Get ready for an unflinching dive into the world of drug enforcement on this episode of the Mike Ritland Podcast, featuring Wes Tabor—a 35-year law enforcement veteran who spent over two decades with the DEA, operating across the United States, Central America, and South America. With stints embedded alongside the CIA and authorship credits for his eye-opening book Infiltrate America (plus the upcoming Beyond Blurry Lines set for next summer), Wes doesn't hold back as he recounts the brutal realities of his career.
Mike and Wes dismantle pop culture myths about DEA agents—no, it's not all black fatigues and window-storming raids. Instead, Wes paints a picture of tedious investigations that turn spy-like overseas, while admitting the agency often fails at public messaging, leaving misconceptions about their focus (hint: they weren't chasing small-time cannabis traffickers, but multi-ton shipments of dr*gs from cartels in Venezuela, Colombia, and Mexico). He pulls no punches on DEA leadership, calling out bureaucratic inertia, "latte commandos," and a culture that stifles real change, drawing parallels to issues plaguing the FBI, ATF, and even the military.
Tune in for a masterclass in resilience from a guy who's seen it all—and isn't afraid to call it like it is.
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Support Wes Tabor
Book: https://www.amazon.com/Infiltrate-America-Blood-Routes-American/dp/B0FCYJH6Z1
Website: https://infiltrateamerica.com/
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CHAPTERS
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:04:24 - DEA's Public Perception
00:05:38 - Critique of DEA Leadership
00:11:06 - Common Leadership Issues Across Agencies
00:16:19 - Wes Tabor’s Backstory and Early Life
00:29:04 - Path to Law Enforcement
00:33:38 - Sleepme Ad
00:41:56 - Transition to DEA
00:57:59 - Methamphetamine Crisis in Iowa
01:01:17 - Investigation Tactics
01:03:31 - Bubs Naturals Ad
01:03:56 - Case Involving Child Abuse
01:07:28 - DEA Culture
01:19:02 - Fentanyl’s Rise and Dangers
01:23:12 - Guatemala and Personal Accident
01:35:00 - DEA’s Return-to-Work Struggles
01:43:27 - Major Cases in Guatemala
01:54:02 - Cryptocurrency in Narco-Terrorism
01:59:04 - Beam Dream Powder Ad
02:01:53 - Crypto in Narco-Trafficking
02:07:06 - DEA in Movies: Traffic, Sicario, Heat
02:16:31 - Sinaloa Cartel Work in Chicago
02:22:38 - Confronting Cartel Operatives
02:29:25 - FARC and Colombian Traffickers
02:44:51 - DEA Career Sacrifices
02:47:56 - Venezuela Assignment
02:52:30 - Meeting Tareck El Aissami
03:01:27 - Embassy in Venezuela
03:03:46 - Return to Venezuela
03:08:30 - Trust in DEA Role
03:09:57 - High-Risk Operations in Venezuela
03:11:04 - DEA and CIA Relationship
03:16:09 - Missed Opportunity in Bogota
03:18:06 - Miami Group 9
03:24:23 - Wiretaps vs. Informants
03:28:30 - Move to DEA Headquarters
03:33:16 - Move to LA as ASAC
03:37:22 - Supervising CJNG Case in LA
03:43:15 - Retirement Decision
03:48:28 - Movie Deal Offer Declined
03:51:33 - Final State Police Role
