How I went from an ATF undercover agent to a prolific writer and podcaster

I spent my career in federal law enforcement from the mid-nineties to 2021 arresting the most dangerous repeat violent offenders, gang members, armed drug dealers, home invaders and other violent criminals. During my time with U.S. Customs in Miami, I made numerous large cocaine and heroin seizures dealing with mules from Colombia and large amounts of cocaine being smuggled in flowers, fish and other commodities from Latin America. During the nineties, Miami International Airport and Seaport was the hub for drug smuggling and being on the elite Contraband Enforcement Team (CET) I was part of some of the largest drug seizures in the country.

In 2000, I was picked up by ATF and worked in the Tampa Field Division for twelve years and later the Miami Field Division. I developed a knack for undercover work and learned a lot from other undercover agents in my office. I let my hair grow out to the middle of my back, had a long beard and was good at doing Spanish accents while communicating with the targets. My success rate was close to 100 percent with arrests and convictions and none of these violent criminals ever perceived me as law enforcement while working undercover. After a completion of a long investigation, it was gratifying being the case agent and undercover and seeing these cases completed to the end. The average defendant received from 15 to 30 years and some even life. A career criminal with a gun or even ammunition once convicted would receive a minimum/mandatory 15 years in the federal system by a district judge.