Todd Smith, 46, a veteran federal agent who helped dismantle cartel-linked trafficking networks in Chicago, is now the new special agent in charge of the DEA’s Chicago Field Division. He took over the post this month and will oversee federal drug enforcement across northern Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. Smith steps in at a time when counterfeit pills and methamphetamine-laced tablets have surged across the region, keeping local labs and investigators plenty busy.
Flores Case And Cartel Connections
Smith led the federal investigation that brought down twin brothers Margarito and Pedro Flores, a case that ultimately helped prosecutors reach Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. In an email to the paper, Margarito "Jay" Flores wrote, "I have nothing but respect for" Smith. The Sun-Times reports the brothers later cooperated with prosecutors and now consult with law enforcement. The profile frames Smith’s ascent as rooted in long-running international cartel probes that continue to generate prosecutions in Chicago.
Tapped To Lead DEA In Chicago
In a Jan. 5 press release, the Drug Enforcement Administration announced that Administrator Terrance C. Cole appointed Todd C. Smith as the Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Field Division, replacing Shane R. Catone. The release notes that Smith joined the DEA in 2004 after starting his law-enforcement career with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and that he has previously held senior posts in Washington and in Chicago. As SAC, Smith will oversee enforcement and intelligence work across the division’s three-state territory.
Counterfeit Pills And Meth Spike
Smith and DEA chemists say cartels have changed how they move fentanyl, sending more powder into the United States and increasing the risk that pills are pressed domestically. ABC7 I-Team reporting notes the Chicago field division recorded roughly 1.6 million counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl in 2025 and nearly 470,000 counterfeit meth pills, a year‑over‑year jump of about 13 times. Those seizures have prompted expanded lab testing and more field operations focused on tracking powder supplies and pill-press activity across the region.
National Fentanyl Fight: Fentanyl Free America
Smith is also pushing the agency's national enforcement and education campaign, Fentanyl Free America, which aims to disrupt the synthetic opioid supply chain. In a Dec. 5 release, the DEA says about 29% of pills analyzed in fiscal 2025 contained a potentially lethal dose, down from roughly three-quarters in earlier years, and that operations through Dec. 1 removed tens of millions of counterfeit pills and thousands of pounds of fentanyl powder. The initiative pairs targeted seizures and international pressure with public outreach that the agency says is needed to cut overdose deaths and choke off domestic pill production.
Cook County Cases And Community Links
Smith told reporters he has seen more DEA cases prosecuted in Cook County since State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke took office and that he plans to meet with her to discuss continuing that trend, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. He said his office recently added a full-time community outreach specialist, shifting outreach from a side assignment to a dedicated role, to strengthen partnerships with schools, Chicago Police CAPS teams, and neighborhood groups. The Sun-Times profile also notes that Smith’s earlier investigations are still feeding federal and local prosecutions, including recent narco-terrorism charges tied to the Flores case.
