Episode 99 former DEA Group Supervisor Mike Messier

Interview with former DEA Group Supervisor Mike Messier

Years of Service: 1995-2010

Mike joined the DEA after working as a stockbroker on Wall Street. He decided that the DEA was his calling, even with a substantial pay cut, and after graduating from the DEA academy in Quantico, VA, he was assigned to the San Diego office.

Mike began working on traditional drug trafficking cases and soon found his specialty, working on money laundering cases and tracking the illicit proceeds that are made as a result of the sale of illegal drugs coming across the Southern Border.

During his career, Mike was stationed in San Diego, assigned to Mexico City, and promoted to Group Supervisor. While stationed in Mexico, Mike was recruited by Bank Of America as a compliance/regulator.

Chapters:

00:00 The Mobster Misunderstanding
01:10 Introducing Michael Messier
01:31 Childhood and Family Background
03:34 Early Influences and Aspirations
05:01 Military Service and Education
06:12 First Steps in the Financial World
09:56 Transition to Law Enforcement
14:13 Joining the DEA
19:12 Training at Quantico
23:36 First Assignment in San Diego
26:16 Undercover Operations
31:18 Focus on Financial Investigations
36:07 Choosing Mexico Over Europe
37:14 Learning Spanish for the Job
38:01 First Assignment in Mexico
40:23 Dealing with Corruption
41:47 Promotion and Return to San Diego
47:02 Back to Mexico as a Supervisor
49:51 Transition to Bank of America
01:08:02 Life After DEA and Banking
01:13:10 Reflections on a Career in Law Enforcement