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DEA allowed staggering amounts of fentanyl to hit streets and took no action, records show
By Jim Mustian and Joshua Goodman | The Associated Press at NBC Los Angeles (KNBC)
· June 21, 2026
· 1 min read
Even as it battled the deadliest drug epidemic in American history, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration permitted hundreds of thousands of fentanyl pills to hit the streets of New Mexico between 2023 and 2025, according to three current and former DEA agents and government records reviewed b...
Key takeaway Drug Enforcement Administration permitted hundreds of thousands of fentanyl pills to hit the streets of New Mexico between 2023 and 2025, according to three current and former DEA agents and government records reviewed b...
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The DEA's decision to allow hundreds of thousands of fentanyl pills to hit the streets of New Mexico has significant implications for Los Angeles , given the city's proximity to the border and its own struggles with the opioid epidemic. As the DEA's top priority has been to rid the streets of illicit fentanyl, the fact that they permitted such large quantities to circulate in New Mexico raises questions about their strategy in other regions, including Los Angeles. The Justice Department's guidelines encourage agents to seize fentanyl whenever possible, but the DEA's actions in New Mexico suggest a more nuanced approach that may prioritize building larger cases over immediate public safety. This tactic has been criticized by veteran agents, who argue that it puts communities at risk, and Los Angeles residents should be aware of the potential consequences of such an approach in their own city.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 21, 2026 ·
Source: NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Even as it battled the deadliest drug epidemic in American history, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration permitted hundreds of thousands of fentanyl pills to hit the streets of New Mexico between 2023 and 2025, according to three current and former DEA agents and government records reviewed b...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 21, 2026 by NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Jim Mustian and Joshua Goodman | The Associated Press at NBC Los Angeles (KNBC). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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