Ex-Cocaine Smuggler Breaks Down 8 Drug Smuggling Scenes in Movies and TV | How Real Is It? | Insider

How Real Is It? | Podcast
6 Sept 202216:01
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this insightful video, former drug trafficker Pieter Tritton, also known as Posh Pete, evaluates the realism of drug trafficking scenes from movies and TV shows. He shares his experiences from 2003 to 2005, serving over 10 years in Ecuadorian prison for cocaine trafficking. Pieter critiques the portrayal of women in labs, the impracticality of large-scale drug operations in one location, and the complexities of smuggling methods. He also discusses the risks of body packing, corruption involving high-profile figures like Manuel Noriega, and the harsh realities of the drug trade, debunking its glamorous image. The video offers a rare perspective on the mechanics and dangers of the illicit drug industry.

Takeaways
  • 🕵️‍♂️ The script features Pieter Tritton, a former drug trafficker, who provides insights into the reality of drug trafficking operations.
  • 🎥 The video script critiques the portrayal of drug trafficking in movies and TV shows, pointing out the inaccuracies and unrealistic aspects.
  • 👩‍🔬 Protective equipment like masks and gloves are highlighted as necessary in drug labs due to the toxic nature of the chemicals involved.
  • 🔒 The script emphasizes the compartmentalization of drug operations to minimize risk, with different groups unaware of each other's activities.
  • 🚨 Large-scale drug busts, as depicted in movies, are rare and often indicate a failure in the drug cartel's operations.
  • 🛫 The script mentions real-life instances of drug trafficking via airlines, including the arrest of airline captains and air hostesses.
  • 🌴 The production process of cocaine is shown to be quite realistic in the script, with details on the chemicals and methods used.
  • 💊 The script discusses the risks and realities of drug mules swallowing drug-filled capsules, a dangerous and often lethal method.
  • 🛃 Post-9/11 security measures have made it more difficult to traffic drugs via passenger aircraft, reducing the feasibility of older methods.
  • 🔍 The use of UV stamps to mark drug-containing containers is a method mentioned in the script as a way to identify drug shipments.
  • 🚔 The script describes common methods of hiding drugs in vehicles and the challenges faced by law enforcement in detecting these.
Q & A

  • What was Pieter Tritton's involvement in drug trafficking?

    -Pieter Tritton, also known as Posh Pete, was a former drug trafficker who specifically dealt in cocaine from the beginning of 2003 until the end of 2005.

  • How long was Pieter Tritton imprisoned in Ecuador?

    -Pieter Tritton served just over 10 years of imprisonment in Ecuador.

  • What is the unrealistic portrayal of drug labs in movies according to Pieter Tritton?

    -Pieter Tritton mentions that the portrayal of women naked in labs to supposedly prevent drug theft is unrealistic. He also points out that protective equipment like masks and gloves would be necessary due to the toxic nature of the chemicals used.

  • Why is it unrealistic to have a large number of people and drugs in one place as depicted in some scenes?

    -It is unrealistic because it poses a high risk. In actual drug operations, different parts of the operation are kept separate to avoid being linked if one part is compromised by the police.

  • What is an example of a large-scale drug smuggling operation that Pieter mentioned?

    -An example Pieter gave was an instance in Spain where boxes of bananas were used to smuggle cocaine, with the top layer being real bananas and the rest filled with cocaine.

  • What is the significance of the boat named Guayaquil in the script?

    -The boat named Guayaquil is significant because it represents the city in Ecuador where Pieter was imprisoned, and it is a main drug-trafficking route from Ecuador to Central America and then into America.

  • What is the process of testing cocaine purity as described in the script?

    -The process involves using a piece of cast iron with a thermometer set into it. Cocaine is placed on the iron, which is then heated. Different chemicals in the cocaine burn off at different temperatures, and pure cocaine starts to burn or evaporate at about 180 degrees Celsius.

  • What are some common cutting agents used in adulterating cocaine?

    -Some common cutting agents mentioned include boric acid and levamisole, which is a pig wormer, among other toxic substances.

  • How does Pieter Tritton rate the realism of the drug trafficking portrayals in the clips?

    -Pieter Tritton rates the realism of the portrayals on a scale, with some scenes receiving a rating as high as 8 for accuracy, while others are given a 5 for their lack of realism, particularly those involving large groups and high-risk operations.

  • What is the method of hiding drugs in vehicles as described in the script?

    -The method involves creating a 'caleta' or hiding place within the vehicle, which has been manufactured or modified for that purpose. This can include voids and spaces that are not immediately visible.

  • What is Pieter Tritton's view on the glamorization of drug trafficking in movies?

    -Pieter Tritton believes that drug trafficking is often wrongly portrayed as glamorous in movies. He emphasizes that it is a gruesome trade and that he has witnessed many people being killed over the money involved.

Outlines
00:00
🕵️‍♂️ Insider's Perspective on Drug Trafficking Unrealities

In this segment, Pieter Tritton, a reformed drug trafficker, critiques the portrayal of drug trafficking in media. He dismisses the unrealistic depiction of women in labs and emphasizes the actual need for protective gear due to toxic chemicals. He also critiques the high-risk concentration of drug operations in one location, which he argues would never happen in reality due to the need for compartmentalization to avoid police detection. The segment also touches on large-scale drug seizures, which he suggests indicate a failure within the cartel rather than a significant impact on the drug trade.

05:00
🛫 Aviation and Drug Smuggling: Risks and Methods

This paragraph delves into the use of light aircraft for drug trafficking, with personal accounts from a former Sinaloa Cartel pilot who transported large quantities of cocaine. It discusses the corruption and bribery involved, such as paying off figures like Manuel Noriega, and the strategies used to avoid detection, including limiting the use of certain planes and passengers. The narrative also covers the high-risk nature of swallowing drug capsules and the harsh realities of drug trafficking, contrasting the glamorous portrayal in media with the grim truth.

10:01
🚧 The Reality of Drug Trafficking Methods and Challenges

The speaker reflects on his experiences and observations of drug trafficking, including the use of tunnels, the trust required in a vast operation, and the myth of the 'supercriminal.' He also discusses the risks associated with using flight crew to smuggle drugs, especially post-9/11 with heightened security. The paragraph includes a realistic demonstration of testing cocaine purity using a cast iron method and touches on the prevalence of toxic cutting agents in adulterated cocaine. It concludes with skepticism about the scale of operations depicted in media, emphasizing the frequent hiccups and issues that arise in real trafficking scenarios.

15:02
🚔 Drug Smuggling Techniques and the Role of Trust

In this segment, the discussion centers on the transportation of drugs, highlighting the use of hiding spots in vehicles and the importance of trust in selecting individuals for smuggling tasks. The speaker shares his personal approach to vetting and preparing individuals for smuggling roles, emphasizing the need to understand and experience the process firsthand. The paragraph also touches on the use of UV stamps to mark drug-containing containers and the significance of front businesses in facilitating drug trafficking operations. It concludes with the speaker's personal disillusionment with drug trafficking movies, given the stark contrast between the glamorous depiction and the brutal reality he experienced.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Drug trafficking
Drug trafficking refers to the illegal trade of drugs, often involving the transportation of substances such as cocaine from one country to another. In the video's theme, it is central as the speaker, Pieter Tritton, shares his experiences as a former drug trafficker. The script discusses various methods of drug trafficking, such as using air hostesses and airline captains, which illustrates the clandestine and complex nature of this illegal activity.
💡Cocaine
Cocaine is a powerful stimulant drug derived from the coca plant, notorious for its illegal use and trade. In the script, cocaine is the primary drug that the speaker trafficked, and it is also the substance featured in various scenarios depicted in the video clips. The discussion about the production process, cutting agents, and testing methods for cocaine provides insight into the video's exploration of drug trafficking realities.
💡Imprisonment
Imprisonment is the state of being confined or restricted in a prison as a punishment for a crime. Pieter Tritton mentions serving 'just over 10 years' imprisonment in Ecuador, which directly ties to the video's theme of discussing the consequences and realities of drug trafficking from a personal perspective.
💡Makeshift labs
A makeshift lab refers to a temporary or improvised facility used for the production of illegal substances, such as drugs. The script describes the protective equipment worn in these labs due to the toxic nature of the chemicals used in cocaine production, emphasizing the dangerous conditions in which drug trafficking operations take place.
💡Cartels
Cartels are organizations that control a specific illegal industry, such as drug trafficking. In the script, the speaker refers to the Sinaloa Cartel and discusses the large-scale operations and the corruption involved, including paying off officials like Manuel Noriega, to facilitate drug trafficking.
💡Smuggling
Smuggling is the illegal transportation of goods or people, often across borders, to avoid detection and legal repercussions. The video script provides various examples of smuggling methods, such as hiding drugs in a vehicle or using mules to swallow drug-filled capsules, demonstrating the lengths traffickers go to avoid capture.
💡Security
Security in the context of the video pertains to measures taken to prevent illegal activities, such as drug trafficking. The script mentions how security has increased post-9/11, making it more difficult to smuggle drugs via passenger aircraft, thus changing the landscape of drug trafficking operations.
💡Front businesses
A front business is a legitimate company used to disguise the illegal activities of a criminal organization. In the script, the speaker explains that front businesses are vital for drug-trafficking networks to facilitate the movement of drugs, launder money, and maintain a facade of legality.
💡Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine, often referred to as meth, is a highly addictive stimulant drug. Although the speaker was not involved with methamphetamine, the script briefly touches on the scale of operations involving this drug, suggesting the broad scope of drug trafficking beyond just cocaine.
💡UV stamps
UV stamps are a method of marking containers with a substance that is only visible under ultraviolet light. The script describes using UV stamps to identify which containers hold drugs, illustrating the covert techniques employed in drug trafficking to avoid detection.
💡Risk
Risk in this context refers to the potential dangers and consequences associated with drug trafficking. The speaker consistently highlights the high-risk nature of various trafficking methods, such as swallowing drug-filled capsules or flying with illegal cargo, emphasizing the perilous reality of the drug trade.
Highlights

An air hostess involved in drug trafficking is a real occurrence, as mentioned by Pieter Tritton, who served over 10 years in prison for drug trafficking.

Drug trafficking operations are highly compartmentalized to avoid being linked if one part is compromised by law enforcement.

Large-scale drug seizures, such as 60 kilos of cocaine a day, are possible but indicate a significant failure within the cartel's operations.

The portrayal of drug processing labs in movies is often unrealistic, with a lack of protective equipment and safety measures.

The progression and process of making cocaine depicted in films can be quite realistic, despite some stages being omitted.

Highly controlled chemicals in South America make it difficult for drug cartels to acquire the necessary volumes for cocaine production.

The use of light aircraft for drug trafficking is a real method, with stories of flights carrying tons of cocaine.

Drug mules swallowing condoms filled with cocaine is a high-risk method, with a significant chance of fatality.

Airport security has become much stricter post-9/11, making it more difficult to traffic drugs via passenger aircraft.

The melting point of pure cocaine and cutting agents is used as a method to test for adulteration in the drug trade.

UV stamps are a method used to discreetly mark drug-containing containers, visible only under UV light.

Front businesses play a crucial role in drug trafficking operations for moving drugs, laundering money, and providing legitimacy.

Hiding drugs in specially manufactured voids within vehicles is a common method for moving drugs across borders.

Drug traffickers often use trusted individuals for smuggling tasks, with leaders sometimes personally involved to ensure reliability.

The glamour often portrayed in drug trafficking films contrasts sharply with the reality, which is filled with violence and danger.

Pieter Tritton shares his experiences and knowledge to educate and deter others from entering the drug trade.

Transcripts

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Drug TraffickingCocaine ProductionFormer TraffickerPrison StoriesEcuador PrisonCartel OperationsDrug SmugglingLaw EnforcementIndustry SecretsRealistic Portrayal