Eugene is located in a valley at the confluence of two rivers, only 50 miles from the Pacific Ocean. Despite the natural beauty of the area, DEA agents in the resident office here face the vice of drugs coming from two principal fronts: drug abuse by local residents and illegal drug trafficking. Residents of Eugene and the surrounding county face the problem of methamphetamine, which is a popular choice for drug abuse in the region. The I-5 drug smuggling corridor, the major artery for trafficking operations up and down the West Coast, also presents DEA agents and the residents of Eugene with additional drug-trafficking crimes.
DEA careers based out of Eugene will often see agents working in close cooperation with local law enforcement agencies. Joining the DEA team means meeting stringent requirements and completing an extensive training process if chosen for employment.
Recent DEA Operations in Eugene
The Land County Interagency Narcotics Team (INET), with assistance from DEA agents based out of the Eugene Resident Office, recently concluded a months-long investigation that saw the seizure of 52 pounds of crystal meth worth an estimated $1 million and the arrest of four individuals with ties to Mexico. The INET Team is composed of members of six local and federal law enforcement agencies.
Over the course of one month, Eugene DEA agents working in cooperation with local law enforcement arrested 34 members of a heroin drug trafficking organization based in Lane County that supplied Eugene, Springfield, and other surrounding areas with an estimated 15 pounds of meth and 55 pounds of heroin each month. The operation netted the second-largest one-time seizure of heroin in Oregon history of 16.2 pounds.
Three people were arrested on charges related to drugs when the local sheriff’s department and SWAT team executed a search warrant of a drug house. Working with assistance from the DEA’s Eugene Resident Office, deputies discovered mushrooms, prescription medication, digital scales, significant amounts of methamphetamine, stolen property, and over $7,500 in cash.
Requirements for How to Become a DEA Special Agent
Prospective agents must go through a highly selective application process on the road to becoming DEA agents. To be considered for this, the prospective agent must meet a series of requirements, including at least one of the following:
- A B.A. with at least a 2.95 GPA, M.A., LL.B., or J.D.
- A B.A. with three years of work experience and related coursework in a strategic field such as:
- Accounting
- Information Systems
- Information Technology
- Foreign Languages
- Engineering
- Auditing
- Military
- Previous law enforcement experience with specialized relevant skills
Preparing for DEA Jobs and Careers
Having the right training and education can make for a stronger candidacy when applying for jobs with the DEA. In Oregon there are over a dozen public and private institutions of higher education that offer at least a bachelor’s degree in fields identified as strategic. There are also a number of online institutions offering similar degree programs. It is never too early to begin planning for a successful application.