What do you think?
Rate this book
The Betrayer: How An Undercover Unit Infiltrated The Global Drug Trade
"Gripping" DAILY MAIL
"Incredible ... a real-life yarn that reads like a thriller" THE SUN
Guy Stanton was a burly London gangster with a big reputation. For years he operated at the top of the drugs trade, moving huge shipments around the world. He knew the leading players in global organised crime, from wealthy Asian warlords and Turkish heroin barons to British cannabis crews and Colombian cocaine cartels.
Yet all along he was living a perilous double life. ‘Stanton’ was the legend – the fake identity – of a covert investigator fronting a bold new concept in deep infiltration. Beta Projects was Britain’s most secret undercover unit. Formed by HM Customs, it trained an elite cadre of officers to adopt false personas and penetrate the international underworld – for as long as it took.
Posing as money launderers, yacht skippers, lorry drivers and gangster’s molls, and often just a word away from betrayal and retribution. they lived the life of the villains they pursued, helping to seize tonnes of drugs and illicit contraband. Their clandestine exploits have never been revealed – until now.
Stanton’s extraordinary work took him to four continents, all while living on a razor’s edge. He and his colleagues survived gun battles, kidnaps, disasters at sea and false claims of corruption. The job cost him dear, pushing hm to the limits of physical and mental endurance.
THE BETRAYER is the authentic account of a ground-breaking assault on the world’s most brutal narcos and of the courage, camaraderie (and humour) of the men and women who took the War on Drugs deep into the heart of the enemy.
"Incredible ... a real-life yarn that reads like a thriller" THE SUN
Guy Stanton was a burly London gangster with a big reputation. For years he operated at the top of the drugs trade, moving huge shipments around the world. He knew the leading players in global organised crime, from wealthy Asian warlords and Turkish heroin barons to British cannabis crews and Colombian cocaine cartels.
Yet all along he was living a perilous double life. ‘Stanton’ was the legend – the fake identity – of a covert investigator fronting a bold new concept in deep infiltration. Beta Projects was Britain’s most secret undercover unit. Formed by HM Customs, it trained an elite cadre of officers to adopt false personas and penetrate the international underworld – for as long as it took.
Posing as money launderers, yacht skippers, lorry drivers and gangster’s molls, and often just a word away from betrayal and retribution. they lived the life of the villains they pursued, helping to seize tonnes of drugs and illicit contraband. Their clandestine exploits have never been revealed – until now.
Stanton’s extraordinary work took him to four continents, all while living on a razor’s edge. He and his colleagues survived gun battles, kidnaps, disasters at sea and false claims of corruption. The job cost him dear, pushing hm to the limits of physical and mental endurance.
THE BETRAYER is the authentic account of a ground-breaking assault on the world’s most brutal narcos and of the courage, camaraderie (and humour) of the men and women who took the War on Drugs deep into the heart of the enemy.
- GenresCrimeNonfiction
320 pages, Paperback
Published July 11, 2022
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 7, 2022
Such an amazing book by a truly inspiring amazing person!
This book made me laugh, cry and all the emotions in between. I would highly recommend this read to anyone to understand the hard work that goes on behind the scenes of tackling organised crime when most people are just living their everyday lives
Inspirational x
This book made me laugh, cry and all the emotions in between. I would highly recommend this read to anyone to understand the hard work that goes on behind the scenes of tackling organised crime when most people are just living their everyday lives
Inspirational x
December 11, 2023
This book highlights authors career in Customs. Most of his adventures seemed to end in failure. Each tale told quite formulaically. Always presents himself as a hero in each adventure sometimes rings hollow i.e. barked at these criminals and they backed down as his alter ego was volatile. He definitely was caught up by some of the smarter more cautious operators i.e. they drop contact. He touches on corruption scandal that caused a breakdown and that he was innocent. Name drops leading criminals with household names though Im not convinced he met everyone he mentions and seems aimed to spice up the narrative/sell the book. Co-Author Peter Walsh provides wider historical context on HM Customs. Peter writes well and is a reliable journalist. I would recommend if you are interested in true crime genre.
June 9, 2023
This was a really good insight into the role of an under cover agent within HMCE (His Majesty's Customs & Excise). Guy explained the training that the agents go though as well as the lengths these agents and their teams need to go to, to infiltrate drug dealers and cartels.
I listened to the audio version of the book and enjoyed the narration, it was an easy listen.
I listened to the audio version of the book and enjoyed the narration, it was an easy listen.
December 24, 2024
Watch 1995 World in Action “The Informer”. The Target named in this book Birmingham Frank ,was amongst the top players in Jamaica …..For the greater good , Scotland Yard’s then Commander John Grieve should have been the recipient of Frank, it would have proved a Goldmine for his team. Instead of an egotistical buffoon like Guy Stanton rubbishing it……
November 23, 2022
A solid 3.5
July 6, 2023
Fascinating insight into how the drug trade and undercover operatives work. Really farcical at times and shows just how hit and miss so many of these smuggling operations are.
December 24, 2024
Writing this book has compromised the safety of others.. for commercial gain. He has no qualms about betraying his former employer Custom & Excise. I think he needs som “ Home truths “…
February 27, 2025
Fascinating read.
May 17, 2026
fascinating read
Gives the real story behind the Netflix series, the legend. Amazing stories of undercover work to stop narco trafficking mainly in the UK
Gives the real story behind the Netflix series, the legend. Amazing stories of undercover work to stop narco trafficking mainly in the UK
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews