C10 Chapter 10

Chapter Ten: The Undercover Game

Different drug syndicates uses different methods to recruit new members. The first step in doing so would be creating awareness to the members of the public about the ongoing recruitments.

One of the most suitable method to use is the internet. Videos depicting violence and glorifying organized crimes are posted on social media. The purpose of this would be to attract interested viewers to make more enquirers into it and get awareness about the job.

Another method used is the newspaper. Cartel uses Ads like ,"We are looking for people with valid identification card and passports, if you are looking for a good paying Job, call for more enquirers." And the good paying job actually has to do with selling drugs. Other methods involves the use of radio announcement or the use of flyers and poster, but whatever method Vandel decides to use, we need to be alert and one step ahead.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the dimly lit room , Mason and i along with our newfound partner, Rowen, gathered around a weathered wooden table strewn with maps, photographs, and confidential files. We were deep into our plan to infiltrate Vandel Montero's formidable cartel and bring the remnants of his criminal empire to justice.

I had spent years undercover, collecting vital intelligence on the cartel's operations. My knowledge, combined with Rowen's connections within the world of organized crime and Mason's tactical expertise, gave us a formidable advantage. However, we knew this mission would be the most perilous yet.

Mason leaned over the table, his brow furrowed in concentration. "We have to hit them where it hurts the most. Vandal Montero's source of power lies in his control over the drug trade. If we can disrupt that, we weaken his grip on El Paso."

Rowen, a seasoned informant with deep ties to the cartel's lower ranks, nodded in agreement. "I've been gathering information on their distribution network. I can get you access to their key players and locations."

Still haunted by my past involvement in the cartel, i spoke with determination. "Our first step is to identify the supply routes and distribution hubs. Once we have that, we can create a diversion, something big enough to draw Vandal's attention away from us."

Mason chimed in, "And we need to ensure the local authorities are on our side this time. We can't afford any leaks or corrupt officials sabotaging our efforts."

Rowen leaned back in his chair, a sly smile forming on his face. "I've got some connections in the police department. I can pull some strings, make sure we have the support we need when the time comes."

We continued to brainstorm, piecing together the intricate puzzle that was taking down the cartel. Hours turned into late night, and a plan began to take shape, a plan that involved misdirection, coordinated strikes, and a commitment to justice that burned brightly in their hearts.

The following weeks saw the execution of our plan, with each member playing their part flawlessly. My knowledge of the inner workings of the cartel proved invaluable, Rowen's connections opened doors, and Mason's tactical prowess ensured their operations went smoothly.

We staged a series of well-coordinated raids on the cartel's drug dens, causing chaos within their ranks. Meanwhile, Rowen's contacts within the police department ensured that corrupt officers were neutralized or turned to their side.

Three weeks later.

Reporter: Its been confirmed, in the early hours of Monday, three high school students were found dead at an old abandoned building at Alvora street. Upon close investigation by the local authorities, it was found that the cause of death was from the excessive intake of an illegal drug identified as cocaine.

The students who has been identified as

Mateo lozano ,Rainer Amherst and Rory Trevino were reported to have used the pretext of going to school that morning but instead snuck off to the abandoned building where they overdosed drugs and died. The families of the victims are heartbroken and calls on the local authorities to help them seek justice for the death of their loved ones.

But the questions still remains, who exactly is the mastermind behind the recent reappearance of drugs in El Paso.

And that's a wrap on the news for today.

******************************************

In the dimly lit backroom of a clandestine bar in El Paso, Mason, Rowen and i huddled together, nursing our drinks as we fine-tuned our audacious plan to infiltrate Vandal Montero's cartel. The stakes were higher than ever, and the room was charged with tension.

Rowen, the master of disguise and deception, sipped his whiskey thoughtfully. "To get inside, I'll need a cover story that's ironclad. Something that'll make them believe I belong there."

I nodded, my eyes fixed on the blueprints of Vandal's operations spread across the table. "We've already learned they're recruiting new members. That's our way in. We need you to pose as an experienced criminal looking for a fresh start."

Mason, the tactical genius of the group, chimed in. "We'll need to fabricate a criminal history for you, Rowen, one that suggests you're a seasoned operator with a taste for chaos. It'll make you appealing to Vandal."

Rowen cracked a half-smile. "And I'll need a fake ID, something that holds up under scrutiny. I can't afford any slip-ups."

The trio spent the next few days meticulously crafting Rowen's new identity. We created a fake criminal record, complete with arrests, prison stints, and connections to lesser-known criminal outfits. Rowen's new persona was a man who had supposedly burned bridges with his previous associates and was seeking refuge under the cartel's wing.

As Rowen practiced his new identity, he immersed himself in the role. He adopted the swagger and mannerisms of a man with a checkered past. He walked through El Paso's meanest streets, frequented the kind of establishments where criminals congregated, and did everything possible to become his fabricated persona.

Then came the day of reckoning. Rowen, dressed in his new identity, made his way to a notorious hangout known to be frequented by cartel recruiters "The Snake's Den," . His heart raced as he approached the entrance, fully aware of the dangers that awaited inside.

His fingers idly tracing the rim of his whiskey glass. The ambiance was a blend of murmured conversations, clinking glasses, and the occasional burst of raucous laughter. The patrons of this establishment were a motley crew of El Paso's criminal underbelly, each with their own dark secrets and shady pasts.

Rowen, dressed in the attire of a man who had seen better days, was the embodiment of his meticulously crafted cover story. He had spent weeks perfecting this disguise, fine-tuning his persona to match the role he was about to play in the Montero Cartel. His background was now a tangled web of arrests, prison stints, and affiliations with obscure criminal outfits that no one could trace.

Mason and i, concealed in the dimly lit corners of the bar, watched Rowen intently. Their eyes, trained and vigilant, never left their operative. They had armed him with a fake ID, a carefully constructed backstory, and extensive training to ensure he would blend seamlessly into the criminal underworld.

The recruitment of new members into the Montero Cartel was the trio's ticket to infiltrate Vandal Montero's operation. And Rowen was the key. His fabricated history as a criminal who had hit rock bottom made him an attractive prospect for the cartel. Their hope was that this cover would grant him access to Vandal's inner circle and the darkest secrets of the cartel.

Rowen's journey to become a recruit began with a chance encounter with a recruiter known as "Miguel." This burly, scarred figure had a reputation for having an uncanny knack for spotting potential assets. Rowen, adopting a carefully crafted air of desperation and defeat, had struck up a conversation with the enigmatic recruiter.

Their exchange was a delicate dance of half-truths and feigned despair. Rowen painted a picture of a man who had burned bridges with his previous criminal associates, a man seeking refuge in the Montero Cartel as a last resort. He shared snippets of his fabricated criminal history, mentioning brushes with the law and a trail of betrayals that had led him here.

Miguel, a master of reading people, listened intently. His keen, assessing eyes seemed to bore into Rowen's soul, probing for any signs of deception. Rowen's heart pounded in his chest, but he held his ground, ensuring that every detail of his cover story was convincing.

Their conversation was a delicate dance of half-truths and feigned desperation. Rowen spoke of his criminal past and his desire to leave it all behind, while Miguel, intrigued by Rowen's story, offered him a lifeline into the cartel.