Episode 078: Bob Hamer – Counterfeit $100 Bills, Operation Smoking Dragon

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In this episode, Bob reviews his undercover role in Operation Smoking Dragon, an investigation that dismantled an international smuggling ring that brought into the country illegal drugs, cigarettes, and counterfeit $100 bills, known as North Korean “supernotes,” and conspired to bring in Chinese-made weapons as well.

The operation was the result of parallel undercover investigations on opposite shores—“Operation Royal Charm” in New Jersey and “Operation Smoking Dragon” in Los Angeles, California. A total of 59 individuals from around the world were arrested in 11 locations in the U.S. over the weekend; 87 people were also charged (FBI press release).

Special Agent (Retired)

Bob Hamer

9/17/1079 – 1/6/2006

Retired agent Bob Hamer served in the FBI for 26 years.

While in the Bureau, Hamer, a Marine Corps veteran, worked organized crime, gangs, terrorism, and child exploitation cases. Much of his career was spent undercover, successfully posing as a drug dealer, contract killer, international weapons dealer, white-collar criminal, and pedophile. Bob received numerous awards throughout his career, including the coveted FBI Director’s Award for Distinguished Service and five United States Attorney Awards for Distinguished Service.

He has written and consulted for television and is the author of three award-winning books and three novellas. His non-fiction book, THE LAST UNDERCOVER, details his FBI undercover career.

The following are links to articles about Operation Smoking Dragon, an international smuggling operation:

FBI Helps Bust Major International Smuggling Operation

Scary Crimes Uncovered by FBI in Operation Smoking Dragon

Smoking dragon, royal charm | Center for Public Integrity

North Korea’s Counterfeit Benjamins Have Vanished | VICE News