DOJ Watchdog Probes DEA Tactic That Let Fentanyl Shipments “Walk”

The Department of Justice Office of Inspector General (DOJ OIG) opened a review of a controversial Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) tactic used to target fentanyl.

The tactic, described as allowing drugs to “walk,” involves investigators allowing certain drug shipments to proceed rather than intercepting them immediately, with the goal of building larger cases against drug traffickers.

Current and former agents told Politico the strategy amounts to a gamble with public safety and may have violated DOJ rules intended to protect communities from fentanyl.

New Mexico Cases Spark Review

The review was announced by new Justice Department Inspector General Don Berthiaume and it comes less than two months after an Associated Press investigation found that DEA agents monitored but did not seize major fentanyl shipments in New Mexico between 2023 and 2025.

According to the AP, DEA agents repeatedly monitored shipments of fentanyl pills but did not seize them to avoid jeopardizing larger prosecutions. 

OIG said it will look at the DEA’s policies, protocols, guidance, instructions, and training regarding risk assessment and mitigation, in addition to investigators’ application of such tools. 

The review will primarily focus on DEA’s actions the last two years, although earlier actions may be considered if helpful to the probe, including those in New Mexico.

Narrower Inquiry

The DEA did not directly respond to Politico’s request for comment on the announcement of the review.

However, DEA Administrator Terry Cole requested a narrower inquiry after the New Mexico shipments were disclosed, including a review of the agency's handling of a whistleblower complaint.

That whistleblower– agent David Howell– told the AP that federal authorities “poisoned our community to make cases” in New Mexico.

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