Episode 097 - John Callery: Opioid Update in the Pandemic Age

In Episode 097, we are rejoined by one of our earlier podcast guests, Mr. John Callery, to get an update on the state of the opioid crisis in America and the steps that have been taken to keep citizens safe, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. John updates us on the status of fentanyl in 2021 and the reasons behind its proliferation, as well as the challenges faced by the DEA in protecting the public from its sinister effects. We discuss the impact of COVID-19 and how it has changed the way drugs are used, trafficked and enforced. He explains how sophisticated the methods of the drug cartels can be with drug distribution and how they have adapted rapidly during this time. John also updates us on the role the DEA has played in monitoring the conduct of domestic pharmaceutical companies and their production and distribution of opiate-based medications. And, with almost 30 years of experience in the drug enforcement business, John tells us about his role as a technical advisor for major movies over the years that involve plots around law enforcement and illicit drug trafficking.

Mr. John W. Callery has a total of 35 years of law enforcement experience and began his law enforcement career in 1984 as a Police Officer in the United States Air Force (USAF) for six years. For four of those years, he was detailed to the prestigious USAF Presidential Honor Guard at Bolling AFB, Washington, D.C., serving then President Ronald Reagan. Mr. Callery continued his law enforcement career as a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in 1992, initially assigned to the DEA Los Angeles Field Division (LAFD). Mr. Callery received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Administration from the University of Maryland and a Master’s of Science in Counterterrorism-WMD from the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in 2007. He also holds a Master Certificate in Conflict Management from the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza School of Business.

As the Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the San Diego Field Division (SDFD) he is currently leading the men and woman of the SDFD in concentrating on the opioid overdose death investigations, fentanyl laced drugs, Mexican Cartel operations and the enduring scourge of methamphetamine trafficking in the region. Mr. Callery is also a professional public speaker and has conducted hundreds of lectures around the globe on a myriad law enforcement and counter terrorism topics.

You can find out more information on the work done by John Callery and the San Diego Division of the DEA via the following links:

Website: https://www.dea.gov/divisions/san-diego/san-diego-leadership

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DEASANDIEGODiv


The D&D Fitness Radio podcast is available at the following locations for downloadable audio, including:

iTunes – https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/d-d-fitness-radio-podcast/id1331724217

iHeart Radio – https://www.iheart.com/podcast/dd-fitness-radio-28797988/

Spreaker.com – https://www.spreaker.com/show/d-and-d-fitness-radios-show

Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/5Py2SSPA4mntNwYRm0Opri


You can reach both Don and Derek at the following locations:

Don Saladino:
http://www.DonSaladino.com
Twitter and Instagram - @DonSaladino
YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/donsaladino

Derek M. Hansen:
http://www.SprintCoach.com
Twitter and Instagram - @DerekMHansen
YouTube - http://youtube.com/derekmhansen