Daniel Dobas

Experience

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  US Army

  Apr 1997 - Apr 2000

  Non-Commissioned Officer | Team Leader | Paratrooper, 82nd Airborne Division

  Trained, supervised, and supported up to five paratroopers in conducting airborne and air assault operations, with focus on compiling time-sensitive, actionable intelligence to support the 1st Brigade of the 82nd Airborne Division.

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  State of Connecticut

  May 2000 - Dec 2001

  Judicial Law Clerk

  Performed research, delivered presentations, and served as a reliable go-to person for the judge, attorneys, and members of the public during a clerkship in the State of Connecticut Superior Court. Extensive public speaking.

• 

  Drug Enforcement Administration

  Jan 2002 - now

  Drive global strategy and oversee enforcement to prevent, detect, investigate, and disrupt the diversion of listed chemicals including precursors of fentanyl and other drugs. Build innovative programs and contribute to cutting-edge operations and investigations.Spearhead strong coalitions with domestic and foreign stakeholders in industry, government, and the intelligence community. Maintain personal connections in the DOJ, DOD (CIA, Office of Naval Intelligence, etc.), United Nations, International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), and other agencies and organizations.Tackle some of the toughest challenges through: – Industry Outreach– Compliance Management– Complex Multinational Investigations (Criminal, Civil, Administrative)A few highlights:• Liaised with agencies, teams, and stakeholders worldwide to deploy high-stakes operations and investigations—enabling intercontinental tracking and ultimately to seizures of fentanyl and other chemicals and precursors.• Launched the Chemical Industry Outreach Program and annual Virtual Chemical Industry Conference and expanded the Industry Liaison Program.• Established a multiagency chemical strike force.• Built a reputation as an expert and advisor for senior executives and decision-makers from private companies on a variety of topics including the sale of drug monitoring systems, destruction of drug/chemical precursors in the US and overseas, and tactics for identifying and addressing the trafficking of precursor chemicals.• Developed a workplace environment that inspires and motivates 17+ team members and supervisors: DEA agents, diversion investigators, program analysts, intelligence analysts, contractors, and embedded DOD elements.• Promoted from Acting Section Chief in December 2020. Show less Joined DEA headquarters as Staff Coordinator in the Diversion Control Division’s Chemical Investigations Section. In collaboration with a dedicated and talented Program Analyst, delved deeply into a portfolio of projects that advanced DEA priorities and supported International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) initiatives.Selected for a special assignment as the first-ever Liaison Officer representing the DEA in the Customs & Border Protection (CBP) National Targeting Center (NTC). Served as a subject matter expert and advisor on a wide range of issues related to narcotics and precursor chemicals.A few highlights:• Worked alongside colleagues in the CBP Cargo Division to monitor and track the flow of chemical shipments around the world.• Teamed with US and foreign law enforcement, military, and government agencies (Coast Guard, Homeland Security, Postal Service, etc.) to pinpoint and stop the diversion of precursor chemicals to transnational criminal organizations.• Briefed senior executives and officials, and organized tours of the NTC.Select presentations: INCB Expert Working Group on Fentanyl (Austria), UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) Intercessional Meeting (Austria), and DEA Sensitive Investigative Unit (SIU) Special Agent Advisor. Show less Tapped to lead the Palm Springs Narcotics Task Force in identifying, investigating, disrupting, and dismantling criminal organizations, planning and overseeing operations with national and international impact. Worked at the Palm Springs Police Department—60 miles away from direct DEA support—yet effectively led all enforcement, administrative, and financial functions. Supervised a team consisting of about 12 members: DEA agents plus federal and local law enforcement. Represented the DEA and the task force to the media and law enforcement. Delivered daily briefings to senior officials including Chiefs of Police.A few highlights:• Rebuilt and revitalized the task force after the team operated without a Group Supervisor for 18 months.• Elevated six cases to high-priority OCDETF investigations.• Improved investigational outcomes, and motivated the team to achieve the highest morale in the division. • Restored relationships between the DEA and local law enforcement teams.• Selected for additional role as guest Inspector with the Miami Field Division, embedded with a team of headquarters inspectors. Show less Led and coordinated investigations into multi-state and transnational criminal organizations. Executed search warrants, conducted interviews, and planned, organized, and led search-warrant operations. Drafted reports. Testified in state and federal court.A few highlights:• Worked shoulder-to-shoulder with colleagues and outside law enforcement agencies to identify, investigate, and take down drug trafficking networks.• Taught newly promoted detectives at the Fairfield County Detectives School. Topics included informant management, surveillance techniques, conducting controlled purchases, etc.• Instructed and mentored DEA agent trainees. Show less Influenced, advised on, and supported drug trafficking investigations in the Middle East—targeting criminal networks with ties to Europe, North Africa, and the United States. Pooled resources with US and foreign government and law enforcement agencies (DOD, DOS, IC) to plan and deploy operations, advancing DEA’s mission throughout the region. Served as Drug Liaison Officer to representatives of several countries.• Provided advice and expertise to the US Ambassador and Deputy Chief of Mission in interim assignment as Acting Country Attaché.• Served as Special Agent Advisor to the 66-person Pakistani Sensitive Investigation Cell. Directed four investigations that disrupted deliveries of controlled substances to the United States, South Africa, Malaysia, and the Maldives.• Managed people, budgets, and priorities in conjunction with the US military and State Department to establish a training program for the Pakistani Coast Guard and create the first in-country Quick Reaction Force. Show less

  • Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC) | Special Operations Division (SOD)

    Oct 2023 - now

  • Section Chief | Diversion Control Division, Chemical Investigations Section, DEA Headquarters

    Feb 2021 - Sept 2023

  • Staff Coordinator, Chemical Investigations Section | Liaison Officer, Customs & Border Protection

    Mar 2019 - Feb 2021

  • Group Supervisor & Narcotics Task Force Commander

    Aug 2013 - Feb 2019

  • Special Agent, DEA Africa Region

    Jun 2013 - Jul 2013

  • Special Agent, Bridgeport Resident Office, New England Division

    Jan 2008 - May 2013

  • Special Agent Advisor & Acting Country Attaché, Middle East Region

    Jan 2006 - Jan 2008

  • Special Agent, Riverside District Office, Los Angeles Division

    Jan 2002 - Dec 2005