How to Become a DEA Agent in Providence, Rhode Island by Meeting Requirements

Providence, Rhode Island, although undoubtedly a beautiful New England town, has the dubious distinction of being the end point of Interstate 195 East, dubbed by law enforcement officials as the “Heroin Highway.” This highway, which runs from Providence to Cape Cod, Massachusetts, has been used by street-level drug dealers to transport heroin.

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As a result, the DEA, Rhode Island Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, the Rhode Island State Police, and several local police departments have coordinated their efforts in an attempt to stop the flow of heroin along this stretch of highway. Dubbed “Operation Heroin Highway,” this collaboration has resulted in 32 arrests, the seizure of more than 5 kilograms of heroin, and more than 6 kilograms of cocaine. It its suspected that the arrested individuals accounted for as much as 60 percent of the entire heroin distributed along the Heroin Highway.

How to Become a DEA Agent in Providence by Meeting Requirements

Individuals interested in Providence-based DEA jobs need to meet strict minimum employment requirements before being eligible for training. In addition to being between the ages of 21 and 36 and being a United States citizen, all candidates for Providence DEA jobs must possess specific education and/or experience requirements.

In particular, individuals who want to learn how to become a DEA agent in Providence must possess one of the following before being eligible for training:

  • A bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 2.9
  • A bachelor’s degree and at least 3 years of specialized experience in a foreign language engineering, telecommunications, accounting, or maritime/pilot
  • A JD degree or LLB degree
  • Extensive experience in undercover/surveillance operations; drug/narcotics related operations; or evidence collection

Providence’s Illicit Drug Trade in the News

Recent headlines to originate out of Providence speak to the need for highly qualified DEA special agents here:

  • March 2013: Providence individual was sentenced to federal prison for possessing oxycodone and cocaine with the intent to distribute. The bust resulted in the seizure of 33 oxycodone pills, more than 12 grams of cocaine, and $36,000 in cash.
  • March 2013: An individual was sentenced to federal prison for heroin trafficking and firearms charges. The individual pleaded guilty to distributing more than 100 grams of heroin. More than 500 grams of heroin were seized as a result of the arrest.
  • February 2013: A third individual was sentenced for his role in Rhode Island’s largest cocaine bust, which yielded 65 kilograms of cocaine and $1.2 million in cash.

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