Thomas V. Cash, DEA Agent Who Targeted Miami Cartels, Dies at 85
Thomas V. Cash, a former Drug Enforcement Administration agent who led the Miami field division during the height of the cocaine wars and became known for his aggressive pursuit of cartel kingpins, has died. He was 85. Mr. Cash passed away at his home in North Carolina due to complications from a stroke, his family confirmed. During the 1980s and early 1990s, Cash served as the special agent in charge of the DEA’s Miami division, a critical front in the battle against the Medellín and Cali cartels. These organizations flooded American streets with cocaine, fueling a wave of violence and corruption. Cash’s tenure was defined by his relentless drive to dismantle the supply chains that brought narcotics from South America to Florida and beyond. Under his leadership, the Miami office executed massive sting operations, including the famous "Operation Gridlock." This initiative targeted the laundering of drug proceeds through legitimate businesses in South Florida, leading to the seizure of hundreds of millions of dollars and the arrest of dozens of traffickers. Cash believed that hitting the cartels in their wallets was as important as arresting their soldiers. Colleagues described Cash as a "hard-charging" leader who demanded excellence. He often worked closely with the FBI, Customs Service, and local police, fostering a rare level of inter-agency cooperation in a region notorious for jurisdictional squabbles. His efforts helped shift the balance of power, making it increasingly difficult for the Colombian cartels to operate freely in the United States. Born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1938, Cash began his law enforcement career with the New York Police Department before joining the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, a precursor to the DEA, in 1968. He quickly established a reputation for undercover work and intelligence gathering. Before taking the helm in Miami, Cash played a pivotal role in the "Operation Polar Cap" investigation in the Midwest, which targeted a massive heroin distribution ring. However, it was his work in Miami that cemented his legacy. In one notable case, Cash’s agents captured Orlando the Clown, a notorious hitman for the Medellín cartel who was responsible for the torture and murder of rivals. The intelligence gathered from that operation helped unravel the intricate logistics of the cartel's Florida operations. Cash retired from the DEA in 1994. Even after leaving government service, he remained an active commentator on drug policy and law enforcement tactics, often criticizing the militarization of police but defending the need for aggressive intervention against transnational criminal organizations. He is survived by his wife, three children, and several grandchildren. A private funeral service will be held in North Carolina. Former colleagues and friends are planning a memorial service in Miami to honor his contributions to the city’s safety and the nation’s war on drugs.
