Derek S. Maltz, Syracuse University Graduate, Named Acting DEA Administrator

Maltz is a Syracuse University graduate, retired from the DEA in 2014, and served as Chief of the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has a new leader following the recent departure of Anne Milgram. Derek S. Maltz, a longtime special agent and former leader within the agency, has been appointed Acting Administrator by the President Trump administration.

Maltz, a Syracuse University graduate, brings nearly three decades of experience with the DEA, having served in various capacities before retiring in 2014. Among his notable roles, he was the Chief of the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force, the nation’s largest and oldest drug task force. Since retiring from the agency, he has worked in the private sector.

Throughout his career, Maltz has been recognized for his efforts in combating drug trafficking networks and fostering international cooperation in law enforcement. He led the DEA’s Special Operations Division for nearly a decade, working extensively with global partners to address drug-related threats.

“This appointment is the honor of my lifetime,” Maltz said in a statement. “I promise to lead the men and women of DEA with integrity and grit. DEA will continue to be relentless in our pursuit of the cartels who threaten this great nation.”

Maltz has been actively engaged in public advocacy regarding the fentanyl crisis, including testifying before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee in 2023 on the nation’s drug epidemic. He has also addressed state legislatures, including the Ohio State Legislature in 2019, where he supported discussions on classifying Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.

His law enforcement contributions have earned him multiple accolades, including the Presidential Rank Award. With a deep connection to New York, Maltz’s leadership is expected to influence drug enforcement efforts nationwide as he takes the helm at the DEA.