Drug Enforcement Administration

Drug Enforcement Administration in the United States

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is the lead Federal agency in
enforcing narcotics and controlled substances laws and regulations.
DEA also enforces the Federal money laundering and bulk currency smuggling
statutes when the funds involved in the transactions or smuggling are derived
from the sale of narcotics. It was created in July 1973 by Reorganization Plan No.
2 of 1973 (5 U.S.C. app.).

DEA enforces the provisions of the controlled substances and chemical
diversion and traf?cking laws and regulations of the United States, and
operates on a worldwide basis. It presents cases to the criminal and civil
justice systems of the United States—or any other competent jurisdiction—on
those signi?cant organizations and their members involved in cultivation,
production, smuggling, distribution, laundering of proceeds, or diversion of
controlled substances appearing in or destined for illegal traf?c in the United
States. DEA disrupts and dismantles these organizations by arresting their members,
con?scating their drugs, and seizing their assets; and creates, manages, and
supports enforcement-related programs— domestically and internationally—aimed
at reducing the availability of and demand for illicit controlled substances.

DEA’s responsibilities include: investigation of major narcotic, chemical,
drug-money laundering, and bulk currency smuggling violators who
operate at interstate and international levels; seizure and forfeiture of assets
derived from, traceable to, or intended to be used for illicit drug traf?cking; seizure
and forfeiture of assets derived from or traceable to drug-money laundering
or the smuggling of bulk currency derived from illegal drugs; enforcement
of regulations governing the legal manufacture, distribution, and dispensing of controlled substances; management of an intelligence program that supports
drug investigations, initiatives, and operations worldwide; coordination with
Federal, State, and local law enforcement authorities and cooperation with
counterpart agencies abroad; assistance to State and local law enforcement
agencies in addressing their most signi?cant drug and drug-related violence
problems; leadership and in?uence over international counterdrug and chemical
policy and support for institution building in host nations; training, scienti?c
research, and information exchange in support of drug traf?c prevention and
control; and education and assistance to the public community on the prevention,
treatment, and dangers of drugs.

DEA maintains liaison with the United Nations, INTERPOL, and other
organizations on matters relating to international narcotics control programs.
It has of?ces throughout the United States and in 62 foreign countries.

For further information, contact the Public Affairs Section, Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Justice, Washington, DC 20537. Phone, 202–307–7977.

Introduction to Drug Enforcement Administration

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), agency of the U.S. Department of Justice established in 1973. DEA merged the functions of four separate drug law enforcement agencies. The primary task of the agency is to reduce the supply of illicit drugs produced domestically or entering the U.S. from abroad. DEA also regulates the legal trade in narcotic and dangerous drugs, manages a national narcotics intelligence system, and works with other agencies to support drug traffic prevention. In 1982, concurrent jurisdiction over drug offenses was given to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and DEA. Agents of the two organizations work together on drug law enforcement, and DEA’s administrator reports to the director of the FBI. DEA has offices nationwide and in more than 40 foreign countries.” (1)

Resources

Notes and References

Guide to Drug Enforcement Administration

Drug Enforcement Administration in State Statute Topics

Introduction to Drug Enforcement Administration (U.S.) (State statute topic)

The purpose of Drug Enforcement Administration is to provide a broad appreciation of the Drug Enforcement Administration legal topic. Select from the list of U.S. legal topics for information (other than Drug Enforcement Administration).

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