Key facts
- New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham stated the state could seek billions in civil damages from the federal government.
- The potential lawsuit follows reports that DEA agents allowed fentanyl shipments to pass through the state to build larger cases.
- The DEA's strategy is criticized as a "stunning failure" and "immoral" by the governor.
- A whistleblower, David Howell, alleged the DEA's actions may have violated U.S. Justice Department rules.
- New Mexico's attorney general has launched a criminal investigation into the matter.
- Overdose deaths in New Mexico saw a 21% increase last year.
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced that the state is considering pursuing billions of dollars in civil damages from the federal government following revelations that U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents allegedly allowed shipments of fentanyl to flow into drug-plagued communities. The strategy, reportedly used between 2023 and 2025, aimed to build larger criminal cases but has been criticized by state officials as a "stunning failure" and "immoral."
Governor Lujan Grisham vowed to take her concerns directly to the White House and Congress, seeking assurances that the DEA is not continuing or replicating this risky law enforcement tactic. Her remarks came after The Associated Press reported on the DEA's alleged practice, which occurred amid the nation's deadliest drug epidemic and while the agency led a public awareness campaign about the dangers of fentanyl.
Former DEA agent David Howell, a whistleblower, stated that the strategy amounted to a gamble with public safety and may have violated U.S. Justice Department rules. While the DEA initially denied the allegations, it later requested the Justice Department's independent watchdog to investigate. New Mexico's attorney general has also launched a criminal investigation to determine if any federal officials broke state law by knowingly exposing residents to the synthetic opioid.
Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller echoed the governor's outrage, describing the situation as an "uninformed, undisciplined experiment" that is harming the city. The controversy has also drawn political commentary, with President Trump sharing an article critical of the "Biden-run Justice Department." Governor Lujan Grisham has previously criticized both the Biden and Trump administrations for not doing enough to combat fentanyl. The situation is particularly concerning as New Mexico has seen a 21% spike in overdose deaths in the past year, contrasting with a 14% decline nationwide.