Ciphered Past Episode 70- Killing the Lieutenant with Raul Diaz and Sean Oliver

Welcome back to Ciphered Past.In this episode, we're joined by Sean Oliver and retired Lieutenant Raul Diaz to discuss their remarkable new book, Killing the Lieutenant: Fighting Miami's Cocaine War, Hunting Griselda Blanco, and My Fight to Stay Alive.Far more than a story about narcotics investigations, this conversation explores the hidden world where organized crime, Cuban exile politics, intelligence operations, and law enforcement collided in Miami during the 1970s and 1980s. Raul Diaz recounts firsthand experiences investigating violent cartels, working alongside figures connected to Ricardo "Monkey" Morales, confronting Griselda Blanco's criminal empire, and navigating an environment where trust was often impossible.But at its heart, this is a deeply human story.Sean Oliver explains why he wanted to tell more than a "super cop" story, revealing the emotional, psychological, and personal costs that accompanied decades spent on the front lines. Together, we examine redemption, betrayal, addiction, resilience, and the sacrifices made by those living in one of America's most dangerous eras.If you enjoy thoughtful conversations about history, organized crime, intelligence, and the people caught between them, this is an episode you won't want to miss.If you enjoy our work, please Like, Subscribe, and Share to help support independent historical research and long-form conversations.00:00 Introduction02:15 Meeting through the Monkey Morales project05:05 Beyond the "super cop" story07:20 Raul Diaz's first federal investigations15:30 Political violence and the murder of Rolando Masferrer17:30 Why Sean Oliver wrote Killing the Lieutenant31:30 CIA, Cuban exiles, and Miami's hidden world33:55 Betrayal within law enforcement35:45 The creation of SENTAC 2646:30 The physical toll of constant adrenaline01:01:00 Ricardo "Monkey" Morales and the altered firing pin01:05:00 Redemption and telling Raul's story01:08:00 Alcohol, trauma, and life after policing01:16:45 Family, legacy, and the emotional heart of the book01:31:30 Roger Redondo and unforgettable Miami stories01:34:50 Host reflections01:39:00 Final thoughtsKilling the Lieutenant, Sean Oliver, Raul Diaz, Miami Cocaine Wars, Griselda Blanco, Ricardo Monkey Morales, CIA, Cuban Exiles, Operation 40, Organized Crime, Miami History, Drug War, Cocaine Cowboys, Cold War History, Crime History, Law Enforcement, Cartels, True Crime Podcast, Ciphered Past, Historical Interviews, Intelligence History, Miami Police, DEA, Cold War America, History PodcastDisclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Ciphered Past, its hosts, or affiliates. This episode is presented for historical, educational, and discussion purposes. While every effort is made to present accurate information, viewers are encouraged to examine primary sources and conduct their own research before reaching conclusions.Suggested TimestampsKeywordsDisclaimer