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<\/p>\nFarhana Islam is the first woman to be named Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s New York Enforcement Division.<\/p>\n
She recently sat down with CBS News New York’s Jennifer Bisram for her first television interview.<\/p>\n
Lifelong career goals<\/p>\n
Islam, a 50-year-old mother, said her family migrated to the U.S. from Bangladesh, and as a little girl, she always wanted to pursue a career focused on law and order.<\/p>\n
“My parents did not want me to go into law enforcement,” she said. “They wanted me to do something more traditional, like be a doctor, a lawyer.”<\/p>\n
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Farhana Islam, right, is the first woman to be named Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s New York Enforcement Division. <\/p>\n
CBS News New York<\/p>\n
Islam says now, her parents are proud.<\/p>\n
“It took some time for them to get used to it,” she said.<\/p>\n
She has been with the DEA for nearly 30 years.<\/p>\n
“It’s incredibly humbling, and it’s truly an honor and privilege because I started my career here,” Islam said of her new role.<\/p>\n
“Don’t take no for an answer”<\/p>\n
Islam has this advice to women pursuing a career in law enforcement: “Don’t take no for an answer. Don’t be afraid.”\u00a0<\/p>\n
She added, “Throughout my career, I’ve usually been the only female in my group. Once or twice, I’ve probably worked with another female.”<\/p>\n
One of her first tasks after being promoted to the role was assisting in the arrival and protection of\u00a0former Venezuelan President Nicol\u00e1s Maduro<\/a> when\u00a0he arrived in New York in January<\/a> to\u00a0face federal drug trafficking charges<\/a>.<\/p>\n “One of our major goals here is to attack the fentanyl production from, you know, Mexico, China, all the way to New York City,” Islam said.<\/p>\n She’s also dedicated to lifting as she climbs, committed to arming the next wave of women and emerging agents with the skills to lead.<\/p>\n “One of my goals is to do some more training, obviously do some more leadership opportunities for, not just women but everyone in general, especially our young agents,” Islam said.<\/p>\n