nicholas palmerformer head of the Drug Enforcement Administration (deafor its abbreviation in English) in Mexicowas fired in 2022 for being a friend of drug defendersWhich was detailed in the official records of the agency.
Former head of the DEA in Mexico fired for his ties to the lawyers of many drug traffickers It was prudent; However, this meant an inglorious end for his management, amid the growth of drug trafficking, such as:
- cocaine
- heroin
- fentanyl
Nicolas Palmieri, 52 years old, only 14 months in this position Defender of drug traffickers, due to his registered socialization with Miami lawyers, in front of the United States Anti-Drug Agency.
Nicolas Palmieri met with “confidential sources” to socialize
According to DEA regulations, n0 Are you allowed to interact with lawyers? to avoid giving the impression of irregularities; However, the former head of DEA Mexico, nicholas palmerhad social presence meetings with attorney david massey At his home in the Florida Keys.
The visit took place in February 2021, when Palmeri went to the lawyer’s rest house with his wife, where Stayed for the weekend.
As Nicolas Palmieri pointed out, The weekend at the lawyer’s house was for research purposes., because he had to question a “confidential source”; However, he arrived at this alleged interrogation with his wife and a bottle of liquor.
“The meeting had the appearance of a social conversation with a confidential source … and there was no contemporaneous official document from the DEA regarding the questioning matter, both in violation of DEA policy”.
dea investigator
due to Chatting With Drug LawyersThe DEA decided to move it to its headquarters in Washington in May 2021 and take it back in March 2022 after assuring investigators He had not shown signs of having “the best judgement”.
For its part, the agency said it has “zero tolerance” for inappropriate contact between defense attorneys and law enforcement personnel. deaWhose conduct was investigated and it was decided to remove him from the post.
For his part, Nicolas Palmieri said the investigation against him was a “witch hunt” for improper conduct. Driven by personal and professional envy,
Furthermore, he stated that all of his relationships with lawyers have been “always professional and ethical”, and that all of his expenses in Mexico were “justified” and benefited the United States government.
Nicolas Palmieri Isn’t the Only DEA Agent Related to Drug Trafficking
in the matter of nicholas palmer This is not the only case that has come to light, as it is the second case in recent months that shows interactions between DEA officials and Miami lawyers representing some of the biggest drug traffickers and money launderers in Latin America .
In 2022, federal prosecutors a DEA agent and a former supervisor of leaking confidential information From the police force to two unnamed Miami defense attorneys in return for $70,000 in cash.
Another case is that of Jose Irizarry, Former agent serving 12 years in federal prisonl After confessing to money laundering for a Colombian cartel and stealing millions of dollars in seizures to finance luxury trips, parties and women.
