Dugan Arnett

Russ has been out of the game for a long time. He left New Bedford decades ago, living in exile, in his words. A kind of self-imposed witness protection program.

Russ has been out of the game for a long time. He left New Bedford decades ago, living in exile, in his words. A kind of self-imposed witness protection program.

But once he got going, he unburdened himself.

But once he got going, he unburdened himself.

Russ lives his life looking over his shoulder.

Russ lives his life looking over his shoulder.

These days, Russ lives a quiet life. He's married, works a 9-to-5 job, talks about 401ks.

These days, Russ lives a quiet life. He's married, works a 9-to-5 job, talks about 401ks.

Russ got into the drug game early. He says, quote, I was raised in the gutter. And he turned to drug dealing when he was just 12.

Russ got into the drug game early. He says, quote, I was raised in the gutter. And he turned to drug dealing when he was just 12.

Russ was first convicted as a teenager for selling coke.

Russ was first convicted as a teenager for selling coke.

Russ started out low level, but he made his way to the top of the chain.

Russ started out low level, but he made his way to the top of the chain.

Russ got to know the now police chief back when Oliveira was a young narcotics detective. And he's still scared of his old handler.

Russ got to know the now police chief back when Oliveira was a young narcotics detective. And he's still scared of his old handler.

Paul Oliveira took notice of Russ when he was just a teenager, but already a serious drug dealer. His value as a potential drug informant was clear.

Paul Oliveira took notice of Russ when he was just a teenager, but already a serious drug dealer. His value as a potential drug informant was clear.

Like everyone else I talked to in the drug trade, Russ disdained snitching and snitches. But Oliveira made a convincing pitch.

Like everyone else I talked to in the drug trade, Russ disdained snitching and snitches. But Oliveira made a convincing pitch.