The Santa Fe New Mexican published an article with the headline "Records: Staggering amounts of fentanyl hit New Mexico streets as the DEA watched." The publication reported on the influx of synthetic opioids into local markets.
According to David Howell, who identified himself in reports as a whistleblower, specific tactics employed by federal authorities were intended to build larger cases against drug traffickers. Howell stated that these actions involved monitoring situations where fentanyl was present.
In the same reporting context, David Howell alleged that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) gambled with public safety regarding this situation. The whistleblower's comments characterized the federal approach as a risk taken in relation to street-level drug availability and enforcement priorities.