DEA Calls for Internal Investigation into Allegations of Agents Allowing Fentanyl to Circulate
· Telemundo McAllen (KTLM)
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration requested on Thursday that the internal oversight of the Department of Justice investigate allegations from an informant claiming that DEA agents allowed hundreds of thousands of fentanyl pills to reach the streets of New Mexico. This request came days after an Associated Press investigation found that agents repeatedly monitored—yet did not seize—large shipments of the synthetic opioid in an effort to build larger criminal cases between 2023 and 2025. In a letter sent Thursday to the Department of Justice's inspector general, DEA Administrator Terry Cole stated that an internal investigation is necessary because 'the allegations have generated significant public attention and raised questions about DEA's operational decisions, management oversight, and response to concerns.' In a public statement, Cole emphasized that his request 'should not be interpreted as a reflection of a lack of confidence in the professionalism or integrity of DEA personnel, nor in the investigative decisions made in this matter.' 'If improvements are identified, the DEA will implement them,' he added. 'Strong institutions are upheld—not weakened—by objective oversight and a willingness to continuously assess and improve.'
AI summary · Source: Telemundo McAllen (KTLM) →
