NM AG Probes DEA Over Fentanyl Seizures

New Mexico's Attorney General Raúl Torrez has opened a criminal investigation into the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). This inquiry aims to determine if federal agents broke state law by allowing a substantial quantity of fentanyl pills to enter Albuquerque's streets. The investigation was prompted by allegations that DEA agents repeatedly monitored, but did not seize, drug shipments between 2023 and 2025. This tactic was reportedly used to build larger cases against trafficking organizations, but whistleblower David Howell and others suggest it jeopardized public safety and may have contravened Justice Department rules.

Attorney General Torrez stated that federal agents are not exempt from the law, even with their legal protections. He intends to demand documents to assess if the conduct in New Mexico reflects a broader pattern of risky or illegal behavior. New Mexico is already severely impacted by fentanyl overdose deaths, making this investigation critical for families who have lost loved ones. The DEA initially denied the allegations but later requested the Justice Department's inspector general to conduct its own review. The agency expressed willingness to implement improvements if the review identifies any.