Unmasking the undercover informant inside the cartel | Four Corners

Undercover operatives and secret informants are a key weapon in the fight against drug trafficking and organised crime.
But what happens to these people once the operations have finished?
For the first time, Four Corners speaks to a confidential human source, an undercover operator, and a handler about life undercover.
They include Australian man Miles Mehta, who worked as a confidential source for the ACIC and the DEA, and now says he’s been abandoned.
00:00: Intro: Undercover informants
2:15: On the run
5:31: Interpol Red Notice
9:16: Becoming an informant
9:42: Australia’s most wanted
10:52: Working for the DEA
11:58: A $500,000 check
14:14: Human intelligence
18:55: Verifying claims
20:01: Encrypted chats
21:25: ACIC handlers
27:28: Meeting a handler
32:38: Infiltrating criminals
40:16: Calling a ‘spy’ in prison
This Four Corners documentary was originally broadcast as ‘Undercover’ on October 2, 2023, on ABC TV and ABC iview.
Read more about the story here: ab.co/3RuoYrd
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Note: In most cases, our captions are auto-generated.

[@chapmansbg]

You do a great job mate love watching your investigations.

[@patriciadawson4164]

How UNAUSTRALIAN is this behaviour. The man is right, if he should face a Court, it should be an Australian Court. I'm not suggesting he be let off with a slap on the wrist. But I believe he has earned the right to be brought home to face our Courts.

[@spateri728]

Amazing story. Great journalism!

[@murrayteasdale8456]

That is the best reporting that iv’e ever seen. Interviews without giving location and detail is so simple and perfect. Nice job man!

[@hanniballecter922]

Mahmoods move to journalism is a gift to investigative reporting ...talented legend... 💯🤙🇦🇺

[@plewe1]

outstanding journalism

[@LK-em1bv]

Nobody likes a snitch not even the police lol

[@liamguzman7542]

mahmood fazal what an asset to the abc and australian journalism , the storys he tells are just so relevant to modern life and very interesting insights keep up the good work !!

[@AA-oc9vu]

Great topic and great tips for not becoming an informant or going on witness protection anywhere. If this is indeed the standard for international law enforcement then let them do their crafty work without informants. Interesting to see if this show creates any waves.

[@queenofthebutterflies5212]

Well, the system doesn't work, what's new?!! This is an absolutely exceptional journalistic piece on a topic, that being crime, the underworld, spies, etc. that endlessly fascinates the public.

[@Joseluz1969]

What a world. Everyone wants law enforcement to catch drug dealers, but then the very people who risk their lives to make it happen get treated like discardable items.

[@charlieduvall6463]

It doesn’t help being a criminal.

[@kingswoodroadproductions6570]

​​@@charlieduvall6463brilliant reply. Keep up the good work

[@chained_rose]

Incredible investigative journalism and story!

[@RickDecember]

Hard to imagine anyone would risk their lives to work as an unpaid spy, and now has to risk it a second time to even have a chance to come home.

[@gerardpayne4402]

It’s not the Australian way , shame our Federal Govt are not acting on these disturbing revelations

[@user-wu3mw2iu7x]

Cannot trust anyone in the life

[@PTQ4Q4Q4Q4]

This is just sick, the war on drugs will never win, its destroying more lives than helping.

[@Braveheartless]

Brilliant…

[@RickDecember]

Brilliant investigative reporting on the underside of the underworld😅

[@alienapks]

Protect them

[@clevo351]

I would not want to be in his shoes🤔

[@timweaver9228]

You don’t get to become an informant at that level without being involved in high level crime and it’s often a way out for them to avoid jail and justice ! They are not an innocent lamb

[@sillkid9773]

Solid journalist love your work bro 👑

[@zelkyvideo]

So...nothing has changed.

[@johnross779]

This guy thinks that American justice system is like their home country ..

[@user-rf7kq8tz6o]

Now this is a REAL story !!! Id rather watch stuff like this instead of mainstream dribble all sayin th same shit.

[@user-cz2mq4ch4n]

Maybe, there are, citizens, that actually, do want the, truth, justice, and sense of, doing, a solid for the community!

[@ConcreteRiver]

Mahmood Fazal>every other Oz journalist

[@justwatchmate]

This lads reporting for abc now.....Well done

[@soeifong]

Why would anyone willingly unmask an informant inside the cartel? Really, what good would that do?

[@rceravolojnr]

How can you trust anyone who talks that much especially to the police? I'd bet that maybe 10% of what comes out of his mouth is truth

[@luinomrkt2111]

Most informat get end up in jail. Informer self is a betrayal

[@taowhooale]

You play stupid games, you win stupid prizes

[@rajveerlondontoaustralia1646]

Give him justice

[@real_guy2965]

Mate you’re not that important calm down

[@richielew261997]

Looks like if you work for law enf. Or the drug cartel...you are as good as dead. But the drug cartel atleast pays you first.

[@samvue9219]

No I say protect them 😅

[@nicholaslandolina]

Wow

[@josephclancy3528]

Very interesting story ! However can anyone really be surprised by the actions of the criminal informer or the government agencies ?? This is not the movies; it is real world ! It always gives me a chuckle however when the criminal informer starts complaining about how the intell agencies are treating them ! It appears they do not like to be taken advantage of in the same way they did with their own criminal actions !

[@vb_blokeboi7251]

I used to live in Budapest, what a trip seeing it here

[@guitorro]

😮😮😮😮

[@johnorchard140]

He just wants to get out of jail sentences.

[@bigbangger998]

99% off people on all sides don't like a sntich, BAD MOVE

[@tonyadeney1245]

good report - that world easy to get into tricky to get out

[@0401412740]

He's a fraudster. He's definitely lying for sure.