FBI: Homeland Security agents caught selling bath salts on the side

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security sign is seen at the Headquarters in Washington, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

An agent from the Department of Homeland Security is suspected of selling the synthetic drug commonly known as “bath salts” on the streets of Salt Lake City, Utah, as a side job. He purportedly utilized his position within DHS and a sanctioned informant to peddle his product, alongside another agent, right under the noses of officials, as per federal authorities.

David Cole, aged 50, stands accused of leveraging his authority as a special agent from Homeland Security Investigations to persuade a “confidential” source to carry out transactions related to bath salts, as disclosed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

It is believed by authorities that he, along with another HSI agent, who has been charged but not yet publicly identified, amassed illicit proceeds ranging from $150,000 to $300,000 from the alleged drug distribution operation. The scheme was brought to light by authorities in October 2024 following the informant’s disclosure. The purported DHS informant had been released from incarceration in May 2023 and was allegedly requested by Cole to partake in activities that were perceived as unlawful, according to Cole’s FBI complaint lodged on December 6 and reviewed by Law&Crime.

“[The informant] has a long criminal history, including state misdemeanor and/or felony drug charges in 2001, 2002, 2011, and 2019 and federal drug charges in 2022,” the complaint says. “[The informant] has cooperated with the FBI for monetary value and out of fear for his personal safety if he continues following Cole’s and [the other agent’s] directives.”

Authorities say that throughout the course of the FBI investigation, agents learned that Cole was allegedly instructing the source to sell bath salts to contacts that they had in the community in exchange for cash, which he would keep for himself or give to the source. The informant, who is referred to as “CS1” in Cole’s complaint, told investigators he thought he was maintaining a cover as a confidential source — performing “legitimate, successful drug buys” with individuals who were, in fact, illegally purchasing drugs.

“According to CS1, there were additional HSI agents involved in CS1’s initial recruitment and CS1’s ongoing handling,” the FBI complaint says. “CS1 engaged in legitimate, successful drug buys involving individuals who were illegally purchasing drugs. CS1’s work with the other HSI agents appears to be legitimate.”

The FBI reports that Cole began conducting “unlawful drug deals once or twice a week within the District of Utah” in April 2024, usually arranging the time and place of the meet via an encrypted messaging application called Signal, according to the complaint. He allegedly exchanged bath salts and money with the informant at popular retail and food spots like Shake Shack, Panera Bread and Nike — sometimes concealing them inside of a Chick-fil-A Styrofoam cup, the FBI complaint says.

Cole and the other involved agent were both allegedly caught on surveillance video exchanging bath salts and money in government-issued vehicles.

Raids of the DHS Salt Lake City field office were conducted on Dec. 4 and Dec. 5 by federal investigators, in addition to Cole and the agent’s homes, which reportedly turned up bath salts and nearly $70,000 in cash.

The FBI says that Cole and his alleged partner in crime didn’t arrest a soul.

“According to CS1, Cole and [the other agent] never arrested any of the individuals to whom CS1 sold the bath salts, nor did Cole and [the agent] provide CS1 with recording devices or other equipment to aid in gathering evidence of those involved in the illegal drug purchases,” the complaint says.

Jail records show that Cole is booked at the Davis County Correctional Facility on drug distribution charges. The FBI declined to comment when contacted by Law&Crime on Tuesday about his case. Homeland Security could not be reached.