4-Hour Tiers of a Drug Smuggler Course

A Deeper Look Into the Criminal Mind and How to Spot It Before It’s Too Late

Uncover the Tactics Smugglers Use to Evade Law Enforcement

If the 2-hour course opened the door, this one walks you through it.

In this 4-hour session, former high-level trafficker Richard W. Laferriere shares the deeper mechanics of his criminal career from childhood influences to full-scale smuggling operations that spanned states, borders, and criminal organizations. This course goes beyond the surface to show how smugglers build their networks, stay undetected, and manipulate law enforcement at every level.

Course Overview

This class breaks down the five primary tiers of drug smugglers:

Mules/Couriers – Disposable foot soldiers used to carry weight
Street-Level Dealers – Often careless, inconsistent, and prone to mistakes
Mid-Level Operators – Smugglers with refined tactics and vehicle modifications
Regional Coordinators – Behind-the-scenes players managing multi-state networks
High-Level Traffickers/Logisticians – Individuals with deep cover, clean records, and corporate infrastructure

What Sets This Course Apart

Breaks down all five tiers of smuggling operations and their vulnerabilities
Delivers an insider’s view of how smugglers organize and protect themselves
Adds more case examples and analysis than the 2-hour version
Focuses on actionable strategies for stops, interviews, and investigations
Highlights red flags other trainers often miss

“Most agencies can catch a mule. Fewer can flip a mid-level player. Almost none know how to find the guy like I used to be. That’s what we fix here.”

Wondering Why You Should Trust Us?

Who is Rich Laferriere?

Richard ‘Rich’ Laferriere isn’t your typical law enforcement instructor. For more than 20 years, he operated at the highest levels of drug smuggling, moving over 10 tons of marijuana, 1,200 pounds of cocaine, and millions in cash without detection. After being apprehended, he spent more than a decade as a DEA informant, helping federal agents dismantle major trafficking networks. Rich has authored books on his experiences and has trained thousands of law enforcement officers across the country, sharing the rare firsthand knowledge needed to understand, identify, and dismantle criminal operations. His perspective offers the kind of insight no textbook or traditional instructor can provide.

Topics Covered

Practical cues to identify smuggler tier during traffic stops or interviews
Common behavioral inconsistencies and cover story breakdowns by level
Red flags in paperwork, vehicle prep, and route selection
How to adjust your interview tactics based on smuggler type
What types of pressure work on which tiers—and what doesn’t

“The higher you go, the better the story, the cleaner the car, the tighter the routine. But nobody is perfect, and I’ll show you where the cracks are.”

Who Should Attend

This course is designed for:

If your team needs better tools to understand who they’re dealing with and how to get ahead of them, this 4-hour session delivers clarity and field-ready application.

Format & Delivery

Ready to Book This Course?

Ready to give your agency a better lens on smuggling operations? This course is a perfect next step.

Call or Text: 860-338-0667
Email: Rich@coadstraining.com

“Every tier has a weak link. The key is knowing where—and when—to apply pressure. This class shows you how.”