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How I Trafficked $5 Million Worth Of Cocaine | Posh Pete's Uncut Story | How Crime Works

Insider・66 minutes read

Pieter Tritton, known as Posh Pete, shares his experience smuggling $5 million worth of cocaine internationally, gaining extensive knowledge of cocaine quality and smuggling methods through daily exposure. The narrator's involvement in drug trafficking, arrests, and imprisonment, reflecting on the excitement and risks involved in the trade, and highlighting the impact of increased cocaine production and changing market dynamics over the years.

Insights

Cocaine smuggling operations involved intricate methods like impregnating cocaine into rubber or plastic to evade security measures.
Differentiating cocaine origins based on color, texture, and smell was crucial, with distinct characteristics attributed to Peru, Bolivia, and Colombia.
The narrator's journey through the drug trafficking world showcased the allure, risks, and eventual consequences, including arrests, bribery attempts, and imprisonment in corrupt and violent facilities.

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Recent questions

What are the different origins of cocaine?
Cocaine from Peru is creamy off-white, ideal for crack cocaine. Bolivian cocaine is pure white but less effective. Colombian cocaine often smells of diesel due to cheaper production methods.

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Summary

00:00

"Posh Pete's Cocaine Smuggling Operation Revealed"

Pieter Tritton, known as Posh Pete, shares his experience smuggling $5 million worth of cocaine internationally.
The judge estimated they imported at least 85 kilos of cocaine, but the actual amount was likely more.
Pieter gained extensive knowledge of cocaine quality through daily exposure.
Differentiating cocaine origins was possible based on color, texture, and smell.
Cocaine from Peru was creamy off-white, ideal for crack cocaine, while Bolivian cocaine was pure white but less effective.
Colombian cocaine often smelled of diesel due to cheaper production methods.
Impregnating cocaine into rubber or plastic became a preferred smuggling method due to heightened security.
The process involved mixing cocaine with liquid latex, drying it into thin panels, and concealing it in tent ground sheets.
Pieter partnered with a Colombian Cali cartel member to source and process the cocaine.
The operation involved paying drug mules $15,000 per shipment, with each earning $100,000 profit after costs.

15:45

Traveler evades airport security with tent.

KLM airline raised concerns about excess weight due to a tent, offering the choice of removing it or paying a fine.
Unable to pay the fine, the traveler gave away gifts to airport staff, including leather jackets and ceramic plates.
The traveler was singled out by Dutch drug-enforcement agents upon landing at Schiphol Airport.
Despite initial suspicion, the traveler was eventually released after questioning and allowed to catch a connecting flight to Stansted.
The traveler expected to be arrested upon arrival in Britain with the tent but faced no issues at Stansted Airport.
The traveler devised a strategy to recruit passengers with clean records and the right demeanor for drug trafficking.
Passengers were kept at arm's length, given a backstory, and instructed on what to say if caught.
The operation focused on countries with relaxed drug laws and porous border security, avoiding transit through the U.S.
Spanish airlines like Air Iberia were preferred for their lax security compared to American Airlines.
The method of smuggling drugs via passengers with tents evaded traditional security measures like scanners and X-rays.

30:30

Cocaine Trafficking: Smuggling, Production, and Distribution

Drugs can be hidden in containers externally, with air-conditioning units, allowing for concealment in fabric, floor, ceiling, and walls.
Cocaine smuggling via yacht involves transferring the drug at sea to a fishing boat, avoiding detection.
Ships can attach cocaine underwater to the hull in waterproof containers or weld it onto the hull.
Superlabs in Europe use old smuggling methods on a larger scale to produce pure cocaine.
Average cocaine shipments range from 1 to 5 tons, hidden in walls or floors of containers.
Production of cocaine involves coca leaf processing with chemicals like kerosene and sulfuric acid.
A kilo of cocaine can be sold for £25,000 or $28,000 to $35,000, with farmers earning minimal profits.
Cocaine production requires vast land areas, with farmers typically owning 30 to 40 acres.
Cocaine is transported to cities for sale, with rubber processing and transit through third countries.
Personal involvement in cocaine trafficking led to establishing connections for direct importation into Britain.

45:16

Drug Trafficking: Close Calls and Arrests

Encounter with a Spanish-speaking individual in prison on the Isle of Wight who switches to English, revealing a shared connection through being in The Verne prison at the same time as the narrator's friend.
The narrator narrowly avoids being harmed by the individual who initially suspected them of being law enforcement, leading to continued negotiations.
The narrator reflects on the close call, acknowledging that without the prison connection and shared friend, the situation could have ended differently.
Distribution of the final product, cocaine, primarily to South Wales and Edinburgh, with the process involving chemical extraction and repackaging to increase the quantity.
Detailed breakdown of the cocaine distribution process, from kilos to grams, highlighting the extensive reach and sales strategy.
The narrator's involvement in drug trafficking, focusing on the excitement and planning involved rather than just financial gain.
The narrator's arrest following a police operation that unraveled their drug trafficking network, involving surveillance and informants.
Detailed security measures employed by the narrator's group to evade police surveillance, including changing phones regularly and avoiding sensitive conversations.
A failed drug operation in Edinburgh due to police surveillance, leading to a dramatic escape and evasion of capture.
The narrator's attempt at one final drug trafficking job, intending to rob an informant and disappear to Thailand, ultimately leading to their apprehension in Ecuador.

59:26

Prison Bribery, Parties, and Escape Attempts

Ignored girlfriend's warning about police presence due to intoxication
Entered hotel room, triggering police raid with Ecuadorian officers in bulletproof vests and armed
Attempted to bribe police with 25,000 to 30,000 euros for release
Transferred to men's prison named Garcia Moreno, known for corruption and lax security
Improved prison cell with TV, fridge, DVD, and new beds after bribing officials
Attempted to bribe judges and police to reduce 25-year sentence
Allowed weekend visits from girlfriend if owning a cell, leading to parties with alcohol and drugs
Set up prison tours for tourists, sometimes interrupted by gunfights
Planned escape with Colombians involving blowing a wall, helicopter lift, and tunnel
Moved to dangerous Guayaquil prison with high murder rates and gang conflicts, involving extortion and violence

01:13:31

Cocaine trade evolution and impact on society.

Cocaine trade in the '70s was dominated by the Medellín and Cali cartels, with Miami being a key entry point for boatloads of cocaine.
Cocaine was considered glamorous in the '70s, '80s, and '90s, popular among wealthy individuals like pop stars and models due to its high cost.
The market has seen increased cocaine production leading to price fluctuations akin to the stock market.
The internet and faster postal and courier services have facilitated drug sales, expanding the cocaine trade.
Cocaine quality has declined over the years due to source chemicals becoming harder to obtain, leading to increased volumes and lower quality.
Making cocaine requires large quantities of chemicals like ether, sulfuric acid, and hydrochloric acid, which are now more challenging to acquire.
The Albanians have a significant influence on the cocaine market in Britain, with efficient delivery systems surpassing pizza delivery speed.
Money laundering methods include using cryptocurrencies, bank transfers, multinational companies, and high-value goods like watches and cars.
Legalizing and regulating drug production, heavily taxing it, and controlling distribution points could be a more effective approach than the war on drugs.
Personal experiences with drugs led to involvement in the illegal rave scene, cocaine trafficking, imprisonment, and eventual reformation through learning painting and decorating skills.

01:29:22

Bristol's Bansky: Graffiti, Regret, and Riches

Bristol reminiscent of "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" with car chases and gunfights
Bansky emerging in Bristol during the narrator's time there, starting as a graffiti artist
Narrator recalls seeing Bansky's early artwork on derelict buildings
Regret over not keeping Bansky's work, realizing its current worth in millions

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