The centerpiece of DEA's efforts to target the highest echelons of drug trafficking organizations has been its Geographic Drug Enforcement Program. This is a code classification system which categorizes drug violators according to four classes: class 1, representing the highest level traffickers, to class 4, representing the lowest level traffickers. GAO interviewed DEA agents who had investigated class 1 violators since 1979 to obtain their views on whether their districts were arresting more major drug traffickers. About 57 percent of the agents interviewed reported that in 1982 DEA improved its arrest record vis-a-vis major drug traffickers. The record shows that from fiscal year 1979 through fiscal year 1982, total arrests of drug traffickers increased 18 percent while arrests of class 1 violators increased 33 percent. Still, DEA's criteria for classifying class 1 violators are too broad to gauge the success of DEA efforts against these traffickers. Only one of the six criteria for class 1 specifically applies to the head of a trafficking organization. To better assess DEA efforts at immobilizing the highest echelon drug traffickers, the drug violator classification system should be revised to provide a separate category for persons managing continuing criminal enterprises. Appendixes contain the details of study methodology and data analysis along with a summary of interviews. Tabular study data are provided.