Killing the Lieutenant

Fighting Miami’s Cocaine Wars, Hunting Griselda Blanco, And My Fight To Stay Alive

De: Raul J. Diaz, Sean Oliver

Narrado por: Steve Schaeffer

The infamy of Miami's cocaine wars of the 1970s and 80s is forever etched into the darkest chapters of US history, and Lt. Raul Diaz was on the frontlines for all of it. The decorated and controversial law enforcement figure identified the shifting tide in the Magic City when law enforcement lost their grip on crime as a new breed of criminal flooded South Florida to ply their billion-dollar trade.

In a deadly exclamation mark, Colombian cocaine godmother Griselda Blanco and her assassins swept through the city with a bloody and ruthless ambition that left countless dead bodies along the way. Lt. Diaz organized and spearheaded the multi-agency task force CENTAC-26 to combat Blanco and the cartels.

Raul came to the US at age thirteen accompanied by only his younger brother and overcame insurmountable odds after finally finding law enforcement as his calling. He never did things the traditional way, and that wasn't a popular position in the regulated world of police work. His successes came at a costly price, both professionally and personally, putting him in the crosshairs of those with an axe to grind, shockingly on both sides of law enforcement.

The man profiled in books, documentaries, and the Netflix series Griselda is here to share the story previously told by others—now, finally told by the one man who knows the truth behind every kilo, kidnapping, and corpse.

©2026 Raul Diaz, Sean Oliver (P)2026 WildBlue Press

When truth is crazier than fiction

This was a book I wanted to read because it dealt with a time in MDPD that shows what Wa needed to fight the drug wars. I had the privilege of working in CENTAC 26 with the “Blade” and in Homicide with many of the names in the book. Raul thank you for bringing back great memories of a by gone age. I wish you luck my friend and may you find the peace this job can will rob you of.

Well written and entertaining.

Not my typical genre, but I found it very entertaining and informative. I knew next to nothing about the cocaine wars before this book and now I’m ready to dive into some of the documentaries and movies.

Raw and authentic

Interesting story! Growing up in Miami and have recollections of a lot of the events.