Working as a police officer in Mexico.

Chapter 707 Don't rush into things!

Mexico City, a conference room with extremely tight security.

The atmosphere was solemn.

This "officer drug trafficking case" alarmed Viktor, and that meant things were no longer a simple matter.

They immediately formed an elite team, bringing in the police, intelligence, and defense departments, determined to get their revenge.

Police Minister Robert Beale, President Anatoly Lunacharski, National Guard Commander James Ryan, and other high-ranking government and law enforcement officials were present.

All eyes were on Friedrich Karl Eberstein, the capital's police chief, who was giving his report.

"Based on the clues provided by Alvarez, and the joint investigation by the Ministry of the Interior and the General Administration of Customs, we successfully identified the target person using the alias 'Anna'."

Eberstein operated the remote control, and a manipulated photograph of a woman's face appeared on the screen, along with several immigration records and communications analysis reports.

"Her real identity is not Anna, but Nguyen Thi Thu, born in 1970 in Quang Ngai Province, Vietnam. This is her detailed resume."

Eberstein gestured to his assistant to distribute the documents while giving an overview:
"From 1985 to 1989, he is suspected of joining a local Vietnamese criminal gang involved in drug trafficking, and started his involvement in the drug business from the bottom."

"In the early 1990s, she was active in the Golden Triangle region. With her shrewd and ruthless methods, she gradually rose to prominence in the region's intricate drug cartel network and became the head of a small trafficking group, mainly responsible for smuggling heroin and opium preparations to Vietnam and surrounding areas. Because of her secretive and ever-changing methods, she earned the nickname "Black Widow" in the industry."

"In late 1992, her gang suffered heavy losses in a conflict with local armed groups in Myanmar. Nguyen Thi Thu herself mysteriously disappeared after the fighting. Myanmar and Thailand initially believed that she had died in the crossfire."

“In mid-1993, using a forged Cambodian passport, he entered Mexico via a third-party country under the guise of ‘investment inspection,’ initially making a brief stop in Sonora.”

"She began operating in Guadalajara in 1994. Our analysis suggests that she did not come alone, but rather with some remaining capital and connections, actively seeking cooperation with local forces. She chose Guadalajara because it has historically been an important hub for Mexico's drug trade, and at that time it was a chaotic period of transition between old and new forces with an uncertain landscape."

Eberstein paused, then switched slides to show the chemical analysis report of the seized drugs and some logistics documents.

"Most importantly, we conducted a source tracing analysis on the seized drugs, and their purity, cutting method, and special trace components completely matched the new high-purity methamphetamine that was previously described as 'extraterrestrial.'"

He surveyed the assembled dignitaries, his conclusion clear and ruthless:
"Therefore, we have sufficient evidence to believe that Nguyen Thi Thu, the female drug lord from the Golden Triangle, has successfully established herself in Guadalajara and is not operating independently. All clues point to her joining the transnational Chinese drug trafficking organization that we are tracking."

There was silence in the conference room.

President Lunacharsky took a deep drag on his cigar, slowly exhaled a smoke ring, and looked at the Minister of Police and the Commander of the National Guard: "Gentlemen, it seems those people are not truly afraid yet."

No one could answer that question.

With the global economy in a slump, it's natural that people will seek out high-return opportunities. Even though Viktor kills on sight, there's nothing he can do...

The returns are too high.

You might not think one time is worth it, ten times is inappropriate, but what about a hundred times? Or two hundred times?

Is that enough to make you forget your fear of Viktor?

"Then follow Mr. Victor's instructions and get to the bottom of this! No matter who is involved, no matter who is behind them, they must be eradicated! Secretary Bill, Commander Ryan, Director Eberstein, I need you to come up with a joint action plan to capture Nguyen Thi Thu!"

Secretary Robert Beal rubbed his throbbing temples; his temples had visibly turned much grayer in recent years, the pressure and complexity of the anti-drug work far exceeding his imagination.

His voice was tinged with weariness as he slowly began to speak: “Mr. President, I even suspect that the Alvarez case is not an isolated incident. The profits from drugs are high enough to drive people to take risks. I worry that the corrupting influence may extend beyond the military. I propose that we take this opportunity to conduct a comprehensive review of all government agencies, state-owned enterprises, and even key public institutions nationwide, including but not limited to surprise drug tests and in-depth background checks. At the same time, we should launch a new round of large-scale anti-drug propaganda, using this case as a negative example to squeeze the space for drugs to exist from the social level.”

Upon hearing this, National Guard Commander James Ryan snorted heavily through his nose and said in a gruff voice, "Medical check-ups? Publicity? Secretary Bill, you're too polite! If you ask me, we need to use the most direct method! Gather a few more groups of drug dealers caught red-handed, big or small, and shoot them to pieces with heavy machine guns right there on live television! Once a week! I don't believe any fearless bastard will dare to jump into this fire pit after seeing the examples of those who went before! Kill them until they're terrified!"

Goodness…

A typical practitioner of Viktor's anti-drug theory.

Everyone else present, including the president, inwardly cursed him as a "brute."

President Lunacharsky tapped his cigar lightly on the rim of the ashtray, breaking the brief silence, and made his decision: "The most urgent task is to capture Nguyen Thi Thu. She is currently the only visible living thread connecting our internal parasites to the external poison network. Director Eberstein, Secretary Bill, Commander Ryan, I need you to come up with a joint action plan within 24 hours, using all necessary means. I want to see this woman in the interrogation room as soon as possible! Operational level: highest!"

"it is good."

……

Hong Kong, Tsim Sha Tsui, downstairs from Chungking Mansions, "Wing Kee Char Siu" restaurant.

This place has the most Indians; you can see that many Hong Kong horror movies were filmed here.

As evening approached, the iconic bustling and humid air of Chungking Mansions, which seemed to gather people from all over the world, was briefly shut out by the greasy glass door of "Rong Kee".

Inside the restaurant, the ceiling fan whirred listlessly.

The diners were a diverse group, including porters who had just finished work, gangsters in floral shirts and flip-flops, and backpackers with huge bags and wary eyes. The place was bustling with noise.

Amidst the noise, a table stands near the corner of the kitchen.

On the table were several classic rice dishes—barbecued pork and fried egg rice, roast goose rice, and a plate of stir-fried beef noodles with a thick sauce.

Three young men dressed in ordinary polo shirts or T-shirts sat around, their food barely touched. Their eyes, like radar, subtly and repeatedly scanned the entrance of the restaurant and the other diners.

In stark contrast to them sat a middle-aged man in the main seat. He was about forty years old, wearing a well-made dark shirt and an Omega watch on his wrist that, while not ostentatious, was quite valuable. He was eating his char siu rice with gusto.

"Fourth Brother, isn't this place... a bit too flashy?" Sitting to his left, a young man with a faint scar on his cheek leaned over, lowered his voice, and spoke in Cantonese, his unease almost overflowing.

"What's the panic?" The man's voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached the ears of his three subordinates. "Have you read 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms'? Let me tell you, the most dangerous place is the safest place."

He picked up the cheap teapot on the table, poured himself a cup of strong Pu'er tea, took a sip, and said, "All the police in Hong Kong thought we should hide in the New Territories or outlying islands, or just run away. Who would have thought we'd have the guts to come back to Tsim Sha Tsui and openly eat char siu rice downstairs in Chungking Mansions?"

His confident tone slightly reassured the three young men, but their tense nerves didn't completely relax. The scarred youth was about to say something when the middle-aged man waved his hand to interrupt him: "Eat your fill first, then talk about strength. With strength, you can do things well. Eat well and go get a massage!"

Upon hearing this, the men smiled.

Why is the eldest brother in such a panic?
After eating and drinking their fill, the middle-aged man, along with his three brothers, turned into a small alley behind Nathan Road, seemingly familiar with the area.

Neon lights flickered in the alley, and various signs for "sauna," "massage," and "acupuncture" dazzled the eyes. They walked into a place that looked fairly legitimate, but insiders knew the secrets behind it: "Shuiyuefang Leisure Center."

Soon, the four were led into different private rooms.

The air was thick with the smells of cheap aromatherapy and disinfectant. A middle-aged man lay comfortably on a massage bed, while a young female masseuse in revealing overalls kneaded his back. His eyes were closed, seemingly enjoying the moment of relaxation, perhaps already planning his next move.

In the other three private rooms, his men were not so calm. Although they also received the service, they kept their ears perked up, paying attention to the commotion outside.

However, people are not as good as heaven.

Just after 10 p.m., a sudden screech of brakes and a cacophony of footsteps came from outside the leisure center!
Immediately afterwards, the door to the private room was violently pushed open, and several police officers wearing reflective vests and with serious expressions rushed in, shouting loudly, "Police! License plate check! Everyone, get dressed and come out for inspection!"

"Crack down on prostitution!" The thought instantly exploded in the minds of all the customers and "technicians." The leisure center immediately descended into chaos, filled with screams, complaints, and the rustling of clothes being put on.

The three henchmen were inwardly groaning, but they had no choice but to grit their teeth and join the other panicked guests as they were gathered in the lobby by the police.

The middle-aged man's face darkened slightly. He silently put on his clothes, exchanged a brief glance with his three subordinates, and signaled them to remain calm.

They, along with dozens of other unfortunate individuals, were taken back to the Tsim Sha Tsui Police Station. The station was brightly lit, noisy, and filled with various smells and complaints. They were separated for routine questioning and their personal information was registered.

The officer in charge of escorting and initial processing was a young officer who appeared to be relatively inexperienced. He was following procedure to take them to the temporary detention room to await bail or punishment.

As he walked through a relatively quiet corridor, the middle-aged man suddenly stopped.

He looked around and saw that there were only the two of them in the corridor, and the faint noise coming from not far away.

"Officer, want to chat for a bit?"

Li Jiaming frowned and looked at him warily: "Whatever it is, we'll talk about it when we get back!"

The other person smiled, a shrewd smile that betrayed a businessman's nature. He leaned closer, his voice low but clear:

"5 US dollars, let us go, we need to catch a plane."

Li Jiaming's pupils suddenly contracted, and his grip on the baton tightened.

The middle-aged man continued, "Pretend I never existed, and let me and my brothers go."

The air seemed to freeze.

"Not enough? How about $20?"

For an ordinary police officer like Li Jiaming, $20 is almost several years' salary.

However, the middle-aged man made a fatal mistake.

He underestimated the professional ethics of the young policeman in front of him. This almost blatant and huge bribe did not sway Li Jiaming. Instead, it was like a bucket of gasoline poured on his instinctive suspicion.

An "ordinary customer" arrested in a prostitution raid asked for $20 to buy his freedom? Who would believe there wasn't something fishy going on behind the scenes?!

Li Jiaming's face darkened. Instead of replying, he abruptly twisted the middle-aged man's arm behind his back and shouted sternly, "What do you take the police force for? What do you take me for?! Come back with me! I don't think your behavior is as simple as soliciting prostitutes!"

"Hey, hey, hey, 20 won't do, 50!" the middle-aged man said in a panic, lowering his voice.

He immediately reported the situation to Senior Inspector Ma Guoming on duty via walkie-talkie.

"Officer Ma, something's up! That middle-aged man we brought back from the prostitution raid is trying to bribe me with $50 to release him!"

"50? In US dollars?" Inspector Ma Guoming on the other end of the phone was instantly wide awake. "Hold him down! I'm coming right now!"

The atmosphere in the interrogation room suddenly escalated.

Kenneth Ma personally oversaw the operation, with lights shining on the middle-aged man's face, attempting to find a flaw in his seemingly calm expression.

"Your ID card shows you live in Kwun Tong. What kind of business do you run? Such a large operation."

Ma Guoming asked slowly, toying with a pen in his hand.

The middle-aged man regained his composure and remained silent, only repeating one sentence: "Sir, I was just joking, don't take it so seriously. I need to see a lawyer."

He was determined that as long as he insisted it was a "joke," and the other party had no real evidence, at most they would charge him with attempted bribery, and he wouldn't be locked up for long. His legal team was capable of handling it.

Kenneth Ma, with his extensive experience, could tell that this guy was a tough nut to crack.

He tried different tactics, sometimes applying pressure, sometimes offering kind words, but the middle-aged man was like a stubborn mule.

Ma Guoming was somewhat annoyed. He even began to consider whether he should use some unconventional methods to pry open the man's mouth. Just as he was about to signal his men to lock the middle-aged man up in one place to dampen his arrogance—

"boom!"

The interrogation room door was flung open, and a policewoman in a technical department uniform rushed in excitedly, forgetting to even knock. She held a freshly printed sheet of paper in her hand, her face flushed with excitement.

"Officer Ma! Officer Ma! It's been verified! It's been verified!" The policewoman's voice was somewhat shrill due to her urgency.

Kenneth Ma frowned: "What's the matter that you're in such a hurry? What has been verified?"

The policewoman slammed the paper onto the table in front of Ma Guoming, pointing sharply at a name on it and a photo with a high similarity that the system had automatically matched.

"Interpol Red Notice: Drug Kingpin Thia Tse Chi Lok, wanted by multiple Southeast Asian countries!"

The policewoman's voice was filled with unbelievable excitement; she almost shouted it out.

"What?! He's Xie Zhile?!" Everyone in the interrogation room was stunned, and even the middle-aged man raised an eyebrow.

Kenneth Ma suddenly jumped up from his chair, grabbed the paper, stared intently at the information on it, and then looked up sharply at the middle-aged man sitting opposite him who had been acting nonchalantly.

"No, no, no, he is Xie Zhixiong, Xie Zhile's younger brother," the policewoman quickly said, waving her hand.

At this moment, the middle-aged man's calm finally shattered completely, replaced by an undisguised astonishment and... a hint of panic.

He had calculated everything perfectly, including how to avoid being caught in the dark, how to ensure the police wouldn't link the anti-prostitution operation with transnational drug lords, and even how to handle the interrogation. But he never expected that his identity would be discovered in such a place, in such a way, by the Hong Kong police's technical department through a seemingly absurd anti-prostitution operation!
The air in the interrogation room seemed to ignite at that moment.

The annoyance and helplessness on Ma Guoming's face were instantly replaced by immense surprise and solemnity.

He took a deep breath, looked at the middle-aged man, and said, word by word:
"Xie, Zhi, Xiong? Or should I call you... Mr. Xie?"

He picked up the wanted poster, waved it in front of the middle-aged man, and a genuine smile appeared on his face—the first real smile of the night, a cruel, triumphant smile like a hunter finally locking onto his prey.

"This time, you're really blind to your own faults, so blind that you've ended up in the cage yourself."

"Notify the CIB (Criminal Intelligence Bureau)! Notify the NB (Narcotics Bureau)! Contact Interpol with me! Big fish! This is a super big fish!"

"Ma Sir, should we send a message to Li Sir and the others in Mexico?"

Kenneth Ma laughed heartily, "I'll go fight! Damn, no matter how far Inspector Lee runs, my luck is still on my side."

……

(End of this chapter)