Against the Wind: Fighting America's Drug War on the Rio Grande

by David Regela

Pablo Acosta and Amado Carrillo-Fuentes have become infamous . . .

. . . but the agents who risk everything to stop the drug lords remain in obscurity.

Now, Agent David Regela exposes the shocking truth about the real enemies in the war on drugs.

As a new federal agent for the U.S. Customs Service, David Regela was eager to help stabilize the situation along the southern border.

On the front lines in this lawless territory, his survival depended on quick reflexes and even faster thinking. At any moment, he might be in an Old West–style gunfight or deep undercover within a multimillion-dollar drug operation.

During his career, Regela's courageous contributions resulted in several noteworthy successes. Award-winning journalist Charles Bowden (Down by the River) names Regela the only undercover agent to get close to Amado Carrillo-Fuentes, the fabled Lord of the Skies. Regela also interacted extensively with Mexican warlord Pablo Acosta.

But success came at a price. Corrupt, self-serving agents within various U.S. agencies benefited by perpetuating the war on drugs, and Regela became the target of an unethical internal investigation designed to arrest him.

He would have to choose between his career and his integrity.

Regela's fascinating account provides an inside look at how the war on drugs has created a killing field along the border today. Against the Wind is a must-read for citizens seeking to be more informed about this volatile region.

365 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 9, 2022

Reviews

[Terrence Poppa]

Against the Wind is a significant book about the border with Mexico. Though he writes about his experiences as a federal law enforcement officer for the U.S. Customs Service, Regela’s memoir rises to the level of a top-notch journalist with a flair for words. He offers the pull of gun-blazing action mixed with insightful profiles of players on both sides of the law. But most importantly, the author gives an on-the-ground view of a border that is spinning out of control. His startling account will help to pry open eyes that are still closed to its troubled realities.

Disclosure: I've known the author for a long time and benefited from his generous help in my own similar work as a journalist. I have tried to draw media interest to his important work, but without success, and I suspect this is due to the on-going censorship of authentic revelations about the state of our border with Mexico. The powerful interests that are behind the open border policy of the current regime and those who stand to benefit from the masses of illegals now entering the country are behind the censorship. God help us if this continues.

Against the Wind deserves five stars for its literary merit, but it deserves another five stars for David Regela's fearless whistleblowing.

[Terrence Poppa · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Regela’s memoir is a significant book about the border with Mexico. Though he writes about his experiences as a federal law enforcement officer for the U.S. Customs Service, Regela’s memoir rises to the level of a top-notch journalist with a flair for words. He offers the pull of gun-blazing action mixed with insightful profiles of players on both sides of the law. But most importantly, the author gives an on-the-ground view of a border that is spinning out of control. His startling account will help to pry open eyes that are still closed to its troubled realities.

Against the Wind deserves five stars for its literary merit, but it deserves another five for David Regela's fearless whistleblowing.

[Roy Bray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptionally written

Was an intriguing and exciting ride-a-long with a group of brave, adrenaline junkies, dedicated to their calling in life. Outstanding depiction of the continuing war on drugs along the US/Mexican border and the men who fight the good fight on the front line.

[Janice Sanchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Memories

I enjoyed reading this book. Dave has remembered these times in vivid detail. They were very different times for sure.

[Joe Laughon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beyond in being very determined to tell you about his sex life, an extremely good story of law enforcement on the border

[Terrence Poppa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a significant book about the border with Mexico. Though he writes about his experiences as a federal law enforcement officer for the U.S. Customs Service, Regela’s memoir rises to the level of a top-notch journalist with a flair for words. He offers the pull of gun-blazing action mixed with insightful profiles of players on both sides of the law. But most importantly, the author gives an on-the-ground view of a border that is spinning out of control. His startling account will help to pry open eyes that are still closed to its troubled realities.

Against the Wind deserves five stars for its literary merit, but it deserves another five stars for David Regela's bold whistleblowing.