Customer Reviews

The Infiltrator: My Secret Life Inside the Dirty Banks Behind Pablo Escobar's Medellín Cartel

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I took the book on my two week vacation hoping that I would get a chance to read it between other activities. When I started to read it, I found that I could not put it down! I began looking for places to read where I would not be disturbed. I am still on vacation, but I finished the book in record time -- now I am looking for another book. I was impressed by the dedication to duty by the team in the face of real and present danger. I was also impressed by the creativity of Mazur and the rest of the team. I was extremely disappointed by the lack of support provided by our government agencies, even to the extent of putting Mazur and team in danger of being killed. You will find it hard to believe that it is NOT fiction. Thank You, Robert, for sharing these experiences with me.

As an avid reader I come across many memoirs and this was one that was well above average. Very tense and interesting. One warning is to skip the Preface as it is basically a summary of the entire book and could take away some of the suspense.

Mr. Mazur tells an amazing story of his very brave infiltration of the Medellin Cartel. He tells his story in a very readable way. I could hardly put down this book. He tells not only of the challenges of infiltration but also an eye opening look at the challenges he faced working within his own govt. agency. These ongoing challenges could have defeated his infiltration (his life?) at any time. My deepest respect to Mr. Mazur and to those like him who are brave enough to face these challenges and go after those who are too willing to do us harm.

With minimal support from supervisors, Bob Mazur accomplished more in his two years of undercover work than most other agents do in a career with the Government. He put his life and the safety of his family in jeopardy and wrote an expose like no one has ever been able to write. He provided the reader with details, which are hard to believe, yet true. He explains in part, why our Government will not win the "war on Drugs". He explains why certain Government officials made it difficult for him to accomplish an even more successful undercover operation. Anyone who has any interest in the "dope trade" that has impragnated our country should read Bob's book. Bob takes the reader through the step by step process of laundering money. The reader can't help but be totally amazed at the corruption of some banking officials, the shear volumn of cocaine that enterers the United States and the totality of the network upon which the drug trade is is built. He explains the subculture and the lifestyle of criminals involved in the distribution process, which will "blow the mind" of most readers. Finally, he makes us, former law enforcement folks proud, that he was able to share his story and write about the bad guys. One heck of a book, is my concluding statement!

The book begins with the author's start with US Customs and goes through the takedown, trial and his life afterward. I'm not giving anything away here, since the fall of BCCI was a major story for quite a while.

Mazur shows a very personal side to the story, detailing the stress on family life of being undercover and away from home for years. Plus, it is tough trying to act the part of a high roller with limited resources - personal and U. S. Customs.

I had no idea it took years for these undercover agents to build a successful cover. The book also shows the inner workings of the US Customs in relation to the case... not a pretty picture. Some incidents had me shaking my head in disbelief. In one instance a notice had to go out immediately to intercept a drug shipment. The agent's response was, "It will have to wait until tomorrow because I have a bowling match tonight." Yes, the best and the brightest!

The biggest obstacle for the author was with management and others in his own department. It was hard for the government to develop long-term cases like this because of egos and the fact that very few in management had an "outside the box" mindset. And, they're predictable down to what they wear and how they handle surveillance. The lives of undercover agents meant less than the political power and advancement of careers of others in the department, including the author's own boss.

The ending and revelations in the Epilogue came as quite a surprise, but I'm not going to give it away.

Mazur affords the reader an undercover role and then takes the person who reads on money laundering carpet rides throughout Europe, North and Central America, accompanied by his sidekick Emir. His writing style compels the reader to meet and shake hands with dirty bankers, befriend, develop sympathy and express grief for the wives and children of men without conscience who ultimately lose all as a consequence of their illegal activities. The reader feels Mazur's pain as he faces the moral challenge of betraying necessary, but inauthentic friendships. As one reads the book, one practically feels that one is an Undercover Agent with Bob Mazur, a sort of partner if you will, flying in private jets to some of the world's most influential financial centers, living the good life of expensive hotel suites, sipping some of the world's finest champagne, driving high end cars, wearing tailor-made suits, and sporting exclusive jewelry.

Emir is Mazur's favorite sidekick. He reminds the reader of Sancho Panza, Miguel Cervantes' fictional character in Don Quixote. Emir commands respect in his undercover role and throughout the book emulates Sancho Panza, providing Mazur with a combination of general street humor, tongue in cheek maxims, and plain wit. But unlike Sancho Panza who did not share his master's fascinations until late in the novel, Emir remains Mazur's ever-faithful companion from beginning to end. The book provides at least two detail episodes of Emir's dangerous money pickups.

At the conclusion of the book, the reader feels as tired as Mazur, as frustrated with the US Customs bureaucracy, as fixated on how to protect his family from possible trafficker reprisals, and most important, how to mend the seemly irreparable emotional damage sustained by his family.

This book would be a fabulous work of fiction, but it is even more amazing knowing it all really happened. My friends and family who have read this book still talk of Bob Mazur's talent and heroism despite great odds and personal risk. This is a great story, a great read, and I predict, will become a classic story of an entrepreneurial government employee.The Infiltrator: My Secret Life Inside the Dirty Banks Behind Pablo Escobar's Medellín Cartel

Forget about your television cop shows, The Infiltrator is a non-fiction real world account of what it means to be an undercover federal agent on a mission to bring down a Medellin drug cartel and an international financial organization.
Operation C-Chase takes the reader to all corners of the world and back again. The twists and turns of Bob Mazur's five year infiltration of the underworld and the dangers he faces is a thrilling read.

Genuine first-hand account of a real American hero, Bob Mazur, who risked his life to make a great criminal case against international drug dealers and money-launderers. Often, self-serving government bureaucrats (and some short-sighted fellow law enforcement agents) presented his greatest obstacles, endangering his life and mission. Anyone who wants to understand what it takes to make these big federal cases HAS to read this book.

This is a very interesting book to read, especially if you're interested in learning the inside scoop about money laundering, banking and the drug smuggling business. Big money, TONS of it being laundered through major US and international banks.

A very worthwhile read and page-turner. Highly recommend it.