Mule: My Dangerous Life as a Drug Smuggler Turned DEA Informant

by C.A. Heifner, Adam Slutsky, Adam Rocke

Meet Chris Heifner, overachieving drug runner for a Mexican marijuana cartel. But he wasn’t always. This one-time econ student from Texas—broke, deep in debt, and facing eviction with a growing family to support—yielded to the temptation that he had resisted countless times before and went to work for his best friend from college, Jake Andes. But it wasn’t exactly a Career Day kind of job. Andes was a big-time dealer, captaining a $25-million-a-year empire. Heifner became a mule, running multi-hundred-pound loads from Juárez around the country. After digging himself out of his financial hole, Heifner contemplated going clean. But the money and the lifestyle had hooked him, so he kept moving loads. He was so good that Andes was grooming him to become his second-in-command. And then Heifner got busted with $300,000 worth of dope in a rental car, and his world came crashing down. After bailing out of jail, Heifner went home for a much-needed shower. He emerged to find Andes and a hit man hired to kill him and his family should he decide to narc. Heifner realized that he had only one to flip and become an informant for the DEA.  That’s when life got really dangerous.

Genres: Nonfiction, Crime

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Dina · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this book because I went to school with Jeff. I have never been more disappointed in a book in my life. I believe parts are true but the author spins this “pipe me” tale and takes no accountability for his own adult choices. Just blames anything and everyone except himself. Reads like a narcissistic fairy tale. I had high hopes for this book but would rate it zero stars instead. Do not recommend this book whether you know any of the players or not.

[Jaime Medina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really excited to read this book, it involves the city I grew up in and currently live in. The opening was smashing, made me think this was going to be a story of someone who wound up in the legal system and made a comeback overcoming everything that comes with these types of charges. Instead it was a book of excuses, greed, self pity and retribution. There was no moral, no hope, no way to attach myself to the story. I'm glad the author is okay however; I don't recommend.

[Alex Mercure · Rating 2 out of 5]

This books was like any other drug smuggling story. Goes into it because of hard times, gets caught doing something stupid, gets threatened, becomes CI. The only reason why I finished this book was because I wanted to see how the Mexican cartel came into play. It didn't till the end when somebody finally got killed, but we don't know because the body was never found. It was an OK read.

[EMP · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm giving this 2.5 stars. The story as a whole is interesting. If the author didn't come off as such a tool and if he didn't complain non-stop about how unfair life is, it would have been a much better book.

[Hollywood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall not a thrilling story that is interesting

[TJ Shelby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not going to win an literary awards but it reads like someone would talk. Almost as if the guy was telling you his life story over a couple of beers.

[Rikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read. Cliffhanger ending. Lots of crude language.

[John Moscato · Rating 1 out of 5]

Awful.....plain and simple

Did I read the same book as the others who reviewed this?? Talk about a tall tale, the story contains a litany of errors with the timeline of events and the ‘author’ tries to mask his grandiose with a couple of self deprecating remarks.
The majority of this is not believable and no one to really contest what is written. This bumbling idiot took 7 years to earn his degree but makes himself out as some sort wunderkind.
Synopsis: you’re a high school loser and sell a couple dime bags and get pinched after 2 months then claim to have been selling weight and to save yourself become a rat for the gov’t. All the while claiming to be doing what’s best for your family which is an utter lie as you’re a completely selfish human being.
I’d like a refund of both my money and time.

[Adam Vandyke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was crazy and what this guy went through was insane. The parts of the book involving the DEA were almost comical. This poor guy was just trying to keep his family from getting killed while working with agents Larry, Curly and Moe. One of the most lucky and terribly unlucky guys that has lived to tell his story.

[David Locascio · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was given to me by a stranger on a plane who had just finished it.

Interesting insight into drug trafficking in southwest. Hard to sympathize with author due to his constant whining about bad luck and the unfairness of life while also bragging about being very intelligent and charming. Entertaining read, had to slog through the last third.

Overall purpose of the book is unclear.

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

what a riveting book.

[Jerid · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fairly good book, very fast paced and entertaining.
Easy read so I flew through it.
Disappointing ending

[Jenny Pohly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing, please read! Although it was a little cliche at times, the (true) story line was intense and something to really dive into and think about.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing too deep but very fun, engaging, quick read.