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 wooden bell next to a wooded, beaded bridle.

Drug Mule Bell and Bridle

A drug mule bell and bridle from the Golden Triangle.

Dr. Isaac Thompson’s Celebrated Eye Water Trade Card

A trade card advertising Dr. Isaac Thompson’s Celebrated Eye Water, an opium-containing patent medicine.

Diversion Logbook

A diversion investigator’s logbook with two decades of case information.

DEA Special Agent Badge

A gold and blue DEA special agent badge featuring an American bald eagle.

DEA publications

DEA publications that informed the American public and professionals around the world in the 1970s.

Cocaine Mold

A wooden mold used to press cocaine syrup or powder into solid bricks.

Ceramic Elephant

A ceramic elephant gifted to DEA by Thai royalty.

Bureau of Narcotics Credentials

Credentials issued in 1944 to Robert S. O'Brien, Agent, Federal Bureau of Narcotics.

Beretta 92F 9MM Parabellum Pistol

A diamond-encrusted pistol discovered in one of Joaquín “El Chapo” Archivaldo Guzmán Loera’s safe houses.

A black swallow-tailed flag with white lettering.

Basic Agent Training Guidon

A forked, or swallow-tailed, flag assigned to classes of new recruits that complete training to become DEA special agents.