The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) enforces the controlled substances laws and regulations of the United States by bringing to the criminal and civil justice system of the United States, or any other competent jurisdiction, those organizations and principal members of organizations involved in the growth, manufacture, or distribution of controlled substances appearing in or destined for the illicit traffic in the United States; and to recommend and support non-enforcement programs aimed at reducing the availability of illicit controlled substances on the domestic and information markets.

DEA maintains investigative and intelligence files of criminal activities related to illicit drug traffic and drug abuse.  It also keeps various records pertaining to the administration of DEA.

Publicly available information for which a FOIA request is not required:  Certain manuals, pamphlets on drugs and other DEA programs published by DEA’s Office of Public Affairs.

Before making a FOIA request, you should first browse the Drug Enforcement Administration’s website which may contain the information you are looking to obtain.

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (U.S. Code § 552) provides for public access to government records through written request.  The DEA generally follows the guidelines set forth by the Department of Justice in its FOIA section. Please take the following into consideration when requesting information from the DEA:

What is needed when making a FOI/PA Request:

The FOIA specifies only two requirements for a request for records

1. The request must “reasonably describe” the records sought
2. The request must be made in accordance with the agency’s published FOIA regulations

In making your FOIA request, please provide a request letter, describing the records you seek, along with the DOJ Form 361, if appropriate.  All requests seeking personal information relating to an individual must include a DOJ Form 361.  Please make sure your request letter includes your most current contact information and any identifiable information (SSN, DOB, POB) to help locate those records described in your request. All forms must include an original signature.

Resources

Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA)
Major Information Systems