Lewis Rice to head Drug Enforcement Administration office in New York

Jet, Jan 20, 1997

Lewis Rice posed as a drug dealer in his first job with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) more than 20 years ago. Today he is preparing to head its largest office.

In March, Rice, 44, will become special agent-in-charge in New York City, succeeding Carlo Boccia, who recently retired.

Rice currently is the special agent-in-charge at the Dea's Detroit field office. When he was, appointed to the Detroit office in April, he became the youngest person to head one of the agency's offices. He is one of two Blacks heading DEA field offices.

Rice joined the DEA in 1974 after he graduated from St. John's University in New York with a degree in criminal justice. Prior to his position in Detroit, he headed New York City's Drug Enforcement Task force.