A book about Jack Riley lives as a DEA agent, his rise through the agency and then with the final capture of “El Chapo”. Along the way, he also gives you a look at the problem with the different drugs that come into our country and the difficulties that not only his agency but every law enforcement agency has enforcing the laws around those drugs. What most people don’t know is just how much it affects each and every one of us and yet everyone thinks it does not. With petty theft, homeless, other crimes some of these are because of the drug crisis. Though at times the author repeats himself and maybe could have given more credit to the entire team that took down not only “El Chapo” but others and not just one person which is the way the story comes across at times. Knowing from experience, not one person can do it, it takes others even if they don’t get or want credit, so to all of them thanks. Overall a good book.

Well written story about the relentless search of one investigator to being down a kingpin. Intriguing and suspenseful at the time and was told with a purposeful flow and continuity that kept me turning the pages.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC copy of the book. The opinions expressed above are my own.

This was a great memoir by Jack Riley, a DEA agent. I loved that he kept it on point and it was interesting to learn about what he did.

If you are interested in the behind the scenes story of what it took to arrest El Chapo Guzman, then read Drug Warrior: Inside the Hunt for El Chapo and the Rise of America’s Opioid Crises by Jack Riley. What makes this book interesting is that it is from the vantage point of the DEA Agent that started the crusade to arrest El Chapo. Jack Riley’s career spanned over 30 years and much of that time he was on the quest to arrest El Chapo. He was so determined, that he made a vow not to retire until he arrested El Chapo. Mr. Riley did not hide his dislike for El Chapo, so much so, that he conducted press conferences and interviews regarding his desire to arrest him and bring down his empire and in return, El Chapo put a hit on Mr. Riley. Definitely a must read book to see the steps that it took to take down Chicago’s number one most wanted man.

This was one of the best true crime books I have read. Usually they sort of drag by, taking forever to get to the good parts of the story. This book was engaging the entire time, and a great read.

Fun, fast-paced read about a DEA agent that worked his way up from recruit to the #2 post in the entire agency. This book gives incredible insight into how Riley operated as an agent, how drug trafficking actually works, and colorful stories about some of the criminals behind the drug trade in North America. There is excellent insight and information for all readers, and the author does a great job of keeping the story engaging.

The 30 plus year career of Jack Riley from foot solider to the #2 spot takes you through a valiant but losing effort to stop the flow of drugs. A life that leads like a thriller he takes you inside all the moves, dangers, dirty Agents, and ending with the El Chapo take-down. Filled with great inside information on what goes right and wrong. Loved it.

Jack Riley a dea agent who rose to number two brings us into the world of drug dealing ,drug traffickers and the most infamous of them all Elchapo head of an infamous drug family who managed to escape fro mail twice and is now on trial in Manhattan..Jack Riley lived a life of danger and has written an eye opening book that draws us in to a dea agents life.#netgalley #hatchettebooks.

Drug Warrior: Inside the Hunt for El Chapo and the Rise of America’s Opioid Crisis

DEA agent Riley has been busting drug dealers since he started working his way up in the ranks to the number two position. His targets have grown along with his talent and ambition. For a long time now, he has been after the worst of the dealers flooding our country with all kinds of drugs, El Chapo. He became the #1 after Pablo Escobar was taken down. This was a good paced read following his different assignments as he moved through the DEA, always with one goal in mind, to get El Chapo. A great read for anyone interested in true crime or law enforcement.

A very good history on the huge influx of drugs coming into the US, simply shocking the numbers! I knew it was bad, but this was just stunning. Marijuana by the train car load. Tons of it. And that’s the just the mild stuff. It’s mind-boggling. The heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl are another story. Riley had an amazing 32-year career with the DEA and his book is quite a read. My thanks for the advance electronic copy that was provided by NetGalley, author Jack Riley, and the publisher for my fair review.

Also on my BookZone blog:

What a great memoir! Jack Riley spent his life/career as a DEA agent trying to keep the drugs off our streets and tracking El Chapo. I remember hearing on the news when he escaped from prison in Mexico. This book was action packed and fast paced. I loved it.
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC and to Jack Riley for all you did.

Drug Warrior is the autobiography of a young DEA agent who worked his way up the ladder to hold the #2 position in the agency. He suggested using small time dealers to lead them to the importers and suppliers. Riley and his wife and adopted son, Kevin moved frequently, and he was able to weed out dirty agents pretty good book wasn't what I was expecting

A true story of a man who would NOT give up. I am a fan of memoirs and wasn’t sure if this would interest me, but I was wrong.
Thank you netgalley and Jack Riley!
I encourage you to read this story...amazing.

A fast moving memoir into the life of Jack Riley who rises from street busts to the number two man in the DEA. The book chronicles his career and obsession to capture Chapo Guzman, the leading drug dealer and smuggler in the world. At times you can feel the emotion behind the drug war although the author feels this may been an endless battle as long as the demand from the US is there. He sees the bigger picture that to fight the cartels, you must take out the whole line from supplier to dealer and small busts do little to combat drugs in our cities. He vows to not retire until Chapo is behind bars in the US and keeps his word. Thank you Jack Riley and Hachette Books for the ARC for my review.

ONE OF MY FAVORITE BOOKS OF THE YEAR!
Drug Warrior is the autobiography of a young DEA agent who worked his way up the ladder to hold the #2 position in the agency.
Early in his career, Riley became a forward thinker who realized the nation's drug abuse problem would not be solved by just locking up the common street drug dealers. The solution was to go after the heads of the cartels. The main antagonist being Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman Loera, head of the Sinaloa cartel.
Riley tells the story of many of his undercover assignments, of working his way up from low level dealers to the heads of different gangs. The stories are spell binding!
The author tells of the structure of the Columbian cartels, and how they used the Mexican gangs to funnel drugs into the United States. And then of how the Mexican gangs developed, became cartels of their own, and then used American gangs to distribute drugs.
And all the while connecting much of the drug trade to "El Chapo".
In headlines that are ripped from today's news, Riley explains how "El Chapo" predicted the opioid crisis of today. And how he fueled that crisis by introducing cheap heroin into the country. And then added to it through the use of fentanyl.
He relates of his efforts to bring "El Chapo" to justice. How, as he rose through the ranks, he never let up on his obsession with the man. Of the many close calls in almost catching "El Chapo, the capture and subsequent escape, and then of the final capture and extradition to the United States.
There is no other way to say it, this is a great book!
God bless the men like Jack Riley, who are able to see the big picture and are working to protect this nation!

Drug Warrior: Inside the Hunt for El Chapo and the Rise of America's Opioid Crisis
BY Jack Riley
due 2019
Hachette

This memoir chronicles the 30 year career of DEA agent Jack Riley, and his hunt and capture of some of the most wanted and violent smugglers and traffickers. He suggested using small time dealers to lead them to the importers and suppliers. Riley and his wife and adopted son, Kevin moved frequently, and he was able to weed out dirty agents and take down:
~Paul Born II, a motorcycle drug gang leader
~Rick MIller, a dirty agent selling drug to inmates
~Worked with President H.W. Bush to find Colombian drug
cartels
~Went after the 'Federation' a Colombian drug ring bringing
cocaine through Mexico to USA
~Formed Operation Mountain Express-a major drug
smuggling and distribution ring that sold common cold
tablets for conversion to Meth
~Developed a Fusion Center where al agencies-DEA, FBI,
CIA and ATF could enter information on a shared database

But his most notorious and and greatest achievement was helping to capture 'El Chapo' Guzman twice, when he escaped and was re-captured. This dirtbag was responsible for smuggling more opioids, heroin and marijuana than any other at that time.

This is an action packed memoir of a brave, courageous man, who sacrificed so much to make our country safer for us all, esp now when our country lacks leadership and intelligence, hIs dedication is commendable. A modern day hero.