Miami is home to a serious drug problem, one that the DEA, along with state, and local law enforcement agencies, have been fighting for many decades. In fact, anti-drug investigators in Miami have been working to disrupt the flow of cocaine between Miami and Columbia and the Caribbean Islands since the 1970s.
Florida is home to two High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTAs) in which DEA agents work to curtail the drug trafficking between the northern and southern parts of Florida. According to the HIDTA, both Columbian and Mexican drug traffickers supply most of the drugs to the distributors and street gain members of the South Florida region.
The HIDTA estimates there are more than 370 street gangs that distribute drugs throughout the region. Further, the Miami International Airport has been a major concern for the DEA and other law enforcement agencies. In fact, last year alone, the DEA arrested 27 individuals under suspicion of attempting to traffic drugs using the airport.
“Pill mills” have also become widespread in the Miami area, with offices fronting as pain clinics selling powerful prescription painkillers to nearly anyone. It is estimated that nearly 85 percent of all oxycodone sold in the U.S. come from South Florida. In addition, the CDC reported that nearly seven people a day die from prescription drug overdoses in Florida.
Recent DEA Headlines in Miami
The drug epidemic in Miami is brought to light upon reading some of the recent DEA headlines:
June 2012: American Airlines workers were arrested attempting to smuggle drugs into the United States. The DEA reported that nearly 50 workers working out of Puerto Rico were attempting to smuggle thousands of kilograms of cocaine onto commercial flights bound for such cities as Orland, New York, and Miami. The bust included American Airlines workers charged with smuggling more than 9,000 kilograms of cocaine between 2000 and 2009.
February 2011: The DEA, along with local police officials, arrested a number of people charged with illegally prescribing painkillers and other prescription drugs through so-called “pill mills.” All arrests occurred in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties.
How to Become a DEA Agent in Miami through Training: Education Requirements
In Miami, DEA jobs are most often obtained by first completing a comprehensive degree program. In fact, most all career special agents with the DEA possess a bachelor’s or master’s degree in such fields as law, criminal justice or political science and many come from backgrounds in finance, accounting, economics, computer science, telecommunications; and engineering, among others.
Individuals learning how to become a DEA agent in Miami by meeting requirements usually start at one of Miami’s many universities and colleges, which total about 39 and serve nearly 113,000 students.
Individuals seeking more information on Miami DEA jobs and careers or individuals interested in learning how to become a DEA agent in Miami by meeting requirements can contact the regional recruiter of the Miami Division at 954-660-4595. The Miami Field Division is also home to a number of training programs and courses that serve both DEA personnel and state and local law enforcement officials.