DEA Seeks Independent Review After Claims Agents Allowed Entry of Fentanyl

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on June 25 asked the Department of Justice (DOJ) to conduct an independent review after allegations that its agents had allowed hundreds of thousands of fentanyl pills into New Mexico.

DEA Administrator Terrance Cole made the request in a letter addressed to the DOJ’s Office of Inspector General, saying the allegations have “generated significant public attention and have raised questions regarding DEA’s operational decisions, supervisory oversight, and response to concerns.”

Cole said the agency would fully cooperate with the investigation by providing personnel, records, investigative materials, policies, and other information needed for the probe.

“This request should not be interpreted as reflecting any lack of confidence in the professionalism or integrity of DEA personnel or in the investigative decisions made during this matter,” Cole wrote.

He added that the DEA is prepared to implement any corrective actions or operational improvements identified through the investigation.

“The men and women of DEA confront extraordinarily dangerous criminal organizations every day, frequently making difficult operational decisions under rapidly evolving circumstances,” Cole said.

“They deserve an objective evaluation based upon the complete factual record, and the American people deserve confidence that allegations concerning the conduct of their federal law enforcement agencies are reviewed independently, fairly, and without preconception.”

Cole did not provide details on the allegations he was referring to.

Just a day before, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued a statement calling for a probe into whether any federal agents violated state law.

Grisham cited an Associated Press report alleging that DEA agents allowed drug traffickers to deliver 74,000 fentanyl pills to a mobile home park in Albuquerque, New Mexico, during a June 2023 transaction instead of seizing them.

“Make no mistake: the DEA knew people would die if these pills made it into New Mexico communities, and the agency let it happen anyway,” she said.

“I plan to hold the federal government accountable for this disaster and will explore every possible avenue of action against the federal government to right these wrongs.”

To curb the flow of fentanyl into the state, Grisham said, she declared the surge in illegal drugs a public health emergency and deployed the National Guard to Albuquerque and Española.

In a statement to news outlets, the DOJ expressed its readiness to work with New Mexico leaders to safeguard the public from illicit drugs.

“Protecting the public requires more than addressing individual transactions as they occur,” the DOJ said. “It requires identifying the sources of supply, the individuals directing criminal activity and the organizations responsible for moving dangerous drugs into our communities.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.