Podcasts about cuban mafia

Today I am again joined by Joe Tarasuk who is a former drug kingpin! He was connected to the Italian Mafia, Cuban Mafia, & Cocaine Cowboys. Joe shares how he worked his way up from a street dealer to dealing on a boss level. He explains his whole operations and how the drugs were made and how they were exported. Joe eventually got busted and was sentenced to 35 years in prison! He ended up only serving less than 2 years without becoming an informant! He is now a free man that has changed his life and is helping people fight addiction with his treatment center. 

Zach, Amin and Mayes are convicts that gotta fled in order to ride Ducatis and recover a computer disk holding financial information for the Cuban Mafia. If you meet us behind the scoreboard in the Georgia Dome, we will show you how log on to the Inner Sanctum. Subscribe to Cinephobe! Then Rate 5 Stars on Apple or Spotify.   Follow Cinephobe on Twitter & Instagram:   Zach Harper @talkhoops IG: @talkhoops   Amin Elhassan @darthamin IG: @darthamin   Anthony Mayes @cornpuzzle IG: @cornpuzzle The show page @CinephobePod   Email: cinephobepodcast@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach, Amin and Mayes are convicts that gotta fled in order to ride Ducatis and recover a computer disk holding financial information for the Cuban Mafia. If you meet us behind the scoreboard in the Georgia Dome, we will show you how log on to the Inner Sanctum. Subscribe to Cinephobe! Then Rate 5 Stars on Apple or Spotify.   Follow Cinephobe on Twitter & Instagram:   Zach Harper @talkhoops IG: @talkhoops   Amin Elhassan @darthamin IG: @darthamin   Anthony Mayes @cornpuzzle IG: @cornpuzzle The show page @CinephobePod   Email: cinephobepodcast@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Episode 8 we delve into the life of Cuban American crime boss Jose Battle Sr,  who was the founder of one of/if not the only Cuban controlled American organized crime syndicate (Known as the Cuban Mafia or The Corporation), and became one of the most powerful crime bosses in the U.S. for nearly 40 years. I hope everyone enjoys todays episode and tunes back in next Wednesday for Episode 9PLEASE give us a follow on our socialsInstagram and Twitter: @theblackhandpodSources:Background Music:Music: Dark Flashes by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.comIntro Music:Music: Void Glider by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.comIntro audio sources:Lufthansa clip belongs to The Fox Corporation“New York City is a warzone” clip belongs to CBS Broadcasting Inc.Joey Gallo and “Leave by violence” clip belongs to the American Broadcasting Company

Week's after accepting his job as Chief of Police in Miami, Arturo “Art" Acevedo, America's Top Cop and then President of the National Association of Chiefs of Police, as well as beloved Houston Chief, shared a Cafecito in Miami with me. We talked about everything from the importance of diversifying all police forces in the country, to being Austin, Texas' first Latino Chief, his advice for fellow officers patrolling streets during such violent times, to the current mistrust of the police and the importance of transparency on the job. He was happy to be amongst fellow Cubans for the first time and doing a job he loves. Then he faced-off with Miami commissioners over corruption, discrepancies, and interference of police business, accusing the city of being run by the “Cuban Mafia” and six months later he was fired and publicly disgraced Miami-style on public television. As he himself told me, “When you stand for something, you put yourself at risk”.             Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Week's after accepting his job as Chief of Police in Miami, Arturo “Art" Acevedo, America's Top Cop and then President of the National Association of Chiefs of Police, as well as beloved Houston Chief, shared a Cafecito in Miami with me. We talked about everything from the importance of diversifying all police forces in the country, to being Austin, Texas' first Latino Chief, his advice for fellow officers patrolling streets during such violent times, to the current mistrust of the police and the importance of transparency on the job. He was happy to be amongst fellow Cubans for the first time and doing a job he loves. Then he faced-off with Miami commissioners over corruption, discrepancies, and interference of police business, accusing the city of being run by the “Cuban Mafia” and six months later he was fired and publicly disgraced Miami-style on public television. As he himself told me, “When you stand for something, you put yourself at risk”. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jose Miguel Battle's Cuban Mafia known as The Corporation ran a billion dollar numbers racket with brutal enforcers for three decades, growing so powerful that they went to war with the Luccheses, firebombing each other's spots all over New York City. This episode has got failed assassination plots, CIA Training, Fidel Castro, Harlem arson wars, cockfighting, billion dollar numbers rackets, ruthless hitmen with dozens of bodies, broad day shootouts in Central Park, Peruvian casinos and Miami cocaine trafficking, what more could you want?

On this episode of the Sofa King Podcast, we look at the life of the African-American drug kingpin Frank Matthews: The Black Caesar. Matthews went from stealing chickens to running a numbers game in the back of his barber shop to being the top non-Mafia drug importer in the nation, in just a couple of years. He organized small drug dealers to take on the Mob; he ran the control of cocaine and heroin to 21 states; he was the first person to tap into the South American drug cartels; he went to war with the Black Mafia. He disappeared at age 29, having already formed a drug empire that bested everyone from Al Capone to Pablo Escobar. He was born in North Carolina and raised by his aunt when his mother died. When he was only 14, he formed a gang to steal chickens from local farms and sell them locally. A farmer caught them one day, and Matthews beat him. With a brick. A year later, he was out of prison and started running numbers. Eventually, he moved to Philadelphia  and then New York and did his numbers racket out of the back of a barber shop. However, this wasn’t enough for the ambitious Frank Matthews. He wanted in on the drug trade. He tried to get friendly with some of the big Mafia families, but they all declined. So, he forged his own way. He befriended "Spanish Raymond" Márquez, who put him in touch with "El Padrino", Cuban Mafia godfather of New York. This contact allowed him to get the drugs directly from Corsica, the same supplier as the mob used. And Matthews was now an international player. He started to make so much money he would forget that he gave someone a million dollars, and he ran out of room to store his stacks of cash. He would fly to Vegas to have the casinos launder his money. He saw the potential to really move things, though, and he called a meeting in Atlanta with all big drug dealers cut out by the mob. They created a network, and the drug game changed for America thanks to Matthews. However, he got sloppy, and eventually there were federal and local warrants for his arrest. He was pinched in Vegas and extradited to New York where he silently slipped away on bail. He was never seen again. So where did Frank Matthews go? Why does one author thing this has to do with the CIA? Why did mob boss Carlo Gambino put a hit on him, and what made him retract it? Who was Major Coxson, and what did he have to do with the Black Mafia? Why was he so much more powerful than Jemeker Thompson, Crack Queen of LA? Listen, laugh, learn.   Visit Our Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Matthews_(drug_trafficker) https://themobmuseum.org/blog/did-frank-matthews-get-away-with-it/ https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/community/durham-news/dn-community/article10277654.html https://ganglandgazette.com/what-happened-to-drug-lord-frank-matthews https://www.ozy.com/true-and-stories/the-black-godfather-who-rose-fell-and-vanished/82420/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_Coxson

Podcast: Raider-Cop Podcast Nation Date: December 25, 2019 Episode #119 Subject: “The Best of Raider-Cop Podcast 2019 ” Host: Alpha Mike Characters: The Raider-Cop Nation Intro: Host Alpha Mike welcomes the nation to episode #119, wishing all a Merry Christmas to the "nation". Alpha also told the nation about our new Raider-Cop News section on the website for 2020. Addtionally the Raider-Cop Tactical which will appear on  YouTube in 2021.  The Word of the week: Mark 10:45 "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Main Topic: The 5 top downloaded podcast which air in 2019. In highest download order the five are:             1. Mongols M.C. #94 episode, 2. Tampa Mob #100 episode, 3. Bonanno Family #88 episode, 4. Cuban Mafia #101 episode, & 5. Disorganized Crime #95 episode.  Reference: Mongols MC, Defending America #94, Tampa Mob #100, The Bonanno Crime Family #88, Cuban Mafia #101, Disorganized Crime #95, (Show notes attached)  Song of the week: "One Fine Thing" by Harry Connick Jr.  Up Next: Praising God for Another Year 2020 episode #120 @o9TacticalG www.o9tg.com @TestEvery1521 Test Everything 5 minutes on the Power of God  Instagram @raidercoppodcast Parler: @RaiderCopNation Facebook  Twitter iTunes  Spotify   Stitcher  Google Play  PodBean  YouTube TuneIn Join the Raider-Cop NATION Pistol Pete the Gunsmith  Kilo Sierra’s Firearms Training or Investigation: Sepulveda inc #EmpanadaLadiesOfGeorgia #JailsLASD #CACorrections #MDCR #NYPD #LAPD #LASD #MDPD #MPD #NYSP #NJSP #LVPD #Security #HCSO #PBSO #BSO #OCSO #PCSO #SFPD #DPD #HPD #SAPD #LCSO #FMPD #CCSO #NYC #NYCDOC #NJDOC #PPD #SLPD #CPD #TestEverything @RaiderCopNation #RaiderCopNation #TrainUp #o9TG #WiseGuySeries #TrainUpSeries #RollCallSeries #ThinkOuttaDaBox #SideBarSeries Youtube Free Music: Triumph by Yung Logos, Rodeo Show by The Green Orbs, Minor Blues for Booker E’s Jammy Jams Music: I'm Back by Eye of the beholder.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Podcast: Raider-Cop Podcast Nation Date: Aug 28, 2019 Episode#102 (Part 2) Subject: Cuban Mafia Host: Alpha Mike Characters: Miguel Jose Battle,  Santo Trafficante, Martin  Fox,  Gerardo Jerry Catena,  Fat  Tony  Salerno,  President Fulgencio Batista, Michael "Trigger Mike" Coppola, Mayor William V. MustoUnion City NJ, Capt. Frank ScarafileUnion City Police Dept, Fidel Castro, Miami Dade Judge Alfonso C. Sepe, Abraham Rydz, Juan Mojica, Humberto Davila, Antonio Rodriguez, Luis Tinta, Jose Aluart, Argelio Jimenez, Gustavo Battle, Miguel Battle Jr, Julio Chino Acuna, Ernesto Torres, Rene Avila Quote of the week: Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us  Intro: Host Alpha Mike welcome the audience and reminds all on how to get in contact with the podcast, it’s simple RaiderCopNation.com Alpha also talks about the low ratings of TestEverything1521 but we will continue punching out episodes with less than 15 mins. Alpha talks about two special episodes coming in October (The Pray Business) and December (The Friends Within) a part of the #SideBarSeries don’t miss it, it’s an eye opener. Also reminds us our superhero co-host are coming back starting in September 2019. Back from a well deserved summer break. Main Topic: Alpha takes us in a historical journey with the Cuban Mafia. How it started, where it went, and what ended up happening. Alpha explains. A billion dollar operation in 4 U.S. States and Counties in Caribbean, Central America, South America and Europe. A organization with over 2000 men run by three positions, Padrino (Godfather), Vice Chairman, and Consejero (Counselor).  What’s Next: September 4, 2019: Red Flag Laws, With No Mental Health, So What’s The Point ? #103.  Reference: The Corporation: An Epic Story of the Cuban American Underworld.  Leader of La Corporación, Miami’s Infamous Cuban Mafia, Released From Federal Prison (Miami New Times)  Jose Miguel Battle Aka “Mike Battle” Wikipedia Jose Miguel Battle AKA “Mike Battle” Gangland Wire Jose Miguel Battle, Sr. AKA “Mike Battle Mafia Wiki 56 Arrested in Raid Against Gambling Ring (New York Times Oct 12, 1994)  “In 1985, a presidential commission on organized crime reported that Mr. Battle’s syndicate, known as “the Corporation,” netted $45 million a year in New York and New Jersey” The Corporation, a History of the Cuban Mob, Is a Made-in-Miami Story @RaiderCopNation @alphamike2017 #RaiderCopNation #AmericasFew @o9TacticalG www.o9tg.com @TestEvery1521 Test Everything 5 minutes on the Power of God  Instagram @raidercoppodcast Parler: @RaiderCopNation Facebook  Twitter iTunes  Spotify   Stitcher  Google Play  PodBean  YouTube TuneIn Join the Raider-Cop NATION Pistol Pete the Gunsmith  Kilo Sierra’s companies: Sepulveda inc #EmpanadaLadiesOfGeorgia #JailsLASD #CACorrections #MDCR #NYPD #LAPD #LASD #MDPD #MPD #NYSP #NJSP #LVPD #Security #HCSO #PBSO #BSO #OCSO #PCSO #SFPD #DPD #HPD #SAPD #LCSO #FMPD #CCSO #NYC #NYCDOC #NJDOC #PPD #SLPD #CPD #TestEverything @RaiderCopNation #RaiderCopNation #TrainUp #o9TG #WiseGuySeries #TrainUpSeries #RollCallSeries #ThinkOuttaDaBox #SideBarSeries

Podcast: Raider-Cop Podcast Nation Date: Aug 21, 2019 Episode#101 Subject: Cuban Mafia Host: Alpha Mike Characters: Miguel Jose Battle,  Myer Lansky,  Santo Trafficante, Genovese, Gambino, Bonanno, Carmine Galante,  DiGregoro, Mr. Gibbs Tramunti, Martin  Fox,  Gerardo Jerry Catena,  Fat  Tony  Salerno,  Henry  Trafficante,  President  Batista. Leadership Quote: Merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones. Proverbs 17:22  Intro: Host Alpha Mike welcome the audience and reminds all on how to get in contact with the podcast, it's simple RaiderCopNation.com Alpha also talks about the low ratings of TestEverything1521 but we will continue punching out episodes with less than 15 mins. Alpha talks about two special episodes coming in October (The Pray Business) and December (The Friends Within) a part of the #sidebarseries don't miss it, it's an eye opener. Lastly Alpha talks about the on going issue with Facebook  and receiving a notice about posting. Alpha shows the audience how to do their little part in fighting back the Facebook Bully Police. Main Topic: Alpha takes us in a historical journey with the Cuban Mafia. How it started, where it went, and what ended up happening. Alpha explains.  What’s Next: Cuban Mafia part 2 #102.  Reference: The Corporation: An Epic Story of the Cuban American Underworld.  Leader of La Corporación, Miami's Infamous Cuban Mafia, Released From Federal Prison (Miami New Times)  Jose Miguel Battle Aka "Mike Battle" Wikipedia Jose Miguel Battle AKA "Mike Battle" Gangland Wire Jose Miguel Battle, Sr. AKA "Mike Battle Mafia Wiki 56 Arrested in Raid Against Gambling Ring (New York Times Oct 12, 1994)  "In 1985, a presidential commission on organized crime reported that Mr. Battle's syndicate, known as "the Corporation," netted $45 million a year in New York and New Jersey" The Corporation, a History of the Cuban Mob, Is a Made-in-Miami Story @RaiderCopNation @alphamike2017 #RaiderCopNation #AmericasFew @o9TacticalG www.o9tg.com @TestEvery1521 Test Everything 5 minutes on the Power of God  Instagram @raidercoppodcast Parler: @RaiderCopNation Facebook  Twitter iTunes  Spotify   Stitcher  Google Play  PodBean  YouTube TuneIn Join the Raider-Cop NATION Pistol Pete the Gunsmith  Kilo Sierra’s companies: Sepulveda inc #EmpanadaLadiesOfGeorgia #JailsLASD #CACorrections #MDCR #NYPD #LAPD #LASD #MDPD #MPD #NYSP #NJSP #LVPD #Security #HCSO #PBSO #BSO #OCSO #PCSO #SFPD #DPD #HPD #SAPD #LCSO #FMPD #CCSO #NYC #NYCDOC #NJDOC #PPD #SLPD #CPD #TestEverything @RaiderCopNation #RaiderCopNation #TrainUp #o9TG #WiseGuySeries #TrainUpSeries #RollCallSeries #ThinkOuttaDaBox #SideBarSeries

Podcast: Raider-Cop Podcast Nation Date: Aug 14, 2019 Episode#100 Subject: Tampa Mob Host: Alpha Mike Characters: All American Citizens, Tampa Citizens, LCN Mafia, Cuba  Leadership Quote: "It is when people forget God that tyrants forge their chains." Patrick Henry  Intro: Host Alpha Mike welcomes the audience and reminder us on how to contact us via social network and our website: www.raidercopnation.com Additionally  this episode Tampa Mob will open doors in the #WiseGuySeries with the Cuban Mafia, and many more mafia episodes. Main Topic: Alpha takes us in a historical journey with the Tampa Mafia. How it started, where it went, and what ended up happening. Alpha explains.  What's Next: Cuban Mafia #101 & Cuban Mafia part 2 #102.  Reference: Trafficante Crime Family  Building the Tampa Mob Investigative material for Santo Trafficante  Why mob bigs who met to crown a king had to run like roaches Santo Trafficante Sr  Santos Trafficante Jr Henry Trafficante  Vincent LoScalzo Gambino Family and Tampa  Genovese Family in Florida  Santo Jr in mentorship with Tommy Lucchese  "Santo Jr. started the family's south Florida crew in the early 1980s, he put Steven Bruno Raffa in charge. Bruno ran the crew with associates and freelancers after the death of Santo Jr. Raffa maintained a good relationship with LoScalzo, the new boss of the family and Genovese mobster John Mamone. In 2000 nineteen members of the crew were arrested and Raffa committed suicide." "The Trafficante Family expanded their reach into North Florida cities like Orlando and Jacksonville during the late 1980s. The North Florida operations were run by the Maglianos & Granados. The activities of this crew included money laundering, racketeering, narcotics distribution, and illegal gambling. In May 2015, 13 people in Jacksonville were indicted by the Federal government on money laundering charges." On November 25, 2007, Vincent LoScalzo is now 70 years old a semi-retired mobster and a "regular Joe"said Scott Deitche, author of Cigar City Mafia. The old family membership has died and the Tampa Mob has fallen in the shadows of the NYC mobs. The Only Made Members of the Trafficante Mafia: Salvatore "Sam" Carollo, allegedly became a soldier in the Tampa crime family in the 1980s, he was reportedly brought into the family by Vincent LoScalzo. His legitimate activities include that of a property developer in Pasco County, Florida. @RaiderCopNation @alphamike2017 #RaiderCopNation #AmericasFew @o9TacticalG www.o9tg.com @TestEvery1521 Test Everything 5 minutes on the Power of God  Instagram @raidercoppodcast Parler: @RaiderCopNation Facebook  Twitter iTunes  Spotify   Stitcher  Google Play  PodBean  YouTube TuneIn Join the Raider-Cop NATION Pistol Pete the Gunsmith  Kilo Sierra’s companies: Sepulveda inc #EmpanadaLadiesOfGeorgia #JailsLASD #CACorrections #MDCR #NYPD #LAPD #LASD #MDPD #MPD #NYSP #NJSP #LVPD #Security #HCSO #PBSO #BSO #OCSO #PCSO #SFPD #DPD #HPD #SAPD #LCSO #FMPD #CCSO #NYC #NYCDOC #NJDOC #PPD #SLPD #CPD #TestEverything @RaiderCopNation #RaiderCopNation #TrainUp #o9TG #WiseGuySeries #TrainUpSeries #RollCallSeries #ThinkOuttaDaBox #SideBarSeries

Podcast: Raider-Cop Nation Date:July 24, 2019 Episode#97 Subject: Social Media Isn't Social Host: Alpha Mike Characters: America’s Law Enforcement, Leftest Groups Leadership Quote: "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart" Galatians 6: 9  Intro: Alpha welcomes the nation to episode #97. As a reminder to hook up with Powerful Word of God in our A-Wall Monday segment. 15 mins or less of God's uplifting Word for your life TestEverything1521 Alpha also gives the line up on up-coming episodes for end of July and the month of Aug 2019 with the following: Tampa Mafia #98, # Cuban Mafia #99 & 100. Main Topic:  Alpha reminders us about those people that just can't stop looking at Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. They just enjoy snooping into your life via social media. It's worship for them, with the let me see "what's going on". Like old ladies in the wash house, they just can't stop. Many on social media feel powerful posting their feelings while seating in the recliner seat in underwear typing away. But all over the country leftist groups are watching what you say, and what you like on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter acting like police. Law Enforcement officers have freely expressed their many opinions on social media but do LE officers have less first amendment rights than an other American citizens, Alpha takes us on the journey. Reference: 72 Philadelphia officers off streets amid probe into social media posts St. Louis & Philadelphia police are investigating reports of racist, anti-Muslim Facebook posts by city officers The Plain View Project  Chicago Cop Under Investigation Again Over Social Media Posts Cop asks 'where the hell are all the celebrities' after death of NYPD officer @RaiderCopNation @alphamike2017 #RaiderCopNation #AmericasFew @o9TacticalG www.o9tg.com @TestEvery1521 Test Everything 5 minutes on the Power of God  Instagram @raidercoppodcast Parler: @RaiderCopNation Facebook  Twitter iTunes  Spotify   Stitcher  Google Play  PodBean  YouTube TuneIn Join the Raider-Cop NATION Pistol Pete the Gunsmith  Kilo Sierra’s companies: Sepulveda inc #EmpanadaLadiesOfGeorgia #JailsLASD #CACorrections #MDCR #NYPD #LAPD #LASD #MDPD #MPD #NYSP #NJSP #LVPD #Security #HCSO #PBSO #BSO #OCSO #PCSO #SFPD #DPD #HPD #SAPD #LCSO #FMPD #CCSO #NYC #NYCDOC #NJDOC #PPD #SLPD #CPD #TestEverything @RaiderCopNation #RaiderCopNation #TrainUp #o9TG #WiseGuySeries #TrainUpSeries #RollCallSeries #ThinkOuttaDaBox #SideBarSeries  

Podcast: Raider-Cop Nation Date:July 17, 2019 Episode#96 Subject:Potty Mouth Policing Host: Alpha Mike Characters: America's Law Enforcement Leadership Quote: "I am not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep; I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion." Alexander the Great !  Intro: Alpha welcomes the audience and advised all that superhero co-host have been approved for an extended vacation for the summer, and will return in September 2019. Alpha also gives the line up on up-coming episodes for end of July and the month of Aug 2019 with the following: Social Media, isn't social #97, Tampa Mafia #98, # Cuban Mafia #99 & 100. Main Topic: Alpha talks about a on going problem in today's law enforcement with the added element of videoing, the problem, "Potty Mouth Policing" too often officers forget dept policing against potty mouthing.  F bombs fly in law enforcement circles like dipers in a daycare. Alpha explains when it's ok to use potty mouthing and when it's not, during the course of your duty. Reference:  Your Agency Policy female cop  A Christmas Story  F- You Go For It @RaiderCopNation @alphamike2017 #RaiderCopNation #AmericasFew @o9TacticalG www.o9tg.com @TestEvery1521 Test Everything 5 minutes on the Power of God  Instagram @raidercoppodcast Parler: @RaiderCopNation Facebook  Twitter iTunes  Spotify   Stitcher  Google Play  PodBean  YouTube TuneIn Join the Raider-Cop NATION Pistol Pete the Gunsmith  Kilo Sierra’s companies: Sepulveda inc #EmpanadaLadiesOfGeorgia #JailsLASD #CACorrections #MDCR #NYPD #LAPD #LASD #MDPD #MPD #NYSP #NJSP #LVPD #Security #HCSO #PBSO #BSO #OCSO #PCSO #SFPD #DPD #HPD #SAPD #LCSO #FMPD #CCSO #NYC #NYCDOC #NJDOC #TestEverything @RaiderCopNation #RaiderCopNation #TrainUp #o9TG #WiseGuySeries #TrainUpSeries #RollCallSeries #ThinkOuttaDaBox #SideBarSeries

Synopsis Forced out of the DEA after twenty years, Hardin Steel, Stainless to his close friends, has managed to get himself elected Sheriff of Cameron County, Texas. Twice divorced, with a bit of a drinking problem, he’s now dating Rory Roughton, a fiery sixth-generation Texan who’s as rich as she is beautiful—and hell-bent on keeping Steel on the straight and narrow. But then his best friend, Wes Stoddard, is nearly shot down flying in a load of pot, Rory is kidnapped by a Russian mercenary working for the most dangerous cartel in Mexico, and the Cuban Mafia decides they’d like the former DEA agent—dead. Steel is forced to take unsanctioned, unconventional—and mostly illegal—action in order to save himself and those closest to him . . . Excerpt Two days later, I put on some civvies, jumped in my Jeep Laredo, and headed for Matamoros.   Wes was supposedly in the produce transport business and kept an office and condo in Brownsville, but he was seldom there. He felt more comfortable south of the river. He’d bought a walled compound from a dead drug dealer’s wife in an upscale, or as upscale as one could find in a war zone, part of Matamoros. And he pretty much stayed put, except for his smuggling forays.   When I crossed the International Bridge into Matamoros, I was pretty sure I saw the late Rod Serling leaning against a lamppost, smoking a cigarette. As I passed by he smiled, took a deep drag, and flipped the butt into the Rio Grande. And then he was gone.   Wes was waiting for me on the other side of the bridge. He got out of his white Ford Explorer and waved. I pulled in and parked as near to the Mexican Immigration office as possible. I really liked my Jeep and hoped parking near Immigration would keep it safe.   As an extra precaution, I paid a kid five bucks to keep an eye on it. Then I walked over to Wes’s SUV.   Wes was about six feet tall with straight brown hair, piercing blue eyes, and a perpetual tan.   "Stainless," Wes said, extending his hand. "Welcome to Dodge City."   I smiled and looked around. "I don’t see many Yankees," I said, shaking hands Wes frowned and looked at the nearly empty border crossing. "Yeah, things are a bit out of hand down here, I’m sorry to say."   "Ochoa?" I asked, keeping my voice low.   Wes nodded. "Yeah. FreddieO has definitely upped the ante," he said, opening the driver-side rear door of his Explorer. A large Mexican wearing khakis and a white Guayabera shirt was driving. A second, slightly smaller man, dressed in jeans and a crisp white shirt, was riding shotgun. Except he had an AK-47 across his lap.   I glanced over at Wes. "Expecting trouble?"   Wes shrugged. "Nowadays, you never know. How about a little lunch? I know a place with great cabrito, and only sporadic gunfire."   I nodded and rolled my eyes. "Sounds good."   Wes gave me a wink, leaned forward and spoke to the driver in Spanish. "Los Cuatros Amigos." He turned back to me. "Best damned grilled goat in town."   Wes was right. The cabrito was some of the best