Inside the Cartel: The Longest Undercover FBI Operation with Martin Suarez and Ian Frisch

The James Altucher Show

A Note from James

This is a crazy story. Martin Suarez holds the record for the longest continuous undercover assignment in FBI history. He went undercover as a cartel drug lord—smuggling billions of dollars’ worth of cocaine while posing as “Manny.” At one point, the story even starts with a gun to his head, convinced his cover was blown.

The book Inside the Cartel: A True Crime Tale of Espionage, Undercover Operations, and a War Against Billionaire Drug Lords—co-authored with journalist Ian Frisch—captures it all. Martin’s voice may be difficult to catch at times because he’s been battling ALS, but every word is worth hearing. Ian also joins to help tell the story. This conversation had me on the edge of my seat.

Episode Description

Former FBI agent Martin Suarez spent more than a decade living undercover inside Colombian cartels. Known to the underworld as “Manny,” he laundered money, smuggled cocaine, and survived assassination attempts—all while secretly working for the U.S. government.

In this episode, James sits down with Suarez and his co-author Ian Frisch to explore how an ordinary Navy veteran became the FBI’s ultimate undercover agent, why deception works in high-stakes negotiations, and what lessons from cartel infiltration apply to everyday life.

What You’ll Learn

• The psychological techniques Martin used to maintain his cover for years inside violent cartels.
• How undercover work creates “alternate realities” to control narratives and shift blame.
• Why confidence and self-belief are critical in negotiation, business, and personal life.
• The role of deception and patience in both undercover work and real-world persuasion.
• How Martin and his family managed the risks and sacrifices of a life lived undercover.

Timestamped Chapters

• [03:00] A gun to the head: the moment Martin thought his cover was blown
• [07:00] Surviving a cartel hitman
• [10:00] From Navy to FBI: the start of an undercover career
• [12:00] Why Martin was the “perfect” undercover agent
• [14:00] Smuggling versus intelligence gathering: the FBI’s strategy
• [16:00] How to move cartel shipments without breaking cover
• [18:00] The art of deflecting blame and creating alternate realities
• [22:00] Cartel power and control in Colombia
• [23:00] U.S. government ties and the Iran-Contra era
• [25:00] Using FBI agents as “girlfriends” to gather intelligence
• [27:00] Facing long-term risks—and the bigger battle with ALS
• [30:00] Marriage, trust, and sacrifice during undercover life
• [32:00] Art theft undercover operation in Europe
• [36:00] Fooling even the CIA with a perfect legend
• [41:00] How legends are built in the digital age
• [44:00] Negotiation, seduction, and cartel psychology
• [45:00] Ian’s lessons on confidence and self-convincing
• [47:00] Applying undercover strategies to everyday life
• [49:00] The role of greed in cartel decision-making
• [50:00] Marriage, grounding, and long-term support
• [51:00] Are cartel leaders truly evil—or just highly educated?
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Additional Resources

• 📖 Inside the Cartel by Martin Suarez and Ian Frisch
• ✍️ Ian Frisch’s journalism and other work

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