George Merkert
Vital statistics
Portrayed By	Michael Shamus Wiles
Age	Late 50's
Occupation(s)	Head of DEA
Status	Alive, Active
Episode Count	11
First Appearance	Bit by a Dead Bee
Last Seen	Madrigal
Images of George Merkert

Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC) George Merkert is Hank's boss at the DEA's office in Albuquerque. He is impressed with Hank's work hunting down Tuco and recommends him for a transfer to El Paso. Oddly, he strongly disagrees with the notion that Gus Fring is involved with the criminal drug trade, frustrating Hank's downright heroic efforts.

Season 3 

When Hank returns, Merkert is frustrated by Hank's stalling on a second transfer to El Paso, unaware that Hank is suffering from panic attacks and is scared to go back. After Hank attacks Jesse Pinkman, Merkert is forced to suspend Hank without pay, but tells him off the record that Jesse won't press charges and that Hank must have a "guardian angel". ("One Minute") Notably, this leaves Hank without his gun.

After The Cousins attack Hank, Marie Schrader blames Merkert and fellow DEA agent Steven Gomez for failing to allow Hank to keep his gun. ("I See You")

Season 4

Merkert listens to Hank's suspicions that Gus Fring might be the meth kingpin they've been looking for all along. Merkert, Gomez, Hank, and Tim Roberts interview Gus in relation to the death of Gale Boetticher; however, all but Hank fall in with Merkert and believe that Gus is telling the truth. Merkert in particular is insistent that Gus is an honest man and a long-time friend of the DEA.

In the last episode of Season 4, he also appears at the meeting between Hank and Hector Salamanca.

Season 5

Early in the fifth season, it is revealed that Merkert has been forced out as head of the DEA because of his personal friendship with Gus and his failure to identify him as a drug lord. ("Madrigal")