Sneak Peek into Life as a DEA Special Agent (Live & to be Live Streamed)

DEA’s goal is to eliminate illegal drug distribution, prosecute traffickers and destroy the financial infrastructure of these organizations.As the federal government’s premier drug law enforcement agency, our mission has never been so important.

Take a peek into the inner workings of the Drug Enforcement Administration in our 2019 lecture series “Who We Are and What We Do.”

Join Elizabeth L. Maurer, Curator of Education for the DEA Museum at a panel discussion with several DEA Special Agents as part of a special June 4th event, where agents willdiscuss who they are and what they do.

The event is free and open to the public.

While in the field, agents may investigate and help prosecute major violators of controlled substance laws, and partner with federal, state, local, and foreign officials in managing drug intelligence programs. (Courtesy of DEA)
While in the field, agents may investigate and help prosecute major violators of controlled substance laws, and partner with federal, state, local, and foreign officials in managing drug intelligence programs. (Courtesy of DEA)

Tickets are recommended and available on Eventbrite. The event will also be live-streamed on the internet.

Special Agents are on the front lines of drug law enforcement in America and around the world.

DEA’s goal is to eliminate illegal drug distribution, prosecute traffickers and destroy the financial infrastructure of these organizations.

As the federal government’s premier drug law enforcement agency, our mission has never been so important.

Agents are prepared for innumerable tasks including facilitating informant contacts, making drug arrests, community outreach, and international diplomacy.

Special Agents must maintain many skills to perform in less than ideal and often high-pressure situations.

(Take a look at various exercises associated with DEA agent training. Courtesy of GreatAmericans DotCom and YouTube. Posted on Jul 3, 2017.)

While in the field, agents may investigate and help prosecute major violators of controlled substance laws, and partner with federal, state, local, and foreign officials in managing drug intelligence programs.

In this photo provided U.S. law enforcement, authorities escort Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, center, from a plane to a waiting caravan of SUVs at Long Island MacArthur Airport on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017, in Ronkonkoma, N.Y. The infamous drug kingpin who twice escaped from maximum-security prisons in Mexico was extradited at the request of the U.S. to face drug trafficking and other charges, and landed in New York late Thursday, a federal law enforcement official said. (Courtesy of ICE)
In this photo provided U.S. law enforcement, authorities escort Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, center, from a plane to a waiting caravan of SUVs at Long Island MacArthur Airport on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017, in Ronkonkoma, N.Y. The infamous drug kingpin who twice escaped from maximum-security prisons in Mexico was extradited at the request of the U.S. to face drug trafficking and other charges, and landed in New York late Thursday, a federal law enforcement official said. (Courtesy of ICE)

Agents are often identified as the people who arrest and search subjects and seize assets connected to illicit drug trafficking, but they are also responsible for collecting and preparing evidence and performing other judicial functions.

DEA Special Agents have a long-standing history in combating the critical problems of drug trafficking.

The Drug Enforcement Administration Museum’s collection of nearly 5,000 artifacts documents the history of drug policy, drug law enforcement, drug addiction and drug education in the United States.

Museum programs, exhibits and educational outreach support the DEA’s mission to enforce controlled substances laws and regulations of the United States and reduce the use and availability of illicit controlled substances.

#DYK that since July 1, 1973 when @DEAHQ was created 65 #DEA employees have died in the line of duty. Learn about them by clicking here: https://www.dea.gov/wall-of-honor #TBT #WallofHonor (Courtesy of DEA)

Event details:

Who We Are and What We Do: Special Agents 

Date:           Tuesday, June 4, 2019

Time:          11:00 am – 12:00 PM ET

Location:    Auditorium, DEA Headquarters

700 Army Navy Drive

Arlington, VA 22202

Contact:      DEA Museum (202) 307-3463

Elizabeth Thompson, Visitor Services Coordinator (202) 307-5600

Elizabeth.P.Thompson@usdoj.gov

DEAMuseum@usdoj.gov

Streaming URL:             https://deamuseum.org/lecture/2019/Agents-DEA

Email questions:            During the event, email questions to Elizabeth.L.Maurer@usdoj.gov

Admission:                     This event is free and open to the public. Tickets are available on Eventbrite.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dea-museum-lecture-agents-tickets-62207078045

Special Agent Careers

What is a DEA Special Agent?

For over 40 years the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), as a component of the U. S. Department of Justice, has been the federal government’s greatest weapon in the fight against the illegal drug trade.

DEA Special Agents have a long-standing history in combating the critical problems of drug trafficking.
DEA Special Agents have a long-standing history in combating the critical problems of drug trafficking. (Courtesy of DEA)

Today, with the help of over 5,000 DEA Special Agents, we continue to dismantle the most notorious high-level trafficking and terrorist organizations that threaten America.

DEA applies the vast range of individual talents, specialized training and skills of our Special Agents to the wide range of responsibilities in our vital mission that include:

  • Investigating and helping prosecute major violators of controlled substance laws on U.S. soil and abroad

  • Partnering with federal, state, local and foreign officials in managing drug intelligence programs

  • Arresting and searching subjects and seizing assets connected to illicit drug trafficking

  • Collecting and preparing evidence used to convict drug traffickers, as well as performing other judicial functions

  • Managing all programs associated with drug law enforcement counterparts in foreign countries under the policy guidance of the Secretary of State and U.S. Ambassadors.

About You: Who We’re Looking For

DEA Special Agents have a long-standing history in combating the critical problems of drug trafficking.

At DEA, we seek only the most talented and diverse candidates who have what it takes to help us in our goal to eliminate illegal drug distribution, prosecute traffickers and destroy the financial infrastructure of these organizations.

As the federal government’s premier drug law enforcement agency, our mission has never been so important—a mission like no other.

Learn more about DEA Core Values.

Am I Qualified to Become a DEA Special Agent?

(Learn More. Two moms found out that kids can hide drugs in places like teddy bears and tennis balls. Donna DeStefano has a daughter recovering from drug addiction and Karen Stout has two teenage daughters in high school. DEA special agent Timothy McMahon says drugs can be found in unlikely places around the home. He enlisted the assistance of a former addict, Bryan Alzate, to hide the drugs around DeStefano’s home. They say stuffed animals are a simple place to hide drugs by undoing just a couple stitches. Courtesy of Inside Edition and YouTube. Posted on Feb 13, 2018.)

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Learn More…

DEA Red Ribbon Campaign Honors Fallen Agent (Learn More, Videos)