1 00:00:00,494 --> 00:00:01,526 (audience applauds) 2 00:00:01,528 --> 00:00:04,329 (bright music) 3 00:00:04,331 --> 00:00:06,882 (tense music) 4 00:00:16,960 --> 00:00:20,662 - I'm just a tinkerer on the backside of nowhere. 5 00:00:22,966 --> 00:00:27,152 Such an unlikely character for an operation like this. 6 00:00:27,154 --> 00:00:29,721 (tense music) 7 00:00:30,858 --> 00:00:35,660 What one wants in terms of a drunk conspiracy is 8 00:00:35,662 --> 00:00:37,929 To be dull and ordinary. 9 00:00:39,516 --> 00:00:42,250 You have to cultivate the persona 10 00:00:42,252 --> 00:00:44,586 That no one is going to look at. 11 00:00:45,756 --> 00:00:47,656 I drove an old piece of junk 12 00:00:47,658 --> 00:00:51,460 And a worn pair of bib overalls and a flannel shirt. 13 00:00:51,462 --> 00:00:53,361 It was a perfect disguise. 14 00:00:55,332 --> 00:00:59,251 When you do that, then you can do what you want to do. 15 00:00:59,253 --> 00:01:01,720 (tense music) 16 00:01:05,792 --> 00:01:06,958 - I'm john roberts, 17 00:01:07,961 --> 00:01:11,930 And this is "the godfather of fentanyl." 18 00:01:15,652 --> 00:01:18,787 (fire roaring) 19 00:01:18,789 --> 00:01:21,356 (tense music) 20 00:01:24,828 --> 00:01:27,529 - On the east coast today, drug deaths in the news. 21 00:01:27,531 --> 00:01:29,064 (sirens blaring) 22 00:01:29,066 --> 00:01:33,051 Police are warning of a new and deadly hazard, a toxic drug. 23 00:01:33,053 --> 00:01:34,853 - [reporter] fentanyl is normally used as a painkiller 24 00:01:34,855 --> 00:01:38,190 In surgery, but more powerful fentanyl is on the streets, 25 00:01:38,192 --> 00:01:39,791 And it's deadly. 26 00:01:39,793 --> 00:01:42,160 - [reporter] on the street, it's called tango & cash, 27 00:01:42,162 --> 00:01:44,729 And it can hit 100 times harder than heroin. 28 00:01:44,731 --> 00:01:47,816 - Narcotics agents say the synthetic stuff is so strong 29 00:01:47,818 --> 00:01:51,253 That many of its users end up in places like this. 30 00:01:51,255 --> 00:01:53,722 (tense music) 31 00:01:55,359 --> 00:01:57,659 - By early March 1991, 32 00:01:57,661 --> 00:02:00,395 Less than four weeks since fentanyl first hit the streets 33 00:02:00,397 --> 00:02:05,116 Of new york city, 36 people are confirmed dead. 34 00:02:05,118 --> 00:02:07,419 Hundreds of others are hospitalized. 35 00:02:08,589 --> 00:02:11,256 It's all the work of george erik marquardt, 36 00:02:11,258 --> 00:02:14,960 The criminal chemist who goes by the nickname "squeak." 37 00:02:14,962 --> 00:02:17,596 He created the street fentanyl in his home lab 38 00:02:17,598 --> 00:02:19,981 In wichita, kansas. 39 00:02:19,983 --> 00:02:21,416 But even he is stunned by just 40 00:02:21,418 --> 00:02:24,352 How lethal its release is proving to be. 41 00:02:24,354 --> 00:02:27,389 (tense music) 42 00:02:27,391 --> 00:02:31,193 - After all the bodies dropped out in new york city, 43 00:02:31,195 --> 00:02:33,094 I was personally cynical about 44 00:02:33,096 --> 00:02:37,315 Whether fentanyl could replace the us supply of heroin. 45 00:02:38,819 --> 00:02:41,119 I thought fentanyl would be too difficult 46 00:02:41,121 --> 00:02:43,455 For the dealers to handle. 47 00:02:43,457 --> 00:02:45,290 You know, they made a number 48 00:02:45,292 --> 00:02:48,226 Of very conventional assumptions, 49 00:02:48,228 --> 00:02:51,096 One that the stuff could be easily diluted. 50 00:02:51,098 --> 00:02:53,448 (tense music) 51 00:02:53,450 --> 00:02:56,952 - Today it's commonly known that it only takes a few grains 52 00:02:56,954 --> 00:02:59,621 Of pure street fentanyl to kill a person. 53 00:02:59,623 --> 00:03:01,122 But in early 1991, 54 00:03:01,124 --> 00:03:03,291 When marquardt's fentanyl was first sold 55 00:03:03,293 --> 00:03:06,094 As a heroin substitute, most street dealers 56 00:03:06,096 --> 00:03:09,097 And addicts had never encountered this drug before. 57 00:03:10,283 --> 00:03:13,518 In fact, it will take roughly two more decades 58 00:03:13,520 --> 00:03:15,654 For fentanyl to emerge in the pill form 59 00:03:15,656 --> 00:03:17,255 That we often see today. 60 00:03:18,592 --> 00:03:22,260 So early users injected it directly into their veins, 61 00:03:23,463 --> 00:03:24,496 Just like heroin. 62 00:03:24,498 --> 00:03:27,082 (unsettling music) 63 00:03:27,084 --> 00:03:29,517 - [george] then I saw the dealers adjusting 64 00:03:30,654 --> 00:03:33,355 And the customers learning how to deal. 65 00:03:34,925 --> 00:03:36,758 By "learning how to deal," 66 00:03:36,760 --> 00:03:41,263 I refer to learning how to do it without killing themselves. 67 00:03:41,265 --> 00:03:43,815 (tense music) 68 00:03:45,218 --> 00:03:47,786 (tense music) 69 00:03:49,523 --> 00:03:52,958 Now, do I think it's good for people to do these things? 70 00:03:52,960 --> 00:03:54,125 No, I do not. 71 00:03:55,379 --> 00:03:58,330 If you keep doing it, it'll probably kill you. 72 00:03:59,199 --> 00:04:00,682 It's gonna ruin your life. 73 00:04:00,684 --> 00:04:04,085 It's going to do all kinds of terrible things to you. 74 00:04:05,188 --> 00:04:07,922 But that appears to be what they want. 75 00:04:09,826 --> 00:04:11,726 So who am I to stop them? 76 00:04:11,728 --> 00:04:14,195 (grim music) 77 00:04:18,352 --> 00:04:20,118 - The phenomenon of addiction 78 00:04:20,120 --> 00:04:24,255 Is something I don't think people truly understand. 79 00:04:24,257 --> 00:04:26,825 (tense music) 80 00:04:28,328 --> 00:04:31,730 It is a serious illness that affects many, many people. 81 00:04:33,116 --> 00:04:36,184 - All I remember was waking up in a shower dripping wet. 82 00:04:36,186 --> 00:04:39,087 - It was no high. It was just (snaps) lights out. 83 00:04:39,089 --> 00:04:40,455 - There was a lot of people died. 84 00:04:40,457 --> 00:04:42,624 A lot of friends of mine, a lot of people I know. 85 00:04:43,810 --> 00:04:46,428 - Even after that, my first words were, 86 00:04:46,430 --> 00:04:48,096 "I gotta get some more of that." 87 00:04:49,866 --> 00:04:52,817 - They know that this drug is taking their life 88 00:04:52,819 --> 00:04:54,319 From them slowly, 89 00:04:55,655 --> 00:05:00,525 But they are so addicted that their entire existence 90 00:05:00,527 --> 00:05:03,628 Is centered around getting the drug that they need. 91 00:05:05,432 --> 00:05:08,783 And so the people who supply the drugs, 92 00:05:08,785 --> 00:05:12,153 Their moral compass is seriously skewed, 93 00:05:12,155 --> 00:05:14,422 Because they are truly preying 94 00:05:14,424 --> 00:05:17,192 On some of the weakest people in society. 95 00:05:17,194 --> 00:05:20,195 (unsettling music) 96 00:05:24,317 --> 00:05:29,120 - [george] in the summer of '91, I got the operation 97 00:05:29,122 --> 00:05:32,557 So that it would work beginning to end in about, oh, 98 00:05:32,559 --> 00:05:36,694 Five or six days, with substantial yields with fentanyl. 99 00:05:36,696 --> 00:05:40,248 (upbeat percussive music) 100 00:05:41,451 --> 00:05:43,284 Moscatiello actually came down 101 00:05:43,286 --> 00:05:45,553 And got my second batch. 102 00:05:45,555 --> 00:05:46,955 (air whooshes) 103 00:05:46,957 --> 00:05:49,724 - Following the initial release of the street fentanyl, 104 00:05:49,726 --> 00:05:52,727 Boston-mob-connected christopher moscatiello, 105 00:05:52,729 --> 00:05:55,296 The original financier of the operation, 106 00:05:55,298 --> 00:05:58,917 Strong armed his way back in as the drug's distributor. 107 00:05:58,919 --> 00:06:00,385 (air whooshes) 108 00:06:00,387 --> 00:06:03,154 He is now demanding marquardt pay off what he claims 109 00:06:03,156 --> 00:06:05,890 Is a $1 million debt. 110 00:06:05,892 --> 00:06:10,395 So marquardt is producing new, larger batches of fentanyl, 111 00:06:10,397 --> 00:06:11,996 Which moscatiello is taking out 112 00:06:11,998 --> 00:06:14,382 To cities all over the northeast, 113 00:06:14,384 --> 00:06:15,683 Through the boston mob's 114 00:06:15,685 --> 00:06:18,553 Established drug distribution network. 115 00:06:18,555 --> 00:06:21,189 (upbeat music) 116 00:06:22,492 --> 00:06:23,858 - [george] for most of the summer, 117 00:06:23,860 --> 00:06:25,160 Moscatiello was putting the pressure on 118 00:06:25,162 --> 00:06:27,295 For production, production, production. 119 00:06:29,749 --> 00:06:31,516 Every two or three months, 120 00:06:31,518 --> 00:06:36,588 Martier got a few thousand dollars out of moscatiello, 121 00:06:37,390 --> 00:06:38,556 Picked up some fentanyl from me, 122 00:06:41,828 --> 00:06:46,397 Paid me, and flew out of wichita next day. 123 00:06:46,399 --> 00:06:49,617 (indicator chimes) 124 00:06:49,619 --> 00:06:52,554 (soft music) 125 00:06:52,556 --> 00:06:54,622 Since the bulk of product was not large, 126 00:06:54,624 --> 00:06:56,758 You could transport it a great distance. 127 00:06:57,861 --> 00:06:59,961 The rule was double bag or triple bag, 128 00:06:59,963 --> 00:07:02,163 Stick it on-person, taped to body. 129 00:07:03,283 --> 00:07:05,517 Kind of a hazardous operation when pure. 130 00:07:08,788 --> 00:07:10,255 Until we paid off 131 00:07:10,257 --> 00:07:13,258 This magic million-dollar figure moscatiello alleged 132 00:07:13,260 --> 00:07:17,729 We owed him, he wasn't gonna give us our full share 133 00:07:17,731 --> 00:07:19,497 Of the fentanyl price. 134 00:07:21,518 --> 00:07:23,384 I knew I was being had, 135 00:07:24,654 --> 00:07:27,689 But he was the only reliable source of money we had. 136 00:07:29,092 --> 00:07:33,094 So you just have to keep on going and hope for the best. 137 00:07:33,096 --> 00:07:36,414 (gentle surreal music) 138 00:07:38,451 --> 00:07:39,751 - We were very concerned 139 00:07:39,753 --> 00:07:42,253 Because fentanyl was now being identified 140 00:07:42,255 --> 00:07:47,325 In overdose deaths in new york, boston, and philadelphia. 141 00:07:48,795 --> 00:07:51,162 So where's it coming from? 142 00:07:52,265 --> 00:07:53,548 - [customer] give me one more of that. 143 00:07:53,550 --> 00:07:54,916 A little piece of it. - If you find drugs 144 00:07:54,918 --> 00:07:58,486 On the street, they came from one of four sources. 145 00:07:58,488 --> 00:08:02,891 They were either smuggled here, they were manufactured here, 146 00:08:02,893 --> 00:08:05,960 They were cultivated, like marijuana, here, 147 00:08:05,962 --> 00:08:09,597 Or they were diverted from some legitimate industry, 148 00:08:09,599 --> 00:08:13,918 Like the medical industry, to an illicit use. 149 00:08:13,920 --> 00:08:15,887 Those are the only ways you get drugs. 150 00:08:17,591 --> 00:08:19,357 - [john] to start tracking down the source 151 00:08:19,359 --> 00:08:22,260 Of the deadly fentanyl, law enforcement begins 152 00:08:22,262 --> 00:08:24,829 At the end of the drug trafficking chain: 153 00:08:26,466 --> 00:08:27,615 The street deal. 154 00:08:28,952 --> 00:08:31,286 - We knew that the street distribution was important 155 00:08:31,288 --> 00:08:33,855 Because that would hopefully give us links 156 00:08:33,857 --> 00:08:35,256 To find out the source. 157 00:08:36,526 --> 00:08:39,594 Heroin has different colors, depending on its origin. 158 00:08:40,964 --> 00:08:43,214 In the case of the fentanyl investigation, 159 00:08:43,216 --> 00:08:46,017 The local police were saying that this was distinguishable 160 00:08:46,019 --> 00:08:48,019 By the fact that it was sparkly. 161 00:08:49,723 --> 00:08:53,958 So we started to go out and buy heroin from street dealers, 162 00:08:53,960 --> 00:08:56,160 But only asking for the sparkly stuff. 163 00:08:58,898 --> 00:09:01,549 So how do you make this approach as an undercover? 164 00:09:03,954 --> 00:09:05,887 It takes only a few minutes of surveillance 165 00:09:05,889 --> 00:09:07,088 To see who's dealing. 166 00:09:08,224 --> 00:09:09,857 Then you walk up to the guy and say, "hey." 167 00:09:09,859 --> 00:09:11,109 - [agent] what's going on? 168 00:09:11,111 --> 00:09:14,195 - Do you have any tango & cash? Be direct. 169 00:09:14,197 --> 00:09:15,496 Say exactly what you want. 170 00:09:15,498 --> 00:09:17,148 - What do you got? - I got vials. 171 00:09:17,150 --> 00:09:18,149 - [agent] how much? 172 00:09:18,151 --> 00:09:19,117 - [dealer] seven dollars for you. 173 00:09:19,119 --> 00:09:20,418 - [gerald] you might do a dance. 174 00:09:20,420 --> 00:09:22,787 Oh man, I'm not selling to you. You're a cop. 175 00:09:22,789 --> 00:09:26,674 But drug dealers are in it to make money. 176 00:09:26,676 --> 00:09:29,761 Eventually, they will sell you the drug. 177 00:09:29,763 --> 00:09:33,164 - [agent] see the money right here? See the exchange? 178 00:09:33,166 --> 00:09:36,017 - And you say, "thank you very much," and you walk away. 179 00:09:38,021 --> 00:09:40,788 (contraption whirring) 180 00:09:40,790 --> 00:09:43,925 If the drug was indeed fentanyl, 181 00:09:43,927 --> 00:09:46,394 Then we would go back and we would surveil them. 182 00:09:48,198 --> 00:09:50,548 A street dealer, you watch him long enough, 183 00:09:50,550 --> 00:09:52,383 He will run out of drugs to sell. 184 00:09:52,385 --> 00:09:54,736 He would have to be resupplied. 185 00:09:54,738 --> 00:09:58,056 Then your surveillance concentrates on that resupplier. 186 00:09:58,058 --> 00:09:59,824 And then try to work your way up, 187 00:09:59,826 --> 00:10:01,659 Work your way up, work your way up 188 00:10:01,661 --> 00:10:04,762 Until you hopefully find the source of the drug. 189 00:10:04,764 --> 00:10:07,615 (tense music) 190 00:10:07,617 --> 00:10:09,651 - [john] throughout the summer of 1991, 191 00:10:09,653 --> 00:10:10,985 Agents worked the streets 192 00:10:10,987 --> 00:10:13,488 Of major cities all over the northeast, 193 00:10:13,490 --> 00:10:16,457 While chemists with the drug enforcement administration 194 00:10:16,459 --> 00:10:20,695 Analyzed the purchased samples to try to uncover clues 195 00:10:20,697 --> 00:10:22,964 To the fentanyl's origin. 196 00:10:22,966 --> 00:10:27,352 New-york-based dea chemist jack fasanello leads this effort. 197 00:10:27,354 --> 00:10:29,921 (tense music) 198 00:10:31,991 --> 00:10:34,225 - My analysis concluded that all 199 00:10:34,227 --> 00:10:36,928 Of the samples were fentanyl hydrochloride, 200 00:10:38,231 --> 00:10:40,515 Which is not the commercial form of fentanyl. 201 00:10:40,517 --> 00:10:42,483 (tense music) 202 00:10:42,485 --> 00:10:44,352 - This microscopic clue 203 00:10:44,354 --> 00:10:46,621 In the fentanyl's chemical composition 204 00:10:46,623 --> 00:10:48,856 Has massive significance. 205 00:10:48,858 --> 00:10:50,158 - That indicated to me 206 00:10:50,160 --> 00:10:52,260 That it was clandestinely manufactured. 207 00:10:52,262 --> 00:10:53,861 (tense music) 208 00:10:53,863 --> 00:10:57,081 - [john] in other words, they realized that someone, 209 00:10:57,083 --> 00:11:01,753 Somewhere must have ingeniously altered the standard formula 210 00:11:01,755 --> 00:11:06,090 Of fentanyl to reinvent it as a street drug. 211 00:11:06,092 --> 00:11:07,625 (tense music) 212 00:11:07,627 --> 00:11:11,462 - At the time, fentanyl was a very difficult synthesis. 213 00:11:11,464 --> 00:11:15,616 So I felt that whoever was producing this material, 214 00:11:15,618 --> 00:11:19,620 And in such quantities, was a good, clandestine chemist. 215 00:11:19,622 --> 00:11:21,823 (tense music) 216 00:11:21,825 --> 00:11:22,924 - Based on this, 217 00:11:22,926 --> 00:11:25,860 Dea concludes that a single chemist 218 00:11:25,862 --> 00:11:29,897 Is probably responsible for all the fentanyl. 219 00:11:29,899 --> 00:11:33,751 Now they must find the chemist and shut them down. 220 00:11:34,554 --> 00:11:37,121 (tense music) 221 00:11:38,591 --> 00:11:40,391 - [george] in the case of running 222 00:11:40,393 --> 00:11:43,995 A drug manufacturing plant, you ask yourself: 223 00:11:43,997 --> 00:11:47,265 If you were sitting on the other side of the fence, 224 00:11:47,267 --> 00:11:51,385 How is it that you would detect someone like me? 225 00:11:52,555 --> 00:11:55,523 And then you find a way of doing it 226 00:11:55,525 --> 00:11:57,125 Without getting caught. 227 00:11:59,028 --> 00:12:03,848 First off, the people selling these drugs did not know me. 228 00:12:03,850 --> 00:12:07,118 So I thought that offered me a certain amount of safety. 229 00:12:08,688 --> 00:12:10,621 But the next thing I thought is, 230 00:12:10,623 --> 00:12:12,056 How long is it going to be 231 00:12:12,058 --> 00:12:15,126 Before the law enforcement figures this out? 232 00:12:16,696 --> 00:12:19,297 I mean, that was absolutely astonishing 233 00:12:19,299 --> 00:12:21,282 That we didn't get caught in boston 234 00:12:21,284 --> 00:12:24,185 With the "benzene fiasco." 235 00:12:24,187 --> 00:12:26,654 - [john] a year earlier, marquardt's partner, 236 00:12:26,656 --> 00:12:28,623 Money man christopher moscatiello, 237 00:12:28,625 --> 00:12:31,459 Was nearly arrested while purchasing chemicals 238 00:12:31,461 --> 00:12:32,860 For the fentanyl lab. 239 00:12:32,862 --> 00:12:33,694 (air whooshes) 240 00:12:33,696 --> 00:12:35,196 - [george] after that, 241 00:12:35,198 --> 00:12:39,717 I decided the convenience of buying easily available, 242 00:12:39,719 --> 00:12:44,388 Bulk chemicals is outweighed by the risk involved. 243 00:12:44,390 --> 00:12:47,592 So that's when it pays to get creative. 244 00:12:47,594 --> 00:12:49,961 (grim music) 245 00:12:53,616 --> 00:12:56,050 - When manufacturing illicit drugs, 246 00:12:56,052 --> 00:12:59,187 Clandestine chemists usually purchase starter chemicals, 247 00:12:59,189 --> 00:13:01,189 Known as precursors. 248 00:13:01,191 --> 00:13:03,224 The companies that sell these chemicals know 249 00:13:03,226 --> 00:13:05,326 They can be used for drug manufacturing, 250 00:13:05,328 --> 00:13:09,597 And so they keep detailed records of all transactions. 251 00:13:09,599 --> 00:13:13,017 And those records can be a clue for investigators. 252 00:13:14,420 --> 00:13:17,755 - If you buy it and it goes on an order form someplace 253 00:13:17,757 --> 00:13:20,224 And it goes in a receipt someplace, 254 00:13:20,226 --> 00:13:23,561 The bureaucrats will have access to that. 255 00:13:23,563 --> 00:13:25,830 And conceivably, this can be discovered. 256 00:13:25,832 --> 00:13:28,249 This is the kind of thing you want to avoid. 257 00:13:28,251 --> 00:13:29,884 (grim music) 258 00:13:29,886 --> 00:13:33,888 What the dea would do is just go through the receipts, 259 00:13:33,890 --> 00:13:37,558 Anything that looked unusual to them, 260 00:13:37,560 --> 00:13:39,493 And that disturbed me. 261 00:13:40,663 --> 00:13:43,080 So I needed a better plan, right? 262 00:13:43,082 --> 00:13:45,516 (grim music) 263 00:13:47,186 --> 00:13:49,186 And instead of buying precursors, 264 00:13:50,390 --> 00:13:52,356 I would make all of my own. 265 00:13:54,060 --> 00:13:56,894 - If it was a chemical and he needed to make it, 266 00:13:56,896 --> 00:13:59,864 Squeak could make it every step of the way. 267 00:13:59,866 --> 00:14:01,949 It was all part of trying to not get caught, 268 00:14:01,951 --> 00:14:05,319 Which is what all of us who do that sort of thing try to do. 269 00:14:06,589 --> 00:14:08,356 - [george] that worked to disguise things 270 00:14:08,358 --> 00:14:11,158 From the federal narcotics agents. 271 00:14:11,160 --> 00:14:14,161 - But only someone of his genius would be able 272 00:14:14,163 --> 00:14:17,415 To figure it out and pull it off. 273 00:14:17,417 --> 00:14:20,217 (george laughs) 274 00:14:22,355 --> 00:14:23,588 - [george] you know, 275 00:14:23,590 --> 00:14:25,389 I had a bunch of people thoroughly fooled. 276 00:14:27,560 --> 00:14:29,560 I even lied like hell to my sister. 277 00:14:31,197 --> 00:14:33,764 (tense music) 278 00:14:48,247 --> 00:14:50,781 - Both of our parents died fairly young, 279 00:14:50,783 --> 00:14:53,184 Without speaking to erik. 280 00:14:53,186 --> 00:14:58,255 But before that, mom encouraged me to write to him. 281 00:14:59,425 --> 00:15:01,258 So we wrote to each other over the years. 282 00:15:01,260 --> 00:15:03,928 And eventually it was not just writing, 283 00:15:03,930 --> 00:15:08,082 It was long collect phone calls. 284 00:15:08,084 --> 00:15:11,085 I was never in control of when I heard from him. 285 00:15:11,087 --> 00:15:14,322 Just occasionally he would call and talk for a few hours. 286 00:15:15,658 --> 00:15:17,475 (unsettling music) 287 00:15:17,477 --> 00:15:21,462 When we heard in the news about the fentanyl, 288 00:15:21,464 --> 00:15:26,017 Of course, I realized that my brother was capable 289 00:15:26,019 --> 00:15:27,118 Of such things. 290 00:15:28,488 --> 00:15:33,324 But I made the assumption that with his track record, 291 00:15:34,494 --> 00:15:36,761 The federal government would know where he was. 292 00:15:36,763 --> 00:15:39,764 - We really thought people were watching him closely, 293 00:15:39,766 --> 00:15:41,248 You know. 294 00:15:41,250 --> 00:15:43,751 - Such was not the case, as it turns out. 295 00:15:44,921 --> 00:15:48,155 I got the impression my name had not surfaced 296 00:15:48,157 --> 00:15:51,425 Because of my lack of academic credentials. 297 00:15:52,862 --> 00:15:55,062 - Police found the bodies of three more people. 298 00:15:55,064 --> 00:15:56,364 - [reporter] in the past week, 299 00:15:56,366 --> 00:15:57,915 Five deaths have been reported from fentanyl. 300 00:15:57,917 --> 00:16:01,752 - [reporter] in one case, an addict died while standing up. 301 00:16:01,754 --> 00:16:04,789 - [george] there was a statement made by a forensic chemist 302 00:16:04,791 --> 00:16:07,058 That he didn't think anyone with less 303 00:16:07,060 --> 00:16:11,395 Than a master's degree could possibly produce fentanyl. 304 00:16:11,397 --> 00:16:12,963 - [reporter] dea has discovered 305 00:16:12,965 --> 00:16:15,750 The chemist producing fentanyl would have a master's 306 00:16:15,752 --> 00:16:17,518 Or doctorate degree in chemistry. 307 00:16:18,788 --> 00:16:21,088 - [george] I thought that was extremely amusing. 308 00:16:22,058 --> 00:16:24,558 I was just unbelievably delighted. 309 00:16:24,560 --> 00:16:26,360 So I wasn't looked at 310 00:16:26,362 --> 00:16:28,763 With any particular amount of attention. 311 00:16:32,318 --> 00:16:34,885 (tense music) 312 00:16:38,157 --> 00:16:42,893 In the fall of 1991, there were several trips to boston. 313 00:16:45,164 --> 00:16:48,149 Back and forth, back and forth, back and forth we went. 314 00:16:49,318 --> 00:16:51,652 And I thought we were going to clear the debt 315 00:16:51,654 --> 00:16:55,156 With moscatiello and start getting some real money 316 00:16:55,158 --> 00:16:56,057 For this thing. 317 00:16:57,760 --> 00:17:00,561 But then moscatiello said he wanted me 318 00:17:00,563 --> 00:17:02,897 To make him some 3-methylfentanyl. 319 00:17:02,899 --> 00:17:05,149 (tense music) 320 00:17:05,151 --> 00:17:08,185 He said, "make 25 pounds, and we'll pay you." 321 00:17:09,155 --> 00:17:11,956 I thought, "jesus fucking christ! 322 00:17:11,958 --> 00:17:13,791 That's dangerous chemistry." 323 00:17:15,194 --> 00:17:18,262 - [john] 3-methylfentanyl is a chemical compound similar 324 00:17:18,264 --> 00:17:22,149 To fentanyl, but it is about 60 times more potent. 325 00:17:22,151 --> 00:17:24,752 (sirens blaring) 326 00:17:24,754 --> 00:17:26,854 - The difference between fentanyl 327 00:17:26,856 --> 00:17:30,257 And 3-methylfentanyl is just one little methyl group. 328 00:17:30,259 --> 00:17:32,293 (tense music) 329 00:17:32,295 --> 00:17:34,328 It's a very small change, 330 00:17:34,330 --> 00:17:36,914 But that small change is in an important place 331 00:17:36,916 --> 00:17:38,549 On the molecule. 332 00:17:38,551 --> 00:17:40,818 An amount of 3-methylfentanyl 333 00:17:40,820 --> 00:17:44,088 That would fit in your pocket could wipe out a whole town. 334 00:17:45,758 --> 00:17:48,125 - That's a royal road to destruction. 335 00:17:48,127 --> 00:17:50,694 (unsettling music) 336 00:17:50,696 --> 00:17:54,281 And so I became suspicious about exactly 337 00:17:54,283 --> 00:17:57,451 Who moscatiello was actually involved with. 338 00:17:57,453 --> 00:18:00,454 (unsettling music) 339 00:18:02,091 --> 00:18:04,725 - [john] at the time, james "whitey" bulger 340 00:18:04,727 --> 00:18:08,629 Is known as the kingpin of boston's organized crime scene. 341 00:18:09,632 --> 00:18:11,782 Among bulger's closest associates 342 00:18:11,784 --> 00:18:13,984 Are the so-called "murray brothers:" 343 00:18:13,986 --> 00:18:16,086 Joseph and michael. 344 00:18:16,088 --> 00:18:18,055 (tense music) 345 00:18:18,057 --> 00:18:20,758 - I'd heard that moscatiello dealt with mike murray. 346 00:18:21,627 --> 00:18:24,161 Joe murray was kind of a... 347 00:18:24,163 --> 00:18:27,014 I wasn't sure what the association was there. 348 00:18:27,016 --> 00:18:29,116 (tense music) 349 00:18:29,118 --> 00:18:32,853 But I knew they were some very dangerous people. 350 00:18:35,091 --> 00:18:38,425 - The murray brothers operate from the shadows 351 00:18:38,427 --> 00:18:40,494 And are known to have ties that extend 352 00:18:40,496 --> 00:18:43,597 To violent overseas terrorist groups, 353 00:18:43,599 --> 00:18:44,849 (bomb explodes) 354 00:18:44,851 --> 00:18:47,518 Like the irish republican army. 355 00:18:47,520 --> 00:18:49,486 - Several incidents of violence yesterday 356 00:18:49,488 --> 00:18:50,955 In northern ireland. 357 00:18:50,957 --> 00:18:53,691 Irish republican army terrorists exploded two bombs 358 00:18:53,693 --> 00:18:55,459 In london today. 359 00:18:55,461 --> 00:18:57,528 - The ira says it was behind an explosion 360 00:18:57,530 --> 00:18:59,730 That rocked a small town. 361 00:18:59,732 --> 00:19:03,717 - Let us pin the responsibility for these appalling crimes 362 00:19:03,719 --> 00:19:05,085 To where it belongs: 363 00:19:05,087 --> 00:19:08,322 On the common murderers of the ira. 364 00:19:08,324 --> 00:19:11,659 (audience applauds) 365 00:19:11,661 --> 00:19:13,160 - Just a few years earlier, 366 00:19:13,162 --> 00:19:16,397 Joseph murray and whitey bulger had led a plot 367 00:19:16,399 --> 00:19:19,783 To smuggle 7.5 tons of weapons aboard a fishing boat 368 00:19:19,785 --> 00:19:23,320 To the ira, the irish republican army, 369 00:19:23,322 --> 00:19:25,289 A group that was waging terror attacks 370 00:19:25,291 --> 00:19:27,491 Against british rule in northern ireland. 371 00:19:29,462 --> 00:19:33,697 The valhalla incident, as it was known, ended in failure. 372 00:19:33,699 --> 00:19:35,816 But it is a good reason for marquardt 373 00:19:35,818 --> 00:19:38,252 To question moscatiello's interests 374 00:19:38,254 --> 00:19:40,888 And intentions with the 3-methylfentanyl. 375 00:19:42,959 --> 00:19:45,125 - After the valhalla incident, 376 00:19:45,127 --> 00:19:48,429 I thought maybe the organized crime types up 377 00:19:48,431 --> 00:19:53,450 In boston wanted to weaponize this stuff and cause trouble. 378 00:19:55,454 --> 00:19:58,188 For all I know, they could have every intention 379 00:19:58,190 --> 00:20:00,224 Of destroying the civilized world. 380 00:20:02,361 --> 00:20:06,196 I thought, "nope, nope, nope, nope, nope, nope, nope. No!" 381 00:20:06,198 --> 00:20:07,314 I'm not a terrorist. 382 00:20:09,885 --> 00:20:12,086 I thought it was a scam to get me 383 00:20:12,088 --> 00:20:15,155 To deliver highly potent drugs. 384 00:20:15,157 --> 00:20:17,124 And maybe they would kill me 385 00:20:17,126 --> 00:20:20,894 So that I wouldn't turn up inconveniently later. 386 00:20:20,896 --> 00:20:25,950 And so I told moscatiello, "well, you know, 387 00:20:27,053 --> 00:20:29,853 It is extremely difficult to manufacture." 388 00:20:30,923 --> 00:20:33,157 I knew that would buy me some time. 389 00:20:33,159 --> 00:20:35,626 (grim music) 390 00:20:37,930 --> 00:20:38,762 (sirens blaring) 391 00:20:38,764 --> 00:20:41,215 (tense music) 392 00:20:43,853 --> 00:20:46,086 - [john] by the summer of 1992, 393 00:20:46,088 --> 00:20:48,555 The fentanyl investigation has been going on 394 00:20:48,557 --> 00:20:50,524 For more than a year. 395 00:20:50,526 --> 00:20:52,526 - Some cops call kearney avenue here 396 00:20:52,528 --> 00:20:54,495 In jersey city the war zone. 397 00:20:54,497 --> 00:20:57,781 They make as many as 25 arrests in one day. 398 00:20:57,783 --> 00:20:59,683 - Meanwhile, another drug raid, 399 00:20:59,685 --> 00:21:03,153 Part of an ongoing investigation into the increasing use 400 00:21:03,155 --> 00:21:06,256 Of a drug that can kill within seconds. 401 00:21:06,258 --> 00:21:09,360 - [john] but despite the enormous effort by law enforcement, 402 00:21:09,362 --> 00:21:12,246 They have yet to uncover any significant leads 403 00:21:12,248 --> 00:21:15,015 Into where the deadly drug is coming from. 404 00:21:16,285 --> 00:21:18,452 - The arrests have not, however, led to the source. 405 00:21:18,454 --> 00:21:20,788 - [reporter] the investigation is continuing. 406 00:21:22,058 --> 00:21:25,225 - And while the fentanyl investigation slowly grinds on, 407 00:21:25,227 --> 00:21:28,829 Agents across the country are caught up in a much bigger war 408 00:21:28,831 --> 00:21:30,864 Against drugs of all kinds. 409 00:21:30,866 --> 00:21:33,417 (tense music) 410 00:21:35,654 --> 00:21:38,405 - There is a crisis demanding our attention. 411 00:21:38,407 --> 00:21:43,060 Drug production and drug use threaten our futures 412 00:21:43,062 --> 00:21:44,795 And our very lives. 413 00:21:44,797 --> 00:21:48,882 We are determined to defeat this enemy, speedily. 414 00:21:48,884 --> 00:21:51,352 - [reporter] americans paid $40 billion 415 00:21:51,354 --> 00:21:52,986 For illegal drugs last year. 416 00:21:52,988 --> 00:21:55,155 - It's a hell of a lot of money being spent for drugs. 417 00:21:55,157 --> 00:21:56,990 - [reporter] the federal report shows an increase 418 00:21:56,992 --> 00:21:58,692 In marijuana and methamphetamines. 419 00:21:58,694 --> 00:22:00,327 - [reporter] if you thought acid parties were a thing 420 00:22:00,329 --> 00:22:02,062 Of the past, you're dead wrong. 421 00:22:02,064 --> 00:22:04,064 - Cocaine business certainly rivals any 422 00:22:04,066 --> 00:22:06,183 Of the top fortune 500 companies. 423 00:22:07,319 --> 00:22:09,820 - What no one in law enforcement can foresee 424 00:22:09,822 --> 00:22:12,189 Is that an unrelated case will crack 425 00:22:12,191 --> 00:22:14,758 The fentanyl investigation wide open. 426 00:22:14,760 --> 00:22:17,327 (tense music) 427 00:22:21,384 --> 00:22:23,851 - At the time of the fentanyl investigation, 428 00:22:23,853 --> 00:22:27,287 Another agent asked me to assist in the surveillance 429 00:22:27,289 --> 00:22:30,224 Of a truck that was heading from boston down towards mexico 430 00:22:30,226 --> 00:22:33,160 To pick up four tons of marijuana. 431 00:22:33,162 --> 00:22:34,495 - Agents of the fbi 432 00:22:34,497 --> 00:22:36,663 And the drug enforcement administration swept down 433 00:22:36,665 --> 00:22:38,082 On a large rented truck. 434 00:22:38,084 --> 00:22:40,651 (tense music) 435 00:22:42,488 --> 00:22:45,589 The arrest ended a long investigation by both agencies. 436 00:22:46,992 --> 00:22:49,860 - End up arresting michael murray of the murray brothers. 437 00:22:49,862 --> 00:22:52,162 (tense music) 438 00:22:52,164 --> 00:22:53,864 - It's michael murray's second offense 439 00:22:53,866 --> 00:22:56,517 For trafficking thousands of pounds of marijuana. 440 00:22:58,120 --> 00:23:02,890 Only this time his arrest will have explosive consequences. 441 00:23:02,892 --> 00:23:04,658 - At that time, I did not know 442 00:23:04,660 --> 00:23:07,761 That the michael murray investigation had information 443 00:23:07,763 --> 00:23:09,797 With regard to the laboratory. 444 00:23:09,799 --> 00:23:11,915 - It's a close-knit community, 445 00:23:11,917 --> 00:23:13,383 Until it isn't anymore. 446 00:23:15,387 --> 00:23:16,887 Once somebody's arrested, 447 00:23:16,889 --> 00:23:19,223 It's what are they gonna offer you? 448 00:23:19,225 --> 00:23:23,527 And if there gets to be a rat in the ointment, 449 00:23:23,529 --> 00:23:28,215 Well, loose lips sink ships, as the old saying goes. 450 00:23:29,552 --> 00:23:32,453 (tense music) 451 00:23:32,455 --> 00:23:36,056 - Michael murray recognizes that he was in trouble, 452 00:23:36,058 --> 00:23:39,726 And he needs to do something to help himself get out of it. 453 00:23:41,096 --> 00:23:43,363 He said that he would cooperate 454 00:23:43,365 --> 00:23:46,416 With the federal government to lessen his sentence. 455 00:23:47,820 --> 00:23:52,122 A cooperating source will speak ad nauseum about anyone 456 00:23:52,124 --> 00:23:56,727 And anything, as long as he's not explicitly implicated. 457 00:23:56,729 --> 00:23:59,596 That is, he is a totally innocent guy who just happens 458 00:23:59,598 --> 00:24:02,115 To have all this inside criminal information 459 00:24:02,117 --> 00:24:04,518 That he's been happy to share with the government. 460 00:24:04,520 --> 00:24:06,820 But no, he was never directly involved. 461 00:24:06,822 --> 00:24:09,890 (tense music) 462 00:24:09,892 --> 00:24:12,526 Eventually, michael murray says, 463 00:24:12,528 --> 00:24:16,730 "hey guys, I think I can help you with the fentanyl case." 464 00:24:16,732 --> 00:24:17,915 And I said, "great." 465 00:24:20,719 --> 00:24:23,420 Michael murray tells us that christopher moscatiello 466 00:24:23,422 --> 00:24:26,340 Is financing the fentanyl laboratory. 467 00:24:26,342 --> 00:24:27,257 Period. 468 00:24:28,093 --> 00:24:30,494 - It's a bombshell revelation. 469 00:24:30,496 --> 00:24:33,564 Christopher moscatiello is immediately recognized 470 00:24:33,566 --> 00:24:37,718 As the suspect who, two years earlier, had alluded the dea 471 00:24:37,720 --> 00:24:40,554 After purchasing a 50-gallon drum of benzene. 472 00:24:41,790 --> 00:24:43,357 At the time, 473 00:24:43,359 --> 00:24:46,760 Agents were investigating a fake company called tx green. 474 00:24:46,762 --> 00:24:51,448 They now realize tx green was actually the start 475 00:24:51,450 --> 00:24:53,183 Of the fentanyl lab. 476 00:24:53,185 --> 00:24:55,852 (tense music) 477 00:24:55,854 --> 00:25:00,924 - And so now we went back to looking closer at tx green. 478 00:25:02,361 --> 00:25:05,028 Although now we were calling it tango & cash investigation. 479 00:25:05,030 --> 00:25:07,581 (tense music) 480 00:25:09,385 --> 00:25:14,121 - I formulate plans to follow up on murray's cooperation, 481 00:25:14,123 --> 00:25:16,523 Because now michael murray has to enter a new phase 482 00:25:16,525 --> 00:25:18,025 Of the investigation. 483 00:25:19,194 --> 00:25:22,563 He has to be an active participant in the case. 484 00:25:22,565 --> 00:25:24,264 We had to send michael murray in 485 00:25:24,266 --> 00:25:26,216 To speak to christopher moscatiello. 486 00:25:27,620 --> 00:25:30,020 - [john] michael murray and christopher moscatiello have 487 00:25:30,022 --> 00:25:32,389 A long history of working together. 488 00:25:33,459 --> 00:25:34,825 A few years earlier, 489 00:25:34,827 --> 00:25:37,661 They were both arrested for marijuana trafficking. 490 00:25:40,366 --> 00:25:43,584 Agents now plan to use that trusted relationship 491 00:25:44,386 --> 00:25:45,819 To their advantage. 492 00:25:47,056 --> 00:25:49,623 - [gerald] michael murray is basically instructed 493 00:25:49,625 --> 00:25:52,726 To set up the meeting with moscatiello. 494 00:25:52,728 --> 00:25:55,596 - [john] murray is wired with a hidden microphone 495 00:25:55,598 --> 00:25:58,582 So the agents can monitor this meeting remotely. 496 00:26:00,252 --> 00:26:02,886 (tense music) 497 00:26:06,859 --> 00:26:09,693 - These two individuals know each other quite well, 498 00:26:10,963 --> 00:26:13,730 And I think they considered each other friends. 499 00:26:15,517 --> 00:26:19,620 - I only knew michael murray by name, 500 00:26:19,622 --> 00:26:23,223 But chris told me that he was a friend. 501 00:26:26,261 --> 00:26:27,527 His best friend. 502 00:26:31,016 --> 00:26:33,417 Chris had a very small circle 503 00:26:34,653 --> 00:26:36,620 Of people in his life, 504 00:26:36,622 --> 00:26:40,991 And michael murray being his best friend, 505 00:26:40,993 --> 00:26:44,961 Chris trusted him explicitly. 506 00:26:46,999 --> 00:26:48,515 - After a few minutes of talking, 507 00:26:48,517 --> 00:26:52,352 We hear moscatiello tell murray that he's concerned 508 00:26:52,354 --> 00:26:53,887 Because they're getting too much heat, 509 00:26:53,889 --> 00:26:57,958 Too much attention on distributing the fentanyl. 510 00:26:57,960 --> 00:27:01,595 So maybe we'll kind of make some pills for a while. 511 00:27:01,597 --> 00:27:04,164 (tense music) 512 00:27:05,818 --> 00:27:08,385 - The agents immediately see an opportunity. 513 00:27:08,387 --> 00:27:10,954 (tense music) 514 00:27:12,558 --> 00:27:16,025 They have murray tell moscatiello that he can connect him 515 00:27:16,027 --> 00:27:17,828 With a new york city gangster 516 00:27:18,897 --> 00:27:21,264 Who has access to a pill press 517 00:27:21,266 --> 00:27:23,517 And can help them make illicit pills 518 00:27:25,788 --> 00:27:27,988 While the heat on the fentanyl dies down. 519 00:27:31,560 --> 00:27:34,361 - Michael murray says, "here's a telephone number. 520 00:27:35,431 --> 00:27:38,248 Have your chemist call this guy." 521 00:27:38,250 --> 00:27:39,549 And moscatiello said 522 00:27:39,551 --> 00:27:43,053 That he would have his chemist call the number. 523 00:27:43,055 --> 00:27:45,155 That number was my telephone number. 524 00:27:45,157 --> 00:27:47,424 (tense music) 525 00:27:47,426 --> 00:27:51,561 Within the short time period, I received a call. 526 00:27:52,664 --> 00:27:55,182 Because of my upbringing as a brooklyn kid, 527 00:27:55,184 --> 00:27:59,019 I can have a very big brooklyn accent, if need be. 528 00:28:00,155 --> 00:28:02,789 So I say that I'm gerrie from new york, 529 00:28:02,791 --> 00:28:06,359 Alluding that I was tied into organized crime. 530 00:28:06,361 --> 00:28:09,096 (gun blasts) 531 00:28:09,098 --> 00:28:10,130 And it was martier. 532 00:28:11,483 --> 00:28:12,516 Joseph martier. 533 00:28:14,119 --> 00:28:18,188 - [john] joseph martier is a name familiar to agents. 534 00:28:18,190 --> 00:28:21,725 During the tx green investigation two years earlier, 535 00:28:24,096 --> 00:28:27,364 He was seen purchasing laboratory-grade glassware. 536 00:28:28,317 --> 00:28:30,717 The agents now wonder if martier 537 00:28:30,719 --> 00:28:35,088 Is the chemist producing the tango & cash street fentanyl. 538 00:28:35,090 --> 00:28:37,357 (tense music) 539 00:28:37,359 --> 00:28:40,660 - We started talking about chemical processes, 540 00:28:40,662 --> 00:28:44,064 (surreal intense music) 541 00:28:45,884 --> 00:28:47,150 Making pills. 542 00:28:49,705 --> 00:28:53,890 There was a very popular pill called lemmon 714s, 543 00:28:53,892 --> 00:28:55,091 Aka quaaludes. 544 00:28:55,093 --> 00:28:57,194 (tense music) 545 00:28:57,196 --> 00:29:00,697 Martier wanted to make counterfeit lemmon 714s. 546 00:29:01,884 --> 00:29:04,451 So I said, "I can get you a pill press. 547 00:29:04,453 --> 00:29:08,655 I can go meet you at your laboratory with the pill press, 548 00:29:08,657 --> 00:29:10,991 And I can make the pills for you, 549 00:29:10,993 --> 00:29:13,026 And we could set up business together." 550 00:29:14,696 --> 00:29:17,914 - [john] but martier declines an in-person meeting. 551 00:29:17,916 --> 00:29:20,250 Instead, he turns the conversation 552 00:29:20,252 --> 00:29:22,719 To how he can make the pills himself. 553 00:29:24,056 --> 00:29:26,256 - After a few minutes of talking, I said, 554 00:29:26,258 --> 00:29:29,426 "you know that you can have all the raw powder 555 00:29:29,428 --> 00:29:32,362 Of lemmon 714s, the drug itself, 556 00:29:32,364 --> 00:29:35,081 But do you know anything about binding the material 557 00:29:35,083 --> 00:29:36,683 In order to make the pills? 558 00:29:38,053 --> 00:29:40,620 Do you know how to use the press to stamp the pills, 559 00:29:40,622 --> 00:29:42,322 To make them look like lemmons? 560 00:29:42,324 --> 00:29:43,490 Do you know the exact color 561 00:29:43,492 --> 00:29:45,659 In order to counterfeit the pills?" 562 00:29:45,661 --> 00:29:47,861 And as we got deep in this conversation, 563 00:29:47,863 --> 00:29:51,164 It became clear that his ignorance was incredible. 564 00:29:52,618 --> 00:29:54,584 In terms of aha moments, 565 00:29:54,586 --> 00:29:58,355 The aha was that martier was not the, I mean, 566 00:29:58,357 --> 00:30:01,791 With the big, capital t, chemist making fentanyl. 567 00:30:01,793 --> 00:30:04,361 (tense music) 568 00:30:06,398 --> 00:30:08,682 - Martier had called me one day. 569 00:30:08,684 --> 00:30:09,783 And he said something like, 570 00:30:09,785 --> 00:30:11,985 "the moscatiello operation offered 571 00:30:11,987 --> 00:30:14,020 To come up with a pill press." 572 00:30:14,022 --> 00:30:16,823 I got to thinking. Isn't that peculiar? 573 00:30:17,659 --> 00:30:19,559 I don't think it's a good idea. 574 00:30:21,563 --> 00:30:25,348 You know, if you're going to stay above water 575 00:30:25,350 --> 00:30:28,985 In the drug game for any length of time, 576 00:30:28,987 --> 00:30:31,087 You have to stay off the radar. 577 00:30:32,491 --> 00:30:34,090 But martier persisted. 578 00:30:35,494 --> 00:30:39,062 So finally, I said, "I don't know a lot about this. 579 00:30:39,064 --> 00:30:41,581 Could you talk to these guys?" 580 00:30:41,583 --> 00:30:46,119 I had a nose for bullshit, you know? (laughs) 581 00:30:47,189 --> 00:30:48,622 (air whooshes) 582 00:30:48,624 --> 00:30:51,258 - [john] by this point, the agents realized a third, 583 00:30:51,260 --> 00:30:55,495 Unknown criminal accomplice must still be out there. 584 00:30:55,497 --> 00:30:57,564 And so they instruct michael murray 585 00:30:57,566 --> 00:30:59,583 To confront christopher moscatiello 586 00:30:59,585 --> 00:31:01,918 To see if they can gain further clues 587 00:31:01,920 --> 00:31:04,354 About who the chemist really is. 588 00:31:04,356 --> 00:31:07,657 (tense music) 589 00:31:07,659 --> 00:31:10,260 - In a normal drug trafficking situation, 590 00:31:10,262 --> 00:31:14,397 Murray now would have problems with new york mobsters 591 00:31:14,399 --> 00:31:16,516 And that he's unreliable. 592 00:31:18,153 --> 00:31:20,487 Murray says to moscatiello, 593 00:31:20,489 --> 00:31:21,855 "who the hell was the guy 594 00:31:21,857 --> 00:31:24,391 That the new york wise guy was speaking with. 595 00:31:24,393 --> 00:31:26,192 These guys are upset. 596 00:31:26,194 --> 00:31:28,461 They wanna know if I'm setting them up." 597 00:31:29,765 --> 00:31:31,214 Believe it or not, 598 00:31:31,216 --> 00:31:33,550 This leads to moscatiello mentioning the fact that, 599 00:31:33,552 --> 00:31:35,952 Well, the actual chemist is a guy named squeak. 600 00:31:35,954 --> 00:31:38,588 (tense music) 601 00:31:38,590 --> 00:31:40,957 And that is the first time we hear the name squeak. 602 00:31:40,959 --> 00:31:43,526 (tense music) 603 00:31:44,930 --> 00:31:47,530 The drug enforcement administration maintains a lot 604 00:31:47,532 --> 00:31:49,849 Of records on individuals who are arrested, 605 00:31:49,851 --> 00:31:52,519 And part of those records includes aliases. 606 00:31:52,521 --> 00:31:54,454 So using the name squeak, 607 00:31:55,457 --> 00:31:57,958 I come up with a george marquardt 608 00:31:57,960 --> 00:32:01,261 Who was arrested in oklahoma for drug trafficking 609 00:32:01,263 --> 00:32:02,729 And running a laboratory. 610 00:32:04,499 --> 00:32:09,552 So we finally identified who we believed to be the chemist. 611 00:32:10,956 --> 00:32:12,789 But now the question, the big question, 612 00:32:12,791 --> 00:32:16,159 The looming question is, where is the laboratory? 613 00:32:16,161 --> 00:32:18,695 (tense music) 614 00:32:22,617 --> 00:32:24,684 - Unbeknownst to the investigators, 615 00:32:24,686 --> 00:32:27,387 Marquardt is, at that very moment, 616 00:32:27,389 --> 00:32:30,390 Expanding his drug manufacturing operation. 617 00:32:30,392 --> 00:32:32,959 (tense music) 618 00:32:33,829 --> 00:32:36,062 - Moscatiello was pestering me. 619 00:32:37,265 --> 00:32:38,848 When are you gonna do the 3-methylfentanyl? 620 00:32:38,850 --> 00:32:40,684 When are you gonna do the 3-methylfentanyl? 621 00:32:40,686 --> 00:32:42,452 Sometime. Yeah, sometime. 622 00:32:42,454 --> 00:32:45,488 (tense music) 623 00:32:45,490 --> 00:32:48,558 There existed a considerable amount of bad feeling, 624 00:32:48,560 --> 00:32:52,128 But I thought the bad feeling was overcome by greed. 625 00:32:55,417 --> 00:32:57,384 By this time, I had gotten 626 00:32:57,386 --> 00:33:00,653 About $100,000 out of moscatiello. 627 00:33:00,655 --> 00:33:02,889 Moscatiello had aspirations 628 00:33:02,891 --> 00:33:05,492 To manufacture every sort of insane 629 00:33:05,494 --> 00:33:07,460 And profitable drug on the plane 630 00:33:07,462 --> 00:33:12,048 And leapfrog to the next level of production 631 00:33:12,050 --> 00:33:15,151 With the fentanyl operation. 632 00:33:15,153 --> 00:33:18,855 I was interested in getting paid and making money, you know? 633 00:33:19,925 --> 00:33:23,026 But to do that, I needed more space. 634 00:33:25,297 --> 00:33:28,081 That's when we rented the facility 635 00:33:28,083 --> 00:33:29,716 At the industrial park. 636 00:33:32,287 --> 00:33:34,054 It was just absolutely perfect 637 00:33:34,056 --> 00:33:36,689 For clandestine manufacturing. 638 00:33:36,691 --> 00:33:39,159 (grim music) 639 00:33:44,983 --> 00:33:47,550 I simply towed the equipment out there 640 00:33:47,552 --> 00:33:49,586 And set up shop and got busy. 641 00:33:50,822 --> 00:33:52,455 I called it prairie lab. 642 00:33:58,463 --> 00:34:00,663 - He told me that he had his own business, 643 00:34:00,665 --> 00:34:04,951 And it was called prairie lab, and he would do consulting. 644 00:34:04,953 --> 00:34:07,520 (tense music) 645 00:34:08,824 --> 00:34:10,924 - He said he did a lot of work for the oil 646 00:34:10,926 --> 00:34:14,227 And gas industry down in kansas. 647 00:34:15,664 --> 00:34:18,181 So he had an excuse for anything he was doing. 648 00:34:21,153 --> 00:34:23,887 - [george] if anybody says, "what's going on here? 649 00:34:23,889 --> 00:34:26,322 This looks like a big chemical operation." 650 00:34:27,859 --> 00:34:31,027 Indeed it does. (laughs) 651 00:34:31,029 --> 00:34:33,596 (tense music) 652 00:34:42,057 --> 00:34:43,923 - I'm ed loibl. 653 00:34:43,925 --> 00:34:46,392 I rented the other half of the building 654 00:34:46,394 --> 00:34:49,195 By george in the industrial park. 655 00:34:49,197 --> 00:34:52,315 (tense music) 656 00:34:52,317 --> 00:34:55,985 He was super, super nice, super laid back. 657 00:34:55,987 --> 00:34:59,689 Just could have played santa claus every christmas. 658 00:35:01,293 --> 00:35:05,061 George never led on to be genius material 659 00:35:06,164 --> 00:35:09,549 Or that he was, like, super smart. 660 00:35:09,551 --> 00:35:11,684 I always thought george was just a chemist 661 00:35:11,686 --> 00:35:13,620 From the kind of work he did. 662 00:35:14,723 --> 00:35:17,557 The inside of his office looked like 663 00:35:17,559 --> 00:35:20,193 A frankenstein laboratory. 664 00:35:20,195 --> 00:35:22,529 Pumps, motors, lines. 665 00:35:22,531 --> 00:35:24,714 Electric stuff going everywhere to it. 666 00:35:26,351 --> 00:35:27,851 I was young at the time 667 00:35:27,853 --> 00:35:30,186 And just always wondering how people made their money 668 00:35:30,188 --> 00:35:33,022 And noticed he had a lot of stuff in his shop. 669 00:35:33,024 --> 00:35:35,825 And I asked him one day how he made his money, 670 00:35:35,827 --> 00:35:38,628 And he said, "making drugs." 671 00:35:38,630 --> 00:35:40,663 (tense music) 672 00:35:40,665 --> 00:35:42,015 I kind of laughed. 673 00:35:42,017 --> 00:35:43,449 I just figured he was joking 674 00:35:43,451 --> 00:35:45,418 To tell me to mind my own business 675 00:35:45,420 --> 00:35:47,487 And not ask him where he made his money. 676 00:35:50,992 --> 00:35:52,959 - He didn't hide. He wasn't hiding. 677 00:35:54,362 --> 00:35:56,796 He had a wonderful relationship with everybody who knew him. 678 00:35:58,600 --> 00:36:01,050 - If you're engaged in something you want, 679 00:36:01,052 --> 00:36:04,387 Just kind of a friendly, "well, good morning. 680 00:36:04,389 --> 00:36:06,122 Would you like a cup of coffee?" 681 00:36:06,124 --> 00:36:07,423 That kind of thing. 682 00:36:08,827 --> 00:36:12,095 My neighbors out in the industrial park, 683 00:36:12,097 --> 00:36:14,914 They just couldn't understand a pair of bib overalls 684 00:36:14,916 --> 00:36:16,015 And a flannel shirt. 685 00:36:16,017 --> 00:36:18,651 It was a perfect disguise, really. 686 00:36:19,888 --> 00:36:22,322 And what he thought was exactly what I wanted him 687 00:36:22,324 --> 00:36:24,457 To think, you know? 688 00:36:24,459 --> 00:36:26,326 Oh, I never could imagine. 689 00:36:28,330 --> 00:36:29,829 And when you do that, 690 00:36:29,831 --> 00:36:32,215 Then you can do what you want to do. 691 00:36:32,217 --> 00:36:35,018 (tense music) 692 00:36:35,020 --> 00:36:37,453 Which is having a lot of glassware set up, 693 00:36:37,455 --> 00:36:40,657 And a rotary evaporator spinning merrily around, 694 00:36:40,659 --> 00:36:43,660 And stirrers turning, and multi-neck flasks, 695 00:36:43,662 --> 00:36:44,961 And things refluxing. 696 00:36:44,963 --> 00:36:46,896 The vacuum pump thumping away. 697 00:36:48,132 --> 00:36:51,150 I thought it was just absolutely wonderful. 698 00:36:51,152 --> 00:36:53,653 Prairie lab gave us the capability 699 00:36:53,655 --> 00:36:57,290 To produce many pounds of fentanyl efficiently. 700 00:36:58,460 --> 00:37:01,427 So a whole bunch of possibilities open up. 701 00:37:06,952 --> 00:37:09,452 (grim music) 702 00:37:12,424 --> 00:37:15,425 (counter clicking) 703 00:37:20,215 --> 00:37:21,714 - Back in boston, 704 00:37:21,716 --> 00:37:25,351 Dea agents had discovered that marquardt hasn't been seen 705 00:37:25,353 --> 00:37:27,553 By law enforcement in the state of oklahoma 706 00:37:27,555 --> 00:37:28,755 For several years. 707 00:37:30,058 --> 00:37:31,457 They are monitoring the meetings 708 00:37:31,459 --> 00:37:33,793 Between mobster informant michael murray 709 00:37:33,795 --> 00:37:36,763 And fentanyl distributor christopher moscatiello 710 00:37:36,765 --> 00:37:40,550 In the hopes of finding another way to locate marquardt 711 00:37:40,552 --> 00:37:41,918 And the lab. 712 00:37:42,887 --> 00:37:44,487 - During one of the conversations 713 00:37:44,489 --> 00:37:46,456 Between murray and moscatiello, 714 00:37:46,458 --> 00:37:48,925 Moscatiello actually sat down and wrote out the fact 715 00:37:48,927 --> 00:37:52,261 That they were making $6,000 716 00:37:52,263 --> 00:37:56,115 On each death of a person from fentanyl. 717 00:37:59,020 --> 00:38:01,688 What happens is, in the mind of an individual 718 00:38:01,690 --> 00:38:03,856 Who's addicted to drugs, 719 00:38:03,858 --> 00:38:07,293 When you find out that fentanyl is a potent drug, 720 00:38:09,030 --> 00:38:12,749 They're gonna roll a dice and take the drug. 721 00:38:13,985 --> 00:38:16,019 Because they're searching for that ultimate high. 722 00:38:17,555 --> 00:38:21,457 So heroin users started actually seeking out fentanyl 723 00:38:21,459 --> 00:38:23,459 And creating more demand. 724 00:38:24,863 --> 00:38:27,730 But for moscatiello to say they were actually calculating 725 00:38:27,732 --> 00:38:29,615 How much money they were making off 726 00:38:29,617 --> 00:38:31,484 Of each death of fentanyl, 727 00:38:34,356 --> 00:38:36,289 That kind of ticked me off. 728 00:38:37,659 --> 00:38:39,359 That's when moscatiello states 729 00:38:39,361 --> 00:38:42,362 That they're trying to increase production. 730 00:38:43,932 --> 00:38:47,483 So michael murray says, "I can provide a very credible, 731 00:38:47,485 --> 00:38:48,918 High-level cocaine dealer, 732 00:38:48,920 --> 00:38:51,654 With an established distribution network of drugs. 733 00:38:51,656 --> 00:38:54,223 They're helping the distribution of the fentanyl." 734 00:38:55,527 --> 00:38:58,394 Moscatiello, being the person that moscatiello was, 735 00:38:58,396 --> 00:39:01,030 Was probably seeing dollar signs in his mind. 736 00:39:03,818 --> 00:39:08,237 So moscatiello goes away with the idea that murray, 737 00:39:08,239 --> 00:39:11,124 His trusted friend, is going to help him. 738 00:39:12,494 --> 00:39:15,161 (gentle music) 739 00:39:17,932 --> 00:39:19,782 This gives us an opportunity 740 00:39:19,784 --> 00:39:24,754 To introduce an undercover agent to moscatiello 741 00:39:24,756 --> 00:39:27,557 To pretend to be a colombian cocaine trafficker 742 00:39:27,559 --> 00:39:30,460 Who is interested in utilizing their distribution network 743 00:39:30,462 --> 00:39:31,627 With the fentanyl. 744 00:39:32,764 --> 00:39:35,548 (sirens blaring) 745 00:39:36,985 --> 00:39:40,453 - At the time, there was only one colombian agent in dea. 746 00:39:42,090 --> 00:39:46,025 - [gerald] and the person was harmon blanco. 747 00:39:46,027 --> 00:39:47,627 (tense music) 748 00:39:47,629 --> 00:39:48,761 - Hello. 749 00:39:48,763 --> 00:39:50,797 (tense music) 750 00:39:50,799 --> 00:39:54,016 - After more than a year and a half of investigating, 751 00:39:54,018 --> 00:39:56,085 Dea agents are now poised 752 00:39:56,087 --> 00:39:58,421 To crack the fentanyl case wide open 753 00:40:00,158 --> 00:40:02,058 And close in on the laboratory. 754 00:40:02,060 --> 00:40:05,461 - [reporter] neighbors never suspected a drug lab next door. 755 00:40:05,463 --> 00:40:08,314 - In the most unexpected place in america. 756 00:40:08,316 --> 00:40:11,217 - [reporter] they found the chemicals used to make fentanyl. 757 00:40:11,219 --> 00:40:15,855 - If they could do it before marquardt slips away. 758 00:40:15,857 --> 00:40:17,757 - Maybe is smarter than we all know. 759 00:40:17,759 --> 00:40:20,326 (tense music) 760 00:40:24,999 --> 00:40:27,483 Coming up on "the godfather of fentanyl." 761 00:40:27,485 --> 00:40:29,485 (tense music) 762 00:40:29,487 --> 00:40:32,288 Dea introduces its undercover agent 763 00:40:32,290 --> 00:40:35,358 To infiltrate the fentanyl operation. 764 00:40:35,360 --> 00:40:38,828 - If this guy wanted to kidnap me or wanted to shoot me, 765 00:40:38,830 --> 00:40:41,747 Or whatever he wanted to do, nobody was gonna back me up. 766 00:40:41,749 --> 00:40:44,317 - [john] while marquardt prepares to slip away. 767 00:40:45,620 --> 00:40:48,004 He knew, sooner or later, he was going down. 768 00:40:48,006 --> 00:40:51,190 And so he started getting all his ducks in a row. 769 00:40:51,192 --> 00:40:53,092 - [george] you know, I could disappear. 770 00:40:54,395 --> 00:40:55,761 Go somewhere else. 771 00:40:55,763 --> 00:40:58,464 (sirens blaring) 772 00:41:02,954 --> 00:41:06,522 (upbeat mysterious music) 773 00:41:32,450 --> 00:41:36,852 (upbeat mysterious music continues) 774 00:42:02,530 --> 00:42:06,916 (upbeat mysterious music continues) 775 00:42:31,826 --> 00:42:51,794 (upbeat mysterious music continues)