FEDERAL AND STATE DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES & TEAMS

Thanks to the War on Drugs and other draconian drug laws, there are countless federal and state drug enforcement agencies and teams. From investigating narcotics and marijuana use and trafficking to large-scale drug task forces, cases involving drug charges can often involve multiple agencies at the state and federal level. At the most basic level, you have your local county and municipal police departments. Even first-time offenders who are only facing misdemeanor charges need to speak with a lawyer after a drug arrest. It’s especially important to have a criminal defense attorney with successful drug case experience on your case when state or federal drug enforcement agencies are involved.

Drug Enforcement at The Federal Level

If your case involves any federal drug enforcement agency, task force or team, you could be facing serious time in a correctional facility if convicted. These agencies rarely go for little fish, although it is possible and quite probable for little fish to get caught in the current of a large-scale federal drug task force. If this describes your situation, the sooner you talk to a lawyer, the better. Don’t fall into to the fear of looking guilty trap either. Talking to a lawyer isn’t something that guilty people do, nor is it something that makes you look guilty. It just means that you’re smart and you want the best possible outcome for the legal situation you’re currently stuck in. Listed below are a few of the major players as far as Federal Drug Enforcement Agencies go.

Federal Drug Enforcement Agencies and Teams

• Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA)
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
• Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA)

The Drug Enforcement Agency, or the DEA, is the big one that everybody thinks of when they think of federal drug investigations. This agency has been tasked with enforcing laws regarding controlled substances. Their purpose is to enforce these drug laws and bring potential suspects to the criminal and civil justice system. They handle investigations and cases involving growing, manufacturing, trafficking, distribution or any other type of crime involving illegal drugs.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

Although the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) typically deals with a broader range of crimes, they can also be counted on to handle certain drugs crimes too. This is especially the case where money laundering, financial crimes, criminal organizations or other types of crimes are also tied in with the illegal drug trade.

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has it’s own specialized set of crimes to investigate, but they could also be pulled into a drug investigation every so often. It’s important to note that most federal drug enforcement agencies and teams work independently. If your case involves one or more federal investigative agency, prepare yourself for a complicated case. If you’re facing any kind of illegal drug charges, you need to speak with a skilled attorney as soon as possible.

State Drug Enforcement Agencies and Teams

• Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI)
• MBI- Bureau of Investigation
• MBI- Bureau of Narcotics
• Mississippi Highway Patrol (MHP)