His DEA Career: Working Undercover with Cartels and Motorcycle Gangs
“I spent years sitting across from people who wouldn’t hesitate to kill me if they knew who I really was,” Tyree reflected during a recent interview. “The stakes were always life or death. But the mission, to dismantle these organizations, was worth every risk.”
His story was recently featured on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast, available on their website in addition to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other platforms.
Inside the World of Motorcycle Gangs
One of Tyree’s most dangerous assignments brought him face-to-face with outlaw motorcycle clubs, better known as “one-percenters.” While many outsiders view these groups as rebellious brotherhoods of riders, Tyree saw the darker truth: highly organized criminal networks.
“The ‘Big Four’ dominate the outlaw motorcycle scene,” he explained. “These groups aren’t just about bikes. They’re about drugs, weapons, extortion, and serious violence. My job was to get inside and stay alive long enough to make a difference.”
Federal reports estimate there are over 300 active motorcycle gangs in the U.S. Some are small local groups, while others operate internationally, often working alongside powerful cartels. Tyree walked directly into this dangerous world, fully aware of the risks.
Cartels, Cash, and the Business of Crime
Tyree’s undercover assignments didn’t end with bikers. He often posed as a drug dealer or money launderer, targeting South and Central American cartels.
“These cartels are multinational corporations of crime,” he said. “Drugs, cash, money, violence, it’s all part of their business model. They’ll work with anyone who helps them move product or clean their dirty money.”
Groups like the Sinaloa Cartel and Los Zetas weren’t just names on paper to him. Tyree saw their bloody turf wars firsthand, staging fake cocaine runs one day and laundering millions the next.
“The psychological toll was real,” he admitted. “You don’t just walk away from that without scars.”
Shattering the Hollywood Myths
Hollywood often portrays undercover agents as adrenaline-fueled heroes living in constant action. Tyree insists that the truth was far different.
“One big myth is that agents have to use drugs to prove themselves. That’s absolutely false,” he explained. “If you do that, you compromise the case. We were trained to find other ways.”
He also emphasized the long, grueling nature of investigations. “Cases could take years. And paperwork, lab reports, evidence, case files, was just as important as the time spent undercover.”
Even when building rapport with criminals, Tyree never lost sight of the danger. “These are people who thrive on violence and greed,” he said.
Trauma, Health, and Resilience
Living under false identities came with heavy personal costs. Stress and anxiety were constant companions. “I had to learn techniques to stay calm, to stay focused,” Tyree said.
But his biggest fight came after leaving undercover work: cancer. “It was one of the hardest battles of my life,” he admitted. “But the resilience I built undercover helped me through it.” Today, he advocates strongly for early and regular health screenings, crediting a simple dare that led to the test which ultimately saved his life.
Life After the DEA
Though retired from active duty, Tyree has not stepped away from his mission. He now serves as a Senior Advisor on Financial Crime Detection and Anti-Money Laundering at Valid8 Financial, and he teaches with the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists.
“Whether it was chasing cartels or building compliance systems, the goal has always been the same, protect people, protect society,” he explained.
Telling His Story
Today, Tyree shares his experiences through interviews, articles, and podcasts. His feature episode, Police Under Cover Truths: Inside His DEA Career, Cartels, and Motorcycle Gangs, offers an honest look at the world of undercover work.
“I don’t glamorize what I did,” Tyree concluded. “It was dangerous, messy, and sometimes terrifying. But it was necessary. If people can learn something from my career, whether it’s about cartels, motorcycle gangs, or money laundering, then sharing these truths is worth it.”
👉 Listen to David Tyree’s full interview on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast, now streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Medium.
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