--- title: "Narcotics Expert Was Not Allowed to Opine on the Practice of “Cutting” Drugs" meta: "og:description": "The narcotics expert was allowed to opine on the general process of drug distribution and how narcotics are often diluted before sale" "og:title": "Narcotics Expert Was Not Allowed to Opine on the Practice of “Cutting” Drugs" author: "Expert Witness Profiler" description: "The narcotics expert was allowed to opine on the general process of drug distribution and how narcotics are often diluted before sale" --- # Narcotics Expert Was Not Allowed to Opine on the Practice of “Cutting” Drugs Posted on February 20, 2026 by Expert Witness Profiler On April 22, 2023, Maxfer Palma was arrested with a man named Keith Tyler-Parker. Tyler-Parker was holding a backpack and satchel that contained drugs, including methamphetamine and fentanyl, drug paraphernalia, and a gun. He made statements to police that supposedly connected Palma to the bags. The government intended to call [Special Agent Hakeem Oduniyi](https://expertwitnessprofiler.com/expert-witness/Hakeem-Oduniyi/1572420) to testify regarding methamphetamine and fentanyl distribution, and the possession and use of firearms by narcotics traffickers. Defendant Maxfer Palma filed a  motion to exclude certain of Oduniyi’s expert opinions as irrelevant. ## **Narcotics Expert Witness** [Special Agent Hakeem Oduniyi](https://expertwitnessprofiler.com/expert-witness/Hakeem-Oduniyi/1572420) received formal training at the DEA Basic Agent training Academy in Quantico, Virginia. The 14-week Basic Agent Academy included comprehensive, formalized instruction in, among other things: drug investigations, drug identification and detection, interdiction, familiarization with United States drug laws, financial investigations and money laundering, identification and seizure of drug-related assets, organized crime investigations, physical and electronic surveillance, and undercover operations. Oduniyi has participated in ongoing education, including a 50-hour undercover drug enforcement techniques course and 16-hour money service business: roundtable training. He has also served as a panelist at a fentanyl symposium. [Want to know more about the challenges Hakeem Oduniyi has faced? Get the full details with our Challenge Study report](https://expertwitnessprofiler.com/order/add?eId=1572420&pId=3). ## **Discussion by the Court** The Court excluded Oduniyi’s opinion on the practice of “cutting” drugs by mixing or diluting them with other substances. However, testimony that narcotics are often diluted before sale helps explain why the drugs in this case are not 100 percent pure. Testimony that fentanyl is dangerous in small doses supports the government’s allegation that the quantity possessed by Defendant would not have been possessed for personal use. There is no undue prejudice to the Defendant from admission of these opinions offered by Oduniyi. ## **Held** The Court granted in part and denied in part Palma’s motion to exclude certain opinions of Hakeem Oduniyi. ## **Key Takeaway** Oduniyi’s testimony has sufficient probative value in explaining the general process of drug distribution. ## **Case Details:** --- ## **You Might Also Like** ![Corrections Expert's Standard of Care Testimony Admitted](https://ewp-blog.expertwitnessprofiler.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/blog-pic-640X480-2026-04-23T161938.085.jpg) [**Corrections Expert’s Standard of Care Testimony Admitted**](https://expertwitnessprofiler.com/narcotics-expert-was-not-allowed-to-opine-on-the-practice-of-cutting-drugs/corrections-experts-standard-of-care-testimony-admitted)![Human Resources Expert Allowed to Opine on Termination](https://ewp-blog.expertwitnessprofiler.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/blog-pic-640X480-2026-04-22T200052.311.jpg) [**Human Resources Expert Allowed to Opine on Termination**](https://expertwitnessprofiler.com/narcotics-expert-was-not-allowed-to-opine-on-the-practice-of-cutting-drugs/human-resources-expert-allowed-to-opine-on-termination)![Neuropsychology Expert Not Allowed to Opine on Cognitive Decline](https://ewp-blog.expertwitnessprofiler.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/blog-pic-640X480-2026-04-22T144728.528.jpg) [**Neuropsychology Expert Not Allowed to Opine on Cognitive Decline **](https://expertwitnessprofiler.com/narcotics-expert-was-not-allowed-to-opine-on-the-practice-of-cutting-drugs/neuropsychology-expert-not-allowed-to-opine-on-cognitive-decline)![Human Factors Expert Not Allowed to Opine on the Tile](https://ewp-blog.expertwitnessprofiler.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/blog-pic-640X480-2026-04-21T191749.960.jpg) [**Human Factors Expert Not Allowed to Opine on the Tile**](https://expertwitnessprofiler.com/narcotics-expert-was-not-allowed-to-opine-on-the-practice-of-cutting-drugs/human-factors-expert-not-allowed-to-opine-on-the-tile)![Insurance Expert Not Allowed to Opine on Legal Duties](https://ewp-blog.expertwitnessprofiler.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/blog-pic-640X480-2026-04-21T155751.487.jpg) [**Insurance Expert Not Allowed to Opine on Legal Duties**](https://expertwitnessprofiler.com/narcotics-expert-was-not-allowed-to-opine-on-the-practice-of-cutting-drugs/insurance-expert-not-allowed-to-opine-on-legal-duties)