DEA faces scrutiny over New Mexico fentanyl pill operations

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has come under criticism after reports that it allowed thousands of fentanyl pills to enter communities in New Mexico while focusing on larger drug trafficking networks. Officials say the strategy was court‑authorized and aimed at dismantling major criminal organizations. Critics argue the approach endangered residents amid the state’s severe opioid crisis. The DEA maintains that targeting kingpins ultimately saves more lives.