Game of Crimes

Murph is joined once again by veteran DEA leader AJ Collazo for a deep dive into one of the most complex fronts in modern law enforcement—the international drug war. Their conversation centers on Operation Panama Express, a groundbreaking multi-agency effort that transformed how law enforcement tracks and dismantles maritime drug trafficking networks. AJ breaks down how intelligence-driven cases are built, the dangers of undercover work, and why cooperation between DEA, military, foreign governments, and federal agencies became essential after the Patriot Act reshaped global enforcement strategies.

In this gripping and surprisingly hilarious episode of Game of Crimes, Murph sits down with AJ Collazo, a veteran law enforcement officer whose 38-year career includes 24 years with the DEA during some of the most dangerous years of America’s drug war. AJ takes listeners inside the real world of policing—from outrageous Florida criminal stories that will make you laugh out loud, to the deadly serious rise of Colombian heroin trafficking in the 1990s. He shares what it was really like working undercover, the risks agents take that never make the headlines, and how interagency cooperation became a key weapon against powerful drug organizations.

Murph and his former co-host, Morgan Wright, have a fun but informed review of the original Die Hard, breaking down the legendary Nakatomi Plaza hostage takeover with help from someone who actually knows how this stuff works—Rick Massa, a retired LAPD SWAT officer. Spoiler alert: crawling through air vents barefoot is not standard operating procedure. Whether you’re a true crime fan, a law enforcement buff, or someone who just wants to finally settle the debate—is Die Hard a Christmas movie?—this review delivers laughs, insight, and a whole lot of controlled chaos.

In this powerful continuation of Game of Crimes, Murph sits back down with Mike Chavarria, a true American patriot who dedicated more than 31 years to the DEA after serving in the U.S. Navy and NCIS. Mike’s career placed him at the heart of the global fight against drug trafficking, where intelligence, courage, and trust meant the difference between life and death. Mike takes listeners deep inside Operation Band of Brothers, a multi-agency, multi-national investigation that showcases both the complexity and necessity of cooperation between U.S. and international law enforcement partners. Mike also discusses his book, “Junior: A Son of the Gulf Cartel,” offering deeper insight into the human stories behind the drug trade and the men and women who fight it every day.

In this gripping episode, Murph sits down with Mike Chavarria, a U.S. Navy veteran and former DEA Special Agent with more than 30 years of frontline experience in America’s war on drugs. From covert operations to high-stakes international investigations, Mike pulls back the curtain on the real-life battles fought by federal agents—far beyond what you see in movies or TV shows. Mike shares behind-the-scenes insights from one of the DEA’s largest operations ever, including his role in legendary missions like Operation Snowcap and Operation Band of Brothers. The conversation dives deep into the rise and evolution of the Sinaloa Cartel, the critical—and dangerous—role of confidential informants, and the intense pressure law enforcement faces when success is measured by numbers, seizures, and arrests.