Undercover Stings and Smuggling: Incredible Stories of U.S. Government Operations During the 1960s and 1970s
Book Details
Author(s)Jimmy Witherspoon
PublisherJimmy Witherspoon Stories, LLC
ISBN / ASINB007OAVWT2
ISBN-13978B007OAVWT5
MarketplaceFrance 🇫🇷
Description
Counterfeit Money from Mexico. Drug Smuggling. Illegal Transport of Goods to Central America.
These and other unlawful activities that occurred across the United States and in several foreign locations during the 1960s and 70s are revealed by retired Special Agent Jimmy Witherspoon (his undercover name). He discusses what it was like to be on the front line of the war against drugs and to intercept—and sometimes participate in—international smuggling operations.
Jimmy, a talented pilot of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, served in the U.S. Army and other forces during the Korean conflict and the Vietnam War. After retiring, he started his next career with the U.S. Customs Agency and the Drug Enforcement Administration. While working with the two latter organizations, Jimmy was involved in numerous undercover sting operations, a handful of which are detailed in this book.
“How to Tell a Lie†is one of the first cases Jimmy worked as a special agent for U.S. Customs. It is then he realizes the influence and power of money. Initially the contents of “The Anonymous Letter,†found on a desk at FBI headquarters in Miami, are determined to be fiction. However, within months of its discovery, the government realizes it is true and a race to solve the puzzles begins. In “Six Bodies and Counting,†people mysteriously disappear from a resort hotel located in Brownsville, Texas. In “A Close Call,†Jimmy flies a drug smuggler from the banks of the Rio Grande to New Jersey. And in “Junkyard†and “Old Pistol,†Jimmy experiences the power of the Mexican drug cartels.
These true stories were told to me by an old friend. His recollections were too interesting for me not to share. He tells it like it really is (or was) … no sugarcoating.
Jimmy has lived a life of adventure. His easygoing Southern charm, sometimes irreverent antics, and unflappable nature made him a favorite of those who served under his command. He held a variety of positions before retiring from the armed services.
Next came a career as a U.S. Customs agent; later he would be one of the first officers to serve in the newly formed Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). It is with these two organizations Jimmy used his flying skills in an investigative—and oftentimes undercover—capacity.
Jimmy’s humility, compassion, and ability to laugh at his mistakes make him an unusual person. When I was fortunate enough to work for him, his talents as a leader and aviator were already legendary.
His unpretentious demeanor is illustrated by his distress when he returned from an extended undercover operation. While working that case, “The Anonymous Letter,†his tropical fish, the source of much personal enjoyment, were ignored—despite the government’s assurances that his personal affairs would be taken care of while he was serving his country. Unfortunately, this was only one of many promises the government broke.
A bachelor for most of his life, when he was in his late forties, he met his wife-to-be in court. She was in the gallery of courthouse office workers who spent their spare time listening to Jimmy’s astonishing weeklong testimony against dozens of defendants in a celebrated Oklahoma case. Today, Jimmy and his wife live in an undisclosed location in the United States.
These stories have been transcribed from recordings made of Jimmy sharing his tales. I have maintained the authenticity of Jimmy’s mannerisms and expressions while making certain the written narrative flows. I did remove some references to specific people in the government, FBI, CIA, and drug cartels as a few would still like to have “a word†with Jimmy.
These are only some of Jimmy’s adventures. I hope you enjoy them. Bill Keely
These and other unlawful activities that occurred across the United States and in several foreign locations during the 1960s and 70s are revealed by retired Special Agent Jimmy Witherspoon (his undercover name). He discusses what it was like to be on the front line of the war against drugs and to intercept—and sometimes participate in—international smuggling operations.
Jimmy, a talented pilot of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, served in the U.S. Army and other forces during the Korean conflict and the Vietnam War. After retiring, he started his next career with the U.S. Customs Agency and the Drug Enforcement Administration. While working with the two latter organizations, Jimmy was involved in numerous undercover sting operations, a handful of which are detailed in this book.
“How to Tell a Lie†is one of the first cases Jimmy worked as a special agent for U.S. Customs. It is then he realizes the influence and power of money. Initially the contents of “The Anonymous Letter,†found on a desk at FBI headquarters in Miami, are determined to be fiction. However, within months of its discovery, the government realizes it is true and a race to solve the puzzles begins. In “Six Bodies and Counting,†people mysteriously disappear from a resort hotel located in Brownsville, Texas. In “A Close Call,†Jimmy flies a drug smuggler from the banks of the Rio Grande to New Jersey. And in “Junkyard†and “Old Pistol,†Jimmy experiences the power of the Mexican drug cartels.
These true stories were told to me by an old friend. His recollections were too interesting for me not to share. He tells it like it really is (or was) … no sugarcoating.
Jimmy has lived a life of adventure. His easygoing Southern charm, sometimes irreverent antics, and unflappable nature made him a favorite of those who served under his command. He held a variety of positions before retiring from the armed services.
Next came a career as a U.S. Customs agent; later he would be one of the first officers to serve in the newly formed Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). It is with these two organizations Jimmy used his flying skills in an investigative—and oftentimes undercover—capacity.
Jimmy’s humility, compassion, and ability to laugh at his mistakes make him an unusual person. When I was fortunate enough to work for him, his talents as a leader and aviator were already legendary.
His unpretentious demeanor is illustrated by his distress when he returned from an extended undercover operation. While working that case, “The Anonymous Letter,†his tropical fish, the source of much personal enjoyment, were ignored—despite the government’s assurances that his personal affairs would be taken care of while he was serving his country. Unfortunately, this was only one of many promises the government broke.
A bachelor for most of his life, when he was in his late forties, he met his wife-to-be in court. She was in the gallery of courthouse office workers who spent their spare time listening to Jimmy’s astonishing weeklong testimony against dozens of defendants in a celebrated Oklahoma case. Today, Jimmy and his wife live in an undisclosed location in the United States.
These stories have been transcribed from recordings made of Jimmy sharing his tales. I have maintained the authenticity of Jimmy’s mannerisms and expressions while making certain the written narrative flows. I did remove some references to specific people in the government, FBI, CIA, and drug cartels as a few would still like to have “a word†with Jimmy.
These are only some of Jimmy’s adventures. I hope you enjoy them. Bill Keely
