Inside with Brett Hawke #309 From Guns to Tobacco: An Inside Look at the ATF with FBI Agent Donald Soranno
The interview is with FBI Agent Donald Soranno, who has spent more than 26 years as a special agent in the ATF, which stands for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The ATF originally started as an agency responsible for the collection of taxes on tobacco manufacturers, alcohol manufacturers, and the regulation of the firearms industry. Over time, the agency also started actual criminal investigations, and after 9/11, it added explosives to its name, focusing on the criminal use of explosive devices, while the FBI focused on the terrorist use of explosive devices. Soranno discusses how the agency is responsible for licensing tobacco manufacturers, alcohol distributors, and stores that sell firearms. He mentions investigations he was involved in regarding tobacco smuggling, where individuals were driving to states with lower taxes on cigarettes and selling them on the black market, earning millions of dollars a year, and even funneling some of the profits to terrorist organizations overseas. He also worked on explosive-related cases and oversaw the arson explosive group while in Chicago. He also worked on the National Explosives Task Force, which looked at every explosive incident that happened in the United States and had to determine if they were criminal acts or terrorist acts. Soranno describes the agency's role in investigating the Boston Marathon bombing and how they identified some of the individuals from the video footage.
- 00:00 - Introduction and background about Don Soranno and the ATF
- 03:47 - Explanation about why alcohol, tobacco, firearms, and explosives are grouped together at the ATF
- 06:44 - Discussion about the ATF's role in regulating and licensing alcohol and tobacco manufacturers and stores
- 08:38 - Description of Don Soranno investigation on tobacco smuggling in Michigan and its connection to terrorism
- 13:03 - Brief discussion on moonshine and alcohol investigations at the ATF
- 14:06 - Introduction to Don Soranno's experience in explosives investigations and the National Explosives Task Force
- 16:56 - Discussion on Don Soranno's involvement in the Boston Marathon bombings investigation
- 19:23 - Q&A about explosives detection and prevention
- 23:55 - Personal anecdotes and closing remarks
- 28:32 - End of podcast
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