Dr. Alexander Eastman, the chief medical officer of Customs and Border Protection (CBP), allegedly pressured staff to get fentanyl lollipops for the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September by saying they were needed for emergency pain relief, according to an individual report submitted to Congress on Friday.
An inquiry states that workers were perplexed by Dr. Eastman’s strong desire to get the dangerous Schedule II medications.
According to the whistleblowers, Eastman allegedly wanted the lollipops to bring them on the CBP Air and Marine Operations helicopter that would take him to New York City.
The practices of Customs and Border Protection are now being investigated because of their role in combating the illicit trade of narcotics like fentanyl.
At first, Eastman’s team clarified that CBP operations had previously sought Narcan, which can prevent fentanyl overdoses, but not the drug itself. The report states that employees voiced their worries over the proper handling of lollipops and the eventual disposal of any unused fentanyl after the procedure.
The whistleblowers claim Eastman drafted a policy on the acquisition of Schedule II drugs, but it lacked specifics about the storage and disposal of these substances.
In response to the claims, a CBP spokeswoman said the agency takes all claims of wrongdoing seriously. Someone from CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) will investigate the matter.
After a medical leadership transition in response to the tragic death of an 8-year-old child in CBP custody, Eastman was appointed interim chief medical officer in June 2023.
The Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office under the Department of Homeland Security is headed by Dr. Eastman, who currently holds the position of Senior Medical Officer.
He coordinates DHS’s operational medicine efforts and fights foreign threats to the US. As a Special Response Team (SRT) program member, Dr. Eastman serves as a Task Force Officer with ICE Homeland Security Investigations.
In addition to his duties as chief medical officer and lead medical officer for the SWAT team, Dr. Eastman is a lieutenant in the Dallas Police Department.
