Episode Details

A retired DEA agent claims he was forced out after backing a whistleblower who says the DEA knowingly let fentanyl flood New Mexico by letting shipments “walk” past agents—sometimes millions of pills—to build bigger cases. The whistleblower, DEA agent David Howell, says he was discouraged from stopping major fentanyl deliveries, violating DOJ policy. When Small learned of a wiretap revealing 350,000 pills headed to Albuquerque and saw no action, he was told by a supervisor: “If you support Howell, we’re done.” He was then threatened with an investigation, given stricter rules, and ultimately resigned. This case exposes deep tensions within the DEA over tactics that prioritize big busts over public safety—and whether whistleblowers are truly protected.

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