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A review by zare_i
The Mastermind: Drugs. Empire. Murder. Betrayal. by Evan Ratliff
5.0
Very interesting book about one Paul Le Roux, criminal extraordinaire who ruled a vast and powerful crime empire for almost a decade and even managed to wiggle his way through the law when he was finally caught. He sold out all of his partners and it is still not clear what is actually his legal status.
What is especially fascinating is that Le Roux started with hi-tech setup for buying medications online. Of course this meant no regulations and as far as you pay you will get the product. But nevertheless, although this operation was in the gray, it was more or less legal and majority of people (except the management that worked directly with Le Roux and knew their boss is not legit in any way) actually thought they were working for legit online seller of medicines.
What pushed Le Roux into actual drug business, weapons smuggling and sales, hauling large quantities of gold around the world, diamond sales, managing assassination and mercenary teams is still unknown. Le Roux having very strange personality does not help - in the entire book not two people describe him in the same words. Only constant is very genuine fear of Paul Le Roux's retribution (whoever crossed him in any way did not have long life ahead).
I have to agree with one of the people author interviewed - it is very unlikely that Le Roux acted without backup and support of major international players. His scope of operations plus areas where his organization operated (Somalia, China, Philippines, North Korea, Iran) had to bring him into cross-hairs of international players and services.
But again this is something for which there is no solid evidence - only time will tell.
Recommended for all true-crime aficionados.
What is especially fascinating is that Le Roux started with hi-tech setup for buying medications online. Of course this meant no regulations and as far as you pay you will get the product. But nevertheless, although this operation was in the gray, it was more or less legal and majority of people (except the management that worked directly with Le Roux and knew their boss is not legit in any way) actually thought they were working for legit online seller of medicines.
What pushed Le Roux into actual drug business, weapons smuggling and sales, hauling large quantities of gold around the world, diamond sales, managing assassination and mercenary teams is still unknown. Le Roux having very strange personality does not help - in the entire book not two people describe him in the same words. Only constant is very genuine fear of Paul Le Roux's retribution (whoever crossed him in any way did not have long life ahead).
I have to agree with one of the people author interviewed - it is very unlikely that Le Roux acted without backup and support of major international players. His scope of operations plus areas where his organization operated (Somalia, China, Philippines, North Korea, Iran) had to bring him into cross-hairs of international players and services.
But again this is something for which there is no solid evidence - only time will tell.
Recommended for all true-crime aficionados.