How a DEA Agent Helped a Notorious Colombian Smuggler Build a $100 Million Empire

MIAMI – Diego Marín was no ordinary player in Colombia’s dangerous drug underworld. Known as a ruthless enforcer for the infamous Cali cartel, Marín built a vast money-laundering network spanning four continents, evading capture time and again. But what made his story even more shocking? His secret ally was none other than the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

For years, the DEA claimed Marín was one of its top targets, feeding the U.S. Justice Department intelligence on his operations. In reality, Marín was more than just a suspect—he was an informant who used bribes, prostitutes, lavish gifts, and fine dining to corrupt DEA agents. In exchange, at least one agent helped him launder money and smuggle contraband, effectively shielding his criminal empire that reportedly generated up to $100 million annually.

An Associated Press investigation, drawing from interviews with current and former officials and confidential Justice Department files, reveals the astonishing scale of fraud, corruption, and oversight failures within the DEA. Some officials compared the scandal to the FBI’s infamous collusion with Boston mob boss Whitey Bulger.

“It’s an embarrassment for the DEA,” said retired Colombian General Juan Carlos Buitrago, who spent years chasing Marín only to have his career sidetracked by the corruption surrounding the case. “They ended up creating a monster.”

From Humble Beginnings to “Contraband Czar”

Raised in a modest coffee-farming town, Marín began hustling as a child, selling candies in the town square. His path into the drug trade remains murky but took shape during Colombia’s brutal cocaine wars—a period defined by the notorious “plata o plomo” (money or bullets) tactic.

Marín first landed on law enforcement’s radar in 1993 when authorities accused him of smuggling drug money hidden in home appliances for the Cali cartel leaders. But charges were dropped after a key witness recanted, a move later linked to bribery.

Despite amassing a fortune, Marín kept a low profile, avoiding flashy displays and electronic footprints. His specialty? Trade-based money laundering—a sophisticated method that masks illegal profits through fake shipments and shell companies.

“He was almost untouchable,” said Luis Sierra, a U.S. Homeland Security investigator in Colombia. “His craft was built on corrupting officials not just in Colombia but also in the U.S.”

The DEA Agent Who Crossed the Line

Enter Special Agent José Irizarry, a Puerto Rican former air marshal who joined the DEA in 2009. Despite failing a polygraph, Irizarry earned a prized assignment in Cartagena, Colombia, where he met Marín around 2011.

Although Marín was a top DEA target, Irizarry saw an opportunity. Marín became an informant but also lavished the agent with luxury gifts: expensive watches, cars, a $750,000 condo, cash, and even jewelry for Irizarry’s wife and mistress. The two socialized frequently—playing cards, enjoying fine dining, and hosting parties, actions strictly forbidden by DEA rules.

Marín “viewed Irizarry like a son,” according to government records. In return, Irizarry shielded Marín’s operations by facilitating money transfers, protecting contraband shipments, and misleading investigators.

The “White Wash” Sting That Was Mostly Smoke

The DEA’s Special Operations Division launched a major undercover operation called “White Wash,” aiming to cripple Marín’s network by laundering cartel money to trap kingpins.

But White Wash was mostly a sham. Instead of dismantling Marín’s empire, the operation became a playground of excess, with agents enjoying a lavish lifestyle funded by cartel money. The investigation uncovered booze, drugs, prostitutes, luxury travel, and parties with criminals—often captured on video.

While White Wash claimed 125 arrests and $107 million seized, a 2020 DEA audit found these figures wildly exaggerated. The operation only resulted in five convictions and seized just $1.3 million in illicit funds—barely covering DEA agents’ travel expenses. Disturbingly, $19 million of laundered funds remain unaccounted for.

The Fall of the Corrupt Agent and Marín’s Downfall

Irizarry’s overconfidence led to his downfall. In 2016, he tried to block Colombian authorities from seizing a container of Marín’s contraband by falsely claiming it was part of a DEA operation. The U.S. ambassador to Colombia expelled him, and in 2020, Irizarry pleaded guilty to 19 counts of money laundering. He is now serving over 12 years in federal prison.

Marín’s luck also ran out. Arrested in Spain in 2023 on bribery charges linked to Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro’s campaign, Marín fled to Portugal after being released on bail. He now faces extradition while seeking asylum.

President Petro acknowledged Marín’s alleged campaign donation but said the funds were returned. Still, the scandal highlights deep-rooted corruption entwined with Colombia’s ongoing battle against drug trafficking.

“Even DEA agents helped Diego Marín in his smuggling work,” Petro said on social media, linking to the AP investigation.