Manny, a former Fresno PD officer and undercover narcotics detective, shares his remarkable journey from Mexican immigrant working in agricultural fields to infiltrating drug cartels and conducting high-stakes operations in the dangerous world of narcotics trafficking.
• Born in Zacatecas, Mexico, Manny immigrated to the US at age four and began working in agricultural fields at age 10
• Parents instilled values of hard work and education, telling him to "get educated so you don't have to be here"
• Started police career in King City before moving to Fresno PD
• Despite being new to Fresno, was quickly recruited to specialized gang unit (MAGIC) due to previous experience
• Worked undercover for over 6 years, first with gangs then with high-level drug traffickers
• Conducted undercover operations posing as a buyer for drugs and firearms
• Emphasized command presence, communication skills, and report writing as essential police skills
• Described tactics for maintaining cover, including positioning himself as a "businessman" rather than a user
• Provided insights into drug trafficking organization structure, pricing changes, and cartel operations
• Encountered Santa Muerte altars in dealers' homes, noting those followers were often the most violent
• Was involved in shootouts, including an operation that resulted in one suspect deceased and one injured
• Now works as a background investigator for police candidates
• Advises new officers to maintain integrity, follow policy, stay within the law, and continuously improve their skills
If you're interested in a career in law enforcement, make sure you understand what you're getting into. This isn't an 8-to-5 job - there will be mandatory overtime, missed family events, and high-stress situations. Always have a Plan B, just in case it doesn't work out.
