Practice Test Geeks(DEA) Certified Drug Enforcement Administration Specialist Practice Test
← All DEA Flashcard Decks

Undercover Operation Protocols Flashcards

7 cards from real DEA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Undercover Operation Protocols flashcards as text

  1. In a DEA undercover operation targeting money laundering, which federal statute specifically criminalizes financial transactions involving drug proceeds that undercover agents must be careful to document?

    Answer: 18 U.S.C. § 1956 — Money Laundering Control Act

    18 U.S.C. § 1956, the Money Laundering Control Act, is the primary statute criminalizing financial transactions involving proceeds of drug trafficking.

  2. What is the significance of establishing a 'predicate act' before initiating an undercover approach in a DEA investigation?

    Answer: It provides a documented criminal activity basis that establishes the target's predisposition and protects against entrapment defenses

    Documenting a predicate act establishes the target's pre-existing criminal predisposition, which is the primary defense against an entrapment claim at trial.

  3. How must an undercover DEA agent handle a situation where the target demands the agent commit a 'test crime' (e.g., theft of another dealer's drugs) to prove loyalty?

    Answer: Refuse, disengage safely, and notify the supervisor to evaluate whether to terminate the operation

    Agents must refuse to commit crimes not authorized in the operational plan, disengage safely, and notify supervisors to reassess the operation's viability.

  4. Under DEA undercover guidelines, what is the maximum period for an initial undercover operation approval before mandatory re-review and reauthorization?

    Answer: 6 months

    Initial DEA undercover operation approvals are valid for six months, after which a formal reauthorization review is required to continue.

  5. Which circumstance requires DEA to notify the relevant U.S. Attorney's Office (USAO) before initiating an undercover operation according to AG Guidelines?

    Answer: Any operation classified as involving 'sensitive circumstances' as defined in the Guidelines

    AG Guidelines define specific 'sensitive circumstances' — such as targeting public officials or involving a risk of significant violence — that require USAO notification before the operation begins.

  6. When an undercover agent must testify in court about an operation, which doctrine allows the government to withhold the identities of non-testifying informants used during the operation?

    Answer: The Informant's Privilege established in Roviaro v. United States

    Roviaro v. United States established the informant's privilege, allowing the government to withhold the identity of confidential informants unless their identity is material to the defense.

  7. What is the proper DEA protocol for disposing of controlled substances purchased during a buy-walk operation that are no longer needed as evidence?

    Answer: Transfer custody to a DEA evidence custodian for destruction through an authorized DEA reverse distributor or court-ordered destruction

    All controlled substances must be transferred to the DEA evidence custodian and destroyed through authorized channels — typically a DEA-registered reverse distributor or court-ordered destruction.