Eleven Men Charged in D.C. in Federal Indictment Targeting Transnational Methamphetamine and GBL Drug Trafficking Organization
Thursday, May 7, 2026
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Columbia
USADC-Media@usdoj.gov
DEA Investigation Traced International Supply Chain from South Korea and California to Washington, D.C.
gblxmeth_indictment_redacted.pdf
WASHINGTON - Eleven defendants are charged in a five-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia in connection with a sprawling, transnational drug trafficking organization that imported massive quantities of methamphetamine from California and gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) from South Korea for distribution in Washington, D.C., and elsewhere along the East Coast, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
This operation is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by President Donald J. Trump’s Executive Order.
“This long-term investigation peeled back the layers of a sophisticated drug trafficking empire—one that recruited well-educated operatives, laundered its proceeds through sham beauty companies, and flooded our streets with two of the most dangerous and lethal drug combinations available,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “As part of President Trump’s Homeland Security Taskforce and its whole-of-government approach, this case reflects the coordinated efforts of law enforcement and national security partners across jurisdictions and borders. From a storage unit in Northeast Washington to a warehouse in Seoul, we followed the supply chain end-to-end—and we’ve shut it down.”
“Drug traffickers only care about making a profit and living ‘the good life.’ This investigation started after a fatal poisoning of a DMV resident. The DEA, alongside federal, state, and local partners, are committed to a safer capital,” said Christopher Goumenis, Special Agent in Charge- DEA Washington Division. “The operation highlighted today by Judge Pirro removed dangerous individuals and poisonous substances from the streets and serves as a great example of our partnership, as well as a testament to our collective efforts to protect American citizens.”
“Today's announcement demonstrates IRS Criminal Investigation’s commitment to disrupting the illicit flow of money that enables narcotics traffickers to launder millions in illegal proceeds,” said Kareem Carter, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation (CI), Washington D.C. “IRS-CI special agents will continue to proactively leverage our knowledge and unique skills for the betterment of our communities. Whether it is money laundering, Bank Secrecy Act violations, complex financial fraud, or leveraging our tax authority, we will continue working alongside our federal partners to take criminals off the street and dismantle transnational criminal organizations.”
“This investigation disrupted a drug trafficking network that was allegedly pumping highly addictive, dangerous drugs into our Nation’s Capital,” said Eric Weindorf, Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations, Washington, D.C. “Working alongside our federal, local, and global partners, we traced the supply chain from an international parcel to a local distributor, and ultimately to a broader transnational criminal organization. It cannot be overstated: every drug seizure means less poison on our streets and in our neighborhoods. Together with our Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) counterparts, HSI will not allow criminals to profit by endangering our communities, undermining our safety, or threatening our livelihoods.”
….more
https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/eleven-men-charged-dc-federal-indictment-targeting-transnational-methamphetamine-and-gbl