New Mexico governor calls for criminal probe of DEA allowing fentanyl shipments
6 hours ago
- #fentanyl crisis
- #DEA investigation
- #government accountability
- New Mexico's governor calls for a criminal investigation into the DEA over an AP report alleging the agency allowed fentanyl shipments to reach streets from 2023 to 2025.
- The AP investigation found DEA agents permitted hundreds of thousands of fentanyl pills to be distributed while building cases against higher-level traffickers, raising questions about public safety and legal violations.
- Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham accused the DEA of recklessness, stating the agency knowingly allowed pills into communities despite the fentanyl epidemic, with overdose deaths in New Mexico spiking 21% last year.
- The DEA defended its actions as lawful and consistent with Department guidance, denying it knowingly permitted fentanyl to reach communities, while a former U.S. attorney cited resource limitations and strategic priorities.
- Whistleblower David Howell filed a complaint, leading to advocacy group involvement and congressional scrutiny, with Senator Bernie Moreno calling it a major scandal and victims' groups criticizing the DEA's contradictory approach.