In this episode of The Garret Wing Podcast, we dive deep into the gritty reality of tackling organized crime in America with former DEA special agent Chris Healy. With years of experience in Atlanta and later as the Deputy Special Agent in Charge in Charlotte, Chris brings us straight into the action, breaking down the day-to-day, high-stakes work of tracking and dismantling drug cartels and the violent gang MS-13.

From coordinating undercover buys to managing operations that intercept narcotics and firearms, Chris reveals the intense, often dangerous world of gang investigations. He shares firsthand stories about going undercover, coordinating gang task forces, and working alongside local and federal agencies to keep neighborhoods safe. The conversation covers the unique challenges law enforcement faces, especially as gangs like MS-13 expand their networks, infiltrating not just major cities but smaller communities across the country.

Chris explains how gangs like MS-13 leverage vulnerabilities within communities to fuel their operations—whether through drug trafficking or controlling neighborhoods—and how law enforcement responds with strategic partnerships to disrupt these activities. He gives a behind-the-scenes look at MS-13’s brutal tactics, from extortion to violent enforcement, and discusses the complexity of managing surveillance operations and undercover buys, where one wrong move can put officers in grave danger.

With fewer resources and shrinking police forces nationwide, Chris addresses the current state of law enforcement, including how understaffed agencies often lead to new recruits being thrust into high-crime areas with limited support. For young officers, the job isn’t what it once was; Chris describes the balance they have to strike between caution and action as they navigate policies that often add new levels of difficulty to an already challenging job.

This episode also touches on the complexities of gang activity spreading through suburban areas and the challenges of tracking difficult-to-identify suspects. Chris shares his perspective on why public support, awareness, and inter-agency collaboration are essential to stemming organized crime’s spread across the U.S., especially in underserved areas.

For anyone interested in understanding the frontline of law enforcement, the evolving tactics of organized crime, or just how far cartels and gangs have reached within American communities, this episode pulls back the curtain on the unsung heroes working to keep our streets safe.

Whether you’re curious about how law enforcement truly operates or looking to understand what keeps communities secure, Chris’s stories bring the reality of the job front and center. Tap in to hear Garret and Chris unpack the raw details of America’s battle against organized crime and explore what it takes to make our neighborhoods safer.

Tune in to get an inside look at modern law enforcement and hear stories that go beyond the badge. This episode of The Garret Wing Podcast is one you won’t want to miss.