DEA Launches Bold Bilateral Initiative to Dismantle Cartel Gatekeepers and Combat Synthetic Drug Trafficking

 

The Drug Enforcement Administration announces a major new initiative to strengthen collaboration between the United States and Mexico in the fight against cartels, whose trafficking networks are responsible for flooding American communities with deadly synthetic drugs.   

 

At the core of this effort is Project Portero, DEA’s flagship operation aimed at dismantling cartel “gatekeepers”, operatives who control the smuggling corridors along the Southwest Border. Gatekeepers are essential to cartel operations, directing the flow of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine into the United States while ensuring the movement of firearms and bulk cash back into Mexico. By specifically targeting them, DEA and its partners are striking at the heart of cartel command-and-control. 

To advance this effort, DEA has launched a multi-week training and collaboration program at one of its intelligence centers on the Southwest Border. The program brings together Mexican investigators with U.S. law enforcement, prosecutors, defense officials, and members of the intelligence community. Over the course of several weeks, participants will identify joint targets, develop coordinated enforcement strategies, and strengthen the exchange of intelligence. 

Project Portero is also coordinated with the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF), ensuring a whole-of-government approach. HSTF integration brings together law enforcement, intelligence, defense, and prosecutorial elements, aligning priorities and operations so the United States can apply its full capabilities against cartel networks.  

“DEA is taking decisive action to confront the cartels that are killing Americans with fentanyl and other poisons,” said DEA Administrator Terrance Cole. “Project Portero and this new training program show how we will fight - by planning and operating side by side with our Mexican partners, and by bringing the full strength of the U.S. government to bear. This is a bold first step in a new era of cross-border enforcement, and we will pursue it relentlessly until these violent organizations are dismantled."

This initiative reflects Administrator Cole’s broader priorities: recommitting DEA to enforcement, dismantling cartels designated as terrorist organizations, and strengthening collaboration with foreign counterparts. While fentanyl is the most urgent threat, Project Portero addresses all aspects of cartel criminal activity—from drug smuggling to weapons trafficking to illicit finance—that cross the border and endanger American communities.

Statement From Governor Kathy Hochul

“Last week, a mother went to 26 Federal Plaza in lower Manhattan for a routine immigration check-in with her adult son and 7-year-old daughter. ICE agents detained all three of them on the spot. I have been clear: whether under President Biden or Donald Trump, I will work with the federal government to secure our borders and deport violent criminals who pose a real threat. But ripping a mother from her children and detaining her 7-year-old daughter is cruel and unjust. It does not make anyone in New York or across the country safer. Instead of preparing her daughter for school, this mother and her daughter have been separated from their family and sent to a facility in Texas. My Administration has reached out to the Department of Homeland Security demanding their immediate return to New York.

“This is not the first cruel and unjust act at 26 Federal Plaza, and I join New Yorkers in demanding better conditions at this detention center. The Department of Homeland Security must open the doors to New York’s congressional members so they can conduct oversight and ensure the welfare of everyone inside. President Trump promised only to target the ‘worst of the worst,’ but ICE continues to target families, students and those contributing to society. With less than half of immigration arrests by ICE involving someone with a conviction or criminal history, it is long past time they focus on removing violent criminals, as they promised — and stop terrorizing children.

“If a 7-year-old is who President Trump considers the ‘worst of the worst,’ then the promise was a lie from the start.”

Founder And Former CEO Of Charity Pleads Guilty To Multimillion-Dollar Charity Fraud And Tax Evasion

 

United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced that KEITH TAYLOR, the founder and former chief executive officer of Modest Needs Foundation (“Modest Needs”), a charitable organization, pled guilty before U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Rochon to defrauding the charity and its donors by stealing millions in donations meant for low-income families and spending them instead on personal expenses—including rent in a luxury apartment building in midtown Manhattan, food delivery services, and lavish meals at some of New York City’s most expensive restaurants—and lying about the charity’s oversight and governance.  TAYLOR also pled guilty to evading more than a million dollars in federal income taxes and is scheduled to be sentenced on October 15, 2025. 

“Keith Taylor preyed on the trust of New Yorkers who gave generously to help struggling families,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “Those who use charitable dollars to line their own pockets undermine the work of our many great charities and the special tax status charities enjoy.  They must be brought to justice.” 

According to the Superseding Indictment, the Complaint, filings, and court proceedings:

In or about 2002, TAYLOR founded Modest Needs, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that used a crowdsourcing model to help low-income workers pay for unexpected expenses like medical bills or broken appliances.  Its mission was to provide short-term financial assistance to individuals and families living paycheck-to-paycheck who were faced with an unexpected crisis or expense that they could not pay.

Since at least 2015, TAYLOR embezzled more than $2.5 million from the charity and its donors and used that money to fund his lavish personal spending.  TAYLOR regularly dined at Per Se, Jean-Georges, Masa, and Marea in midtown Manhattan, sometimes as often as twice a day, spending more than $320,000 of charity funds at New York City restaurants and steakhouses.  Funds donated to the charity paid over $300,000 of TAYLOR’s rent for a luxury apartment on the 30th floor of a midtown Manhattan skyscraper.  TAYLOR also used charity funds to buy himself expensive electronics, pay over $100,000 to food delivery services, and pay for his own medical expenses.  TAYLOR put over $270,000 of charity funds directly into his personal brokerage account.  TAYLOR also routinely paid his other personal expenses from the charity’s bank accounts.

TAYLOR continued to defraud Modest Needs and its donors, even after his arrest in June 2024 on these charges.  Even though he purportedly resigned his employment with Modest Needs and no longer was supposed to have access to Modest Needs’ bank accounts, as a condition of his pretrial release, TAYLOR continued to use Modest Needs’ funds for his personal expenses, including to pay for meals, medical expenses, and rent for his luxury apartment, all in violation of the conditions of his pretrial release in this case.

TAYLOR attempted to hide his embezzlement of charity funds by creating a fake board of directors and claiming it had approved his personal spending and provided oversight over the organization.  TAYLOR used the names of his acquaintances and falsely listed them on the charity’s tax forms and website as board members.  TAYLOR’s acquaintances who were listed as the charity’s board members included a bartender from Jean-Georges, a friend, and his house-cleaner, none of whom ever attended a board meeting or even knew that they had been listed on the charity’s website or tax forms as board members.

For at least the calendar years of 2017 through 2024, TAYLOR did not file personal income tax returns or pay income taxes on the millions of dollars in income he received from the charity, evading more than a million dollars in federal income taxes.

TAYLOR, 58, of New York, New York, pled guilty to one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison because he committed the offense while on pretrial release, and eight counts of tax evasion, each of which carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

The minimum and maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge.

Mr. Clayton praised the exceptional investigative work of Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation and the Special Agents of the United States Attorney’s Office. 

DEC Announces Family-Friendly Activities at the Great New York State Fair

 

Attend DEC’s Free Fishing Days, Receive Free Tree Seedlings, Purchase Sporting Licenses and Sign-Up for the Conservationist Magazine

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton encouraged New Yorkers to “Get Offline and Get Outside” and visit DEC’s environmental exhibits at the Great New York State Fair in Syracuse. The Fair runs from Wednesday, Aug. 20, through Monday, Sept. 1. 

“Visiting DEC at the Great New York State Fair is a perfect way to get off your smart phone and outside this summer,” Commissioner Lefton said. “Whether you’re checking out the fish in the Aquarium building, planting a free tree seedling, or casting a rod for the first time on a Free Fishing Day, there are opportunities for everyone to connect to nature at the Fair.” 

This year, DEC is pleased to offer two free Family Fishing Days on Friday, Aug. 22, and Friday, Aug. 29, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. The events will take place at the pond area near Gate 10 and Tram Stop 6. No fishing license is required, and all fishing equipment will be provided. Free Fishing Days are an excellent opportunity for new anglers to try out fishing for the first time. 

In DEC’s Aquarium building, visitors are encouraged to view the wide array of fish and amphibians from Oneida Lake, which are maintained by DEC’s Oneida Hatchery staff throughout the duration of the Fair.  

DEC staff at the Aquarium building also offer hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses for purchase, as well as DEC’s new Trail Supporter patch for $5. All sales of the patch are deposited in the Conservation Fund's Outdoor Recreation, Trail Maintenance, and Development account. Visitors looking for hunter education course information are encouraged to stop by the Hunter Safety booth for details. Attendees are also encouraged to check out the tree stand safety display to learn about important hunter safety tips. DEC Environmental Conservation Police Officers will  be in attendance, displaying their new exhibit on air quality and available to answer questions on environmental laws and regulations. 

Visitors are also encouraged to talk with DEC’s Division of Lands and Forests staff and take home a free tree seedling supplied by the Saratoga Tree Nursery. Seedlings will be given away each day of the Fair, while supplies last. By planting trees, residents can help New York State reach its goal of planting 25 million trees by 2033. 

Stop by the magazine booth to subscribe to New York’s environmental magazine, the Conservationist. A ‘State Fair Special’ of six issues for $10 is being offered, as well as a Conservationist lanyard, reusable snack bag, and reusable tote bag, while supplies last, with the purchase or renewal of a subscription. New York State residents can also enter to win a lifetime fishing license or a sporting goods store gift card with an approximate value of $460. To enter the drawing, simply fill out a short survey. No purchase is necessary to enter.  

Outside of the Aquarium building, DEC will staff an informational booth throughout the Fair to provide information about climate change, the Great Lakes, outdoor recreation, marine resources, and much more. The Office of Indian Nation Affairs will be available there on Friday, Aug. 29 for Native Americans Day. 

DEC Forest Rangers will be located near the New York State Police exhibit. The Forest Ranger booth will feature wildland firefighting and search and rescue equipment that Rangers use in the field. Smokey Bear will be accompanying the Rangers during the Fair’s evening parades on Aug. 25, 26, 28 and Sept. 1.  

In a recent DEC podcast episode of “DEC Does What?!”, hosts are joined by Oneida Fish Hatchery Manager Bill Evans and Public Participation Specialist Emma Antolos to explore DEC’s participation in the New York State Fair and how DEC staff promote outdoor recreational opportunities and environmental conservation efforts across the state (listen here). “DEC Does What?!” is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon Music, and everywhere podcasts are available.  

For more information on the Great New York State Fair, visit the New York State Fair website. 

DA KATZ ANNOUNCES PADLOCKING OF SIX ILLEGAL CANNABIS STOREFRONTS

 

  

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced a sweeping enforcement action against six illegal cannabis storefronts in the borough. Dubbed Operation Weed Whacker, the months-long investigation included undercover buys and resulted in the padlocking of each location, four arrests and the seizure of hundreds of pounds of illicit cannabis and tobacco products.

District Attorney Katz said: “Illegal cannabis stores pose a threat to community safety and to the individuals who purchase their products. My office, working with our law enforcement partners, will continue to ensure compliance so that legitimate businesses can thrive and our neighbors, particularly young people, remain safe from the unregulated products sold by illegal shops. Thank you to members of my Crimes Strategies and Intelligence Bureau, Detective Bureau as well as our partners at the New York City Sheriff and the NYPD for their hard work.”

Mahmud Hossain, 24, of Queens Village, was arraigned last month on a criminal complaint charging him with criminal possession of cannabis in the first degree. He is due back in court September 4 and faces a potential maximum of 2 1/3 to seven years in prison if convicted.

Michael Deblasio, 32, of Woodhaven, and Hemyar Naji, 34 of Brooklyn, were arraigned August 13 on a criminal court complaint charging them with criminal possession of cannabis in the second degree. They are due back in court October 14 and face a potential maximum of 1 1/3 to four years in prison if convicted.

A fourth individual received a desk appearance ticket on August 14.

The six locations that were searched and padlocked from July 16 through August 14 are:

• Hollis Convenience at 190-12 99th Avenue in Hollis
• Moonrocks at 46-06 Utopia Parkway in Flushing
• No Limit at 231-01b Linden Boulevard in Cambria Heights
• ZaZa Exotic (Linden Green Farms Inc.) at 231-07 Linden Boulevard in Cambria Heights
• Sunnyside Clouds at 45-03 40th Street in Sunnyside
• Fumes Puff at 41-25 Queens Blvd in Sunnyside

A total of 130 pounds of cannabis flower, 110 pounds of cannabis vapes, 74 pounds of cannabis edibles and 173 pounds of illegal flavored tobacco vapes were seized from the six locations.

This operation is part of the District Attorney’s ongoing effort to rid Queens of illegal cannabis dispensaries, whether operating out of trucks and vans or brick-and-mortar commercial locations.

Since November 2022, enforcement operations have resulted in the prosecution of 445 individuals for felony-related charges related to the sale and/or possession of cannabis or controlled substances in Queens.

A total of 310 shops in Queens County have been padlocked since July 2024 through the assistance of the New York City Sheriff’s Office and the NYPD.

Criminal Illegal Alien Recklessly Driving an 18-Wheeler Kills Three in Florida

 

Gavin Newsom’s California Department of Motor Vehicles issued an illegal alien a Commercial Driver’s License

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodged an arrest detainer for criminal illegal alien Harjinder Singh following his arrest for three counts of vehicular homicide.

According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, on August 12, 2025, Harjinder Singh attempted to make an illegal U-turn through an “Official Use Only” access point in St. Lucie County. By blocking all lanes of the highway with his truck, Singh caused a brutal wreck, instantly killing three innocent people and leaving Florida families shattered.

Video obtained from Breaking911 from inside the tractor trailer shows the exact moment Singh decided to break U.S. highway laws as he turned his truck into traffic- his face shows no shock or remorse for his actions or the lives he destroyed.

“Three innocent people were killed in Florida because Gavin Newsom’s California Department of Motor Vehicles issued an illegal alien a Commercial Driver’s License—this state of governance is asinine,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “How many more innocent people must die before Gavin Newsom stops playing games with the safety of the American public? We pray for the victims and their families. Secretary Noem and DHS are working around the clock to protect the public and get these criminal illegal aliens out of America.”

Singh obtained a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) in California, despite having no legal right to be in the United States. Governor Newsom put Americans' lives directly at risk by arming this illegal alien with the ability to operate a 40-ton killing machine on U.S. highways. This reckless policy gave Singh the keys and three innocent people paid with their lives.

ICE issued an immigration detainer on August 16, 2025, after Singh was arrested, to ensure he remains in custody after his state prosecution, preventing him from slipping back onto America’s streets. This detainer ensures he will be transferred to ICE custody the moment his criminal case concludes.

DHS law enforcement is protecting American communities every day from another senseless tragedy like this taking place in another town, to another family. Victims of illegal alien crime may receive support from the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) Office by contacting 1-855-488-6423.

Founder of Purported Artificial Intelligence-Powered Hedge Fund Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison

Defendant Victimized Friends, Family, and Members of the Egyptian-American Coptic Christian Community in a $5.7 Million Ponzi Scheme 

Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Mina Tadrus was sentenced by United States District Judge Hector Gonzalez to 30 months in prison for committing investment adviser fraud of more than $5.7 million in connection with a scheme to defraud investors in Tadrus Capital LLC, a hedge fund Tadrus founded and operated that purported to use artificial intelligence-based algorithmic trading models.  As part of the sentence, Tadrus was also ordered to pay restitution of $4,224,850.  Tadrus pleaded guilty in February 2025.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), and Harry T. Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, New York (IRS-CI New York) announced the sentence.

“The defendant traded on excitement over the newest AI technology to trick investors to invest millions with his hedge fund.  In the end, he perpetrated one of the oldest frauds in the book,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “Today’s sentence serves as a reminder to all investment advisors that your clients place great faith in you to truthfully manage their investments, nest-eggs, and retirement savings.  Our Office is committed to protecting the investing public, vindicating the rights of victims of economic crime, and prosecuting those who undermine the stability of our economy.”

Mr. Nocella expressed his appreciation to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s New York Regional Office for its assistance in this matter.

“Mina Tadrus shamelessly lied to investors of his hedge fund - many of whom were friends and family - preying on their trust to defraud them out of more than $5 million.  Today, Tadrus learned that his scheme resulted not in wealth, but prison time.  Ensuring fraudsters are held accountable in the criminal justice system is essential to the FBI's work on behalf of the American people,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Raia.

“While Tadrus sold a dream of high-profits to his investors, the only return they saw was the negative result of being swindled by someone they trusted. Today’s sentence and imposed restitution sees that Tadrus will spend real time behind bars and pay for his crimes. This new reality is not AI generated," stated IRS-CI New York Special Agent in Charge Chavis.

As set forth in court filings, Tadrus, a former stockbroker registered with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and derivatives consultant for a global financial institution, founded Tadrus Capital LLC in June 2020.  Tadrus claimed to operate “the world’s first private high-yielding and fixed-income quantitative hedge fund” powered by artificial intelligence (AI) high-frequency trading models to guarantee investors up to 30% returns annually. In reality, Tadrus used no AI-based algorithmic trading.   Tadrus also falsely claimed that Tadrus Capital was “recession-proof” and maintained liquidity with access to $5.5 billion in purchasing power.

Between September 2020 and July 2023, at least 31 individuals—predominantly Tadrus’s family, friends, and members of the Egyptian-American Coptic Christian community—invested more than $5.7 million with Tadrus Capital.  Less than one percent of the investor funds were used for legitimate investment activities and none of those activities included the promised  AI-based algorithmic trading.  Instead, Tadrus used approximately $1.7 million of investor funds both to pay other investors the monthly returns he had falsely promised, and to pay himself, his employees, and his personal expenses.

New Jersey Resident Sentenced for Role in Global Export Control and Sanctions Evasion Scheme

 

Defendant Facilitated Russia’s Acquisition of Millions of Dollars of U.S.-Made Dual-Use Electronics, as well as Military-Grade Ammunition

In federal court in Brooklyn, New York, a New Jersey resident and dual U.S. and Russian national, Vadim Yermolenko, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for his role in a transnational arms dealing and money laundering network that sought to acquire ammunition and sensitive dual-use electronics for Russian military and intelligence services. In addition to the term of imprisonment Yermolenko was ordered to pay a forfeiture money judgment of $75,547.  Yermolenko pleaded guilty in November 2024 to conspiracy to violate the Export Control Reform Act, bank fraud conspiracy, and conspiracy to defraud the United States.

“The defendant lied to banks, facilitated the illegal export of ammunition and sensitive technology, and evaded income taxes, all as part of a global procurement and money laundering network operated on behalf of the Russian government,” said U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella for the Eastern District of New York. “Today’s sentence should send a message to all who would consider abusing the financial system to commit crimes on behalf of foreign nations: this office will find you, prosecute you, and, if you are convicted, seek a significant prison sentence.”

As alleged in court documents, the defendant was affiliated with Serniya Engineering (Serniya) and Sertal LLC (Sertal), two Moscow-based procurement companies. Serniya and Sertal operated a vast network of shell companies and bank accounts throughout the world, including in the United States, that were used in furtherance of the scheme to conceal the involvement of the Russian government and the true Russian end users of U.S.-origin equipment.

The defendant and his co-conspirators unlawfully purchased and exported highly sensitive, export controlled electronic components, some of which can be used in the development of nuclear and hypersonic weapons, quantum computing, and other military applications. Serniya, Sertal, and several individuals and companies involved in the scheme were designated by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in February 2022.

To carry out the scheme, Yermolenko helped set up numerous shell companies and bank accounts in the U.S. to illicitly move money and export-controlled goods. During the period charged in the indictment, more than $12 million passed through accounts owned or controlled by the defendant, which he failed to report to the IRS. These funds were used in part to purchase sensitive equipment used in radar, surveillance, and military research and development. In one instance, money from one of the defendant’s accounts was used to purchase export-controlled sniper bullets, which were intercepted in Estonia before they could be smuggled into Russia.

Co-defendant Nikolaos Bogonikolos previously pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy and conspiracy to violate the Export Control Reform Act and was sentenced to 15 months in prison. Co-defendant Alexey Brayman previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States and is awaiting sentence.

Assistant Attorney General John A. Eisenberg for National Security, U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. for the Eastern District of New York, Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia of the FBI’s New York Field Office, Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Carson of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Office of Export Enforcement, New York Field Office (OEE), and Special Agent in Charge Harry T. Chavis Jr. of IRS Criminal Investigation New York (IRS-CI) made the announcement.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, and the Estonian authorities provided valuable assistance.