What will usually trigger a DEA audit?

DEA audits or inspections can be conducted for a variety of reasons, such as: To investigate a tip received by a pharmacy or patient regarding prescribing practices. To investigate deviations in prescribing patterns compared to other prescribers. To inspect at random to ensure compliance.

How often does the DEA audit?

How Often Do DEA Audits Occur? DEA inspections of practitioners typically take place once every three years. Nevertheless, these audits can happen more often, specifically for practitioners who prescribe buprenorphine or have a Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000 waiver.

What can I expect from a DEA audit?

If the DEA has any reason to suspect that the registrant is acting in violation of the CSA, you can expect a thorough, deep inspection, including reviews of your books and records, interviews with owners and staff, an inspection of your controlled substance storage cabinet or safe, and patient records.

What is a DEA audit?

What Happens During a DEA Audit? The DEA performs routine inspections and audits of medical and pharmaceutical practitioners to ensure compliance with the CSA. While these are considered normal, they could take administrative action against your pharmacy if they discover that you have violated the CSA.

What type of crimes does the DEA investigate?

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is charged with the enforcement of the Controlled Substances Act as well as investigation of the highest level of domestic and international narcotics traffickers.

Preparing for a DEA Audit – Know What to Expect

How do I know if the DEA is investigating me?

Usually, you will find out you are under investigation when agents come to your door, or otherwise approach you to ask you questions about a case you are suspected in. You may also hear from others that agents are asking questions about you.

How long can the DEA investigate you?

Statute of Limitations in Federal Crime Cases

So if you have still not been charged after the time set by the statute of limitations, the investigation is effectively over. For most federal crimes, the statute of limitations is five years.

Why would the DEA be looking for me?

If the DEA has reached out to you, it probably means they are suspicious of the distribution, use or prescribing of controlled substances from your practice. Your lawyer should immediately begin to look over patient files and records, looking for anything that the DEA might see as a red flag.

What do DEA agents look for?

The DEA is America's resolute force fighting against the illegal drug trade. DEA Special Agents pursue the most notorious trafficking and narco-terrorist organizations that threaten our country. Special Agent duties include: Gathering and processing evidence to help prosecute major violators of U.S. drug laws.

How do you get red flagged at pharmacy?

A red flag could be indicative of abuse or misuse, over or under compliance, drug-drug interactions, or a “forged or altered prescription.” Such issues would be reviewed and resolved by a pharmacist “before filling any prescription” as part of the “prospective drug use review,” the testimony states.

Does the DEA report to the FBI?

A review of the relationship between the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in drug trafficking investigations indicates that both agencies carry out their drug law enforcement responsibilities independently of each other.

Does DEA go undercover?

DEA special agents are trained to operate within some of the most dangerous criminal environments imaginable. They may infiltrate criminal organizations as undercover financiers, middlemen or buyers.

Does DEA investigate money laundering?

Through AGEOs, the DEA is authorized to conduct undercover financial transactions to infiltrate and dismantle drug trafficking and money laundering organizations (DTO/MLO).

What disqualifies you from joining the DEA?

DEA is firmly committed to a drug-free society and workplace. Applicants for employment with the DEA, to include paid and unpaid employees; and contractors, who are currently using illegal drugs, or abusing legal drugs or substances at the time of the application process, will not be selected for employment.

Are DEA Diversion Investigators law enforcement?

Unlike DEA special agents who are committed to narcotics operations, diversion investigators do not have law enforcement authority, but serve primarily as investigative specialists. Diversion investigator jobs involve performing a wide range of security, regulatory and investigative duties.

Why would the DEA come to a pharmacy?

The DEA often looks at pharmacies as potential sources of drug diversion and drug trafficking. Regular audits are performed to ensure that pharmacies are following the correct procedures, or the DEA may investigate a pharmacy based on suspicious activity or reports of unlawful dispensing of controlled substances.

Who is higher DEA or FBI?

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) scored higher in 4 areas: Work-life balance, CEO Approval, Recommend to a friend and Positive Business Outlook. DEA scored higher in 5 areas: Overall Rating, Diversity & Inclusion, Senior Management, Compensation & Benefits and Career Opportunities.

How old is the average DEA agent?

Drug Enforcement Agent Age Breakdown

Interestingly enough, the average age of drug enforcement agents is 40+ years old, which represents 69% of the population.

Is it a crime to lie to a DEA agent?

Under 18 U.S.C. § 1001, it's a federal crime to make a false statement to a government agent when it's related to a federal issue. The statements could be made verbally in person or in writing and do not have to made under oath in order to get charged under this federal statute.

What to do if the DEA is watching you?

Will the DEA call a doctor?

DEA personnel will never contact members of the public or medical practitioners to demand money or any other form of payment, will never request personal or sensitive information, and will only notify people of a legitimate investigation or legal action in person or by official letter.

Does the DEA have a watch list?

As a result of the ongoing monitoring and risk of substance abuse, the DEA created a public list (unofficially called the DEA Doctor Watch List), which includes previous and ongoing investigations of physicians and those who have been arrested and prosecuted.

What are DEA red flags?

DEA's Red Flags Enforcement Policy

Red flags can include patients paying in cash, patients driving long distances to obtain their prescriptions, or doctors writing prescriptions for certain combinations of drugs.

What are the most common federal crimes?

Cases involving drugs, immigration, firearms, and fraud, theft, or embezzlement accounted for 83.1% of all cases reported to the Commission. Drug offenses overtook immigration offenses as the most common federal crime in fiscal year 2021, accounting for 31.3% of the total caseload.

How long is the average federal investigation?

A Federal investigation can last upwards of 5 years due to most Federal Statute of Limitations prohibiting the Government from charging or indicting someone after that time period. Typically, Federal investigations take no longer than one – two (1-2) years.