Episode Summary
DEA Murder Fake To Save A Life. Did It Work? In the shadowy world of organized crime and the escalating fentanyl crisis, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is fighting battles that often feel like they’re ripped from the pages of a thriller novel. From staging murders to protect witnesses to seizing deadly amounts of synthetic opioids, the stakes are higher than ever. Cheri Oz, the Supervising Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Phoenix office, offers a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into these dangerous yet critical operations. Check out and follow the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Newsbreak, Medium and most all social media platforms. The Deadly Toll of Fentanyl Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine, has become a leading cause of drug-related deaths in the United States. In 2022 alone, over 107,000 Americans lost their lives to drug overdoses, with fentanyl playing a major role in the tragedy. In Arizona, the DEA seized 12 million fentanyl pills in 2021—double the amount confiscated the year before. It is available as a free podcast on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast website, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and most major podcast platforms. The drug’s danger lies in its potency and ubiquity. Often mixed with heroin, cocaine, or pressed into counterfeit pills, fentanyl’s presence is often unknown to users, leading to fatal overdoses. The illicit market thrives on synthetic drugs due to their ease of production and transport, with precursor chemicals frequently sourced from China and synthesized in massive “super labs” controlled by cartels. DEA Murder Fake To Save A Life. Did It Work? The DEA’s High-Stakes Work Faced with this crisis, the DEA is evolving its strategies. The agency isn’t just seizing drugs—it’s saving lives, both on the streets and in courtrooms. Cheri Oz, who describes her role as “the best job in the world,” recounts the complexity of battling drug cartels while keeping witnesses safe. Look for supporting stories about this in platforms like Medium, Newsbreak and Blogspot. One of the most harrowing tactics the DEA has employed is staging fake murders. In rare cases, federal agents orchestrate elaborate ruses to convince organized crime groups that a target, often a witness slated to testify, has been eliminated. These staged murders are high-stakes gambits, requiring meticulous planning to ensure they’re convincing enough to fool some of the world’s most dangerous criminal organizations. A Witness in Danger Early in her career, Cheri Oz was tasked with saving the life of a witness who had a contract out for their death. The individual’s testimony was crucial to taking down a violent organized crime group, but their safety couldn’t be guaranteed through traditional means. The solution? Stage their murder. DEA Murder Fake To Save A Life. Follow the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and podcast on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Newsbreak, Me