United States Drug Enforcement Administration

The Asia Pacific Division is responsible for oversight and management of all DEA operations in East Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.  These activities are executed by personnel assigned to 18 DEA offices located throughout the Region, to include: 

• Bangkok and Chiang Mai, Thailand
• Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong, China
• Taipei, Taiwan
• Canberra and Sydney, Australia
• Wellington, New Zealand
• Phnom Penh, Cambodia
• Jakarta, Indonesia
• Manila, Philippines
• Seoul, South Korea
• Tokyo, Japan
• Hanoi, Vietnam
• Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
• Rangoon, Burma

Consistent with the DEA mission, the Asia Pacific division has implemented the following priorities:  

Asia Pacific Division Priorities FY-2023

1. Chemical precursor control and interdiction: Disrupt China-sourced precursor chemicals sent to Mexico for methamphetamine and fentanyl production impacting the USA; additionally, jointly investigate China-sourced chemicals moving to Burma.
2. Counter Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) in the Area of Responsibility (AOR): Target TCOs facilitating drug trafficking and money laundering in the AOR and/or into the USA; with an emphasis on Chinese TCOs
3. Counter Money Laundering Networks (MLNs): Investigate MLNs active in the AOR and in the USA, with a focus on Chinese MLNs.
4. Combat Mexican Drug Cartels: Investigate and dismantle Mexican Cartels, which are aggressively expanding their operations in Asia.

National Strategic Framework:  The DEA Asia Pacific division priorities are aligned with relevant national strategic plans, to include ONDCP’s National Drug Control Strategy, the DOJ Strategic Plan for FYs 2022-2026, Executive Order 13773 (“Presidential Executive Order on Enforcing Federal Law with Respect to Transnational Criminal Organizations and Preventing International Trafficking”), and the National Security Strategy of the United States.