New Mexico AG launches criminal investigation into DEA over allegations agents let fentanyl flood state

"If the DEA stood by while poison flooded our communities, that is not a bureaucratic failure," he continued. "It is a betrayal of the people it was sworn to protect."

Torrez said his office "will pursue every legal avenue available to hold the responsible parties accountable and make certain this never happens again."

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham called for the investigation earlier this week, saying she was "appalled" by allegations that federal agents knowingly allowed hundreds of thousands of fentanyl pills to reach communities across the state.

"Make no mistake: the DEA knew people would die if these pills made it into New Mexico communities, and the agency let it happen anyway," Grisham said. "The result: hundreds of New Mexican parents burying their kids. Hundreds of New Mexican kids growing up without stable parents. All while the federal government stood by."

Grisham also pointed to allegations that DEA agents monitored the delivery of 74,000 fentanyl pills to a mobile home park in Albuquerque without intervening.

"Shockingly, the federal government stood by while monitoring shipments, tallying exact pill counts, and watching as these deadly drugs hit the streets," she said.

Current and former DEA agents, including whistleblower David Howell, told the AP the agency's tactics gambled with public safety and may have violated Department of Justice guidelines.

While the DEA initially denied Howell's allegations in a statement to the AP, the agency later requested that the Justice Department's Office of the Inspector General conduct an independent review.

"Should that review identify areas of improvement, the DEA will of course implement changes to better their practices," the Justice Department said in a statement. "We welcome a partnership with Governor Lujan Grisham, as well as New Mexico state and local leaders, to fight the scourge of fentanyl and keep her constituents safe."

The allegations stem from enforcement operations conducted during the deadliest drug epidemic in U.S. history, even as the DEA promoted its "One Pill Can Kill" public awareness campaign warning that even a small amount of fentanyl can be fatal.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the DEA for comment regarding the investigation.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.