WASHINGTON – Operation OD Justice is a DEA initiative born out of a critical need to investigate drug poising and overdose deaths across the United States. The initiative, launched in 2021 by DEA’s Los Angeles and San Diego Field Divisions, offers training, resources, and poisoning response coordinators to assist state and local law enforcement as they investigate drug poisonings and overdose deaths. In 2022 OD Justice expanded to all 23 DEA domestic field divisions. Since its nationwide expansion, DEA has conducted nearly 500 drug poisoning and overdose-related investigations under the OD Justice framework.Every day across the United States, families are faced with the devasting impact of losing a loved one to a fentanyl poisoning. Of the more than 107,440 drug-related deaths in 2023, 69% involved fentanyl. That is more than 200 American lives lost every day to fentanyl.
OD Justice aims to identify and bring to justice the drug traffickers responsible for supplying the fentanyl involved in a drug poisoning or overdose death. Through OD Justice, DEA aims to provide expertise, investigative resources, and global law enforcement capabilities to local law enforcement investigations with the goal of identifying the chain of supply for local street dealers. Many times, we have successfully identified the Mexico based cartel source of supply multiple levels removed from the street dealer that provided the deadly dose of drugs to the victim.
“DEA has brought more cases involving fentanyl to federal court than ever before this past year, and we are just getting started. As I walk through the lobby of DEA Headquarters, I am reminded why we must work differently. The more than 6,000 Americans included in the Faces of Fentanyl, who have lost their lives to this deadly epidemic, remind us of the devastation and loss caused by fentanyl and the hundreds of thousands of American lives lost,” said Administrator Anne Milgram. “For the first time since 2021, we are seeing a decrease in overdose deaths. This news is encouraging, yet there is much more work to be done, because one life lost to fentanyl is one too many.”
Examples of this important investigative work include:
- Portland, Texas: Arielle Spears survived a fentanyl overdose in Portland, Texas, but suffered life-altering injuries, including the loss of her legs due to prolonged tissue damage. Investigators linked her drug supplier, Reuben James Coddington, to her overdose. A search of Coddington’s residence revealed a large quantity of methamphetamine, firearms-including one used in local drive-by shootings and drug paraphernalia. Coddington, a convicted felon and gang member, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for drug trafficking.
- Fairbanks, Alaska: A three-year investigation into fentanyl overdoses in Fairbanks, Alaska, resulted in the conviction of California supplier O’Jay Gafatasi Tulali, who was sentenced to life without parole. This case stemmed from the fentanyl poisoning death of a young father. Investigators tracked the distribution chain from local dealers to Tulali, uncovering a major drug trafficking operation and bringing closure to the victim’s family.
- Seminole County, Florida: A 27-year-old in Florida died from a counterfeit pill laced with fentanyl, leading investigators to supplier Michael Dandorf. Further probes identified Bradley Hunter, who sourced fake pills from a Mexican cartel. Both were arrested along with cartel operative Andres Raya, marking a precedent-setting extradition to Florida for drug poisoning charges.
- Omaha, Nebraska: A series of fentanyl overdose deaths in Omaha led to the indictment of eight individuals, including Carlos Lopez-Montoya, a Sinaloa Cartel-linked supplier. The investigation resulted in the seizure of thousands of fentanyl pills, cocaine, and cash. Six suspects face charges of distribution resulting in death.
- Virginia Beach, Virginia: After a 17-year-old in Virginia Beach died from a fentanyl-laced pill, investigators identified and arrested Izayah Dural and supplier Lixander Henry, Searches yielded 46,000 counterfeit pills, cocaine, and firearms – the largest fentanyl seizure in the region. Federal charges are pending against the suspects.
- Indianapolis, Indiana: The DEA assisted in prosecuting Benjamin Ingram for supplying fentanyl that caused the death of Jacob Lampe. Using advanced forensic and investigative techniques, Ingram was convicted of dealing in a controlled substance resulting in death and sentenced to 35 years in prison.
- St. Louis, Missouri: A St. Louis teenager’s fentanyl poisoning death prompted an investigation into a drug ring targeting high school students. Investigators linked the death to a stash house and indicted three suspects for conspiracy and distribution. Additional charges are expected as the case unfolds.
- Camden, New Jersey: Daniel Garcia and an accomplice face charges after their child overdosed on fentanyl, benzodiazepines, and cocaine. Investigators discovered large quantities of drugs, cash, and firearms. Garcia faces federal drug and firearms charges, along with state child endangerment charges.
- New Orleans, Louisiana: Three individuals, including Shyheim Pines and Kawaiishi Brown, were charged with distributing fentanyl that caused serious injury to a university student. Controlled buys, searches, and interviews revealed a large drug operation, leading to indictments on drug and weapons charges.
- El Paso, Texas: An investigation into the fentanyl poisoning death of Andres Portillo led to the arrest of Michael Cuccaro, who distributed counterfeit pills supplied by Gabriela Medina Munoz. Both were convicted, with Cuccaro sentenced to 15 years in prison.