Go Back to Dictionary PageThe Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) is a federal police force and intelligence network tasked with preventing drug trafficking and distribution in the United States. The DEA enforces the Controlled Substances Act and may work in conjunction with local law enforcement and other federal agencies to help further its goals.
The DEA was created in 1973 during the Nixon administration as a part of the “war on drugs” aimed at reducing illegal drug use. The DEA currently employs nearly ten thousand people and operates with a budget in excess of $3 billion.
What Does The Drug Enforcement Administration Do?
The DEA is a federal organization, so its main focus is on preventing the import of drugs into the United States. The DEA also works to stop inter-state drug smuggling and sales operations. However, from time to time, the DEA also serves as liaison to local law enforcement agencies if jurisdiction overlaps.
The DEA is an arm of the U.S. Department of Justice. The DEA often works alongside the U.S. Border Patrol and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
The DEA’s main purpose is to enforce the federal Controlled Substances Act, a piece of legislation that criminalizes drugs throughout the country. The Controlled Substances Act was enacted in 1970 and the creation of the DEA followed in 1973.
Copy Link
