Operation Ruffian: Running Down the Thoroughbreds

Leadership is a lot like teaching a kid to ride a bike

In this short video, George Belsky breaks down this powerful metaphor and shares what it really means to lead with trust, patience, This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit therffactor.substack.com [https://therffactor.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Why do we investigate shootings?

It’s not just about solving crimes - it’s about honoring victims, protecting communities, and preventing the next trigger pull. Hear from Pete GAGLIARDI [https://www.linkedin.com/#] as he breaks down the power of a shared WHY in gun crime investigations - because purpose drives action, and collaboration saves lives. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit therffactor.substack.com [https://therffactor.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

What’s wrong with this picture?

Welcome to Episode 20 of In the Chill of the Night. In this episode, George and Pete, with a brief cameo appearance from Ray, are joined by former ATF Senior Executive Carlos Canino - two-time Florida Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, and Medal of Valor awardee. First things first though.  We  have all seen photo’s in the media like the one shown above of uniformed officers unloading hundreds of kilos of drugs. A record seizure that was intercepted at sea and brought to shore.   So what’s wrong with this picture?   What’s wrong is that these cops haven’t arrested a drug smuggler, although they are real working cops they are also real “mules” moving the shipment of drugs for transport to their final destination!   Highly-paid mules of course, because of the added security they provide - and especially the protection they provide from the long arms of the law.   In this episode of “the Chill”, Carlos Canino tells an incredible story of his days working undercover across South Florida and Puerto Rico.    It began when he was assigned to a task force in Puerto Rico and fellow task force officers from the Puerto Rico Police Department received information from an informant about corrupt police officers – involved in the drug trade.      Carlos was selected to assume an undercover role and he set out to work the case. Hear him tell how he maintained his role and  the confidence of the suspects as he walks us through the events that transpired.   Undercover work is complicated, stressful, and dangerous work. You’re constantly managing a hundred tasks at the same time while face to face with street-savvy armed criminals - all the while trying to stay true to your cover story.    But when those criminals are cops – who know how cops work and the methods they use – the levels of stress, difficulty and danger all rise exponentially.       As working cops, they are all armed. Posing as a bad guy, Carlos is armed too.   Carlos wonders - how easy would it be for these guys to keep the drugs - worth millions - and kill him.   What if he needed help – who would he call – the cops?   Carlos did have a “Doomsday Plan” if things went sideways – but you’ll have to hear him tell it in his typical Carlos way.   As disturbing and unsettling as the story may be, you’ll surely break a smile as Carlos relates some of his ace undercover “Inspector Clouseau” moments. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit therffactor.substack.com [https://therffactor.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Operation Ruffian: Running Down the Thoroughbreds

Welcome to Episode 19 of In the Chill of the Night. In this episode, Ray and George are joined by Kevin Grogan, a former Savannah Chatham Metro Homicide Cop. Kevin provides a gritty perspective of what it is like to suppress violent crime in Savannah. While Savannah is known for its quaint southern hospitality complete with Spanish moss blanketed trees on its quiet streets, just blocks away lurking in the shadows are dangerous criminals preying on the community. Kevin gives a first hand account of what it is like to buy drugs and guns from dangerous criminals in an effort to keep the community safer in the long run. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit therffactor.substack.com [https://therffactor.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Going Undercover with the Pagans OMGs

Welcome to Episode 18 of In the Chill of the Night. In this episode, Ray and George are joined by Guest Ken Croke, a former ATF undercover Agent who infiltrated the Pagans Outlaw Motorcycle Gang in New York and became a patched member and Sergeant at Arms. A very unique achievement indeed, to be able to pass the strict, thorough, and albeit unorthodox process that the gang uses to vet the backgrounds of its potential members to screen out anyone, especially cops, who ooooomay pose a threat to the “club”. Unorthodox, in the sense that if you fail to pass the background  – you die. Ken shares just enough of his story (check out the video preview [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AvkA4oxPdTfwgqDxwLzzYq_OvwT4Rfvc/view?usp=sharing] here) to make you want to log right on to Amazon and order his book: Riding with Evil, which he wrote with Dave Wedge, a New York Times Bestselling Author. Ken’s story takes you into a world of bikes and bikers, crime and violence, and drugs and depravity, told through a series of vignettes occurring over a two-year period and artistically woven together.  Wince, as you listen to Ken describe the “witching hour” the primary method used by the gang to maintain order within the club. Essentially it’s a beat down of the prospects to demonstrate the toughness of becoming a member. Ken will describe what it felt like when he thought his turn had come and some very unpredictable results.  Listen as Ken speaks of the wide circle of people he lived amongst everyday – people with names like Roadblock and Hogman. Squirm in your seat, as Ken thinks that his cover is blown and he may not see his family again, how he’s kicked out then invited back in, how he panics for the first time when he realizes that he may have been deliberately lured away from his undercover partner. Lastly, hear him discuss the toll it takes on him and his real-life ATF agent wife and children. Most importantly, come to learn a bit more about the types of work that the brave and dedicated men and women of law enforcement do every day to make our world a safer place in which to live.   This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit therffactor.substack.com [https://therffactor.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]