed to continuing its work to disrupt and dismantle the illegal sales of drugs on the dark web, where such sales far too often have tragic consequences,” said Deputy Director Chad Menster of the Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigations (FDA OCI). “We will continue to monitor, investigate and bring to justice those who misuse the internet in a quest for profits with reckless disregard for the risk to public health and safety.”
The impact of Operation RapTor can be attributed to the tireless work of U.S. and international law enforcement partners. For example:
On Dec. 16, 2024, Rui-Siang Lin pleaded guilty to charges brought by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York of narcotics conspiracy, money laundering, and conspiracy to sell adulterated and misbranded medication for owning and operating Incognito Market, one of the largest narcotics marketplaces on the internet.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Incognito Market was an online narcotics bazaar that started on the dark web in October 2020. Until it shut down in March 2024, Incognito Market sold more than $100 million of narcotics—including hundreds of kilograms of cocaine and methamphetamine. Incognito Market was available globally to anyone with internet access using the Tor web browser on the “dark web” or “darknet.” Incognito Market was designed to facilitate seamless narcotics transactions, incorporating many features of legitimate e-commerce sites such as branding, advertising, and customer service. Upon visiting the site, users were met by a splash page and graphic interface, which is pictured below:
While concealing their identities with a unique username or “moniker,” users were able to search thousands of listings for narcotics of their choice. Incognito Market sold illegal narcotics including heroin, cocaine, LSD, MDMA, oxycodone, methamphetamine, ketamine, and alprazolam, as well as misbranded prescription medication. An example of listings on Incognito market is below:
Listings included offerings of prescription medication that was falsely advertised as being authentic. For example, in November 2023, while operating in an undercover capacity on Incognito Market, a law enforcement agent purchased and received several tablets purported to be oxycodone. Testing revealed that these tablets were not oxycodone and were, in fact, fentanyl pills.
The FBI, HSI, DEA, FDA OCI, and the New York Police Department investigated the case.
In a second example, in January 2025, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California secured a 17-year sentence for Adan Ruiz, of Orange County, and a 15-year sentence for Omar Navia, of Los Angeles, for supplying fentanyl-laced pills to a drug trafficking ring that sold these drugs to more than 1,000 customers nationwide via the darknet. In imposing the sentences, U.S. District Judge David O. Carter called this case “the most sophisticated fentanyl distribution ring that this court has seen.”
Navia and Ruiz admitted in their plea agreements that, from at least August 2021 to December 2022, they supplied fentanyl-laced pills to Michael Ta, 26, of Westminster, and Rajiv Srinivasan, 38, of Houston, who used the darknet and encrypted messaging applications to sell more than 120,000 fentanyl-laced pills, 20 pounds of methamphetamine, and other drugs directly to more than 1,000 customers in all 50 states, causing several fatal overdoses.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Srinivasan and Ta used the “redlightlabs” darknet account to advertise and sell counterfeit M30 oxycodone pills containing fentanyl and other illicit drugs. Srinivasan also used the encrypted messaging application Wickr to communicate with and sell drugs to customers. Srinivasan received virtual currency as payment for the drugs and then routed that virtual currency through cryptocurrency exchanges.
The court record also shows that Ta communicated with Srinivasan about drug orders, obtained fentanyl-laced pills and methamphetamine from sources of supply, stored those drugs in his residence, and mailed out packages with drugs to customers who had ordered them from Srinivasan on the “redlightlabs” account.
Ta and Srinivasan admitted in their plea agreements to causing the fentanyl overdose deaths of three victims. Both defendants further admitted to distributing fentanyl-laced pills to two additional victims, both of whom suffered fatal drug overdoses shortly after they received the pills from Ta and Srinivasan. Prosecutors wrote in a sentencing memorandum, “The five victims of defendants’ crimes ranged in age from 19 to 51. They lived across the country, from California to Florida, Colorado to Arkansas. Each of the five victims leaves behind a family that has been forever and fundamentally changed by defendants’ actions. [Ta and Srinivasan] also victimized countless others as part of an epidemic of addiction and despair plaguing our district and our country.”
The FBI investigated this case, with substantial assistance from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), the DEA’s Fayetteville Resident Office, and the Northern Colorado Drug Task Force.
In a third example, in February 2024, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia charged Joshua Vasquez, Joseph Vasquez, and Rafael Roman by criminal complaint with conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. Joshua Vasquez, Joseph Vasquez, and Roman conspired to sell counterfeit Adderall containing methamphetamine on darknet markets such as Bohemia and Tor2Door. The defendants allegedly sold drugs on darknet marketplaces in exchange for cryptocurrency under the monikers “NuveoDelux,” “Mrjohnson,” and “AllStateRx.”
According to court documents and statements made in court, these three prolific darknet vendors were collectively responsible for fulfilling over 13,000 drug orders shipped throughout the United States, ranging in size from user quantities, e.g., 5 pills, to “reseller” quantities, e.g., 10,000 pills. Joshua and Joseph Vasquez collectively ran the NuveoDeluxe and AllStateRx accounts. A fourth co-conspirator, Gregory Castillo-Rosario, who was arrested in October 2024, ran the Mrjohnson account. Roman assisted his co-conspirators by pressing counterfeit Adderall pills, packaging them, and distributing drug orders into the mail using the U.S. Postal Service. The conspiracy also laundered funds associated with darknet drug proceeds.
While executing search warrants in New Jersey and New York, federal law enforcement officers seized more than $330,000, close to 80,000 counterfeit Adderall pills, one firearm, and two industrial pill press machines. Additionally, two vehicles and several pieces of property were seized during the search warrants. An additional 30 kilograms of suspected counterfeit Adderall pills were seized on May 2, 2024, in New York. Photographs of some of the seized items are below:
Joshua Vasquez pleaded guilty on April 24, 2024, and was sentenced on July 25, 2024, to 12 years in prison. Joseph Vasquez pleaded guilty on April 15, 2024, and was sentenced on Aug. 8, 2024, to 10 years in prison. Roman pleaded guilty on May 30, 2024, and was sentenced on Nov. 14, 2024, to 10 years in prison. They all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to create a counterfeit substance and distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine.
The FBI, FDA, and USPIS investigated this matter with significant contributions from DEA, HSI, the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, the Howell Township Police Department, the Lakewood Township Police Department, the Orlando Police Department, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the Arlington County Police Department, and the New York Police Department.
In a fourth example, a San Fernando Valley man, Brian McDonald, 23, was sentenced to more than 20 years in federal prison in the Central District of California for using darknet marketplaces to sell hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of fentanyl-laced pills and cocaine to buyers nationwide. He admitted in court documents to causing one fatal fentanyl overdose.
From at least April 2021 until May 2023, McDonald and others conspired to sell fentanyl and cocaine via multiple darknet marketplaces. McDonald operated under the monikers “Malachai Johnson,” “SouthSideOxy,” and “JefeDeMichoacan.” McDonald created, monitored, and maintained the darknet vendor profiles, including by updating drug listings and shipment options, tracking drug orders, and offloading Monero cryptocurrency received as drug deal payments into cryptocurrency wallets that McDonald controlled.
McDonald recruited and hired accomplices to help package and ship the narcotics they sold on the darknet. McDonald directed and helped these accomplices package and ship the narcotics. McDonald purchased bulk quantities of fentanyl and cocaine and then directed others to complete hundreds of drug sales involving large quantities of both fentanyl and cocaine.
The FBI and DEA investigated this matter.
Operation RapTor involves law enforcement actions taken by JCODE member agencies, including the DEA, FBI, FDA OCI, HSI, IRS-CI, and USPIS. Credible reporting from the referenced agencies, in addition to contributions from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Army Criminal Investigation Division, Customs and Border Protection, the Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) and OFAC, and Naval Criminal Investigative Service, enabled domestic law enforcement actions in support of Operation RapTor. State, local, and other federal agencies also contributed to Operation RapTor investigations through task force participation and regional partnerships, as well as the multi-agency Special Operations Division.
The investigations leading to Operation RapTor were significantly aided by support and coordination from the Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section and Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, with valuable assistance from the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, Fraud Section, and Office of International Affairs.
Key international partners include Europol; Eurojust; Austria’s Criminal Intelligence Service with various Provincial Criminal Police Departments (Bundeskriminalamt und Landeskriminalämter); Brazil’s Civil Police of the State of Pará (Polícia Civil do Estado do Pará) and Civil Police of the State of São Paulo (Polícia Civil do Estado do São Paulo); France’s French Customs (Douane), National Gendarmerie (Gendarmerie Nationale); Germany’s Federal Criminal Police Office (Bundeskriminalamt), Prosecutor’s Office in Cologne – Central Cybercrime Contact Point (Staatsanwaltschaft Köln, Zentral- und Ansprechstelle Cybercrime), Central Criminal Investigation in Oldenburg (Zentrale Kriminalinspektion Oldenburg) various police departments (Dienststellen der Länderpolizeien), and German Customs Investigation (Zollfahndungsämter); the Netherlands’ Team High Tech Crime (National Investigations and Special Operations (NIS) and Post Interventie Team (PIT), National Intelligence, Expertise and Operational Support (NIEO); Spain’s National Police (Policía Nacional); South Korea’s Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office – Darknet Investigations Unit; Switzerland’s Zurich Cantonal Police (Kantonspolizei Zürich) and Public Prosecutor’s Office II of the Canton of Zurich (Staatsanwaltschaft II); and the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA), National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC).
Federal investigations spanned the United States, and 26 United States Attorneys’ Offices are prosecuting cases, including the Central District of California, the Northern District of California, the Southern District of California, the District of Colorado, the District of Connecticut, the District of Columbia, the Middle District of Florida, the Southern District of Florida, the Middle District of Georgia, the District of Hawaii, the Northern District of Illinois, the Southern District of Indiana, the Eastern District of Kentucky, the District of Massachusetts, the Eastern District of Michigan, the Western District of Michigan, the Eastern District of Missouri, the District of New Jersey, the Southern District of New York, the District of North Dakota, the Northern District of Ohio, the Southern District of Ohio, the Northern District of Oklahoma, the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the Eastern District of Virginia, and the Western District of Washington.
The Justice Department established the FBI-led JCODE team to lead and coordinate government efforts to detect, disrupt, and dismantle major criminal enterprises reliant on the darknet for trafficking opioids and other illicit narcotics, along with identifying and dismantling their supply chains.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Updated June 23, 2025
Federal Measure Would Eliminate Unconstitutional State Handgun Rosters Mark Chesnut Legislation reintroduced recently by two pro-gun U.S. House of Representatives members would eliminate unconstitutional handgun rosters that prevent law-abiding citizens in states like California and New York from freely purchasing modern handgun models. U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa, R-California, and Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-New York, introduced the Modern Firearm Safety Act on July 24. The measure would prohibit all states from requiring gun manufacturers to adopt costly and unnecessary features, including loaded chamber indicators, magazine disconnect mechanisms, and microstamping. California and New York currently have laws that feature rosters of handguns that can be legally sold in the state. As we reported a few years back, the California roster limits buyers’ choices to a pool of guns with fewer safety features. “For decades, the clear Constitutional rights of law-abiding gun owners have been targeted for elimination, and handgun rosters are only one of the cynical schemes used to undermine the Second Amendment through the pretense of firearm safety,” Rep. Issa said in a news release announcing the measure. “These rosters impose excessive and unnecessary requirements that actually restrict access to firearms equipped with the most up-to-date safety features, and that’s why I’m proud to partner with my friend Rep. Stefanik to defend sacred rights and end these unjust restrictions.” New York’s law is particularly irksome to Rep. Stefanik, who sees her constituents’ rights being infringed daily.
SIG Sues Washington Police Academy For Banning Training With Its P320 Pistol Mark Chesnut We reported recently how Sig Sauer’s popular P320 pistol has come under fire by some law enforcement agencies, military branches and even Gunsite Academy because of alleged safety problems. One such law enforcement group, the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC), which operates Washington’s police training academy, banned the P320 for trainee use. “My position has to be safety because we know so much now that if I make a different decision, I don’t feel like I’m being responsible,” Monica Alexander, WSCJTC executive director, said upon announcing the ban. Now, SIG has filed a lawsuit, Sig Sauer Inc. v. WSCJTC, seeking to have the ban reversed and claiming that the ban is unnecessary and not well grounded in fact or law. “Law enforcement departments throughout Washington State trust, rely on, and prefer the P320 as their service pistol of choice,” the lawsuit states. “By banning the P320 for new law enforcement recruits, the WSCJTC is putting these men and women at a disadvantage when they enter the field and will be assigned the P320. The action also imposes negative financial impacts on all those law enforcement agencies that utilize the P320 and Sig Sauer. It further inappropriately and unjustifiably inflicts reputational and economic harms on Sig Sauer.” The plaintiff further argues the lawsuit that the organization’s P320 ban runs afoul of state law and the state’s statute outlining the right to keep and bear arms.
KC Men Sentenced for Illegal Firearms Trafficking U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Missouri KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced to four years of imprisonment in federal court today for conspiring to traffic firearms to prohibited persons and illegally trafficking firearms. Antonio Manning, Sr., 23, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Beth Phillips, to 48 months in federal prison without parole, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release. The court also ordered the defendant to pay a criminal forfeiture money judgment in the amount of $11,260. On April 14, 2025, Antonio Manning admitted that he knowingly and willfully joined in an agreement to sell firearms to individuals who were prohibited from possessing them under federal law. According to the plea agreement, the defendants trafficked at least 22 firearms to persons who were known felons or they sold firearms that were converted into unregistered machineguns in violation of federal law. Pursuant to the plea agreement, Antonio Manning admitted that he was personally involved in illegally selling at least nine firearms and one of those firearms was an unregistered machinegun. On Jan. 22, 2025, co-defendant Sheron Manning, the brother of Antonio Manning, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to traffic firearms to prohibited persons and to one count of illegally trafficking a firearm that had been converted into an unregistered machinegun. On May 21, 2025, Sheron Manning, 22, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Beth Phillips, to 57 months in federal prison without parole, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release. On April 07, 2025, co-defendant Michael Dewayne Hardy, 23, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to traffic firearms to prohibited persons, to one count of illegally trafficking a firearm that had been converted into an unregistered machinegun, and one count of knowingly being a felon in possession of firearms. On June 26, 2024, Michael Dewayne Hardy, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Beth Phillips, to 70 months in federal prison without parole, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Trey Alford. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Operation Take Back America This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). Updated August 7, 2025
Northfield Man Charged with Possession and Sale of Stolen Firearms U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Vermont USAVT.Press@usdoj.gov Burlington, Vermont – The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that on July 10, 2025 a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Peter Baez, 41, of Northfield, Vermont with possession and sale of stolen firearms. Baez entered a plea of not guilty to the charges during an arraignment on August 7, 2025 before United States Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle. Judge Doyle ordered that Baez be released on conditions pending trial. According to court records and statements at the arraignment, the allegations in the grand jury’s indictment relate to Peter Baez’ unlawful possession and sale of firearms which had belonged to his father, Pedro Baez. Pedro Baez died suddenly in the fall of 2024, and his will left his home and all property to his daughter. Despite having notice of the terms of his father’s estate, Peter Baez retained possession of Pedro Baez’ firearms, and sold some of them to area gun stores, keeping the proceeds. The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that an indictment contains allegations only and that Baez is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. Baez faces up to 10 years’ imprisonment if convicted. The actual sentence, however, would be determined by the District Court with guidance from the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines and the statutory sentencing factors. Acting United States Attorney Michael P. Drescher commended the investigatory efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and thanked the Berlin and Montpelier Police Departments for their assistance. The prosecutor is Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt. Peter Baez is represented by William Vasiliou, II, Esq. Contact Media Inquiries/Public Affairs Officer: (802) 651-8250
Islesford Man Pleads Guilty to Providing False Information to a Firearms Dealer U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Maine William Heutz falsely represented himself to be the true purchaser of the firearm. PORTLAND, Maine: An Islesford man pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Portland on Wednesday to providing false information to a federal firearms dealer. According to court records, William Heutz, 32, purchased a Glock Model 19 9mm pistol from a licensed federal firearms dealer in February 2023. In filling out a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Form 4473 required for the purchase, Heutz indicated that he was the firearm’s actual buyer. However, according to electronic messages obtained by investigators, he straw purchased the pistol for another individual, who provided money for the purchase. Heutz kept the money left over from the exchange and transferred the firearm to that individual. Heutz faces up to 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 followed by up to three years of supervised release. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. ATF investigated the case. Straw Purchasing: A straw purchase is an illegal firearm purchase where the actual buyer of the gun, being unable to pass the required federal background check or desiring not have his or her name associated with the transaction, uses a proxy buyer who can pass the required background check to purchase the firearm for him/her. Project Safe Neighborhoods: This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. To learn more information about Project Safe Neighborhood, visit www.justice.gov/psn. ### Contact Jeanne D. Semivan, Special Assistant United States Attorney, Tel: (207) 780-3257
Six DeLand Men Sentenced For Trafficking Military-Grade Firearms To Mexican Drug Cartels U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Florida Orlando, FL – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that six individuals have been sentenced to federal prison terms for their roles in a firearms trafficking conspiracy. Name (Age, City of Residence) Charges Number of Firearms Purchased Sentence Imposed Angel Velazquez Delgado (34, DeLand) Firearms trafficking Straw purchasing 10 9 years Jesus Hernandez (32, DeLand) Straw purchasing 10 3 years, 10 months Edgar Jimenez (30, DeLand) Straw purchasing 5 3 years Jesus Paulino (27, DeLand) Straw purchasing 4 2 years Jonathan Borja (23, DeLando) Straw purchasing 2 1 year, 6 months Jesus Andres (28, DeLand) Making a false statement on firearm transaction record 2 1 year, 6 months According to court documents, in May 2023, investigators with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) began investigating a firearms trafficking organization operating in the Middle District of Florida. The organization was comprised of at least six individuals and led by Angel Velazquez Delgado. The conspirators purchased high-caliber firearms in the United States for resale to Mexican drug cartels. These cartels were and are criminal organizations engaged in the trafficking of controlled substances into the United States. The trafficked firearms included high-caliber, armor-piercing, and anti-material weapons. For example, approximately 11 of the firearms trafficked by this organization included Barrett .50 caliber rifles, which can expel a very accurate, heavy, and fast-moving projectile that defeats all individually worn body armor, can penetrate and disable vehicles, aircraft, boats, and can even defeat some types of protection provided by armored vehicles. These rifles are highly sought after by the cartels in their efforts to control large territories. The organization also trafficked approximately 16 FN M249S rifles, which are sold in the United States as a semi-automatic weapon but are easily converted into a machinegun. The firearms were purchased at the request of the cartels and transported to the cartels soon after purchase. Using the eTrace Firearm Recovery Notification Program, Mexican authorities were able to confirm the presence of at least one of the trafficked firearms in Mexico. On March 22, 2023, Mexican State Police and Mexican Military personnel were involved in a shootout with suspected members of the Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación in Zitacuaro, Michoacan, Mexico. Two individuals were killed during the exchange of gunfire. After the shooting, a Barrett, model 82A1, .50 caliber rifle purchased by Jesus Hernandez on November 8, 2022, was recovered. At some point, members of the firearms trafficking conspiracy began removing the serial numbers from the firearms prior to shipment. “Dismantling this Central Florida-based firearms trafficking ring is a huge win for public safety in Mexico and America,” said Tampa Field Division’s Special Agent in Charge Kirk Howard. “The CJNG is a notoriously brutal transnational criminal organization designated as a foreign terrorist organization that now has less fuel for its violent criminal activities, thanks to this joint team.” “The investigation and prosecution of violent crime is one of the top priorities of my District,” said U.S. Attorney Kehoe. “These individuals have trafficked high-caliber, military-grade weapons into the hands of dangerous Mexican cartel members and thus have caused a serious risk to the health and safety of others. My office, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue to work to hold those who jeopardize public safety accountable for their crimes.” This case was investigated by the ATF, Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Volusia Bureau of Investigations, and the DeLand Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Rachel Lyons and Noah Dorman. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Fresno Man Indicted for Unlawful Firearms Sales U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of California A federal grand jury returned a five-count indictment against Bee Her, 20, of Fresno, charging him with unlawful transfer of firearms in violation of the National Firearms Act and dealing and manufacturing firearms without a license, Acting U.S. Attorney Kimberly A. Sanchez announced. According to court documents, she sold 10 firearms to undercover agents in three different transactions, including multiple short-barreled rifles. Her sold firearms despite being told by the undercover agent that the firearms were going to Mexico. He also possessed 12 privately manufactured firearms receivers and six auto-sear machine gun conversion devices for purposes of sale. This case is the product of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Fresno Police Department, the Fresno Multi-Agency Gang Enforcement Consortium, and the California Department of Justice. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Veneman-Hughes is prosecuting the case. If convicted, Her faces a maximum statutory penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Tactical Flashlights and Why They Are SO Important Gregg Kielma Say Gregg Kielma, Tactical K Training and Firearms owner, don't shortchange yourself. Invest in a good flashlight. we have several in stock and at great prices. Give me a call and check them out! Today we are going to talk a little about flashlights and what I recommend. I think this is an important topic because 76% of life-threatening engagements happen at night. So, do you know what flashlight is best for you and how important it is? My big powerful light is a Surefire Fury Intellibeam. This light goes from 15 lumens all the way up to 1500 lumens and it automatically adjusts based on what you need. This light is GREAT for building clearing since it automatically adjusts its lumens, so I don't blind myself inside a house. It's also great as a search light. With 1500 lumens it really reaches out and you can see for miles it seems. This light can be used to blind an attacker by just shining it it their face or you can use it to draw attention to the situation if other people are around. Bad guys don't like attention. I bring this light with me for training and when I'm on the job. The only negative I have found is its size for EDC (everyday carry). I just found myself leaving it at home because it took up too much real estate in my pocket. So, I decide to use the Streamlight Microstream for my EDC. I absolutely love this tiny little light that fits so well in my pocket, I don't even realize it's there. Yes, it's only 250 lumens, but that has proven to be enough for day-to-day activities and if I needed it in conjunction with my gun, it would do the job if I'm shooting from 25 yards and closer. So, these two lights are my go to right now and will probably stay that way for some time. It's important to figure out what light is going to work best for you and your day-to-day activities. Just whatever you do, don't get stuck in a situation where you need a light and you don't have one. Stay Dangerous, Sgt Nick Rians
Why the Gun Control Lobby Hates That More Women Are Buying Guns Scott Witner The anti-gun establishment doesn’t know what to do with strong, independent women who choose to carry. You’d think gun control groups—who constantly preach empowerment, equality, and safety—would cheer for more women taking control of their personal protection. Instead, they’re losing their minds. Why? Because women are now the fastest-growing demographic of gun owners in America, and that scares the hell out of the gun control industry. The Rise of the Armed Woman For decades, the gun world was marketed almost exclusively to men. That’s changing fast. Women are buying firearms in record numbers, joining the shooting sports, taking self-defense classes, and demanding gear and training tailored to their needs—not their gender stereotypes. And the industry is paying attention. Ads now feature competent, confident women with firearms—because that’s who’s walking into gun stores. But groups like Everytown’s “The Smoking Gun” project are suddenly clutching their pearls. They’re calling out gun companies for daring to market to women. Their big gripe? That the firearm industry is trying to “normalize” women and guns. Damn right we are. History Proves Otherwise Despite what some sociology professors from Oregon State may think, women owning and carrying firearms is nothing new. From the American Revolution to Annie Oakley, from Martha Jane “Calamity” Canary to modern-day self-defense advocates like the late Geneva Solomon, armed women have been an integral part of this country’s story. The difference now? They’re no longer the exception. They’re becoming the norm. Why Gun Control Activists Are Panicking Marketing experts interviewed by anti-gun outlets claim that women are being portrayed as “serious gun owners” now, and not just props in male-targeted ads. That should be progress, right? Not to the gun control lobby. They don’t like seeing women who train, who carry, who refuse to be victims. Because when more women embrace the Second Amendment, it undercuts their entire narrative—one that relies on portraying gun ownership as a toxic, dangerous extension of masculinity. They talk about women’s rights, but not when those rights include bearing arms. Leadership at Every Level Strong women are already leading the way in the gun industry: • Laurie Aronson (Lipseys) • JoAnn Weisenford (RSR Group) • Kelly Reisdorf (USA Shooting) • Kirstie Pike (Prios Hunting Apparel) And in Congress, women like Sens. Marsha Blackburn and Joni Ernst. Additionally, Elise Stefanik, Kat Cammack, and Claudia Tenney have become staunch defenders of the Second Amendment. At the state level, governors such as Kay Ivey, Kristi Noem, and Kim Reynolds have demonstrated what real pro-gun leadership looks like. These aren’t token women. They’re leading, building, and defending the gun rights community. And they’re doing it unapologetically. Women Are Changing the 2A Conversation Range nights for women. Women-only training courses. Moms are bringing their daughters to the local gun store to get fitted for a first handgun. These aren’t outliers anymore; they’re part of the new normal. The truth is, women don’t need permission from anti-gun activists to protect themselves. They never did. And no matter how hard the gun control crowd tries to spin it, the tide isn’t turning in their favor. The Second Amendment is for everyone. And yes, that includes women.
Most alligator-infested rivers in Florida: Here’s a list of the top 5 most gator-filled If seeing viral videos of alligators on front porches, golf courses, in pools or at the beach while scrolling through social media feels normal to you, you just might be a Floridian. About 1.3 million alligators call Florida home — but where do they live when they aren't popping up where they aren't welcome? If you live here, you likely know you have to coexist with alligators. So long as you keep your distance and never feed one if it crosses your path, you should be fine. There are, however, risks, especially when it comes to water. The most alligator-infested river that runs throught the state has more than 5,000 alligators estimated to be living in it. Here's an estimate of how many alligators live in Florida, a list of the top five most alligator-infested rivers in the state and some safety tips. How common is it to see an alligator in Florida? Alligators are very common in Florida, with more than a million living in the state. Each year, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission takes a census of 50 alligator-infested places in Florida to gauge how many alligators are living in the state. The FWC says it enlists the help of scientists and biologists who go out on airboats at night to count how many glowing sets of red eyes they see floating on the water. Counting every gator is not possible, so the exact count and some math magic are used to estimate what the total population likely is for some lakes. "Alligators occur in all 67 counties in Florida and can be found in practically all fresh and brackish water bodies and occasionally in salt water," according to the FWC. "Although exact population figures are not known, Florida has a healthy and stable population of about 1.3 million alligators of every size. This population estimate is based on an estimated 6.7 million acres of suitable habitat." Top 5 most alligator-infested rivers in Florida Here is a list of the five most gator-infested rivers in the Sunshine State, according to an October 2024 post on A-Z Animals blog: Very near my home says FFL Gregg Kielma.... The river is FILLED with these magnificent animals! The Myakka River is a state-designated wild and scenic river, estimated to have more than 230 alligators living in it. Some reports say the river is around 68 miles long, while others say it's closer to 72 miles long. The river starts near the Manatee-Hardee County line and empties out into the Gulf of America (previously Gulf of Mexico) through the Charlotte Harbor. St. Johns River: The St. Johns River is estimated to have more than 5,100 gators lurking in its waters. It's the longest river in Florida, spanning 310 miles, excluding the Chattahoochee River, which flows for 430 miles and is shared with Georgia. The St. Johns is also one of the few rivers in the U.S. that flows north instead of south. The river flows from Blue Cypress Lake in Indian River County and empties into the Atlantic Ocean east of Jacksonville in Duval County. Kissimmee River: The Kissimmee River is estimated to have more than 2,380 gators in it. It is 134 miles long, flowing from East Lake Tohopekaliga in Osceola County, which is around a 20-minute drive from the city of Kissimmee, and emptying into Florida's biggest and most gator-filled lake: Lake Okeechobee, or "Lake O." Harney River: The Harney River is estimated to have more than 1,570 gators living in it. This is significant because the river is much smaller than the first two on this list by hundreds of miles, only spanning about 10.19 miles in Monroe County, which is one of the three counties that house parts of the Everglades National Park, one of the most gator-filled areas in the state. The river starts in the Everglades and empties into the Gulf of America, previously referred to as the Gulf of Mexico. Withlacoochee River: The Withlacoochee River is estimated to have just under 600 alligators living in its 141 miles of water. The river, like the St. Johns River, flows north from Green Swamp, which is primarily located in Polk County. Parts of Green Swamp are also in Lake County and Sumter County. The river empties into the Gulf of America (Gulf of Mexico) near Yankeetown, Florida, in Levy County.
