Cops and Writers Podcast

217 DEA Agent Chris Feistl Busting The Biggest Drug Organization in History, The Cali Cartel! (Part One)

Patrick O'Donnell / Chris Feistl Episode 217

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Welcome to part one of my interview with Author and retired DEA Special Agent Chris Feistl. 

Chris Feistl served with distinction for 26 years with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), retiring in 2014 as an Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Phoenix Field Division. 

After serving an initial six-year assignment in Miami, Florida, Chris was sent to Colombia in July 1994 and assigned to a special Task Force created to take down the notorious Cali cartel, “the most powerful criminal organization in the world." In Colombia, Chris partnered with Dave Mitchell, and together they spent almost three years investigating the cartel; their joint efforts resulting in the arrest of the four ruthless Cali “Godfathers” and the dismantlement of the biggest drug cartel in history. 

Chris has long been considered an expert on the Cali cartel, consistently making him a highly sought-after guest on television documentaries and podcasts with a particular focus on his pursuit of the Cali cartel leaders. Chris was portrayed in an 80-episode Spanish-language Netflix series entitled En la Boca del Lobo, as well as in Season 3 of Netflix’s widely acclaimed hit Narcos Colombia: Rise of a New Empire, The Cali Cartel. 

Chris is also an author with his highly anticipated novel, After Escobar: Taking Down the Notorious Cali Godfathers and the Biggest Drug Cartel in History scheduled for release June 24. 

Please enjoy this enlightening and captivating conversation with DEA Special Agent Chris Feistl. 

In today’s episode we discuss:. 

·      How Chris got his start in law enforcement at the age of 20! 

·      How he broke the news to his folks that he was going to Colombia to hunt down the biggest, most dangerous drug cartels in the world. 

·      His first assignment as a rookie DEA agent in Miami during its cocaine heyday. 

·      His first tour of duty in Colombia. 

·      How did the Cali Cartel help take down Pablo Escobar? 

·      Examples of how powerful and rich the Cali Cartel was at the height of their power. 

·      What were the differences between the Cali Cartel and Pablo and the Medellin Cartel. 

·      How NAFTA opened the door to the illegal drug trade coming into America. 

·      How did two gringos, you and your partner blend in? 

·      How did you deal with the rampant corruption within the Colombian police? 

 All of this and more on today’s episode of the Cops and Writers podcast. 

My interview with Murph and JP about taking down Pablo Escobar. https://www.buzzsprout.com/1595839/episodes/11030413 

Learn more about Chris and his upcoming book!

Check out the new Cops and Writers YouTube channel!
Check out my newest book, The Good Collar (Michael Quinn Vigilante Justice Series Book 1)!!!!!
Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
Please visit the Cops and Writers website.



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