Podcast Summary: Spotlight: Snitch City – Episode 1: Officer Pastillas

Introduction

Spotlight: Snitch City, hosted by The Boston Globe Spotlight Team, delves into the shadowy realm of police informants through the lens of a single police department. In Episode 1, titled "Officer Pastillas" and released on March 11, 2025, investigative reporter Dugan Arnett uncovers alarming misconduct within the New Bedford Police Department. This episode chronicles the troubling actions of Officer George Santos and explores the broader implications of an unregulated informant system in America's ongoing war on drugs.

The 911 Call Incident

The episode opens on a warm summer night in 2018 with a distressing 911 call from the Crystal Ice dock in New Bedford, Massachusetts. A fisherman aboard the scalloping boat Little Tootie reports an intruder on board.

• [00:21] Mark Raposo: "910 language emergency."
• [00:24] Dugan Arnett: "The caller is a fisherman on the Little Tootie, a boat docked for the night along the city's waterfront."

The caller describes a frenzied man dressed in black with bloodshot eyes and a gun, claiming to be a police officer without warrants. The dispatcher's confusion sets the stage for the unfolding drama.

George Santos' Suspicious Behavior

As police scramble to respond, Officer Mark Raposo is dispatched to investigate. Upon arrival, Raposo encounters his colleague, George Santos, acting erratically on the Little Tootie.

• [02:24] Mark Raposo: "I think at that point I'm probably already putting two and two together."
• [03:03] Dugan Arnett: "Raposo's colleague George Santos is off duty."

Santos demands drugs from the fishermen, citing information from a "confidential informant." This demand raises immediate red flags for Raposo, who suspects Santos' true intentions.

• [04:44] Dugan Arnett: "Nothing about the situation makes sense to Raposo. What possible reason could Santos have to be here?"
• [05:01] Mark Raposo: "It looked like a drug rip. Pretty much. Bad guy robbing a drug dealer, that's what it is."

The Informant System and Lack of Oversight

Santos leverages the power of confidential informants (CIs) to justify his actions, a common practice in drug investigations. However, Arnett highlights the lack of regulation and transparency surrounding the use of CIs.

• [06:00] Dugan Arnett: "These words triple wire for Raposo."

The system allows officers to operate with minimal oversight, often leading to abuse of power, as exemplified by Santos' actions.

Mark Raposo's Stand Against Misconduct

Mark Raposo becomes increasingly disturbed by Santos' behavior, recognizing the need to address the misconduct despite internal resistance.

• [16:14] Mark Raposo: "George is a street guy. Reputation is kind of a reckless and wild guy."

Raposo's efforts to report Santos face significant obstacles, including retaliation from the department and a culture that prioritizes arrest statistics over ethical policing.

• [27:47] Mark Raposo: "I'm not gonna be part of this. This is not a secret what this guy does."
• [28:23] Mark Raposo: "No problem, I'll take the hit."

The Investigation and Its Aftermath

Despite Raposo's attempts to expose Santos, the investigation reveals deep-seated issues within the New Bedford Police Department. Internal Affairs (IA) files and testimonies from multiple fishermen indicate a pattern of misconduct, including illegal searches and drug thefts.

• [25:04] Dugan Arnett: "They quickly learn that speaking up against a fellow officer can have consequences."

Santos eventually resigns without facing any disciplinary action, highlighting the department's failure to hold him accountable.

• [34:25] Dugan Arnett: "The investigation unfolds, showing that Santos' account of the CI was fabricated or unsupported."

The lack of repercussions underscores systemic problems in policing practices and the handling of informant-related cases.

Broader Implications and Systemic Problems

Arnett expands the narrative to discuss the widespread reliance on CIs in law enforcement and the potential for abuse inherent in such systems. The episode reveals how the secrecy surrounding informants can facilitate corruption, enabling officers like Santos to exploit the system for personal gain.

• [07:18] Dugan Arnett: "In a nation addicted to drugs, police across the country have become addicted to informants."

The episode underscores the need for greater transparency and accountability in the use of informants to prevent misuse and protect vulnerable communities.

Conclusion and Next Steps

Spotlight: Snitch City concludes by emphasizing the ongoing struggle for justice faced by whistleblowers like Mark Raposo. Despite his brave attempts to expose wrongdoing, Raposo faces ostracization and a lack of support from both the police department and federal agencies.

• [41:53] Mark Raposo: "You can't manipulate this as a grand jury now. This can't be manipulated now."

The episode sets the stage for future installments, promising to delve deeper into the corrupt informant system and its far-reaching consequences on drug enforcement and community trust.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• [05:22] George Santos: "If there's a level playing field, there'd be no war on drugs because they wouldn't succeed."
• [19:48] Mark Raposo: "They give him the coke and heroin. No arrests, no charges."
• [41:42] Mark Raposo: "You can't manipulate this as a grand jury now. This can't be manipulated now."
• [50:42] Dugan Arnett: "Would just be shocked that we permit this kind of thing to happen."

Key Takeaways

1. Abuse of Informant Systems: The episode exposes how unregulated informant systems can be exploited by law enforcement, leading to misconduct and corruption.

2. Lack of Accountability: Despite clear evidence of wrongdoing, officers like George Santos often evade punishment due to systemic failures within police departments.

3. Culture of Retaliation: Whistleblowers like Mark Raposo face significant backlash, highlighting the need for protective measures and cultural shifts within law enforcement agencies.

4. Impact on Communities: The misuse of informants undermines trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve, particularly affecting vulnerable populations such as immigrant fishermen in New Bedford.

Final Thoughts

Episode 1 of Spotlight: Snitch City provides a compelling and detailed examination of the dark side of police informant systems. Through the story of Officer George Santos and the courageous efforts of Mark Raposo, Dugan Arnett sheds light on the urgent need for reform to ensure justice, transparency, and accountability in law enforcement.