Law enforcement officers tasked with enforcing drug laws are known as drug agents. They could work for regulatory agencies that oversee a country’s drug laws, or they could be part of other law enforcement agencies. The United States Coast Guard, for example, has drug agents who investigate and prosecute suspected drug smugglers who operate boat. Working as a drug agent can be extremely varied, and it, like other law enforcement jobs, necessitates meticulous attention to detail and a spotless criminal record.
Many countries have a variety of drug laws in place, both legal and illegal. Drug agents are in charge of locating illegal drug sources and cutting them off so that the drugs cannot continue to enter the country. They may also be in charge of enforcing regional laws, such as those that allow certain people to use normally prohibited substances in religious rituals.
A drug agent is trained to handle weapons and follow basic government procedure, just like other law enforcement officers. He or she is also given training in investigation skills, such as the ability to go undercover for investigations, and many drug agents work together with other government agencies to bust drugs. For example, a drug agent may conduct an investigation into a suspected methamphetamine production laboratory in a city and enlist the assistance of the local police force. Alternatively, a drug agent might enlist the help of tax investigators to track down and destroy illegal revenue sources.
A drug agent’s job entails a lot of office work in addition to field work. Drug agents are frequently forced to analyze large amounts of data gathered field agents, and they must collaborate with other agencies on law enforcement tasks. Agents investigating marijuana cultivation, for example, may spend time in the office reviewing aerial photography for signs of grow operations. Drug detectives must also assist in the development of cases against those they are investigating, compiling data and hard evidence that can be used in court.
To become a drug agent, one can apply directly to a drug enforcement agency or specialize in drug-related issues while working in law enforcement or the military. Potential agents must pass a background check, which includes a criminal history investigation and personal reference interviews. People with a history of drug use or abuse are specifically barred from working as drug agents, and those with a bad reputation may be barred from government employment, effectively excluding them from a career in drug enforcement.