Law Enforcement: DEA to Hire 200 New Agents
Thanks to funding provided in the 2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act, passed last month by Congress, the DEA will be able to lift a hiring freeze in place since August 2006, the agency announced late last month. The new funds will allow the agency to hire 200 new agents, as well as a similar number of support staff.
"This is an important and most welcome development," Leonhart said. "With this much-needed funding, DEA will be able to fill 200 Special Agent positions, as well as many vacant Intelligence Analyst and critical support positions. This legislation sends a strong and encouraging message to all of us at DEA as we continue our worldwide drug law enforcement mission."
According to the most recent DEA staffing figures, the agency employes 5,230 agents and 5,571 support staff, an all-time high. In 1972, the agency's first year, it had 1,470 agents and a budget of $65 million. The current annual budget is more than $2 billion.
Response to j davis 1/12/08 re: DEA
Comment posted by Anonymous on Sat, 03/22/2008 - 11:08pm1. "The group of cowards and thugs known as the DEA....."
I wouldn't call someone willing to risk his/her life everyday a coward
2. "They serve no useful purpose...."
Even if you don't agree with the primary mission of the DEA, do you know how many murderers, rapists, terrorists and other worthless criminals have been put away because of DEA investigations? (EX: the recent "merchant of death" in Thailand was arrested as the result of a DEA investigation.
3. DEA agents rarely arrest people for "minor" drug violations.
4. The effectiveness on the "War on Drugs" can be debated, but if you want to put an end to it "your way", you need to get your facts straight.
$2 billion waste
Comment posted by Anonymous on Sun, 01/13/2008 - 2:42amThese morons need to have their funding cut by 2/3s. As it is now they are running around harassing doctors and telling them how they are supposed to treat chronic / cancer pain and anxiety patients.
They also spend their time busting marijuana clubs that are LEGAL under state guidelines and laws but declare their jurisdiction trumps state law.
"Declare their jurisdiction trumps state law...???""
Comment posted by Anonymous on Mon, 04/21/2008 - 12:08pmFederal laws have always trumped state law, dummy..
Ignorance I tell ya; some people think that a good argument is based on their interpretation of things, and not facts.
Response to $2 billion waste
Comment posted by Anonymous on Sat, 03/22/2008 - 11:19pmMaybe there are some morons in the DEA. I doubt you will find an agency or company with 10000 employees without a few.
Maybe there shouldn't be a DEA, but you need to get your facts straight before anyone will really listen to you.
The DEA is not running around harassing doctors. The doctors that have been arrested and convicted were nothing more than money hungry drug dealers. When you sell someone complaining of a toothache enough oxycontins to supply 100 people, that person shouldn't be in the medical profession. Tell the parents of dead teenagers how these doctors shouldn't be harassed.
As far as medical marijuana goes, why don't you send your complaints to the AMA or any other recognized medical association that will agree that marijuana serves a medical purpose.
If you have a problem with DEA raiding ILLEGAL pot clubs, than go through your congressmen and senators to change the FEDERAL laws. The DEA enforces laws, they don't make them.
Must be an agent or republican
Comment posted by Anonymous on Sun, 06/22/2008 - 1:04pmThe coward that can't seem to find the courage to post under his/ her own name must be either a dea agent or a die hard right wing republican. The dea DOES arrest innocent doctors--ever hear of Dr. Hurwitz?? There have been dozens of cases where doctors who were guilty of nothing more than compassion have been acquitted. And ah yes, we come th the third reich defense--they only enforce the law=I was just following orders. The dea is nothing but a repository for thugs and sociopaths!
MY CRAZY NEIGHBOR! :: RUNS WILD IN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA
Comment posted by Anonymous on Sun, 07/20/2008 - 2:49amMY CRAZY NEIGHBOR! :: RUNS WILD IN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA
j davis
Comment posted by Anonymous on Sat, 01/12/2008 - 12:12pmThe group of cowards and thugs known as the DEA should have been disbanded years ago. They serve no useful purpose and in most cases are worse than the people they arrest often for very minor drug violations. The war on drugs is nothing more than an all out assault on the rights of the citizens of the US.