New Mexico's governor announced that the state may pursue billions of dollars in civil damages following revelations that U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents permitted fentanyl shipments to enter communities as part of an investigative strategy. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham expressed outrage Monday, stating she would directly petition the White House and Congress to ensure the DEA discontinues this practice in New Mexico and does not replicate it elsewhere.
Overdose deaths have seen a significant increase in New Mexico, contrasting with a decline in fentanyl deaths in other parts of the country. Lujan Grisham described the situation as a "stunning failure by the federal government," calling the DEA's actions "disgusting and despicable" during a press conference in Albuquerque.
The governor's remarks followed a report that DEA agents monitored, but did not seize, fentanyl shipments between 2023 and 2025. Current and former agents, including whistleblower David Howell, suggested this strategy gambled with public safety and potentially violated Justice Department guidelines. The DEA initially denied the allegations but later requested an independent investigation by the Justice Department's Office of the Inspector General.
This practice occurred amid a severe drug epidemic in the U.S., even as the DEA conducted a public awareness campaign, "One Pill Can Kill," warning of fentanyl's lethality.
New Mexico's Attorney General has initiated a criminal investigation to determine if federal officials violated state law by knowingly exposing residents to the synthetic opioid. Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller highlighted fentanyl as the city's primary challenge, contributing to crime, homelessness, and strained healthcare resources.
Political reactions have emerged, with former President Donald Trump attributing the scandal to the "Biden-run Justice Department." The Justice Department, in turn, linked the alleged conduct to "disastrous open border policies."
Howell initially came forward in 2023 during the Biden administration and continued to report unseized shipments until last year. One of the largest documented instances involved 1.8 million pills that the DEA learned about but did not intercept in March 2025, which occurred during the Trump administration. Governor Lujan Grisham has previously criticized both administrations for insufficient action on fentanyl.
While overdose deaths have decreased nationally, New Mexico experienced a 21% spike last year, according to government data. It remains unclear if specific fatal overdoses can be directly linked to the DEA's strategy.
"Somebody must pay for the damage to the state, the public safety risks that will be shared by everyone here for a decade or more, and pay to try to right the wrongs and put people's lives back together," Lujan Grisham stated, emphasizing the need to prevent future tragedies.