Drug Enforcement Administration
A federal force coordinating investigations domestically and internationally to enforce the Controlled Substances Act.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is a United States federal law enforcement agency under the U.S. Department of Justice tasked with combating illicit drug trafficking and distribution within the U.S. It serves as the lead agency for domestic enforcement of the Controlled Substances Act, sharing concurrent jurisdiction with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
- Jurisdiction
- Federal (United States)
- Affiliation
- Department of Justice
- Primary Location
- Arlington County, Virginia
Lore & Background
Established on July 1, 1973, by Reorganization Plan No. 2 signed by President Richard Nixon, the DEA consolidated the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs (BNDD), the Office of Drug Abuse Law Enforcement (ODALE), and approximately 600 Special Agents of the Bureau of Customs.
In Their Own Story
The DEA maintains 241 domestic offices across 23 divisions and 91 foreign offices in 69 countries. Its headquarters complex in Arlington was classified as a Level IV installation following the April 19, 1995, Oklahoma City bombing, which killed two DEA employees. The agency employs 9,848 people, including 4,649 special agents and 5,199 support staff.
Reader's Guide
The DEA is headed by an administrator appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate, who reports to the attorney general through the deputy attorney general. Special agents must complete an 18-week training program covering firearms proficiency, tactical shooting, and deadly-force decision training. Applicants cannot have used cannabis within three years of applying or any other narcotic within seven years, with allowances for marijuana use prior to age 18.
Did You Know?
- The DEA was established on July 1, 1973, by merging the BNDD, ODALE, and approximately 600 Special Agents from the Bureau of Customs.
- While the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995 tragically killed two DEA employees, the agency's headquarters security classification as a 'Level IV' target is based on standards formally established by the Interagency Security
- The DEA Intelligence Unit is a member of the U.S. Intelligence Community; it coordinates intelligence with the Director of National Intelligence but reports administratively to the Attorney General and the DEA Administra
Frequently Asked Questions
Who represents the Drug Enforcement Administration in Breaking Bad?
The agency is primarily represented by agents at the Albuquerque field office, led notably by Hank Schrader. They function as the main federal obstacle to Walt and Jesse's methamphetamine operations throughout the series.
What jurisdiction does the DEA hold over Walter White?
As a federal bureau under the Department of Justice, they have authority to investigate interstate drug trafficking crimes committed by Heisenberg. This allows them to pursue Walt across state lines rather than being limited to local police boundaries.
How does the relationship between Hank Schrader and Walt White affect the DEA?
Hank's personal friendship with Walter blinds him initially, delaying the agency's ability to identify their primary target. Eventually, this conflict drives him to investigate his own brother-in-law despite professional risks.
Why is the Albuquerque field office significant in the narrative?
This specific location serves as the operational hub where agents coordinate raids and analyze evidence against local cartels. It acts as the central point of tension between law enforcement and the criminal underworld.
What happens to the DEA after Walt White's death?
The agency continues its operations, but their primary focus shifts away from the specific Heisenberg case once Walt is eliminated. Hank Schrader sacrifices his life during this final confrontation while working for the bureau.
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