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Inside the DEA

Content

DEA agents with gun and shield checking out a house
Tough job. Vital mission.

Those words have special meaning in our complex world. Even though the Drug Enforcement Administration has been around since 1973, many people aren't familiar with the agency's responsibilities, mission, and impact on Americans' day-to-day lives. DEA performs an important law enforcement mission across America and in more than 50 countries around the globe.

What does DEA do? 

  • Makes cases against the world's most dangerous and powerful drug lords
  • Finds links between terrorists and drug traffickers
  • Tracks drug finances through international banking systems
  • Busts meth labs in middle America
  • Keeps city streets safe from drug gangs

From Colombia to Afghanistan and from Los Angeles to New York, DEA agents, investigators, analysts, chemists, lawyers, and support staff all work together to make sure drug traffickers are brought to justice. And that’s no small task in a world where the drug supply begins in makeshift heroin conversion labs along the Pakistan-Afghan border, or in a pill mill in the Netherlands, or in a meth lab in a motel in a Midwestern town, or in a booby-trapped pot farm in Appalachia.

WHAT IS DEA?

DEA was created in 1973 as the nation's top federal drug law enforcement agency. Today, the agency has evolved into a modern and sophisticated organization of men and women dedicated to keeping our nation safe from drug trafficking and drug abuse. 

DEA has 241 domestic offices in 23 divisions throughout the United States and has 93 foreign offices in 69 countries.  

DEA enforces the country's federal drug laws by investigating and prosecuting individuals who grow, manufacture, or distribute drugs within the United States and those who bring drugs into the United States from foreign countries. DEA also tracks down individuals who "divert" drugs from the legal market—mostly prescription drugs—and follows drug-related money that traffickers try to hide.

DEA'S MAJOR CASES: WHAT HAVE WE DONE FOR YOU LATELY?

DEA has put many drug traffickers and organizations out of business. We work with other federal agencies, state and local law enforcement, and foreign law enforcement organizations to share resources and get the job done. DEA has been successful in dismantling major drug rings including: 

  • The Medellin and Cali cartels in Colombia
  • Major groups operating in Mexico
  • Cocaine and heroin organizations working on US streets
  • The largest LSD manufacturing laboratory in the US

DEA has a worldwide presence, and continues to grow.


DEA Career Profile Series

Special Agent Tim

Countering Illicit Drug Supply and Demand as a Special Agent

A day in the life of Special Agent Tim.

Ryan

Tackling Cyber Crime With DEA's Special Ops

Hear from Assistant Special-Agent-in-Charge Ryan.

Ciara

Classrooms to Conferences: Connecting the Community to Fight Drug Misuse

Introducing Community Outreach Specialist Ciara.

Buki

Marijuana Scheduling Is a Hot Topic. Hear From a DEA Pharmacologist Who Collects Data to Schedule Drugs

Meet Pharmacologist Buki.

Thomas

Getting the ‘Friday Scaries’ as a Strategic Analyst

Learn about Strategic Intelligence Analyst Thomas.

Jen

Training Female Law Enforcement Officers in Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia

Hear from Special Agent Jen.

Joe

Inside the World of Chemistry, Calculations, and Clandestine Labs

A day in the life of Senior Research Chemist Joe.

Laura

Phone Forensics: Diving Into Digital Evidence

Introducing Senior Examiner Laura.

El Chapo

From Teaching English to Helping Capture El Chapo

Learn about Field Intelligence Manager Jen.

Minh

Meth Hidden in a Gas Tank? Helping DEA as a Chemist

Hear from Forensic Chemist Minh.

Ben

Working With His Wife to Dismantle Drug-Peddling Prison Gang

Let's talk to Special Agent Ben.

Joey

Fighting the Jalisco Cartel as an Intelligence Analyst

A day in the life of Intelligence Analyst Joey.

Special agent undercover at a rave

From Searching Tunnels to Undercover at a Rave…

Hear from an agent who has worked out of both DEA's Tijuana, Mexico office, as well as Headquarters.

Special Agent Dave

Meet Special Agent Dave

Say hello to Special Agent Dave.

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This is a United States Government, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) website. The inclusion of a link on this website does not constitute an official endorsement, guarantee, or approval by DEA.