local
New Mexico governor says state could seek billions after DEA let fentanyl hit streets
By Susan Montoya Bryan, Jim Mustian And Joshua Goodman, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· June 29, 2026
· 4 min read
New Mexico's governor said Monday that state officials could pursue billions of dollars in civil damages after revelations that U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents repeatedly allowed shipments of fentanyl to flow into drug-plagued communities as investigators sought to build bigger cases....
Key takeaway “This is a stunning failure by the federal government,” the governor told reporters at a news conference in the state medical examiner's office in Albuquerque, joining a host of state and local law enforcers and officials demanding answers.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
The fallout from the DEA's fentanyl strategy has significant implications for San Antonio , given the city's proximity to the border and its own struggles with the opioid epidemic. As New Mexico's governor demands accountability from the federal government, San Antonio's leaders should be paying close attention to the developments in this case. The fact that the DEA allowed fentanyl to flow into communities in New Mexico, where overdose rates have surged, raises questions about the agency's priorities and its commitment to protecting public safety. San Antonio has been working to address its own opioid crisis, and the city's efforts could be undermined if similar tactics are being used here. The city's residents deserve to know whether the DEA's strategy has put them at risk, and local officials should be pushing for transparency and answers from the federal agency.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 29, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 4 min
Get more The San Antonio stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering local and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? New Mexico's governor said Monday that state officials could pursue billions of dollars in civil damages after revelations that U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents repeatedly allowed shipments of fentanyl to flow into drug-plagued communities as investigators sought to build bigger cases....
When was this published? This article was first published on June 29, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Susan Montoya Bryan, Jim Mustian And Joshua Goodman, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More local →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter