Dugan Arnett

And so was Oliveira. They both wanted more, more action, more responsibility, more prestige. They wanted to be in narcotics.

And so was Oliveira. They both wanted more, more action, more responsibility, more prestige. They wanted to be in narcotics.

Bobby Richard and Paul Oliveira were promoted to the drug unit on the same day in 1996. And then thus began the journey. This was the 1990s, the height of America's war on drugs. And there was a lot of work to do.

Bobby Richard and Paul Oliveira were promoted to the drug unit on the same day in 1996. And then thus began the journey. This was the 1990s, the height of America's war on drugs. And there was a lot of work to do.

Then-President Bill Clinton was throwing billions at the problem.

Then-President Bill Clinton was throwing billions at the problem.

The money and the mission trickled down to New Bedford, a major trafficking port. At the docks, so-called dirty boats were offloading huge shipments after dark. Cocaine and heroin coursed through the motorcycle clubs and seedy waterfront bars. For New Bedford's narcotics unit, the objective was simple. Make cases, get drugs. And they were given lots of leeway to do that.

The money and the mission trickled down to New Bedford, a major trafficking port. At the docks, so-called dirty boats were offloading huge shipments after dark. Cocaine and heroin coursed through the motorcycle clubs and seedy waterfront bars. For New Bedford's narcotics unit, the objective was simple. Make cases, get drugs. And they were given lots of leeway to do that.

They came and went as they pleased, dressed in plain clothes, and drove flashy cars seized from local dealers. It was exciting.

They came and went as they pleased, dressed in plain clothes, and drove flashy cars seized from local dealers. It was exciting.

Without informants, none of their work would have been possible. Richard says working a drug case without a CI is like walking into a casino and betting solely on a hunch.

Without informants, none of their work would have been possible. Richard says working a drug case without a CI is like walking into a casino and betting solely on a hunch.

The more Richard worked with CIs, the more he realized how shady it was. So much of it was off the books, and everything hinged on the word and integrity of police.

The more Richard worked with CIs, the more he realized how shady it was. So much of it was off the books, and everything hinged on the word and integrity of police.

And when it came to informants, Paul Oliveira was a superstar.

And when it came to informants, Paul Oliveira was a superstar.

Oliveira's former supervisor told me he was, quote, the cock of the walk. Others call him genius or a god. Paul had an infallible luck streak. Big cases, huge numbers. He made the department and himself look good.

Oliveira's former supervisor told me he was, quote, the cock of the walk. Others call him genius or a god. Paul had an infallible luck streak. Big cases, huge numbers. He made the department and himself look good.

Everyone benefited, including Richard.

Everyone benefited, including Richard.