Undercover Drug Cops On Their Worst Moments | Crime Stories |

In this episode of our Crime Stories series we have sat down with Peter Bleksley and Neil Woods, who both used to be undercover cops working with drug crimes. Peter and Neil shared their worst moments, exchanged stories from the old days and agreed on why the war on drugs has to be ended as soon as possible.
00:00 - Getting into undercover work
05:42 - Taking drugs undercover
12:37 - Closest I've been to death
20:43 - Future of drug policing in the UK
Thanks to Peter and Neil for taking part!
Follow Peter here: peterbleksley?lan...
And find out more about Neil here: neilwoods.net and Twitter @wudzee0 @UKLEAP
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[@wildoatling]

I appreciate the man on the left for his ability to politely interject an pull more details from the man on the right. He’s both an excellent listener and storyteller.

[@hiphophead211]

Peter Bleksley - great on podcasts and a great author

[@hiphophead211]

Same for Neil Woods to be fair

[@bigh6109]

@@hiphophead211 Is he related tae Stan Forest? 🤔🤷🏻‍♂️

[@georam7253]

He's done a couple of great interviews here kzbin.info/www/bejne/f56xkqeJo8-GkK8

[@joseph1845]

I was thinking the same

[@oliverh8446]

Hearing two highly experienced undercover officers categorically agree that decriminalisation and regulation is the only answer says it all. If only governments would listen.

[@becky2235]

If only. It would do so much good and use the money for support services and treatment for addiction. It would save so much suffering

[@Bubble170]

Yep. I’ve now seen ex undercover officers of all ages say the exact same thing. Which says to me that this has been known for a long ass time.

[@Mr_Reset]

It’s all part of the corruption they speak of. Nothing will change.

[@terryt2728]

I saw an economist say that legalization would destroy a lot of urban neighborhoods. The neighborhoods rely on drug money that much. I bet that is one reason they won't legalize its just not talked about. Legalization is the only way forward though.

[@seanvik]

@@terryt2728 That economist is making out like the money goes to the neighbourhoods. It goes into the pockets of a handful of people, and the scraps trickle down to the runners, who are mostly addicts and spend it on feeding their habits. It wouldn't destroy any neighbourhoods it would only have a positive impact on everyone

[@alisonagainffs]

Neil Woods is a man of character, no ego and obvious kindness. I love his interviews. Top banana.

[@vantheman1238]

The end of the discussion on drugs and it being the fourth biggest industry in the world and being run by the most dangerous people in the world was the best explanation I’ve heard on drugs.

[@patkearney9320]

There is no war on drugs never was to much money keeping it underground, damn it's a grift I'm sixty Irish been and seen the world twice. It's a grift an enigma wrapped in a catch 22 that is perfect! Drugs are a tool of war, always was and always must be. Truly I live a kind decent life and have seen both sides of the coin. Regards from Ireland.

[@Kristoffceyssens]

The coppper 'backloaded' his joints 😂

[@thelonesomewanderer8359]

haha that cracked me up, his undercover partner turns to him and says "f it lets get stoned" 🤣

[@pPod1231]

Neil woods- good cop bad war- best book I’ve read in years. Could listen to his stories all day

[@jonathanm9436]

Thanks for the tip. I can recommend "Chasing the Scream" by Johann Hari - fascinating book.

[@the_local_bigamist]

The man is a legend. I'm not sure if I read the one you mentioned or another one he did but his experience offers incredible insight into how stupid the whole "war on drugs" is, but he also dissects the problem from a historical point of view and talks about how things could be done in a much better way.

[@ashawalker5986]

They worked hard at what they thought was the right thing to do, and it's really honorable hearing them say how negative it was for society in the end

[@WillieJoyce.]

These 2 needs there own podcast 100%

[@Tedthomson98]

What an absolute joy to listen to this pair, ive got such respect to them and the channel!

[@MrsGump]

I could listen to these 2 guys for hours! I really enjoy these true story/true experience type vids

[@paulherzog7858]

Such a brilliant video and two really interesting and intelligent individuals. I'm glad that the channel gave the possibility for that and for the 2 men to do all of that. I also saw the bald one in another video and he's brilliant.

[@the_local_bigamist]

Props to LadBible as always for giving these men a platform for their invaluable insights. Long post ahead but this is a subject that gets me riled up. I've been following Neil Woods for a while now and he is completely on the ball when it comes to how ludicrous, counter-productive and dangerous the "war on drugs" is, and seeing him speak with a colleague who did the same job was excellent. Notice how the conclusions of both men are the same: the current way of doing things not only fails to tackle the problem, it actually makes it worse. You will find a majority of people who know this world from either side (i.e. reformed crooks or ex-police) and who have really thought about it come to the same conclusions. Not only have these strategies failed to interrupt the supply of illegal drugs (there are more drugs available to meet the demand of consumers than ever, and the supply is always increasing), but they have made the business of dealing drugs more dangerous. Mentioning the awful tragedy of Olivia Pratt-Korbel (RIP) being murdered only months ago should hammer it home for anybody who doesn't get it yet: children are being caught in the cross-fire as drug dealers try to kill each other to claim their market share. This is in the same city that saw the tragic death of Rhys Jones (RIP) in 2007, murdered when a third generation "gangster" was trying to shoot at a rival and ended up murdering an 11 year old boy - the murderer himself was only 16 years old, and he was raised into this world at street-level as so many young people are. Outside of London, Liverpool is the city with the biggest monopoly on the drugs market, and as the drugs are distributed around the country (it is complicated but there are some known, fairly consistent distribution networks that have been in place for decades, and we would be naïve to think that top police, MI5, NCA etc. don't know about them), accompanying the drugs is the violence. In every city and major town in this country, people are killing each other in order to keep the kingpins wealthy, and even when the police take down a major player, there will always be people trying to get the spot and this will often come as a power-struggle, with more people being murdered, including innocent people and children, because so many of these psychos can't shoot straight! Meanwhile, the real, top echelons of organised crime aren't even known to the public because they present themselves and are seen as "respectable businessmen" - you might even be living in one of their properties. Whilst the local big shot runs about in a rented, flashy car, has a Rolex and controls the flow into his housing estate (even just a block in a housing estate!) and has young kids shooting at rivals when there is a challenge, the top level traffickers are possibly at a dinner party with such potential guests as a top copper, some business people and maybe even a politician! The local bigshot will say the old line: 'snitches get stitches', but the people who supply him - and probably his local rivals - will have cosy relationships with people in law enforcement. Even some of the bigshot, openly "gangster" types will be snitches, using the police to take out their rivals by being informants, and there are cases in which the gang will have someone actually employed within the police, getting a salary on top of their police salary! It goes deep. Of course, some cops are corrupted by the money alone, but some are blackmailed - an example might be that some organised crime group knows that a certain officer has elements of his lifestyle that he wants to keep secret (use your imagination, or don't, because you might think of the worst kinds of secrets that a police officer - or any person - would want to keep...), and so he will provide information to the OCG in order to keep things under the carpet, and will likely be financially rewarded too. People have no idea about just how close some corrupt police are to organised crime, and the whole "snitches get stitches" line is there to terrify the people employed by the group but also the communities in which they operate. Neil Woods mentioned this when he said that gangsters had to be more scary than the police - organised crime requires people capable of the worst violence imaginable, stuff which makes the movies seem like silly cartoons in comparison. How many more innocent people have to die or be maimed, or have their lives ruined in other ways, just so a few people can get rich? We know that the current way of doing things merely makes things worse, but there is no change in sight because there is too much money at stake. Drug money isn't just stashed under mattresses, it is filtered into the global financial system and amounts to $billions. The whole house of cards would fall apart if they suddenly did things the right way. Of course drug dealers profit but so do the police who need to play cops and robbers, the private prison industry, probation officers, rehabs, psychiatrists, any number of front businesses, dirty cops, corrupt politicians and other officials, spooks, property developers and of course, the banks! The list goes on and on. The black market contributes greatly to global GDP with the three most profitable illegal commodities being drugs, weapons and human beings, and there are too many people who have a vested interest in keeping things as they are. Prohibition in the USA was a total failure by policing standards, but it did benefit organised crime. What we are seeing today is just a modern expression of that. It doesn't work and it leads to all kinds of misery and horror that could be avoided if we started to look at addiction as a public health issue, tackle the kind of economics (i.e. capitalism and especially the neoliberal reforms of Thatcher, Reagan and others, courtesy of the Chicago School boys) that destroyed working class communities in which drugs suddenly appeared when all the jobs disappeared, the breakdown of these communities, families within them, the lack of decent employment, our ultra-materialistic society, alienation, mental ill-health and many more issues. So much needs to be done and I am grateful to people like Neil Woods and the other police here for being honest about the abysmal failure of the "war on drugs" and helping people to understand just how f*cked up the whole thing is.

[@MadeOfStone02]

You’ve hit the nail on the head there

[@martinward7239]

90% of that is spot on IMO. Personally I don't agree with the 'tackle the kind of economics (i.e. capitalism and especially the neoliberal reforms of Thatcher, Reagan and others, courtesy of the Chicago School boys) that destroyed working class communities in which drugs suddenly appeared when all the jobs disappeared' because in my personal experience that isn't true. I grew up in the 70s and 80s in South London council housing.

[@miadiem2048]

thank you for this important conversation and for sharing your experience what will really solve the war on drugs!

[@nerd26373]

We appreciate this channel for giving us insightful content. We look forward to seeing more of these.

[@georgerouy6415]

What an amazing conversation. The last 5 min was very informative

[@dylano6804]

I’m glad they acknowledged the serious negative consequences of the war on drugs

[@0dixib0]

Wow, this went from interesting to mind blowing, and I totally agree with the gentleman on the left; that was truly a brilliant point.

[@lisalep]

Absolutely brilliant. Need a podcast with these guys

[@sarahbell2012]

Absolutely Brilliant!

[@Andy-fr2im]

Great conversation. thx.

[@lenarobinson]

What a fascinating point of view at the end re the war on drugs.

[@dylano6804]

That is the point of view of anyone who has been affected by or involved in the war on drugs

[@OliveHay]

They’re both great listeners! Loved the guy on the left, he’s really curious!

[@Moxhification]

Love these two lads. Will enjoy this episode highly! Edit: Massive message from you both. Look forward to hearing more from you both in the future!

[@RealMasonFoxworth]

Who fought I'd find you here

[@alacritty]

yoo wtf

[@lewiss626]

Please do more of these I want to hear all of Peters stories

[@L3go_Man87]

Really interesting to have these two guys speak to each other 🙂

[@nickharmer3049]

Can't fault the Camberwell Carrot.! Absolutely love that film.! Top blokes them. I can't fault their attitude towards drug laws. Terrific upload. It made for great listening. Bless up 👊

[@alismekal2323]

Two brave men with amazing stories, and after their experiences the insight into better ways of dealing with drugs in the future.

[@MOSAS_SUPPLIES_LTD]

With a legal background and high-functioning autism, an exploration led me to the ex drug squad podcasts. In sharing these captivating narratives from one author to another, I find them not only intriguing but also enlightening, offering a unique perspective on the complexities of these interactions. The brilliance and depth of both Peter's and Neil's stories across each interview not only captivate but also serve as a source of intellectual inspiration, providing valuable insights into the multifaceted challenges within this captivating realm. Their experiences unfold like intricate tales, unraveling the intricacies of the legal landscape and the human condition, creating a rich tapestry that fuels my intellectual curiosity.

[@cainwatkins912]

Need a part 2

[@Charlotte66666]

Great stuff.

[@Sam-gw5pl]

Great stuff

[@foreignofficeclub5815]

Very interesting, Neil Woods especially is someone always worth listening to

[@nickfosterxx]

A seriously well done bit of video, with a punchy title subtly concealing the real important message about decriminalisation and regulation at the end. Hats off to those guys, I can hardly imagine some of the fear and long term stress they must have endured. Their position goes back so far - in 2001, Portugal decriminalised the personal possession of all drugs, the same year that Jack Cole in the US helped launch LEAP, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (now Law Enforcement Action Partnership). It's long overdue for the UK to catch up.

[@gman7329]

This reminds me of a story I had almost forgot about, the second guy saying how he was young & had a lot to learn actually made me think of it. I went snowboarding with some mates & they were all pretty good & I was a novice at best & could tell they were getting the shits waiting on me all the time so told them to do their own thing & we would meet back up at the pub at lunchtime. I got there first & just having a few liquid painkillers after a few crashes & a UC sits down at my table trying to sell me drugs. Na, I’m good thanks mate. I appreciate your offer but I’m not looking to buy anything. He instantly asked if I could hook him up with some, I think I just laughed a bit at first because I was so caught off guard that this poor cop had no idea what his cover story was. He got up & left & I than laughed out loud like an idiot at the entire situation. Hope he didn’t get in to much trouble.

[@KumaBean]

Lol

[@Happy_Spatula]

This is the content I want to see

[@roytetwart]

Very interesting. Those guys made a massive point about drug crime. Theft,violence, all sorts of criminal acts done just to facilitate possession and dealing in drugs.

[@echorz]

"i used to hate being stoned... undercover"

[@nickfanthorpe8500]

Peter bleksley is absolutely fascinating, a real copper.

[@msrainbowbrite]

did you hear the times he interjected like he was interrogating a suspect whose story doesn't match up? ... copper to the end

[@lincolnengland5005]

They both were.....doing things me and you probably would'nt.....

[@mack8488]

Great series....one question why the uncomfortable set up!!??

[@yeahman147]

I cant stop laughing at the chairs

[@batteryincorporated]

2 badasses right here!

[@andrechilver7783]

Good this was interesting

[@spicyhummus6266]

Its funny that i was about to type up, that we know the war on drugs doesn't work. Also when you meet people in the business, you start to realise that Most of them are just simply good businessmen that have unfortunately got into the wrong line of sales!

[@ratski6259]

Very interesting, spot on.

[@yorkshiredreamer443]

Brilliant 😎👍

[@liamsire]

So many know the truth, and yet no one listens

[@the_local_bigamist]

Too much money at stake. Drug money isn't just stashed under mattresses - it is filtered into the global financial system and amounts to $billions. The whole house of cards would fall apart if they suddenly did things the right way. Of course drug dealers profit but so do the police who need to play cops and robbers, the private prison industry, probation officers, rehabs, psychiatrists, any number of front businesses, dirty cops, corrupt politicians and other officials, spooks, property developers and of course, the banks! The list goes on and on. The black market contributes greatly to global GDP with the three most profitable commodities being drugs, weapons and human beings, and there are too many people who have a vested interest in keeping things as they are.

[@honved1]

I was hoping to see these two together

[@NobuAtreides]

As citizens of the world, it is in our interest to create a community where our young people can develop their full potential. Creating this community now means tackling the drug trade. This video is very important to watch and understand, in order to create this community that supports the future of our young people.

[@Lesloi6227]

Interesting on a higher level how every undercover I've ever listened to says the same thing about the war on drugs. What a pointless exercise it is and how much better society would be if we were not fighting this defunct war.

[@Smurfis]

That I’ve billed it so ima spark it is a tradition me and the lads when I was younger used to always say you billed it you spark it

[@stephensmith4240]

Blex, You Gadget, I don’t remember you being fit and athletic! I do remember helping out the C team when you had another ‘cotril’ of coke in from Knightsbridge. Happy days x

[@richardmoore9874]

Legalise and regulate. You will always still have a black market, but take the main control out of the drug dealers, and bring dispensaries, with clean drugs, regulated, backed up with supportive information, and ways to get clean if they choose too. So a massive rehabilitation process as well. I'm referring to hard drugs for that, mainly. Use that money to invest in rehabilitation, support, and since it's such a big business, use the other profits to help society too.

[@sih1095]

Wow.. To hear the Police say this.. 😮

[@adeels97]

"Don't you want this ting" 😂😂😂

[@danielkarmy4893]

People like these are among the greatest heroes of our law-abiding society.

[@bronoun8884]

Really neil tryed to stitch me up when i was in the process of putting Jimmy savile mates in prison. Years of hell coz of him . He doesn’t want to run into me ill bloody ruin him . How would you like that happened to you? Not much I bet . Only fools have heros ,

[@nairemlap533]

These videos are essential to educate people. I am an addict, in recovery for 18 months. I have lived this, I felt everything Neil said in my bones, I can see his stories playing out in my mind. This world will turn into an absolute hell if we carry on with the “war on drugs”. As these two gentleman said, LEGALISE AND REGULATE. If we do that, gangs will disappear, the Crack & Heroin market in this country will disappear and there will be almost no new addicts created. I hope I see it in my lifetime

[@amsf1]

"Proud as punch" you have to love British colloquialisms 😂

[@jayofthekitchen]

The police are meant to be there to protect the people and if their opinion is that the war on drugs is just continuing an endless battle and making things worse then I think it is their duty to come forward and admit this, in admitting that this farce of a war is making thing worse instead of regulation and legalisation of drugs and pushing politicians who dont see the reality of what is going on to act in accordance then that will be the point where they can move on to protecting us from the more disturbing and horrific crimes that occur in turn making their purpose more true and just

[@dylano6804]

Spot on

[@steveluetchford602]

Two very good iterviewees but Peter has always been better at it

[@chrishill6715]

The war on drugs Needed a good laugh

[@theculturedthug6609]

Imagine being a drugs cop today talk about a total waste of time😂😂 imagine going in to work knowing you are not making one bit of difference whatsoever. Thst drug Dealer you just arrested is replaced within the hour😂

[@becky2235]

They never made any positive difference!

[@bari2883]

They don’t care they think it’s the biggest bust of the decade and made a dent in the market.

[@imranahmed2638]

😅No wonder they have such great job satisfaction! I mean what a positive contribution they make to society !😢

[@DIRTYLEEDS]

I could watch hours of these two just talking about all their stories

[@mario4725]

The guy on the right is the most blatant undercover of all time😂

[@becky2235]

At least the guy on the right didn't lose his morals and didn't do anything against the hippies and youngsters. Most will do anything for a conviction even if it wrecks the person's life

[@littadnb.]

If you listen to his other interview, he says he did have to do that and really regretted it.

[@nm628679c]

I didn't know that Len Goodwin used to be an undercover cop!😮

[@imranahmed2638]

😅No wonder they have such great job satisfaction! I mean what a positive contribution they make to society !😢

[@heresjonny..8189]

Pretty sure the younger guy done a test purchase on me 1998…. 3 times… Was a stupid youngster at time …. Got a long prison sentence to knock the stupidity out me …. Worked as havnt been bck

[@portarooney2817]

Looks like that guy from fight club just older 😂😂

[@adventurously_random]

Didnt expect it to go the way it did at the end but they arent wrong. Strange to see a uncencered cop being able to say what they truly feel

[@J03130]

i swear i've had some of that pink speed he had to take. when he mentioned it i suddenly had a flashback lol.

[@GrassesNonsesExposed]

Pink champagne

[@andyacropopolis5815]

Pink champagne 95/96

[@TheBerendir]

Pink champagne was from the precursor the Chinese used in making it today it's food colouring calling itself pink champagne 😂

[@rdizzy1]

Haha, I was a heavy heavy stoner for 10 years straight and could still never roll joints or blunts.

[@niallbourke7963]

Having spent 24 years addicted to hard drugs, now in recovery for 13 years, these two are hilarious, well bogy. Anyone else agree?

[@willgoodall1529]

This needed to be longer than 27 minutes

[@zeikerd]

hahahahahaha! taking some crazy speed when you never do that sort of thing! hahahahaha

[@strambo4386]

We need to treat drug abuse as a health issue, educate and inform people about the risks and anyone that is struggling with problematic use can be referred to relevant health services

[@nikitanokia1249]

Love that old copper❤

[@shakeynige]

I love Bleckers

[@mixedmartialanarchist6469]

Their sacrifice should be held with high regard.

[@dylano6804]

Even they admitted their sacrifice was pointless and harmful to society at large

[@mixedmartialanarchist6469]

@@dylano6804 their mission was pointless, the sacrifice remains.

[@Unyamurdle]

OMG I never realised they would have to take drugs themselves. That’s so interesting and what a no brainer lol

[@paullbobbinsbobbins2965]

Base is often a word for crack.

[@YakubKang]

Base is not methamphetamine its just amphetamine

[@brickjamesOG]

The last 7 minutes is some real shit for some cops to admit.

[@gilesvungtau7530]

having a beer with Kev now in Cambodia Pete

[@philthyw]

I smoked weed for 10 years and only smoked a 7 skin once. Always had l plates. Never made initials out of a line either. These two sound like they’ve never touched drugs in their life 😂😂

[@andyacropopolis5815]

Their under cover police. What point are you making?

[@philthyw]

@@andyacropopolis5815I don’t think you understand

[@andyacropopolis5815]

Been smoking since 1993. Still don't understand what point you are making.

[@koalsmith7519]

They were trying to look experienced by doing something that a drug user would never do. But they said it worked tho so who knows

[@raybarrett7985]

you can't ask a crack dealer for drugs by jusk knocking on he would want to know who are you who told you to go there who do you know

[@philipgladstone1914]

The toad in the whole was definitely cooked by a southerner 😂 a northerner would be disowned lol

[@Crimetvuk]

LadBible needs to get Paul and Noel Smith on this table.

[@Azza-ng2se]

Couldn't find kevin parl tho could ya

[@woods6800]

😂😂

[@andrewpaine2148]

I’ve seen undies smoke crack when they done there sly little operation in my area lol

[@pps900]

Back loading a joint is risky. Soon as you light it anyone close by can smell its just a cigarette.

[@timothydraper3687]

Yeah, the thing to do might be to put some right in the end and 'puff away' at it to make it burn and smell of weed without inhaling, before smoking the pure tobacco and passing it along, going on what he's described.

[@christerknutsen8031]

As long as demand exist, supply will always follow. Gotta attack the drug problems more pro-actively and figure out why people take drugs, and why they feel the need for some escape or relief from reality. Defeat the need to use, cause you'll never make drugs go away.

[@rudey24-74]

Jackanory both of em😂😂

[@gabbermensch]

Speed/ Base....that was my thing back in the days..I took a lot of things but always came back to Base. I'm not a fan of Coke as it's stepped, prepped and for the Higher-Set. What Neil talked about there...I imagine he had the connections so I don't think he's lying..if you can find sticky-base that looks kind of pink when you turn it, that's about as fucking pure as you are ever going to see, that shit will burn your skin, rub a little on the inside of your wrist...it needs to be stepped and cut down..or do what I used to do...get ready for fucking launch.....

[@Metonymy1979]

The only winner on drugs is if you make it legal and tax it. That takes the criminal level out of it and benefits the community by taxes.

[@MSHCentral]

It doesn’t take the criminal level out ,as it will get taxed so much that it would still be cheaper to acquire it illegally

[@me5969]

@@MSHCentral yeah but look at alcohol, cigs and diesel. Yes you get some selling them but it's few and far between. Most people get them all legally. After all who wants to sit in the back of a Land Rover getting driven around some random estate in Liverpool by three violent criminals when they can just go the corner shop

[@LeadsTheFallen]

Thought that was Jeff Bezos for a second lol

[@Martin-ep6xu]

Must depend who you are, ive been taken to court for £7.00, £0.20, £0.01 of weed

[@MeetBallsAndCheese]

Wow my like was 420

[@FirstBlackFemaleTrillionaire]

Wow

[@jackmercer4803]

So successful with seizures and arrests that you didn’t even dent the drug market

[@krebsomaticfourtwenty]

This is actually Jeff Bezos pretending to be an undercover English narcotics cop. I would do the same thing if I was a billionaire. It doesn't surprise me that he's into techno. The other guy is Jeff's butler. He's actually English and even though he's pretending to be a cop, the drug stories are mostly based on real experiences that he had when he was involved with the party scene in London in the 80's and 90's. Jeff pays him extra to do these fun videos.