1 00:00:00,527 --> 00:00:02,094 (audience applauding) 2 00:00:02,096 --> 00:00:04,863 (soft music) 3 00:00:04,865 --> 00:00:07,182 (tense music) 4 00:00:07,184 --> 00:00:09,484 (liquid sloshing) 5 00:00:09,486 --> 00:00:13,789 - It was my belief that the dea was not going to stop 6 00:00:15,025 --> 00:00:17,459 Until they found out who had done this 7 00:00:17,461 --> 00:00:19,594 And how they had gone about it 8 00:00:19,596 --> 00:00:21,396 Because of the simple fact 9 00:00:21,398 --> 00:00:24,316 That they would have to face this problem in the future. 10 00:00:24,318 --> 00:00:25,784 (tense music) 11 00:00:25,786 --> 00:00:27,319 - [reporter] fentanyl usage is skyrocketing 12 00:00:27,321 --> 00:00:28,553 Across the country. 13 00:00:28,555 --> 00:00:32,290 More than 77,000 overdoses last year alone. 14 00:00:32,292 --> 00:00:33,692 (sirens blaring) 15 00:00:33,694 --> 00:00:35,560 - There's a lot of gold at the end of this rainbow 16 00:00:35,562 --> 00:00:38,797 And I knew that if indeed we stop, 17 00:00:38,799 --> 00:00:40,649 Someone else would pursue it. 18 00:00:40,651 --> 00:00:42,317 (bomb booms) - a vast fentanyl 19 00:00:42,319 --> 00:00:44,653 Distribution network, part of an unnamed 20 00:00:44,655 --> 00:00:46,288 International drug cartel. 21 00:00:46,290 --> 00:00:48,490 Many of the chemicals coming from china. 22 00:00:48,492 --> 00:00:50,759 - They're manufacturing fentanyl 24/7. 23 00:00:50,761 --> 00:00:52,494 - It's gonna continue to get worse 24 00:00:52,496 --> 00:00:54,496 As long as the demand is there. 25 00:00:55,816 --> 00:00:57,249 - [george erik] so, 26 00:00:57,251 --> 00:00:59,518 We might as well make hay while the sun shines. 27 00:00:59,520 --> 00:01:02,554 (tense upbeat music) 28 00:01:05,092 --> 00:01:07,859 (car door thuds) 29 00:01:07,861 --> 00:01:09,427 (tense music) 30 00:01:09,429 --> 00:01:11,429 - I'm john roberts 31 00:01:11,431 --> 00:01:12,364 And this is, 32 00:01:13,383 --> 00:01:15,550 "the godfather of fentanyl." 33 00:01:19,356 --> 00:01:22,257 (liquid sloshing) 34 00:01:25,062 --> 00:01:27,229 (tense music) 35 00:01:27,231 --> 00:01:30,148 (numbers rolling) 36 00:01:30,150 --> 00:01:32,384 (liquid sloshing) 37 00:01:32,386 --> 00:01:34,619 - [george] towards the fall of '92, 38 00:01:34,621 --> 00:01:38,523 Not too long after we moved into the industrial park 39 00:01:38,525 --> 00:01:40,425 And set up prairie lab, 40 00:01:40,427 --> 00:01:42,327 We saturated the market. 41 00:01:42,329 --> 00:01:44,796 (tense music) 42 00:01:46,316 --> 00:01:50,385 Moscatiello and martier were actually uncertain 43 00:01:50,387 --> 00:01:52,621 That they could sell more fentanyl. 44 00:01:54,224 --> 00:01:56,591 Moscatiello was distraught, 45 00:01:56,593 --> 00:01:59,094 Apparently under quite a lot of pressure 46 00:01:59,096 --> 00:02:02,497 And claimed to be of course, running way low on money. 47 00:02:03,550 --> 00:02:05,784 I was pissed off. 48 00:02:05,786 --> 00:02:07,352 Shit, you know. 49 00:02:07,354 --> 00:02:10,488 It requires a continuous investment of funds 50 00:02:10,490 --> 00:02:13,225 To keep an operation like this going. 51 00:02:13,227 --> 00:02:15,794 (tense music) 52 00:02:18,232 --> 00:02:21,716 - By late November 1992, more than a year and a half 53 00:02:21,718 --> 00:02:24,486 Since fentanyl first hit the streets of new york city, 54 00:02:24,488 --> 00:02:27,255 Law enforcement has finally identified 55 00:02:27,257 --> 00:02:30,659 The three key players in the drug operation. 56 00:02:30,661 --> 00:02:35,730 Boston mobster, christopher moscatiello, joseph martier, 57 00:02:36,750 --> 00:02:39,951 And george erik marquardt, aka, squeak. 58 00:02:39,953 --> 00:02:43,021 They flipped another boston mobster, michael murray, 59 00:02:43,023 --> 00:02:44,456 As an informant 60 00:02:44,458 --> 00:02:47,759 And they're using his friendship with moscatiello 61 00:02:47,761 --> 00:02:49,961 To try to find the location 62 00:02:49,963 --> 00:02:51,763 Of the fentanyl lab. 63 00:02:51,765 --> 00:02:54,716 (tense music) 64 00:02:54,718 --> 00:02:56,251 - These guys were dangerous. 65 00:02:57,554 --> 00:03:00,655 We know moscatiello's motivation was greed. 66 00:03:00,657 --> 00:03:02,757 Remember, this is the same individual 67 00:03:02,759 --> 00:03:04,943 Who callously calculated 68 00:03:04,945 --> 00:03:09,514 That he made $6,000 on each of the overdose deaths. 69 00:03:09,516 --> 00:03:11,850 - [reporter] emergency rooms are seeing more overdoses 70 00:03:11,852 --> 00:03:13,418 Than ever before. 71 00:03:13,420 --> 00:03:17,389 - [reporter] officials fear an epidemic of drug overdoses. 72 00:03:17,391 --> 00:03:21,126 - So with money being the primary motivating factor, 73 00:03:21,128 --> 00:03:23,061 The opportunity presented itself 74 00:03:23,063 --> 00:03:26,631 To introduce an undercover agent to moscatiello, 75 00:03:26,633 --> 00:03:28,783 To pretend to help them distribute 76 00:03:28,785 --> 00:03:31,086 Whatever product they had on hand 77 00:03:31,088 --> 00:03:34,456 Or would they be interested in a swap, 78 00:03:34,458 --> 00:03:36,625 Maybe some fentanyl for cocaine. 79 00:03:36,627 --> 00:03:38,059 (intense music) 80 00:03:38,061 --> 00:03:40,262 So we get an undercover agent 81 00:03:40,264 --> 00:03:42,764 For the sole purpose of meeting moscatiello. 82 00:03:42,766 --> 00:03:45,483 (intense music) 83 00:03:49,022 --> 00:03:50,655 - My name is german blanco. 84 00:03:50,657 --> 00:03:51,923 I was a special agent 85 00:03:51,925 --> 00:03:54,092 With the drug enforcement administration 86 00:03:54,094 --> 00:03:56,962 And I was the undercover agent in the investigation 87 00:03:56,964 --> 00:03:58,296 Of christopher moscatiello. 88 00:04:01,685 --> 00:04:05,287 I grew up in the city of medellin in columbia 89 00:04:05,289 --> 00:04:07,789 At the time when pablo escobar came to power 90 00:04:07,791 --> 00:04:09,791 With the medellin cartel. 91 00:04:09,793 --> 00:04:11,693 - [reporter] colombia's drug lords declared war 92 00:04:11,695 --> 00:04:13,094 On the government. 93 00:04:13,096 --> 00:04:14,262 - [reporter] with medellin, judges who rule against 94 00:04:14,264 --> 00:04:16,948 The drug cartel usually turn up dead. 95 00:04:16,950 --> 00:04:18,717 - Just growing up in that atmosphere, 96 00:04:18,719 --> 00:04:22,387 It made me sick how the drug affected the community. 97 00:04:22,389 --> 00:04:24,422 - [reporter] a bomb attack on a police bus 98 00:04:24,424 --> 00:04:28,293 In medellin killed five officers and wounded 16 others. 99 00:04:28,295 --> 00:04:31,396 - Luckily, my mother who's able to get a visa 100 00:04:31,398 --> 00:04:33,782 And brought us into new york city and that's where I landed. 101 00:04:33,784 --> 00:04:35,817 I landed in new york city in brooklyn. 102 00:04:35,819 --> 00:04:37,686 (intense music) 103 00:04:37,688 --> 00:04:41,156 I was the first colombian-born agent to be hired by dea 104 00:04:41,158 --> 00:04:43,425 And my primary role was to investigate 105 00:04:43,427 --> 00:04:44,893 Cartels coming out of colombia. 106 00:04:44,895 --> 00:04:47,362 (guns firing) 107 00:04:47,364 --> 00:04:50,281 So I was working with dea about two years. 108 00:04:51,752 --> 00:04:54,419 One day I get a call from my supervisor 109 00:04:54,421 --> 00:04:56,287 And he said, "there's a case in boston 110 00:04:56,289 --> 00:04:59,424 That I want you to go out, fly up there and go help out." 111 00:04:59,426 --> 00:05:01,426 I asked him, "what type of drug am I dealing with?" 112 00:05:01,428 --> 00:05:02,494 And he said, "fentanyl." 113 00:05:02,496 --> 00:05:04,229 And I said, "let's do it." 114 00:05:04,231 --> 00:05:05,697 (tense music) 115 00:05:05,699 --> 00:05:07,198 - We've had 18 months 116 00:05:07,200 --> 00:05:09,968 Of distributing fentanyl successfully, 117 00:05:11,188 --> 00:05:13,922 But after a while I really wanted to phase out 118 00:05:13,924 --> 00:05:15,290 The fentanyl business. 119 00:05:16,660 --> 00:05:20,128 I was just dissatisfied by the difficulties 120 00:05:20,130 --> 00:05:21,463 In getting paid. 121 00:05:22,366 --> 00:05:23,748 But, by that time, 122 00:05:23,750 --> 00:05:26,651 I also thought it was the least of my concerns. 123 00:05:26,653 --> 00:05:27,502 (tense music) 124 00:05:27,504 --> 00:05:30,388 (liquid sloshing) 125 00:05:32,659 --> 00:05:37,529 I found out martier had been using fentanyl recreationally. 126 00:05:37,531 --> 00:05:41,282 I thought it was none of my business whether he did or not, 127 00:05:42,386 --> 00:05:44,686 But I guess I should have known better. 128 00:05:44,688 --> 00:05:47,255 (tense music) 129 00:05:49,693 --> 00:05:52,227 Anyway, martier had come down 130 00:05:52,229 --> 00:05:54,396 To pick up another batch of fentanyl. 131 00:05:56,416 --> 00:06:00,085 I found him in the bathroom of the prairie lab. 132 00:06:00,087 --> 00:06:02,754 He was sitting upright right next to the bowl, 133 00:06:02,756 --> 00:06:06,191 Eyes wide open, nobody home. 134 00:06:07,327 --> 00:06:09,711 Goddamn dirty, fucking low-life sub-human 135 00:06:09,713 --> 00:06:12,130 Shit-eating dog junkie. 136 00:06:12,132 --> 00:06:14,682 (tense music) 137 00:06:16,653 --> 00:06:18,653 I could have let him just die. 138 00:06:19,823 --> 00:06:21,890 Those thoughts all went through my mind, 139 00:06:22,893 --> 00:06:25,160 But his family knew where he was... 140 00:06:25,162 --> 00:06:26,928 And he doesn't come back? 141 00:06:26,930 --> 00:06:28,797 Policemen are not stupid. 142 00:06:28,799 --> 00:06:32,083 Homicide investigators are very determined 143 00:06:32,085 --> 00:06:35,453 And you know, of course, I've got this big laboratory. 144 00:06:35,455 --> 00:06:38,223 (tense music) 145 00:06:38,225 --> 00:06:40,758 I tried to revive him, 146 00:06:40,760 --> 00:06:42,494 That wasn't working, 147 00:06:42,496 --> 00:06:45,480 So I called the emergency medical people. 148 00:06:45,482 --> 00:06:48,316 (sirens blaring) 149 00:06:50,287 --> 00:06:53,521 Later, he asked me, "what do you think's gonna happen?" 150 00:06:53,523 --> 00:06:56,424 And I said, "I think we're gonna get busted." 151 00:06:56,426 --> 00:06:57,959 (sirens blaring) 152 00:06:57,961 --> 00:07:01,463 I think that this incident will be noted by the authorities 153 00:07:01,465 --> 00:07:03,381 And they'll come for us, 154 00:07:04,568 --> 00:07:07,185 But it really doesn't make any difference now, 155 00:07:07,187 --> 00:07:08,987 It's all out of our hands, 156 00:07:10,457 --> 00:07:13,958 So we might as well make hay while the sun shines 157 00:07:13,960 --> 00:07:17,762 And prepare for your own funeral because it's coming. 158 00:07:17,764 --> 00:07:20,315 (tense music) 159 00:07:25,655 --> 00:07:27,021 - When I got to boston, 160 00:07:27,023 --> 00:07:28,690 They brought me into the boston field division, 161 00:07:28,692 --> 00:07:30,091 My first time there, 162 00:07:30,093 --> 00:07:32,260 And then I was introduced to gerry graves. 163 00:07:33,697 --> 00:07:37,115 - [john] agent graves fills agent blanco in on the details 164 00:07:37,117 --> 00:07:38,816 Of the fentanyl case. 165 00:07:38,818 --> 00:07:40,852 He explains that they have an informant, 166 00:07:40,854 --> 00:07:42,620 Mafioso, michael murray, 167 00:07:42,622 --> 00:07:44,422 Who will take agent blanco to meet 168 00:07:44,424 --> 00:07:47,458 With fentanyl distributor, christopher moscatiello. 169 00:07:49,095 --> 00:07:50,595 For this meeting, 170 00:07:50,597 --> 00:07:53,781 Blanco will pose as a colombian cocaine trafficker. 171 00:07:53,783 --> 00:07:56,284 His goal is to win moscatiello's trust 172 00:07:56,286 --> 00:07:58,186 And set up further meetings 173 00:07:58,188 --> 00:08:02,824 So agents can hopefully find the location of the lab. 174 00:08:02,826 --> 00:08:04,792 - Before an undercover operation, 175 00:08:04,794 --> 00:08:07,362 Like half an hour before the time that we were gonna go. 176 00:08:07,364 --> 00:08:10,064 I always just basically walked away from everybody. 177 00:08:10,066 --> 00:08:11,716 (tense music) 178 00:08:11,718 --> 00:08:13,318 I just try to meditate. 179 00:08:14,354 --> 00:08:16,921 (tense music) 180 00:08:22,629 --> 00:08:23,861 You just gotta stop thinking 181 00:08:23,863 --> 00:08:24,996 That you work for the government. 182 00:08:24,998 --> 00:08:27,515 You gotta really believe 183 00:08:27,517 --> 00:08:29,918 That you are a drug trafficker, a criminal. 184 00:08:32,722 --> 00:08:35,657 And so with that mindset, 185 00:08:35,659 --> 00:08:39,594 I went with the informant to the meeting with moscatiello. 186 00:08:45,285 --> 00:08:47,719 The meeting was arranged in a bar 187 00:08:47,721 --> 00:08:49,921 Near the water by the seaport. 188 00:08:49,923 --> 00:08:52,490 (tense music) 189 00:08:52,492 --> 00:08:53,825 When we got there, 190 00:08:53,827 --> 00:08:55,994 Mike made the introduction to moscatiello. 191 00:08:58,548 --> 00:09:00,481 When I started doing undercover, 192 00:09:00,483 --> 00:09:02,450 I decided to take out on a name 193 00:09:02,452 --> 00:09:04,352 That obviously is easy to remember 194 00:09:04,354 --> 00:09:06,387 And I used to enjoy watching the sitcom, 195 00:09:06,389 --> 00:09:08,623 "I love lucy," ricky ricardo. 196 00:09:08,625 --> 00:09:10,391 So for my undercover name, 197 00:09:10,393 --> 00:09:12,226 I called myself ricardo rodriguez. 198 00:09:12,228 --> 00:09:14,996 (intense music) 199 00:09:14,998 --> 00:09:17,181 The instructions that were given to the informant was that 200 00:09:17,183 --> 00:09:20,385 He would make the introduction and then he would leave. 201 00:09:21,821 --> 00:09:24,756 - That's because what I always had in my back of my mind is 202 00:09:24,758 --> 00:09:27,125 How much was murray implicated 203 00:09:27,127 --> 00:09:30,928 In the fentanyl laboratory case overall? 204 00:09:30,930 --> 00:09:34,616 Did he provide any money that he is not admitted to? 205 00:09:35,852 --> 00:09:39,554 Was he part of the financing with moscatiello? 206 00:09:41,424 --> 00:09:43,224 - After mike left the bar, 207 00:09:43,226 --> 00:09:45,727 We just started having like a normal conversation. 208 00:09:45,729 --> 00:09:48,062 Like, okay, how you doing, where you from. 209 00:09:50,417 --> 00:09:52,850 I had a boston chowder, 210 00:09:52,852 --> 00:09:54,986 Then moscatiello order something. 211 00:09:54,988 --> 00:09:56,888 And then we did some more small talk. 212 00:09:59,759 --> 00:10:03,594 It's funny because when I met moscatiello, 213 00:10:03,596 --> 00:10:06,964 I was taken back because he just looked like a yuppie 214 00:10:06,966 --> 00:10:08,549 And not necessarily a criminal, 215 00:10:10,020 --> 00:10:13,688 But you never know how the mind of a sociopath works. 216 00:10:14,457 --> 00:10:17,025 (tense music) 217 00:10:18,328 --> 00:10:21,262 - The initial meeting between an undercover agent 218 00:10:21,264 --> 00:10:22,463 And a suspect of the caliber 219 00:10:22,465 --> 00:10:26,317 Of moscatiello is extremely delicate 220 00:10:26,319 --> 00:10:28,353 And extremely sensitive. 221 00:10:30,156 --> 00:10:32,023 - In the past, we had issues and incidents 222 00:10:32,025 --> 00:10:36,160 Where agents brought an informant into a negotiation 223 00:10:36,162 --> 00:10:38,596 And then something went bad, something went wrong, 224 00:10:38,598 --> 00:10:40,214 And then somebody would take out a gun. 225 00:10:40,216 --> 00:10:41,816 (fist thuds) (glass shattering) 226 00:10:41,818 --> 00:10:43,534 (gun fires) 227 00:10:43,536 --> 00:10:45,887 - [john] to provide backup for agent blanco, 228 00:10:45,889 --> 00:10:50,158 Additional undercover agents are stationed around the bar. 229 00:10:50,160 --> 00:10:52,560 - Anything out of the ordinary 230 00:10:52,562 --> 00:10:54,328 Would raise agent's attention. 231 00:10:56,132 --> 00:10:57,515 - But then, 232 00:10:57,517 --> 00:11:00,151 Before we actually started talking about fentanyl, 233 00:11:00,153 --> 00:11:01,519 Moscatiello got up and he said, 234 00:11:01,521 --> 00:11:02,687 "come and follow me." 235 00:11:03,723 --> 00:11:05,590 And I said, "where are we going?" 236 00:11:05,592 --> 00:11:07,625 He said, "don't worry, just follow me." 237 00:11:09,829 --> 00:11:12,563 So I had to make a split decision. 238 00:11:14,017 --> 00:11:17,952 My gut feeling said I needed to accomplish the mission. 239 00:11:17,954 --> 00:11:20,988 So I got up and then I started following him. 240 00:11:20,990 --> 00:11:22,990 (intense music) 241 00:11:22,992 --> 00:11:24,592 We went into the kitchen 242 00:11:28,064 --> 00:11:29,764 And then we went down the stairs 243 00:11:29,766 --> 00:11:31,416 Like going towards the basement. 244 00:11:32,619 --> 00:11:35,820 Now my heart starts racing, okay, what, 245 00:11:35,822 --> 00:11:37,021 What's in the basement? 246 00:11:38,508 --> 00:11:41,058 My mind started going off. 247 00:11:41,060 --> 00:11:42,710 Red flags, red flags. 248 00:11:43,963 --> 00:11:46,130 Everything is kind of like in slow motion. 249 00:11:46,132 --> 00:11:48,983 It was the unknown, it was like the twilight zone. 250 00:11:48,985 --> 00:11:51,753 I didn't have a cellular phone like we have nowadays. 251 00:11:53,957 --> 00:11:56,357 (tense music) 252 00:11:56,359 --> 00:11:59,127 If this guy wanted to kidnap me or wanted to shoot me 253 00:11:59,129 --> 00:12:01,863 Or whatever he wanted to do, nobody's gonna back me up. 254 00:12:03,316 --> 00:12:06,017 So him trying to slow down my breath, trying to calm, 255 00:12:08,788 --> 00:12:10,988 And then he starts walking through a tunnel 256 00:12:12,225 --> 00:12:14,926 And then he keeps walking and he keeps walking 257 00:12:14,928 --> 00:12:15,993 And all of a sudden, 258 00:12:17,697 --> 00:12:20,381 He came out the other side of another building. 259 00:12:21,718 --> 00:12:23,217 Then we went upstairs. 260 00:12:25,355 --> 00:12:28,089 It was like coming up for fresh air. 261 00:12:28,091 --> 00:12:30,925 I can see windows, I can see the bay. 262 00:12:30,927 --> 00:12:32,960 And we ended up in a different restaurant. 263 00:12:32,962 --> 00:12:35,296 (intense music) 264 00:12:35,298 --> 00:12:36,798 The place was almost empty. 265 00:12:38,735 --> 00:12:40,384 There was hardly anybody there. 266 00:12:41,621 --> 00:12:43,421 I felt like this guy has definitely got some power. 267 00:12:43,423 --> 00:12:45,022 This guy is somebody 268 00:12:45,024 --> 00:12:47,992 That can control his surroundings around here. 269 00:12:47,994 --> 00:12:50,161 It was just moscatiello, me, and his goons 270 00:12:50,163 --> 00:12:52,296 And there was nobody else, 271 00:12:52,298 --> 00:12:53,781 But thank god nothing happened. 272 00:12:53,783 --> 00:12:56,117 And you know, we sit down and we talk. 273 00:12:56,119 --> 00:12:58,119 (intense music) 274 00:12:58,121 --> 00:12:59,487 Moscatiello was very eager 275 00:12:59,489 --> 00:13:01,923 And I could tell that he was very happy. 276 00:13:01,925 --> 00:13:05,660 He mentioned that he had a partner who was a chemist 277 00:13:05,662 --> 00:13:08,162 And that they were producing this new drug 278 00:13:08,164 --> 00:13:11,849 That it was like heroin and it was very pure. 279 00:13:11,851 --> 00:13:14,018 And then we talked about the deal 280 00:13:14,020 --> 00:13:16,220 That I was gonna give him kilograms of cocaine 281 00:13:16,222 --> 00:13:17,788 In exchanged for the fentanyl. 282 00:13:19,058 --> 00:13:20,825 And he said, "can you move it? Can you sell it?" 283 00:13:20,827 --> 00:13:22,259 I said, "sure, sure, I can sell it, 284 00:13:22,261 --> 00:13:24,128 But I, first, I have to test it out." 285 00:13:25,231 --> 00:13:26,564 I told him, "give me a sample of drugs 286 00:13:26,566 --> 00:13:28,015 And I'll put it on the street 287 00:13:28,017 --> 00:13:30,451 And I'll come back and I'll let you know." 288 00:13:30,453 --> 00:13:32,720 So he gave me a sample. 289 00:13:32,722 --> 00:13:33,754 Then we parted. 290 00:13:35,058 --> 00:13:37,625 I make sure that I wasn't being followed. 291 00:13:37,627 --> 00:13:41,062 And then I called somebody to come and pick me up. 292 00:13:41,064 --> 00:13:44,448 I came back to the office and then I met with gerry. 293 00:13:45,818 --> 00:13:49,687 - They ultimately agreed to swap cocaine for fentanyl. 294 00:13:49,689 --> 00:13:53,057 And with that, we felt that the meeting went very well. 295 00:13:53,993 --> 00:13:55,927 (tense music) 296 00:13:55,929 --> 00:13:57,261 - [george] at one point, 297 00:13:57,263 --> 00:14:00,197 Moscatiello offered 50 kilograms of cocaine 298 00:14:00,199 --> 00:14:02,149 For a kilogram of fentanyl. 299 00:14:03,286 --> 00:14:05,419 I didn't give a shit, just sell it, 300 00:14:05,421 --> 00:14:07,121 Get us some money, you know? 301 00:14:08,458 --> 00:14:12,526 But, because of the strangeness of the situation, 302 00:14:12,528 --> 00:14:16,464 I wasn't 100% convinced he was being entirely candid. 303 00:14:17,750 --> 00:14:20,217 I thought he was playing some kind of a bullshit game. 304 00:14:21,921 --> 00:14:23,788 At that point, I decided I was gonna make about 305 00:14:23,790 --> 00:14:28,125 Another 10 or 15 pounds of fentanyl and shut down. 306 00:14:30,029 --> 00:14:31,562 You know, I could disappear. 307 00:14:31,564 --> 00:14:33,714 (tense music) 308 00:14:33,716 --> 00:14:35,216 Go somewhere else. 309 00:14:39,122 --> 00:14:41,656 - He knew sooner or later he was going down, 310 00:14:43,359 --> 00:14:45,226 But you're a criminal. 311 00:14:46,229 --> 00:14:47,995 Squeak would say, 312 00:14:47,997 --> 00:14:51,015 "and that's part of the deal, it's part the deal." 313 00:14:52,285 --> 00:14:55,019 And so he started getting all his ducks in a row 314 00:14:56,255 --> 00:14:59,724 'cause he knew ultimately you're gonna get caught 315 00:14:59,726 --> 00:15:02,126 Or you're going to die in the process. 316 00:15:02,128 --> 00:15:04,695 (tense music) 317 00:15:05,865 --> 00:15:06,697 - [george] I wanted to make sure I did it, 318 00:15:06,699 --> 00:15:08,382 If I did get caught, 319 00:15:08,384 --> 00:15:11,052 When I got out, I'd make my life as comfortable 320 00:15:11,054 --> 00:15:13,721 And as convenient as possible. 321 00:15:13,723 --> 00:15:16,924 (tense music) 322 00:15:16,926 --> 00:15:19,060 Because, you know, I'm a criminal. 323 00:15:25,318 --> 00:15:26,350 - Back in boston, 324 00:15:26,352 --> 00:15:28,719 Dea agents prepared a close in 325 00:15:28,721 --> 00:15:32,089 On fentanyl distributor, christopher moscatiello, 326 00:15:32,091 --> 00:15:36,494 But they must be careful not to raise his suspicions. 327 00:15:37,730 --> 00:15:40,815 - Moscatiello is waiting for me to get back to him 328 00:15:40,817 --> 00:15:45,119 To let him know if what he gave me was a good quality. 329 00:15:45,121 --> 00:15:47,621 But as a drug dealer, you're not pressed for time. 330 00:15:47,623 --> 00:15:49,724 It's not like you have to meet deadlines or demands 331 00:15:49,726 --> 00:15:51,592 Or quotas or anything like that. 332 00:15:52,729 --> 00:15:55,029 So it wasn't like I was gonna call him next day. 333 00:15:56,299 --> 00:15:59,183 - [john] and so they are carefully biding their time, 334 00:16:00,553 --> 00:16:02,987 Unaware that they are now in a race against the clock 335 00:16:02,989 --> 00:16:05,256 To find the location of the lab 336 00:16:05,258 --> 00:16:08,426 And marquardt before he disappears. 337 00:16:10,897 --> 00:16:13,948 - Probably a week or two later, I called moscatiello back 338 00:16:13,950 --> 00:16:16,017 And I say, "hey listen, we're good to go. 339 00:16:16,019 --> 00:16:17,618 Let's set up the next meeting." 340 00:16:17,620 --> 00:16:20,054 (intense music) 341 00:16:20,056 --> 00:16:21,655 We went back to the seaport 342 00:16:21,657 --> 00:16:23,557 And we went through the same routine. 343 00:16:24,861 --> 00:16:27,061 But what was interesting was this time I did notice 344 00:16:27,063 --> 00:16:29,830 That he was carrying a long tube 345 00:16:29,832 --> 00:16:31,916 Like that you put in the posters 346 00:16:31,918 --> 00:16:33,317 And then when we sat down, 347 00:16:33,319 --> 00:16:35,453 He just laid the tube against the bar. 348 00:16:35,455 --> 00:16:37,722 (intense music) 349 00:16:37,724 --> 00:16:40,458 During that second meeting, he was more open, 350 00:16:40,460 --> 00:16:42,893 Obviously, he felt more comfortable with me. 351 00:16:43,930 --> 00:16:45,396 We started to talk and I told him, 352 00:16:45,398 --> 00:16:47,214 "this would turn out to be good. 353 00:16:47,216 --> 00:16:51,018 My only concern was that this was very strong, very potent. 354 00:16:51,020 --> 00:16:53,988 So how do I deal with this?" 355 00:16:53,990 --> 00:16:55,322 That's when he opened up. 356 00:16:55,324 --> 00:16:57,958 He said, "we had an incident in the lab, 357 00:16:57,960 --> 00:17:00,594 One of the assistants to the chemist overdosed 358 00:17:00,596 --> 00:17:02,096 From the product." 359 00:17:02,098 --> 00:17:03,364 I said, "wow, really? 360 00:17:03,366 --> 00:17:05,116 Where was this?" 361 00:17:05,118 --> 00:17:08,018 And that's when he mentioned wichita. 362 00:17:08,020 --> 00:17:10,654 (tense music) 363 00:17:13,693 --> 00:17:15,426 When he mentioned wichita, 364 00:17:15,428 --> 00:17:18,028 Inside of me I just wanted to jump up and down with joy 365 00:17:18,030 --> 00:17:20,948 Because the objective that I was given was to try 366 00:17:20,950 --> 00:17:22,950 To figure out where this lab was. 367 00:17:23,786 --> 00:17:25,920 And he just told me the city. 368 00:17:27,356 --> 00:17:29,390 But of course, I just ignore like 369 00:17:29,392 --> 00:17:30,658 This doesn't mean anything to me. 370 00:17:30,660 --> 00:17:32,059 I don't even know, what do I care about somebody 371 00:17:32,061 --> 00:17:34,328 Who's overdosing because I don't wanna seem 372 00:17:34,330 --> 00:17:36,363 Like I'm asking too many questions. 373 00:17:36,365 --> 00:17:38,449 So I just basically let him talk. 374 00:17:38,451 --> 00:17:39,950 (tense music) 375 00:17:39,952 --> 00:17:41,819 And then at the end I said, "okay, 376 00:17:41,821 --> 00:17:43,788 I'll have my people move some packages," 377 00:17:43,790 --> 00:17:45,189 Meaning some kilos of cocaine, 378 00:17:45,191 --> 00:17:46,924 "and then I'll give it to you." 379 00:17:46,926 --> 00:17:48,592 And he said, "okay, there's your product. 380 00:17:48,594 --> 00:17:50,361 Go ahead and take it." 381 00:17:50,363 --> 00:17:51,629 I just saw the tube there. 382 00:17:51,631 --> 00:17:55,049 I just picked it up and then I left the bar. 383 00:17:56,252 --> 00:17:58,419 I went back to the payphone in another corner 384 00:17:58,421 --> 00:18:01,288 And called one of the guys to come and pick me up. 385 00:18:02,959 --> 00:18:05,693 (intense music) 386 00:18:07,263 --> 00:18:09,864 - [john] agent blanco brings the fentanyl-filled tube 387 00:18:09,866 --> 00:18:12,383 Back to the dea office 388 00:18:12,385 --> 00:18:14,218 And meets with agent graves 389 00:18:14,220 --> 00:18:16,620 To deliver the stunning piece of information 390 00:18:16,622 --> 00:18:19,657 He's just gleaned from moscatiello. 391 00:18:19,659 --> 00:18:22,860 - Gerry graves goes, "so what happened?" 392 00:18:22,862 --> 00:18:24,094 And I said, "he did mention that 393 00:18:24,096 --> 00:18:26,330 One of the guys overdose in wichita." 394 00:18:26,332 --> 00:18:27,681 And when I said wichita, 395 00:18:29,218 --> 00:18:30,651 There was silence. 396 00:18:30,653 --> 00:18:32,586 Everybody was like, "huh?" 397 00:18:33,956 --> 00:18:36,590 And nobody said anything for a couple seconds. 398 00:18:36,592 --> 00:18:39,160 (intense music) 399 00:18:39,162 --> 00:18:41,695 And then somebody said, "what did you just said?" 400 00:18:42,999 --> 00:18:45,749 I said, "yeah, that somebody overdosed in wichita." 401 00:18:45,751 --> 00:18:47,017 "you're kidding me?" 402 00:18:47,019 --> 00:18:48,519 I go, "no, that's exactly what he said." 403 00:18:50,256 --> 00:18:53,757 - So off to the races, we go to wichita. 404 00:18:53,759 --> 00:18:55,426 (intense music) 405 00:18:55,428 --> 00:18:58,095 - Wichita is more than a thousand miles 406 00:18:58,097 --> 00:19:00,981 From the east coast city's plagued by street fentanyl. 407 00:19:00,983 --> 00:19:03,951 Not a single fentanyl related death has been reported 408 00:19:03,953 --> 00:19:05,486 In the state of kansas, 409 00:19:05,488 --> 00:19:09,757 But now it seems it could be ground zero for the crisis. 410 00:19:09,759 --> 00:19:13,627 (car engine revving) 411 00:19:13,629 --> 00:19:17,331 - This was a fast-moving game, right? 412 00:19:17,333 --> 00:19:19,133 Because everything could be alright 413 00:19:19,135 --> 00:19:20,284 And the next thing you know, 414 00:19:20,286 --> 00:19:22,319 Somebody did something over here, 415 00:19:22,321 --> 00:19:25,022 And sooner or later you're hot. 416 00:19:25,024 --> 00:19:28,192 Especially with doing something like this, 417 00:19:28,194 --> 00:19:30,294 The enormous risk involved, 418 00:19:31,664 --> 00:19:35,049 But, doing what you want to do comes with some risk. 419 00:19:36,452 --> 00:19:39,320 There's no aspect of life that's not fraught with risk. 420 00:19:40,523 --> 00:19:43,224 And I enjoyed playing the game. 421 00:19:43,226 --> 00:19:45,259 (tense music) 422 00:19:45,261 --> 00:19:46,160 You know? 423 00:19:48,231 --> 00:19:51,181 (airplane engine buzzing) 424 00:19:51,183 --> 00:19:53,083 - I flew down literally the next day 425 00:19:53,085 --> 00:19:55,753 And arrived at the wichita office. 426 00:19:56,923 --> 00:20:00,024 The wichita office is a very small office. 427 00:20:00,026 --> 00:20:01,892 They're in a private office park 428 00:20:01,894 --> 00:20:03,827 Because that's a local task force office 429 00:20:03,829 --> 00:20:05,930 In which there are local police officers 430 00:20:05,932 --> 00:20:08,115 Along with a couple of dea agents 431 00:20:08,117 --> 00:20:09,783 Who do drug operations. 432 00:20:10,786 --> 00:20:14,021 So I go up and I meet barry jamison. 433 00:20:14,023 --> 00:20:14,972 (intense music) 434 00:20:14,974 --> 00:20:16,890 - My name is barry jamison. 435 00:20:16,892 --> 00:20:18,726 I was the agent in charge 436 00:20:18,728 --> 00:20:20,995 Of the drug enforcement administration's office 437 00:20:20,997 --> 00:20:22,663 In wichita, kansas. 438 00:20:22,665 --> 00:20:24,081 (intense music) 439 00:20:24,083 --> 00:20:25,482 - Immediately he says, 440 00:20:25,484 --> 00:20:27,785 "I don't know what the heck you guys are doing here, 441 00:20:27,787 --> 00:20:31,655 But there's no way there's a laboratory here in wichita." 442 00:20:34,093 --> 00:20:35,526 - We were aware 443 00:20:35,528 --> 00:20:37,761 That this was a national priority drug investigation, 444 00:20:37,763 --> 00:20:40,714 But fentanyl certainly wasn't a problem in wichita. 445 00:20:40,716 --> 00:20:43,450 We weren't seeing any fentanyl on the streets at the time. 446 00:20:43,452 --> 00:20:45,586 (soft music) 447 00:20:45,588 --> 00:20:46,971 But then we learned that 448 00:20:46,973 --> 00:20:49,523 Someone had overdosed in a lab in wichita 449 00:20:49,525 --> 00:20:51,625 While they were making fentanyl. 450 00:20:51,627 --> 00:20:54,228 They had actually been taken from the lab 451 00:20:54,230 --> 00:20:56,630 To a hospital via ambulance. 452 00:20:57,616 --> 00:20:59,249 - We knew it was recent. 453 00:20:59,251 --> 00:21:02,720 So we got all the drug calls from the emergency services. 454 00:21:02,722 --> 00:21:04,221 - And we began scouring 455 00:21:04,223 --> 00:21:07,691 Through all the ambulance records trying to figure out 456 00:21:07,693 --> 00:21:10,561 Who this might have been and where this might have been. 457 00:21:11,697 --> 00:21:14,064 Sure enough, we found one of our persons 458 00:21:14,066 --> 00:21:15,916 Of interest had overdosed 459 00:21:17,353 --> 00:21:20,754 At a nondescript building in a little industrial park. 460 00:21:20,756 --> 00:21:23,090 (tense music) 461 00:21:23,092 --> 00:21:24,425 (sirens blaring) 462 00:21:24,427 --> 00:21:25,926 - According to the report, 463 00:21:25,928 --> 00:21:29,430 Joseph martier was picked up in what was thought to be 464 00:21:29,432 --> 00:21:32,816 A legitimate chemical company laboratory. 465 00:21:32,818 --> 00:21:37,454 - It was indeed revived at a location in goddard, kansas. 466 00:21:38,441 --> 00:21:40,624 - Goddard, kansas is a little town 467 00:21:40,626 --> 00:21:44,361 That sits 15, 20 miles west of wichita. 468 00:21:44,363 --> 00:21:47,314 That's a sleepy little town, nice town. 469 00:21:47,316 --> 00:21:48,582 I don't think you would ever think 470 00:21:48,584 --> 00:21:51,085 Of goddard, kansas playing a major role 471 00:21:51,087 --> 00:21:52,686 In drug investigation, 472 00:21:52,688 --> 00:21:55,456 Certainly, not a national priority drug investigation. 473 00:21:59,729 --> 00:22:02,463 - But if you know marquardt's criminal background, 474 00:22:02,465 --> 00:22:05,215 You know it makes perfect sense. 475 00:22:05,217 --> 00:22:09,053 Marquardt's made a career out of hiding in plain sight, 476 00:22:09,055 --> 00:22:11,989 Using small town america is the perfect cover 477 00:22:11,991 --> 00:22:13,057 For his crimes. 478 00:22:13,059 --> 00:22:14,792 (tense music) 479 00:22:14,794 --> 00:22:17,895 First, heroin in waukesha, wisconsin, 480 00:22:19,031 --> 00:22:21,715 Then methamphetamine in beggs, oklahoma, 481 00:22:22,935 --> 00:22:26,587 And now, fentanyl in goddard, kansas. 482 00:22:29,825 --> 00:22:32,159 - I went out and I checked out the address 483 00:22:32,161 --> 00:22:33,494 For prairie lab. 484 00:22:38,017 --> 00:22:40,250 I was able to peek through the windows 485 00:22:40,252 --> 00:22:43,487 And see the laboratory equipment for processing drugs. 486 00:22:43,489 --> 00:22:45,789 And we saw the waste left behind 487 00:22:45,791 --> 00:22:47,591 That indicated that it was being used 488 00:22:47,593 --> 00:22:50,160 For drug manufacturing. 489 00:22:50,162 --> 00:22:53,363 - Investigators immediately put prairie lab 490 00:22:53,365 --> 00:22:55,549 Under round the clock surveillance. 491 00:22:56,952 --> 00:23:00,053 - We threw just about every resource we had at it, 492 00:23:00,055 --> 00:23:02,956 Agents, electronic surveillance. 493 00:23:04,193 --> 00:23:05,826 - [john] within a short time, 494 00:23:05,828 --> 00:23:07,795 The agent spot marquardt. 495 00:23:09,064 --> 00:23:11,682 - He was wearing his overalls, his flannel shirt, 496 00:23:11,684 --> 00:23:14,184 And he had his pittsburgh knit cap on. 497 00:23:15,187 --> 00:23:17,221 To me, he looked like a good old boy 498 00:23:17,223 --> 00:23:20,190 Who was just in from the country. 499 00:23:20,192 --> 00:23:21,725 I would not recognize marquardt, 500 00:23:21,727 --> 00:23:24,561 And say, "oh yeah, that guy's a laboratory chemist 501 00:23:24,563 --> 00:23:25,696 Or a drug dealer." 502 00:23:27,917 --> 00:23:30,384 From there, he went to his home, 503 00:23:30,386 --> 00:23:31,652 (car door thuds) 504 00:23:31,654 --> 00:23:33,787 And we kept surveillance on him at that point on. 505 00:23:33,789 --> 00:23:36,523 (intense music) 506 00:23:41,664 --> 00:23:44,948 - Law enforcement has finally put eyes on the chemist 507 00:23:44,950 --> 00:23:47,718 And the laboratory responsible for producing 508 00:23:47,720 --> 00:23:51,488 The deadly street fentanyl for the past two years. 509 00:23:51,490 --> 00:23:55,459 Incredibly, it is at the time, the only known source 510 00:23:55,461 --> 00:23:59,096 Of street fentanyl in the entire united states. 511 00:24:00,366 --> 00:24:03,484 But as this national investigation now closes in 512 00:24:03,486 --> 00:24:05,419 On small town kansas, 513 00:24:05,421 --> 00:24:08,121 The agent's next moves will be critical. 514 00:24:10,392 --> 00:24:13,861 - Your first instinct is to run in and seize the lab, 515 00:24:13,863 --> 00:24:16,897 But the ideal solution is to get them 516 00:24:16,899 --> 00:24:18,849 When they're manufacturing the product. 517 00:24:18,851 --> 00:24:20,517 You wanna catch them red handed. 518 00:24:21,954 --> 00:24:24,388 - Based on the last meeting between fentanyl distributor, 519 00:24:24,390 --> 00:24:28,325 Christopher moscatiello and undercover agent, german blanco. 520 00:24:29,728 --> 00:24:32,729 The agents believe marquardt will be cooking a new batch 521 00:24:32,731 --> 00:24:34,781 Of drugs within a few weeks. 522 00:24:36,452 --> 00:24:38,085 - So we wait. 523 00:24:39,822 --> 00:24:43,323 - [george] saying but true fact about the drug business is 524 00:24:43,325 --> 00:24:45,492 You tend to get mad at people 525 00:24:45,494 --> 00:24:47,728 When they don't deliver the money 526 00:24:47,730 --> 00:24:52,082 And you're quite forgiving of their bad habits if they do. 527 00:24:52,084 --> 00:24:53,917 Again, it was all about paying me. 528 00:24:55,621 --> 00:24:58,889 Martier and moscatiello came up with the money. 529 00:25:00,292 --> 00:25:03,560 So I began to prepare to make another batch of fentanyl. 530 00:25:07,917 --> 00:25:09,850 - According to our intelligence, 531 00:25:10,953 --> 00:25:13,153 We thought that we now reached a point 532 00:25:13,155 --> 00:25:17,424 Where we could finally shut down the fentanyl laboratory. 533 00:25:17,426 --> 00:25:19,943 (soft music) 534 00:25:21,063 --> 00:25:24,314 But we knew martier and moscatiello were not 535 00:25:24,316 --> 00:25:25,649 In the wichita area. 536 00:25:25,651 --> 00:25:27,484 It was only marquardt himself. 537 00:25:30,089 --> 00:25:33,023 - [john] to ensure the criminals cannot alert one another. 538 00:25:33,025 --> 00:25:37,027 Agents formulated a plan to arrest marquardt in wichita, 539 00:25:37,029 --> 00:25:39,096 Martier in pittsburgh, 540 00:25:39,098 --> 00:25:41,415 And moscatiello in boston, 541 00:25:41,417 --> 00:25:43,617 All at the same time. 542 00:25:43,619 --> 00:25:45,586 - This was gonna be a coordinated effort. 543 00:25:45,588 --> 00:25:47,220 (tense music) 544 00:25:47,222 --> 00:25:49,756 (car door clangs) 545 00:25:49,758 --> 00:25:54,161 We had to make sure that we all move forward together. 546 00:25:54,163 --> 00:25:56,263 - There were a lot of balls in the air, so to speak, 547 00:25:56,265 --> 00:25:57,881 (intense music) 548 00:25:57,883 --> 00:25:59,650 - [john] but ensuring the arrests unfold 549 00:25:59,652 --> 00:26:03,120 In tandem is only part of the agent's concerns. 550 00:26:03,122 --> 00:26:06,023 They must also prepare for how to safely seize 551 00:26:06,025 --> 00:26:08,458 And dismantle the fentanyl lab 552 00:26:08,460 --> 00:26:10,093 While marquardt is in the process 553 00:26:10,095 --> 00:26:12,596 Of actually cooking the lethal drug. 554 00:26:13,499 --> 00:26:15,115 (tense music) 555 00:26:15,117 --> 00:26:18,251 - A paramount concern to us was what are the ramifications 556 00:26:18,253 --> 00:26:19,987 For everyone else involved, 557 00:26:19,989 --> 00:26:22,022 Whether they be businesses close by 558 00:26:22,024 --> 00:26:24,224 Or people that are just walking down the streets. 559 00:26:24,226 --> 00:26:26,493 (intense music) 560 00:26:26,495 --> 00:26:28,729 I remember one conference call, 561 00:26:28,731 --> 00:26:32,282 The purpose of that particular phone call was coordinating 562 00:26:32,284 --> 00:26:34,451 How we would take this lab down 563 00:26:35,854 --> 00:26:39,990 And dea's expert on fentanyl, jack fasanello weighed in. 564 00:26:41,093 --> 00:26:43,193 Fasanello specifically mentioned 565 00:26:43,195 --> 00:26:44,895 That when they were cooking this fentanyl, 566 00:26:44,897 --> 00:26:46,396 If it got in the airstream, 567 00:26:46,398 --> 00:26:50,951 It could do serious harm to people even causing death. 568 00:26:50,953 --> 00:26:53,153 - I said, listen, dangerous chemicals 569 00:26:53,155 --> 00:26:57,224 And final product were being produced at this place 570 00:26:57,226 --> 00:26:59,593 That can let vapors out into the air. 571 00:26:59,595 --> 00:27:02,262 And if the winds go in the wrong way, 572 00:27:02,264 --> 00:27:04,514 It could be a recipe for disaster 573 00:27:04,516 --> 00:27:07,684 Because of the chemicals and the fumes. 574 00:27:08,687 --> 00:27:10,287 - I just remember interrupting 575 00:27:10,289 --> 00:27:13,256 And saying, "jack, you know, this is kansas. 576 00:27:13,258 --> 00:27:15,826 The wind blows every single day in kansas. 577 00:27:15,828 --> 00:27:19,629 There's never a day the wind doesn't blow in kansas." 578 00:27:19,631 --> 00:27:24,117 And jack says, "well, that could be a huge, huge concern." 579 00:27:25,387 --> 00:27:27,888 And then I interjected again and said, 580 00:27:27,890 --> 00:27:31,658 "just a couple hundred feet away is a daycare center." 581 00:27:33,162 --> 00:27:34,728 And when I said that, 582 00:27:36,131 --> 00:27:37,614 There was just dead silence 583 00:27:37,616 --> 00:27:40,751 Despite having six, seven offices on the conference call, 584 00:27:42,087 --> 00:27:45,789 A word wasn't said for four or five, six seconds. 585 00:27:47,226 --> 00:27:50,827 It seemed like half an hour, everyone's priorities changed 586 00:27:50,829 --> 00:27:52,429 Because of that daycare center. 587 00:27:55,017 --> 00:27:59,019 - At that point, it was necessitated that we seized the lab 588 00:27:59,021 --> 00:28:00,320 As soon as possible. 589 00:28:01,457 --> 00:28:03,323 (intense music) 590 00:28:03,325 --> 00:28:06,827 - On the morning of February 3rd, 1993, 591 00:28:06,829 --> 00:28:10,764 The dea agents put their plan into action. 592 00:28:10,766 --> 00:28:13,483 (intense music) 593 00:28:14,820 --> 00:28:16,253 In wichita, kansas, 594 00:28:16,255 --> 00:28:19,756 Agents close in on prairie lab and marquardt's home. 595 00:28:20,959 --> 00:28:23,360 Soon they will take down the only known source 596 00:28:23,362 --> 00:28:26,763 Of illicit fentanyl in the entire country. 597 00:28:26,765 --> 00:28:30,517 - We all gathered together very early that morning. 598 00:28:30,519 --> 00:28:32,152 There was a lot of pressure 599 00:28:32,154 --> 00:28:34,454 Because we had a lot riding on them. 600 00:28:34,456 --> 00:28:36,656 - Well, that effort that went into this case, 601 00:28:36,658 --> 00:28:39,826 I mean, no one does these cases alone. 602 00:28:39,828 --> 00:28:42,562 (intense music) 603 00:28:45,484 --> 00:28:48,018 - I was at the home of george marquardt that morning. 604 00:28:48,020 --> 00:28:50,754 (intense music) 605 00:28:55,494 --> 00:28:59,196 George ended up driving to right where my car was parked. 606 00:28:59,198 --> 00:29:02,449 So I activated my emergency lights and I got out 607 00:29:02,451 --> 00:29:06,686 And informed him that he was under arrest. 608 00:29:06,688 --> 00:29:10,056 George got out of the car with his hands up 609 00:29:10,058 --> 00:29:12,425 And his first comment was, 610 00:29:12,427 --> 00:29:14,594 "I can't believe it took you guys this long." 611 00:29:14,596 --> 00:29:16,997 (sirens blaring) 612 00:29:16,999 --> 00:29:20,584 - I was looking at astonishment at a huge number 613 00:29:20,586 --> 00:29:23,320 Of people out there, all looking directly at me. 614 00:29:26,492 --> 00:29:30,460 Barry jamison introduced himself to me and that was it. 615 00:29:32,130 --> 00:29:34,297 And they hold me off in a big old limousine 616 00:29:34,299 --> 00:29:37,384 To the drug enforcement administration. 617 00:29:40,322 --> 00:29:42,055 (recorder clicking) 618 00:29:42,057 --> 00:29:44,457 - So it's approximately 3:25 pm, 619 00:29:45,894 --> 00:29:49,062 Wednesday, February the third, 1993. 620 00:29:50,332 --> 00:29:53,950 Present in the room is mr. George erik marquardt. 621 00:29:57,089 --> 00:29:59,289 We are interviewing mr. Marquardt 622 00:29:59,291 --> 00:30:02,993 Relative to the fentanyl trafficking. 623 00:30:02,995 --> 00:30:05,529 (tense music) 624 00:30:05,531 --> 00:30:10,433 Mr. Marquardt, you're waiving your rights to talk to us, 625 00:30:10,435 --> 00:30:11,551 Is that correct? 626 00:30:11,553 --> 00:30:12,586 - [george] I am indeed waiving them. 627 00:30:12,588 --> 00:30:13,954 - Okay. 628 00:30:13,956 --> 00:30:15,322 - After we arrested him, 629 00:30:15,324 --> 00:30:17,724 He just sat there and had a conversation with us. 630 00:30:17,726 --> 00:30:19,226 He's very matter of fact. 631 00:30:20,629 --> 00:30:23,663 He's just, "well, I'm under arrest. 632 00:30:23,665 --> 00:30:25,882 Okay, what do you wanna know?" 633 00:30:26,985 --> 00:30:28,351 - [agent] what was your role? 634 00:30:28,353 --> 00:30:29,986 - [george] to manufacture the drug. 635 00:30:29,988 --> 00:30:32,088 - [agent] okay, and what was moscatiello's role? 636 00:30:32,090 --> 00:30:33,423 - [george] sell drugs. 637 00:30:33,425 --> 00:30:35,725 - [agent] how about martier? 638 00:30:35,727 --> 00:30:36,960 - [george] act as the go-between 639 00:30:36,962 --> 00:30:38,495 Between myself and moscatiello. 640 00:30:40,832 --> 00:30:43,483 It didn't really matter if I cooperated or not. 641 00:30:43,485 --> 00:30:45,986 I was going to get a ton of time, I knew that. 642 00:30:47,089 --> 00:30:48,822 Have you ever seen a drug dealer 643 00:30:48,824 --> 00:30:50,657 That will tell all the truth? 644 00:30:50,659 --> 00:30:52,425 You might be seeing one right now, 645 00:30:52,427 --> 00:30:56,096 But this might be your last time. (laughs) 646 00:30:57,032 --> 00:30:58,748 - What really surprised us was 647 00:30:58,750 --> 00:31:01,685 He's got this infectious personality. 648 00:31:01,687 --> 00:31:03,687 He's very charismatic. 649 00:31:03,689 --> 00:31:05,822 - I imagine you guys are gonna find me, 650 00:31:05,824 --> 00:31:10,026 A crossbar room at the crossbar hotel. (laughs) 651 00:31:10,028 --> 00:31:12,462 - You gotta keep reminding yourself. 652 00:31:12,464 --> 00:31:15,932 Wait a minute, this guy's a death merchant. 653 00:31:15,934 --> 00:31:18,551 Death and destruction, follow him everywhere he goes. 654 00:31:18,553 --> 00:31:20,787 He knows he's killing people 655 00:31:20,789 --> 00:31:23,023 And he has no problem with that. 656 00:31:24,426 --> 00:31:27,460 - [agent] what was the total price for the pure fentanyl? 657 00:31:27,462 --> 00:31:28,628 - [george] I managed to bring in 658 00:31:28,630 --> 00:31:30,964 Slightly over $100,000 a year. 659 00:31:30,966 --> 00:31:33,516 (tense music) 660 00:31:38,523 --> 00:31:40,624 - George made a lot of money, 661 00:31:42,127 --> 00:31:44,461 But I don't think george was ever in this for the money. 662 00:31:44,463 --> 00:31:45,729 I think george was doing this 663 00:31:45,731 --> 00:31:47,330 Because nobody else could do it. 664 00:31:48,884 --> 00:31:50,183 - [agent] who's ed loibl? 665 00:31:50,185 --> 00:31:52,585 - [george] he's my next-door neighbor. 666 00:31:52,587 --> 00:31:53,954 - [agent] did he know what was going on? 667 00:31:53,956 --> 00:31:55,755 - [george] no, no, no. 668 00:31:56,658 --> 00:31:58,625 - The morning the dea showed up, 669 00:31:58,627 --> 00:32:02,062 There was more trucks than you can imagine seeing, 670 00:32:02,064 --> 00:32:04,464 Hazmat, everybody. 671 00:32:05,717 --> 00:32:07,250 - [reporter] federal agents raided several sites 672 00:32:07,252 --> 00:32:08,451 In sedgwick county, 673 00:32:08,453 --> 00:32:10,420 Including this warehouse in goddard. 674 00:32:10,422 --> 00:32:12,856 - Hazardous as far as- - news channel showed up. 675 00:32:12,858 --> 00:32:16,292 And that's when I found out that he was getting arrested 676 00:32:16,294 --> 00:32:17,827 For making drugs. 677 00:32:17,829 --> 00:32:19,929 (tense music) 678 00:32:19,931 --> 00:32:22,382 Said he's had a real high iq, 679 00:32:22,384 --> 00:32:24,617 Maybe his smarter than we all know. 680 00:32:25,787 --> 00:32:27,620 - [reporter] the dea also found another lab 681 00:32:27,622 --> 00:32:30,290 And more chemicals at this west wichita hole. 682 00:32:30,292 --> 00:32:33,093 The raids have shut down the only known source 683 00:32:33,095 --> 00:32:35,528 Of the deadly drug, fentanyl. 684 00:32:35,530 --> 00:32:38,214 47-year-old george marquardt is being charged 685 00:32:38,216 --> 00:32:40,450 With manufacturing the drug. 686 00:32:40,452 --> 00:32:45,522 - People started calling us on the phone for interviews. 687 00:32:46,725 --> 00:32:48,625 I didn't talk to them because it was rough. 688 00:32:48,627 --> 00:32:50,927 I remember one of the first things I thought is, you know, 689 00:32:50,929 --> 00:32:52,696 I'm so glad my parents are gone. 690 00:32:52,698 --> 00:32:55,081 I, that would've just killed them. 691 00:32:55,083 --> 00:32:56,883 It was really bad. 692 00:32:56,885 --> 00:32:58,785 - As far as the dea's concerned, 693 00:32:58,787 --> 00:33:00,286 I don't know if there's gonna be a more significant 694 00:33:00,288 --> 00:33:01,988 Investigation that we worked. 695 00:33:02,924 --> 00:33:04,257 - It just goes to show you 696 00:33:04,259 --> 00:33:05,759 That these things are closer than you think. 697 00:33:05,761 --> 00:33:08,328 (tense music) 698 00:33:09,664 --> 00:33:12,716 - News of the kansas' fentanyl lab bust is reported 699 00:33:12,718 --> 00:33:14,684 Across the country. 700 00:33:14,686 --> 00:33:17,153 (soft music) 701 00:33:18,423 --> 00:33:20,890 In pittsburgh, the arrest of fentanyl middleman, 702 00:33:20,892 --> 00:33:23,993 Joseph martier goes off without a hitch. 703 00:33:25,764 --> 00:33:28,715 But the planned arrest of boston-based fentanyl distributor, 704 00:33:28,717 --> 00:33:31,918 Christopher moscatiello never happens. 705 00:33:31,920 --> 00:33:33,219 (tense music) 706 00:33:33,221 --> 00:33:34,220 - [reporter] all of this may be connected 707 00:33:34,222 --> 00:33:35,455 To a murder in boston. 708 00:33:35,457 --> 00:33:38,024 (tense music) 709 00:33:39,394 --> 00:33:42,328 - I was in wichita when the boston office calls me up 710 00:33:42,330 --> 00:33:45,448 Telling me that they went to arrest moscatiello, 711 00:33:45,450 --> 00:33:48,118 They executed a search warrant on his house, 712 00:33:49,488 --> 00:33:51,788 But he was not there. 713 00:33:51,790 --> 00:33:54,224 - I was known at the county jail. 714 00:33:55,694 --> 00:33:59,195 A fellow came by, he said, "you have a partner in boston?" 715 00:34:00,465 --> 00:34:02,182 "hmm, how would you know?" 716 00:34:02,184 --> 00:34:05,351 And I laughed and he says, "he's dead." 717 00:34:05,353 --> 00:34:07,053 "he was assassinated." 718 00:34:08,590 --> 00:34:11,858 - Moscatiello was found dead by a roadway, 719 00:34:11,860 --> 00:34:13,593 Driving a rental car. 720 00:34:15,263 --> 00:34:17,964 He was found shot twice in the back 721 00:34:17,966 --> 00:34:20,416 And then a closeup shot to the back of his head. 722 00:34:22,554 --> 00:34:25,722 - After chris was murdered, 723 00:34:26,992 --> 00:34:30,393 I drove up to massachusetts, 724 00:34:30,395 --> 00:34:33,563 (car engine buzzing) 725 00:34:34,616 --> 00:34:36,416 I went to the funeral home 726 00:34:36,418 --> 00:34:40,720 And I walked in and there were two men. 727 00:34:42,524 --> 00:34:44,557 I didn't know them, I'd never met them. 728 00:34:46,061 --> 00:34:48,428 One of them was the funeral director 729 00:34:49,564 --> 00:34:51,181 And the other one was michael murray. 730 00:34:52,717 --> 00:34:55,418 I only knew him by name. 731 00:34:55,420 --> 00:34:58,154 And only on a couple of occasions had I heard his name, 732 00:34:58,156 --> 00:35:00,924 Just that he was chris' best friend. 733 00:35:00,926 --> 00:35:04,260 I looked at michael murray and we locked eyes, 734 00:35:05,664 --> 00:35:10,183 And immediately, I just had this overwhelming feeling 735 00:35:10,185 --> 00:35:12,085 That he had killed chris. 736 00:35:12,087 --> 00:35:14,821 (intense music) 737 00:35:16,358 --> 00:35:19,659 - According to the state troopers at the scene, 738 00:35:21,062 --> 00:35:24,230 The footprints leading up to moscatiello's body were made 739 00:35:24,232 --> 00:35:26,015 By a particular sneaker, 740 00:35:27,285 --> 00:35:29,118 The saucony brand of sneakers, 741 00:35:29,120 --> 00:35:30,420 (intense music) 742 00:35:30,422 --> 00:35:32,355 Which I happen to know michael murray wore 743 00:35:33,959 --> 00:35:36,693 (intense music) 744 00:35:41,199 --> 00:35:42,649 All the time. 745 00:35:42,651 --> 00:35:45,618 (soft music) 746 00:35:45,620 --> 00:35:49,022 - I think the organized crime types up in boston 747 00:35:49,024 --> 00:35:52,559 Got rid of moscatiello because they felt 748 00:35:52,561 --> 00:35:55,762 That he would be a future danger to them. 749 00:35:56,915 --> 00:35:58,281 I don't know about bulger, 750 00:35:58,283 --> 00:36:00,583 But he certainly would've been linked to murray 751 00:36:01,853 --> 00:36:06,122 And moscatiello might retaliate by supplying information 752 00:36:06,124 --> 00:36:08,424 That would allow the federal people 753 00:36:08,426 --> 00:36:10,960 To file further indictments. 754 00:36:10,962 --> 00:36:13,012 They decided to terminate 755 00:36:13,014 --> 00:36:14,697 (gun firing) 756 00:36:14,699 --> 00:36:15,615 The problem. 757 00:36:16,818 --> 00:36:20,420 - But there was no evidence, no witnesses, 758 00:36:21,423 --> 00:36:22,589 Nobody who could 759 00:36:25,193 --> 00:36:26,326 Say that he'd done it. 760 00:36:28,964 --> 00:36:31,915 - Michael murray was never linked formally 761 00:36:31,917 --> 00:36:34,250 To this, the defensible investigation. 762 00:36:35,854 --> 00:36:37,754 But I always wondered whether or not 763 00:36:37,756 --> 00:36:41,824 He indeed might have been part of the financing 764 00:36:41,826 --> 00:36:45,495 With christopher moscatiello with regard to the laboratory 765 00:36:45,497 --> 00:36:49,616 And whether he was benefiting himself financially from that. 766 00:36:49,618 --> 00:36:52,552 (intense music) 767 00:36:52,554 --> 00:36:54,120 But don't know. 768 00:36:54,122 --> 00:36:57,357 We won't know because murray at that point 769 00:36:57,359 --> 00:36:58,925 Just stopped cooperating. 770 00:37:00,996 --> 00:37:03,763 - But he shouldn't be out walking the streets. 771 00:37:03,765 --> 00:37:05,648 He shouldn't be free. 772 00:37:05,650 --> 00:37:09,585 He should be behind bars for the rest of his life. 773 00:37:11,089 --> 00:37:14,490 Well, I know chris was trafficking drugs, 774 00:37:14,492 --> 00:37:16,359 But he was a human being. 775 00:37:17,729 --> 00:37:21,764 And I would want people to know the human side of chris 776 00:37:21,766 --> 00:37:23,983 And that he was my brother and I loved him. 777 00:37:28,390 --> 00:37:30,923 (soft music) 778 00:37:30,925 --> 00:37:34,994 - At the time, 126 deaths are directly traced 779 00:37:34,996 --> 00:37:38,364 To the street fentanyl, produced by george erik marquardt. 780 00:37:39,751 --> 00:37:43,987 It is suspected the true total is closer to a thousand. 781 00:37:43,989 --> 00:37:47,106 If not for the incredible efforts of law enforcement, 782 00:37:47,108 --> 00:37:49,392 That number would be even higher. 783 00:37:50,595 --> 00:37:53,363 - Fentanyl is just really becoming a new or, 784 00:37:53,365 --> 00:37:54,914 Or the ending in, 785 00:37:54,916 --> 00:37:56,015 In the drug community. 786 00:37:56,017 --> 00:37:57,483 It is extremely hazardous as far- 787 00:37:57,485 --> 00:37:59,952 We seized the first known fentanyl lab 788 00:37:59,954 --> 00:38:01,854 In the united states. 789 00:38:01,856 --> 00:38:04,891 One day there was fentanyl popping up in cities 790 00:38:04,893 --> 00:38:06,192 All across the east coast. 791 00:38:06,194 --> 00:38:07,727 There were people dying. 792 00:38:07,729 --> 00:38:10,797 We take the lab down and the fentanyl problem is solved. 793 00:38:10,799 --> 00:38:12,815 There is no more fentanyl problem. 794 00:38:14,185 --> 00:38:17,487 - At the time, this lab was the only lab that was used 795 00:38:17,489 --> 00:38:19,522 To manufacture fentanyl. 796 00:38:19,524 --> 00:38:22,058 - So I think we really prevented the deaths 797 00:38:22,060 --> 00:38:23,226 Of a lot of people. 798 00:38:24,662 --> 00:38:27,196 - I felt very proud that I was part of that investigation, 799 00:38:27,198 --> 00:38:31,050 That I was able to contribute to fighting evil, if you will. 800 00:38:32,620 --> 00:38:35,288 - The shutdown of the kansas lab keeps fentanyl 801 00:38:35,290 --> 00:38:39,459 Off the streets of america for the next 20 years. 802 00:38:41,129 --> 00:38:42,929 (intense music) 803 00:38:42,931 --> 00:38:44,530 But marquardt's operation also proves to be an inspiration 804 00:38:46,918 --> 00:38:49,685 For future fentanyl manufacturers. 805 00:38:49,687 --> 00:38:52,588 (intense music) 806 00:38:52,590 --> 00:38:55,491 - I think law enforcement did a great job with this case, 807 00:38:56,995 --> 00:38:59,062 But I think as time has gone by, 808 00:38:59,064 --> 00:39:01,397 The real winner in this was fentanyl. 809 00:39:02,684 --> 00:39:07,587 Fentanyl being popular, fentanyl being a money maker. 810 00:39:08,723 --> 00:39:10,089 Fentanyl itself all came onto the scene 811 00:39:10,091 --> 00:39:11,557 Because of george marquardt. 812 00:39:13,361 --> 00:39:17,830 - It's my opinion that prairie labs and tango & cash, 813 00:39:17,832 --> 00:39:20,283 Or tx screen, whatever you want to call it, 814 00:39:20,285 --> 00:39:21,984 Was the forerunner 815 00:39:21,986 --> 00:39:25,555 For these mexican cartels getting involved 816 00:39:25,557 --> 00:39:28,057 Because it allowed them to realize 817 00:39:28,059 --> 00:39:30,259 How valuable fentanyl is 818 00:39:30,261 --> 00:39:32,161 And how they wouldn't have to deal with 819 00:39:32,163 --> 00:39:34,230 Opium-producing countries. 820 00:39:35,550 --> 00:39:38,351 - Only now, newer, better technology allows 821 00:39:38,353 --> 00:39:41,821 Clandestine chemists around the world to easily replicate 822 00:39:41,823 --> 00:39:45,391 Marquardt's formula for street fentanyl. 823 00:39:45,393 --> 00:39:48,644 And so driven by the immense profits, 824 00:39:48,646 --> 00:39:51,614 The demand created by the opioid epidemic 825 00:39:51,616 --> 00:39:53,716 And the crackdown on prescription pills 826 00:39:53,718 --> 00:39:58,654 That began in the 2010s, the current fentanyl crisis begins. 827 00:39:58,656 --> 00:40:00,857 (intense music) 828 00:40:00,859 --> 00:40:02,425 - It all started with george. 829 00:40:02,427 --> 00:40:04,760 He's the godfather of fentanyl. 830 00:40:04,762 --> 00:40:06,095 (tense music) 831 00:40:06,097 --> 00:40:08,164 - For creating the lethal drug, 832 00:40:08,166 --> 00:40:10,183 George erik marquardt is sentenced 833 00:40:10,185 --> 00:40:12,852 To 25 years in federal prison. 834 00:40:12,854 --> 00:40:15,621 (intense music) 835 00:40:15,623 --> 00:40:20,126 Middleman, joseph martier is sentenced to 30 years. 836 00:40:21,463 --> 00:40:24,564 To this day, the murder of the operations financier, 837 00:40:24,566 --> 00:40:28,417 Christopher moscatiello remains officially unsolved, 838 00:40:28,419 --> 00:40:31,487 Leaving the question of the boston mobs association 839 00:40:31,489 --> 00:40:35,558 With the fentanyl lab and their true intentions unanswered. 840 00:40:36,594 --> 00:40:37,960 (intense music) 841 00:40:37,962 --> 00:40:39,529 - [george] remember I told him that 842 00:40:39,531 --> 00:40:44,350 Moscatiello wanted me to make him some 3-methylfentanyl? 843 00:40:45,086 --> 00:40:46,419 (liquid sloshing) 844 00:40:46,421 --> 00:40:49,922 And I thought maybe the organized crime types up 845 00:40:49,924 --> 00:40:53,526 In boston wanted to weaponize this stuff. 846 00:40:53,528 --> 00:40:55,728 (tense music) 847 00:40:55,730 --> 00:40:57,363 - When I interviewed him, 848 00:40:57,365 --> 00:41:00,550 He never really understood why they wanted 3-methylfentanyl. 849 00:41:00,552 --> 00:41:02,251 It was so powerful. 850 00:41:02,253 --> 00:41:06,989 The weight of a fingerprint is enough to kill two people. 851 00:41:06,991 --> 00:41:09,425 - Well, I did find out ways 852 00:41:09,427 --> 00:41:10,693 That I could crystallize 853 00:41:10,695 --> 00:41:14,130 Enormous amounts of 3-methylfentanyl. 854 00:41:14,132 --> 00:41:17,183 I had to construct a special piece of equipment, 855 00:41:17,185 --> 00:41:19,852 Which I don't think we need describe here. 856 00:41:21,122 --> 00:41:23,656 It was a big, big project 857 00:41:24,926 --> 00:41:27,927 That I messed with for probably close to a year. 858 00:41:31,599 --> 00:41:35,284 - At one point about the time marquardt was arrested, 859 00:41:36,120 --> 00:41:39,455 I got a call to come to boston 860 00:41:39,457 --> 00:41:41,090 Because in a storage locker 861 00:41:41,092 --> 00:41:44,493 There was something like 30 pounds of fentanyl. 862 00:41:44,495 --> 00:41:47,063 They wanted to transport it to new york 863 00:41:47,065 --> 00:41:49,115 And have me analyze it. 864 00:41:49,117 --> 00:41:52,585 So back in my lab, I opened the garbage can 865 00:41:52,587 --> 00:41:54,987 And there are ziploc baggies. 866 00:41:54,989 --> 00:41:59,325 And I read on the top of one in pen 3-mf. 867 00:41:59,327 --> 00:42:01,794 (tense music) 868 00:42:02,797 --> 00:42:04,897 It was 3-methylfentanyl. 869 00:42:06,951 --> 00:42:08,784 3-methylfentanyl, don't forget, 870 00:42:08,786 --> 00:42:12,521 Could be much more powerful than fentanyl itself 871 00:42:12,523 --> 00:42:15,725 And could be a terrorist weapon for sure. 872 00:42:17,045 --> 00:42:19,695 But this 3-methylfentanyl wasn't pure. 873 00:42:19,697 --> 00:42:21,897 It had byproducts in it. 874 00:42:21,899 --> 00:42:24,116 (tense music) 875 00:42:24,118 --> 00:42:25,518 I was surprised 876 00:42:25,520 --> 00:42:27,587 Because george was the good clandestine chemist. 877 00:42:28,556 --> 00:42:31,023 I think if george was into it, 878 00:42:31,025 --> 00:42:36,095 He could have manufactured relatively pure 3-methylfentanyl. 879 00:42:37,065 --> 00:42:38,164 But I don't think he was into it. 880 00:42:38,166 --> 00:42:39,682 His heart wasn't in it, 881 00:42:40,485 --> 00:42:42,251 If he had a heart. 882 00:42:42,253 --> 00:42:43,819 (intense music) 883 00:42:43,821 --> 00:42:46,622 - Yeah, I'm a drug manufacturer and a career criminal, 884 00:42:46,624 --> 00:42:48,691 But I'm not a terrorist. 885 00:42:48,693 --> 00:42:51,494 So I messed with it. 886 00:42:51,496 --> 00:42:54,030 - He told me later that he was very concerned about 887 00:42:54,032 --> 00:42:57,049 The potential use of this as a chemical weapon. 888 00:42:57,051 --> 00:43:00,019 He knew that the murray brothers had these connections 889 00:43:00,021 --> 00:43:01,921 To the irish republican army. 890 00:43:01,923 --> 00:43:04,123 (tense music) 891 00:43:04,125 --> 00:43:06,792 So he made a lower potency version 892 00:43:06,794 --> 00:43:11,430 That wasn't quite as deadly as the one they had in mind. 893 00:43:11,432 --> 00:43:12,682 - [george] I just gave the junk 894 00:43:12,684 --> 00:43:14,350 3-methylfentanyl to moscatiello, 895 00:43:15,486 --> 00:43:17,653 Told him to do what they wanted with it. 896 00:43:18,690 --> 00:43:21,457 What became of it after that, 897 00:43:21,459 --> 00:43:23,625 I knew nothing about. 898 00:43:23,627 --> 00:43:26,329 (intense music) 899 00:43:27,165 --> 00:43:29,181 - He never shared his suspicions 900 00:43:29,183 --> 00:43:31,817 About the chemical weapon aspect of this thing 901 00:43:31,819 --> 00:43:35,621 With dea or fbi, they both interviewed him after his arrest, 902 00:43:36,624 --> 00:43:37,990 Mostly because he didn't want 903 00:43:37,992 --> 00:43:40,559 The boston mob people doing to him 904 00:43:40,561 --> 00:43:43,095 What they had just done to chris moscatiello. 905 00:43:44,165 --> 00:43:47,016 But if there was this terrorist plot, 906 00:43:47,018 --> 00:43:51,420 It was probably at the impetus of joe murray, 907 00:43:51,422 --> 00:43:53,222 Who was the big ira supporter. 908 00:43:54,659 --> 00:43:58,761 Well, his wife had killed him in self-defense up in maine 909 00:43:58,763 --> 00:44:01,097 In September of '92, 910 00:44:01,099 --> 00:44:04,617 A few months before the fentanyl bust in wichita. 911 00:44:04,619 --> 00:44:06,152 If there was that possibility, 912 00:44:06,154 --> 00:44:08,187 I think it died with joe murray. 913 00:44:08,189 --> 00:44:10,022 And I think that was what happened. 914 00:44:10,992 --> 00:44:13,559 It could be that we just got lucky. 915 00:44:14,429 --> 00:44:15,928 - [george] his wife shot him. 916 00:44:17,432 --> 00:44:20,316 Good for susan. (laughs) 917 00:44:21,919 --> 00:44:24,653 (intense music) 918 00:44:27,058 --> 00:44:32,128 - I was introduced to george marquardt's week in 1995. 919 00:44:33,164 --> 00:44:34,797 Some of my friends told me, 920 00:44:34,799 --> 00:44:36,182 "well, there's a guy you gotta meet. 921 00:44:36,184 --> 00:44:37,316 There's a guy you gotta meet. 922 00:44:37,318 --> 00:44:38,851 He's a chemist like you." 923 00:44:38,853 --> 00:44:41,554 And we became best friends. 924 00:44:42,857 --> 00:44:45,825 He would walk around and people would complain to him 925 00:44:45,827 --> 00:44:48,728 And he would say, "I love prison." 926 00:44:48,730 --> 00:44:51,197 'cause you know, he had more time than almost anybody. 927 00:44:51,199 --> 00:44:53,482 So that was his thing, "I love prison. 928 00:44:53,484 --> 00:44:55,134 What are you complaining about?" 929 00:44:55,136 --> 00:44:56,719 And they would ask him, "why did you do it?" 930 00:44:56,721 --> 00:45:00,356 And he would say, "I'm a criminal." 931 00:45:00,358 --> 00:45:03,659 And he was so smart that you, 932 00:45:03,661 --> 00:45:05,861 You could almost breathe in his intelligence 933 00:45:05,863 --> 00:45:07,963 When you talk to the man, 934 00:45:07,965 --> 00:45:11,817 It's something I'll never forget. 935 00:45:14,421 --> 00:45:16,889 (soft music) 936 00:45:21,562 --> 00:45:23,529 - In may of 2015, 937 00:45:23,531 --> 00:45:26,549 After serving 22 years of his sentence, 938 00:45:26,551 --> 00:45:29,685 Marquardt is given compassionate release from prison, 939 00:45:29,687 --> 00:45:31,887 Following a cancer diagnosis. 940 00:45:35,026 --> 00:45:38,093 - We picked him up from the halfway house in kansas 941 00:45:38,095 --> 00:45:40,863 And he came to live with me in waukesha, wisconsin, 942 00:45:40,865 --> 00:45:42,982 Which is the town where we grew up. 943 00:45:42,984 --> 00:45:45,451 (soft music) 944 00:45:46,754 --> 00:45:49,555 - It's not like he ever pretended to be a good person. 945 00:45:50,691 --> 00:45:52,491 - [mary] he always admitted what he did. 946 00:45:53,661 --> 00:45:55,995 - He never said he was sorry 'cause he wasn't. 947 00:45:57,398 --> 00:46:00,916 - But yet, I think it was important for him not to think 948 00:46:00,918 --> 00:46:04,987 He was as evil as some people he'd met. 949 00:46:07,325 --> 00:46:10,092 He always said everybody made their own decisions. 950 00:46:11,496 --> 00:46:14,129 You know, there are limitations to that so- 951 00:46:14,131 --> 00:46:15,414 - Yeah. 952 00:46:15,416 --> 00:46:17,616 - [gini] but he had to live with himself. 953 00:46:17,618 --> 00:46:18,918 (soft music) 954 00:46:18,920 --> 00:46:20,719 - After revealing his story to retired 955 00:46:20,721 --> 00:46:23,789 Oklahoma bureau of narcotics agent turned author, 956 00:46:23,791 --> 00:46:25,324 John madinger, 957 00:46:25,326 --> 00:46:29,495 Marquardt passes away from cancer in August, 2017. 958 00:46:31,065 --> 00:46:35,317 Ironically, he dies with a fentanyl drip in his arm 959 00:46:35,319 --> 00:46:38,654 And he takes one final secret with him to the grave. 960 00:46:39,957 --> 00:46:42,324 (tense music) 961 00:46:42,326 --> 00:46:43,993 - [george] my secret laboratory? 962 00:46:45,897 --> 00:46:49,682 I don't really feel comfortable discussing it. 963 00:46:49,684 --> 00:46:52,318 (keyboard clanking) 964 00:46:52,320 --> 00:46:54,453 - He had one secret that he took with him. 965 00:46:54,455 --> 00:46:57,656 That's the missing lab. 966 00:46:57,658 --> 00:46:58,724 Where's the lab? 967 00:46:59,994 --> 00:47:05,064 We know in '93, dea got one lab in goddard, kansas. 968 00:47:05,867 --> 00:47:07,049 And we know they got the lab 969 00:47:07,051 --> 00:47:09,084 That he had at his house in wichita, 970 00:47:09,086 --> 00:47:12,121 But they never found any assets in his name. 971 00:47:12,123 --> 00:47:14,223 They never found where the money went. 972 00:47:14,225 --> 00:47:16,492 And they know there was a lot of money made. 973 00:47:17,928 --> 00:47:20,329 - Supposedly, they had not found the majority of his lab 974 00:47:20,331 --> 00:47:22,197 Because according to him, 975 00:47:22,199 --> 00:47:24,416 He was only like maybe a few days 976 00:47:24,418 --> 00:47:26,585 From being gone from prairie labs. 977 00:47:26,587 --> 00:47:27,853 And so the majority 978 00:47:27,855 --> 00:47:30,356 Of his stuff he said was already gone and hidden. 979 00:47:32,059 --> 00:47:33,626 (intense music) 980 00:47:33,628 --> 00:47:36,829 - One of his plans for the future before he got arrested, 981 00:47:36,831 --> 00:47:39,548 Was to actually take the whole operation 982 00:47:39,550 --> 00:47:42,117 And put it in one of these old abandoned missile silos 983 00:47:42,119 --> 00:47:43,786 That are in kansas 984 00:47:43,788 --> 00:47:45,220 'cause it had everything you needed, 985 00:47:45,222 --> 00:47:48,090 It had the ventilation systems, it had electricity. 986 00:47:48,092 --> 00:47:51,126 (clock ticking) 987 00:47:51,128 --> 00:47:52,394 - I guess it's not inconceivable 988 00:47:52,396 --> 00:47:54,430 He'd want something to start life out on 989 00:47:54,432 --> 00:47:56,215 If he ever got out again. 990 00:47:56,217 --> 00:48:00,653 But he never told us, the location of the secret lab. 991 00:48:00,655 --> 00:48:02,821 (tense music) 992 00:48:02,823 --> 00:48:04,957 - It could be just a story, 993 00:48:04,959 --> 00:48:06,258 But I certainly believed it 994 00:48:06,260 --> 00:48:08,427 And I certainly wouldn't put it past him. 995 00:48:12,366 --> 00:48:14,316 (intense music) 996 00:48:14,318 --> 00:48:16,919 - I absolutely think it's possible 997 00:48:16,921 --> 00:48:19,521 Because once a clandestine chemist, 998 00:48:19,523 --> 00:48:21,256 Always a clandestine chemist. 999 00:48:21,258 --> 00:48:23,826 (tense music) 1000 00:48:25,229 --> 00:48:28,464 - If marquardt's secret lab is still out there, 1001 00:48:28,466 --> 00:48:29,915 It's thought to be hidden somewhere 1002 00:48:29,917 --> 00:48:31,483 In the middle of the country, 1003 00:48:31,485 --> 00:48:33,719 Protected by deadly booby traps 1004 00:48:33,721 --> 00:48:37,022 And filled with his most valuable equipment, 1005 00:48:37,024 --> 00:48:39,892 At least a quarter of a million dollars in cash 1006 00:48:39,894 --> 00:48:42,528 And up to 30 pounds of fentanyl. 1007 00:48:42,530 --> 00:48:44,997 One final act of defiance 1008 00:48:44,999 --> 00:48:47,850 By the man who is still to this day, 1009 00:48:47,852 --> 00:48:50,486 The deadliest clandestine chemist 1010 00:48:50,488 --> 00:48:52,588 In american history. 1011 00:48:52,590 --> 00:48:55,724 (tense upbeat music) 1012 00:49:07,855 --> 00:49:10,422 (tense music) 1013 00:49:22,620 --> 00:49:26,021 (tense music continues) 1014 00:49:37,284 --> 00:49:40,419 (tense upbeat music) 1015 00:49:57,021 --> 00:50:00,989 (tense upbeat music continues) 1016 00:50:16,357 --> 00:51:00,115 (tense upbeat music continues)