The Shocking Life and Controversial Death of Barry Seal - A True American Tale

Barry Seal was a man of many faces - a larger-than-life character whose exploits captivated the nation. He soared through the skies as a pilot, working for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and becoming embroiled in one of the biggest drug smuggling operations in American history.

The Rise of Barry Seal: A Skyborne Maverick

Born on July 16, 1939, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Barry Seal always had a fascination with flying. As a young boy, his dreams were filled with visions of navigating the skies, gliding effortlessly through the clouds. This passion led him to accomplish great things, starting as a commercial pilot and then catching the eye of the CIA.

Smuggler's End: The Life and Death of Barry Seal

by Del Hahn (Kindle Edition)

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	18028 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	390 pages

FREE

During the height of the Cold War, Barry Seal was recruited by the CIA to fly reconnaissance missions over Central and South America. He proved to be an exceptional pilot and quickly rose through the ranks. However, it was his involvement with the Nicaraguan Contras that would forever change the trajectory of his life.

A Twisted Alliance: CIA, Contras, and Cocaine

In the 1980s, the CIA was covertly supporting the Contras, a rebel group seeking to overthrow the left-wing Sandinista government in Nicaragua. Barry Seal, being a skilled flyer with extensive knowledge of the region, was enlisted to transport arms and ammunition to the Contras.

But it didn't stop there. Seduced by the allure of easy money, Seal soon found himself involved in the lucrative world of drug trafficking, using the same aircraft to smuggle vast quantities of cocaine into the United States. His daring escapades made him a legend amongst the criminal underworld, earning him millions of dollars in the process.

The Downfall: From Hero to Target

As is often the case with tales of excess and illegal activities, Barry Seal's meteoric rise came crashing down. The law enforcement agencies, once blinded by his connections to the government, turned their focus towards him. The DEA, FBI, and even rival drug cartels were hot on his heels.

In 1984, the infamous DEA sting operation codenamed "Lion's Share" brought about his arrest. Seal faced mounting charges, including drug smuggling, money laundering, and conspiracy. He provided valuable information to the authorities about his contacts in the drug trade, leading to several high-profile arrests.

The Controversial End: Assassination and Conspiracy Theories

On February 19, 1986, Barry Seal's life was brutally cut short. As he sat in his car, gunned down by assassins, conspiracy theories began to emerge. Some claimed that Seal was murdered to protect high-ranking government officials connected to the drug trade.

While the truth may never be fully known, the life and death of Barry Seal remain a captivating chapter in American history. He was a man torn between duty, ambition, and the allure of wealth, ultimately meeting a tragic end.

Legacy and Impact

Barry Seal's story continues to captivate the public's imagination. His exploits have been depicted in films such as "American Made," starring Tom Cruise, which shines a light on the daring and dangerous life he led.

The legacy of Barry Seal raises questions about the morality and underbelly of covert operations, as well as exposing the dark corners of the United States' War on Drugs. His life serves as a reminder that even those who fly through the heavens can have their wings clipped by the forces they serve.

A Final Farewell

Today, Barry Seal rests in peace at the Baton Rouge National Cemetery, surrounded by controversy and intrigue. His tombstone bears testament to a man who will forever be remembered as an enigmatic figure in American history, a man who lived and died on the edge of the law.

Smuggler's End: The Life and Death of Barry Seal

by Del Hahn (Kindle Edition)

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	18028 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	390 pages

FREE

Adler Berriman "Barry” Seal had a brief, but spectacular, career as a cocaine smuggler-turned DEA informant. At the height of his career, he was under investigation by the DEA in Mena, Arkansas, and New Orleans, Louisiana, in addition to being under the watchful eye of the FBI. Despite the heat surrounding Seal, he made a drug run to Nicaragua in 1984, where he picked up 1,465 pounds of cocaine and took photos of Sandinista soldiers loading the drugs. Then the Washington Post leaked the story, revealing that Seal was working undercover for the CIA. As a result of the article, Seal has long been identified as an undercover CIA informant. The conspiracy revolving around this supposition included the attorney general, FBI agents, Gov. Bill Clinton, and others inside the CIA.

Author Del Hahn, who worked on the FBI drug task force that targeted Seal, presents a different story. Hahn begins by calling into question the accuracy and legitimacy of the primary literary sources that support these "CIA/Mena myths.” In doing so, Hahn aims to dispel the distorted stories, rumors, and outright lies about Seal, the government’s investigation of him, and the actions that led to his murder by Colombian drug lords in 1986 at a halfway house in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.