Latest news with #U.S.DrugEnforcementAdministration
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Boston overdose deaths decreased by double digit percentage in 2024; lowest in 10 years
Overdose deaths in Boston decreased by a notable 38% last year, according to a new data analysis released by the city's Public Health Commission. It was the lowest number of related deaths since 2015, reflecting 'the continuation of an encouraging downward trend,' the commission said, that has also played out nationally. Drug overdose deaths nationwide fell by nearly 27% during 2024, provisional data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows — welcome relief from the crisis that at its worst claimed more than 107,000 lives in 2022. Read more: More and more Mass. children were being harmed by overdoses. That changed last year Many public health officials and those working in substance use have attributed the decrease to the increased availability of harm reduction tools, such as naloxone and fentanyl test strips, as well as the ever-changing illicit drug supply itself. Last month, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration released its annual threat assessment showing average fentanyl purity is falling. Meanwhile, drug traffickers are introducing new contaminants into the street supply, often unknown to people who use the drugs. An especially promising sign within Boston's 2024 overdose data is the significant drop in deaths of Black and Latino residents, specifically men, who in recent years were disproportionately impacted by the opioid crisis. Read more: There's a new opioid antidote. But Mass. health officials are hesitant to endorse it While overdose death rates for white people were dropping, they increased for people of color. For example, in 2023, Black and Indigenous men across Massachusetts had the highest opioid-related death rates, compared to a 16% drop in the death rates among white men. But 2024 in Boston told a different story: opioid-related mortality in the city fell by 59% for Black men and 52% for Latino men. Overall, Black and Latino residents experienced an overall 58% and 48% decrease, respectively. The city called the numbers 'an encouraging sign.' Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, Boston's public health commissioner, said the new data reinforces the city's commitment to 'eliminating racial and ethnic disparities and to ensuring equitable access to services for people with substance use disorders.' 'While we are encouraged by these data, we still have work to do,' she said. Last year, the city of Boston distributed over 23,000 doses of naloxone — the overdose reversal medication — via street outreach, public health vending machines, kiosks and community grants. Read MassLive's series on deadly pill press machines The Boston Public Health Commission conducted over 25,000 engagements with people and made over 2,000 treatment placements, often driving patients directly to a detox or treatment facility, the city said. In a statement, Mayor Michelle Wu said the new data represents 'the impact of our collective efforts to combat the opioid crisis, but emphasizes our continued support to communities who are disproportionately affected.' RFK Jr. says US ending COVID shot recommendation for healthy children, pregnant women Dangerous allergen triggers nationwide chicken soup public health alert Biden's cancer renews debate about prostate screenings for older men Listeria alert: Premade wraps at Big Y, Price Chopper trigger health warning Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
4 L.A. County men arrested for plotting to distribute 2,000 pounds of drugs, feds allege
Four Los Angeles County men have been arrested on suspicion of running a drug trafficking operation and conspiring to distribute more than 2,000 pounds of drugs and hundreds of thousands of counterfeit pills, according to authorities. The men allegedly kept the drugs inside a safe house on Wilmington Avenue in Compton, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's Los Angeles Field Division said in a statement. Last month, federal agents seized 1,730 pounds of methamphetamine, 238 pounds of cocaine, 257 pounds of powdered fentanyl and about 360,000 counterfeit fentanyl pills from the home. Authorities also took possession of 13 firearms and seven vehicles. Read more: One of the dark web's largest drug-dealing networks was run by four L.A. County men, feds allege Authorities believe the men made about $1.6 million in drug proceeds since 2023. To hide their activities from law enforcement, the men used coded language to communicate via FaceTime and Snapchat, according to the DEA. In May 2023, when authorities say the drug distribution operation began, the men allegedly made $3,250 selling meth to a customer at a restaurant in Paramount, according to court records. A drug sale the next month brought in $6,500, court records say. The four men were arrested on Wednesday. Authorities identified them as Jesse 'Gordo' Lopez-Martinez, 27, of Long Beach; Carlos 'Losy' Mendoza Jr., 32, of Compton; Hector Merced Parra Jr., 25, of South Gate; and Juan 'Panchito' Francisco Felix Salazar, 28, of Whittier. Read more: Authorities tout massive 50-pound fentanyl seizure in L.A.: 'Our biggest bust yet' Lopez-Martinez faces three counts of possession of drugs with the intent to distribute. Parra and Salazar were each charged with one count for possession of drugs with the intent to distribute. Mendoza faces four counts: two for possession of drugs with intent to distribute, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. He was previously convicted in L.A. in 2012 for felony drug transportation, authorities say. Parra and Salazar have been released on bond, while Lopez-Martinez and Mendoza remain in custody. All four men have pleaded not guilty. According to the DEA, Mendoza allegedly stored and safeguarded the drugs at the Compton residence while Lopez-Martinez allegedly arranged deliveries. Lopez-Martinez and Mendoza allegedly transported meth, and prosecutors say Salazar and Parra helped Lopez-Martinez supply fentanyl to customers. Parra also received fentanyl on consignment from Salazar for further distribution, authorities allege. Read more: Hollywood woman convicted of running delivery service dubbed 'Uber, but for drugs' 'The DEA will show zero tolerance for drug criminals, who continue to poison and devastate our communities,' Matthew Allen, special agent in charge of the L.A. Field Division, said in a statement. 'We're going to find you, shut down your activities, and ensure you face the full force of the law.' If convicted as charged, the four men could each face a 10-year mandatory minimum prison sentence and a maximum life sentence, according to the DEA. The investigation was conducted in collaboration with the Vernon Police Department, the Baldwin Park Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Homeland Security Investigations. Trial is scheduled to begin on July 21. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
21 hours ago
- Los Angeles Times
4 L.A. County men arrested for plotting to distribute 2,000 pounds of drugs, feds allege
Four Los Angeles County men have been arrested on suspicion of running a drug trafficking operation and conspiring to distribute more than 2,000 pounds of drugs and hundreds of thousands of counterfeit pills, according to authorities. The men allegedly kept the drugs inside a safe house on Wilmington Avenue in Compton, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's Los Angeles Field Division said in a statement. Last month, federal agents seized 1,730 pounds of methamphetamine, 238 pounds of cocaine, 257 pounds of powdered fentanyl and about 360,000 counterfeit fentanyl pills from the home. Authorities also took possession of 13 firearms and seven vehicles. Authorities believe the men made about $1.6 million in drug proceeds since 2023. To hide their activities from law enforcement, the men used coded language to communicate via FaceTime and Snapchat, according to the DEA. In May 2023, when authorities say the drug distribution operation began, the men allegedly made $3,250 selling meth to a customer at a restaurant in Paramount, according to court records. A drug sale the next month brought in $6,500, court records say. The four men were arrested on Wednesday. Authorities identified them as Jesse 'Gordo' Lopez-Martinez, 27, of Long Beach; Carlos 'Losy' Mendoza Jr., 32, of Compton; Hector Merced Parra Jr., 25, of South Gate; and Juan 'Panchito' Francisco Felix Salazar, 28, of Whittier. Lopez-Martinez faces three counts of possession of drugs with the intent to distribute. Parra and Salazar were each charged with one count for possession of drugs with the intent to distribute. Mendoza faces four counts: two for possession of drugs with intent to distribute, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. He was previously convicted in L.A. in 2012 for felony drug transportation, authorities say. Parra and Salazar have been released on bond, while Lopez-Martinez and Mendoza remain in custody. All four men have pleaded not guilty. According to the DEA, Mendoza allegedly stored and safeguarded the drugs at the Compton residence while Lopez-Martinez allegedly arranged deliveries. Lopez-Martinez and Mendoza allegedly transported meth, and prosecutors say Salazar and Parra helped Lopez-Martinez supply fentanyl to customers. Parra also received fentanyl on consignment from Salazar for further distribution, authorities allege. 'The DEA will show zero tolerance for drug criminals, who continue to poison and devastate our communities,' Matthew Allen, special agent in charge of the L.A. Field Division, said in a statement. 'We're going to find you, shut down your activities, and ensure you face the full force of the law.' If convicted as charged, the four men could each face a 10-year mandatory minimum prison sentence and a maximum life sentence, according to the DEA. The investigation was conducted in collaboration with the Vernon Police Department, the Baldwin Park Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Homeland Security Investigations. Trial is scheduled to begin on July 21.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
4 L.A. County men conspired to distribute ‘vast quantities' of meth, fentanyl: DEA
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration announced Monday that four men from L.A. County were arrested for allegedly conspiring to distribute 'vast quantities' of methamphetamine and fentanyl. The seven-count federal indictment comes after the DEA's Los Angeles Field Division conducted a raid at a safehouse in Compton and seized millions of dollars worth of drug proceeds, contraband and weapons, according to a DEA release. Investigators located the following during the raid: 785 kg (1,730 pounds) of methamphetamine 108 kg (238 pounds) of cocaine 117 kg (257 pounds) of powder fentanyl Approximately 360,000 counterfeit fentanyl pills Approximately $1,642,371 in drug proceeds 13 firearms 7 vehicles Each of the four defendants — all of whom are residents of L.A. County — was charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. All four were arrested on May 28 and pleaded not guilty at their arraignment the next day. They have been identified as: Jesse Lopez-Martinez, 27, of Long Beach (aka 'Gordo') Carlos Mendoza Jr., 32, of Compton (aka 'Los') Hector Merced Parra Jr., 25, of South Gate (no known alias) Juan Francisco Felix Salazar, 28, of Whittier (aka 'Panchito') Some of the men are facing additional charges; Lopez-Martinez is charged with another two counts of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances while Mendoza also received an additional count of possession with intent to distribute, as well as a count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and a count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Man, 22, arrested in connection with fatal shooting of civilian, Baldwin Park police officer Mendoza is not permitted to legally possess a firearm due to his 2012 felony drug transportation conviction in L.A. County, the DEA said in their media release. A federal magistrate judge ordered both men to be jailed without bond, while Parra and Felix were released on bond. The four men, according to the indictment filed on May 22, used coded language while communicating via FaceTime and Snapchat to conduct their criminal activities, some of which happened at a local restaurant, federal officials said. 'Lopez-Martinez and Felix negotiated the sale of controlled substances with drug customers. Mendoza stored and safeguarded controlled substances at a residence on Wilmington Avenue in Compton,' the DEA's media release states. 'Lopez-Martinez arranged the delivery of controlled substances to drug customers [while he] and Mendoza transported methamphetamine.' 'Lopez-Martinez and Felix supplied fentanyl to others, including Parra, for further distribution,' the media release continues. 'Parra received fentanyl on consignment from Felix for further distribution.' Do you know anything? 45-year-old Orange County cold case remains unsolved A trial date of July 21 has been set for the case. Special Agent in Charge of the DEA's Los Angeles Field Division Matthew Allen was firm in his stance on the arrests and charges filed. 'The men and women of DEA will show zero tolerance for drug criminals, who continue to poison and devastate our communities,' Allen said per the DEA release. 'Collaboration between DEA and law enforcement partners at all levels has never been more resolute. We're going to find you, shut down your activities and ensure you face the full force of the law.' If convicted of all charges, each defendant would face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Associated Press
5 days ago
- Health
- Associated Press
American Kratom Association (AKA) Urges Louisiana Governor to Veto SB 154 – A Dangerous and Unjust Criminalization Bill
Governor should protect Louisiana citizens and support science and common sense American Kratom Association (AKA) is calling on Governor Jeff Landry to immediately veto SB 154, a bill that will unjustly criminalize more than 325,000 law-abiding Louisianans who currently use kratom as part of their personal health and wellness routines. If signed into law, SB 154 would strip these individuals—including many veterans—of safe access to kratom and turn them into criminals overnight. SB 154 is based on misinformation and political favoritism, not science. During debate, proponents of the bill relied on incomplete and demonstrably false claims—ignoring the expert evaluations that led the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to decline scheduling kratom. Instead of protecting public health, this legislation caters to Senator Morris's campaign donors, including anti-kratom drug rehab centers and pharmaceutical interests that stand to profit from a ban. 'This bill isn't about public safety—it's about politics,' said Mac Haddow, Senior Fellow on Public Policy for the AKA. 'We're urging Governor Landry to reject this reckless criminalization effort and stand with the 325,000 Louisianans who responsibly use kratom, many of whom are veterans managing chronic pain and PTSD without dangerous opioids.' The AKA strongly urges Governor Landry to veto SB 154 and instead convene a Louisiana Kratom Commission to: Take Action Now Louisiana residents can contact Governor Landry and ask him to veto SB 154 by visiting: America should stand for facts—not fear, and for science—not special interests. Louisiana deserves thoughtful regulation—not blanket criminalization. About American Kratom Association (AKA) American Kratom Association (AKA) is a consumer-based, nonprofit organization, focused on furthering the latest science as guidance for kratom public policy. AKA works to give a voice to millions of Americans by fighting to protect their rights to access safe and natural kratom. For more information, visit and learn more at Media Contact Mac Haddow [email protected] ### SOURCE: American Kratom Association (AKA) Copyright 2025 EZ Newswire
