United States Drug Enforcement Administration

LOS ANGELES – The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s Los Angeles Field Division has new leadership. DEA Administrator Terrance C. Cole has appointed David S. Olesky as the Special Agent in Charge (SAC), covering Southern California, Nevada, Hawaii and the U.S. Territories of Guam and Saipan. 

Special Agent in Charge Olesky draws upon a wealth of field experience, specialized knowledge of money laundering operations, and valuable leadership experience in both the domestic and foreign arena. Olesky has provided significant contributions to DEA, anchored by keen executive leadership gained across a distinguished 26-year DEA career. He has collaborated closely with federal, state, and local law enforcement to combat drug poisonings, dismantle trafficking networks, and protect at-risk communities.

“I am grateful for the distinct honor of leading and supporting one of DEA’s most key strategic divisions in our mission to combat the influence and impact of the drug cartels on our nation. What we seize and disrupt here – especially fentanyl and methamphetamine – directly impacts overdose deaths and violent crime in communities across the nation,” said Olesky. 

Olesky added that the drug crisis is one of the most serious threats facing the modern world and one that demands urgent action. “Fentanyl is killing Americans at an unprecedented rate, and it demands acting with the sense of urgency the threat demands. The better we are doing our job here, the greater impact we have not just on our local communities but those across the nation. Here in the Los Angeles Field Division, we are on the front lines of that fight, the cartels utilize the Los Angeles Metro Area as a key distribution hub for narcotics sent across the country and for the illicit proceeds which make their way back to Mexico. The drug cartels capitalize on our entry points, highways, waterways, and financial institutions. Now, more than ever, DEA will hold true to its mission to protect, prevent, and support,” said Olesky.

Though a native of New Jersey, this is SAC Olesky’s third assignment in the Los Angeles Field Division adding, “I believe my previous experience here in the Division, combined with that of my assignments elsewhere, domestically and in the foreign arena, will aid me and our collective team in developing strategies and building partnerships to meet the mission goals. The combination of the HIDTA and the Homeland Security Task Forces are instrumental in addressing the threats posed by transnational criminal organizations, and working with the leadership across our partner agencies is one of the areas I am most looking forward to.” 

Olesky assumed the role of Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Los Angeles Field Division in August 2026. Olesky previously served as the Special Agent in Charge of the Rocky Mountain Field Division (2025 to 2026), where he oversaw more than 300 employees and Task Force Officers operating throughout the states of Colorado, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming.  The DEA Rocky Mountain Field Division includes 13 offices and covers 434,000 square miles of territory.   

Olesky reported to the Rocky Mountain Field Division in April 2020 as an Assistant Special Agent in Charge and since his arrival had also served in the extended role of interim Special Agent in Charge on multiple occasions. 

Olesky began his career with DEA in 2000 when he was hired out of DEA’s New Jersey Field Division.  His first post of duty was as a Special Agent in the Los Angeles Field Division, assigned to the division’s Southwest Border Initiative focused on Mexican Drug Trafficking Organizations impacting the greater Los Angeles area.  In 2007, he was assigned to the Panama City, Panama Country Office. At the conclusion of his tour in Panama, he returned to Los Angeles as a Group Supervisor for the division’s Financial Investigations Team. In 2014, Mr. Olesky returned to the foreign arena as a Group Supervisor in DEA’s Bogota, Colombia Country Office. In 2018, he was assigned to DEA’s Headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, where he worked as an Executive Assistant and then became the Section Chief responsible for overseeing DEA’s domestic and international money laundering investigations and operations. 

Olesky graduated from Trenton State College in New Jersey with a bachelor’s degree in accounting.  Prior to joining DEA, he worked at a public accounting firm, ultimately receiving his license as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

Olesky said that fentanyl remains a paramount priority. His operational background, specialized knowledge of money laundering operations, wide-ranging experience both domestically and in the foreign arena, and proven leadership make him exceptionally well prepared to take on this responsibility. 

With respect to what the public can expect of his leadership style, Olesky added, “The public can expect transparency in communicating both the public safety and health threats posed by illegal drugs and those that traffic them, accountability for our results, and a relentless pursuit of those who harm our communities through drug trafficking. We will be clear about the threat and work relentlessly with our partners to keep this community safe.”

Olesky takes over from his predecessor, Anthony Chrysanthis, who has been appointed to a new role at DEA Headquarters in Arlington, Virginia.