Norris couldn't believe how Sean could come up with such a bold idea! Setting an exorbitant fare was not just impractical; it was a blatant provocation to law enforcement.
It was as if he was declaring, "I'm laundering money—what are you going to do about it?" It was like pointing a finger directly at the Financial Crimes Authority.
Most of the million-dollar amounts were laundered through the videotape market. This method avoided theaters, where scrutiny was higher. Hollywood churns out countless films every year, creating a chaotic market where money could easily disappear. Norris explained this laundering technique to Sean.
"Of course," he continued, "if you have connections, you could also invest directly in legitimate productions, like model consumption or location scouting. The messier the operation, the more it costs—but it can all be cleaned up with the right contacts."
Sean nodded, his curiosity piqued, but he shifted the conversation to the drug dealers. He needed to know who was in contact with Norris, the organization's name, the city in New Mexico, their sphere of influence, and key members.
The details didn't need to be as thorough as Fobole's; a general understanding would suffice. Sean had ordered Armstrong's intelligence team to pause their investigation into the Dimeo Group and send personnel to New Mexico. After all, over 1.2 million dollars had been funneled to them—what would happen if he asked for it back?
Once Norris finished sharing what he knew, Sean proposed, "Contact the drug dealers and let them know there's a great opportunity. The laundering can be done quickly and efficiently, and they should bring more money."
Norris was taken aback, piecing together Sean's earlier question and considering the security at the base. He almost grasped Sean's intentions. "I can only say we can try; they might not have the funds."
"Encourage them! They'll definitely want to come back for more. If you set a lower rate, they'll see the profit potential and push each other to invest," Sean urged. "After all these years in Hollywood, you must have some basic deceptive skills, right?"
He suggested making the opportunity appealing while compressing their decision-making time. "These drug dealers are not the sharpest tools in the shed. Lying to them shouldn't be difficult!" Sean added, playfully squeezing Norris's shoulder. "You're just afraid of their revenge. But are they really that scary? I don't think so!"
"If you can convince them to invest again, even if it's just a little, I'll give you a 10% commission. How does that sound?"
Sean demonstrated what it meant to maximize potential: "If you can use it, go ahead! If not, then let it go."
Norris gulped. He could see the devilish glint in Sean's eyes; he was both bold and cunning, willing to deceive drug criminals out of their money. Yet, he feared being caught in Sean's own trap!
Sean firmly stated, "You have to understand—those with greater abilities bear greater responsibilities. Justice may be delayed, but it's never absent!"
"I get it! I'll do it right away!" Norris raised his hands in agreement, fearing that Sean might deem him unworthy otherwise.
"Great! I'm heading back to Hollywood today. Time is money. I'll arrange for someone to book your tickets right now," Sean said, patting Norris on the shoulder. "And I'll send someone to protect you. Don't worry; it'll be absolutely safe."
As Norris looked out at the rolling waves, he sighed deeply. It would be surprising if Sean didn't succeed. He thought about how Sean had pressured employees in the past and realized he had been too soft-hearted.
Once the yacht docked, Norris was swiftly taken to the airport, needing to return to Hollywood before evening. He had to devise a plan to con the drug dealers during the flight.
Strangely, he found excitement in the thought of extracting every last penny from those ruthless individuals!
Meanwhile, Sean was busy coordinating with Bill and the team, instructing them to gather their equipment and discreetly travel to New Mexico. He was headed to Texas himself, planning to meet up in New Mexico as they prepared to dismantle the criminal enterprise.
This operation would serve as a real-world exercise for their special operations team.
After more than 30 hours of travel, Bill and his group arrived in Las Cruces—the second-largest city in New Mexico. Close to the U.S. border, this area, with its significant Mexican-American population, was plagued by a severe drug epidemic.
The drug gang connected to Norris operated in Las Cruces. Sean wondered if they had any ties to Gustavo and his crew. Regardless, he thought, if they were all eliminated, it wouldn't matter.
Upon arriving in Las Cruces, Sean quickly contacted Armstrong Upon arriving in Las Cruces, Sean quickly contacted Armstrong, who had arrived earlier.
"How's the setup going?" Sean asked, meeting Armstrong in an apartment rented under a pseudonym.
"We've prepared everything," Armstrong replied. "First, we'll cut off their telephone line and then their water supply. When they call for repairs, our people will respond. During the maintenance, we'll install bugs and connect their phone to a branch line. We've also installed wiretapping equipment in several nearby phone booths to ensure all their calls are monitored."
"Great job!" Sean praised, giving a thumbs up. "Now that's professionalism! What have we learned so far?"
"Norris made contact with the drug gang," Armstrong said with a smile. "He's quite persuasive and strategic. He pitched the idea of a company shooting a crime movie about drug criminals in New Mexico. He claimed that if the gang could provide some assistance, the company would help launder a sum of money at no charge."
Armstrong continued, "The only catch is that the project has already started, and any delays would cost the production significantly. Therefore, if they want to launder money, they need to act quickly. Norris even mentioned that the lead actor is a big star, which really sold the story to the gang. They've already started raising funds."
Sean laughed. "Hollywood trickery at its finest! These guys have scammed many investors worldwide. If they weren't afraid of revenge from these drug criminals, they'd have scammed them out of everything by now."
"This is just another money-making scheme," Sean continued. "But it's our turn to use their own tactics against them."
Armstrong nodded. "Indeed. The gang is eager to proceed, thinking they're getting a great deal. They believe they're avoiding the usual 15% laundering fee."
"Perfect," Sean said. "Now, we'll wait for them to take the bait."
As they finalized their plans, Sean felt confident. They would take down the drug gang while exploiting their greed and naivety. This operation was not just about money; it was about delivering justice to those who thought they were above the law.
The team meticulously prepared for their mission, ensuring every detail was in place. They would strike swiftly and decisively, leaving no room for the criminals to regroup or retaliate.
The day of the operation arrived. Sean and his team, along with Norris, who played his part convincingly, were ready. As the drug dealers gathered to hand over their money, believing it was for laundering, the team moved in.
Undercover agents posing as film crew members and maintenance workers surrounded the area. The drug dealers, caught off guard, had no chance to react. Within minutes, they were apprehended, and their ill-gotten money was seized.
Sean watched as the operation unfolded flawlessly. The drug criminals, who had thought they were clever, found themselves outsmarted and captured. Justice had indeed been served.
Back in Hollywood, Norris couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. He had played a dangerous game and won, all under Sean's guidance. Sean, on the other hand, reflected on the success of their mission. It was a testament to their meticulous planning and unwavering resolve.
As the dust settled, Sean knew that this was just one battle in a much larger war against crime. But for now, they had struck a significant blow, dismantling a dangerous network and sending a clear message: crime doesn't pay.
Sean and his team returned to their base, ready to plan their next move. There were always more battles to fight, more criminals to outsmart, and more justice to deliver. And they were more than prepared for the challenges that lay ahead.