Michael W. Brown joins the Hazard Class Podcast to trace his path from retail security in Cincinnati to a 32-year DEA career spanning Detroit, Bolivia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, Tajikistan, and Myanmar. He explains how overseas counter-narcotics work evolved from raiding labs and airstrips to targeting the chemical supply chains that keep global drug production running. The second half shifts to the modern drug landscape, where Brown breaks down fentanyl, cartel business models, border smuggling, and why precursor interdiction and field technology are central to the fight today.

LinkedIn: Rigaku — linkedin.com/company/rigakucorp

X: @rigaku — x.com/rigaku

YouTube: @RigakuCorporation — youtube.com/@RigakuCorporation

Instagram: @rigaku_corporation — instagram.com/rigaku_corporation

Facebook: RigakuCorp — facebook.com/RigakuCorp

00:00 — Intro and Michael Brown’s background
Brown is introduced along with his DEA career and current role at Rigaku.

01:18 — What inspired him to join DEA
A 60 Minutes segment on DEA operations in South America pushes him away from law school and toward federal service.

03:35 — The recruiter, the suit, and getting accepted
Brown tells the story of first showing up underdressed, getting sent back, and quickly landing a training slot.

08:49 — First assignment: Detroit
He begins his career in Detroit and describes the pace and intensity of narcotics work there.

13:31 — Undercover buys and street-level enforcement
The conversation moves into informants, cover stories, and what an actual buy-bust looked like.

26:29 — Bolivia and Operation Snowcap
Brown describes deploying to Bolivia, working with UMAPAR, and targeting cocaine labs, airstrips, and precursor hubs.

35:50 — Why the drug war never stayed contained
He reflects on early overseas operations, cartel adaptation, and the political limits of long-term success.

44:08 — Pakistan, 9/11, Afghanistan, and India
The discussion shifts to his overseas career arc and how counter-drug work intersected with broader geopolitical events.

49:58 — Myanmar and the pivot to chemical interdiction
Brown explains how meth production in Myanmar pushed him toward technology-based counter-narcotics work.

55:44 — Precursors as the center of gravity
He argues that precursor chemicals are the real lifeblood of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and meth production.

58:03 — How fentanyl spread
Brown gives his view of the fentanyl timeline, from opioids and heroin to cartel-driven synthetic drug production.

65:02 — Cartels as Fortune 500-style enterprises
He explains why modern cartels operate more like multinational corporations than street gangs.

74:51 — How drugs actually cross the border
Brown breaks down smuggling through points of entry, vehicle concealment, parcels, and volume overwhelm.

85:03 — Retirement and work at Rigaku
He closes by explaining how his current role helps agencies use technology to identify drugs and precursors more safely.

Deputy Assistant Chief (Ret.) Frank Leeb, a veteran of over 31 years with the FDNY. From his humble beginnings in East Farmingdale Volunteer Fire Department to retiring from the FDNY, Frank shares a wealth of knowledge and personal stories. He discusses his early days in volunteer firefighting, his journey through FDNY, and the lessons he's learned along the way. Frank’s passion for the fire service is evident as he talks about mentorship, training, leadership, and his work with the First Responder Center for Excellence, a program dedicated to addressing the mental and physical challenges faced by first responders.

Timestamps:
0:00 - Introduction to Chief Frank Leeb:
Meet Chief Frank Leeb, a veteran firefighter with over 31 years of service. He shares his career journey and current work with the First Responder Center for Excellence.

2:00 - Early Beginnings in East Farmingdale Fire Department:
Frank reflects on his childhood and how his brother’s involvement in the East Farmingdale Fire Department inspired him to join, highlighting the diverse group of people who mentored him in his early volunteer years.

4:00 - The Influence of His Brother and Volunteer Fire Service Mentors:
Frank discusses how volunteer mentors shaped his understanding of leadership and service, emphasizing the importance of learning from everyone around you.

7:00 - The FDNY Connection and the Path to Joining the Department:
Frank talks about his decision to pursue a career in the FDNY, passing the entrance exam at 17, and the early connections he made with city firefighters.

10:00 - Lessons from the First Real Fire:
Frank recalls his first significant fire in New York City and the lessons learned about preparation, teamwork, and using all firefighting equipment.

19:00 - The Value of Training and Lifelong Learning in the Fire Service:
Frank highlights the importance of continuous education in the fire service and how a lifelong commitment to learning shaped his leadership style.

26:00 - The Evolution of Fire Academy Training and Changes in Expectations:
A look back at fire academy training in Frank’s early days and how it has evolved, particularly with EMS integration and the ongoing challenge of meeting modern demands.

30:00 - The Importance of Fire Academies Being Both Difficult and Realistic:
Frank discusses the debate about fire academy standards and the need for a balance between difficulty and realistic expectations for the job.

41:00 - Transition from Engine Work to Special Operations (Squad 270):
Frank shares his experiences transitioning to Squad 270, one of the FDNY's special operations units, and how the specialized training prepared him for complex fire scenes.

50:00 - The Impact of 9/11 on the FDNY and the Fire Service Community:
Frank gives an emotional account of the events of September 11, 2001, discussing the loss of colleagues and the strength of the FDNY’s response in the aftermath.

1:10:00 - The Importance of Resilience and Leadership After Tragedy:
Frank talks about the FDNY's resilience after 9/11, sharing lessons in leadership and pride from the department's response to the tragedy.

1:15:00 - Frank’s Work with the First Responder Center for Excellence:
Frank discusses his current role at the First Responder Center for Excellence, focusing on the organization's efforts to address mental health, cancer awareness, and other challenges faced by first responders.

Important Resources:
First Responder Center for Excellence
Frank’s books: Cornerstones of Leadership, On and Off the Fireground, 30 Fires You Must Know.