Agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) operate out of a Post of Duty in Topeka. They work closely with Kansas State Highway Troopers who are assigned to the DEA task force in here.
Interstate 70 is a major route for drug traffickers, and Topeka is a short distance from the major drug transportation hub of Kansas City using this highway. In addition, drugs have been known to be transported from Wichita via Interstate 335.
Drug Interdictions by DEA Agents in Topeka
DEA agents in Topeka have been cooperating with other agencies to interrupt some major drug trafficking operations in the city.
- A DEA investigation led to the April 2013 arrest of a woman for attempting to pick up a package of methamphetamine from a post office in Topeka. The package contained seven pounds of methamphetamine.
- Two investigations by the DEA, in cooperation with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Topeka Police Department, led to the June 2011 indictment of 60 people on federal drug charges of trafficking methamphetamine.
- A Topeka man was arrested in June 2010 for being part of a drug trafficking ring from New Mexico and Texas that distributed large quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana.
- As part of a large, multi-agency operation, the DEA seized 10 pounds of methamphetamine and half a pound of cocaine in June 2009. The drugs came from Arizona, and large quantities were being distributed out of a stash house in Topeka.
What it Takes to Become a DEA Agent in Topeka
Individuals from many types of backgrounds are qualified to apply to join the DEA.
One way is to have prior experience investigating drug conspiracies.
Another is to obtain a J.D., LL.B., or Master’s degree.
Individuals with a Bachelor’s degree with a 2.95 GPA can apply, as can those who have a lower GPA, but who have three years of experience in a variety of special skills. These include accounting, information technology, engineering, being a ship or airline pilot, having served in the military, or being fluent in any one of a variety of languages.
Residents of Topeka who want to learn how to join the DEA should contact the St. Louis Division of the agency to find out if there are jobs available in Topeka. Recruits go on to obtain their formal training in Quantico, Virginia.
Addressing the Drug Problem in Topeka
The severity of drug trafficking and abuse in Topeka and surrounding areas led the federal government to include Shawnee County when it designated the Midwest HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Organization) in 1998.
Methamphetamine – Law enforcement officials in Kansas consider the trafficking and spread of meth to be the greatest drug threat in the state. Mexican cartel members bring ice meth into Topeka and distribute it to towns throughout southern Kansas. In addition, local production of meth is a topic of grave concern, especially considering the danger of explosions and fires from using the common one-pot production method.
Cocaine – Its location along Interstate 70 makes Topeka a strategic point for the distribution of large quantities of cocaine. In addition, local dealers convert the powdered form to crack, which is readily available in parts of Topeka.
Marijuana – Pot is the drug of choice for most users of illicit drugs in Kansas. Large quantities of pot pass through Topeka en route to other parts of the state, and the drug is used locally.