Robert Almonte – Robert Almonte retired as a Deputy Chief in 2003 after nearly 25 years with the El Paso, Texas Police Department. He had spent the majority of his career in Narcotics Investigations as a detective, sergeant, and Commander. Robert oversaw the Narcotics unit and other detective units as Captain and Deputy Chief. As Commander of the Narcotics section, Robert implemented the Narcotics Hotel/Motel unit, which evolved into a HIDTA task force. In 1999, Robert also formulated and implemented the West Texas HIDTA Stash House Task force, which received the 2000 White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) award for “Outstanding HIDTA Interdiction Unit”. Robert graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Park University. He has traveled throughout the United States providing training for thousands of law enforcement Officers through various training organizations, and he has served as a consultant on law enforcement issues for General Dynamics Corporation. Robert is the Executive Director for the Texas Narcotic Officers’ Association and served three terms as President for the Texas Narcotic Officers Association: (1999-2000, 2001-2002, and 2005-2006). Robert is the Vice-President for the National Narcotic Officers Associations’ Coalition (NNOAC) and also served two years as the Southwest Regional Director.

Robert has conducted extensive research on how Mexican drug traffickers pray to the “spiritual world” for protection from law enforcement. This research has included Robert visiting several shrines throughout Mexico that are frequented by Mexican drug traffickers. Robert does this in order to get a first hand look of what these drug traffickers are praying to and to bring back this information as well as photographs and related paraphernalia to share with law enforcement officers throughout the United States. Robert believes that by sharing this information as well as related case information with law enforcement officers, their safety will be enhanced and they will be equipped with more tools for removing more drugs and drug traffickers from the streets.

Robert has received numerous awards for his efforts, including the 1999 White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) award for National “Outstanding HIDTA Task Force Commander”, as well as a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition in 2003. He is also the author of two books; “The Evolution of Narcotics Investigations” and “Managing Covert Operations”.

Click here to contact Robert for training requests.
 

Samuel M. Candelaria - Detective, (Ret.) Albuquerque Police Department, is a 20-year veteran and has 16 years of narcotics investigative experience to include undercover work, and narcotics interdiction involving trains, buses, hotels, motels, and airports. He has provided narcotics interdiction training to many officers throughout the nation, including DEA’s Jetway and Skynarc Schools.

Gilberto Gonzalez – Senior Special Agent, DEA. While assigned to the DEA Los Angeles Office, S/A Gonzalez worked major money laundering investigations as both case agent and undercover agent. On assignment to Guadalajara, Mexico, S/A Gonzalez investigated major Mexican drug trafficking violators. In 1998, S/A Gonzalez received the DEA Administrator’s Award of Valor. S/A Gonzalez holds a Master’s degree in Administration and a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice. S/A Gonzalez currently serves as the Training Coordinator of the El Paso Intelligence Center (EPIC).

Thomas R. Lawrence – Detective, El Paso Police Department, is a 23-year veteran of the El Paso Police Department and has been assigned to the narcotics section for nine years. He was involved in the implementation of the Hotel/Motel Unit. Detective Lawrence has a B.S. in Criminal Justice and has provided training on Hotel/Motel narcotics investigations to officers from throughout the country.

Manny Marquez – Deputy, El Paso County Sheriff’s dept. Manny is a 20-year veteran and has been working highway interdiction for the past 6 years. He is an associate staff instructor/mentor for DIAP and EPIC. Manny’s involvement in highway interdiction has resulted in the seizure of several million dollars in drugs and currency. Manny was recognized for his efforts by being named the Operation Pipeline/Convoy Instructor of the year for 2001.

Timothy Sellers – DEA Supervisory Special Agent, (Ret). Prior to his retirement in 2006, SSA Sellers initiated an investigation which led to the arrest of 14 Hizb-l Islam Gulbidden and Taliban terrorists, including the leader who claimed responsibility for the homicide bombing and murder of five Afghanistan National Directorate of Security agents in 2004. He has served as advisor and mentor to the Afghan Counter-Narcotics Police. He prevented a planned attack on U.S. and NATO forces by tackling an armed homicide bomber as he was boarding a bus loaded with innocent Afghans, blocks away from US and NATO military headquarters, the Presidential Palace, and the American Embassy. For this act, SSA Sellers was awarded the DEA Administrator’s Award of Valor and the United States Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Heroism.