 All right, I got him. I'm turning the tape on now. Stan, start rolling the tape. You got it, Lester. Here goes. I wish Lester would have used the new transmitter. This one's not working very well. Hey, Bruce. How you doing, girl? Hey. It's good to see you. Good to see you, too, Dustin. How you been? It's been so long to been. Sylvie, when he leaves, I'll be telling him that you and Luke hustle to catch up. Keep pushing. And this doesn't feel right. I wish we could play on this better. Would have been nice. Hey, Lucie, why don't you go out, trip across the street and get us some beers? Let me talk to Lester. Well, is this OK with you, Lester? Yeah, that's fine. I'm partial to myself. Yeah. You don't mind? No, no, no. I haven't seen you in a while. All right, there she goes. Keep your eyes open. Look, one of my suppliers has become unreliable, right? I'm looking for somebody I can depend on. A new source, you know, somebody I can expand my business with. A new source for what? Exactly. Coke. But, Dusty, I want quality. I'm not interested if it's been stepped on from here to Bogota. No problem. I think I can help. On a regular basis? Well, I mean, what kind of quantities are we talking about? Three, four keys a month, if the price is right. But I want to start out small, you know? We do some business. We get to know each other. The volume goes up. What the hell's going on? Hey, hey, what's going on here? Where are you going, man? Man, this place is making me nervous. We're working out someplace else, man. What are you talking about? I thought we were making a deal over here. We got a problem here, Stan. What's going on? The perp's getting nervous. He wants to go somewhere else. All right, he's made us. Everybody heads up and get ready to roll. Dusty, Dusty, come on. Why don't you just stay here and get the deal straight? Hey, look, man, if you want to do this deal, you get in the car. You got me, I'm going. All right, all right, hold on. Jesus, he's getting into the perp's car. You guys get your car, so get ready to follow him. Hey, Al. Let's just wire it just died. Great. How did that happen? Look at that. What did they park like that for? There it goes. There it goes. OK, let's roll. Let's go. Man, I don't believe this. Get out of the way. Get out of the way. I can't hear his mic. He's on main, heading north. We're blocked in. You need to get moving. We don't see him, Al. What kind of car does he have? What's the tag? I didn't get the tag. He's driving a white Jeep Cherokee. You need to get up there. We're going to lose him. I told him a million times, never get in the perp's car. Hey, man, what the hell's your problem? Where the hell are we going, anyway? Hey, I don't like being spied on when I'm doing business. What are you spying on us? Could be the same people you're looking for through that mirror. What the hell are you talking about? Look, why don't you just pull over, I'll get out of the car, and we'll forget this deal. Hey, no can do, buddy. You and me, we still got some business to tend to. The truck's stalled, and they can't get it started. Keep trying. We've got to get out of here. Al, this is a suit. We lost it. They must have turned out somewhere. Keep looking. The car just disappeared. Al, this is Stan. I can't get the wire back. And I just got its emergency distress signal. Man, I don't believe this. What's wrong with this picture? What went wrong during this ill-fated undercover operation? Several things, really. Some hardly noticeable. But in undercover operations, mistakes, even little mistakes can be fatal. We require to participate in what's known as an investigative skills lab. It's important for all law enforcement officers to fully understand the proper operating procedures, governing surveillance, and undercover operations. This investigative skills lab gives you the opportunity to apply your new-found knowledge in a comprehensive practical exercise. Now let's go back to the beginning of this exercise and see how the proper application of investigative fundamentals and planning can bring about a much better result. Two things to remember, safety and legality. Neither are flexible, and both must be constant. Team leader, you're on a short fuse. It's your show. Yes, sir. All right, folks. We have a lot to cover, so listen up. First off, I have SAC approval to conduct a short-term undercover investigation, provided the informants' information pans out as well as it has in the past. After initial instructions by the instructor, the exercise begins with a briefing held by the team leader in which the operation is planned out in detail. Information regarding the informant is disseminated, team assignments are made, and operational approval undercover objectives and cover stories are discussed. The team is on its own, and the success of the operation will depend completely on preparation and planning. Now, let's see how the exercise turns out. Everybody knows their assignment? I think we're clear on the operation. All right, now the CI's name is Lucy Firestone. She called the Task Force Duty Agent early this morning. She did two years on a drug charge, but was paroled a couple of years back. She's been clean ever since. Word has it that she's been quiet for a while and that she's reliable, and she won't try to stiff us. Records in her file will back that up. I want you two to conduct the initial interview, OK? Here's your file. Terry, I want you to help me with the paperwork. Stan, why don't you get with Kelly on the audio and video equipment? Are you guys ready? Oh, yeah. We'll handle it, and we'll call you with a preliminary on the interview. OK, very good. All right, let's go with the details one more time. Just want to make sure that you're all here. Lucy Firestone? Yeah, that's me. I'm Special Agent Vandermeer, and this is Special Agent Stowers. Yeah, come on in. Can I get you any coffee, iced tea? No thanks, we're coffeeed out. Come on in and have a seat. Thank you. Agent Stowers is going to take notes while we talk. It's really important that we get all the information right. Sure, sure, no problem. So I understand you called our office this morning with some information. Yeah, I got some pretty good stuff on this guy named Fred Dustin. Have you ever heard of him? Not offhand, but when we get back to the office, we can check him out. What's going down? Well, Dusty and I go way back. We used to do business together, but I hadn't seen him in a long time. Well, he calls me yesterday and asks me if I'm still in the game, play along with him, and he tells me if I can come up with the cash, we can both make a bundle. So I tell him I think about it, and then I call your office. So what's his game? This time it's cocaine, but he deals in other stuff, too, with his pal Richard Rowe. I mean, stuff like counterfeit money, food stamps, money laundering. How about you? I mean, we haven't heard from you in a while, and now you call us. How come? I need the money. Work's been slow, and I got bills to pay. Plus, I got a score to settle with Dusty. What kind of a score? I involved a friend of mine. Dusty messed her up bad with crack, and then he dumped her. She was dead before I could do anything. Were you ever involved with him? No. I mean, we went out a couple of times, something serious. It's been nothing but business between him and me. Can you give us a description? Oh, better than that, I got a picture of it. Oh, great. All right, so he calls you looking for money. Do you think you can set up a drug meet with us? Well, what I have to do, I know Dusty's dangerous. I mean, he carries a gun. Don't worry, you'll be protected just like in the past. Now, we have to make a couple of phone calls, and you will have to introduce him to one of our undercover guys. We'll be running a surveillance at all times, and we'll work a cover story to keep you out of it. So all I have to do is introduce you guys, and then I'm out of the picture. That's right. You call them, set it up, go with us on the first meet, and you're done. That's it? That's it. With your help, Lucy, he's going down for a long time. But right now, we need more details, OK? OK, what else do you want to know? Hey, Lucy, how you doing? I want you to meet Special Agent Lester Adams. He'll be working with you undercover. Hi. Hey, how you doing, Lucy? All right. I'm nervous, maybe. Hey, it's OK to be nervous. We're going to take care of you, don't worry. Agent Vandermeer briefed me on what you told her. And what we're going to do is come up with a good cover story that this guy is going to buy into. I know you come from Chicago, what part? Southside. Southside, no kidding. I come from the south side. I know a little bit about the south side. You can use that. Let's see, we seem to be about the same age. Maybe we went to high school together. Yeah, that would work. Dusty knows I'm from there, but nothing else. All right, great. Now all we have to do is iron out the details and make this cover story really tight. Then we're going to have you call Dustin and set up the meet. We've attached a recorder over here. It's going to record everything that both of you say, OK? Fair enough? Fair enough. All right, great. Yeah, hello. Dusty? Hey, darling. I've been waiting for your call. Yeah, I did, Dusty. And I've been out of it for a while, but I could really use the cash. Hey, that's my girl. Just remember one thing, it's tax-free, baby. Hey, it'll be great just like old times, you and me. Yeah, just like old times. Listen, Dusty, I can't front that kind of money, but I got a guy I can. Old friend of mine from Chicago, I mean, he can come up with a lot of cash. Whoa, no, no, no, no. Hey, hey, whoa, wait a minute. Wait a minute, Lucy. Come on, darling. You've been talking to somebody about this? Well, yeah, Dusty, I mean, but he's cool. I mean, he and I go way back, and I'm telling you he's a serious fire. I don't know, serious. Look, Dusty, why don't you just meet him and talk it over, OK? Nothing lost. Well, what the hell? I trust you, baby. I guess I'll be more harm than talking, right? Are you sure he's cool? Yeah, I'm sure. Come on, meet us out at the pier at 4.30. Meet us there, OK? Well, baby, let's make some money. OK, 4.30 to pier. I'll be there. Good deal. See you. See you. All right, there you have it. The introduction is at 4.30 at the pier. Now, I know we've already gone over it, but let's review the operation again. Lester, you and the CI will arrive at 4.15, and you'll put yourselves right here on this bench, all right? The rest of the team will already be in place by 4. Now, Luke and Sylvie, you guys will move to the pier. You'll be right out here fishing. Now, make sure that you can get to your vehicles quickly because they're going to be following the purpose as soon as the meet's over. Terry, you're going to put yourself on this bench right over here, OK? Stan and Kelly, you're going to be in the motor home right here. Stan's on wire, and Kelly's got the camera. Oh, and Kelly, make sure you park your car so that you block the exit. OK. Megan, you're going to position yourself here in the park. I'm going to be in the car across the street. Now, we're all going to be on scrambled radios, but I don't want any unnecessary radio chatter. Now, has everybody got their verbal and visual danger and arrest signals? I don't want any phallips out there. Check your equipment. Lester's safety is priority number one. Lester, you and the CI saw it on your cover story? Yeah, I saw it, man. I'll set it up for Megan on the second meet, OK? And guys, look, I never get in the perp's car. If that happens, close in, OK? And I'll use my alarm pager if I need to. Very good. Stan, why don't you get Lester and the CI wired. We're going to be leaving shortly. You sure about this guy? Late. Lester never was much for being on time, but he'll be here. So when he shows up, I introduce you to him, and then I take off, right? Like we planned it. Relax. Sort of acting nervous like that. You're going to blow this whole deal. No, I just haven't done this for a while. All right. So we're protected, right? Hey, and don't do that. I'll tip him off for sure. Now, believe me, we're covered on all sides. Nothing's going to happen to you, OK? Yeah, I'm OK. Here he comes. All right, I got him. You can turn your tape recorder on. Just dance that role in the tape. You got it, Lester. Here it goes. Hey, Lester. How you doing, girl? Hey. It's good to see you. Good to see you too, Dusty. How long has it been? Sometime now, I mean, you know, but I'll tell you what. Time's been good to you. Well, you too. Listen, this is a guy I was telling you about. This here's Lester Atkins. Lester and I go way back. Back to the old neighborhood in Chicago. Lester, this is Fred Dusty. Good to meet you, Fred. Lester said a lot about you. Likewise, Lester. Some good things about you too. Why don't you just call me Dusty? All right, Dusty. Lester says we might be able to do some business. Depends on you, Lester. Everything Lucy says is true. I don't see any trouble while we can't come to some equitable arrangement. That's good, because if you can deliver like Lucy says, we're both going to get healthy on this deal. Sounds good to me. Lester's old pal of yours, huh? Yeah. We ran around the same crazy crowd. That was in some wild times, obviously. So now really, what really brings you down this way? Not at work, man. We're doing some pretty heavy construction down there in Jacksonville. I'm just an errand boy, but it's a union gig. So the pay is pretty good. Pretty good? Yeah. Good enough for this kind of deal? Good enough. We can come to terms. Money is not going to be a problem. So we do a deal. You're saying you're taking this stuff back to Chicago? I don't know, way, man. I moved out of there a long time ago. I moved to Philly. That's my market now. I'll tell you what. Lucy, why don't you go out a trip across the street and get us some beers? Let me talk to Lester. Well, is this OK with you, Lester? Yeah, that's fine. I'm partial to myself. Here, you don't mind? No, no, no, no. I haven't seen him in a while. Is that what you buy? All right, there she goes. Keep your eyes open. Look, one of my suppliers has become unreliable, right? I'm looking for somebody I can depend on. A new source, you know, somebody I can expand my business with. A new source for what? Exactly. Coke. The dusty, I want quality. If it's been stepped on from here to Bogota, I'm not interested. No problem. I think I might be able to help you. On a regular basis? Pins. What kind of quantities are we talking about? Three, four keys a month, if the price is right. But I want to start out small. We do some business, we get to know each other. The volume goes up. Let's start with a key. OK. One key, 25 large. Hey, man, on your luckiest day, my friend. Man, I can only go 19s my highest. Lester, my man. You're not shopping Kmart here. The damn price is ain't falling, man. Hey, you want quality, you pay for quality. Stop working me, Dusty. Let's just cut to the chase. I'll split the difference with you. But if you want this little friendship to continue, you're going to have to do better than that. Fair enough? Fair enough. One key, 22, five large. Cash. Cash. You know the little laundromat on Glen Avenue? Yeah, and a little strip mall, I know it. OK. You be there at 10 o'clock tonight? All right. Don't be late. All right. Lester, two things I really don't like. Late and surprises. OK? Yeah, man, look, Dusty, when I get there, there's going to be somebody with me there, all right? What the hell are you pulling now, man? I just told you, no surprises. Didn't I just tell you that? I'm pulling nothing. Look, man, what do I look like, the Bank of America? I work with an investor. She's got most of the cash. What's a she investor? Who the hell are we talking about now? Her name's Megan Stone. Her brother's the primary contractor on that construction job I'm working. Look, man, I've been doing business with her for a long time. Man, she's a player. I'm no lie, all right? No lie? No lie. That's supposed to make me feel better? Look, pal, I told you, I don't like surprises. Surprises have a bad habit of getting people killed. You understand? Hey, look, man, most of the money's her. She's not going to have it any other way now. You want this deal or not? You're jacking me, man. Hey, OK. Let's go. But you listen to me. You tell your chick, Megan. I don't want no more surprises. I'm more funny stuff, understand? If you do, the deal's off. You got me? Yeah, man. I got you. OK. 10 o'clock tonight. Don't be late. Meeting's over. Stan, how's the audio and video? Good stuff, Al. Al, I've got the eyeball on cluster. Luke, you guys on the perp? Yep, we've got the eyeball. OK, surveillance team. Follow them home and hand them over to Mary Silva. Her team will pick up surveillance there. You guys meet us back at the office because we've got some planning to do. OK, it's hard. All right, everybody, we're on for 10 tonight. Megan and I scouted the laundromat, and we've got a plan, so listen up. Megan is the second you see with Lester. You guys will position yourselves here. Luke, Sylvie, and Terry, you guys are the arrest team. Luke, the laundromat's open 24 hours, so it looks like it's wash day for you. I'm overdue anyway. Sylvie, I want you to pull your van out front and be on a phone. Got it. Stan, you're on audio and video this time. And use the surveillance van. We don't want to give the perp any reason to be suspicious. Terry, you've got the parking lot car. OK. Kelly, you're down here by the convenience store, and you and Luke will transport. OK. I'll be right here watching for any counter surveillance and any surprise guests. We set up early again, right? Right. 930, Megan and Lester, I want you to arrive at 10 till. Now, remember, the CI said this guy is armed, and Lester said that he saw a gun on the guy at the first meet. That's right. Half of all drug deals are rip off, so be on your toes. The help signals are the same. The visual arrest signal is when the dope goes in the trunk, and either Lester or I close the lid. The verbal is, we'll contact you later to do more business, then we'll walk over the car and just get out of the way by the arrest team. Very good. All right, Megan, here's the money. It's marked. I want you to count it and sign for it before you leave. And you're going to have the alarm transmitter and the recorder. Right. Lester looks like you're on wire again. All right, got it, boss. Any questions? Let's move. All right, everybody, heads up. Here comes Lester and Megan. Stan, how's the audio and video? Working great, Al. Sylvia, you want them? I want them out. Kelly? I see them. Luke, got them covered. Good, now keep an eye out for the perp. We do this as we planned. I don't want any fallups. Lester and Megan's lives are in our hands. The C.I. says this guy's notoriously late. He may have to wait a while. Maybe, maybe not. OK, team, here comes the same car. God, look at him. He's checking us out. Here we go. Keep your eyes open. Everything's working well. Got great video on him, Al. How's it going, man? All right. So this your friend? Yeah, this is, um. Megan Stone. Nice to meet you. So you're the one with the cash? That's right. All right, listen, should you give me the money? I'll give you the dope. We can all get the hell out of here. I've got $22,500 in here, but you're not seeing any of it until I see the merchandise. I can handle that. Check it out, Mr. Hall. Go ahead, Mr. Check it out. Good. Go ahead and put it in the trunk. This works out. We'll be sure to contact you to do more business. Oh, baby. This is beautiful. There's plenty more where that came from. I'll do business with you any time. Take care. Good. There's the arrest signal. Go, go, go. Looks good in here. Your chance behind your back. Right, Mr. Clear. Self-parameter is clear. Give me other hand. Let's go, let's get out. The arrest is safely made. And up till now, the students have been successful. But the investigation is far from over. The suspect must now be processed, then interviewed for additional relevant evidence. To further the investigation, an attempt to gain information regarding the suspect's accomplices will be made. And a search warrant for Dusty's house will be executed. So the students have a long night ahead of them. But their investigation will be building on a successful operation that was planned and performed safely and efficiently. So as they move on to the next stage of their investigation, we can all be assured that there is something definitely right about this picture.