Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard Chris Feistl & Dave Mitchell (former DEA agents)
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Aug 13, 2025 Chris Feistl and Dave Mitchell, former DEA agents renowned for dismantling the Cali Cartel, share thrilling tales from their undercover days in Colombia. They discuss the stark differences between the Medellín and Cali cartels, emphasizing how Cali's strategic sophistication allowed them to thrive post-Escobar. The duo also details their high-stakes operations and the constant dangers faced, revealing shocking stories about corruption and betrayal in the drug trade. They provide a candid look into the mind of narcoterrorism while reflecting on their personal adventures in law enforcement.
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Undercover Transport Operations
- Chris Feistl and Dave Mitchell arrived in 1988 Miami and ran maritime smuggling and undercover transport operations for cartels.
- They used undercover assets to pose as transporters and charged $2–3k per kilo while often arresting targets before being paid.
Cali's Quiet Rise Through Bribery
- Pablo Escobar's narco-terrorism concentrated resources and attention on Medellín, enabling the Cali cartel to grow quietly through bribery and business infiltration.
- Cali preferred corruption and legitimacy over violence, building banks, stores, and political influence to dominate cocaine globally.
Operating Unilaterally In Cali
- In Cali the DEA lived on military/police bases but operated nights unilaterally due to pervasive corruption and frequent raid compromises.
- They routinely limited what they shared, lied about sources, and used clandestine surveillance to protect assets and missions.
