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House Republicans investigate DEA tactic allowing fentanyl shipments to go unseized
House Republicans on the Oversight Committee have launched an investigation into the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) regarding a controversial policing tactic used in New Mexico. The strategy, reportedly known as allowing drugs to ‘walk,’ involved monitoring major fentanyl shipments without immediately seizing them in an effort to build larger criminal cases against trafficking networks.
Committee Chairman James Comer has requested records from Attorney General Todd Blanche to examine these operations. The inquiry follows reports that DEA agents were instructed to stand down rather than intercept shipments containing hundreds of thousands of fentanyl pills between 2023 and 2025. Comer stated that a policy directing agents not to intercept significant shipments is ‘unconscionable’ and has likely resulted in considerable harm and loss of life.
In a parallel legal action, New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez has sued the Department of Justice to compel the release of similar records. The investigation comes amid the deadliest drug epidemic in U.S. history, with whistleblowers alleging that the agency's actions may have violated Justice Department rules intended to protect communities.
Entities
Drug Enforcement Administration · House Oversight Committee · James Comer · New Mexico · Raúl Torrez · Todd Blanche
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 23 SOURCES] The policy of not intercepting significant shipments is unconscionable and caused harm and loss of life. otvoreno.me · offthepress.com · www.troyrecord.com · wyomingtruth.org · lajornadasanluis.com.mx · +18 more
- [● 19 SOURCES] Chairman James Comer requested records from Attorney General Todd Blanche regarding the DEA strategy. otvoreno.me · offthepress.com · www.troyrecord.com · wyomingtruth.org · lajornadasanluis.com.mx · +14 more
- [● 22 SOURCES] House Republicans have launched an investigation into DEA tactics regarding fentanyl shipments. otvoreno.me · offthepress.com · www.troyrecord.com · wyomingtruth.org · lajornadasanluis.com.mx · +17 more
- [● 23 SOURCES] DEA agents repeatedly monitored major fentanyl shipments in New Mexico between 2023 and 2025 without seizing them. otvoreno.me · offthepress.com · www.troyrecord.com · wyomingtruth.org · lajornadasanluis.com.mx · +18 more
- [● 23 SOURCES] New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez sued the Justice Department to force the release of records. otvoreno.me · offthepress.com · www.troyrecord.com · wyomingtruth.org · lajornadasanluis.com.mx · +18 more
- [● 4 SOURCES] The DEA allegedly allowed up to 100,000 fentanyl pills to hit the streets while agents watched. wltreport.com · 100percentfedup.com · justthenews.com · legalinsurrection.com