In this exclusive interview, John “Red” Shea, former Irish-American gangster, shares his untold story of rising to power alongside the infamous James “Whitey” Bulger in South Boston during the 1980s. Shea opens up about his role as a key cocaine supplier, the inner workings of Bulger’s criminal empire, and the ultimate betrayal by corrupt FBI agent John Connolly.
Red covers his experience with the Irish Mafia including:
-How Whitey Bulger ruled South Boston for three decades
-The rise of Red Shea and his pivotal role in the Irish mob’s drug trade
-Shocking details about FBI corruption and how it protected Bulger
-Why Whitey Bulger went on the run for 16 years and how he was finally captured
-Inside stories of drug deals, loyalty tests, and survival in the underworld
-The truth behind Whitey Bulger’s brutal prison murder
Red Shea also discusses his life after prison, finding closure through his book “Rat Bastard”, and the lessons learned from a life entangled in crime.
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00:00:00 Intro
00:02:23 Early Irish Crime In South Boston
00:05:30 Impact of Heroin on Boston’s Youth
00:11:27 The Rise of Whitey Bulger in the Winter Hill Gang
00:17:31 Inside the Organized Crime in Boston
00:23:15 Inside the Brutal World of Crime: Whitey Bulger’s Early Days
00:29:07 The Art of Smuggling: A Personal Journey
00:31:46 Thank You To Today’s Sponsors!
00:35:46 The Influence Of Boxing
00:40:25 The High-Stakes Cocaine Business and Its Profits
00:46:30 The Intricate Drug Distribution Network
00:52:26 The Notorious Whitey Bulger’s Criminal Activities
00:58:34 The Flipping of Stevie Flemmi and Its Consequences
01:04:24 The Code of Silence and Self-Preservation
01:10:06 The Rise of Cyber Crime and AI’s Impact
01:16:00 The Dangerous Reality of Street Life
01:21:43 Whitey Bulger’s Informant Network
01:27:35 Indictments and the Flawed Justice System
01:33:02 The Story of Billy Shay and Red’s Encounter
01:39:12 Whitey Bulger’s Global Hideout Rumors
01:44:53 The Infamous Life and Downfall of Whitey Bulger
01:50:41 Returning to Boxing Despite Warnings
01:56:43 Whitey Bulger’s Court Appearances and Legal Tactics
02:02:59 The Consequences of Betrayal in Organized Crime
02:09:16 Regret and Consequences of Cooperation with DEA
02:14:37 Gratitude and Farewell
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