In a shocking revelation, a whistleblower report released by the Government Accountability Project claims that the chief medical officer for the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency, Dr. Alexander Eastman, repeatedly requested staff members to order fentanyl lollipops for a helicopter mission to the United Nations in New York City in September 2023. The report, which was shared with Congress on Friday, accuses Dr. Eastman of spending considerable time directing the Office of the Chief Medical Officer (OCMO) staff to urgently procure the Schedule II narcotic, fentanyl lollipops, despite the agency's primary responsibility of preventing the flow of illicit drugs, including fentanyl, into the United States.

Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid and a major contributor to the ongoing overdose crisis in the country, is typically used as a painkiller. Fentanyl lollipops are an oral form of the drug used for pain management, according to the Drug Enforcement Agency.

When questioned about his need for fentanyl lollipops during his travel to the United Nations General Assembly meeting, Dr. Eastman reportedly justified it by claiming they were necessary for pain management in case of emergencies or if a CBP operator or a member of the Air and Marine Operations team encountered a patient in need. However, the whistleblower's report reveals that over half a dozen CBP employees were involved in the "urgent" requests to purchase the fentanyl lollipops, with concerns expressed by senior leadership in the office regarding the process.

According to the whistleblower, Dr. Eastman's attempts to order the lollipops were ultimately unsuccessful due to a lack of available funding. Undeterred, he allegedly proceeded to draft his own policy for the procurement, storage, and disposal of Schedule II narcotics, a move questioned by the OCMO staff. The whistleblower accuses Dr. Eastman of omitting storage and disposal language that mirrored existing policies from the Drug Enforcement Administration, signing the policy without senior leadership approval, and ordering staff to order the lollipops. However, a vendor could not be found in time to secure the requested drugs.

The whistleblower report also details Dr. Eastman's previous investigation by the CBP Office of Professional Responsibility for improper ordering and procurement of narcotics, as well as illegally storing them with a friend. It is revealed that this friend, a paramedic and pilot, would have been the helicopter pilot during Dr. Eastman's trip to New York City.

Furthermore, the whistleblower complaint alleges that Dr. Eastman created a hostile work environment by attempting to bypass laws and policies and by mistreating staff members and senior leaders. The report recommends a thorough investigation into Dr. Eastman's actions and advises against any restructuring or hiring in the Office of Chief Medical Officer until the investigation is completed. The complaint also calls for a halt to any controlled substance purchase approvals made by Dr. Eastman.

CBS News reached out to Customs and Border Protection for comment, but they have not responded at the time of writing this article. The serious allegations against Dr. Eastman raise concerns about the integrity and adherence to protocol within the agency responsible for combating the drug crisis at the country's borders.