Federal authorities are currently digging into Meta Platforms over suspicions of its involvement in the illegal drug trade, according to insiders and documents.

It’s been disclosed that prosecutors in Virginia are leaving no stone unturned in their investigation, issuing subpoenas and conducting interviews as part of a grand jury inquiry. Their main focus is on whether Meta’s popular social media platforms, Instagram and Facebook, are inadvertently aiding and profiting from the sale of drugs on their platforms. Subpoenas from last year specifically requested records related to drug-related content violating Meta’s policies and any evidence of drug sales through their platforms.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also been lending a hand with the investigation, though both the prosecutors’ office and an FDA spokesperson declined to comment. Meta, on the other hand, has been vocal about their stance against illegal drug sales, stating they actively cooperate with law enforcement to tackle such activities.

In a recent move, Nick Clegg, Meta’s President of Global Affairs, announced their involvement in a collaborative effort with the State Department and others to disrupt the online sale of synthetic drugs and educate users on the risks involved. Clegg emphasized the urgency of addressing the opioid epidemic and the need for collective action.

Meta has taken steps to address concerns about drug-related content on its platforms, including working with external partners like LegitScript to vet advertisers and content promoting prescription drugs. Previously, they partnered with the University of Alabama at Birmingham to identify and flag problematic drug-related content, though the university clarified they no longer provide services to Meta.

The scrutiny faced by social media companies over content potentially harmful to young users, especially children, has caught the attention of Congress. This investigation into Meta’s potential role in drug sales highlights broader concerns about the platform’s accountability and regulatory oversight.

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