New Mexico's Attorney General Raúl Torrez has launched a criminal investigation into the DEA, questioning whether federal agents broke state law by allowing fentanyl shipments to reach Albuquerque streets. This follows reports that DEA agents monitored, but did not seize, hundreds of thousands of fentanyl pills between 2023 and 2025.
The investigation raises serious questions about federal law enforcement tactics and their impact on public safety, particularly in a state already grappling with a severe opioid crisis. It could lead to legal repercussions for DEA agents and potentially alter national drug enforcement strategies.
New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez announced a criminal investigation into the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on Friday, examining whether federal agents broke state law by permitting hundreds of thousands of fentanyl pills to enter Albuquerque's streets. This inquiry stems from recent reports that DEA agents monitored, but did not seize, shipments of the synthetic opioid between 2023 and 2025, aiming to build larger criminal cases.
Whistleblower David Howell, a current and former DEA agent, told The Associated Press that this enforcement tactic constituted a gamble with public safety and potentially violated U.S. Justice Department rules. The unseized fentanyl arrived during a severe drug epidemic, even as the DEA led a public awareness campaign highlighting the lethal nature of the substance.
Torrez stated that federal agents are not exempt from the law, despite their legal protections during official duties. He plans to demand documents from the DEA, both nationally and within New Mexico, to ascertain if the alleged conduct represents a widespread pattern of reckless or unlawful behavior. Torrez emphasized that the consequences of such actions are fatal, particularly in New Mexico, which is already hard-hit by fentanyl overdose deaths.
Initially, the DEA denied Howell's allegations. However, the agency later requested the Justice Department's independent watchdog to conduct its own investigation. The Justice Department indicated it would implement changes if the review identifies areas for improvement and expressed a willingness to partner with state and local leaders to combat fentanyl.