According to the Crime in Virginia 2009 report, in 2009 in Richmond, Virginia 1742 adults and 69 juveniles were arrested on drug or narcotic offenses. These numbers, however, do not represent the many crimes occurring in Richmond to which drugs likely contributed. Richmond has instituted a special court system for adult drug offenders. The Richmond Adult Drug Treatment Court Program is offered as an alternative to incarceration and probation for some non-violent felony offenders who have problems with drug abuse. While enrolled in the drug treatment program under the auspices of the court, one must either be enrolled full-time as a student or work full-time. The programs includes attendance at 12-step meetings, drug testing, and counseling. All enrollees in the program must also perform 45 hours of community service. For more information on the program, contact them at (804) 646-3655.
Drug Trafficking in Richmond
Special agents working with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in Richmond routinely conduct searches and seizures along the routes utilized by drug traffickers to get drugs into and out of the city. The Midlothian Turnpike, also known as the Midlothian Corridor or U.S. Route 60, is a major drug trafficking route. This highway runs 312 miles from the western part of the state to the east. In April 2013, 1.5 pounds of marijuana, 63 grams of crack cocaine, pills, two firearms and $110,000 in cash were seized by Richmond Police in a drug bust along this route.
The Interstate 64 corridor, also running in an east-west fashion through central Virginia, is another major drug trafficking route for those buying and selling drugs in Richmond. This route is often used to supply drugs to the rural portions of the state.
In 2012, a major drug bust occurred near the campus of Virginia Christian University. In this bust, agents seized 267 pounds of marijuana and $600,000 in cash.
Drugs of Choice in Richmond
A recently published study by Virginia Tech found that crack cocaine is one of the main drugs sold in the inner city areas of Richmond. Heroin, another popular inner city drug, has also spread to the more affluent, upper-middle-class areas of the city. Marijuana remains a common drug of abuse in Richmond, as do club drugs such as ecstasy (MDMA). In Richmond, methamphetamine tends to be abused by white, middle-class college-aged people.
How to Become a DEA Agent in Richmond
In order to become a DEA agent in Richmond, one must meet certain qualifications. Unless one possesses specialized experience in drug investigations, this usually entails possession of a bachelor’s or graduate degree. Visit the DEA’s Special Agent Qualifications web page for specific information on requirements.
Richmond’s DEA is organized under the umbrella of the Washington, D.C. Division of the DEA. In fact, a District Office of this division of the DEA is housed in Richmond. For information on Richmond DEA jobs and careers, contact the division’s recruiter at (202) 305-8126. The recruiter can offer information on how to become a DEA agent in Richmond through training.