231 Author & DEA Special Agent Leo Silva (retired) Takes Us Into The Zeta & Gulf Drug Cartels Reign Of Terror! (Part One)

On today’s episode of the Cops and Writers Podcast, I have with me, Author and Retired DEA Special Agent Léo Silva, for this special two-part interview that will conclude next Sunday.

Leo Silva spent over twenty-eight years on the frontline of the global war on drugs as a special agent with the DEA. Leo’s journey took him from the alleyways of Fronton Street to some of the most dangerous corners of North America, leading high-impact investigations against the Zeta and Gulf Cartels.

He served as the Resident Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Monterrey office, overseeing complex, cross-border operations that resulted in hundreds of high-value arrests and multi-million-dollar asset seizures. Over the course of his decorated career, he also held leadership roles in McAllen, Texas, and Guadalajara, Mexico—pioneering collaborative missions with Mexican authorities and helping rewrite the playbook for modern narco enforcement.

Now, Leo has turned his attention to storytelling. His debut memoir, Reign of Terror, offers a powerful, unfiltered look at the reality behind the headlines—a world of corruption, courage, and the personal cost of justice. The book has gained traction internationally and has been translated into Spanish for a Latin American release.

Leo is the real deal. This is a guy who has worked undercover numerous times in America and went after some of the most dangerous Mexican drug cartels. Please enjoy my chat with Leo Silva.

In today’s episode we discuss:

· I would like to thank Chris Feistl for setting up this intro. If you'd like to check out my interview with Chris, a retired DEA agent with a compelling story to share, head over to episodes 217 and 218.

· How he got interested in a career with the DEA.

· How playing golf in high school helped his future career in the DEA.

· Serving mobsters in a restaurant where he worked as a kid.

· Being a full-time musician before joining the DEA.

· You were one of the only Spanish speakers when you were an agent in Texas?

· Being a new DEA agent and going undercover buying heroin.

· How he kept his sanity and your identity while doing UC work.

· Some of the scariest moments as an undercover agent?

· Going to work in Mexico as a DEA agent attempting to shut down ruthless drug cartels.

· His relationship with the often corrupt Mexican police and how difficult it was to extradite criminals.

All of this and more on today’s episode of the Cops and Writers podcast.

Head on over to Leo's website to learn more about him and his work.

Check out the new Cops and Writers YouTube channel!

Check out my newest book, The Good Collar (Michael Quinn Vigilante Justice Series Book 1)!!!!!

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