NYC DEA Defense Lawyers
You’re in Manhattan and DEA agents showed up at your pharmacy with a search warrant. They’re asking about prescription records from 2023-2024. You don’t know if you need a New York criminal defense lawyer or a federal criminal defense lawyer, and you’re Googling “NYC DEA Defense Lawyers” because you need help now. Thanks for visiting Spodek Law Group – a second generation law firm with over 50 years of combined experience. Our managing partner, Todd Spodek, has many, many, years of experience handling federal drug cases, including DEA prosecutions in the Southern District and Eastern District of New York. You may have seen Todd Spodek in the news—he represented Anna Delvey (the fake German heiress), handled juror misconduct allegations in the Ghislaine Maxwell trial, and has been featured in major media outlets like the NY Post, Newsweek, and Fox 5. When federal prosecutors are investigating your NYC DEA case, you need a lawyer who handles federal cases daily.
Why Your NYPD Lawyer Can’t Help
DEA cases are prosecuted under federal statutes, not New York state law. Federal prosecutors charge violations of 21 U.S.C. § 841 (drug distribution) and 21 U.S.C. § 846 (conspiracy). Your case will be prosecuted in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York (Manhattan, Bronx, Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Orange, Dutchess, Sullivan) or the Eastern District of New York (Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island, Staten Island) – federal courts, not New York state circuit courts.
NYC has five District Attorneys: Manhattan (Alvin Bragg), Bronx (Darcel Clark), Brooklyn (Eric Gonzalez), Queens (Melinda Katz), and Staten Island (Michael McMahon). These prosecutors handle state crimes like assault, DUI, drug possession under New York Penal Law. They don’t handle DEA cases. Federal prosecutors – the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York and the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York – handle DEA prosecutions. Your NYPD lawyer who handles state court assault or drug possession cases can’t help you in federal court.
In June 2025, a 13-person NYC drug trafficking ring was taken down by federal prosecutors – DEA seized nearly 500 kilograms of cocaine, $1 million in cash, and fentanyl pills. Federal prosecution in the Southern District of New York, not Manhattan DA’s office. In May 2025, Nicholas Andrade and his Long Island organization were indicted by federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York for trafficking 137 kilograms of cocaine. Andrade also faces federal murder charges for the March 9, 2023 killing of Jose Manuel Sosa in Bay Shore. All federal prosecutions, not state.
Then There’s The Investigation
DEA New York Division conducts these. Multi-agency task forces: DEA + FBI + IRS Criminal Investigation + U.S. Postal Inspection Service + local police. Controlled buys, wiretaps, confidential informants, pharmacy records subpoenas. Target letters, grand jury subpoenas, search warrants – each signals a different stage. These run 12-24 months before indictment.
You have the right to remain silent under the Fifth Amendment – DO NOT talk to DEA agents without a lawyer present. Search warrants raise Fourth Amendment questions: was there probable cause? Your Sixth Amendment right to counsel attaches at indictment, but you should hire a federal criminal defense lawyer before indictment. Don’t talk to federal agents without a federal criminal defense lawyer. Anything you say will be used to build the case against you, and you waive your Fifth Amendment rights when you talk.
The Reality
Drug distribution penalties depend on the drug type and quantity under 21 U.S.C. § 841: fentanyl trafficking can result in 20 years to life; cocaine trafficking (5+ kilograms) carries 10 years to life. Conspiracy under 21 U.S.C. § 846 carries the same penalty as the completed offense – if you’re charged with conspiracy to distribute 5 kilograms of cocaine, you face the same sentence as if you actually distributed it.
Federal prosecutors have a 96.3% conviction rate. According to recent statistics, there were 381 federal drug trafficking convictions in the Southern District of New York alone. 367 of those cases – 96.3% – resolved outside of trial. Only 14 went to trial. If you go to trial and lose, you will almost certainly get a harsher sentence than if you had pleaded guilty early.
October 2025 – Elijah Morales from Brooklyn was sentenced to 158 months imprisonment (more than 13 years) in federal court for distributing fentanyl that caused an overdose death. September 2025 – Ryan Mueller from Long Island was sentenced to 22 years in federal prison for selling fentanyl that resulted in the death of a retired police officer. Sentenced in federal court in Central Islip. May 2025 – Nicholas Andrade faces sentencing for his role in a years-long drug trafficking operation that transported 137 kilograms of cocaine across the country for distribution in Long Island and Queens. He’s also charged with the March 9, 2023 murder of Jose Manuel Sosa. With a murder charge and 137 kilograms of cocaine, Andrade is looking at life in federal prison. January 2025 – Jonathan Huertas got 9 years for kidnappings and assaults, with 4 kilograms of fentanyl seized. 2025 – The Bronx daycare poisoning case involved federal narcotics offenses resulting in the death of four children. Federal charges, federal prosecution, federal prison exposure.
Federal sentencing guidelines calculate sentences based on drug quantity, role in the offense, and criminal history. Mandatory minimums trigger at specific quantities. There’s no parole in the federal system – you serve 85% of your sentence. The June 2025 13-person NYC trafficking ring case involved 500 kilograms of cocaine seized and $1 million in cash. With quantities like that, defendants face decades in federal prison. The Incognito Market case involved $100 million in narcotics sales. Rui-Siang Lin is facing significant federal prison time.
Once you’re indicted in federal court, your odds of acquittal are about 3%. Most federal criminal defendants plead guilty rather than go to trial. Defendants who go to trial and lose typically receive harsher sentences than defendants who plead guilty early. Don’t talk to federal agents without a federal criminal defense lawyer. You have a Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination, but you waive that right when you voluntarily talk to investigators. Federal agents will tell you they just want to hear your side of the story or clear up some confusion. Every statement you make can and will be used to prosecute you.
Experience Over Geography
Federal lawyers can practice anywhere. What matters: federal experience.
Spodek Law Group handles federal criminal cases nationwide, including NYC federal prosecutions. Todd Spodek has handled federal cases across multiple states. We can represent you in your NYC federal DEA investigation regardless of our New York location because we’re admitted to practice in federal courts nationwide. Federal experience matters more than geographic location.
Many people Google “What is the most prestigious law firm in NYC?” or “Who is the top law firm in New York?” when they’re looking for a criminal defense lawyer. Prestige doesn’t win federal cases – federal experience does. How much does a criminal defense lawyer cost in NYC? Federal criminal defense requires significant resources: investigation, expert witnesses, sentencing mitigation. Cheap lawyers get you federal convictions, and federal convictions mean many, many, years in prison. False economy.
Unlike other law firms who are more focused on their relationship with prosecutors and judges, Spodek Law Group owes loyalty to only YOU. We are focused on our clients and getting them the outcome possible. We are available 24/7 to help you. We offer risk-free consultations. Todd Spodek is a second-generation attorney who has represented clients in high-profile cases covered by major media outlets.
Don’t talk to DEA agents without a lawyer present. Don’t consent to searches beyond what the warrant requires. Don’t delete evidence – obstruction charges. Call a federal criminal defense lawyer immediately.
Call 212-300-5196.