#23 - DEA Secrets: Lies, Corruption and the Future of Crime-Fighting with Angus Forbes

Is the war on drugs really about justice—or something else entirely? In this episode, host Marcus Arredondo welcomes former DEA agent Angus Forbes, who pulls back the curtain on high-stakes international drug busts, undercover operations, and the corruption that few dare to discuss. From DEA raids in Thailand to the dark realities of law enforcement politics, Angus shares stories that defy popular narratives and expose the truth behind the headlines. But his journey didn’t end with the DEA. Now, he’s using AI technology to revolutionize crime investigations—and his insights could change how we think about law enforcement forever.Angus Forbes is a former Marine and DEA agent turned AI entrepreneur. With years of experience in high-risk law enforcement operations, including global drug enforcement, he witnessed the challenges of crime investigation firsthand. After retiring, he co-founded Ethos, an AI-driven company revolutionizing law enforcement by streamlining investigations and data analysis. His work combines military precision, real-world experience, and cutting-edge technology to improve public safety. Beyond his career, his biggest motivation is ensuring a secure future for his twin sons.How to connect with Angus Forbes: Website: [email protected] Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angus-forbes-503b35102/Episode highlights:(2:11) A DEA raid in Thailand(5:27) Corruption in international drug enforcement(12:41) The harsh realities of drug smuggling(18:02) Acting on instinct Vs. The following protocol(21:31) Misconceptions about the DEA(29:22) The U.S.’s addiction to painkillers(32:50) The Naval Academy and U.S. citizenship(44:36) What could unite the U.S. again?(48:08) The birth of Ethos AI(56:44) Military discipline in the business world(1:02:01) Redefining success & family priorities(1:04:10) OutroConnect with Marcus Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-arredondo/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/cus Scales of Success Website: scalesofsuccesspodcast.com X (Twitter): https://x.com/scalesofsuccess Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scalesofsuccesspod/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@scalesofsuccess Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ScalesofSuccess —-- Leave a Review If you enjoyed listening to the podcast, we’d love for you to leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts to help others discover the show. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/scales-of-success-podcast/id1773864140 Get in Touch You can also Tweet @cus with any feedback, ideas or thoughts about the lessons you’ve learnt from the episodes and we can thank you personally for tuning in.