Federal Agents Ignored Fentanyl Surge Amidst Rising Deaths
WHO:
ABC News - Associated Press journalist Jim Mustian reported on the DEA's actions regarding fentanyl.
AP - DEA Special Agent David Howell stated, “We poisoned our community to make cases.”
WHAT:
ABC News - The DEA allowed "hundreds of thousands" of fentanyl pills to circulate in New Mexico, contributing to a significant public health crisis.
AP - The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration allowed hundreds of thousands of fentanyl pills to hit the streets.
ABC News - The fentanyl pills were allowed to circulate in New Mexico from 2023 to 2025.
WHERE:
ABC News - The events took place in New Mexico.
WHEN:
ABC News - The fentanyl pills were allowed to hit the streets from 2023 to 2025.
WHY:
AP - Howell stated, “But we 100% got people killed,” emphasizing the severe consequences of the DEA's inaction.
AP - Howell indicated that the DEA's actions were a result of “our own willful blindness,” suggesting a failure to act despite awareness of the situation.
HOW:
AP - The DEA's inaction contributed to the rise in fentanyl-related deaths, as indicated by Howell's statement about the consequences of their decisions.
(UPDATED June 22, 2026 21:45 UTC)
ABC News reported that the DEA has allowed "hundreds of thousands" of fentanyl pills to circulate in New Mexico, which has contributed to a significant public health crisis. Associated Press journalist Jim Mustian highlighted this alarming situation, with Howell stating, “But we 100% got people killed,” underscoring the severe consequences of the DEA's inaction. This revelation raises serious concerns about the agency's role in the ongoing fentanyl epidemic.
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(UPDATED June 22, 2026 18:25 UTC)
In a shocking revelation, DEA Special Agent David Howell stated that the agency allowed hundreds of thousands of fentanyl pills to circulate in New Mexico from 2023 to 2025, admitting, “We poisoned our community to make cases.” Howell emphasized that this inaction stemmed from “our own willful blindness,” highlighting a failure to act despite being aware of the escalating crisis. The consequences of these decisions have contributed significantly to the rise in fentanyl-related deaths across the state.