Lok “Lea” Kui is a federal law enforcement agent with expertise in international relations, prosecuting money laundering, uncovering international conspiracies, and anticipating trends in illegal drugs. She has served as a senior special agent with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) counter network threat targeting team since 2001, before which she held numerous roles with the federal agency. In her current position, Ms. Kui oversees drug investigations and cases, both domestically and internationally. She is dedicated to combating money laundering and international criminal conspiracies and takes a proactive approach to analyzing and probing cartels involved in trafficking fentanyl. She participates in field operations, including surveillance, interviews, and debriefings of apprehended defendants. With the DEA, Ms. Kui garnered additional experience as an information resource specialist, an intelligence research analyst and a recruiter.
Ms. Kui became involved in law enforcement because of her own longstanding interest and was inspired by her father’s passion in the profession. Although he was never able to work in the field, Ms. Kui took up the mantle and was resolute in her pursuit of a career in criminal justice despite her business acumen and background. She is extremely grateful to her parents for setting an example as the epitome of hardworking, dedicated, and resilient professionals who immigrated to the United States from Hong Kong. Their determination paved the way for the success of their children, allowing them to forge a new life in New York. Ms. Kui also attributes her success to her innate resilience and ambition. From a young age, she was inspired to work and achieve independence while contributing to a broader purpose.
Ms. Kui prepared for her career in law enforcement by pursuing higher education at Queens College, part of the City University of New York, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in political science in 1995. In 2000, she obtained a Master of Arts in criminal justice and law enforcement from the John Jay College of Criminal Justice. After taking time off from her education to gain experience in her work, Ms. Kui attended Monroe College and graduated in 2018 with a Master of Business Administration in finance, boasting a 4.0 grade point average and receiving the Dean’s Award from the King Graduate School. Alongside her formal degrees, she is credentialed by the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists and is a certified cryptocurrency investigator through the Blockchain Intelligence Group.
Prior to Ms. Kui’s current role with the DEA, she worked as a co-op student and intern with the General Services Administration and as a contract analyst and co-op student with Sony Music Entertainment. Following these positions, she was a marketing assistant with PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited before accepting her first job with the DEA. Alongside her primary roles, Ms. Kui contributes to her community by volunteering at a local Buddhist temple. She also volunteers her time as a remote chief financial officer for a security startup company in Florida and is a member of the Delta Mu Delta international business honor society. Having dedicated more than 25 years of service to the DEA, Ms. Kui has become eligible for retirement and anticipates transitioning into new aspirations. She plans to re-immerse herself in business, leverage her subject matter expertise and pursue additional certifications. Outside of her profession, Ms. Kui is committed to caring for her mother. She shares her life with her long-term boyfriend, who is a retired member of the DEA. She has two accomplished older brothers who work in private-sector information technology. Dedicated to the conscientious application of artificial intelligence, Ms. Kui is grateful for the support and knowledge that her younger sibling shares with her in this area. She looks forward to the next chapter in her professional journey and plans to engage in consulting and private investigation alongside her other business endeavors.