started · updated
Justice Department watchdog to review DEA fentanyl seizure tactics
The U.S. Justice Department Inspector General has announced a review of a controversial Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) tactic involving the decision to allow fentanyl shipments to reach the streets to facilitate larger investigations against drug traffickers.
The investigation, announced by Inspector General Don Berthiaume, will examine government policies and wiretap investigations where agents may have monitored fentanyl deliveries without intervening to avoid jeopardizing major prosecutions. This strategy, referred to by some as allowing drugs to ‘walk,’ follows an Associated Press report detailing how DEA agents monitored but did not seize major fentanyl shipments in New Mexico between 2023 and 2025.
One internal report highlighted a specific instance in Albuquerque where the DEA declined to interdict a delivery of 74,000 fentanyl pills. DEA Administrator Terry Cole has requested a narrower inquiry, specifically regarding the agency’s handling of a whistleblower complaint from Agent David Howell, who alleged that authorities ‘poisoned our community to make cases.’
Entities
David Howell · Department of Justice · Don Berthiaume · Drug Enforcement Administration · New Mexico · Terry Cole · U.S. Department of Justice
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Justice Department watchdog is reviewing a DEA tactic that allows fentanyl to reach streets to build larger drug trafficking cases. www.troyrecord.com · www.winnipegfreepress.com · www.independent.co.uk
- [● 2 SOURCES] DEA Administrator Terry Cole requested a narrower inquiry and stated the request should not reflect a lack of confidence in DEA personnel. www.troyrecord.com · www.independent.co.uk
- [● 2 SOURCES] An Associated Press investigation found DEA agents monitored but did not seize major fentanyl shipments in New Mexico between 2023 and 2025. www.troyrecord.com · www.independent.co.uk
- [● 2 SOURCES] An internal DEA report detailed a decision not to interdict a delivery of 74,000 fentanyl pills in Albuquerque. www.troyrecord.com · www.independent.co.uk
- [● 2 SOURCES] Whistleblower Agent David Howell stated that federal authorities poisoned the community to build cases. www.troyrecord.com · www.independent.co.uk
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Justice Department Inspector General is reviewing a DEA tactic of allowing fentanyl shipments to proceed to build larger drug trafficking cases. www.troyrecord.com · www.winnipegfreepress.com · www.independent.co.uk
- [● 2 SOURCES] An investigation found DEA agents monitored but did not seize major fentanyl shipments in New Mexico between 2023 and 2025. www.troyrecord.com · www.independent.co.uk
- [● 2 SOURCES] DEA Administrator Terry Cole requested a narrower inquiry into the agency's handling of a whistleblower complaint. www.troyrecord.com · www.independent.co.uk
- [● 2 SOURCES] Whistleblower Agent David Howell stated that federal authorities allowed drugs into the community to build cases. www.troyrecord.com · www.independent.co.uk