Host Steve “Murph” Murphy (retired DEA Agent, featured in NARCOS on Netflix) takes you inside the most intense and fascinating true crime stories in the world. Real life tales from the most notorious cases everyone knows and some you’ve probably never heard of (until now) from those who broke the law and those who were sworn to enforce it. Murph asks the questions and gets into the true stories from the real life players in the biggest, baddest, most dangerous game of all — the Game of Crimes.
231: Part 2: Lew Rice – From the streets to the top – a DEA life 🔥
Jan 20, 2026
Show notes
In the second part of this powerful episode of Game of Crimes, Lew Rice, a retired DEA Special Agent and senior leader, discusses his life of service, sacrifice, and what it truly means to wear the badge.
Lew takes listeners inside his distinguished DEA career, which began on the gritty streets of New York City and led to overseas assignments, major leadership roles, and ultimately becoming Special Agent in Charge in New York—the pinnacle of his lifelong dream. He explains why the spirit and energy of New York law enforcement are unmatched, forged by intensity, brotherhood, and an unwavering commitment to the mission.
231: Part 1: Lew Rice – DEA legends and drug wars – Back in the day 💥
Jan 19, 2026
Show notes
In this explosive episode of Game of Crimes, Murph sits down with Lew Rice, a legendary 26-year veteran of the DEA, to pull back the curtain on the brutal realities of America’s drug war. Lew shares firsthand stories from the front lines of federal drug enforcement, revealing how drugs like heroin, opioids, meth, and fentanyl have devastated communities across the country. From the early days of the DEA—formed during the heroin crisis of the 1970s—to modern investigations battling fentanyl trafficking, Lew explains how the mission has evolved while the dangers have only intensified.
The conversation also dives deep into groundbreaking cases, including the infamous Frank Lucas investigation, which helped establish key legal precedents still used by law enforcement today.
230: Part 2: Tyler Schwab – Hope after human trafficking
Jan 13, 2026
Show notes
Murph shares his recent trip to Vienna, Austria, where he represented Libertas International at the United Nations Trafficking in Persons Symposium. While the conference highlighted the global awareness surrounding human trafficking, it also exposed the frustration felt by those on the front lines — too much talk, and far too little action. Tyler and Murph reflect honestly on the gaps between policy, promises, and real-world results.
The heart of this episode belongs to the survivors. Tyler shares deeply personal stories of individuals who endured unimaginable trauma yet refused to let their past define their future. You’ll hear how choice, connection, and community support play a critical role in long-term healing, and why rescue is only the beginning of the journey.
January is National Human Trafficking Awareness Month.
Awareness leads to prevention. Prevention saves lives.
If this episode opened your eyes: ✅ Subscribe ✅ Share this episode ✅ Get educated about online safety and victim support
Real heroes fight crimes most people never see.
230: Part 1: Tyler Schwab – Hunting human traffickers worldwide
Jan 12, 2026
Show notes
This episode dives deep into the alarming scope of human trafficking, from Latin America to the United States, and why Medellín became a strategic base for operations. Tyler shares heart-wrenching survivor journeys, miraculous interventions, and tragic reminders of just how high the stakes truly are. You’ll hear firsthand about the cost of doing good, the dangers NGOs face, and the resilience of survivors who refuse to be defined by their trauma.
This episode is difficult—but necessary. Child exploitation thrives in silence. Awareness saves lives.
If this story moved you: ✅ Subscribe to support real crime stories ✅ Share this episode to spread awareness ✅ Support NGOs fighting child exploitation worldwide
Heroes don’t always wear uniforms—but many do. 👊
229: Part 2: AJ Collazo – Op PanEx, Inside the global Drug War
Jan 06, 2026
Show notesMurph is joined once again by veteran DEA leader AJ Collazo for a deep dive into one of the most complex fronts in modern law enforcement—the international drug war. Their conversation centers on Operation Panama Express, a groundbreaking multi-agency effort that transformed how law enforcement tracks and dismantles maritime drug trafficking networks. AJ breaks down how intelligence-driven cases are built, the dangers of undercover work, and why cooperation between DEA, military, foreign governments, and federal agencies became essential after the Patriot Act reshaped global enforcement strategies.
229: Part 1: AJ Collazo – Wild stories, undercover dangers, & truth about America’s drug war
Jan 05, 2026
Show notes
In this gripping and surprisingly hilarious episode of Game of Crimes, Murph sits down with AJ Collazo, a veteran law enforcement officer whose 38-year career includes 24 years with the DEA during some of the most dangerous years of America’s drug war. AJ takes listeners inside the real world of policing—from outrageous Florida criminal stories that will make you laugh out loud, to the deadly serious rise of Colombian heroin trafficking in the 1990s. He shares what it was really like working undercover, the risks agents take that never make the headlines, and how interagency cooperation became a key weapon against powerful drug organizations.
228: Our Annual Tradition – Review of the original “Die Hard” movie from 2021
Dec 29, 2025
Show notesMurph and his former co-host, Morgan Wright, have a fun but informed review of the originalDie Hard, breaking down the legendary Nakatomi Plaza hostage takeover with help from someone who actually knows how this stuff works—Rick Massa, a retired LAPD SWAT officer. Spoiler alert: crawling through air vents barefoot is not standard operating procedure. Whether you’re a true crime fan, a law enforcement buff, or someone who just wants to finally settle the debate—is Die Hard a Christmas movie?—this review delivers laughs, insight, and a whole lot of controlled chaos.
227: Part 2: Mike Chavarria – The war on drugs isn’t fought in headlines, it's fought in the shadows
Dec 23, 2025
Show notes
In this powerful continuation of Game of Crimes, Murph sits back down with Mike Chavarria, a true American patriot who dedicated more than 31 years to the DEA after serving in the U.S. Navy and NCIS. Mike’s career placed him at the heart of the global fight against drug trafficking, where intelligence, courage, and trust meant the difference between life and death. Mike takes listeners deep inside Operation Band of Brothers, a multi-agency, multi-national investigation that showcases both the complexity and necessity of cooperation between U.S. and international law enforcement partners. Mike also discusses his book, “Junior: A Son of the Gulf Cartel,” offering deeper insight into the human stories behind the drug trade and the men and women who fight it every day.
227: Part 1: Mike Chavarria – Inside the DEA’s Biggest Drug Wars
Dec 22, 2025
Show notes
In this gripping episode, Murph sits down with Mike Chavarria, a U.S. Navy veteran and former DEA Special Agent with more than 30 years of frontline experience in America’s war on drugs. From covert operations to high-stakes international investigations, Mike pulls back the curtain on the real-life battles fought by federal agents—far beyond what you see in movies or TV shows. Mike shares behind-the-scenes insights from one of the DEA’s largest operations ever, including his role in legendary missions like Operation Snowcap and Operation Band of Brothers. The conversation dives deep into the rise and evolution of the Sinaloa Cartel, the critical—and dangerous—role of confidential informants, and the intense pressure law enforcement faces when success is measured by numbers, seizures, and arrests.
226: Part 2: Rob D'Amico – FBI undercover ops and HRT missions with elite military operators
Dec 16, 2025
Show notes
Murph continues his discussion with Rob D'Amico, a 26-year FBI special agent, former Marine, and one of the most battle-tested patriots to ever wear a badge. This episode delivers a gripping, unfiltered look into the world of undercover mafia operations, elite counterterror missions, and the real-life heroism that drives America’s frontline defenders.
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