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Dirty Dealing: Drug Smuggling on the Mexican Border and the Assassination of a Federal Judge

2006

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Synopsis

"Dirty Dealing: Drug Smuggling on the Mexican Border and the Assassination of a Federal Judge" is a non-fiction book written by Gary Cartwright and published in 2006. The book explores the interconnected stories of several individuals involved in drug smuggling and corruption on the U.S.-Mexico border in the 1970s and 1980s, including that of a federal judge who was assassinated in 1989.

The book follows the lives and criminal activities of individuals such as drug smuggler Pablo Acosta, corrupt Texas sheriff Rick Thompson, and hitman Charles Harrelson, father of actor Woody Harrelson. The book also delves into the corrupt political and legal systems that enabled drug smuggling to flourish along the border.

The central focus of the book is the assassination of U.S. District Judge John H. Wood Jr., who was killed in 1989 by hitmen hired by drug lord Juan Garcia Abrego. Wood was known for his tough stance on drug trafficking and had sentenced several high-profile drug smugglers to long prison terms. His assassination was a wake-up call to the U.S. government, leading to increased efforts to combat drug trafficking along the border.

Overall, "Dirty Dealing" offers a vivid and disturbing portrait of the drug trade and corruption on the U.S.-Mexico border and highlights the challenges faced by law enforcement officials in their efforts to combat it.

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