Boston has become a breeding ground for drug trafficking and distribution, partly attributed to its advanced system of highways and ports of entry that allow easy transportation between Boston and other major cities along the Eastern seaboard.
Boston’s DEA and the Illicit Drug Trade
Although Boston is an economic powerhouse and is home to some of the top universities, financial institutions, and governmental organizations, this city is nevertheless ripe with illicit drug activity, as is seen in recent headlines to originate here:
January 2013: A Boston individual was convicted of distributing crack cocaine. The arrest and conviction was part of joint effort between the DEA, the ATF, the Massachusetts State Police, and several local law enforcement agencies and dubbed Operation Red Wolf.
January 2013: A Boston man was sentenced for growing and distributing marijuana.
March 2013: Two men were arrested for federal narcotics trafficking. More than one kilogram of heroin was seized during the arrest. Both men were charged with conspiracy to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin.
March 2013: A Columbian man was extradited from Columbia to Boston and indicted for his role in an international cocaine conspiracy. Between June 2008 and April 2010, the man imported at least 5 grams of cocaine from Columbia and Venezuela to the United States.
March 2013: Two Boston men were convicted of distributing crack cocaine in the Boston area.
November 2012: A drug trafficker was sentenced for distributing heroin that resulted in the death of at least one person.
How to Become a DEA Agent in Boston by Meeting Requirements
The sheer size of the Greater Boston Metropolitan Area (the total population was 4.5 million, as of the 2010 census) likely speaks to the need for trained DEA agents here.
Individuals who want to learn more about how to become a DEA Agent in Boston through training must first determine if they are eligible for employment with the DEA.
In particular, the DEA has strict minimum employment requirements. All candidates must be between the ages of 21 and 36, they must be United States citizens, and they must possess a valid driver’s license. Further, all candidates must be able to pass a rigorous pre-employment process, which includes written, physical, and psychological assessments, a background investigation, a polygraph examination, and a DEA drug test.
Individuals seeking to attain Boston DEA careers must also meet the agency’s education/experience requirements. For individuals without prior experience in undercover, surveillance, narcotics-related, or court evidence work, the most logical first step is to obtain a college degree.
Individuals may qualify for Boston DEA jobs with a bachelor’s degree, provided they have secured a minimum GPA of 2.9, although individuals with at least 3 years of experience in accounting, foreign language, military/maritime, engineering, or telecommunications may not need to meet the minimum GPA requirements if they hold a bachelor’s degree.
Individuals may also qualify if they possess a master’s degree, JD degree, or LLB degree.
Individuals may obtain more information about the employment process, including minimum employment requirements, by contacting the DEA’s Boston Division office at 617-557-2100.