veteran law enforcement officer
Wesley Tabor
Wesley Tabor brings over 35 years of experience in law enforcement, intelligence, and global security. Starting as a deputy sheriff in Florida, he earned the Florida Medal of Valor in 1996. He later joined the DEA, where he dismantled major criminal networks, served in 7 U.S. field divisions, and completed tours in Central and South America. His investigations exposed narco-states and transnational gangs like MS-13 and Tren de Aragua, leading to the creation of a gang intelligence system later adopted by the FBI.
About Wesley Tabor
Wesley Tabor is a veteran law enforcement officer with over 35 years of operational experience, including nearly two and a half decades with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). His journey began in 1989 in the Tampa Bay Area, where he served as a deputy sheriff, working the front lines of street violence, surviving shootouts, and investigating some of the most disturbing crimes imaginable. For his bravery in the line of duty, he received numerous commendations, including the Florida Medal of Valor in 1996.
In the 1990s, as the methamphetamine epidemic gripped the United States, Tabor joined the DEA and was assigned to the Midwest, where he led complex investigations against large-scale meth producers and violent trafficking syndicates.
Throughout his DEA career, Tabor was stationed in major cities including Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Washington D.C., and St. Louis, and took part in international missions across Central and South America. While stationed in Guatemala, he operated extensively throughout Central America, leading cross-border investigations and partnering with regional governments to dismantle trafficking corridors. His work directly targeted organizations such as MS-13, CJNG, the Sinaloa Cartel, Tren de Aragua, and Cartel de los Soles—building a reputation as one of the agency’s most seasoned field operators.
Overcoming Adversity: The 2001 Injury
In 2001, Tabor was struck by a drunk driver and suffered a spinal injury that left him temporarily paralyzed. The driver—a career criminal with nearly 300 known alias names—fled the scene and evaded capture for 23 years. When finally apprehended, the suspect received only several months of probation—an outcome that exposed serious flaws in the justice system and reflected the systemic failure to deliver accountability in cases involving violent offenders.
Despite the severity of his injuries, Tabor remained committed to returning to duty. While paralyzed and in intensive care, Tabor had a life-changing epiphany—he committed to return to duty and make a lasting difference. Just three years later, he was back in the field, conducting jungle operations in Guatemala and leading DEA missions throughout Central America. It was during this time that Wes developed a comprehensive gang intelligence database—compiled from prison biodata and regional police records—which was later adapted and used by the FBI. His work not only targeted violent criminal networks, but also revealed the human side of gang life, identifying those seeking a way out and supporting local efforts to help them.
Venezuela: Cartel-State Combat
From 2010 to 2013, Tabor served as the DEA Country Attaché in Venezuela, leading operations in one of the world’s most politically volatile and dangerous environments. There, he confronted the rise of the Cartel de los Soles, a criminal network embedded within Venezuela’s military and government. He is the only known DEA agent to have met directly with many of the generals and high-ranking politicians involved. These interactions led to the capture of high-level drug kingpins and globally wanted INTERPOL fugitives, despite operating under extreme risk and hostile surveillance.
As a result of his role, multiple contracts were placed on his life by cartel elements within the Venezuelan regime. Operating under constant threat, Tabor made significant personal sacrifices for his country, enduring isolation, attempted targeting, and geopolitical obstruction. His efforts delivered actionable intelligence, dismantled trafficking routes, and advanced U.S. strategic interests inside a hostile narco-state. Elements of his experience were later featured in a 2023 National Geographic exposé on global narco trafficking operations.
CIA Assignment: Covert Counter-Narco Operations
From 2012 to 2015, Tabor was embedded as a DEA-assigned agent to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), where he served overseas with a focused responsibility for the Western Hemisphere. His mission: to disrupt and dismantle the transnational convergence of drug cartels, terrorist financiers, and criminal proxies working against U.S. national security.
Author of Infiltrate America
Wesley Tabor is the author of Infiltrate America, an explosive and deeply informed exposé uncovering how foreign criminal organizations are embedding themselves in U.S. communities—often supported or shielded by corrupt foreign regimes. The book blends raw operational history with public warning, offering both education and alarm.
Media & Speaking Engagements
Wesley Tabor has been featured across major national media platforms, including Fox News, Newsmax, The Wall Street Journal, and the Associated Press, offering frontline insight into border security, cartel operations, narco-politics, and gang infiltration inside the United States. His expertise has also been cited by investigative journalists, intelligence analysts, and national security commentators.
He speaks with authority on:
- Transnational organized crime
- State-aligned cartel networks
- Border security and migration dynamics
- Intelligence strategy and law enforcement policy
- Gang penetration of U.S. communities
He is available for:
- National television & podcast interviews
- Keynote speeches & law enforcement summits
- Security consulting for agencies and NGOs
- Strategic briefings, training, and media commentary
Contact
After leaving law enforcement, Tabor continues to consult on security, intelligence, and transnational crime. In 2023, he served as the Global Director of Operations for Risk Management at one of the world’s leading private security firms, overseeing international threat assessments and crisis response planning.
