DEA Whistleblower Alleges Fentanyl Pills Were Let Onto Streets
A DEA whistleblower, agent David Howell, said Thursday that the agency allowed millions of fentanyl pills to be deliberately left on streets during long-term investigations.[1]
Howell said agents routinely let drugs "walk" instead of seizing them, a tactic he says runs counter to internal DEA guidance on fentanyl.[1] He cited a 2023 Albuquerque traffic stop in which agents removed a child and seized between 6,000 and 7,000 fentanyl pills and a handgun hidden under the child's seat.[1] He said the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Mexico chastised agents for seizing that shipment rather than allowing it to reach the suspect's home.[1]
New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez has sued the federal government over the alleged practice of letting fentanyl walk in the state.[1] The Justice Department said the DEA administrator immediately asked the DOJ inspector general to investigate after the whistleblower came forward, and that investigation is ongoing.[1] Officials in the Albuquerque area have declared a state of emergency over rising fentanyl overdose calls.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- In 2023, DEA agents in Albuquerque stopped a white SUV, removed a child, and seized between 6,000 and 7,000 fentanyl pills and a handgun from a compartment under the child's seat.
- Agent David Howell alleges DEA has allowed millions of fentanyl pills to "walk" as part of long-term investigations, contrary to internal guidance not to use this tactic with fentanyl.
- Howell says the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Mexico chastised agents for seizing the fentanyl in the 2023 case, rather than allowing it to go to the suspect's house.
- New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez has sued the federal government over the alleged practice of letting fentanyl walk in the state.
- The Justice Department says DEA Administrator immediately asked the DOJ inspector general to investigate after the whistleblower came forward, and that investigation is ongoing.
- Officials in the Albuquerque area have declared a state of emergency over rising fentanyl overdose calls.
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