Jeffrey James Higgins is part of the DEA International Operations Oral History Project

Retired DEA Special Agent Jeff Higgins discusses his career with DEA while in Afghanistan.

The DEA Museum collects, preserves, and shares the stories of America’s connection to drugs, including public policy, federal drug law enforcement, and the work of Drug Enforcement Administration employees around the world. Its innovative learning environment includes interactive exhibits, artifacts, and displays that engage every guest in the science and history of drug misuse prevention. Captivating educational programs and hands-on activities also inspire visitors to become Agents of Change in their communities.

DEA Museum staff are creating an online collection of curated oral histories. By gathering first-person accounts from retired special agents, former leadership, and other personnel who have served across five decades, museum staff is preserving the DEA’s history and legacy. These interviews document how the administration’s mission evolved and the lived experiences behind major enforcement efforts. This is an ongoing project — with transcriptions forthcoming — so please check back periodically to see what new offerings are available. Learn more: museum.dea.gov

Bestselling thriller novelist Jeffrey James Higgins, founder, Elaine’s Literary Salon

About Jeffrey James Higgins: A retired supervisory special agent who writes thrillers, short stories, creative nonfiction, and essays, Jeff spent more than 20 years as a DEA agent. He wrestled a suicide bomber, fought the Taliban in combat, and chased terrorists across five continents.

Jeffrey received the Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Heroism and the DEA Award of Valor. CNN, Fox News, and The New York Times have interviewed him, and he’s appeared on CNN Declassified, National Geographic’s Narco Wars, and ABC News. He has a BS in Journalism and an MS in Criminal Justice.

He’s a #1 Amazon bestselling author who’s won the Claymore Award, PenCraft’s Best Fiction Book of the Year, and a Reader’s Favorite Gold Medal. His debut novel, Furious, is one of Black Rose Writing’s bestselling thrillers, and The Forever Game was selected as one of the best medical thrillers of the 21st century. Severn River Publishing launched four books in the Nathan Burke international thriller series, and Library Journal selected The Havana Syndrome as one of the best books of 2025.

Jeffrey owns Elaine’s Literary Salon in Alexandria, VA, where he counsels writers, interviews authors, and hosts a podcast. He’s an Authors Guild ambassador for the DC area and a frequent panelist at conferences and book festivals. Jeffrey’s an active member of International Thriller Writers, Sisters in Crime, The Northern Virginia Writers Club, and the Royal Writers Secret Society. Discover his writing at: JeffreyJamesHiggins.com