The phrase “drug cartel” often evokes images of distant violence and illicit trade, chiefly tied to Mexico. But the truth is, the influence of these formidable Mexican drug organizations reaches deep into the heartland of America in ways that might astonish you. A recent year-long operation by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has unearthed stark ties between these cartels and numerous American communities.
At the helm of the Omaha Division, Special Agent in Charge Justin King has pinpointed 26 investigations over the last year that tie back to two primary drug cartels. As the investigation progresses, more links are anticipated. However, with over twenty years on the front lines, King contends that neither sealing the border nor zeroing in on the cartels alone will be enough to halt America’s surging opioid dilemma.
Join us in this installment of Grieving Out Loud, where we delve into the current observations of Agent King amidst America’s most lethal drug crisis to date. Discover his insights on the required shifts in strategy and why America is trapped in this devastating epidemic.
MEET THE GUEST
Justin King
Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Justin C. King leads the DEA’s Omaha Field Division, overseeing 11 offices across IA, MN, NE, ND, SD, IL, and WI. Joining the DEA in 2002, King served in the Laredo District Office, followed by a stint with the Foreign-Deployed Advisory Support Team (FAST) from 2007 to 2009, participating in counter-narcotics operations in Afghanistan and Central America. In 2009, he transferred to the Oklahoma City District Office, focusing on complex investigations targeting drug trafficking organizations. King returned to FAST in 2014, leading deployments to Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Paraguay. Promoted to FAST Section Chief in 2017, he managed four FAST teams. King served as Executive Assistant to the Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Office of Training from 2017 to 2018, followed by three years as the Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Little Rock District Office. A U.S. Army veteran, King holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Oklahoma.
