Collection Spotlight

No matter how big or small, every artifact tells a story. While only a fraction of the objects and images in the Museum's collection, these eye-catching artifacts capture significant moments in the history of drugs and drug law enforcement.

A green bottle that once contained Vin Mariani, a coca wine.

Vin Mariani Bottle

A green glass bottle that once contained Vin Mariani, a French wine infused with coca leaves.

A wooden Thai village model

Thai Village Model

Seven hundred grams of heroin were secreted into the bottom of this wooden Thai village.

Red and Green Tablet Press

Tablet Press

A mechanical device that compresses powder into tablets of uniform size and weight.

Barbie and Ken

Special Agents Barbie and Ken

A pair of custom-made DEA Special Agent Barbie and Ken figures.

Metal Tube on dock

Smuggling Tube

DEA seized this large metal tube during an investigation into a transnational criminal organization smuggling cocaine from the Dominican Republic, Panama and Colombia to Puerto Rico.

guitar in hard case

Signed Guitar

More than 50 country music artists signed this guitar while visiting a mobile version of DEA's Faces of Fentanyl exhibit at the 2024 Country Music Awards. 

Three bookmarks with artwork created by children.

Red Ribbon Bookmarks

Bookmarks created by young people from across the county. They were submitted to celebrate Red Ribbon Week and encourage healthy, drug-free choices.

Framed photograph with copy of act

President Gift Set

A framed gift set to commemorate President Richard Nixon signing the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act.

Poppy Scorer

Poppy Scorer

A poppy scorer used by farmers to drain raw opium from poppy pods.

Wood and brass pill machine

19th Century Pill Machine

Pill machines were used every day in pharmacies to produce pills to have on hand as needed.