New Mexico’s attorney general, Raúl Torrez, has launched a criminal investigation into the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) over its handling of fentanyl shipments in the state. The inquiry comes after reports that DEA agents allowed hundreds of thousands of fentanyl pills to reach the streets of Albuquerque between 2023 and 2025.
Investigation Details
The investigation aims to determine whether DEA agents broke state law by not seizing the fentanyl shipments, which were part of a strategy to build bigger criminal cases. Current and former DEA agents, including whistleblower David Howell, have expressed concerns that this approach may have violated U.S. Justice Department rules and put public safety at risk.
The fentanyl epidemic has had a devastating impact on New Mexico, which already ranks among the states hardest hit by overdose deaths. The state’s attorney general has emphasized that federal agents are not above the law and must be held accountable for their actions.
The DEA has denied any wrongdoing, but the agency has called for an independent review by the Justice Department’s watchdog. The investigation is expected to examine the DEA’s conduct in New Mexico and nationally to determine if the allegations reflect a broader pattern of reckless or unlawful behavior.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
